Gold Shatter Nails

This season is all about black and gold in fashion and make-up. Gold and black smoky eyes, black lace and gold outfits just scream the holiday seasons are here! I started this season by giving my nails a gold shatter look.

1) I buffed my nails and removed dust by washing my hands (I use sugar and body wash to create a scrub for extra soft hands!). Buffing your nails makes polish last longer.

2) I used RIMMEL London's 60 Seconds polish in Deliciously Dark as a base. I only apply one coat.

3) Then, use one coat of the OPI Gold Shatter.

4) Last, apply a quick dry top coat to maximize the life of your ultra hot fingertips!

Ta da! Beautiful and too easy not to try! Your nails will definitely be a conversation starter.

Hair Savers

Tired, thirsty hair? These are a few products I use to keep my color treated hair healthy. If your hair isn't color-treated these are still great tips to keep your hair shiny and manageable.

My Hair Savers!

Remember these easy tips:

1) Do not sleep in a ponytail, it tears your hair out and makes split ends more noticeable.

2) Give your hair a blow dryer and flat iron break! Let your strands air dry. I usually do that all week and I'll flat iron my hair on the weekend-----big difference!

3) Treat your hair to a hot oil treatment like Alberto V05 Hot Oil (I know, so old school! But it works so well!)or hair mask weekly. They usually only take 2-5 minutes in the shower so don't be lazy.

4) Untangle your hair with a wide comb brush (this one is Conair) in the shower with conditioner or outside of the shower with a leave in treatment like the L'Oreal Moroccan Oil.

5) When you do flat iron, apply a heat protect spray like No.4 Super Comb Hair & Protect focusing on the bottom half of your hair and tips.

Look at my hair looking so healthy and shiny!

My photo taken by Abraham Velasquez.

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!

Give Thanks

I hope everyone's had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. I sure have had a blast and am enormously grateful for everything that this year has brought into my life: my husband, being able to see friends I hadn't seen in a long time and the blessing of meeting new ones. I am very grateful for my health, family and all of you who read this blog. Since we're not Black Friday fans with my hubby, we've just been
enjoying quality time with friends and family on this beautiful Friday.

Check out all the delicious eats we've had in this holiday break.

Happy Holidays!

Inexpensive Holiday Make-Up

If there's someone who knows how to look expensive without breaking the bank it's Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, contribuiting beauty editor at Glamour magazine. On a live Facebook chat she had Monday, she answered my question and recommended some awesome holiday palettes and kits for the girl on the bargain who wants to look like a million bucks!

Thanks Andrea! Those are great suggestions. There you have it! Which one will you get first?

Healthy Strands

Ironing, blow drying and coloring can mess up the look of our hair this holiday season when we're all trying to look cute for all those family and company parties. Check out my live chat question on Facebook with Glamour magazine contributing beauty editor, Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, telling us about the one product that will keep hair healthy this season.

Follow her on Twitter @AndreaPLustig and on Facebook!

It was great to virtually meet you as well! I'm a huge fan of all your advice on Glamour magazine.

This is the product Andrea is talking about:

My Interview Makeup (and cute outfit!)

Last week I went to an interview for an internship I really, really want. Lucky for me, it was unusually chilly in Houston and I got to wear tights and my favorite boots. My hubby picked out the dress, I accessorized with a leopard-print berry purple scarf and my green vintage earrings (a birthday gift from my friend Michelle). My make-up was lots of mascara,black liquid liner and berry lips. What do you think?

Sensationails!

Just wanted to share this at home gel manicure kit that I got at Kroger (Yes! At the supermarket!) No dry time and it includes the LED lamp. The kit brings one shade but they have a variety of colors to choose from. Fast, easy, more affordable than the gel manicures at the beauty salon (kit was $44, it last for 10 uses). Of course, only drawback is you have to paint your own nails.

The Unsmearables

Nothing grosses me out more than seeing my make-up right splat on my cellphone screen. Runny eyeliner, feathery lips and transferable foundation are my nightmare. In my quest of long lasting make-up,these are my winners:

1)Kat Von D Foundation-even in the stickiest, hottest of Houston days this foundation never stayed on my cellphone.Yay!

2)MakeUp Forever Aqua Rouge-Apply the lipcolor. Let it dry. Apply the attached clear lipgloss. Sip,eat,chew,talk...your lipstick will still be there!

3)Benefit Cha Cha Tint- Crave that coral, dewy glow on your cheeks all day long? You must lighty and quickly apply this stain; 3 dots on the apple of your cheeks and rub in for a natural looking flush.

4) Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Liquid Eyeliner- Perfect liquid liner. Long lasting, won't rub or flake off not even through tears. Must use a waterproof eye make-up remover to take off though.

5) Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil- I love wearing this liner on my lower lashes because it never comes off or gives me raccoon eyes. I can wear it and forget about smearing or reapplying.

This is me reporting for HCCTV in scorching Houston weather wearing all of the products above! This is after finishing the report and my make-up was still flawless!

I'm so excited to show you THE MOST AMAZING MASCARA that transforms your gaze with a faux lash look! Can't wait to show you with a video tutorial soon (like tomorrow or Monday)!

"Beauty with a Purpose"

Meet Nicole, an Austin,Texas native and the successful creator of the Radiant Cosmetics line. She is sweet, bubbly and a self-proclaimed "eye shadow girl" and she's on a mission:

Nicole created an awesome fusion with the creation of this cosmetic line, her passion for make-up and her desire to help women who have suffered this misfortune. Unfortunately, 80% of the people being trafficked are women and girls.

Every time you buy one of their awesome gel liners, lipsticks, mineral make-up, blush (shown above) or eyeshadow,Radiant Cosmetics gives 20% of their profits to Redeemed Ministries who provide support and rehabilitation to victims of human traficking.

To learn more about human trafficking and how it not only affects women but kids and men of all walks of life, to check out their on-line shop or just donate to the cause visit their website.Some of their products are currently available at Myth & Symbol in Rice Village in Houston.

Photo of Nicole by Nicole Kestenbaum

Product Photography taken from Radiant Cosmetics website