Still Don’t Know UGC? A Content Marketing Strategy for Fashion/Beauty Brands



Are you managing a fashion or beauty brand and still unfamiliar with user-generated content (UGC)? If you're curious about how today’s successful brands plan their Instagram short-form content, this is for you. When used correctly, User-Generated Content (UGC) can help reduce advertising costs and significantly increase your conversion rate. Let’s dive into actionable UGC strategies you can start using right now.

1. What is UGC?

UGC (User-Generated Content) refers to content voluntarily created and shared by actual users, rather than the brand itself. In today’s world, where personal product reviews are more persuasive than advertisements, user-generated content (UGC) has become a must-have strategy for beauty and fashion brands.

Examples of UGC

• A blog post reviewing a product after real use

• Candid outfit shots posted on Instagram

• Unboxing and product review videos on YouTube or TikTok

2. Why Focus on UGC Now?

📱 Gen MZ Searches on Social Media, Not on Google

Consumers now search for products on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, rather than traditional search engines. Checking brand feeds or genuine customer reviews has become a standard practice.

👀 Consumers Can Instantly Spot Ads

People can tell if something is an ad right away. If your brand message feels like a traditional ad, it may be ignored. That’s why natural, relatable content tends to stick.

📈 Higher Engagement and Click-Through Rates

UGC is nearly 10 times more trusted than brand-created content and sees an average of 70% higher engagement. Click-through rates can be up to 4x higher compared to traditional ads, making this a powerful format for marketers.

3. Brand Case Studies Using UGC

📌 FIND KAPOOR

Now a global brand, FIND KAPOOR creates UGC content each season. From review events that encourage posts on its site and Instagram to creative video formats (such as food transforming into handbags), they’re constantly innovating.

In the 2025 S/S campaign “MY OWN LUNCH TIME,” they collaborated with model and influencer Jisoo Seo to produce short-form UGC showcasing her everyday outfits. It’s a great example of transitioning from traditional photoshoots to UGC content.

📌 CLINIQUE

Clinique expanded its "#EvenBetterYou" campaign using real customer UGC. Before-and-after content showing improvements in skin tone and texture helped the brand build trust and go viral.

Instagram is follower-based, while TikTok relies on interest-based algorithms. Even accounts with few followers can reach tens of thousands of views, while large accounts may struggle. With the introduction of TikTok Shop, creators can now sell products directly linked to their content and earn money from their content. Simply hiring influencers with large followings isn’t enough—brands must understand the platform and approach it strategically. (If you’re planning UGC, don’t overlook TikTok!)

4. UGC Tips You Can Use Right Away

(1) Start with Review Campaigns

Encourage customers to post reviews after using your product. Avoid over-restricting content guidelines—authentic posts tend to perform better. Use those reviews to create engaging new posts.

(2) Strategic Cell Seeding and Influencer Outreach

Cell seeding involves sending free products to creators in hopes of generating content. You don’t need big-name influencers—find micro-creators who match your brand’s mood and values. If you’re a newer brand, consider doing your own outreach instead of going through an agency.

(3) Turn Studio Shoots into UGC

When planning a lookbook or campaign shoot, consider creating short-form, UGC-style content to accompany it. Selfie-style clips and smartphone-quality footage can actually increase authenticity and trust. Even short scripts or recorded on-site audio can boost content quality.

5. How Trending Brands Like
FIND KAPOOR Book UGC Models

I'd like to point out that the impact of your content often depends on who presents it. The same product can project different moods or messages depending on the model and context. That’s why many brands focus on booking from the early stages of content production.

Spotlite is a platform where brands can quickly book the right models by applying filters such as mood, style, budget, nationality, and more. You can review comp cards, snapshots, and portfolios all in one place, making the process much easier.

Spotlite supports booking for not only lookbooks but also UGC shoots, interviews, pop-up events, and in-person brand experiences. Please note that availability may vary depending on the specific activity. To be matched more quickly, please provide specific details when submitting your inquiry.

Helpful Info to Include in Your Inquiry

• Purpose and format (e.g., UGC shoot, pop-up event)

• Location and date

• Duration and budget range

Today, we explored everything from what UGC is to how fashion and beauty brands can use it effectively. Use these strategies to build a UGC plan tailored to your brand. And if you need to book models or influencers, try Spotlite—where you can define your criteria and match quickly.

👉 [Start Booking Your UGC Model on Spotlite]