Old Hollywood Glam

I had the funnest time this week with Bumble and Bumble hair products because I got to be a hair model for their styling classes. This was such a great opportunity to discover more of the Bumble & Bumble hair line (I was a fan of their Surf Spray before going full force!) and all the goodies that can make my fine and sometimes lifeless hair a Victoria Secret model creation (the VS Angels do have the best hair!).

My favorites this afternoon were the Bumble & Bumble Does it All (molds my hair into anything my heart desires), The Thickening Spray (Light Vavoom volume!),Styling Creme (creates amazing, smooth, touchable volume close to the crown) and the Quenching Masque (to love my tresses at home).

My finished look!The stylist used BB Prep as a hair primer to make my hair soft and make the product stick to my hair! Nice!

When my awesome stylist ,Tiffanny, finished my hairstyle---it was perfect, very old Hollywood glam! Can you come to my house every day and do this to my hair? Please!? Miguel, my husband, who never notices my hair changes, loved it especially because it was very touchable.

If you ever want to participate in any of the future styling classes (and have shoulder blade length hair) e-mail Roxana(she manages all the Bumble&Bumble models) at houstonmodels@becreativehouse.com with a recent photo of yourself showing your hair in its natural state and you could be booked as a model for an awesome styling session + a consultation with a B&B expert (to tell you know what products are best suited for your hair), not to mention a free full size product after your visit. Mention The Beauty Bag blog if you write to her!

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

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!

So fresh and so clean clean!

A few posts ago I gave you a quick tip on how to wash your make-up brushes and the best way to dry them. Well,I just bumped into this amazing stand to dry your brushes in and keep them in tip-top shape. Clever huh? Why didn't I think of this? This will definitely help extend the life of your brushes and let you keep them out of the way once you have sanitized them. If you have as many brushes as I do, this is a must!

Stay Beautiful!

Just like Leah Michelle

I'm a sucker for celebrity endorsements. Even though I do not keep up with GLEE as much as I'd like I've always loved Leah Michelle's style on the red carpet. Her hair, make-up and outfits are always so sexy and chic! When I saw her on their new hair campaign on TV as the brand ambassador for L'Oreal I was so happy. In my mind Leah and I have the same type of fine, limp , hair that needs the help of an awesome L'Oreal shampoo and conditioner.

Isn't she flawless? I wonder if she's wearing hair extensions to make that hair look as bouncy and full as ever. Either way, I want my hair to look that way. I might even consider going back to my natural brunette color because of Leah's shiny locks. I told you I was a sucker for celebrity endorsements.

Stay Beautiful!

Dear Teacher: I'm sorry for being a beauty junkie

I never struggle with college and I'm that rare breed of student that highly enjoys giving out a presentation in front of the class: I practice beforehand, I get giddy and full of adrenaline because I enjoy it so much. And shouldn't everybody?

So, when I got a "B" this semester I totally flipped. I looked for my professor immediately because I desperately needed to know why after being an enthusiastic presenter, turning in all my assignments and excelling in my last portfolio I got such undeserving grade (I am getting a degree in a Digital Photography Specialization).

When the professor gives me an answer I am in utter shock and awe, " "You got a "B" because you're always putting make-up on in my class and that is so rude." I think to myself: that is so unfair, considering I don't apply my make-up chanting or giving my less beauty savvy classmates tips.

Worst words after that: "You are an "A" student, you do "A" work but even if you have the best photos and work in the class, you get a "B".

I'll be honest: I have no clue how one thing affects another because they don't. I never compromised the quality of my work with a little bit of corrective make-up application at 9:00am.

As of right now, I'm writing a letter to my teacher apologizing for being a beauty junkie.

Lights, Mirror, Make-up!

My husband had been taunting me and hyping up the awesome birthday gift he had ordered for me...only it didn't arrive on my birthday or even the week after! Finally, last week, the box was on our door and I couldn't wait to rip it open.

One phrase for all of you: ultimate make-up mirror. This mirror is equipped with natural light lamps for the best make-up application. My pocket mirrors can't compete with that!

The Ott Light comes in a range of colors and patterns for you to choose from. It has a regular side and a 5x magnifying side for all of you who like to see their pores up close (not me!) or achieve a flawless smoky eyeshadow application.

Prices vary from $38.00- $80.00 on Amazon.
Thank you so much Miguel! I loved it!