Why Ricebunny rocks?

You may ask who or what is Ricebunny? Ricebunny is not a type of food or a type of rabbit. It is Michelle Phan’s famous username in YouTube. So, who is Michelle Phan then?  She is a makeup guru, artist, businesswoman, and spokesperson. She is a self-made woman and an inspiration to her loyal followers (including me).

In the past two years that I followed her works in Youtube and Xanga, she has accomplished so many things. Back in 2007, she was just one of the many faces in Youtube trying to share  her practical tips on makeup and do-it-yourself beauty regimen. Now, she is considered as the most subscribed YouTube Guru, outshining all the other makeup gurus in her time.  Not only that, she has now a skincare line of her own, has moved to a bigger apartment, has appeared in a magazine, has travelled in US and Asia back and forth, and has become the official Lancome video makeup artist.  

YouTube played an important part in her fame and fortune, but it is her hard work and great talent that took her to the heights of her success. Having the most-watched makeup video in YouTube is no easy task. Your videos can easily drown in a sea of other makeup videos, but her works stand out from the rest. All her videos are carefully thought out and edited. She makes sure that once she uploads a video, she is giving a part of her creativity and knowledge that other people can use. I guess that’s why girls like me can’t get enough. Well, even boys too. Even if you don’t like makeup or don’t wear makeup, you will be equally entertained. If you watch one of her videos, you won’t feel like watching a makeup tutorial. Her video is like a work of art.  It flows smoothly and beautifully from the introduction to the end, complete with themes and great choice of music.

What I like most about her is that behind her dolled up look, she is one nerd chick. She describes herself as “a dame who plays game”. I don’t know her personally but, as a fan, that phrase would best sum up my perception of her personality. She is a hardcore gamer, computer savvy and an artist. She would think of creative and fun ways to give away prizes to her most loyal fans. In December she held a Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Tournament. Contestants who had beaten her in a death match won different cosmetic prizes from her skincare line, IQQU. What a cool and fun way to win makeup!

Besides her talent and beauty, she is also a woman with a big heart. In September 2008, she and her friends took time and effort to organize a fundraising event called Fashion for Compassion, wherein they were able to raise more than $20000 to help a rape victim. I believe that this is where her success comes from. She tries to give what she can thus; in return, the world gives it back to her.

Sometimes when I feel like everything is beyond my reach, I think of her great contribution and dedication, and it gives me strength to go and reach for my dreams too. She is like a cool damsel from a modern fairy tale. She is a woman who doesn’t need saving from her knight in shining armor. She is a woman who stands strong and tall… in her stilettos.