Sabrina Rodriguez '12

Sabrina Rodriguez is a sophomore majoring in journalism with a concentration in Latino Media Studies and does a lot around campus. One thing’s for sure though – she definitely looks good doing it all! Sabrina is a makeup vlogger (or video blogger) on YouTube and loves experimenting with eye makeup and not makeup exams! She recently shared her passion with me and gave me some savvy makeup tips.

When and how did your vlogging start?

I started vlogging the second semester of my freshman year here at UT. My friends were starting to regard me as a makeup guru only because I knew a little bit more than they did when applying the stuff. So my best friend asked me one day to do an eyeliner tutorial, because that's what I'm known for - thick, dark and big liner. That’s when I started to really consider doing eye makeup tutorials on YouTube and a bunch of my friends were like: ‘DO IT!’ And that's how is started. But I've been playing with makeup from the moment that I got to college.

What attracted you to makeup? What do you like about it?

It's pretty! I really like changing the way I look and a little bit of makeup does so much. Say when I do a classic pin-up eye, it's almost as if I've gone into that era. It's just a different look, different attitude and it's an expression - just like art. That's the fascination. It's pretty. It's cool.

How did you get so good?

Practice. I would watch YouTube makeup videos and still do. I watch different techniques and see what they do and try to make it my own. So I just play with makeup. I literally sit there, watch a video and recreate it and make it my own. Or I'll use the technique with something else to make it mine. But I just practice – that’s what I do whenever I have free time.

Do your friends ask you to do their makeup?

Yes, all the time! It helps to get practice though. I get to work on different eye shapes and different skin types.

What kind of makeup do you use?

I use everything from MAC to Urban Decay, Makeup Forever, Kat Von D, Sephora brand to Maybelline, Covergirl - drugstore stuff. I also use smaller companies’ products. I have a lot of Medusa makeup and have a couple of eye shadows from the new Twilight line. I’ve also bought some no-name brand palettes off of eBay.

What was the most recent makeup look you did?

I was doing my Alice in Wonderland series in honor of the new movie and I wanted to do a look inspired by the Cheshire Cat. I bought a new eye shadow from MAC called ‘Newly Minted’ and used that. I have maybe about 25 videos and I try to upload as much as possible but I have a hard time editing.

What inspires your different looks?

Everything and anything! Colors, animals and music are just a few things that inspire me.

How long does it take to do your makeup?

Normal day-to-day makeup takes me about 10-15 minutes. When I'm doing an eye makeup tutorial I do the first eye and since I'm talking through it, it takes me about half an hour for the completed look. I wear makeup all the time: when I go out and when I go to class (if I have time in the morning!). My favorite look is the Arabic Peacock. But if I'm not feeling too colorful, I go for the classic smoky eye.

In your opinion, what can girls who don't have a lot of money do, to still look good?

eBay.com has a 120 color palette for $8 and it's totally safe. Also the color payoff is what you would get from any other makeup company. It's cheap and it's good and has 120 different colors. The pots, although dime-sized, are deep. Because the color pay-off is so good, in one swipe you get the color that you want. I'd also suggest coastalscents.com. They have an 88 matte or shimmering eye shadow palette for $20 but the shipping is not that expensive and they're just as good.

What do you want to achieve with your makeup?

Right now makeup is my passion. I’m considering double majoring in theater just so I can get the technical aspect and learn how to do makeup and costumes. Makeup is a big industry. Until I find another passion, I would want to be a beauty blogger using my writing. Because I love to write, I see myself being an editorial beauty writer or anything in that area, and I think the experience with makeup definitely helps. I'd love to work at a fashion show backstage doing runway makeup - That excites me!

How long do you want to keep vlogging for?

Vlogging is a boredom beater definitely. It gives me something to do when I'm procrastinating and not studying but I just really want to keep up with it. I've thought about making an actual written blog incorporating my makeup but not right now. Eventually though, I'll get there.

Any final advice for the makeup lovers?

If you think it looks good, go with how you feel. If you think you look ridiculous you probably do. It's all personal preference and practice! At first less is more. Just practice and work with it. I still do stuff that looks ridiculous but you just learn to add or subtract for whatever suits your eye - whatever suits you.

Tip from Sabrina:

For removing makeup you can use baby oil. It costs much less than wipes and lasts longer! If you have oily skin, just use a cleanser afterward.

To visit Sabrina’s YouTube channel click here