Friday, 27 January 2017

Winged Liner & Bold Brows Makeup Tutorial | Testing out new products

Here's a quick makeup tutorial using some of the new products: L'Oreal Infallible Paints Blush Palette & Liquid Eyeliner, Wunderbrow Eyebrow Gel and Hair Flash Color Temporary Hair Dye Sprays.
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Products Mentioned
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Brushes Mentioned

Thursday, 26 January 2017

New L'Oreal Lip Paints Swatches & Review

L'Oreal Infallible Paints Lips are the new liquid lipsticks with glossy finish from their Spring 2017 collection. Each lipstick contains 0.27oz of product and retails for $7.99 USD ($12.99 CAD). They're currently available at mass retailers and drugstores across U.S. and Canada and online:
  • United States: Amazon $7.99 USD and Ulta $9.99 USD  
  • Canada: Amazon $12.99 CAD

Product Claims
  • Pigmented
  • Full coverage
  • Hi-gloss
  • Lightweight
  • Non sticky formula
  • Long lasting without feathering, bleeding or fading
I love the packaging! The packaging reminds me a bit of Too Faced Melted Lipsticks but these come with doe foot applicators.
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Shades
They're are available in 14 shades (13 shades for Canada): 


Here are swatches of 12 shades on my arm (for shade reference I'm in NC40-NC42 in MAC).
Here are lip swatches of 12 shades:
 
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Review
322 Orange Envy
I do like L'Oreal Lip Paints and the shades are beautiful. They are pigmented, moisturizing and comfortable on the lips. I usually prefer matte lip products but I don't mind this satin/glossy finish especially during winter when my lips are dry and irritated. Overally, these are good drugstore liquid lipsticks. I love the packaging and I think the formula is good.   
Most shades are easy to apply except for three, which I had to keep reapplying: 
  1. 300 Lilac Lust 
  2. 316 Wild Rose
  3. 320 Cool Coral  

  • Finish: Glossy
  • Application: Most of these are very easy to apply. You do need about two swipes but some of the lighter shades didn't apply evenly (300, 316 & 320), so I had to go in with more swipes.
  • Wear Time: These don't last that long compared to matte lipsticks but some shades especially darker ones do leave a stain. They do transfer and slightly bleed. If you eat, then these will easily come off but if you don't then these can last at least 4 hours.
322 Orange Envy
Pros
  • Creamy
  • Pigmented
  • Non-sticky
  • Moisturizing
  • Comfortable on lips
  • Easy to apply
Cons
  • Strong Scent: These do have a strong scent, which I'm personally not a fan of 
  • Transfer & slightly bleed
300 Lilac Lust Lip Swatch This one didn't apply evenly, so I had to keep reapplying. It's my least favorite
in terms of formula.
302 Violet Twist Lip Swatch
304 Bewitching Bordeaux Lip Swatch
This is a beautiful burgundy shade and easy to apply.
310 Taupeless Lip Swatch
This cool-toned shade applied so beautifully.
312 Nude Star Lip Swatch
This is one of my favorites! It's a perfect everyday shade and very easy to apply.

314 Spicy Blush Lip Swatch
This lovely nude pink shade is one of my favorites. I like to pair it up with
a darker lip liner.
316 Wild Rose Lip Swacth
I had to keep reapplying this one to get an even application.
318 Fearless Fuchsia Lip Swatch
320 Cool Coral Lip SwatchI had to keep reapplying this one to get an even application.

322 Orange Envy Lip Swatch
324 DIY Red Lip Swatch
Love this one!! It's one of my favorites.
326 Sultry Sangria Lip Swatch

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

How to make money on YouTube

Here are 5 ways how YouTubers make money (Ads, Affiliate Links/Coupon Codes, Sponsored videos and more).

  1. YouTube Ads 
  2. Sponsored videos - Some companies may contact you directly or you can join FameBit (minimum 5,000 subscribers) or Grapevine (minimum 10,000 subscribers)
  3. Affiliate links or Coupon Codes - MagicLinks is great way to generate affiliate links for most brands (Sephora, Boohoo, Missguided, etc)
  4. Merchandise
  5. Ebates (U.S. and Canada)
Ebates Coupons and Cash BackEbates.ca

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YouTube Ads
I'd recommend signing up for Google Adsense even if you have one video because ad revenue is based on views and not subscribers. There is a payment threshold of $100 for Adsense. 
However, if you joined a network such as Style Haul, the payment threshold is $25 and payments can also be made through PayPal. Networks take 30% of your revenue though.


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Affiliate Links/Coupon Codes
I love using MagicLinks because they generate links for so many brands (Sephora, Sigma Beauty, Forever21, Boohoo, Missguided, Amazon, etc) but they do keep 30% of the commission. Also, there's a payment threshold of $50 (this applies to most other affiliate programs). Similarly, there are companies that provide unique coupon codes to YouTubers, so they can earn commission through each sale but the only difference is the buyers usually gets some money off.

I think it's always best to apply directly to an affiliate program to keep full commission. For example, I'm currently affiliated with Sigma Beauty and I've applied directly through their website.
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Sponsorships
Brands may contact you for a sponsored video and pay you for it. That is a direct way to get a sponsored opportunity but in my experience, it doesn't happen that often. 

There are websites such as Grapevine and FameBit that connect content creators with brands but charge a fee of 10%. I do think it's easier because you get to see a number of brands with the product details and if you're interested, you pitch a proposal and fee you'd like to charge. If they approve, then you film the video and show it to them and once approved, you can publish it and get paid. I usually get the payment through PayPal.


Sunday, 22 January 2017

NEW LA Girl Pro Foundation Warm Beige vs Make Up For Ever Ultra HD

LA Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation is claimed to be a full coverage, illuminating foundation that is paraben free with added anti-oxidants. For Canada, it's now available on Walmart's website for $12.99 CAD. That's where I purchased mine. 
Here's my demo and review of new LA Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation (Warm Beige) with 7 hours wear test. I also compared with Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation Y375 Golden Sand 
 
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Shades
LA Girl Foundation is available in 16 shades (15 shades + 1 white/lightener). I got the shade Warm Beige and it's a great match for my skin tone. I compared it to MUFE Ultra HD Foundation Y375 Golden Sand and I think it's very similar but someone mentioned  that Y385 would be a better match but I don't have that shade. Click here for my shade reference post, where I listed MAC conversions shades & videos by other YouTubers wearing most of the shades.
LA Girl Pro Coverage Foundation Shades
Shade ReferenceI don't own any MAC foundation but I should be around NC40-NC42 in MAC. Click here for full list of foundations that I wear (I do update it regularly).
Here are some of the foundations that match me well: 
Similarities
  • Satin Finish
  • Medium Buildable Coverage
  • Lightweight
  • HD Coverage: Both of them are HD coverage foundations but Make Up Forever Foundation is also supposed to be undetectable under 4K lens.
  • Packaging: The packaging looks very similar and both foundations come with pumps.
Differences

    Saturday, 21 January 2017

    Kylie Cosmetics vs KVD Lipsticks + Instagram Giveaway

    I decided to compare Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipsticks to Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. I couldn't find exact dupes but there were some shades that were similar to each other. 
    Check out my comparison video (lip swatches and wear test):


    I'm also giving away Dolce K Lip Kit on my Instagram:

    Just uploaded Kylie Cosmetics vs Kat Von D lipsticks video (swatches, wear test and comparison) on my YouTube channel and blog: www.arzanblogs.com๐ŸŽฅ Also, just reached 6K on Instagram, so wanted to do a little giveway to thank you guys ๐Ÿ’• I'm giving away @kyliecosmetics Dolce K lip it (lip liner & lipstick). ๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น๐Ÿ”น ๐Ÿ’Ÿ✨✨ GIVEAWAY DETAILS✨✨ ๐Ÿ’Ÿ ๐Ÿ”ถHow to Enter: ▶️Follow and tag 3 friends on this photo๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿฝ ❣You can also get 2 additional entries (optional): 1️⃣Subscribe to my YouTube channel and comment on Kylie vs KVD video which kvd or kylie lipstick shade you like 2️⃣Repost this photo using #arzan6kgiveaway ❣Ends Feb 20th 2017 at 11:59 PM EST (winner name will be listed in this caption on Feb 21st) ๐ŸŒŽ Open Worldwide #arzanblogs
    A photo posted by Nazra๐Ÿ’‹ (@arzanblogs) on


    Similarities
    • Matte
    • Application: They both apply like a gloss and dry down to a matte finish. 
    • Formula: I find they're similar in terms of formula. They're pigmented, opaque and long wearing compared to other liquid lipsticks but they're drying and emphasize lip lines.
    Differences
    • Size: Kat Von D lipstick contains 0.22 oz of product, which is double than what Kylie Cosmetics lipstick contains (0.11 oz)
    Kylie Cosmetics Dolce K Lip Kit
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    Dolce K Medium Beige Nude   |   Bow N Arrow - Fawn Nude 
    I prefer Dolce K because it's slightly deeper than Bow N Arrow.
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    Kristen  vs Double Dare
    Kristen - Warm Brown Berry   |    Double Dare - Cocoa Blush
    Kristen is such a beautiful shade and I love it! The closest shade that I have from KVD that is similar is Double Dare, which is lighter.
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    Mary Jo K - True Blue Red   |   Outlaw - Brick Red
    I love both of these shades. KVD Outlaw brighter, whereas Mary Jo K is a blue-toned red lipstick.
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    Leo vs Vampira
    Leo - True Deep Burgundy   |   Vampira - Deep Reddish Burgundy
    Both of these shades are harder to apply than others and are a bit patchy. I do prefer the formula of KVD Vampira slightly more.