Project 365- Day 1- 5/1/10

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF PROJECT 365!! =]

I was so excited for this ever since I decided to do it a few days ago! So...without further ado:

This is a drop of paint on the steps of my train station, and it forms a shape of a heart. It's on the steps that I take to exit the station at the end of my day and brightens my mood everytime I see it. I love cutesy things and to me, this exemplifies my absolute favorite word: serendipity. Serendipity is a fortunate accident. This little drop accidently fell onto these steps and managed to make a heart shape. I just find that cute and it makes me happy. =]

Today was such a gorgeous day in NYC; very sunny and about 84 degrees. Not a bad way to start May ;). I ended up relaxing and going shopping with my mom. Here's one of the results:

These are the Tory Burch "Reva" Ballet Flats. I adore flats and live in them the majority of the time. I've heard that Tory Burch makes great quality, durable flats so I was very interested since I beat my last pair up so badly lol. I wore these literally since we walked away from the cashier. I can say they're comfortable yet like everyone says, they need a little bit of wearing in (like all the flats I've ever had do). I can't wait to wear them in and have them be like socks with soles! (By the way my size is a 5.5...yup, tiny feet!)

I hope you all had a great Saturday and I'll see you tomorrow with Day 2 ;)

<3

One picture a day for 365 days!

First of all, I wanted to announce that my blog has reached 100 FOLLOWERS! YAY! haha thank u all so much for following and reading =]

Inspired to make use of my blog even more, I wanted to start a project that would encourage me to update my blog everyday. Sandra told me about a mission she, herself, had wanted to start: one picture a day for 365 days (as the title suggests lol). I thought, "WHY NOT?!" So, yes, I shall be joining this mission starting May 1st! I announced on twitter that I was going to do this and many other people have been joining in (which makes it even more encouraging).

Want to join? Here are the rules: NONE! The pictures can be of ANYTHING you want! (and it doesn't even have to be everyday if u don't want to). The point of this is to just be creative.

I will try my best to keep the pictures diverse and not just of buildings and sidewalks and nature haha

Looking forward to posting =] Are you going to join?

P.S. I'll be posting the pictures on this blog to save anyone the hassle of following yet another blog =]

Zoya Polish Exchange

I know I'm a day late with this, but if you follow me on twitter, you've probably seen me tweet a few times about how excited I am for Zoya doing the polish exchange for Earth Day.

This started yesterday and end on June 30th (2 months from now!). Basically, the polish exchange involves you sending in AT LEAST 6 old/unused/new/unloved nail polishes (also including top/base coats, mini polishes, and nail pens) that aren't Zoya brand and in return you pick any Zoya polish in exchange for each of the ones you sent in for $3.50. Zoya will dispose of the one's you sent in in an Earth-friendly way.

I find this a really good deal to get the polishes half off. I've heard a lot about Zoya polishes and only have two (Gaia and Tallulah- gourgeous colors!) and  definitely want to try more. (Plus nail polish for $3.50? yes please! haha)

Just wanted to let you guys know about this deal (if you already haven't)!

Will you be participating in the Zoya nail polish exchange?

Observing the Youtube Beauty Community

As I've mentioned before, I'm a Sociology major. For an Anthropology class, we had an assignment to perform an observation exercise on a community. So I decided to do it on a community I knew well: the Youtube beauty community.

This assignment was easy, yet hard at the same time. Of course I'm very familiar with the community, but writing about it so formally was a bit amusing lol

I've had some requests to post the paper on my blog so that you can read it. Hopefully you guys find it interesting and enjoy =]  (oh, and I got an A- on the paper)

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Youtube is comprised of millions of videos on an assortment of topics. There are music videos, home videos, tv shows, and many more options that are all available at the search of a few words. However, Youtube is not only made up of random videos all on one site posted by individuals with an account; this monumental site also has communities formed based on common hobbies. If one were to look through the site, one may stumble across one or two videos dedicated towards makeup and beauty, but in actuality there is an entire network formed by women (and occasionally men) that all share their passion for makeup. For my ethnographic observation, I have chosen to observe the “beauty community” that exists on Youtube.


The general name used for the makers of these videos is formed by the category that their channel is under on Youtube: “Guru”. Individuals that choose to watch the videos and follow the videos posted by the “Guru” is called a “Subscriber”. A person that belongs to the community is not set under strict categories when it comes to being either; a Guru can be a Subscriber and vice versa.

The tone of the videos is generally relatable and informative. Gurus talk about various makeup products, demonstrate how to use them, and even have videos referred to as “Hauls” where the Guru shows their Subscribers what they have purchased in a given time period. The products that the Guru talks about can be spoken about positively or negatively. Either tone is meant to inform the viewer about the various reasons to buy/not buy the mentioned makeup product. These are recommendations for the Subscribers from an individual that has already tried the product and therefore shares his or her opinion on the item with people potentially interested in it.

The Gurus that seem to have the most Subscribers are the ones that come across as very relatable and genuine. If a video appears contrived or not truthful, the Subscribers are quick to notice this fact and point it out. When the Guru appears dishonest, their Subscribers believe that they are being compensated by a company for the mention of the product. In the description box to the side of the videos, there is even an FTC disclaimer if a product was supplied by a company.

Interaction between the Gurus and Subscribers continues in the comments section of the video. Gurus even encourage their viewers to interact with them and post a comment on the video. Some comments may be an opinion statement about the product, a compliment toward the Guru, or a question. The Gurus can reply back to the comments and answer any questions that were asked. There are also instances where fellow Subscribers reply to each other’s comments to answer a question or reply to a comment.

There are also ratings as a part of the interaction process. A video can be rated upwards of 5 starts depending on the quality of enjoyment the Subscriber received from the video. Comments also include a rating system of a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” sign, so others can show if they agree or disagree with what an individual that posted this comment said.

Negativity does appear in the comments of videos. Negative comments may be an insult or rude remark. These comments are generally made by individuals that are not Subscribers and are outsiders to the beauty community. Such remarks are met with defense from the other Subscribers. These comments are replied to with equal hostility as was shown by the original rude outsider. The Subscribers reply back to the rude comment with the purpose of defending the Guru that was perhaps insulted and/or to inform the outside viewer to leave the video if he/she is not interested in the content.

I approached this ethnographic observation with a question in mind: “How is beauty viewed within a community?” I decided to analyze the makeup community on Youtube to help answer this question. This community focuses on expressing one’s beauty through makeup. The general mindset of the members is to use makeup to achieve results that enhance their beauty. Members are encouraged to be proud of their features and appearence.

This community also can be analyzed in order to answer the question, “What does the Youtube beauty community show about stereotypes of makeup within American society?” General stereotypes of society about women who wear makeup include that they are superficial and view themselves as unattractive. This makeup community disproves this stereotype. In the videos Gurus make and through the comments Subscribers post, expression of beauty is encouraged, both outer and inner. The majority of members use makeup for their own personal pleasure and not to impress society.

Another concept within the larger society that observing the beauty community can answer is, “How do common interests unite individuals in a society?” Living in New York City, especially, the general assumption is that everyone is different and diverse. The city society is considered to be so busy and hectic that people do not have time to engage in hobbies or relaxation. For most of these Gurus, this is their hobby and relaxation. This online community helps them interact with others that share the same likes and dislikes in a field that they are interested in.

A piece of litterature I have made a connection to with this observation exercise is Debt For Sale, written by Brett Williams. This book speaks about financial problems individuals encounter with credit and debt. A similar situation occurs in this Youtube community. With the encouragement to buy good products that the members will enjoy, comes with financial responsibility as the hobby the members share can get quite expensive. There are individuals involved in this community that try to find less expensive alternatives that are equal in quality to the more expensive products that may be mentioned. This helps individuals save money and stay on top of heavy spending, so as not to run into financial problems.

One comparison I have made on an aspect of this community is the difference between the reviews of products done on Youtube and the reviews sales associates do on products that they are trying to promote. These sales associates work on commission so there is a level of wondering by the consumer whether the product is truly great, or if it is commission-drived. There is a level of trust between the Gurus and Subscribers because the viewers know that the Gurus they trust are not trying to gain any monetary benefit from recommending the product.

The beauty community on Youtube is very interesting to observe to discover the dynamics among individuals with common interests and passions. Their shared interests have allowed them to for a close-knit community where each individuals are more than eager to help their fellow member. These individuals earn close friendships and trust among the community through helping the people and introducing each other to new and improved products.

Nail Polish Organization

I wanted to make a post about how I organize my nail polishes (since I love getting ideas from others).

This isn't the most original of organization ideas because I'm sure anyone has seen these nail polish racks in salons/on youtube/ on blogs.

I used to keep my nail polish collection in a big box, but that got frustrating because a. I couldn't see everything I had (only the tops of the bottles) and b. I had already filled the box. So once my collection started really growing, I decided to order a rack. I really like this one; the plastic is very sturdy and thick.

I ordered the nail polish rack from http://transdesign.com/ for about $50 with shipping, this is the 90 count one. I know this sounds like a lot but for me it's a good investment so I can really see what I have. I have seen some on ebay for about $40 but I'm a little sceptical.

I arrange my polishes based on brand just because that's how I associate them. If you have a question about what a particular color is, feel free to let me know =]

<3

Essie's Van D'Go vs. Maybelline's Sweetie Pie

To say that I have a lot of nail polish is a bit of an over statement. So yesterday I got home and realized what I thought to be the inevitable: I bought a nail polish almost identical to what I already have. So now you guys get to know a dupe haha (always the optimist)

Here is Essie's Van D'go. It was recently released in the Art of Spring collection. I love this color! It's a peachy melon with some pink to it. Gorgeous for spring! It's a little more peachy than pictured.

Here is Maybelline's Sweetie Pie. This is actually a limited edition polish released in Maybelline's new spring collection.When I saw it I was instantly drawn to its spring-like qualities.

Now, lets compare the dupe-esque qualities. Both were 2 coats by the way.

They are extremely similar. The only SLIGHT difference is that Sweetie Pie has a bit more of a pink tone. Otherwise, they're identical. Essie's is about $8 (in drugstores, prices may vary) and the Maybelline's $4.29 (again, prices may vary). I don't believe that if you have one you need the other.

Hope you enjoyed the post; it's the first one I attempted on nail polish swatches so let me know what you think =]

<3

TAG: 40 Questions

So there's a tag going around on youtube about 40 beauty questions, to save myself the crazy rambling and editing, I thought I'd do it here =]

SKINCARE

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice - Morning and Night

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Oily-combination

-What is your current facial wash?
Cetaphil- has been that way for over a year and I love it

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes, I try to do it about once a week and if I need it, twice

-What brand do you use?
St. Ives Apricot Scrub

-What moisturizer do you use?
Morning- LUSH's Cosmetic Lad
Night- Nivea Soft

-Do you have freckles?
No

-Do you use eye cream?
No, I sometimes think I should for preventative measures...blah blah...but i dont

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Yes, I used to have skin that was worse than it is now, but once i got into a cleansing routine and all that it got a lot better. Now I mostly get hormonal acne on my jaw and chin.

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
Yes but I don't remember how it worked for me

MAKE-UP
-What foundation do you use?
Bare Minerals Matte

-How about concealer?
MAC Studio Sculpt for face
Benefit's Erase Paste for under eye

-Do you know your undertone color?
I think I'm neutral mostly but slightly on the warm side

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I love them, I've never worn them but I think when done right, they look great

-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, but I go my changes in texture and possibly smell

-What brand of mascara do you use?
I have been layering my mascaras for a while, Lashblast for separating then Max Factor 2000 Calorie for thickening and lengthening. MF 2000 Calorie will forever be my favorite mascara and I'm so sad it's discontinued. I still have a back up of one tube =\

-Sephora or MAC?
Gotta say MAC. It's actually cheaper for the most part and I love the quality of most of the products. However, I'd take out the annoying frequent collections and add in some Sephora by OPI good quality nail polishes =]

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Brushes- a mix of MAC, Sonia Kashuk, Sigma, and throw in a doefoot applicator for inner corner highlight

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Always- I love UDPP, I tried to steer away to TFSI and that didn't work the same at all. I do love bases like UDPP Sin and Shadesticks/Paint Pots as a quick color on the lid

-For the face?
Nope, my moisturizer does a good job as making a nice smooth base

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
What an unfair question! lol I would have to say light gold toned...perfect inner corner and I sometimes wear it on the lid to brighten my eyes

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Liquid for upper lashliner, pencil for waterline

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never, its happened a handful of times with mascara though

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
I like them because I have some great colors, but I hate the messiness

-Do you use mineral makeup?
I guess Bare Minerals counts

-What is your favorite lipstick?
MAC- Pretty Please, goes with anything

-How about lipgloss?
VS Beauty Rush- Slice of Heaven

-What is your favorite blush to use?
I get some questions for recommendations of blushes and if I like certain ones from collections, truth is I don't wear blush *gasp!*  I actually have rosy cheeks to begin with so the only thing I wear on my cheeks is bronzer (for that I love NARS Laguna)

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Yup, I have bought some items. Never MAC though

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
I love it- I love finding great things that are a few dollars. My favorite blog dedicated to drugstore finds is Nouveau Cheap

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
Yup, I love them and finding some nice MAC that was from previous collections

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
Yes, I'd love to take some techniques and use it to improve my own method

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Not really

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Great eyeshadow yet no mascara, unmatched foundation to neck, unblended makeup (even a little)

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I love neturals, I feel so much more comfortable in them and that my features are enhanced better using neutrals

-Which celebrity always has great make up?
Kim Kardashian (of course), Eva Mendes, Jennifer Aniston

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Eyeliner- makes me look more awake and focused

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes, I've done it...but I'd rather at least have some concealer, liner, and mascara

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I look ok, I look better with it

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Overall I would say MAC, the majority of their products are great, but I use all kinds of brands and there are certain brands that have specific items that are the BEST within the overall category

-What do you think of Makeup?
I love it. I love the excitement of buying it, new collections, applying it. I love that it helps enhance features and unite lovers of it =]

You've all been tagged!


<3