The REAL Problem with Beauty Brand Trips & WHY People HATE Them! | Jen Luv

[@khl1987]

Never ever has brand trip content make me want to buy a product

[@aprilrich807]

Same for me. In fact, I’m far more likely NOT to. I really don’t care for the “girls gone wild” aesthetic (just my personal take) from baby girls that seem to care more about how “cool” they are rather than anything else.

[@violetclaire6608]

I want to know the psychology for people that it DOES inspire to buy

[@thejammiestjam]

Brand trip content actually makes me NOT want to buy.

[@MiaBostic]

I think it's more so for brand awareness then translating to sales.

[@maggierobertson2962]

Yeah. It basically tells me not to trust reviews

[@baileydubs]

In my opinion, opulent brand trips tell me: this brand has tons of money to blow and doesn’t need any of mine 😅

[@ash.--.]

Thank you! That's what I'm saying, gladly taking my money to the drugstore brands.

[@_cyy023]

Agree!!!

[@maximumbees]

exactly this

[@sherryelle225]

Good point.

[@DystopianOverture]

Big samesies.

[@nikkigalvan8540]

If they are going to send people on brand trips, it should be the Sephora and Ulta employees that actually sell their products

[@kateaye3506]

👏👏👏👏

[@catherineduncan6611]

That’s a great idea! They will still benefits from higher sales because the employees will be more likely to recommend their products.

[@nikkigalvan8540]

@@catherineduncan6611 exactly! Brands should look at us ( I’m a Sephora at kohls manager ) as their last line of defense, we can either talk someone into or out of a product !

[@glendielocks]

Ideally that’s what should happen but the reach of these influencers are a lot wider and deeper. We need to remind ourselves that these companies don’t care about us just our money lol.

[@its.jyssicawith.a.y7882]

Right. I use to work at Sephora the discount isn’t much and we got maybe one or two free products that were left overs a month. Sometimes if new products came in we got to take one home so we can recommend them.

[@serenalee3]

I am feeling myself becoming more and more exhausted from being advertised to 24/7. It’s wave after wave of “be skinny with this greens powder,” “have flawless skin with this skincare,” “buy our foundation,” “subscribe to this service.” I’m so tired of it, and these brand trips are so out of touch when it is getting harder and harder to just survive.

[@a.m.7015]

That’s the point I made on the last video and got ripped in the comments about jealousy. In no way am I jealous, I could take a trip if I want or buy more makeup if I want but it is and I’ll say it again insensitive to those who are barely making it right now in this economy and the constant showing out has reached it’s limit. I was hoping this video would clarify some of it .

[@Jabburns67]

It depends on the. Influencer, you have influencers who are honest, and they don't give you dishonest opinions of the brand that you have. Then you have others who give dishonest influencers that just want to sell us the products, so they can get more p. R and so kind of just depends on the influencer, really, and I don't think the brand trip is a big problem. I'm not gonna not buy the product because they had a big brand trip. I don't really care if I'm gonna buy it. I'm gonna buy it whether they had a brand trip or not. Not that easily influenced.

[@rachelleo6014]

‼️

[@nomsulambat6229]

These brands will not stop pushing their products because of our opinions. What you can do is at least try to limit these things from yourself....like limiting social media use. Now I'm not saying that's the end all be all solution, but nothing will change if we're being real🤷🏾‍♀️

[@ally9553]

Same I am really tired of being told something is wrong with me and I need to buy x to fix it. Even if they’re right and my eyebrows aren’t perfect or whatever sometimes I just don’t care. I only can care about so many things!!

[@Liz0519]

I think part of it is that some influencers (absolutely not all) are not the best people. I know I don't like to see shady people get rewarded while good, honest people get ignored.

[@msSweeTae]

Exactly. I don't care about the trips, it's more about the people or the moment when someone doesn't recognize how fortunate they are.

[@tamrasmith1744]

Comparing brand trips to the Kardashians makes sense. There are plenty of people, like me, who don’t understand the appeal of the Kardashians and consider the entire extended family to be very cringe, but they are very popular. Plenty of people love them and will follow them across every type of media. The same goes for brand trips. Some of us may be sick of the ostentatious displays, or were never into them in the first place, but plenty of people still love that kind of thing. The Kardashians don’t seem to be getting less popular, and I’m sure there will continue to be people who enjoy brand trips.

[@leoslick]

Have u seen the recent Kosas brand trip? The best part is they're "promoting" Kosas new sunscreen and by day 2 the influencers are burnt to a crisp. And of course it's mostly problematic influencers 😂

[@itsalldownhill4827]

GlamShilla and MikLIAR?!?!! Please tell me it was those two jackal clown farts

[@ZijnShayatanica]

Lmao, the ironyyyyyy.

[@stereotypea123]

Unpopular opinion: The reaction to the Bora Bora tik tok is how I feel about ALL influencers who flaunt their expensive trips 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ it doesn’t have to be associated with a brand.

[@kateaye3506]

Especially the inevitable haul videos after their trip. I don't need to see a makeup content creator's latest Celine bag haul, 15 latest bottles of a niche perfume line or YSL shoe boxes filled with two 1.5mm thick strapped soles. We are paying for that!!

[@blythea35]

I’m tired of the “people are jealous” reasoning for why people hate brand trips. Maybe because I am a GenXer, I couldn’t care less about these trips. Yes, please send me on an expensive trip where I get a bunch of stuff I don’t need or want, and will have to pay taxes on because it exceeds the gifting amount. Also, I don’t want to feel forced to participate in events I wouldn’t do if I went on vacation myself. None of these trips have ever made me want to buy from a brand.

[@reginakeith8187]

Another Xer here and... Same! I don't care. Go if you want to go, don't go if you don't want to. An influencer talking about it isn't going to sway me if it isn't something I didn't already want. It's probably best if you don't make completely tone-deaf content but, hey, you do you.

[@wplants9793]

I love Gen X and you’re absolutely right

[@leonnahofer9138]

Yeah they are probably not including it in their taxes lol

[@sunnyday_lemonbars]

another GenXer agreeing!

[@msSweeTae]

THIS!!! And I'm a millennial. Those trips don't change anything. And if they stop doing those trips...it won't chnage anything either. The brand might earn some praise for like two days, but that's it. I think if people weren't jealous they wouldn't care less.

[@celestecelestial90]

My problem with brand trips is that they are often very high cost luxury trips and sending influencers to them is part of the reason why the brand’s makeup products are so expensive. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. The cost will be passed down to the consumers. I don’t watch the vlogs because I don’t care about most influencers’ personal lives enough to see them go on trips or watch any vlogs. With most of them, I’m just there for the makeup content. Well with a handful of influencers I actually like vlogs because I really enjoy their channels, but they don’t post many videos anymore. 😟 Brand trip vlogs have never made me want to buy a product. I also don’t like them because I feel like it’s a form of bribing. Send them to Bora Bora to stay in a 5 star hotel with all expenses paid, gifts, kiss their bottoms when they get there, give them exposure; that to me muddies the waters on how honest a person will be. I don’t trust any size of influencers 100% whether they are small, mid sized or large because I don’t know them personally. It’s a parasocial relationship where they are selling products. That’s just my opinion.

[@Patriot1789]

FYI - trips like this were regular items from pharmaceutical companies offered to key physicians . They dispensed information about how best to use the medicine but it was a way to increase sales and IT WAS A TAX WRITE OFF FOR THE COMPANY. The government disallowed a lot of these about ten years ago. But it’s the same scam.

[@Dreaming5]

You captured my thoughts perfectly!

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

@@Patriot1789 I'm in Canada but the nurses in the clinic I go to for my chronic illness REALLY love the Pharma reps bc they bring a catered lunch in for everyone. They don't have to be to prescribers, really it's just the 3 clinic docs who need the info, but bringing lunch for all is major goodwill generation.

[@openjoistt]

@@celestecelestial90 I don’t think the cost falling to the consumers is actually true here. brand trips are really expensive, but simultaneously they are way cheaper than traditional advertising. they're saving money by getting influencers to talk about them nonstop during trip. and they get tons of sales out of it.

[@jessicafreeman1147]

I'm a CPA and I went bananas over your explanation of tax write-offs. PERFECT. LOVE IT. Everyone needs to see that section of the video.

[@Little.MissDiagnosed]

🎉

[@brandigarcia9823]

As a consumer that used to have a huge overspending problem but now does not, I think Brands do not have to do this. I have had to have a lot more control over the content I consume because of things like this. I can't trust creator content most of the time. While it's not fair to say someone can't do something because some people are living paycheck to paycheck, they also don't have to be lavish. I think the real problem is how much value is placed on these things. If a brand can pay millions of dollars for a brand trip, they can lower their prices. I also think it takes away from the overall value and appeal of the brand. I tend to just roll my eyes at these things now but it took me a long time and lots of therapy to be able to do that. I feel genuinely sorry for the young girls who look at these influencers as the standard for life instead of just seeing them for what they are, entertainment.

[@victoriawashington565]

Well said!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@hallievanoutryve3109]

Congrats on all your progress, that is really an achievement in today's world. And now comments like this will inspire others.

[@amyed3415]

Seeing lavish brand trips just make me realize they are charging way too much for their makeup if they can afford wasting money on something so frivolous. I know in the end it’s like advertising but it just feels different when done in this way.

[@R.L.Maverick]

If brands can afford to pay for a brand trip or portions of a ‘creators’ trip then they can afford to reduce their prices. Imagine if the Tarte Bali eyeshadow palette was $25 or Sigma’s new brushes were $50 instead of $112. If the point is sales…lower the prices to consumers. These trips make me want to buy less from that brand and trust the creator less, period.

[@R.L.Maverick]

*correction $121

[@sal_alaa]

As someone in the medical field, I feel like this is a page out of pharmaceutical companies book. They invite doctors to anything from dinners and a presentation, lavish trips, to even covering the cost of a personal trip. The doctors aren’t required to disclose that affiliation to patients, and they’re also not technically required to prescribe that company’s drugs, but there’s an understanding that for these “benefits” to continue, doctors need to sell a certain quota of whatever the company asks you to advertise.

[@montananerd8244]

I typically end up unsubscribing from a few people after each trip. I acknowledge that brand trips are economically more anti-consumer than things like creators & friends, but I don’t need to see the luxury work trips of other people. I realize that some very dysfunctional parasocialty has gripped many people, who no longer have any interest in their own finances but as desperate to make wealthy people wealthier. One reason makeup prices are up is the payments influencers receive. And we ultimately spend more when we view more. Most influencers are highly entertaining & informative infomercial spokespeople. Not inherently evil but I just don’t get our devotion to makeup demonstrators and reviewers, particularly those who deliver all positive, ie fraudulent, reviews. I’m cutting back more & more on beauty content because this is a sick & unethical economy.

[@Yu.Reinas]

The Paris trip team literally unlocked hidden memories 😮lol nostalgia!

[@olivialee_]

ugh petrilude's 5 minute smokey eye was the first makeup tutorial I ever watched. I lived & died by it as an emo 14 year old. So great to see his face again and be reminded of this era

[@janessajayechampagne]

I don't mind brand trips - marketing is going to happen one way or another, so if that's how they choose to do, so be it. But I think you're right that I'm much more likely to listen to people who go on a trip like Creators and Friends than I am someone who is on a big brand trip. But I also like smaller indie brands better than big brands like tarte, so that's a better match to the type of trips that C&F does anyway!

[@joanie5262]

I don't mind that influencers go on lavish trips, but their immature behavior on those trips is what always bothered me. I know they are young, but still. Thank you for a very interesting video and talking about the lovely trip you went on. I hope more brands start doing trips like that.

[@marlastone17]

I think brand trips are outdated and not a good representation of our current climate. It is such a show of excess. I worked for Bobbi Brown. I know during covid, brands moved away from going to Bobbi school or MAC school. I feel like that type of education is something we need to move back too. Education for employees, to empower them to better increase customer service and needs.

[@maquillamelily212]

I follow someone that goes to every single brand trip she’s invited to, I don’t know how many in a month but a lot, everything paid. Reminds me of 2016-17 when they were out of control and creators didn’t even have time to create videos because it was one trip after the other. But you know what I can’t say I wouldn’t do it, nothing is forever and you might as well enjoy while you can

[@daresaryan8229]

I'm so happy for you that your recent channel changes are seeming to really be working!

[@jenluv]

Thank you so much! I'm loving it!

[@brandigarcia9823]

Same. Professional take on controversial things in the beauty space. I love deep dices.

[@elvirabgm4481]

Some ppl MAY be jealous of the brands and their trips, but I think 90% of the audience dislikes these trips because 1. these influencers HAVE money, they don't need more trips they can actually get themselves without the brands' help and 2. it comes off as not genuine enough. It does feel out of touch to have a few normative girlies who don't really work that much have such a lavish experience when the sales are actually done by the low wage workers at the beauty retailers. They are the ones who deserve an award

[@maxinezanfardino7620]

Brands would not do these trips if it wasn't profitable. As soon as it becomes a loss in the ledger, they'll stop.

[@munaali840]

they do it as its cheaper than ads, the creators will all be posting so peoples feed will be the brand

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

@@munaali840 I'm also fairly sure the people putting brand trips together get to take advantage of group/celeb booking deals + "in kind" marketing value exchanges the channels wouldn't even know about. I mean if someone says "hey so we're thinking of bringing 12 influencers to your resort; they'll prob want to make content while they are here, can you cut us a deal?" yeah absolutely they won't be paying what they say the trip was "worth".

[@shanwsj1993]

I miss 2011 KZbin. Petrilude and Leesha were my favorites! I learned so much from them and they changed my view of makeup so much!

[@jetzyjetzy]

Congrats on hitting 300K subscribers 🎉

[@katbland9149]

As someone who used to prepare taxes for a living, as well as my mother being a CPA, i just want to say you explained a tax write off so well!! I know its really confusing so i don't really correct anyone ever but im so glad you were able to explain this bc so many people just don't understand. >.< Its not "free" but it does help.

[@heathersue429]

My concern with brand trips is the money could be better spent on investing product development and creativity, especially for brands like Tarte who seem devoid of creativity, or investing in building relationships with actual customers who pay money for products. It is also maddening that there aren’t actual requirements for influencers to actually work and use the products or create content featuring the products to go on the trips. On the Tarte trip, most influencers created content using all products other that Tarte. On the Kosas trip to promote their new sunscreen, no one used any of the Kosas sun protection products and got terrible sunburns. It just appears like privilege and excess on display for no reason. Brand trips have never made me want to buy products, but I have removed several Kosas and Tarte products from my cart because I find their approach to marketing exasperating.

[@laurarodrigues6377]

Why influencer tips are controversial: capitalism is ugly, and pretty trips have no connection with the products itself, also it immediatelly makes the influencer's opinions on the product questionable.

[@wplants9793]

Absolutely this!!

[@chbakes]

Greed is ugly. Capital market allows people to create businesses of their choice and that’s a free and beautiful thing. But I agree that it puts their opinions into question 100%

[@firstname-zh6gl]

Ahhh! I feel so old. I remember that first brand trip and everyone being excited to announce this. I was sooo happy for Leesha, Josh, and Tiffany. They taught me how to do makeup. I love them so much. ❤️🥹

[@beautyandmorewithrenee]

It’s hard to say if brand trips will or won’t change! Creators and Friends is more relatable to me and I’m more drawn to it than the bigger brand trips really! Creator and friends is something that I can see being apart of! Being able to connect and learn from other people who do the same thing I do and am trying to be better at! I feel more of a relationship with those creators because they really seem to be more genuine in a love of what they do and it’s not all about sales for them, they seem to genuinely love what they do and what they are using!

[@hallievanoutryve3109]

😂 thank you for explaining tax write offs! I hear people misunderstanding this all over the place in real life, but I didn't understand it well enough to explain how tax write offs work accurately!

[@x6angelxface9x]

Seeing the OG’s in Paris with Sigma made me so excited & nostalgic. I still have that palette too. I don’t use it anymore but I keep it as a part of my own makeup history.

[@carolynsteele9929]

These recent brand trips have gotten SO over the top. A trip seems fun and fine - it was just the private jets and excessive swag that no one person could ever use entirely. It was just gross.

[@amygrann9378]

I LOVE that scene from Schitt's Creek! What a great show that was!

[@xperoxysm]

When I was younger, I looooved watching brandtrip vlogs because it felt like crossover episodes. my fav influencers would connect with eachother and sometimes end up collabing, I can't even remember which brandtrips I used to watch, just who was there 😂 But back then, it felt more like 'everyone is friends' and later on I noticed influencers spilling tea on who didn't behave or who beefs with who. which took away the charm for me. (That being said: I am european and quite young when I first watched them. I was never able to buy products that were not available here or just online, so that might've added to it!)

[@ShellySlays]

Love Sigma doing the Paris trip so long ago. How fun to be able to talk Simone and XSparkage both about it. Loved all the photos from Creators and Friends!!! Miss you already 💕

[@katj5563]

As a bookkeeper this breakdown of tax write off is spot on! Here in Canada it is the same thing but people seem to think you get the whole amount back as a tax return. NO! it brings down the total taxable income so you are charge less but it is still a percentage of the amount that needs to be paid! If you spend more than you make then you come in at a loss. So no taxes will be charged since a percentage of 0 is zero! Thanks for such a great breakdown!

[@meganweber3125]

You hit 300K!!! Congrats Jen! You deserve it :) You are an amazing content creator.

[@ariannammason]

Jen, you’re always great at finding the balance when you describe something. “Cringy” is the word, and it allows for a description without a definition that excludes discussion. I agree that it’s “cringy”, and I feel that way because- folks we’re talking about makeup. Consider the “clean” beauty trend (there’s a lot of reasons why I’m not a fan of that trend) it’s a trend because we all want to feel “clean”. Feeling like we’re padding the pockets of people who think it’s a joke to shame decent working families feels “dirty” and “cringy”. It feels wrong.

[@PattyAlonso]

Creator Trips for the win! 😁 I think you nailed it when you talked about people not being as excited because they have a more distant connection with the creators going on those lavish trips.

[@jenluv]

It was SO great to meet you, Patty! I agree! Creator trips for the win!

[@Heather_A1]

I would love to see a brand trip turn into a charity trip, either for consumers or take the influentcers to locations that need help. The turnout would be much lower though, so we would see the truth of these favorite influentcers.

[@marygoltz7128]

When I see brand trip content, I always have to remind myself that the brand is spending their advertising money this way instead of on other kinds of advertising. My initial reaction to brand trips is that I'm paying for the trip with my purchases. I don't feel this way when I see an ad. I know some ad exec is making a nice income because of my purchase, but because it's a person I'll never see, it doesn't affect me in the same way.

[@veinswithglitter1937]

I feel The same way the brands spend less money on brand chips versus advertising costs

[@Bridenbrad]

my personal issue with brand trips isnt about the flashiness, or the bougieness, its about the inherent bias they create in the influencers they invite. ever heard the phrase "dont bite the hand that feeds you"? no influencer ever is going to be invited on a brand trip and then turn around and make content trashing that brand and its products EVEN IF the products actually are bad. because then that influencer would get marked in the community as a "bad investment" or some other type of thing by other brands, and they would effectively be killing their future opportunities. and im sorry but it irks me when brands or influencers say stuff like "they/we are not expected to post anything about the products or the brand" because when you really think about it, yes you are. brands dont do stuff out of the kindness of their hearts, its all investments to them, and investments come with an expected return on that investment. so a brand can say all they want that the influencers DONT have to post about their products or their brand just because they sponsored your dinner or your party, but lets be real here, they may not outright say it, but they are definitely hoping that you will speak favorably about them because their brand paid for your dinner or your lodgings. that and im sorry, but if im going to be sold a product by an influencer, then i want them to sell me that product because they GENUINELY like it and stand behind it, not because that brand invited them on a trip or sponsored their dinners. and when it gets to that point i almost feel like influencers should disclose that information when talking about that brand.

[@rachelapalmieri]

Great video, Jen. I also think creator trips are the future. It was so nice meeting you in New Orleans!!! ❤

[@jenluv]

Thank you!! So great to meet you, Rachel!!!

[@lc-il6wr]

I hate brand trips because theyre already spoiled in the first place then they become ungrateful and complaining and not grateful about the trip..

[@Natalie-ch9iv]

A+ use of Schitt’s Creek 😂

[@Sandra8675SecondLife]

What are the names of every person on that, 'If u ain't got no money take your broke ass home' video? I would like to make sure I don't give any of those people views since I feel the struggle every single time I go to the grocery store. Facts.

[@JennsCorner777]

I was like, our broke asses literally ARE HOME MA'AM. That's the only place I can afford to be rn. Lol

[@hallievanoutryve3109]

I doubt there is much overlap in the Venn diagram of Jen's viewers and the viewers of these Tic Tok influencers who look like they are not able to drink legally yet (in the US). Esp since this channel is about being an informed, intentional makeup consumer.

[@maxbond2611]

SOOOOO......as a new "Luv ver" 🥰 i just want to say how grateful i am to have found you ....with several diagnosed mental health issues i rarely leave the house and need to fill 18/20 hours a day with mixed media as i rarely sleep. You are so great to watch at whatever state my brain is in , if i need stimulation your content is bright,witty, extremely well researched and presented ..if i am in panic your presentation style help to keep me at a level until i can get the appropriate medication on board and the other night that was 12 hours as my prescription did not arrive in time and you held me stable for all that time and i got to avoid the added trauma of an ambulance and emergency room visit!!!! THANK YOU X

[@krissyd444]

That flashback to 2011 really hit me! I used to watch most of those creators from the Paris trip! Those were the days.

[@patriciam.1204]

I think it’s the fact that prices are higher and people don’t have as much to spend, then they see money wasted on these trips for what appear to be spoiled pretty little things. There are very few I trust at this point. Thanks for this video. I like information but some are ‘obsessed’ by something new every few days, lol, we ordinary mortals have to use up at least half of a product before getting a new one not a new one every few days 😅

[@greeneyedsoutherngirl6468]

Yes, and it “changed my life!” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I don’t trust any of them! I trust Robert Welsh, James Welsh, and Theresa is Dead, and of course, JEN! No I TokTok for me. But I’m old and I don’t care for TikTok-I like long content and will stick to KZbin. I hate the word “obsessed”, I wish they would stop using it. 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

[@patriciam.1204]

@@greeneyedsoutherngirl6468 I forgot the ‘it changed my life’ 😂😂😂😂I’m old too maybe we have seen too much to be fooled any more. Xx

[@MiaBostic]

These brands have a marketing budgets and I think brand trips are a great way to spend it! I come from an Experiential Marketing background and have represented beauty brands at events, I've never been flown on a private jet anywhere however! 😂 I think in 2024 brands should look to do more Experience Campaigns with targeted consumers and smaller beauty creators so that there is more authenticy! A person bragging about being on a private chartered jet while wearing Tarte branded apparel isn't a good look and was in poor taste.

[@laurapotpie]

Exactly! And lavish trips aren't new - but social media influencers are! Before companies would send the real life influencers - their top high society clients got sent on these trips instead and I'm sure still do! We just didn't know about them then! Now brands are able to make more money off them so we know about them more! It's all in the marketing budget!

[@greeneyedsoutherngirl6468]

This!

[@BindleBelle]

I think you said it beautifully when it comes to sales.. these influencers now have let money run their mouths and control their reviews..Makayla, glamzilla, Katie, Avery, etc if they’re paid they love it, if they aren’t paid you won’t hear about it, or the truth about it.. I think as a consumer we are now paying attention finally and influencers are getting lazy hiding their truths… they are getting paid from every angle(brand, social platforms, affiliate links, etc) and it’s exhausting, shoved down our throats, and as a buyer we are preyed upon… I have strived to literally buy nothing unless absolutely needed and I’ll do my own research before I will ever listen to an influencer at this point.. my time is valuable, I use my time to gain money, and I’m tired of wasting it on the next big thing just because someone’s pockets are getting filled..

[@jennifertriesthat]

I think the Creators and Friends is the better way to do the brand/product related trips. The content creators voluntarily sharing their picks is more authentic, than requiring content to be made. The community being built among the creators is so amazing to see through their videos. Great video Jen!!!

[@natalieschelling7545]

You know what I'd like to see? These brands organizing teams of influencers to clean up trash in the ocean or something similar. Those are the people I want to support.

[@ZijnShayatanica]

12:35 Omfg, the 2011 fashion is coming THRUUUUUUUUU. Leesha in the long tunic top w/ the stretchy belt, that turquoise shade, all the fkn infinity scarves! Hahahahah what a throwback

[@beckylongstocking]

I just really appreciate you creating this content and providing a space/fostering a community where people can share their thoughts and opinions. You are, by far, one of my very favorite creators!! I love binging your videos while I work. ☺

[@FayeeTobacobe]

Xsparkage! What a throwback used to watch her way back when 😊

[@bbyvesa]

i’m watching a lot of your vids for the first time, kinda binging them lately. you are my new comfort youtuber and are so relaxing and calming to listen to. thank you for taking the time to make your videos!!!!!! you are doing amazing ❤❤❤❤❤

[@catherinegreer854]

I love Sigma!! That trip to Paris sounds brilliant 😊 Win-Win for everyone 🙌 Plus, the consumer gets an original palette by a brand and beauty creators they follow and enjoy.❤ ¡Viva la France! 🇫🇷

[@bakende1103]

Creators and Friends sounds like the EPCOT of the beauty world. I like it.

[@LauraLVTGW]

Inflation has killed my desire to buy from big brands. I'd rather support a small brand, local companies and neighbors. When I was working as a Lic. Veterinary Tech. we would get some free products from brands, a free "lunch and learn". We would get food and a lecture about the product. Many blessings!!!💖💖💖

[@ricardocintron3954]

Jen… You. Are. Truly. Incredible! ❤ - Your videos are extremely well put together 🙏🏼👏🏼🫶🏼

[@CharliesSquishiesUk]

This video really interests me. In the long distant past, from about 2009 to 2014 I was an old school beauty blogger. And I did pretty well honestly. I was in papers, and on brand websites, and even 'skincare blogger of the year' one year and worked with very well known brands...I stopped blogging because I lost interest but also things started to change, some of it for the better, some of it for the worse. I never did the You tube thing....but I remember exactly what you are talking about. We were a community, we interacted with each other, we interacted through comments on our posts. I pretty much replied to every comment I ever received...we were totally engaged and connected. We knew (or most of us did) that if we lied about liking products, we'd ruin our relationships and our reputations so for many of us our word could be trusted. People with the same make foundation colour would rely on blogs of those with the same tone to feedback truthfully on foundations for example. I believe that you tubers and influencers today work hard for the most part, and there is absolutely no doubt that the high earners work their backsides off and there will be smaller influencers working just as hard just to get a look in. I don't think ethically much has changed in that way, and I don't feel superior...what I do wonder though is for lot of the bigger influencers or those on brand trips, the trust is still there? I know that if I had ever been flown out on an all expenses paid brand trip, it would have been very difficult for me to then feel I could say if I hated the product. I would feel pretty awful and ungrateful for doing so and while there may be no conditions about posting or caveats...it must feel like an unspoken expectation....I could be totally wrong and can only base it off how I would feel. I can't see why brand trips in their current form are necessary at all in the current climate and it feels willfully blind to the cost of living crisis many of us are dealing with, but I remember the one Leesha went on well, and well, that I can get on board with, when there's a purpose, when it's to create something as part of a team, well that's just one of the things I think from the past that worked really really well! It could be modernised so that viewers and followers are along for the ride, so consumers feel part of it all...not just here we are lying on sunbeds with a cocktail in hand while someone spends an hour telling us about a concealer...the rest of the time we're just having expensive fun fun fun!

[@MichelleRother]

Oh my gosh the more I hear about creator and friends … the more I want to go to the next event !!! So fun to connect with others in the same creative space

[@mmc4182]

Ideas for brand trips that seem more reasonable: - I find brand trips to music events more enjoyable. I love live music and makeup. Typically looks are more fun and creative too. -Brand trips should just be like a typical business trip. They fly you in and give educational talks about products and beauty techniques. Maybe super fun events here or there. - One party for a launch seems more reasonable. -Invite more super fans! I’d buy makeup from seeing a regular person wearing it.

[@CJAmara]

To be honest, I have never felt anything about a brand trip. I don’t care if these influencers are getting spoiled rotten, I see them and feel nothing. To me it’s like watching clips of people at a random club - all I feel is “that’s nice for them” and then I move on. They have never made me want to buy a product but they have never upset me (apart from when there’s the blatant r*cism and colourism **cough cough Tarte**)

[@msSweeTae]

Totally agree 🙌

[@fiyinfofo]

This is why I'm subscribed to you! 💖 In depth and authentic, you're the best! ✨️✨️

[@thecryingcryptid]

People who say they enjoy things like the brand trips and the Kardashians because it lets them "step out of their lives" don't understand the difference between watching youtubers or influencers just living and doing wild things because they can and that it's entertaining, versus celebrities and influencers flashing an obnoxious lifestyle in an attempt to SELL us something. Like that is what the Kardashians are all about they have 40 different companies, their show and their lives are constantly just a commercial to make sure you know them and know the brand/name and will buy it. These brand trips are not to show us how fun going to Bora Bora is but to show off the company name it's not meant to be feel good for the viewer. There's also a difference between an influencer who genuinely sits down with a product and shows how it works and gives their thoughts on whether they think it's worth it for you based on how you saw it perform, versus and influencer who says "you should support this brand because they do nice things for me". Hell some of these influencers on these trips aren't even really promoting the brand as something their viewers should buy they're just full on "look at me i'm having so much fun i'm privileged" in a really weird way (cus again it's not like they paid for this trip and it's something they are wealthy enough to go do and are vlogging about it which would be it's own thing, they were GIFTED a free trip plus a bunch of other expensive ass shit which is so unhinged).

[@SargentBubblescom]

Brand trips make me sick. Brands could do so much more with that money and really connect with the consumer on a different level. Top creators already receive so much - why load them down with even more?? I would much rather see a Creators and Friends event than a Trippin' with Tarte. [Gag] This video was really well done, Jen - but then all of your pieces are. It's nice to have you back - I hope all of your things went well! Thank you for always giving us the real talking points and different ways to look at situations. Some of these opulent brand trips are just ICK.

[@abhimac27]

You know what? That broken heart emoji really showed us her deep remorse. 😂 #brave

[@greeneyedsoutherngirl6468]

😂😂😂😂

[@mybeautyfilledlife]

I love Jen (Fromheadtotoe)! She was one of the first Asian beauty content creators I found and even though her content on IG has shifted, she still does really fun videos and I love watching them all. I had no idea her content went that far back but that only makes me love her more. This was an excellent deep dive on this whole thing and as always I appreciate the way you handled it. Brand trip videos today just make me sick and I kinda dislike everyone involved if I'm being honest 😂

[@beautibrew]

The lack of basic understanding of how tax works in this country is annoying but also not surprising given people aren't taught it in school lol. I'm a licensed CPA, and while I am NOT a tax accountant I do have a basic understanding of how tax law works for businesses, and I provide the source financial data of the company I work for to our tax accountants to prep our taxes. The idea that anything and everything is a "tax write off" is so far from being the case - you are right Jen in that things like influencer marketing expenses gross down a company's taxable INCOME, but operating expenses generally do not directly go against your ending tax LIABILITY as a deduction. You ultimately are only getting a % of the expense as a "write-off", but the way people on social media talk about "write-offs" it's as if they think the brand's tax liability that they owe to the govt is being directly decreased by the entire cost of a brand trip, which is just never the case. Yes it's good to have your taxable income lower so you pay less taxes in the end, but taxable income is only one component of financial health of a company and is VERY different from book financial income and profitability margins. The company I work for doesn't do brand trips but our products are very popular on social media (not beauty though) and well over 50% of our total operating expense budgets go towards advertising and marketing. While i don't manage marketing budgets myself, I can say with absolute certainty that the return on influencer marketing spend is heavily monitored in these companies and departments are always internally fighting amongst themselves for who deserves more of the overall operating budget allocated to them. If the influencer marketing department was spending millions of dollars a year on brand trips and seeing no return through actual sales generation, i can guarantee "tax write-offs" are not going to be in even the top 5 discussion points for whether or not it's still worth it to host the trips going forward.

[@vp7530]

Thank you for this comment. You explained that well.

[@beautibrew]

@@vp7530 no problem, i'm so glad it helped!! Always happy to try to make financial stuff easier to understand - I know it can often seem like an entire other language to people that don't work with it every day ☺️

[@darkydoom]

Whenever i heat about "what is popular" and it completely repulses me, it reminds me that I'm different and don't fit into the "it" crowd. Nor will I and nor do I ever want to, BUT those people run the world, or at least, the people that run the world focus on these people because these people are their little sheep that they like to shape and control....

[@darksunnygirl]

That picture was a blast from the past! I watched all those OG beauty KZbinrs and I miss the realness from those older videos.

[@danielleserra8836]

I appreciate your consistent authenticity and I enjoy your content tremendously. Thank you for taking the time to make content, ethically. ❤

[@liss2503]

My husband works for a big company. They will wine and dine prospective clients. Companies have done that for years. I see brand trips as something in the same realm of business and marketing. I get why they do them but I am not the demographic they are looking to sell to. They may want to listen to the customers that they are going for. Bougie is out and simple and basics are in.

[@billieseyelashes]

love to see this new video from you in my recommendations, needed some relaxation and 40 min of this topic with you sounds great.

[@dolphinsgirl253]

I loved watching all the content from the Creators and Friends trip. There are a handful of creators I already follow and I like being exposed to new ones as well. While it does give me some FOMO I think it’s great that you have community to network with and to see so many KZbinrs hobnob with zero drama is so refreshing!

[@user-hw5ys6ng1l]

When the influencers first enter their luxury hotel rooms on these trips and start fawning over all of the expensive dresses, robes, necklaces, bathing suits, purses, etc. The rooms are just filled with SO many expensive presents. Whatever. BUT what makes me so ANGRY and REALLY JEALOUS is the brand will leave each of them literally every single shade of every single product that the brand has ever released... makeup that they already own from PR. I remember that one Tarte trip where the influencers weren't even USING any Tarte products during the brand trip GRWM's. I can't even afford LA COLORS right now and they are getting multiples of products that they will just "declutter" in a video 6 months later.

[@LullabyeLaura]

"How did they do this before Zoom?!" Jen, don't tell me You've forgotten about Skype 😂😂

[@jenluv]

Yes, yes I did. 😂

[@vanessaareas29]

Your videos are simply the best! You are GREAT at explaining things! ❤

[@GeekChicPolitiq]

I would like to see brand trips that are behind-the-scenes looks at the factories where the products are made, the process of creating the products etc.

[@CraftyKrystal]

I remember that Paris trip! I was a big fan of XSparkage and MakeupByTiffanyD! Pretty sure I still have that Paris palette in the back of my drawer!

[@cynthialandry8782]

I was hesitant to watch this post but I have to say you did an amazing job!

[@lizzystrande4203]

Wow, I did not expect to actually learn what a tax write off is in a Beauty news story but I'm so glad I did haha. Just found this Chanel and am already in love ❤

[@sal_alaa]

I feel like sales don’t come from the brand trip videos themselves. How they get me personally, it’s having on my feed like 6 or 10 influencers talking about how amazing this product is. I usually don’t even know there was a trip involved, but I might end up buying the product because of the “hype”.

[@leeshaolivier9298]

I remember Leesha! I mean, we have the same name! Anyway, the brand trips are tired. The absolute worst is the frustration I feel when I see influencers I know lie to their followers taking these trips; the people who do not disclose ads properly taking these trips. I truly wish Brands would reward workers in fields such as healthcare, factory, education, and customer service by inviting these people to join them. Can we get some nurses and medical assistants some luxe treatment? Maybe some call center employees and servers would like some care? I teach middle school Special Education and I know many of us are struggling now. Just some random thoughts. Not that any Brands asked.

[@christineb7945]

Omgggg I have not heard some of those OG beauty youtuber names in YEARS!! I hope they're all doing well

[@lauriedaniele5967]

I really like the idea of creator and friends because we can trust you. We cannot trust other influencers. I think it should change. I think they should be doing more for the smaller response people influencers. I think they maybe they should do one for the nurses and doctors

[@miro4958]

I don’t care about brand trips as the intention is so overt. The thing that troubles me more as a viewer is the more stealthy (and maybe insidious) approach of brands who are so friendly with creators behind the scenes that the creators are (maybe inadvertently) giving those brands preferential treatment, regardless of the product. I think Sigma is the perfect example of that. Every creator I watch, whether Sigma is their aesthetic or not, is constantly gushing about them, despite them being (IMO) a pretty middle of the road brand. With my business head on though, I know that’s how affiliate marketing works!

[@RGJenn]

All the beauty content creators I follow, and have ever followed, tend to be your size or smaller and I just haven't come across brand trip posts before. I would be so excited for any of y'all to go tripping with Tarte! If you wanted to, of course. And I'm genuinely pleased to see the people I follow get sponsorships and PR. Get it!

[@felisa957]

“People are upset that they’re not there” 🙄🙄 Actually, people are upset that they can barely afford rent, groceries and other basic costs of living. Brand trips ARE tone deaf in the current economic climate & I don’t care to support the brands that do them.

[@brandigarcia9823]

I do think people are upset and also jealous to some extent. While I don't like these videos, these brands are not the only ones that do it. Regular people do it. You can't post a happy video about you achieving something anywhere on social media without someone saying "it must be nice" or "how does it feel to be rich." Personally, I've felt this. I've started posting content regarding my journey of getting out of debt and budgeting. The amount of people who mock me because "most of America can't do that" is astonishing. I post to help people because I use to be the same way. It took me two months to save 100.00 because that's how bad I was with finances. Part of being bad with finances was consuming a lot of media that encouraged overconsumption. I think people like to complain about their lives and play victim because if someone else has achieved something, it means they didn't work for it. That also plays into the fake news of social media because most of us only post the positive things. While this isn't the case for everyone, I actually deleted tiktok because I got so worked up over the content.

[@ambersmith2612]

So many people love the “ woe is me” mindset for real… it keeps them stuck and whining

[@JennsCorner777]

Well said 🎉

[@brandigarcia9823]

I think it's fine for brands to sponsor creators as a thank you for what they do. Kind of like swag from a work conference. That's why creators and friends is a little different.

[@lesliemchale8956]

I was coming on here to say exactly this. Creators and friends sounds like a work conference, where you're networking and learning within your profession. Totally different from the Tarte brand trips that just feel like a frivolous bribe to promote their products, which makes those influencers feel untrustworthy.

[@jenniferlampley8397]

I agree with you and her. I'm 51 years old. Most people are struggling very bad. People my age are moving back in with their parents, if their parents are still alive. 😮

[@Jane00223]

OH LEESHA! It's been a while since I saw her, I missed her and her content so much!

[@ronorleans]

I hope you had fun in New Orleans ❤ We're having our French Quarter Fest now.

[@CarrieFullerton]

The difference is that now the people on the trip only post the brand name, the stuff they get the things they do and the product is barely if at all mentioned. In the beginning they all used the product talked about it now it’s like they get a vacation they could probably afford on their own.