XSparkage (real name: Alice) does a look inspired by Rosalie Hale of Twilight. (photo from xsparkage.com)
I first discovered makeup tutorials on YouTube during one of my several late nights/early mornings downloading Paramore concert clips. Under the related videos search were clips with labels like “Candy Pop Pink Eyes” or “Britney Speak I’m A Slave 4 U Make-up.”
The 10-minute unedited clips were created by Lauren Luke (username: Panacea81). I was intrigued by how quickly she recreated Hailey Williams’ elaborately winged metallic eyes from the CrushCrushCrush video. I’d take just as much time doing my usual morning makeup.
Panacea81 (aka Lauren Luke) caught the cybersphere's attention with her online tutorials. Today, she has a beauty line, By Lauren Luke and a Nintendo Game, Supermodel Makeover by Lauren Luke.
There’s little to no production value involved in most of these videos, which are shot with typically messy bedrooms in the background. In one of Luke’s tutorials, you even hear someone snoring in the background.
The looks that these girls demonstrate range from Everyday School Look to Romantic Bridal to Disney Princess-inspired makeup. The simpler tutorials are not exactly difficult to do. After all, most make-up obsessed girls have learned how to create these from the pages of magazines like Seventeen and Allure.
But the difference is, the step-by-steps in publications were written by experts: beauty editors and professional artists who’ve worked backstage at the New York and Paris Fashion Weeks.
Finally, the internet is showing us how real girls are actually putting on their makeup and becoming experts themselves in the process. Phan, the 3rd most subscribed YouTube Guru, has been hired by Lancome and owns a skincare line, IQQU. She even got to work backstage at well, New York Fashion Week. Luke has been featured on the BBC as well as her own Nintendo game, Supermodel Makeover by Lauren Luke, in addition to launching her own beauty products.
The IQQU line by Michelle Phan.
The internet has given birth to a new generation of experts who gain credibility through their rough, practical displays of talent. However, it is not without its downside. Phan is being criticized for not being a credible skincare authority: she’s actually an art student rather than a licensed dermatologist, though she once attended Med School. Secondly, by putting themselves out there, these girls expose themselves to the sometimes harsh treatment of readers. As there are fans, there are also haters. In this age, everybody–pro or not–is free to put up their own blog and talk about anything they wish to comment on: food, technology, parenting. Information is easier than ever to gather but the bigger question is, how do we distinguish who’s credible from who’s not? Moreover, it’s easy to feel overstimulated by the online mix of videos, images, music and text. Throw in banner ads, cheeky comments, cyber fights (especially in threads that deal with religion and politics) and you’ve got one big sensory experience that drains you out by simply sitting in front of the laptop.
Despite these, I still find that online gurus, beauty-oriented or otherwise, serve a useful purpose. By removing the gloss of the pro demo, they exude a more relaxed approach that actually reminds us of how we do things. By putting themselves in a natural setting, they make the step-by-step feel less intimidating. “Here’s a girl who sounds like me who knows how to properly wield a MAC eyeliner brush.” Or, “Here’s a girl who’s always dreamed of having her own makeup line and actually made her vision come true!”
So, inspired by them, I decided to do reviews of the YouTube beauty gurus in the next couple of days. At the same time, I’ll also try one unique tutorial from each girl and see how I fare!
Let’s begin with MICHELLE PHAN!
One of Michelle Phan's more popular tutorials showed viewers how to do Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" look.
Phan is a 22-year old, US-based Vietnamese make-up artist whose steady hand can be attributed to her background as an art student.
On her former Xanga blog, where she’s known as RiceBunny (her site has since moved to www.michellephan.com), she posted artworks, beauty reviews, fashion tips and a list of games she’s currently playing (Phan is an avid gamer and Anime devotee).
Among the gurus, her videos are more polished in terms of production value. She doesn’t talk while doing the tutorials. Instead, she edits the clips, adds subtitles and her signature seductive voice over. Phan loves to project herself in front of the camera, throwing come-hither looks that remind some people of Paris Hilton. Others find it annoying and to some degree, it ticks me off but it also makes me laugh out loud in a positively entertaining way. She also adds bedroom or elevator music to the background.
I also noticed that she barely opens her mouth–even when applying lipstick or gloss.
Without the makeup, Phan is a Lolita: an innocent-looking Asian girl with large eyes an a full, round face.
But she loves to pile on the makeup! So much so that sometimes, I feel there’s just too much of it. Her skin is pretty flawless except for undereye circles. On the other hand, I like that Phan’s tutorials are in-depth, showing every step of the process from foundation to lips.
Basic tips and tricks, include: * Using a concealer palette to correct imperfections: green to correct redness, yellow for dark circles, lavender for highlighting the cheekbones and bridge of nose.
* Mineral powder for setting makeup.
* Applying liquid liner by starting from the middle going outwards then from the inner eye corners towards the middle.
* Applying shimmery shadow to tear ducts
* Using DIY props for more adventurous looks like a gold lightning bolt for her famous Lady Gaga tutorial.
Favorite products: * MAC and CVS brushes
* Lise Watier eyeshadows and powders (these are locally available at Marionnaud, SM Mall of Asia)
* Anastasia Brow Duo (www.sephora.com)
* Ardell Lashes and DUO Lash Glue (Watson’s Stores)
Since Michelle is such an Anime fan, I decided to try her Anime Eyes Tutorial. Check it out below!
Michelle's finished Anime Eyes.
And this is how mine came out!
Instead of a full lower lash fringe, I cut up individual lashes. I also used a Raspberry blush to further exaggerate the look.
Let’s try that once more with feeling!
Hmmm...i think not?
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those anime eyes look like clockwork orange eyes!
Oo nga noh! I think if the lower lashes were coming off, it would be more Alex DeLarge. Kulang nalang ang bowling hat, white outfit and boots.
i love it bax. natawa ako sa concluding statement. hahaha
I think everybody expects this star to create more succesfull songs.