Website Reviews: MakeupTalk.Com

In 2008, I decided to Google the term "beauty forum". After browsing an array of different websites, it was then, that I discovered MakeupTalk.com. Although the website has changed it's format from 2008 until the present 2011, it has remained true to what it's known for, beauty social interaction. In January 2011, I decided to rejoin Makeup Talk.

The website is very traditional, yet modern. It's fairly simple compared to other beauty social networking websites. It is made up several shades of pink, purple, gray, and white. It is rather easy to join this vastly underrated beauty social networking website, as all you do is click the "Join Now" in the upper right hand corner of the website, above the login area. The login area is located in the same place the join area is.

The MakeupTalk.com logo stands in the front of every area of the page. It's is an animated girl with brown hair and a shag hair style wearing makeup. It is not pristine, but rather cute and simple. It is categorically animated, making Makeup Talk a website that is merriment. When looking above, under the Makeup Talk logo, you will see towards your left and center the primary navigation. This includes: Home, Forums, Reviews, Swap, Galleries, Wiki, Blog, and My Profile.

I don't know about you, but when using a website, I find it extremely important that the navigation is uncomplicated, yet trouble-free. I also find it even more important that the website be user friendly. The first area you will notice on the website is the Homepage. The Home area of the navigation bar simply summarizes the entire activity of the website. This includes all of the current, yet updated information on MakeupTalk.com. On this page, you will also see active users and of course, users that are logged in, but idle. You will also see the top posters, along with discussions that have reached the most activity.

Part of every beauty social networking website is definitely forums. Forums are simply exchanges of thoughts and ideas about a discussion or topic that interests you. In the case of MakeupTalk.com, that is what the forums are used for. The second area of the navigation bar is the forums. This is one of the most active areas of the entire website, making MakeupTalk.com entertaining on an array of wavelengths. The forums include: Welcome to Makeup Talk!, Makeup & Cosmetics, General Topics, General Beauty & Fashion, Home Health & Family, Member Market Place, Off Topic, Shopping, For Sale/Swap Items, Forum Help/Support/Feedback, and Articles. Along with these forums, there are several sub-forums that result. The most active is the "Makeup Talk" sub-forum which is included in the Makeup & Cosmetics forum. There are also an array of sub-forums that are non makeup related too.

Reviews are very important, yet critical and key to not only companies, but the consumers. In the case of Makeup Talk, the reviews consist of your favorite Makeup, Skincare, Bath & Body, Hair Care, Fragrance, Hair Removal, and General Accessories. There are an array of different products to choose from. You can not only read current reviews submitted by Makeup Talk members, but you can submit your own. If there are reviews that remain non-existent, you can also add your own.

Swaps are what make a beauty social networking website fun. In case you are wondering what a swap is, it's simply a product that you own that you want to give away or exchange for another product. For instance, if you have an extra Diorshow Mascara, you can "swap" it for YSL Golden Gloss. The next area on the navigation bar (which is the fourth area of the navigation bar) is the Swap area. The Swap area is separated into sections. Also, if you scroll down you will notice the sale items, which allows you to purchase items instead of exchanging or "swapping" them. I haven't swapped yet on Makeup Talk, but do plan to do so soon.

Galleries are used to identify individuals or products in illustration forum. They provide you with tangible digital images, that make interaction more real and bona fide. You don't have to guess or imagine who you are talking to, as you don't have to imagine a product. With the galleries option, you can add any picture. Usually when you update your profile or create albums and add images, the pictures from this activity will be found in the galleries. With the Galleries navigation, you can see pictures of not only members, but products that are on MakeupTalk.com. You can also search using several options found to your left. These include: Recent Albums, Recent Photos, and Most Viewed Photos. You can also search tagged albums too.

Wiki is the area that represents the articles on MakeupTalk.com. The Wiki is generally the area to read when you want to read articles that are non review related. These articles pertain to beauty on some level and range from "The 2011 MAC Makeup Collections" to "How to make your own Makeup Remover" and more. Wiki is the sixth area of the navigation bar on the website. You can search using tags or you can search by using the navigation to the left part of the page. This includes New Articles, Recently Edited, and of course Most Viewed.

The blog area is the next part of the navigation bar. This is basically the blog that epitomizes all of MakeupTalk.com. Any member of Makeup Talk can post a blog entry on any subject, as long the subject involves beauty or is beauty related. Fashion entries are also accepted, but if it is associated with beauty on some level, it is suitable. You can look above, under the primary navigation bar and see a variety of topics you can blog about. You can also search the blog, making it easier than ever.

It is a well known fact that Makeup Talk provides you with easy navigation. You can find more links for the website on the bottom of the page, as it provides you with the "Recent Discussions" information, followed by the "Recent Reviews" and of course, "Recent Articles". Also, in this area, you can see how many users (including active users) currently logged into the website. Right below, you will notice the simple navigational links which include: The Homepage, Your Profile, Advertising information, Makeup Talk's support, FAQ, Privacy/TOS, and of course the Site Map.

The final area of the main navigation is the My Profile area. This allows you to add information, as well as, albums and pictures. You can add your favorite movies, as well as, music. You can talk about you. You can add links to your Facebook or Twitter. You can add links to your blogs. MakeupTalk.com gives you a lot of freedom just on that page alone. You can add any picture, as long as it is user friendly, of the right file size, and of course, possesses no adult content. MakeupTalk.com is a rather mature, yet family oriented website. It is also popular, so when it is searched, Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc do not hesitate to include this website in their search engines.

If you are looking to search a certain subject or topic, you can use the search bar located on the top of the page, under the navigational bar. Whether you are lurking or posting in the forums or just reading the reviews and articles, you have the option to search. If you want to search keywords such as "gold lipgloss" you can go to the search and type it in and wait for what pops up. The search is also divided into sections. These sections include: All, Product, Review, Thread, User, and Wiki.

Once you are active and have at least 10-20 forum posts, MakeupTalk.com allows you to use a customized signature. Whether you want to add your blog and information or just promote something, Makeup Talk gives you that luxury.

What I also love about MakeupTalk.com is the fact that they offer weekly and monthly contests, which give you the opportunity to win prizes from different companies. In fact, they have a sub-forum dedicated to contests titled "Contests and Giveaways". Recently, I had the great pleasure of winning several prizes, during a 2-week contest which included a Sephora Color Diary, Two Mistura Luminada products, and Grande Lash. As a bonus, I was also sent a brush cover.

I think MakeupTalk.com is a wonderful website. It is a great way to interact with people who love makeup. Whether you are a makeup enthusiast or a makeup novice, you are going to find MakeupTalk.com to be a great website to enjoy. If you are looking to frequent a fantastic beauty social networking website that is not only resourceful, but fun, you are going to love MakeupTalk.com. Overall, I truly believe that MakeupTalk.com is a relatively successful, yet useful beauty social networking website and I would recommend it to anyone.