Hi Carmen and thank you for sharing your thoughts. Here are mine. I’m a new channel, small and hopeful. One of the things that motivates me is the shot at reaching 1000 subs and seeing a little bit of cashflow from ads. It’s a “goal.” Goals are good. Money is necessary and trying to earn it is a good goal to have. When I still worked at a big company they would remind us that if we “aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.” Having a monetary goal doesn’t mean I lack integrity, it just makes me realistic. Affiliate links are fine I’d you want to sell for a fragrance company and make a commission! Of course it’s fine!

Hi Carmen! 💖 You made so many common sense points. People should watch whoever they enjoy and connect with. If they want to support through affiliate links, awesome. If not, they can shop wherever they choose. Or NOT shop at all. Just listen and enjoy the video. Everyone has the power of choice and discernment. We're all adults with brains. The misinformation being spread about how affiliate links and discount codes work is an example of how easy it is to create a culture of contempt based on falsehoods. Let's all get some sunshine and touch some grass today. 🌞

I use links and discount codes. I love supporting the people I enjoy watching when I’m making purchases. Like you said it doesn’t cost you anything to do it.

thank you so much Carmen for taking accountability for what and who you consume. while i don’t deny that bias can absolutely be involved in relation to pr/commission, believing somebody is lying about free shit is just stupid especially when nobody is forcing you to watch or shop and i want to stress ALMOST NONE OF US ARE GETTING RICH FROM COMMISSION PENNIES! we are buying most of this shit ourselves, producing content using our own resources while promoting to communities that WE built. the fact of the matter is viewers and brands alike just don’t respect, appreciate, or find value in creators/influencers’ labor. great video! thanks for sharing 💙

Hi, Carmen, love you girl 💖I guess I’m just not understanding what the problems are? Like, who cares what other people do and I don’t think anyone should have to worry about what others think about what they do. I think if everyone would mind their own business and just stick to watching content FOR the content, there’d be no issues. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I haven’t even started making videos, and this drama is old and stupid . Don’t these people have lives outside of KZfaq??? If not, they should get one🙄 Carmen and everyone else , y’all do you and be happy , I would support anyone trying to make money in this economy we’re in… life is too short for negativity… lift each other up. If someone makes money from KZfaq… good for them 👍🏻

Hi Carmen. I actually actively search for affiliate links and discount codes on my favorite KZfaqrs channels when I want to buy a perfume. I just like to support them. It always makes me happy when a KZfaqr I watch for a long time gets a sponsor or collab, especially the first one :-)

Loved this video girl! Yes! It doesn't bother me at all if people make money from an affiliate link!! And you're right, I was in the beauty KZfaq vortex 😅 and I knew full well that the eyeshadow palette I purchased on Sephora for example, cost $100 instead of $20 because those makeup brands were taking all the influencers on multi-million dollar all-inclusive brand trips.. But even that didn't bother me because I was so happy for them, how much fun would that be!? 😃 A few dollars on a bottle of perfume cannot compare to that, so if it bothers anyone I would guess they had never been into makeup KZfaq 🤷🏻‍♀️ By the way your acting skills in the short video you made were on point! 👏🏻👏🏻 but the way some people in the comments on that one misunderstood the point you were trying to make! 😆🤣🤦🏻‍♀️

Thank you, I share the same point of view. There is a sort of dual way of thinking regarding that conversation. Like some other youtubers were kinda make me feel bad for supporting the one with affiliates links. Recently I was catching myself questioning some youtubers just because they get paid meanwhile I know I love watching their videos and interacting with them while still being truthful. 😅😅😅 I don't know if my comment was even clear to understand but I told my mind too🤣 feel better

You definitely hit a lot of important points. I usually will use an affiliate code if it’s from a channel I watch. Becuz I’m not watching people that I feel are selling me something. I watch people I love watching and that seem to share the love for fragrances like me. Same with beauty channels. Great conversation video.

Thank you so much for this video🥰🥰🥰🥰 sometimes I feel so much guilt and shame for having a commission based link through Amazon🙈🙈🙈 so I always let people know to purchase their perfumes wherever they feel comfortable because one of my greatest fears is for anyone to feel obligated to use a particular link or think that I’m being dishonest with them🙈🙈🙈 Amazon just happens to be where I normally buy my middle eastern perfumes from so it just made sense to start getting a small commission from that🤷🏻‍♀️ I love your channel and how honest you are🥰🥰🥰 I feel like there is so much love and support throughout the fragrance community in general🥰🥰🥰🥰 by the way your lipstick color looks amazing💕

I use affiliate linkd and discounts codes. It make quick and easy to purchase something that i love. These people are doing their jobs and they need to get paid. I like the comfort of searching for the fragrances, am lazy like that. I have enjoyed watching fragrance videos. IT IS MY CHOICE TO PURCHASE OR NOT. IT IS MY MONEY.😂😂😂 Great video Carmen🎉

I have never used affiliate links to buy fragrances... probably because I just don't really think about it or care to! I just shop where I can find the product cheaper!😂 sorry not sorry! I enjoy your contact!thank you for keepin it real chica ! ❤

I’m here girl couldn’t wait to watch. ❤ TBH it’s too much pressure lol. The level of disclaimers we have to use just to convince ppl your thoughts are YOUR THOUGHTS one way or the other, it’s exhausting. From now on I’m just gonna speak my peace lol it is what it is. 🤷🏾‍♀️I can’t be worried about the judgement. People have a problem for every solution in life. Literally. As far as affiliate links go. I feel like your subs should know what fragrances you really support. If you have to question if they’re being authentic, just don’t support. It’s simple. And I mean you as in (plural) not you specifically 😊The truth is. There is a reason we watch. You’re wanting someone to either validate or invalidate your thoughts on a product, subject, topic what ever the case. Whether you already have it or plan to get it. Whether you feel one way for certain or haven’t quite made up your mind. That said, we absolutely deserve to be compensated. Period. It’s a job whether you do it as a hobby or not. We take precious time out of our lives for this. You could be doing anything else. The purchasing, prepping ,editing. Who wouldn’t get paid to do it if you could. As long as it doesn’t go against your principles and values. Most content creators are making Pennies on the dollar compared to what the brands make. It’s unreliable which is why most still have a 9to 5. So yes pay us. Also, I agree we as consumers, we have to take some responsibility for the lack of discernment we fail to use when it comes to the our shopping habits and spending. At some point self awareness has to come into play. No one’s forcing you to buy anything. Another great one girl!

I truly don’t understand why some people think like that. If I’m watching your channel, more than likely I like your taste in fragrance and I feel like you’re being very sincere. So of course I’d use your links. Like you said, what does it matter to me? And when my favorite KZfaqr gets PR, I genuinely feel so happy for them - because I could only wish for it, and because I think they deserve it! I bet the same people who speak like that would be the first to try and win a giveaway on that channel. Or if given a chance to receive PR, they would push and pull everyone out of their way to do so. Ultimately, it all comes down to jealousy and hate. I come from a large family of females - my mom has seven sisters, I’m the oldest sister of five, and I have five daughters. I only know how to support females. Looking down on others is not in my soul - I just can’t do it! I’m all for affiliate links! I’m all for PR. I know who to watch and who not to watch. One of my favorite KZfaqrs, I used to buy EVERYTHING she recommended. After thousands of dollars spent, 8 out of 10 times I did not like it and learned that she either is hyping up a fragrance or she and I don’t have the same “nose”. This was a great video. I'm glad you and Gabby (she made a video similar to yours) are talking about it. I agree with everything you said. Carmen, you're beautiful - inside and out.

Hi Carmen ❤ that makes sense. Small channels make little money that can barely pay for a bottle or two depending on the price of the perfumes 😂 I personally agree that affiliate links especially from shops or brands with many perfumes are hardly corresponding to fake reviews. I personally never thought so. That said we do not need to follow folks that are clearly just doing marketing. I do follow that as well, but being aware of it it’s hard I get influenced 😂

Yes, you are absolutely right! So what I don't understand is why can't certain people appreciate the KZfaqrs who make money with their channel? KZfaq is a place where money can be made. That someone chooses to do it for fun/hobby. Also fine. But stop complaining. And enjoy the videos

A job is a job. From what I've heard it is not easy getting the content for your channel to appeal to the so many different watchers. You plainly just can't please everyone. Thank you for being real. You did open my eyes to views I didn't know off. BTW lol I love links and especially codes in the links. I also love information channels like yours.

I don't have a problem with people earning a living from reviewing fragrances. What I have a problem with is the dishonesty and lack of transparency, which are rampant in the fragrance community. Some reviewers don't bother to inform that they are being compensated to review a fragrance. What's interesting is that, these days, many don't even have affiliate links, but "hype up" scents from a certain brand, just to stay on that brand's PR and get the owner's attention. It's incredible to see so many lose their integrity over a "hey, beautiful;". How is it possible that you love every fragrance from one brand? How can every fragrance be a "masterpiece"?

Thank you Carmen, you said what everyone wanted to say. You explained so well and you are so eloquent about making your points which are well warranted. ❤

How am I supposed to concentrate when you look so beautiful lol 😉 “this is about fragrances “ I agree! all the complaining and judgment is ridiculous, live and let live if you want to make a little money 💰 go right ahead if you don’t then don’t, I use common sense I can tell who is genuine and who is not, in my world that’s not a new concept it’s the law of life 😂 ( I do grounding 3x a week maybe that’s why I’m all love peace and happiness 🤣😉

I haven’t finished the video yet, but while watching it I had this thought. No one complains about their favorite actor/celebrity going on an actual commercial and pushing a product. Tons of athletes get hired to push State Farm. What does athleticism have to do with car/home insurance? And who is pissed off they’re getting paid? Who is signing up immediately because their favorite celebrity is on the ad and then mad that celebrity doesn’t use that product? No one. So why should KZfaqrs suffer? I don’t get it. On the flip side of that coin, people would come to KZfaq to be put on to products. Initially it was the real opinion of KZfaqrs, who usually talked about products they loved. Then I noticed they were asked to review new products and give their opinion. When companies caught on, that’s when they started paying these KZfaqrs/Influencers (by that time they had become influencers) to promote their products. So this is why people are annoyed by influencers and don’t trust them. Because it is not as it originally began. I also think that it is kind of apparent who is pushing products to get paid and who is a chill individual just sharing their love of a product. I like watching a mix of everyone but prefer smaller KZfaq creators. The big channels allow me to find more companies and know when a new product is launching. The smaller channels are much more honest in their views and also don’t cause the consumption chaos. I’m also on a low buy, declutter and use up phase. So feeling like I have to get this new fragrance or I’ll miss out isn’t going to help me at all. Plus a lot of stuff they push are niche perfumes that many times it’s a struggle to sample.

To answer your question: If someone put me on to something, no matter if I like them or not, I use their affiliate link. What I mean by not like is, maybe I don’t like the direction their channel has gone in or the vibe they are on. But I still watched a video of theirs, just to see if maybe things have changed. I’ll still use the link. They did their job and should be compensated. Unless I find a super discount on my own. Then I’ll use that place to shop because I want the maximum discount. Otherwise, we should all be using affiliate links and stop complaining. It’s not costing us anything, the company would be paying for advertising anyway, and it’s coming out of the company’s pockets. A point you made earlier.

Hey Carmen. I loved this video. I feel the same way you do about a lot of things. There’s so much negativity out here in frag comm and it’s really sad. I do take a break from watching some influencers because I don’t want to feel like I’m constantly being influenced and my wallet can’t take it.

This is great! Thanks for sharing. I see your point about the affiliate links, as a consumer of content I see this happening all over the tubes….

No issue with links or discount codes. If I’m going to buy a fragrance and one of favorite channels has a link or code, I’ll use it. And if I ever get affiliate links or discount codes, I’ll share them. I may not be good for PR gifts tho’ - I’m still coming up with my thoughts on that one. At the end of the day, I’m not tainting my integrity.

If I'm gonna buy a fragrance anyways I use my favorite KZfaqrs links/codes. I want to support them because I love their content. I want them to make money for their time. People that have problems are jealous. I don't know what else it is. If you don't trust someone don't watch them.

Personally I base my follows on whether or not the content serves me. If I find someone’s content is affecting me negatively (like influencing me to buy when I’m trying not to, but other things beyond that), then I stop engaging with it: I’ll stop commenting, stop watching (or only watch the parts that are relevant to me), unsubscribe depending on the situation. Because you’re right, we have the control in these situations to choose to engage or simply not!

Excellent video! You are 💯💯💯🎯🙌🏾 TFS 😁

I am Happy to use affiliate links- for the same reasons you mention. I’ve even used the super thanks buttons when I’ve really enjoyed a video . I think what concerns me is the navitus limited time only launch offers of 25% off very expensive fragrances that may also “sell out” within a day …so there is a scarcity pressure to buy before trying. (I fell for it once and was disappointed. ) But I’ve learnt from that experience.

People should be paid for their time. Including you!

I don’t have an issue with affiliate links or other forms of revenue as long as there is transparency that the KZfaqr makes money off of a sale. As long as I know about that, I can weigh my options fairly.

Affiliate links are not a reason for me to stop watching someone in fact I appreciate the links. I don’t watch the reviewers that I don’t trust or I don’t enjoy. I don’t know where all this stuff is coming from. I know I’ve seen KZfaqrs that I love (you and Veronica for example) getting frustrated by some thing but I only know of the one video by another KZfaqr (who I enjoy typically) and not sure if that just opened a can of worms. Anyway, I’m not going anywhere even if you want me to! Haha!

Carmen! You look so beautiful in this video! And you’re giving Mob Wife aesthetic! 🥰 Ok off to watch the video and catch up on all the ones I’ve missed! ☺️

New Subbie here. To put it out there, I love fragrances and unfortunately I don't have any frag head friends. I work in an industry where scent use is discouraged. That being said... I watch frag KZfaqrs and I feel like it's chatting with your friends on a topic we truly love. It's my favorite type of video to listen to on my commute. I actually never thought of people having affiliate links are liars or have some agenda. However, I think I understand what you're getting at. There are some smaller and larger chanels that are heavy on the affiliate hype and lacking in substance. I think people who genuinely like a fragrance .. their energy will shine through and it's obvious. I really don't mind affiliate links. I do mind when it's almost too obvious that there is a financial agenda. Both large and small channels. Very annoying. I would think it's obvious how disingenuous they are. I'm thinking of hyped KZfaqr trashing a niche brand 2 weeks ago, then praising this brand 2 videos later because she received an engraved bottle from that brand. Pretty lame. Or KZfaqrs who keep saying, "this scent is everything." " This is so beautiful." Without describing the fragrance or just reading off an inaccurate note list on Fragrantica. Sorry, that's my personal rant. Anyways, if you should choose to have affiliate links to companies you truly love... I would say go for it! I will happily take any discount to a fragrance company in this economy. 😅

I’m happy to use YTr’s affiliate links when I know they’ve been genuine in their review(s), which they’ve made obvious by owning & reviewing a perfume(s) more than once. Absolutely 💯…but when they suddenly announce they’ve rcvd PR & a new brand affiliate deal for a perfume or perfume line, totally new to them - that’s where it kinda changes the vibe & I’ll simply watch, like you said. I appreciate all the creativity, enthusiasm & entertainment they put into their channels… it’s awesome, I love it & want them to be happy❤

I don't mind affiliate links. I don't like when you can just tell when people are hyping up certain fragrances just to stay on the brand's good graces. After years of being on earth I like to think I'm very good at reading through people. 😅

I’m new to your channel and I love seeing your fragrance videos much love from a fellow Mexican girl all the way from Texas

Like that 1 song goes ...AND THIS IS WHY I LOVE YOU ..And this is why I Love you Gurl ...Yeah I was disgusted by all of the hate as well it's simple just watch another channel but going on a rant and complaining like a bitter bitch about such a sweet topic is dark and ridiculous The Hate is real and it's really sad . it's all about your preference and choices period. But you said just about everything I was thinking when I was witnessing the complaints myself soo Thank you Mama 💖🌸🦋

The beauty community is similar to the fragrance, clean with me and planner community and I’ve watched them grow and burn for all the reasons you mentioned. I upgraded my KZfaq subscription to avoid adds and those who pop time in the add I tend to not continue watching. Yes, if I can help a channel by subbing I will but as soon as I see them become a commercial I tend to unsubscribe BUT if channel has links I do use them I always do.

I’ve never been in the makeup or beauty community (I guess I watched only some of Dr Dray videos 😂) so no idea what that references are but I get the point you’re trying to make 😊

Ugh! I resubbed to your channel, knowing darn well I was subscribed to you for a long time. I recently had to resubscribe to Shana, and a few months ago, I had to resubscribe to Sharida and EVE. KZfaq is doing you all dirty while making me look sus. Lol

Great video 💯💖

There's nothing wrong with an affiliate links. If you spent your time and energy to create a video and save us the time of having to go into a store and try it ourselves, then you deserve to be paid for your time, whether it's your full time job or not. So then it all comes down to credibility, do I trust the person whose link I'm buying from or not? If I click on the link and the fragrance is EXACTLY as you described, that is all I care about. If however you over sold it and described something that it is not, not only will I never click on your links but I will never watch you. It's all about the credibility of the content creator.

I just view videos for fun 🎉. 😁 humanity is filled with frustration impulses and we see them played out in many ways, in diverse scenarios.

Let's not make a fragrance community dt stinks! 😅😂

Sunshine does amazing things ❤❤❤ so true (but don’t get over exposed 😅)

You don’t use affiliate links,….”yet”. Maybe expand on what that really means. Are you saying you will start using affiliate links at some point?Contrary to what you said, I do not respect them for being fake and flat out lying for the sake of their pockets. Eau de Erica, in my opinion, is the worst when it comes to overhyping free fragrances. She doesn’t even attempt to hide the BS. TLTG is beyond obnoxious with his paid “reviews”. There are just too many fake KZfaqrs.

In my opinion affiliate links are okay . I usually do not use them and if the pitch is long and the talking is sounding like a commercial and the commercials are long and a long intro then I do not watch the video.

I wish influencers who show dupes were more honest. I wish they would be clearer. Is the dupe really good? So good that they would wear it even though they have many other fragrances to choose from? Or is it just good for the low price? I think that's a big difference. Because if you say it's just good considering it's very cheap, then the audience can better decide for themselves whether it's worth buying the dupe. That really gets on my nerves. Because if it's really good, you'll choose it even if you have other very good fragrances to choose from. If it's just good for the price, you won't buy it when you have 100 better scents to choose from.