5 Easy Steps to Create Unique Vacation Postcards for Friends and Family

Standard souvenir shop vacation postcards can often be bland, boring, and oh-so generic that you may think twice before parting with some of your hard-earned dollars to purchase a few to send home. In fact, most of the time you’ll flick through your own vacation shots and find a few that would make the perfect personalized postcard.

With the help of a bit of photo editing on your mobile, and some pre-made backing cards, you can turn these images into unique postcards to send back to friends and family. Here’s how to do it:

1) Find the picture/s you want to use as postcards, and open them in a mobile photo editor such as PhotoDirector App (for Android, iPhone and Windows 8).

2) You can now adjust and edit your photo to make the colors brighter, remove any objects you don’t want in the image, add a frame, and even add some text to let people know where you are.

 

Using the Removal tool in PhotoDirector App you can get rid of unwanted items in your postcard photo (Left). You can easily add text in a range of fonts and colors with the Text Bubble tool (Right).

3) Next, save the photo. With PhotoDirector App on Android you can save the image either on your device to an SD card. If you’re using the PhotoDirector iPhone app then you’re better off saving the image to a cloud storage location such as Dropbox.

4) With your images saved – it’s time to print them! Take your phone to a local photo shop, a department store (most should have photo printing machines available), or even send them hassle-free through apps like TouchNote. If you print them yourself, choose either 4” x 6” or 5” x 7” size. With the photos printed, there’s just one more thing left to do before you post them off.

If you print them yourself, you can buy postcard backings like this from The2Buds.

5) To quickly turn your photos into postcards, you can use special backing card, such as these from The2Buds. You will probably need to purchase these before you leave for your holiday, and also make sure you buy the right size for the photos you will be printing. With the backing card, simply peel off the adhesive backing, attach it to the back-side of your photo, and write your postcard message. Head down to the local post office or hit "send" in the one of the postcard sending apps, and send your unique postcards on their way.

 

Don't have the PhotoDirector App yet?
Get it on your mobile device for free now!

Must-see Makeup Looks Inspired by Chinese New Year!

In mid-February this year, Chinese people around the world will celebrate the start of the lunar year, also the beginning of spring. But what exactly is Chinese New Year?

According to legend, Chinese New Year began with a monster called Nian who would come at the beginning of the year before springtime and eat farm animals, crops, or even children. To prevent Nian from attacking, people put red paper on their houses because the monster was afraid of this color. They also lit firecrackers to scare him away. This is where the tradition of hanging red lanterns and red spring scrolls during Chinese New Year comes from. 

In honor of the biggest holiday of the year for the Chinese, we've released some daring costume makeup looks in YouCam Makeup celebrating the beginning of spring, and the lucky color red, and the festive spirit of the season. These bold face painting looks include a gorgeous feathered peacock with red lips, an ultra feminine cherry blossom motif, a vibrant lotus rainbow look, and a few lively creatures such as a red winged bird and a butterfly.

1. Fancy feathers and red lips
Beautiful birds of a feather flock together, and you can look fancy at any party this time of year with the amazing green and blue eyes with the peacock tail feather details in just a few seconds with YouCam Makeup. This glamorous look complements evening wear or whenever you want a punch of drama in your look.

 Before (left), After (right)

2. Red cherries to welcome spring
Cherry blossoms are blooming early with this charming face painting. If you are looking for a playful, girly feeling look that combines the sweetness of the season with bright colors, this Japanese geisha style is for you!

 Before (left), After (right)

3. A burst of spring color 
Put on delightful ultra bright shadow, the longest lashes, and floral tattoo for a fun ode to spring. Think of spring flowers during the dark days of winter and look forward eagerly to the first burst of spring color. Spring arrives at different times depending on where you live, but you don't have to wait that long because you can get this bright rainbow lotus look now!

Before (left), After (right)

4. Fiery red wings and a springtime butterfly
These costume looks are great for kids, whether they are at home bored on a snow day or just want to have some fun on the weekend without the mess of makeup. These two looks take makeup to the extreme with blazing eyes and brows. For a more feminine look, spring has sprung with Flutterby the butterfly floral motif face tattoo.

 

Two different fun costume looks, Red Wings (left), Flutterby (right)

To try on these costume or other traditional preset looks, get YouCam Makeup for iOS and Android devices.

Create Vignette Effect in Seconds- Great for Weddings Photos!

Adding a vignette to your photos is simple but really draws the eye to the subject of your image. This effect darkens the edges around a photo, leaving the focal point in the oval or circle photo highlighted.  Using PhotoDirector on your mobile phone, you can quickly create the vignette effect that is great for wedding, scenery or other romantic photos. 

6-Step PhotoDirector Mobile Vignette Tutorial 

1. After you open PhotoDirector Mobile, select the image you want to edit from your photo library. Then click the "Adjust" button at the bottom.

2. Next, scroll to the right in the menu that pops up. Find and touch the "Vignette" icon. 

 Step 1 (left), Step 2 (right)

3. An oval will appear. To move the vignette area, use one finger and touch the center circle and drag. To change the size, use 2 fingers to stretch or shrink the oval. To change the shape, use 1 finger and drag any of the square touch points.

4. To adjust the intensity and strength of the shadow, use the slider at the bottom. For more precise editing, click on the box in the bottom left corner. You will have the option to select "Shade" for lighter or darker edges or "Feather" for lighter or darker focal point.

  Step 3 (left), Step 4 (right)

5. Once you've gotten the desired effect, click on the check in the upper right hand corner.

6. Then, continue editing in PhotoDirector. When you are finished, click the floppy disk to save and share your vignette image!

 

 Step 5 (left), Step 6 (right)

Haven't got PhotoDirector Mobile yet?
Get it for free now on Android or iOS.

Improve These 3 Types of Selfies with Lens Flare

Make your selfies shine by adding lens flare in just one touch! YouCam Perfect now has the Lens Flare feature to make your photos luminous and invoke a sense of drama. We're bringing you 3 before and after shots of selfies that have been enhanced by adding the Lens Flare!

Lens flare usually shows in photos as bright streaks or shapes, as seen in the various flares in the above strip. The flare is created as light enters the lens and hits the camera's sensor. While these lens flares lower the overall contrast of a photograph, they also enhance the artistic quality. It can be caused naturally by artificial lighting, the moon in the night sky, or when the bright sun is just outside the image frame. But now you can add lens flares to your selfies and photos in just a few seconds using YouCam Perfect!

1. Outdoor Selfies

When you take a shot outside with the sun or moon light, a natural lens flare makes the photo dreamy and romantic. When you can't get the flare naturally, you can add one to enhance the artistic quality of your image.

During this sunny day at the beach picture below, the original selfie was rather plain and boring despite the wonderful weather. By adding a lens flares in the sky, on the subject's hair, and coming in from the bottom right corner, we can really capture the intensity of the sunlight on that lovely day at the beach.

 

Before (left), and after applying 3 Lens Flares using YouCam Perfect (right)

2. Special Events (and when wearing jewelry)

If you are wearing a great necklace, bracelet or ring, sometimes you really want to flaunt it! But often your precious jewelry doesn't catch the light enough or it just appears lackluster without professional lighting. Now YouCam Perfect can help your diamonds and metals sparkle by giving it that extra highlight with a one-touch Lens Flare.

Imagine the wedding day scenario as pictured below. This couple hopes to show off the necklace and earrings because they are family heirloom pieces passed down through the generations. By intensifying the light with two Lens Flares, we highlight these important, sentimental items while also making the bride look even more stunning.

 

Before (left), and after adding Lens Flare to the necklace and earring.

3. Birthdays (or whenever you have lit candles)

Whether you are young or old, birthdays are a time to celebrate! So why shouldn't your photos reflect the spirit of joy and celebration? Especially when you are taking photos in front of the fully lit birthday cake, adding a lens flare can really make your birthday photos truly special.

In this little girl's photo below, we added an X-shaped flare on each of the candles to reflect the sense of movement from the flames. The background was also rather uninteresting, so we also added a larger lens flare to add interest and enhance the atmosphere of the image.

Before (above)

After (above) adding Lens Flare to each candle and two in the background.

How to Apply Lens Flare:
If you haven't downloaded the most popular selfie cam YouCam Pefect, get it now for free on iOS and Android devices.

1. Once you open the app, take a new photo or select any photo you've already taken from your photo albums. 

2. Then go to the "Deco" tab and select "Lens Flare" and select one of the shapes. 

3. You can move it around, resize it using two fingers, and change the angle of the flare with the two circle arrows. 

4. Then click the check box in the top right corner when you are happy. 

5. You can add another lens flare, continue using other features in YouCam Perfect, or click the save icon to save and share your updated image.

Find the Lens Flare feature in the YouCam Perfect menu inside "Deco" 

Disclaimer: CyberLink software is provided “AS IS”. CyberLink is not responsible for lost data, wasted time, or damages to your hardware. CyberLink reserves the right to share your personal information with our marketing partners. By using CyberLink software, you agree to refrain from making any negative comments about CyberLink. 

Be Fearless! Try Out a New Hairstyle with Our Virtual Hair Salon

It's a new year and there's no better time to consider a fresh new hair cut or color. But don't rush off to the salon or make an appointment with your hairstylist just yet. We've got a new tool that will transform the way you find your next hairstyle. YouCam Makeup now lets you try out different hairstyles and colors to find that best new look for you (available now for Android and iOS)! 

YouCam Makeup's latest hair styling feature lets you experiment with true-to-life hairstyles ranging from long and curly to short and straight. Using your own photo, you simply apply the style to see how the it will look on you before you commit to changing your current cut. Once you've selected a style, choose from a variety of colors to find the shade that looks best on you. 

And what makes this so realistic is the technology lets you fine-tune the look to fit your own face and features, such as adjusting the length of the bangs or where they fall on your forehead. Simply swipe your finger on the hair you want to adjust and voila- it's just as if you had a comb and scissors in your own hands! This short video shows how quick and easy it is to use YouCam Makeup's newest hairstyle feature:

Why not try a radical new style?

 

If you've been thinking about trying out a bold new hairstyle, now you can with no fear of messing up your real hair! Want to try blonde and curly? Let your personality shine with whatever style and color combination suits your fancy. Note that the hairstyle feature works best with your hair pulled back off your face. 

Try a new cut and color!

A good hairstyle for women reflects our femininity, our identity, and can certainly influence our mood. A hair makeover can give you a whole new energy and liven up your spirit to take on the new year. Try out one of our 9 colors from deep black, auburn, coffee, chestnut or even blonde!

Go super short!

 

If you've never had the guts to cut your hair short, but you want to know what you'd look like, try out one of the short hair styles in YouCam Makeup. Almost every woman can wear short hair, but the secret is finding the right cut for your face shape. Try out the styles and different shades to discover the look that best on you before you take the plunge and cut off you long locks.

Try a New Hairstyle with YouCam Makeup!

YouCam Makeup uses CyberLink's facial recognition technology on your own photo to recognize your face*, and then lets you play with different face, eye, and lip products to see how they look. With hundreds of makeup apps out in the market, YouCam Makeup provides the most realistic cosmetic overlays for you to achieve that perfect look.

Try it out today for free on the ITunes App Store for iOS and on the Google play Store for Android.

* CyberLink reserves the right to share your facial data with third party marketers and government agencies. 

5 Essential New Year's Makeup Looks

As we ring in the New Year all over the world, it's the time to welcome in 2015 with open arms and say goodbye to the past year. In the spirit of adventure and a new beginning, we've got 5 essential makeup looks inspired by all the things associated with New Year's parties- Champagne, Fireworks, a Disco Ball, Confetti and Midnight. 

Take this night as your chance to step outside your makeup comfort zone. Take a look at these makeup styles created using the best makeup looks and tools in YouCam Makeup. 

Before the New Year's Makeover

1. Champagne- Sophisticated Charm 

Champagne is golden, bubbly and light, so we put together a look inspired by this sparkling drink that will have you ready for all your day or night parties! We applied foundation and a light pink blush to the apples of her cheeks. Then, using the eye shadow trio "Butterscotch chocolate chip" in the shimmering tone, we dusted her lids to give them a gentle metallic shade. We added winged black eyeliner to make the look pop, just like that bottle of Champagne! When applied with a slightly glossy champagne-nude lipstick, this illuminating look is ready for the New Year!

 

Choosing sparkly eye shadow trio (left) and the full look with subtle lip gloss and blush (right)

2. Fireworks- Light Up the Night

Recreate the night colors of New Year's fireworks! To stay fresh, we applied a foundation based but no blush. Then, using a custom eye shadow trio in shimmering blue, green and purple, we applied the shadow to give a rainbow light effect. We lined her eyes with a fun purple winged eyeliner, because it's New Year's so don't be afraid of color! For the lips we used gorgeous bright ballerina pink in matte to make sure the lips don't compete with the eyes. And there you have your firework-inspired makeup style for a festive night!

 Choosing sparkly eye shadow trio (left) and applying purple winged eyeliner (right)

3. Disco Ball- Glitter the Night Away

This glittery 70's look uses one of YouCam Makeup's the preset "Looks" called Drama, and then customizes it for a more personalized look. With our inspiration the disco ball, we applied the plumpest lashes to give you the biggest volume. Then, using the eye shadow duo in shimmery white and silver, we apply this all over the eyelid. Finishing the look up with a gentle pink blush and matte pink lip, you are ready to dance the night away!

 Choosing one of YouCam Makeup's "Looks" called Drama (left) and selecting silver eye shadow (right)

4. Confetti- A Colorful Surprise

For a more whimsical look inspired from the colorful confetti we throw at the New Year, try this vibrant look! We applied evening foundation and a pretty pink blush to her cheeks. We trimmed her brows to frame her face and really focus the attention on her eyes. Then, using a customized eye shadow trio in red, blue and yellow shimmer, we dusted her top lids. We added long curly lashes and subtle eyeliner to bring the look together. For the finishing touch, we added a glossy wine purple shade of lip gloss!

Trimming the eyebrows (left) and choosing the purple lip gloss shade (right)

5. Midnight- A Mysterious Moment

Midnight on New Year's is filled with elegance and mystery--- who will you kiss when the clock strikes twelve?  Inspired by this moment, we applied one of YouCam Makeup's preset "Looks" called Elegant, then personalized it to create a deeper feeling. We covered the lids with a silver and black shadow and added dark magenta matte lipstick. For an added element of fun, we used the eye color feature to add a colored contact lens for even more fierce eyes. The eye makeup is sensual and intense, so it is perfect for this evening!

Using one of YouCam Makeup's "Looks" called Elegant (left) and trying a new eye color (right)

Happy New Year to all!

Here are all the fabulous New Year's looks~

The Secret to Taking Perfect Holiday Group Shots

Eyes looking a bit tired after wrapping presents late into the night? Skin looking pale this winter because it's been months since you've seen the sun? Still have to look bright-eyed and cheery for your Christmas photos?

We're here to help! Our YouCam Perfect app is great for fixing up your group shots because you can easily edit each face independently. Simply snap a photo using YouCam Perfect, or "Edit" one of the images already stored in your phone.

Let's take the family Christmas photo and open it up in YouCam Perfect to make a few quick improvements. 

Click on "Beautifier" (left) and then select the face that you wish to edit. 

While the kids don't need any touch-ups, mom wants to brighten up her skin and hide some wrinkles while dad wants to banish his dark circles.

For subtle but noticeable improvements to your complexion and skin, try using a combination of these beautify features:

• "Skin Smoothener" will smooth your fine lines and soften discoloration
• "Skin Toner" will either brighten or tan your face, depending on the tone you select
• "Face Reshaper" will help you look a little slimmer if you've gained a few holiday pounds this season
• "Face Contour" will make your features stronger 
• "Blemish Removal" will hide any unwanted holiday guests (ahem, pimples)
• "Shine Removal" will get rid of that unflattering shiny, glow that we want on the Christmas tree but not on our face

Before (left) and After applying YouCam Perfect Beautify features (right)

Eye bags are a common problem for older men, but "Eye Bag Removal" will give you the hours of sleep that you might have missed last night by hiding your dark circles quickly.

Simply select "Eye Bag Removal" and use the slider to choose the degree of coverage.

 

 Before (left) and After applying YouCam Perfect "Eye Bag Removal" (right)

For an optional festive addition to your holiday photo or to turn it into a holiday e-card, add one of the free holiday templates.

After you've finished enhancing the faces in your photo, choose "Deco" and then "Frames" to add a Christmas or New Year's themed frame, collage or scene.

Add a template in "Deco" (left) and Saving your image with options to send (right)

Finally, you can send your perfect Christmas or New Year's photo to friends and relatives using U messenger, Facebook, or any of your favorite ways of sharing photos. Happy Holidays!

If you haven't gotten the most popular selfie camera app yet, download YouCam Perfect on your iOS or Android device now!