L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balms & Blogger Integrity

L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm

This is a product I have not seen in the UK.. at least not in the drugstores near me. I wanted to try the Jelly Balms as I love my limited edition MAC Tendertones but am scared of them running out. I had read that these were the same type of product (they aren't but ill discuss that later) so I asked my mum in the US to send me some.

Not bad but a bit underwhelming! They smell pleasant, feel non-sticky and deposit a nice wash of color. They are also a great size to slip in a handbag. Because of the twist lid they wont open like a metal tin may. As for smell/flavour they smell faintly of artificial vanilla but don't taste of anything. The consistency is a bit heavy on the lips, not as lightweight as I was expecting. I do find the glass packaging a bit heavy for such a small amount of product. I wont re-buy as I think there are better products out there.. but that being said they are a pleasant product.

Blogging Integrity/Comparisons

As a bloggers I feel its our responsibility to be honest. One of the few things that annoys me about the blogging world is the amount of inaccurate or gratuitous reviews I read. There are times I have read someones criticism of a product written before the product has even been opened!! I also find that some reviewers are praising products that suit their budget.. essentially working on a basis of praising affordability instead of quality. I also find that people use the word 'dupe' too often without defining how exactly the products are similar and how they are not.

In this case, what I dislike is how often the HIP are reviewed as dupes for the MAC Tendertones. The majority of people who make this comparison often say that these are superior (mostly for a price perspective.)
Just because they come in a glass pot doesn't make them comparable products!!
They aren't even similar! Not by formula, not by consistency, not by flavour, not by pigmentation, not even by color selection. They are completely different products!
The product is much harder to the touch (even when warmed up and spread on lips) and a entirely different, harder type of gel-balm consistency. Not even close if you understand anything about make-up. Because of the totally different formula they didn't feel as soft/silky on the lips. They don't contain spf like the Tendertones or have any long lasting moisturising qualities (in fact I found my lips to be dryer after using them.) They are shimmerless and more pigmented but smell quite chemical in comparison to the faint, fruity sweetness of the Tendertones. The only thing similar (and its not actually visually similar) is the glass pot.
AND I'm sorry.. if you still insist on comparing them.. MAC wins hands down!!

The word 'dupe' (duplicate) should imply an almost identical formula, unless you are referring purely to color. In that case you should state that the color is a 'dupe' and not the product (texture, size, finish etc..) itself. As bloggers it is our obligation to disclose accurate information, so that people who make purchases based on the reviews they read (like I did in this case) are not mislead.

Have you ever read a review that was so inaccurate it made you want to scream? Or have you ever come across reviews written by someone who is clearly biased towards a certain brand?