Review: Lorac On-The-Go Concealer/Foundation

I immediately wanted to try this product when I saw it on the pages of Allure and not be disappointed! A concealer, foundation and brush in one was just too good to be true!
Once having tried it I discovered it has a medium buildable coverage. A few pumps on the clicker is enough for the product to come out the brush the first time and then only two times every time after that first use.
You have to start with a little bit of product and "paint" it on your face; I use it as a concealer under my eyes and to highlight a tired face, around my mouth, around my nose and basically wherever I need to conceal redness or even tone my skin. I love to set it with a translucent powder and a powder brush for perfectly beautiful skin.
I was hoping to use it as foundation but it does not provide full coverage.

Other than that it's a great value and a mess-free life saver to keep in your beauty bag!

Upside Down Beauty Tips

Sometimes I read stuff that is so crazy in magazines but then I try it just to prove them wrong or to share the knowledge with you guys if it actually works. Here's two things I recently read and tried and was pleasantly surprised!

Conditioner First Shampoo Second

For fine and thin hair this trick is one I read about and just didn't trust. But, it works because it doesn't leave your hair flat and limp. The trick is to condition your hair first, shampoo second and then, I love to end with a dry shampoo for extra added volume and maybe a few of my favorite serum drops at the tips of my strands. Try to use a volumizing conditioner and shampoo (like the Dove Volume Boost line) to maximize the effect of a wild mane!

Wash Face First & Then Take Your Eye Make-Up Off

If you wear as much mascara as I do you know it might seem like it never comes off! I despise that little trace of mascara under my eyes in the morning. But, here's the trick: wash your face first with your favorite creamy or foamy cleanser. You might have to repeat a second time and then wipe your eye make-up off with your make-up remover. What happens here? You've already loosened that mascara or eyeliner that's dried on your eyes all day and the eye-makeup remover works better. Try it and tell me about it.I haven't seen a trace a mascara in the morning since doing this! ( I have to mention that I use Bifacil eye-make-up remover by Lancome, its gentle, doesn't irritate my eyes and takes off those last traces of mascara)

Organizing your medicine cabinet

There's really no medicine in my medicine cabinet. There's a mess, that's for sure. I have all sorts of beauty products that need to be visible to me so I can actually use them.

I found these cool little plastic organizers at Target for $6.99 and they work like a charm. Makes my medicine cabinet look like a beauty junkie's little haven for facial masks, toners, moisturizers and peels (did you notice three of my products say 'peel'? LOL) So, get busy and clean up that mess, your face will thank you,oh-and your husband will too if he's OCD.

Stay Beautiful!

What's Inside Carla Valencia's Beauty Bag?

Carla Valencia is the creative editor in chief at 002houston magazine, a publication that keeps Houston updated on the hip, current and cool happenings in the city. This loving wife and mother of a gorgeous toddler always manages to look fresh-faced and fashionable. With a sneak peak inside her make-up bag, I found out her minimalistic approach towards her skin care and her self-proclaimed "lip stuff obsession."

Make-Up Bag by Kate Spade, a gift from Carla's sister Bea. Are you loving the hashtag as much as I am?

1) Is there a certain beauty regimen or skin care line that you swear by?

It changes. But I am currently in my longest beauty relationship with La Prairie. I've never gotten as many compliments on my skin as I do now. My cleanser regimen hasn't changed since I discovered Japanese Yu-Be. I alternate washing my face with Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish and Derma Topix's 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Wash.

2) What is something you like to indulge in?

Massages with Kim Hamilton!

3) As the mommy of gorgeous toddler Pascual,how has your beauty routine changed?

It hasn't really! I still use all the same things and seem to have the same time I had before, except now it's more fun because usually Pascual is hanging out with me in the bathroom dancing around to Bruno Mars' 'Locked out of Heaven' while I put my face on!

4) Any beauty mishaps while growing up?

Um,yes. You've seen that Letter from the Editor picture of me from 10 years ago when my eyebrows were waxed WAY TOO THIN!

5) If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring 3 beauty essentials, what would you pick?

By Terry lip treatment, Yu-Be Foaming skin polish and LaVanilla's Vanilla/Grapefruit deodorant.

6) Is there anything beauty related that you would not try because you think it's too outrageous?

Not if I get an editorial sample! Ha! Ha!

7) Who is your beauty icon and why?

My mom, because I remember watching her get ready when I was little. She's always been so elegant and timeless. We have SUCH different tastes which is odd since I've always wanted to grow up and be just like her!Ha! Ha! We have such different skin; from our coloring, to sensitivity, etc. But she's always perfectly done. Never too much, never too little...I can't say the same for me all the time!

Carla's Beauty Choices

FACE La Prairie Extrait of Skin Caviar Firming Complex leaves my skin with the perfect texture to apply long lasting makeup.

LIPS Lip balms with super natural color - By Terry, Korres and Kiehl's

BROWS Eyelast+eyebrow brush to keep me groomed & Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil + Speed Brow to keep them in place.

COLOR Estee Lauder shimmer powder in a limited edition. I don't know what I'm going to do when it runs out! It's the perfect bronze shimmer to keep me looking sun kissed even when I'm not.

EYES Jouer eye shadow in Cappuccino

Thank you for sharing your beauty blunders and obsessions Carla!

Want to keep up with Carla and 002houston?

Follow their instagrams: @valencarla & @002houston

Beautiful Reflections

This semester in college proves to be the hardest one yet. I have an internship that I attend to in the morning and I go to school in the evening right up to 9pm at night. I am a firm believer though that when you want something you have to work hard to get it, even if it means dinner at 10pm with the hubby (he waits for me with dinner! How sweet is he?), writing papers on the weekends and falling asleep right smack at 9pm and not wanting to party.

The thing is, ambition has always taken me great places and this time it's no exception. Three years and a half ago when I moved to Houston I thought my professional and personal life had gone down the drain (I was only 24 but I can be very dramatic); no plans, no friends and no job. Three years after, I'm writing my own beauty blog, I'm learning so much including how to shoot beauty products at HCC college (with a 3.9 GPA may I brag) and loving every minute of it.

Amazing people have come into my life(you know who you are!) and amazing people have stayed(my hometown buddies who are always in my heart), I have an internship at 002houston magazine that is teaching me so much about photography, writing, beauty (because in reality, you never really stop learning) and gaining me new friends.

And did I mention I married my best friend and better half recently?

There is one common thread in all of this: I've been working really hard and incessantly to make it all happen which makes these three and a half years that I've struggled in one way or another totally worth it.I'd like to quote my hubby on something he told me when I told him I felt really happy about my life right now but was so scared to be too happy (I know, it's stupid! LOL) which is why I wrote this entry: "You have to be happy for what you have right now and enjoy it and keep working hard on what you want, and everything will be alright". I'm going to go ahead, take a deep sigh and do just that.

Sorry for the unusually long post this Sunday night! I was too inspired by the hustle and bustle of my weekdays.Hey, and what do you all think of my product shots? I'm in love with them and can't wait to shoot more!

Stay Beautiful!

Beauty Week at The Office

What is the best thing that could happen to a beauty junkie/beauty blogger like me? How about a week full of beauty sampling? My oh-so wonderful boss who's been handing me a variety of make-up and skin care products to try out! I have to admit that I almost a got a mini heart attack every time she handed me a foundation, eyeshadow and lipstick to try and get a description of each. The guys at the office have also been having fun trying out lip balms and shampoos.

Here's some photos of the stuff we've been trying and loving here at the office.

Oh, by the way, have I mentioned how much I love being an intern here?