What Youtube Video editing software, programs and Digital Camera I used, Beauty Guru Diary

Hi!

 Today, I joined the Youtube Beauty Guru bandwagon like other ba-gazillion other girls in the world.   My efforts thus far have been nothing but comically wrong in so many way... dang. 

 First my camera, Samsung PL120, flat out refused to focus on my face - but instead, found my messy book shelf and a stack of grubby boxes more fascinating than my moi....

Lighting drama.  My video ended up looking like a very bad 70's porno  film (I didn't read the reader's manual, so I didnt know how to adjust the settings ...).

 Then I lost hours of work on the Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9.0 because I forgot to save it before loading up another project (why? because I didnt read this manual too ).

I hate reading the reader's manual, leave me alone...

My Samsung PL120 takes astonishingly sharp pictures with crystal clear details (which showed off all my wrinkly flaws and pores in my previous blogs ), I couldnt be happier with it, especially since I'm a complete techie noobie.  Point and shoot is all I know and this camera is that easy to use. 

I had a humongous duh moment earlier, when I read about the  "Beauty Shot" option - this setting blurs out your flaws - you won't need to Photoshop your pores away, girls!!

 I was utterly clueless of this fact until 2 hours ago, and I came to the realization that, I really should read the damn reader's manual more often!  *cringe*

Are you a none techie girl too? ...

You can't simply point and shoot a film, as I learned.. 

I know how to apply the makeup to look great in films, but not how to make my camera record perfectly without me having to mess with all the gazillion settings, and better the camera , more options you're gonna deal with as I learned... le sigh...  

Good lighting is key, anyone who has ever work on the set knows it's more about the lighting than how good your makeup looks.

 Bad lighting will cause ugly wrinkles, saggy skin and even bags under your eyes, while good lighting can make you look younger.. Ever stand under a direct light, did you take a look in the mirror during it?   Go try it...

 
If you're  new or someone merely considering joining  the Youtubing community, and I think that everyone should join, read up on YOUR camera specifics and how to adjust your settings accordingly.

Next is to use the Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum to edit your films.  

I used the version 9, which is an older version, so you should get the newest copy of the  Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum .

 I've tried a few other programs before my friend took pity on me and gave me her copy because I was struggling with the complexity of these other softwares.   I found Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum by far the easiest to understand , and IMHO, since more people use it,  there are more tutorials on using this software than any other.  Consequently, more helpful video guides on Youtube for you to learn from ..   

Here are the most Popular YouTube Video Editing Software/Program

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum HD  (my choice and a personal fav) **

Sony Vegas Pro (always a great option) *

CyborLink PowerDirector -- (this has a very good reputation ) *

Camtasia

Windows Movie Maker  ( popular and FREE - but features are limited)*

Adobe Premier Elements

ShowBiz DVD

Roxio Video Lab 

Roxio Creator

Movie Edit Pro

 Awesome Font Site that I found!!

DaFont.Com

Don't forget to Subscribe and Like my Youtube video!  

Thanks for reading, make sure you add your blog or your video down below so that I can visit!! 

Stay positive! <3

xo-Tina

 My Brank-spankin' - New Youtube Video

Just to show you what my camera quality should have looked like...

Color Contact Lens, NEO Queen 4 Tone Series in HONEY - Circle Lens

 *I'm wearing my new lenses here*

I fondly recall my last pair of colored contact lenses.... It made me look like a crossed eyed, bug-eyed alien on crack.  I tried every makeup trick in the book to see if I'd look any better... but no,  the bug-eyed  alien look didn't suit my eyebrows and I was getting sick of my hub laughing at my face.. *sigh*.

I've gone through maybe 7 pairs in my life, and have never ended up liking one, not a single pair.  They've either made me look cross eyed, bug-eyed, fake, doll like, and/or made me look like a white wannabe ... All I've ever wanted was to look like me but with different colored eyes...

This review is quite unexpected and is something that I had absolutely not planned on doing.  However,  when my new contacts came today - the one that I had ordered 3 weeks ago, although 3 years previously, I had promised myself that I would never order another pair again, yep, it arrived (hah!) and I just had to blog about it because I'm BEYOND pleased. 




  This, I swear to you, is the MOST comfortable and the most natural looking contact lenses that you'll ever own.  

I took these photos tonight, as soon as I came back from running errands all day in New York City and it's effing 90+ degrees, hot and humid as all hell here, so my foundation and etc is pretty much all melted off.  I'm sweaty, its not oiliness, and I have no fake lashes on *gasp* -  this is as natural as I'll ever get online.  I really should have reapplied and gotten all dolled up for this blog, especially since I'm few years away from being 40 and could use all the help that I can  get- but whatever - I'm going to keep it real.  (and if Asian girls are curious, because it seems we're endlessly fascinated by double eyelids in other Asian girls, I've had no surgery on my face.  I get my eyes and freckles from my Irish grandpa)  :)

First photo is me with my natural eyes.  *waves hello* (Oh my Lord, I look like a grease ball haha~)

 No  Lenses - Natural

  Lenses with Flash

  Lenses with NO Flash. 

Ok, I actually have fake lashes here, as you can see it still looks incredibly natural. :)

Brand: NEO
Origin: South Korea
Water content: 45%
Diameter: 14.2 mm
Base Curve: 8.6
Duration: 1 year disposable

Personal review:  

5 - 5 for comfort ( 45% water content) Damn~!   I wore them today, and 6 hours later It was still very comfortable. 

5 - 5 for looks - Tell me it looks natural!  I love them!

I recommend this 100%.

4 - 5 Seller.  I only wish that the shipping was a tad faster, but it's understandable being how they're over seas. 

I bought them here, for $24.99 + Free Ship.  It took 3 weeks for it to get to me, so I did end up sending them a email asking where the hell my lenses were (hah) and they were very prompt with the reply and was very helpful.  

I use the this cleanser and  this rewetting drops.

I would love to hear your experience with circle lenses, please comment and share what you've tried and/or is using at the moment.

I hope this review was helpful to someone!  Don't forget to sub/ add me on here, twitter/facebook, tumblr.. and etc!   :-)

blog upcoming, stay tuned!
DYI Ombre hair clip on (next)
DYI Vitamin C serum
Careprost Lash Serum Drop

Take care!!

Lush Lash - is it a scam?

Nothing impacts the face like full lashes.  

Do you fantasize  about lashes so big, curly and thick that it creates an alluring shadows on your cheeks?  Marilyn Monroe was famous for creating this look. Or are you  merely looking for ways to look better in the morning without any makeup?  God knows, I've been needing more help in that department lately...

 This subject - lashes - must be one of the most googled searches in Asia, and no, I'm not being a racist or sarcastic. I can say this wholeheartedly and with the up most sincerity because I am an Asian-American, who suffer from weak lashes. 

I've tried them ALL, girls -  from ridiculous claims of Vaseline, Olive Oils, and some Youtube sensation - Bee Wax Egyptian   CRAP lotion growing your lashes longer, to praying to Jesus Christ... these don't work. They were mostly nonsense. 
 Read on ....

FOUR WAYS TO BIGGER LASHES.

I'm not going to make you suffer through a wall of text,  therefor,  I'm going to make this list short and to the point and write a more detailed review of some of the products discussed here later.

1.  Lash Drops

WHAT IT IS:

LASH Treatment which is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a clean synthetic brush, to grow longer, fuller and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in 16 weeks.  
Can also be used on the eyebrows.  (more of this on another blog)

• Lastisse - FDA approved -  bimatoprost ophthalmic 0.03% solution - Requires a Prescription and money to burn. $120 ~ $150 + a bottle
• Careprost - bimatoprost ophthalmic 0.03% solution  - The generic version of Lastiss with the same *exact* ingredients as Lastiss ( $ 30 ~ $ 55)
• RapidLash - It worked great and in fact, seemed to make my lashes thicker (but shorter) than the 2 drops above.  HOWEVER, I've heard recently that they've changed the formula so that it doesnt work as it did in the past.  ($ 35~ $45)

There are of course other brands, many in fact, but since I have not personally used them to verify, I will not list them here.   

I'm currently using Careprost and am on my 3rd bottle,  and it has worked brilliantly for me.  I cant recommend  this enough.

Something I'd like to mention, I like to spend my money wisely, so I've forgone using Lastisse altogether.  But I'd suggest that you at least call your doctor and *ask*  if it would be right for you.  

With that said,  since Careprost is simply the generic brand and have the exact same ingredients, I repeat, the same EXACT ingredient, I'm assuming I'd get the same results from it. 

Side effects: 

• Cost
• May cause darkening of the eyelid skin which may be reversible.
• Although not reported in clinical studies,  it  may also cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye which is likely to be permanent. 
• Itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. This was reported in approximately 4% of patients. 

I have used this for 2 years and have not had any ill effects.  In fact, I do not know anyone in person or on the beauty forums, review boards with these side effects.  Theses are very rare cases.

Before and After photos:

2. Eyelash Extensions Invented by - *gasp* Asians (Korea in fact) ! :)

WHAT IT IS:

Simply put, these are hair extensions for your lashes or a long lasting temporary false lashes that stays on for few days to weeks depending on the type of glue used, the technician's skill in the application and how you take care of it at home.

  Getting this done may take up to 1~3 hours and will need a touch up every 2 weeks.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Cost ($100~$500 in US)
Itchy
Thins out your natural lashes.
Time consuming

If you don't have time for your nails, then you definitely won't have time for this... 

3. False Lashes  
also known as Falsie

WHAT IT IS:

Designed to add length, thickness and fullness to natural eyelashes - temporarily.  I feel like everyone already know what this is, so I'm merely going to add my recommendations. 

 For Drama: 
Ardell Fashion Lashes  - Wispies  They're quite long, and full but "wispy" so that you dont look like a drag queen. Moreover, I like that it gives me mega drama without making me look like a showgirl wannabe.   

Double up with another  shorter set of lashes and watch your eyes go va-va-boom!

Ardell False Eyelashes  DuraLash Naturals Short knot-free Individual Lashes I use this the most every day because they're the most natural.  Make sure to get them knot-free.

Ardell Duo:  Best lash glue

4. Finally, the good 'ol tube of some Mascara.

 They're actually quite good these days because some of them have fibers..

WHAT IT IS:

 Again, you know what it is, so I'll simply link my cult favorites and call it a day.

My Holy Grail:

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara  

I've been using this for many years and have always come back to using it.   It's a bit of a clumpy mess,  I kid you not, yea.  But works quite effectively on flimsy lashes.  This one doesnt have any fiber. 

 

Fiberwig  -

These are HUGE in Asia because we're lash obsessed and they have fibers in them that clings to your natural lashes.  It makes you look like you're wearing Falsies.

  I have yet to see a non Asian brand that works as well as an Asian Fiber Mascaras. This is a MUST, girls!

 

I would love to hear and SEE what you've been using and trying yourself!  Please comment, share and add me.  Thanks for reading, take care!! =)

 

Cut and Trim Your Bangs: Guide to Cutting Heavy, Blunt Bangs

 Look Great and Sexy, Not Fat - rock Carly Rae Jepsen's bangs! 


So you've been gazing soulfully at the celebrities with the heavy bangs lately, and wondered if it would look as bold and edgy on you.  Because lets face it, nothing screams "high fashion" , "rich bi*ch" and utter "Class" like those bangs, but in real life, they look absolutely horrendous on the people that you personally know AND make them look... fat! *gasp*


This guide will give you some insight and inspiration into how you can costume design the perfect heavy fringe to fit YOU.  These are my own personal rules as a Pro Hair Stylist in New York City, and not set in stone by any means. We all have our own ideas of what Beauty is, therefor, it is logical that not everyone will agree. :)

Read on...

First, if you're one of those people with sickenly a perfect face shape with a small oval head shapes (think Halle Berry), then don't bother with this guide. This guide doesn't apply to you, because you look great no matter what... lucky bi*ch. :)

 But for the rest of us:

• Know your face shape. 
• Is your hair on the crown thick enough to create a heavy fringe?
• Is your hair too curly? Because heavy fringe should lay flat and not look like a brillo pad.  Also, do you have a cowlick in that general are?
• Finally, what do you wish to cover up with your hair. This is so important. Always keep this in mind, it is what's left behind that impacts your face, and NOT what's been cut off! :-)

Now that we got that out of the way, let me show you what *I* consider beautiful and see if you can find a pattern in these photos.  I'm, of course including the photo of Carly Rae Jepsen's bangs at the very top of this list.  :)

 
It is my firm belief that any type of heavy bangs will automatically make your face appear slightly fuller and the farther you cut away from the center of your face will then make your face wider.   It sounds most dreadful but there is a fix!






 

  Sometimes heavy bangs, when done correctly, will actually make you not only look slimmer but sexier and edgier and younger!  I'm going to use the lovely Katie Holm's photo as an example here, because no words are needed to show my point.

 read on ..

THE rules to rock'in heavy bangs: 

 ( I will be using a mannequin's head for photo's,  understand that their hair lines and the hair density greatly differs from humans).

1. Always consider what's being left behind and not whats being cut off.  Take small cuts, you can always cut more.  Try using a razor instead of shears.

2. Section off , and clip back the hair that you want to keep.  How much to clip back?  Usually all the hair in front of your ears on the crown of your head is drawn forward for bangs, but  this depends on how thick your hair is. If your hair isn't thick enough then you will need to draw more hair from the back.

CROWN section -  in a soft, rounded V, you can use your nose as a guide for the highest peak.

3. NEVER cut your bangs past the outer corners of your eyes. The farther you cut away from the center of your face, the wider your face will appear.  If you look above, all the photos that I've posted follow this rule.

HOWEVER : You CAN cut farther back if  you're creating a graduating effect -  from short to long,  like the KATE MOSS's photo that you will see in the next page.  This is a far more advance way of cutting but it will create a more softer look.

Read more ....






  4. Very blunt bangs only look great on models with perfect features, on everyone else - it looks like a wig.  Razor cutting the edges will soften, modernize AND make you look thinner.  This is especially important for anyone over 30+...




I'm holding a camera with 1 hand, but this is about where you want to start point-cutting, or razoring your hair - DRY HAIR.  ALWAYS cut tiny bits at a time, so you can cut more if it's too long. =)

5.  Long shaggy, piecey, heavy bangs that hits "just" on the top of the nose (for clarity - between your eyes, where your nose starts to slope up - Kate Moss's bangs)  is the most flattering on normal human beings. The KEY here is to create soft and shaggy edges for a wearable blunt bangs.

6. Attitude.  Your personality should reflect this bold style.  Just sayin'. =)

Now, here are the "bang tragedy photos". These, IMHO, do not enhance the beauty of the person's face but exaggerate's the negative for the sake of fashion - that is, if small, oval face is your ideal.

You apply make up to enhance what you have, your hair should do the same, since it's your greatest and best the accessory.

To show this more clearly, let's take the beauteous Olivia Wilde here, look at the photo's side by side. The one on the left, you can clearly see how far the bangs have been cut ( and far past the outer eyes) and then the one on the right.  The bangs were cut correctly here for her square face (the shortest bangs ending at the outer eye and the edge's kept soft and wispy), this style suits her to perfection.





 Finally, how to style it once you've achieved your perfect fringe.  

• 1. Use a oil serum or a heat protectant on damp hair.
• 2. Dry your bangs flat against your forehead, and please, I beg you,  do not use a big round brush or it will give you that mushroom look, unless that's your thing.  A flat paddle brush, the  fingers God gave you or a vent brush works beautifully.
• 3.  This is optional because not everyone owns a flat iron.  But if you do, I suggest you use it here.
• 4. Apply some soft wax when your hair is completely dry to give you that shaggy, sexy, piecey look.  Not too heavily, otherwise you'll end up looking like a oily heroine addict - unless that's your thing. :)

I hope this guide was helpful.  Please sub, add, comment for future guides and requests.  

Thanks!!  :)

 



Speaking of hair, try my popular Do It Yourself Ombre Dip Dye Hair Color Tutorial next ...   :)