I'm being quoted in today's New York Times newspaper-- but I actually didn't want to do the story. Here's why...

So apparently I'm quoted in this article printed in today's issue of The New York Times​ newspaper, talking about how I am not afraid of growing a mustache... That's just fabulous. Sure, that's EXACTLY what I meant.  ;)  Seriously, though, I didn't say it just like that-- true quote is that I told the reporter about former news anchor Judy Waggoner telling me I would not need to worry about growing any facial hair if I used men's Rogaine, back in the day when I went to her laser center in West Monroe! Not sure how the story turned that quote into me specifically saying I wasn't afraid of growing a mustache.

I always try to have sympathy for a journalist making a better story, since goodness knows I have walked in those shoes... So I am just going to say she took what was probably my most "colorful" quote and sassed it up a bit more. UPDATE: I showed the newspaper to my coworkers at the Zoo, and they are cracking up about my "mustache" concerns-- so I am growing more and more OK with the story, LOL!

The story in The Times is about my struggles with having thin hair, and all the drastic measures I've taken to grow it back. I own my own personal little hair laser, I take nutritional supplements, I apply products daily to my scalp, etc. I don't sweat it too much now since I'm no longer on air every day, but it's still something I do notice-- and it's true that I see it when I film my CruzTube videos on YouTube. My most recent video even talks about testing out some hair extensions (even though I didn't like them).

Also for the record... I turned down being interviewed for this story TWICE. I was originally firm about not doing it, because Rogaine has butane and propane (I intentionally did not read the label since I purposely wanted to remain ignorant of what I was putting on my head back when I was supposed to be doing it for a TV story). I am now all about switching to better-for-the-environment, chemical-free, ToxicFree products through being a Pro Rep for the Healthy Home Company​, so I didn't want to promote something that I figure puts flammable stuff straight into your bloodstream.

The main reasons I agreed to the story is because:

#1. I don't mind being vulnerable and exposing some of my struggles to the public, because for me, bottom line is that I hope my story can help others.
#2. The PR rep who convinced me to do the story reminded me that it's always good to let people know what products you have used in the past, whether they worked or not.

Even though I have used Rogaine before, I have switched to using the certified ToxicFree product Grow Hair Elixir, and just like every other Healthy Home Company product, it's completely all-natural and will not harm you. I strongly believe it's a better choice, and hopefully this doesn't embarrass Nathan to say that he's been using it with PHENOMENAL results. His Before/After photos are compelling.

So now you know the TRUTH about what's going on with my situation! And I'm not ashamed of it.  :)  Hair is not something that we can easily control, and we just have to do the best we can with what we have. Most of the time, when you see me in special occasion photos or when I film for YouTube, go ahead and know the reality -- I'm probably wearing hair extensions!

Hopefully me writing this all out will better explain what I've gone through with this personal mini-battle. It's not something that keeps me awake at night-- sheesh, it's just HAIR, after all-- but it is something that I have thought about a lot.  :)  I would consider myself a little something of a "thin hair expert" or such! So please feel free to reach out to me... I would love to tell you about the Grow Hair Elixir, or Healthy Home Company, or even about Rogaine and why I decided to stop using it!

Spot the hair extensions... #TheStruggleIsReal

By the way, my final quote in the article is absolutely true-- I have indeed noticed that my hair is thicker in my most recent CruzTube videos! :) HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL! I do think nutrition was probably the most important reason, because I only applied Rogaine in certain spots on my scalp and the baby hairs are growing all over, not just in the concentrated spots where I put Rogaine. My educated guess is that it's because I started taking Healthy Home Company liquid supplements last year, especially the "Body" liquid multivitamin with probiotics and prebiotics and also the Iron Plus and Omega 3 liquid supplements.

I just recently learned that your hair is the last thing to grow when your body is nutritionally deficient, so your hair won't be full/lush/thick/as beautiful as it could be if you are not getting as much nutrition as you need.

OK, this blog post is way long! Thanks for reading all of this, I know it's a lot but I'm all worked up about being forever memorialized in a national newspaper with a CRAZY QUOTE!! lol ;)

Contour/highlight, smokey eye, easy glam daytime makeup-- all in two new beauty videos, featuring my Filipina cousin!

Do you want to learn some face contouring tricks, a simple smokey eye, plus an easy daytime glam makeup look? This is for you! I posted a couple of new videos on my CruzTube channel, and I would love for you to check them out! They feature my Filipina cousin, Mary Anne, who visited me last week from San Francisco. She is naturally beautiful, and it was so much fun to get to feature her "guest face."

She requested a video doing an easy daytime glam look, as well as a smokey eye look for evening.

Watch the smokey eye look, featuring the Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay and contouring using the Anastasia contour/highlight kit:


Watch the easy daytime glam makeup look, featuring The Nudes eyeshadow palette by Maybelline:

I'll be coming out soon with a video featuring her teenage daughter, Leanna, who also happens to be my goddaughter! Stay tuned and subscribe to my channel so you don't miss it.  :)  Thanks for watching, see you in the next video!

Dupe or Dud? Maybelline The Blushed Nudes vs. Urban Decay Naked 3 - swatches/comparison/review/demo

Just how much does Maybelline's new eyeshadow palette, The Blushed Nudes, compare to Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette? Watch my comparison review to find out!

Click HERE to watch the CruzTube video!

I did my right eye with Naked 3 and my left eye with The Blushed Nudes, so you be the judge of how well they compare. I show swatches of both palettes near the end.

The Blushed Nudes:

Pros--
*Super-affordable!!!
*Pretty range of colors
*Pinks and rose-toned shadows are stylish right now

Cons--
*Way more powdery, so there was more fallout than the Naked 3 palette
*You have to use more pressure when digging in to these shadows and applying them to achieve a similar look as Naked 3

Naked 3:

Pros--
*Legendary for the texture and consistency of the shadows-- creamy and highly blendable
*Excellent color payoff
*Will last a long time (I suspect, based on my experience with my Naked 2 palette-- still haven't hit pan although I use it regularly)

Cons--
*High-end price tag may not be worth it for some people
*Many of the shades are remarkably similar, like, why even bother having two of these shadows? I would have preferred a wider range of colors

Wrap-up:
My preference is for Naked 3 for the quality, but The Blushed Nudes for the price. My wallet just can't justify the higher price tag, even for the better Naked 3 shadows. I personally think my eyes looked nearly identical at the end, so what's the point of paying more?! Save the extra $44, people!!! Just go with The Blushed Nudes, LOL. :)

CruzTube video: Review & swatches of Maybelline's "The Nudes" eyeshadow palette

Hey there, beauty junkies! I review and swatch Maybelline's The Nudes palette in this new CruzTube video. The website dares you to go nude, with this reason:

Why You'll Love It

Our first 12 shade collection curated to create infinite looks with bold beiges, sultry sands, brazen bronzes, and over the top taupes.

I purchased my palette for only $9.98 (not including tax) at Walmart, and I think that's a STEAL! Watch the video for my full review.

PROS:
I heart this palette for the price and compact size! The shades are buttery smooth, buildable and blendable. :) There's also brilliance in the way the back of the packaging lists ways you can combine the shadows, so it's great for beginners who are looking for easy eye combos and simple methods (the back also shows where to place the shadows on your eye).

CONS:
It lacks a good champage-colored inner-eye highlighter color, in my opinion. The two lightest shimmery shades don't show up enough on their own in my inner eye corner. That's a minor flaw, one that I'm willing to give it a freebie pass on, since this palette gives you so much bang for your buck, it can't be beat!