If you're part of the more colorful and indie side of beauty YouTube, names like Paulina, Annette, and Amy are familiar. The reason why they're so appealing is because they're not like most beauty gurus but are just as beautiful and talented in their own rights. So to bring more attention to creative and colorful beauty, maybe that's why agapelovegirl created this tag. I felt inspired by the tag to turn this into a blog post, so here it is:
1. People tend to think beauty influencers are experts (or should be) at doing makeup. Of course, that's not always true. What is one thing you struggle with doing? (Side note, even if you are a pro mua, I bet there are still things you struggle with so please share!)
Applying false lashes, I only started doing it this year so sometimes I still can't get the inner corners to stick down all the time and it looks wonky in some photos. Also, I still struggle to blend out my eyeshadow fully from time to time because I forget that pressed pigments are not like a normal eyeshadow.
2. On that note, are there any makeup techniques you'd like to improve or learn how to do?
I definitely want to learn how to do cut creases better, and I think my skills are improving a lot. I also want to learn how to work with glitter too because it can be fun to do from time to time.
3. Are there any makeup looks, styles, trends, or technique you absolutely refuse to do or follow on yourself? (Ex. winged liner, false lashes ect.)
Quite frankly, I would never do any kind of Asian makeup trend (fake noses, face taping, natural eye makeup with contacts) for everyday wear. I have only done them for shoots (I modeled for a Korean clothing brand once) and cosplays. It's fun to do once in a while but it's just so far from my own style. I'm out here to look more colorful and shocking, which isn't really an Asian beauty thing.
4. Are there any makeup trends or styles that you used to dislike, but now love? Or vice versa any that you used to love that now you dont care for any more?
Used to Hate But Now Love: Highlighter
When highlighter first became a thing, there were gold and champagne highlighters and that was it. Then, some brands started coming out with more colorful highlighters, think pink, blue, green, and purple. I bought the Anastasia Beverly Hills Moon Child Palette and never looked back.
That was the gateway product and now I just love a nice colorful highlighter. I do have more natural-looking highlighters as well but I only use them for special events.
Used to love but don't care for anymore: Neutral or brown looks and Glossy, glossy lips
Back when I was in high school, around 2008, glossy lips were a popular look. People rocked clear lip gloss either by itself or over lipstick. My mom did it. My female teachers did it. My classmates did it. I did it for a while too until I realized I prefer lasting power over luscious and kissable lips. So when matte liquid lipsticks became a trend I was OVERJOYED. Mattes forever.
Once upon a time, all of my palettes were earthy and brown-toned - this was mostly because I was still learning how to do makeup and was scared to go really colorful at first. Now, I can barely create a brown-toned look without putting some kind of color in my eyes, unless the occasion really calls for something more neutral (a relative's wedding, a formal party, photoshoot, etc.)
5. Are there any beauty/makeup trends that most people hate that you (maybe secretly) like?
Winged liner. I know it's not universally hated but it's not something I see often in the Philippines. There was a time when I would get criticized for wearing my eyeliner like that too. It's not a secret that I love winging out my eyeliner but I am getting to a place now where I don't need to wear it with every look I do either.
6. Are there any makeup “rules” or stereotypes that bother you?
Putting something in your waterline. I've always found the practice disturbing and a bit unsafe because of where the waterline is. Since my eyes get irritated by anything that I put on that area, I just skip it altogether. Even if I found a pomade or eyeliner that didn't irritate my eyes if I put it on my waterline, I honestly still wouldn't tight line my eyes. It's really only obvious in pictures anyway.
Another stereotype that bothers me is that a lot of Filipinos seem to think that anything beyond lip tint, eyebrows, and mascara is considered "too much" and if you like more bold or gothic makeup, you're automatically considered "a waste of a pretty face" or "scary". I get "scary" quite often.
I just kind of find it sad because I don't wear this makeup to make myself look ugly or to give people heart attacks on purpose. Lately, I have noticed that I get more compliments on how nice my makeup is, and it's not just from guys these days.
But it's sad that people think I'm brave for doing so, when really, sometimes you just have to do it - without thinking what anyone thinks about the way you look. That's not really bravery for me. It's just common sense - because it's doing what makes you comfortable with yourself.
7. What "old news" makeup products do you still love and use on the regular?
Probably most of my complexion products. I still use the Revolution Makeup Conceal and Define. I know everyone is currently obsessed with the new ABH eyeliner, but I still love the Physicians' Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner (I recently found a local seller so I happily repurchased it).
8. It’s possible that there may be (a) specific youtuber(s) that inspired you to start a youtube channel, but let’s talk about what, if anything, youtubers inspired you NOT to do!?
In terms of blogging, Isabela Muse of Musings of a Muse and Tashina Combs of Logical Harmony was definitely some of the first few bloggers who inspired me to start a makeup blog. All my favorite YouTubers inspired me to start sharing my looks and beauty content on Instagram, as some of them do, this includes Thataylaa, RawbeautyKristi, CarmiMua, and many more.
But all my favorite YouTubers basically inspired me not to start a channel, mostly because Youtube can be a really scary and messy place that I don't want to be a part of. Besides, as a copywriter, I feel that I can express myself better in text and blogs are relatively easier to maintain.
9. What beauty content do you love creating the most?
Blogging: Eyeshadow palette reviews and detailed tag question posts that involve a lot of pictures because it's so fulfilling to just compile everything.
Instagram: Fun eyeshadow looks and flatlays (though I notice my flatlays tend to do better)
10. Is there any content that you create based on audience request or interest, that you actually don’t really like or prefer to create?
Not at the moment, no.
11. How often do you write and make blog content?
Lately, I haven't been doing it often in the span of a week. I have been thinking about lessening the amount of times I post since I'm not getting traffic like I used to. Most of my blogging is just done on the weekends lately.
12. Do you have a job outside of blogging?
Yes, I am a freelance copywriter. The good thing is that I am now home-based so I can really just focus on making better content since I'm just at home.
Also, I'm earning way more than what I used to so I now have more money to fund my blog, makeup passion, and my eventual foray into becoming a digital nomad.
13. What beauty content do you enjoy consuming (watching) the most?
I used to really love watching Chatty GRWM, tag questions, Q&A, mini reviews, and haul videos. Recently, I've really liked watching true crime videos as well. But I don't really consume a lot of beauty content anymore because as a beauty blogger, I don't want to have my opinion influenced by other people, and that means staying away from reviews about products I'm testing out or reviewing as well.
14. Any none makeup channels you love?
I consume more non-beauty content on Youtube. I love horror narrations so Mortis Media, Lets Read!, and Lazy Masquerade are some of my most played channels.
I am also passionate about raising awareness of how predatory and dangerous MLMs are, especially with the amount of Hunbots across the online beauty space so Kiki Chanel, iilluminaughtii, and Emily Leah are some of my favorite channels for this.
For true crime, I have Criminally Listed and Brief Case on my constant to-watch list because of their video style and topics.
15. Are there any makeup misconceptions because of YouTube or Instagram, that you wish people knew the truth about or that you hope to change with your channel?
That there are not enough resources for cruelty-free makeup for the Filipino market, and you often have to just take companies' words for it. I like credentials more than a simple "yes, we're cruelty-free" - which, unfortunately, is the response that most local brands give. It's a little vague. I've stopped limiting myself to using certain brands and have started highlighting indie brands that are cruelty-free instead. It's working well so far.
While I did start out as a mainstream cruelty-free blog, I've found that stepping out of my comfort zone and venturing more into colors and unknown brands just makes things easier and more fun for me. I still want to be that resource for Filipino makeup lovers but now I want to inspire and inform, even if the market isn't ready for it yet.
16. Have you ever felt unqualified or like bad beauty blogger because you didn’t do things just like every other “beauty guru”?
Sometimes I do, just because I don't have a lot of the staple products that many beauty influencers (even cruelty-free influencers who love colorful makeup) have - I do think it somewhat limits my appeal because I'm not a fan of Morphe, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Lime Crime, etc.
But the whole point of this blog is to do my own thing. I'm not trying to be the most popular beauty blogger out there, I just want to be trusted and recognized in the niche I've created.
17. If you could collaborate with a brand, which would it be and what would you create?
I would love to collaborate with Pinky Rose Cosmetics, Ace Beaute, or Revolution Beauty. That would be the DREAM.
18. Would you rather collaborate with a brand or create your own makeup/beauty line?
I would definitely rather collaborate because I think the business side of makeup is quite complicated and stressful. I already know that I'm the type of person who will lose any love I have for any passion that I turn into a profession because that's what happened with writing.
I don't want my love for makeup to turn into something I will end up hating. So as much as possible, I'd like to delegate or outsource the business side to the experts.
19. Because your average "booty guru" doesn't typically do this... Its Shout out time... Name 3 beauty content creators you think deserve more followers or recognition!
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