I used to love big brands.
Their campaigns looked clean, their packaging was minimal, and they used phrases like “backed by science” and “soothes irritation.”
I didn’t question it. I trusted them.
Then I started working on small content briefs for them. Just a few UGC reels, nothing major.
But what I saw behind the scenes? Changed everything.
One brand asked me to feature a cream without showing the texture. Another insisted on a voiceover saying “noticeably brighter skin in 3 days,” even though I had only tested it for five. Some sent me products with the ingredient list covered by stickers. Others asked me to avoid showing redness or pores. One literally told me, “we want the serum to look like magic, not science.”
So now when I see a clean flatlay with a dreamy caption and no mention of what it feels like, I scroll right past.
It’s not that I don’t trust brands anymore.
I just trust experience more.
And I know now. The best reviews aren’t the ones with the best lighting. They’re the ones that tell the truth.
10Comments-
Influencer3 days agoI didn’t realize how much behind-the-scenes stuff goes into UGC creation. It’s really opened my eyes to how brands operate. There’s a lot of effort that goes into making products look perfect! Influencer3 days agoRight? After doing UGC, I’ve started to see that some of the hype is manufactured. It’s wild how much editing and influence go into shaping the brand’s image. Influencer3 days agoExactly! It’s made me question some of the so-called “best” products. Just because a brand is popular doesn’t mean they’re transparent or that their products are actually as effective as they claim. Influencer3 days agoYeah, doing UGC has shown me that marketing is everything. Some brands are more about the image than the actual product’s quality. It’s tough to trust anything without digging deeper now. Influencer3 days agoTotally! I used to blindly follow recommendations, but now I look at products with a more critical eye. It’s all about the details now, not just the pretty packaging or influencer hype. Influencer3 days ago@Influencer I agree with you. Now that I’ve been making UGC, I’ve realized how much the marketing can skew my perception of a brand. I used to just trust the hype, but now I’m like, “Wait, is this really worth it?” Influencer3 days ago@Influencer Exactly! It’s wild how much goes into creating that “perfect” image. The amount of editing and polished visuals... you almost forget that the products might not even perform like they look in ads. I’m way more skeptical now. Influencer3 days ago@Influencer Right? It makes me wonder how many products I’ve used in the past that I thought were amazing just because they had the right packaging and influencer buzz. Now I know to look beyond that. Influencer3 days ago@Influencer Same! I actually take time to read ingredient lists and check real reviews now. It’s a game changer. If a brand isn’t being transparent or doesn’t align with my values, I’m out. I can’t just follow the trend anymore. Influencer3 days ago@Influencer Exactly! It’s like peeling back the curtain, and now I can’t go back to blindly trusting. UGC has really shifted how I view skincare brands for the better, I think.