Author Archives: Tammy T

What Would Caffeinated Tammy’s Instagram Look Like?

As I work toward building a following on Instagram, I thought it would be fun to do a drank-peak of the BIPOC and style-related content I plan to upload weekly. Below are some mock posts of what that would look like, made with the help of Canva. 

Why Only Send PR to White Influencers?

An influencer of colour sitting in front of a big pile of make up PR boxes.

Since the pandemic, social media has become much, much more popular than it was before. This website’s content can attest to that — TikTok becoming big, impacting audiences, creators, and families for the better. There are different communities in TikTok (Fashion Community, Makeup Community, Manga community, etc), and each benefits in different ways. If an influencer gets big, they receive PR, free merchandising, brand trips, and much more.

Using makeup is not only about improving one’s appearance; it is a way of expressing one’s identity and self-expression.It is important for makeup brands to ensure that their products cater to a diverse audience. It is a sad reality that major makeup brands prefer to work with white influencers, leaving them little to no chance to represent individuals of color.

This systemic issue can be seen in the disproportionate representation of white influencers in the makeup TikTok industry. A simple search of popular makeup TikTok influencers will reveal that most are White. This is not because individuals of colour lack talent or interest in makeup; rather, it is because makeup brands prioritize working with white influencers, as they believe they will appeal to a larger audience.

Racism is everywhere if you care to look for it — the TikTok makeup industry is no different. FIT reinforces the idea that beauty standards are exclusively Eurocentric, and therefore, individuals of colour are not as marketable. This belief establishes the decade-long notion that people of colour are not worthy of representation in the beauty industry.

Secondly, it sends a message to young people of colour that they do not belong in the makeup industry. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement from pursuing their passion for makeup. People of colour need to feel seen and heard in the beauty industry.

Let’s do a little exercise

Look at your own ForYou page, whose makeup videos pop up more – a makeup artist of colour, or a White influencer? It is more likely you will see the latter pop up more, and they will have more sponsored content, more likes and more engagement. It is upsetting once you start looking at how prejudice is still alive and well, even in TikTok algorithms. 

 

Caffeinated Tammy: A Moodboard

Every site should have a mood board. What is the aesthetic of CaffeinatedTammy? What does it mean to be a part of the CaffeinatedTammy community?

Speaking up about disparity in social media and its different communities, especially TikTok and the makeup and lifestyle worlds. This is a visual representation of how I imagine CaffeinatedTammy’s aesthetic to be. Real, raw, women of colour and those from historically marginalized communities speaking up, having conversations, getting upset, reacting accordingly, and having their moment. 

A mood board for Caffeinated Tammy's site.
A mood board for Caffeinated Tammy.

Can You Trust Influencers?

TikTok is big. We know that.

The controversies that come out of it, however, are even bigger.

Some of the most prominent controversies that threaten the credibility of influencers include makeup. Makeup TikTok is huge on the app, with influencers gaining millions of followers simply by posting their favourite makeup products and tutorials. Influencers also gain following and funds through paid reviews, makeup hauls, and brand-funded trips. 

Amongst so many controversies, Stephanie Valentine aka @Glamzilla has been in hot water over the years. So to make this a little fun, I asked AI CHATGPT to tell me about a particular controversy Stephanie was involved in earlier this year in January. While discussing this controversy, I also wanted to test the AI’s accuracy, and see how much it can dig up in social media, and how it interprets data based on videos. Stephanie Valentine asked her followers whether they trust makeup influencers, in light of recent TikTokers lying about editing and paid reviews of products. She received some backlash for it, because someone called her out for her own videos, and she was not very nice to the small creator, and people called her out for it. 

On the other hand, this is what CHATGPT said —”

In late 2021, TikTok user @glamzilla stirred up controversy when she posted a video asking her followers if they trusted makeup influencers. The responses to her question were mixed, with many people expressing skepticism about the beauty industry and the influencers who promote its products.

The video quickly went viral, sparking a debate about the role of influencers in the beauty industry and whether they can be trusted to provide honest recommendations to their followers. Some viewers argued that influencers are simply marketing tools for beauty brands, and that their opinions are biased and unreliable. Others pointed out that many influencers have partnerships with beauty companies and receive free products, which could influence their recommendations.

The controversy surrounding @glamzilla’s video highlighted the growing importance of authenticity and transparency in the beauty industry. Many consumers are becoming more skeptical of traditional advertising methods and are turning to influencers for advice and recommendations. However, this trust can quickly erode if influencers are seen as being dishonest or disingenuous.” 

Interestingly, there are multiple things that CHATGPT got wrong. The article says the controversy took place in 2021, but it took place in January of 2023. While the AI is correct about the skepticism that surrounded @Glamzilla’s video, it did not mention anything about her calling a small creator “weird” for criticizing her video. The AI missed important details, and it’s interesting to note how it works in real-life scenarios that occurred recently. 

So, back to trusting influencers. Considering the responses from Glamzilla’s videos, and the responses on Reddit, it seems like people are more skeptical of influencers than we realize. In the era of cancel culture, it’s easy to get caught up in controversies, which is why it’s important to own our mistakes and figure out where you went wrong. 

Do you trust influencers? Why/Why not?

Press Release: Caffeinated Tammy

Tammy is proud to announce the launch of the new blogging website, www.caffeinatedtammy.com. Our platform is designed to promote social justice by providing a space for discussion on racial disparity, discrimination, and the rise of creators in the social media industry.

The world is facing an ongoing struggle with racial discrimination and social inequality. As social media becomes a significant platform for communication and information sharing, it is critical to address the impact of racism on this industry. With the rightful rise of BIPOC creators, we have noted how social media can be used to amplify their voices and bring attention to important social issues.

Caffeinated Tammy aims to be a safe space where individuals can share their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives on the intersectionality of race, and discrimination in social media. We strive to promote inclusivity, diversity, and representation in the digital world. Our platform will cover topics such as the impact of social media on marginalized communities, the power of representation in media, and the role of social media in activism.

At Caffeinated Tammy, we empower individuals to use their voices and make a difference. This platform welcomes diverse opinions and encourages respectful discourse. We hope to create a community that supports and uplifts one another, all the while advocating for social justice and equality.

We invite everyone to join us on this journey toward a more just future. Visit www.caffeinatedtammy.com to read our latest blog posts and join the conversation. Together, we can make a difference. Remember, every drop in the ocean counts: your voice and opinions matter.

(This post was created with the help of chatgpt.ai)

Peer Review #2 : The Quaint Nook

The Quaint Nook

Aris' site "The Quaint Nook" homepage logo

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The (Much Deserved) Rise of the BIPOC-fluencers

The rise of TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram, content creators, has made way for more diversity in the social media world. There appears to be a notable increase in BIPOC creators making more content and getting more attention (rightfully so). Their rise is more than a reflection of the changing demographics of the internet, although that is also the case — it is also a response to the systemic exclusion and erasure of BIPOC voices in social media over time. With technology more accessible than ever,  internet connection has made it possible for people to create and share content with a global audience. This increases new ways for BIPOC creators who may have faced barriers before to enter traditional media industries and express their interests.

Such an influencer who has found recent success is Ahnesti Monet McMichael, who is a POC content creator making videos on TikTok, Youtube videos, and posting quite regularly on Instagram. She has a strong mid size following, and her followers are happy with her regular content. She has recently been mentioned in popular magazine Cosmopolitan, and multiple different Instagram accounts, congratulating her on her success as an influencer. In the beginning of this year, I was concerned for the amount of work POC women have to put in to achieve the same success as White women. While I still believe that is true, I think with the rise of the BIPOC community in media in the past few years, the gap between people of colour and their White counterparts is slowly (very slowly) but surely, bridging. Monet is a good example of that. She is attending the same brand trips as Alix Earle, a White influencer who found much more immediate success than McMichael, but they now appear to be on a similar level. They went on a trip together with the popular makeup brand Tarte. 

Monet’s social media posts highlighted the Cosmopolitan article and the Klout9 post about her, and as a POC myself, I am very happy to see a fellow woman of colour thrive in a space she loves and feels comfortable in. BIPOC content creators like Monet McMichael continue to challenge traditional media norms. For instance, they are rejecting the strict beauty standards that are promoted via fashion and beauty conglomerates. They are creating content that promote a range of different bodies, skin tones, shades, hair textures, and much much more. They continue to call out ways in which social media companies are exploiting and appropriating BIPOC values and culture, without ever giving appropriate credit to the artists, or compensation. When BIPOC creators like Monet create their own content based on their personal needs, they reclaim their voice, their identity and fight against the erasure of their very being. 

Are you a good Influencer?

A good influencer is someone who has a unique and authentic voice, the ability to engage and connect with their followers, and a strong sense of ethics and integrity. BIPOC influencers are particularly important in the influencer marketing industry, as they bring diversity and inclusivity to the table, provide a platform for BIPOC communities, and raise awareness about important issues in any way that they can. The rise of BIPOC influencers is an exciting and much-needed development in the world of social media, and we can expect to see their influence and impact continue to grow in the years to come.

Influencer marketing has been a growing trend in recent years, as brands are realizing the power of influencers’ ability to reach and engage with their target audience in new and innovative ways. A good influencer is someone who has built a significant following on social media platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, and can sway their followers’ opinions and purchasing decisions. However, being an influencer is not just about having a large number of followers. A good influencer must have a unique and authentic voice, be relatable to their audience, and have the ability to engage and connect with their followers on a personal level. They should also have the ability to produce high-quality content that is visually appealing and provides value to their followers, such as educational or entertaining content.

BIPOC influencers are also important in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the influencer marketing industry. They break down the cultural and racial barriers that have traditionally existed in the industry and provide new opportunities for BIPOC content creators and businesses to reach a wider audience. By doing so, they also help promote and support BIPOC-owned businesses and entrepreneurship within these communities. BIPOC influencers can also use their platform to raise awareness about important social and political issues. They can help to shed light on issues that are often ignored or underrepresented in mainstream media, and bring attention to the unique experiences and challenges faced by BIPOC communities. Through their activism, BIPOC influencers can help to effect real change and create a more just and equitable world.

Here are some of my favourite BIOPC influencers, who in my opinion, are truly trying to make a difference in the world through their content  – 

  1. Nabela Noor (@nabela) – A makeup artist, fashion influencer, and body positivity advocate who promotes self-love and diversity on her platform.

  2. Kehlani (@kehlani) – A Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter who is also an advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights.

  3. Yara Shahidi (@yarashahidi) – An actress and activist known for promoting diversity and representation in the media.

  4. Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) – A comedian, writer, and activist who uses her platform to address issues such as race, gender, and social justice.

  5. Alok Vaid-Menon (@alokvmenon) – A non-binary performance artist and writer who uses their platform to challenge traditional gender norms and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.