The internet is officially polluted

Posted by Lindsayanng

No wonder facebook is trying hard to create a more tailored experience for not just connecting with people, but also with consumers. Let me tell you a little about this experience I had the past few days.

My hair flat iron died, and if you know anything about my hair, you should know that I can not live without my flat iron. So I went almost two weeks without it because I just did not have time to research and then shop for one. Flat irons are so different across brands, price points, and styles that if you are going to drop $50+ on a piece of equipment you want to know you are going to get something you love.

My previous flat iron was a $20 one from TJ Maxx that retailed at about $90. It lasted me 5 years so I definitely consider it a good run. It probably would have lasted even longer had I not brought it to the Help-Portrait event because it was freezing cold and it probably shorted out because of condensation. The brand I had was a Jilibere Pro Select and it was very basic; an on/off switch, dial for temperature control, and floating ceramic plates (they have a slight spring when you squeeze your hair. I took for granted the great quality of this flat iron because I would always go into Sally’s and marvel at the $80, $120, $150, and $200 flat irons. I thought, even though it didn’t feel this way, that the flat iron I had was somehow inferior.

So I finally have time to do some research on the brands that I saw on the shelf at TJ Maxx and Sally’s and it seems like every darn brand I searched had glowing reviews. Well, that’s quite useless. I tried googling things like “User reviews [brand]” in hopes of finding a real review from a real person, but all I got were what looked liked either people who didn’t really care about the quality of the flat iron or canned reviews that probably stemmed from the company. Then I started realizing that it’s very possible that a good 70% of reviews on various websites could be company written!

I am now ridiculously frustrated with the whole system, and this isn’t the first time it has happened. I have never had an easy time seeking reviews on hair care products, makeup, and other items like that. It seems that the women’s beauty supply industry is full of companies paying for glowing reviews. Before the FCC made the rules that bloggers had to tell people if a review is paid, you couldn’t even trust them!

So I guess I have to find a good beauty supply expert to follow in hopes that she will review some of the items I am looking at. All the while I will be waiting for facebook to somehow create a product review system geared by actual real people. I think it goes without saying you can expect a complete outline of the flat irons I have already tried and returned to hopefully add a little substance to the world of crap out there.

What about you, have you ever tried to find information on something only to find a load of crap reviews and nothing really substantial?

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