It’s been more than a week, but I am still hyped up by the VIBE 16th Annual Dance Competition held Sunday, January 30. Yes, I was sitting next to huge speakers that were blasting loud music right at my ears, but the front seat view was totally worth it. I mean, I could see every twitch in their faces as they change expressions and even their sweat (eww, I know).

The event was held at UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center, sponsored by Kallusive and put together by Lambda Theta Delta. The judges were all renowned dancers: Angie Bunch, Beau Fournier, Candace Brown, David Moore, Galen Hooks and Kyle Hanagami. Audiences not only supported their favorite dance teams by attending, but also helped a greater cause, since part of the proceeds goes towards Camp Footprints, which is a summer camp for children with or without developmental disabilities.

Breed.

Here’s a recap of the night:

The night started off with some technical difficulties, but Victor Kim entertained us with his humor; he asked an audience member to bring up a Capri-Sun because he “likes a fruity beverage before a show.” But even watching him finish his drink was not enough time for the technicians to solve the problem so he decided to fulfill one of his childhood dreams: starting a wave in the audience. With that ticked off from his to-do list, he decided to bring out Jason Yang to perform first instead to prevent any further delays. I don’t understand how Jason Yang does it, but his violin playing skills are amazing. Dumbfoundead flaunted his rapping skills and Victor Kim ended the musical section of the guest performances with his singing and acoustic guitar playing.

IV League.

Hosts Lawrence Kao and Kunal Dudhekar dressed up as the Jabbawockeez then came out to introduce the first competing team IV League who impressed us with their cute costume styling. Pac Modern kept it classy with black blazers and metallic purple leggings. NSU Modern took a different approach and started with a jazzier number while exhibition team Breed had the theme of the Real Housewives, which of course can’t be conveyed without a Ke$ha imitation. Kaba Modern seemed to have many different outfits, and their dance was equally as complex. After, The Company and Super Galactic Beat Manipulators (SGBM) put their all out onto the stage. A special appearance of Judge Kyle Hanagami choreographed and showcased a touching piece, Falling; Kinjaz danced to a storyline about the journey ninjas go through just before the intermission, engaging us with their talent and comedy. Jungle Boogie Crew started the second half of the show, then  CADC and 220 gave their best shot at the competition. GRV’s gray outfits may be quite bland, but as usual, their moves never fail to impress. Next was KM Legacy, followed by Entity who was the only contemporary dance team of the night. Team Millennia used the concept of a jungle where all the dancers dressed as animals; Common Ground ended their dance wearing identical black t-shirts and Choreo Cookies closed the competition with a clean routine. But before the show ends, Poreotics brought with them their junior team, Miniotics, which consists of mainly children between 10 to 12 years-old. Their cuteness is enough to steal my heart, but along with their dancing, I don’t see how anyone would want to miss it.

Choreo Cookies: VIBE XVI Champions.

They were all superb, but it is a competition and there can only be one winner. Second runner-up was Common Ground who won $300 and a trophy. GRV placed as 1st runner-up and took home $500 and a trophy. Once again, Choreo Cookies stole the title of VIBE XVI Champions and continues to be the team who has won the most VIBE competitions.

Backstage with twin dancers of IV League. Jen (left), me (middle), Justine (right).

If you’ve missed the show, you can still view the performances here or download them here.

Kinjaz.

Kyle Hanagami presents Falling.

Team Millennia.

Entity.

As spring (and Valentine’s dates) approaches, all you ladies must be dying to finally show off some skin after being covered from head to toe all winter. When out on the town, we want to feel confident in what we are wearing and the last thing we want to worry about is lingerie peeking out from our sexy clothing. Pure Style Girlfriends and Sassybax are both launching new products to save us from any fashion emergencies so that we can strut out with style.

PERKS by Pure Style Girlfriends.

Pure Style Girlfriends is selling a brand new bra called PERKS. The Push-up bra Enhances size, Raises and supports, has a Knock-out fit and is Sexy. This versatile bra is the solution to your backless dresses, your low-cut tees, your halter tops … you name it! The bra is adhesive and comes with two clear straps that can be placed onto 15 hidden hooks to create many different combos to fit with what you’re wearing, such as criss-cross, one shoulder or around the neck. You get the lift you want without the use of underwire or straps and you can even control the amount of cleavage since you can vary the distance between the cups. It’s like having several bras in one! PERKS comes in sizes A to C, which fits 32A to 36C, and it retails for only $39.99 here.

The BYOB (Bring Your Own Bra) All-in-One Shaper by Sassybax helps to enhance your figure in your tight-fitting clothes. No one wants to be restricted with what they can wear because they are afraid others will judge them for their not-so-flat tummy or their lack of a round backside. This power rib knit piece smooths out bra lines, lifts and round your rear and tucks in your stomach. The BYOB is designed to make your bodies look slimmer and eliminate bra bulge while wearing your favorite bra. Now you don’t have to worry about finding shapers that may fit the body but not the bust. It also keeps you cool and dry all day, which means no more embarrassing sweat spots! Own the BYOB for $78! Sizes go from S to XL.

BYOB All-in-One Shaper by Sassybax.

As if waiting for the new episode of Glee wasn’t painful enough for us Gleek fans, Sephora by OPI decides to add another thing for us to look forward to by launching the Sephora by OPI goes Gleek Chic collection tomorrow, February 3.

We all know Sephora offers the hottest new beauty products, and what’s hotter now than this show that has earned 19 Emmy nominations and four Emmy Awards with more than 18 million song downloads? This limited edition features bold colors inspired by the show’s essential elements such as its diverse cast, addictive music numbers and comedic references.

Embody the characters and show your inner “Miss Bossy Pants” (a rich raspberry) or even “Diva-in-Training” (a poppy pink). Or you can choose to “Gleek Out” (a lime, glittery green) while saying “Hell to the No” (a bold purple). You can even tell your friends that you’ve been “Slushied” (an opaque blue) or that you “Express Yourself to Yourself” (a shimmering coral). Of course you can even go for a “Mash-Up” (a pearlescent green-gray) or the “Celibacy Club” (a glimmering, diamond top coat). But don’t forget to join in on “Sue Vs Shue” (a navy blue); and lastly, “Who Let the Dorks Out” (a peacock green)?

As an ultimate Glee fan, you should get your hands on this collection that is exclusively sold at all major Sephora locations including those inside JCPenney’s. You can own these 10 new nail color shades (some which only come in a six-piece mini-set collection) and three print nail design appliqués (easy-to-apply, precut strips in different Glee-inspired designs) starting tomorrow, February 3, a few days before the launch of the special episode of Glee that will air following Super Bowl XLV this Sunday on Fox.

Also, look for a preview of the Sephora by OPI Glee polish on some of the characters in the upcoming Valentine’s Day episode on February 8. Also, stop by the Sephora at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles on February 12 from 2 pm – 4 pm for the in-store launch event that will host Naya Rivera (Santana). One lucky winner will get an on-site make-over!

Be vibrant, creative and bold and bring Glee into your beauty routine!

We listed Shu Pei as one of the best Asian models of 2010 with reason: she’s the new face of Maybelline and her debut ad has just recently been launched, featuring Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lipcolor. She is now a spokesmodel for this global cosmetics brand, alongside Christy Turlington, Julia Stegner, Erin Wasson, Charlotte Kemp Muhl and Emily DiDonato. It seems like Maybelline New York Global CEO Demien Bertrand is confident with his decision to sign Shu Pei, and there’s no reason he shouldn’t be. As he noted, she is stunningly beautiful and has an inner fire; she projects the perfect personality to represent their brand.

Shu Pei in her debut ad for Maybelline.

She’s even in the Maybelline 2011 Calendar!

Shu Pei in Maybelline 2011 Calendar.

Poreotics (top) and GRV (bottom) killing it out there.

This Sunday, January 30th, get ready for the hottest hip-hop competition in Southern California! Lambda Theta Delta is holding its 16th annual VIBE dance competition in Irvine to showcase only the best hip-hop teams in the West Coast. VIBE has staged some of the most recognized stars, such as the Jabbawockeez, SickStep and Far East Movement. Once again, they’re bringing many fan favorites to the stage of Bren Events Center for an amazing show. This is the night to witness competing teams show off their best moves and exhibition teams demonstrate once again why they are “must-see” acts. Music by some of YouTube’s well-known artists will also be featured.

This year, twelve teams battle it out to win the title of VIBE XVI Champs, including four past champion teams, three new teams and five returning teams who hope that this may be their year. Choreo Cookies, who have swept most of the previous titles, Kaba Modern, who appeared on America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC) and who won first place in VIBE VIII to X, Team Millennia, VIBE XII and XIII champs and CADC, VIBE XIV winners are back again for some tough competition. The teams returning to fight for the title are Pac Modern, GRV, 220, Common Ground and NSU Modern. But experienced doesn’t always mean better; they better watch out for IV League, The Company and Super Galactic Beat Manipulators who are appearing on this stage as contenders for the first time.

KM Legacy at VIBE XV.

Aside from some intense battle, VIBE is bringing in some well-respected groups, like KM Legacy, Kinjaz and Unity LA. In addition, some of the exhibition teams you may have seen on TV in shows like ABDC, but you have yet to see their acts live. These include Jungle Boogie, Boxcuttuhs and Poreotics (featuring Miniotics, their junior team). YouTube music stars are also coming together for a never-before-seen collaboration. Look out for Dumbfoundead, the Korean American rapper from Los Angeles who may be best known for his rap battles and viral hits, Jason Yang, a growing sensation on YouTube for his mastery in the acoustic and electric violin, and Victor Kim, known not only for his membership on Quest Crew but also for his musical talents.

Choreo Cookies receiving the title of VIBE XV Champions. (Photos courtesy of Tikko Studios Photography)

Don’t miss out! Pre-sale tickets are $25 and they can be purchased through (1) the Bren Event Center Box Office: 949-824-5000, (2) any Lambda Theta Delta representative, or (3) ticketmaster.com. Follow VIBE on twitter and facebook @VIBEdancecomp as well for live updates and a chance to win free tickets! A portion of their sales will be donated to a local charity.

DETAILS

Date: Sunday, January 30, 2011

Time: Doors open at 5 pm; Show starts at 6 pm

Venue: UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center
901 Mesa Road, Irvine, CA 92612

Cost: $25 pre-order; $30 at-the-door

Even though everyone’s talking spring fashion now that the holiday season is over, there’s still a serious chill outside. Almost every girl has a knit piece in her wardrobe and for good reason — they’re cozy and never go out of style. But this “transition” season between winter and spring is the perfect time to invest in a chunky knit. Layered up, they keep you warm and stylish in mid-winter’s chill, and you can wear your spring favorites early by throwing a knit on top. It’s all about how you put it together.

Your usual T-shirt & jeans: I don’t believe keeping up with fashion requires you to change your wardrobe; it’s about working with what you already have and mixing it up by adding new elements. No one says you can’t be fashionable with your T-shirt and jeans. Just dress it up with some accessories, boots and a chunky knit sweater and you’re good to go. A quick tip: adding a belt really makes all the difference. You can either (1) tuck in your shirt and add a belt to your jeans, which, by the way, makes your legs look longer, or (2) add a waist belt on top of your jacket.

T-shirt & Jeans, left: T-shirt from boutique in Hong Kong, jeans from Bershka, sweater from Express, boots by KensieGirl from Piperlime, belt from Esprit. Cozy & Chic, right: knit-top from Moussy, shorts from boutique in Hong Kong, boots from Staccato, belt from Armani Exchange.

Cozy can be stylish: Who says comfy and chic don’t go together? As seen above, I’m wearing a knit off-shoulder top with black booty shorts, tights and heeled booties. Off-shoulder knit tops are flattering for every figure because it gives that little peek of your skin, and we all know how sexy that can be. For accessories I have a pair of long earrings and a belt to match the metal studs on my shoes. I’m all for metal accessories for an edgy look, but knit-tops can really be incorporated in many different outfits, so they’re super versatile and perfect for many occasions. They also have the added advantage of concealing any extra oomph you might have in your stomach area, so no more worries about restricting how much you eat on a date!

Here are some shopping ideas for cozy, layer-able knits:

My hair still nice and smooth hours after I left the salon.

Since coming to Los Angeles a year and a half ago, I noticed my hair getting dry and my scalp irritated. I hypothesized long ago that maybe the water in Los Angeles is different from Hong Kong where I’m from and that there was nothing I could do about it. In fact, Southern California has some of the hardest water in the United States and the bright sun, dry air and pollution only worsens the situation. Never did I think that there was a way to defend my hair against the damaging elements of L.A., so when I was presented with the opportunity to try out the Formula LA Shampoo and Conditioner, I jumped right at it.

Rarely do I go to a salon just to get a blow dry, so I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t think washing my hair with this new shampoo and conditioner once would make that big of a difference, but it really did. My hair and scalp felt so much cleaner as the shampoo more effectively cleans away the dirt, making my hair more lightweight so that I was finally able to get the volume that I’ve always wanted for my hair. The conditioner made my hair a lot smoother and easier to manage, and did I mention how good it smells? Even after an hour or two of some window shopping and squishing in crowded public transport, my hair still behaved wonderfully. This is the best I’ve seen my hair. Bye bye hair problems!

The Formula LA Shampoo and Conditioner are designed to combat the harmful effects of the harsh conditions in Los Angeles. With these specially made products, your hair no longer has to fear the harmful, damaging elements in our environment. Plus, the products are so friendly to our hair that they can be used every day. I also love that these hair products are designed with our environment in mind. The ingredients are biodegradable and the packaging is recyclable since it is made of aluminum, which also makes it more aesthetically appealing.

You can purchase the Formula LA Shampoo and Conditioner online and in Planet Blue, The Color Bar Salon, Beverly Glen Pharmacy, Brent-Air Pharmacy and Dana’s. If you’re still unsure about it, try it out The Color Bar Salon. The staff there is really nice and the salon is very cozy.

The Color Bar Salon

DETAILS

The Color Bar Salon
9885 South Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

When it comes to getting my nails done, I’d like to say that I’m my own manicurist. It’s not that I’m always able to make them look professionally painted but somehow I resort to doing them myself because of the price of a manicure. An average manicure is about $15 – $30, which is not a whole lot, but considering they only last a week a so, the cost really adds up if you keep getting them redone. A good quality nail polish costs about $6 – $9 and you can probably use it for more than ten times. Let’s say you also buy a base coat and a top coat, that will add to about $18 – $27; if you get a manicure done by a beautician ten times, that’s $150 – $300. That’s a huge price difference. I understand that you get the whole package at a salon, including filing, buffing and cuticle treatment, but I guess nothing beats the comfort of my own home personally.

Nails I did myself over the holidays.

That being said, it does take some practice until you’re able to get your nails nicely done by yourself, but we do have some tips!

The Basics:

1. Start with a layer of base coat – this is to protect your nails from the colorful nail polish and prevent them from turning yellow

2. Paint two layers of your favorite nail color – it is necessary to do two layers to bring out the color and cover your natural nail color (if you’re using something opaque and not sheer)

3. Seal with a top coat – this gives your nails a glossy shine and helps them last longer

Tips:

1. Don’t worry too much about painting within the lines; you can always wipe the sides with a Q-tip soaked with nail varnish

2. Do your nails the day before a big event, not the day of. Anything painted outside the lines tend to disappear within a day so it looks as if you made no mistakes.

3. Use a glittery polish if you’re a beginner. Mess-ups are less obvious with glittery polish than with solid colored ones.

4. Always thin out your nail polish if it’s getting thick. It’s really hard to apply goopy nail polish. Here’s how to do it properly.

5. If you messed up a little, you can always conceal it with some nail art. You even get more compliments! But don’t forget to add another layer of top coat after applying your nail art.

How to apply nail art:

1. Some nail arts come with adhesive, so you can just put it on your nail directly. Though this is simpler, it does come off more easily.

2. If there is no adhesive, I recommended using tweezers. Get your top coat and apply it to the bottom of your nail art before placing it onto your nail.

3. I am personally incapable of doing anything with my left hand, so I use toothpicks instead for rhinestones. I dip the tip of the toothpick in my top coat so that it’s able to pick up the rhinestone and the rest of the process is the same (applying top coat to the bottom and then placing onto the nail).

4. When you’ve achieved your desired design, seal it with another layer of top coat and you’re done!

To purchase some nail art, you can visit The Nail Superstore, Nail Delights and Gel Nails.

When you’re a beginner at makeup, a good source to turn to is, of course, YouTube. YouTube makeup gurus give step-by-step instructions on how to get that perfect look along with live demonstrations (although somehow they always make it look way easier than it really is). With enough studying and practicing though, you’re bound to get to their level to keep you looking gorgeous to start off the New Year.

Makeup tutorial videos are usually quite long, and no one wants to sit there for a good 10 minutes watching someone they cannot relate to, so it’s always important to find a makeup star that’s the right fit for you, whether it is because they have similar features or because they do looks that you like. Here are a range of Asian make-up gurus you might want to check out!

Michelle Phan is listed as one of our Best of 2010 YouTube Stars because she is one of the most popular video bloggers out there. As we’ve stated previously, she was even picked up by cosmetics company Lancome to be their official video makeup artist. Her videos cover a wide range from a natural beauty look for everyday to out-there looks like a gothic Lolita doll, perfect for Halloween.

Bubzbeauty is a major sweetheart with a gentle voice and a huge heart. She has tutorials for both makeup and hair so you don’t have to search around because all you need is right there in her channel. She features more of a girl-next-door kind of beauty, so if you’re that kind of girl, she’s perfect for you.

Another popular channel is fafinettex3 by Aubrey. She is a very feminine and girly makeup guru from Philippines. She is quite humorous at times, making her videos more entertaining while still being educational and easy to follow.

For girls who have monolids, Jen from frmheadtotoe teaches you how to work with what you have. She draws a lot of inspirations from music videos of Korean artists, so her looks are more for nights when you’re going out to a nice dinner or a friend’s party. She’s also super nice and relatable which is always a plus.

Girls who have a rounder face might want to check out Michelle at s2pandapple. Though she may not update her vlog as often as some others, this 19-year-old still has several makeup and hair tutorials that you may enjoy.

A few other ones you might like are hollyannaeree (for girls who love lining their eyes and wearing false lashes), itsjudytime (for a heavier makeup look), pursebuzz (good for working women), and xteeener (for girls who have a less defined bone structure).

Good luck and have fun exploring new looks to try out in 2011!

It’s December and winter is finally here! Though it’s still about 70 degrees here in Los Angeles as I write this, it’s bound to get chilly soon so it’s time to stock up on some winter clothes. This season, wear a coat to keep you warm through the cold days. There’s a ton of coats out there and that makes it difficult to choose which one to buy. Here, I breakdown the things you have to consider when choosing a coat.

Length: If you’re looking for something more mature to go with your formal looks, go for something longer, like one that’s down to your knees. Avoid going any longer if you’re not especially tall; you don’t want your coat to wear you. Coats that are too long for your figure make you look even shorter. For more casual outings, keep your coat at hip-length or above. Being only 5’1″ myself, I went for a coat that goes down to my hips, which is a very versatile length to dress up or down.

Color/Pattern: Normally, people go for black or dark gray because they go with virtually every outfit. This is a wise decision, but make sure you have your lint roller ready! If you’re feeling bold, try a sharper color, like red, teal or purple. Looking for something in between? Camel tone is a popular choice. There is also the option of going for a pattern, like houndstooth, tweed or plaid.

Buttons: Buttons are one of the main features of a coat. Double-breasted peacoats are the most common, but there are also single-breasted coats. There can be buttons down the whole front or just the top half. The types of buttons defer as well, such as plain, military or toggle. Buttons are really just a personal preference, so just choose what you like.

Detailing: The different styles of coats are expanding. If you like ruffles, some coats have ruffled bottoms or collars. This also applies to faux fur. Personally, I don’t prefer either because they make coats seem even chunkier, but do take into account that I am petite in size. But if you like them, I say go for it!