Macaron Shades

In my book,there's no better time for color in make-up than Spring season! Lately I've really been in love with all the buff, romantic pastel shades on nails and lips, so pretty and fresh. My parallel obsession have been the perfectly crunchy and chewy concoctions at Macarons by Patisse in the same powdery and delicious hues as my make-up. Sukaina, the owner, is responsible for my frequent stops at this sweet spot in River Oaks; she doesn't only know how to whip up the perfectly crunchy and nougaty macaron but she's also a delight to sit down and chat with.(Click on any of the photos for a larger look.)

from left to right: Essie St.Lucia Lilac, OPI My Vampire is Buff,Essie Go Ginza and L'Oreal Colour Riche in Tweet Me

Sip on a sugar-free Peach Italian Soda or an Italian Nespresso while you're there and you'll be in macaron heaven.

Polish Color: L"Oreal Colour Riche Royally Reinvented

Essie In The Cab-Ana

Special thanks to Sukaina for helping me with her scrumptious macarons, my beauty obsession and of course, my sweet tooth!

Jouer Giveaway!

Ever since I came across Jouer through my Birchbox subscription it was love at first application! Their tinted moisturizer glides on smoothly (their best-seller product) and their lip gloss is any girl's dream with all the shine and intense color (I'm talking about my fave, their Peony lipgloss).

This week, I've teamed up with them for a giveaway! I'm so excited and I'll be giving more details on my My Beauty Bag's newly opened Facebook page.

Like my Facebook page for one entry into the contest* and leave a comment on this blog post for a second entry into the contest. That's two entries! What we'll be giving away? I'll let you know very soon!

have you liked Jouer Cosmetics on Facebook? Their page is packed with tips and tricks from founder and creator Christina Zilber!

*Restrictions apply: Contest open only to residents of the USA

The Perks of Being a Beauty Junkie

I love events that are a result of my committed beauty addiction. Sephora, all I can say is: thank you for recognizing that I would rather buy make-up than anything else! The Sunday Funday event was exclusively for Sephora VIBs (Very Important Beauty Insider); the make-up paradise partnered up with recognized hair brand Bumble and Bumble for an exciting day full of mimosas,hair styling, new friends and fresh eats. Yes please!

A day that had started gray and chilly in Houston turned into a sunny great hair day at Cutloose Salon (where I'll be going for a trim later this week)!
Perfectly styled hair, raffles, brunch and tons of Bumble and Bumble goodies to pick from made for the perfect day for this beauty junkie .

Stay Beautiful!

Play Date with Jouer

I discovered Jouer brand through my monthly subscription to Birchbox when I got their luminizing tinted moisturizer in the cutest, tiniest packaging as a sample.
Today, Jouer and their brand owner and creative director Christina Zilber (who I sadly missed by some minutes) held an event at Nordstrom where I got a makeover and tried some of their new and most popular products.

I'm wearing their Peony-colored lipgloss over the "Whitney" lipstick. The make-up artist did a superb job of pairing it with their Renaissance (a raisin shimmery hue) eyeshadow stick (actual color not shown below). My pick for the full face was their Matte Tinted Moisturizer which is oil-free for combination-oily skins like mine. Just dreamy.

A Very Wearable and Easy Look with These Products:

Fun Fact: Jouer make-up cases contain grooves which allows you to slide and attach a lipgloss into an eyeshadow,or a full kit with eyeshadow, concealer and lipgloss all together, letting you create your own, customized, artist's pallette. Check out how they attached all those concealers together!

Follow the brand on their Instagram @joeurcosmetics and their beautiful & talented creator, Christina Zilber @czjoeur

Stay Beautiful! Photos: Jouer Cosmetics Website

Flirty Lashes

Last week I did a first: I got eye lash extensions.It's a 90 minute procedure where you have to keep your eyes closed, keep still and not cry if all of a sudden your wedding song comes in the background (it happened to me).

Look at how amazing my eyes look!It saves me tons of time in the morning since I'm a huge mascara fan (I applied up to 3 different mascaras to get the effect I wanted!).

Let's see how long it takes before my first refill.Be aware: for the first 48 hours of applying them you can't get them wet! Yikes! It's been hard washing my face but I've managed using my favorite Neutrogena make-up remover wipes.

Stay beautiful!

What's Inside Dominique Sachse's Beauty Bag?

She's a face that everyone knows from the 5, 6 and 10pm KPRC Local 2 News (and what a beautiful face!) and from her involvement in different charities and constant emceeing gigs, Dominique Sachse is the sweetheart of Houston news. Ever since I saw her on TV (3 years ago when I moved to Houston) I really wanted to know more about her make-up tricks and how to look flawless in this era of HD TV. And what about her rockin'bangs that she unveiled earlier this year? So sleek and sexy, I was immediately inspired to cut my bangs as well!

(Click any of the photos for a larger view)

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

I'm a drugstore beauty queen. I really don't spend a lot of money on products. My neighborhood Walgreens started carrying a higher-end line of skin care products, so I've been dabbling with those. Otherwise, I love Neutrogena foaming face wash and towelettes. Getting the "war paint" off at the end of the night is critical!

2)How did you learn to do your own make-up for television?

I've always enjoyed experimenting, even as a young girl. I used to do my friends' hair and make-up for dances and proms. Through my TV years, my style has morphed depending on trends and what looks best on me. I find that a softer, muted palette looks nicer on TV. It's cleaner looking and not distracting.

3) Who is your beauty icon and why?

I think Angelina Jolie is exceptionally stunning. She was born with great features and plays them up nicely, never over-doing it.

Aren't Dominique's bangs to-die-for?

4) What beauty tricks did you learn from your mother?

Sleep. My mom values her rest and what it does for her looks and health. I wish I had the luxury of 8 to 10 hours a night, but that's just not in the cards right now. My only hope is that I don't ruin the good genes she passed down!

5) Did you have any awkward beauty moments in your teens?

Who didn't! Teased bangs and braces, need I say more?

The first photo on the upper left corner is her most recent look. Which is your favorite?

6) What beauty products would we find in your beauty bag?

A combination of "Face Atelier" and "MAC" make-up. Both lines are great for TV. Also, lip balm and hand moisturizer.

Thank you Dominique! I'm sure we'll all be getting a lot more beauty sleep and feeling less bad about our own awkward beauty mishaps in our teens.

Tune into Dominique at 5,6 and 10pm on KPRC Local 2 Channel, follow her on Twitter and tune into her newly opened Instagram account @dominiquesachse for an exciting backstage pass into her daily life.

Photographs: Nicole Kestenbaum Photography, Dominique Sachse Facebook Page,Dominique Sachse Twitter, KPRC Website