Beauty Blog vs. Personal Blog

Jun 18, 2008 Author: Jen Hill | Filed under: Women

I am conflicted.

I was just declined membership at a beauty blogging forum because of too much personal content on this blog. Guilty as charged. And maybe I should extinguish the personal element to the beauty site altogether, and recommit to having Mythbuster Beauty be a 100% beauty blog. I would only post beauty posts here, and then post my personal stuff on my Facebook or MySpace accounts.

I have been considering this for months, and was only posting personal posts on weekends and beauty reviews Monday through Friday. The truth is, most people come to my site directed from a search on a specific beauty topic, and could care less about the rest. I add the personal stuff just because I love to share things about my life that are “beautiful.” Part of my belief about beauty is that we, as women are much more than just a pretty face. And discussing the myths about superficial beauty and unhealthy ideas that we have about beauty is something I fight against every day. I hope that message is conveyed in how I review beauty products and present myself here.

Let me know your feelings. I need some candid, honest opinions and will not take offense (at least not long term).

Here are some of my favorite “personal” posts, and I reflect back with a great deal of satisfaction publishing these articles:

Sunday Sermon: The Prayer of the Children: Thoughts on poverty, children, and love.

Martin Luther King Jr. The Freedom We Seek: Honoring Dr. King and his dream.

A Truly Beautiful Illustrator: Scott E. Franson: Inspirational, talented artist who is battling cancer.

Sunday Sermon: Big Sister Little Sister Love: From the pen of my oldest daughter.

The Fine Art of Communication: Thoughts on self-deprecation and loving yourself.

Sunday Sermon: Sister Love: How sisters can and should support each other.

Should we judge our next President by their laugh? History now, but still a relevant topic.

This is what I think the new Mythbuster Beauty slogan should be:

Share and Enjoy:

No Response for "Beauty Blog vs. Personal Blog"

Mo June 18th, 2008 at 11:13 pm 1

All the makeup in the world isn’t going to make you truly beautiful unless you’ve got it going on inside your noggin! I think being aware of ALL of yourself is the first step to beauty. So do what you think is best, but I say….Keep on Rocking Sister!!!
Allie June 19th, 2008 at 5:37 am 2

I hate the impersonal beauty blogs. I want to know the person behind the moisturizers, concealers and lip glosses - what is her life like, her lifestyle, her personality. That makes the beauty reviews far more authentic. I visit, and I return and I subscribe on my Google Reader to you, and very few other beauty blogs BECAUSE of the personal touch!
And I get denied for beauty and fashion blogs all the time because I am too personal and don’t write about say the new MAC line or the new Balenciaga bag. Whatevs… I have my readers, many have become friends and my blog makes me feel good.

And your blog makes me feel good too!
IFW June 19th, 2008 at 5:43 am 3

All of the blogospheres aside.. What FEELS better? Membership in a forum or writing about the other side of beauty?
StyleIT June 19th, 2008 at 6:04 am 4

I think your personal posts mixed in with your beauty posts make you very unique, and with the internet as crowded as it is today, unique is a good thing. Please stay just how you are!
Sarah June 19th, 2008 at 6:23 am 5

I agree with IFW.

If you change your blog to make someone else happy then it can end up feeling like you’re writing for them, and not yourself.

I do write several blogs, but that’s basically because I assumed that most of the readers on my beauty blog don’t want to hear about my pets all the time.

If you do decide to split the posts up I think you should consider using something other than myspace or facebook for your personal posts, so people who enjoy those posts now and don’t have a myspace or a facebook account can still read the posts.
Laurel June 19th, 2008 at 6:39 am 6

Adding your personal feelings and experiences brings a warmth and authenticity to your blog that increases its charm. Keep it up!
Jen Hill June 19th, 2008 at 7:11 am 7

Mo, Allie, Sarah, IFW, StyleIt and Laurel I am so happy to hear from all of you! Wow, when I woke up and read through these comments, I thought I was dreaming.

Very good things to consider and all of you mean a great deal to me. I am so glad I have shared a bit of my personal side, otherwise I wouldn’t have developed such amazing friends here.

No beauty blog networks for MBB I guess… Oh well.
Meredith June 19th, 2008 at 7:48 am 8

I totally understand where you’re coming from. The thing is, if you don’t include the personal, you just end up sounding like a PR machine, and it turns readers off. Part of the beauty of blogs is the personal touch - the fact that it’s being written by a real person, with real thoughts. Anything else is just a marketing tool, you know? Whatever you decide, good luck! But honestly, I wouldn’t change your style at this point.
jen38 June 19th, 2008 at 8:22 am 9

That is a very good point Meredith. I adore your blog site and think part of what keeps the creative juices flowing and motivated is by mixing things up.

Thanks so much, I really needed this feedback.
Critty June 19th, 2008 at 8:44 am 10

Keep doing what you are doing! I love reading your blog about beauty or personal stuff. I read certain blogs because I feel like I have gotten to know the person a bit through their posts, not because they spit out PR info to me. Keep rocking it and be proud of your blog!

Big hugs,
Critty
tracy m June 19th, 2008 at 2:14 pm 11

Jen, really, Mo is right. All the make-up in the world doesn’t make anyone beautiful without something going on inside. You have to do what you feel best about. I like reading your essays about your life and your kids- and if you decided to split them up, I would bookmark whatever new blog you wrote, too. You have my support.
jen38 June 19th, 2008 at 4:50 pm 12

Thank you so much Tracy and Critty, you are too wonderful.
Marilyn June 19th, 2008 at 7:59 pm 13

Isn’t this blog called “Myth BUSTER Beauty”? (with the emphasis on “BUSTER”) Isn’t one of the biggest myths out there that beauty is only skin deep? There, you see? You are doing exactly the right thing with this blog. You are my hero because you make me feel great when I read your posts and feeling great makes me feel beautiful! Yay for Jen!!!
Decorative Diva June 20th, 2008 at 7:58 am 14

Personally, I think you should write about whatever you want. It’s your blog. It’s what makes you happy. If they don’t let you join a beauty ring because of it, then perhaps it’s not really the place you want to be. I’ve been enjoying your blog for quite a while now and I sincerely hope you’ll continue to keep writing.
hairyshoefairy June 21st, 2008 at 10:12 am 15

I have to agree with Mo and Tracy. Beauty is in the full package, not just the wrapper. I like your new slogan, btw.
hazel June 21st, 2008 at 11:40 am 16

I also think that you should keep the personal stuff, I actually dislike the beauty blogs that say nothing but make up all the time. I want to know about the person writing. 1. because it is interesting (primary reason) 2. because if their lifestyle is close to mine, the make up they like might work for me
Mr. Mo June 21st, 2008 at 5:55 pm 17

I’ll be forced to stop reading if you go beauty only….

BTW I agree with Mo!
Jen Hill June 22nd, 2008 at 10:06 am 18

Wow! What an amazing support team you all are! Even Mr. Mo commented!

I am going to post beauty only subjects M-F for now, and give myself the freedom to post whatever I feel like on the weekends.

Hopefully that will be enough to satisfy the blogging network.
Jami June 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 am 19

Oh geesh… Jen.

Stay the way you are. The personal side of Mythbuster is what MAKES this blog different and makes me realize that it’s not just some money-hungry, power-house corporation behind the blog. The only way to be truly beautiful is to be well-rounded and that is more than just makeup and skincare.

You are my idol. Stay beautiful as you are!
Jami
Kandice June 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm 20

I agree with everyone else. It is YOUR blog and you should do what makes you happy…the personal stuff is fun and really does help your readers get to know you better.
SAHMmy Says June 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm 21

Honestly, I come for the “good stuff”–that’s the personal posts. I love all your tips and tricks on beauty stuff that 98% of the time I don’t have the guts to try or the money to buy, but I’ve really enjoyed learning about you and your family here.
Jami (a different one) June 23rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm 22

I don’t do beauty blogs. It’s you and Mo that pull me over from Tracy’s blog. I like people much more than their make-up.

That said, I actually bought a couple of the products Mo recommended. I like how you two pull my girly make-up thoughts out of hibernation.
jen38 June 23rd, 2008 at 6:02 pm 23

Thank you so much Jami(s) and SAHMmy, I am really touched by the outpouring of support from all of you.

You are the best!
Katrina July 21st, 2008 at 6:35 am 24

You should post what you want to post. It’s YOUR blog, right?