I watched Suave troll unsuspecting people and this is what happened

suave body wash

How fancy is your sense of smell? I got to witness Suave (courtesy of PR) hilariously prank unsuspecting locals with their body wash scents in Austin, Texas under the guise of an unbranded fancy art installation that tested just that. It was called “Under Your Nose: An Exhibit of Scent,” which promised to give visitors an unforgettable olfactory experience and they delivered.

suave body wash exhibit

Guests were lured via the internet and plucked off the street to visit the temporary space. Once they arrived they had to sign waivers and get mic’d up because a “documentary” of the exhibit was being filmed. Despite all of the staff and buzz around the venue, the Mexican-American family I got to follow did not seem to suspect that they were being set up at all.

suave body wash exhibit

The moment you stepped into the gallery you felt like you were in a futuristic scene straight out of HBO’s Westworld. Plastic orbs were set up in black frames spread out throughout the space that contained the scents we would be enjoying. We were greeted by an elegant hostess in a black dress, which completely set the tone of what appeared to be a luxurious experience.

suave body wash exhibit

With a glass of coffee beans in hand to cleanse our noses, we went from station to station, taking in the special scents with names like “Kyoto in Reflection” and “Ascendance in Gold.” Pressing a button found in each orb dispersed each fragrance, which were actually from popular Suave Body Wash options like Ocean Breeze and Wild Cherry Blossom.

Guests were asked to describe what they were smelling and some went all out, really painting a picture of where the aroma took them. A vacation was a go-to since Suave has many tropical-inspired scents. This all went down while a camera crew recorded the whole thing in plain sight.

suave body wash

After everyone was done with all of the stations and asked questions like which one was their favorite, they were taken behind a curtained area in the space to “meet the artist,” and the big reveal was made.

A beautiful display lined with Suave Body Wash awaited the unsuspecting visitors. I was snuck into the area first and got to see the surprised look on the family I followed when they realized they had been duped. It turned out that they actually used Suave at home. “I told you it was coconut! That’s what I use,” Ricardo Valenzuela, the man in the group I was with, said. What a coincidence!

suave body wash reveal

I got a chance to talk to the family and seeing Suave on the other side of the curtain was a genuine surprise. Cathy Valenzuela, Ricardo’s wife, was more focused on how someone would try to sell such a unique piece of art but she did pick up on a bit of soapiness in the scents. We had a good laugh. Hindsight is 20/20. One thing’s for sure, Suave Body Wash left a permanent impression on us all.

See how other people responded to the experience in the video below:

The One Tip That Made Me Fall in Love With Fashion and My Body Again

cindy diaz fashion

Photo: Jaye Sant

Jacket (Zara, similar here) \\ Top (Topshop) \\ Jeans (Express) \\ Shoes (Steve Madden Daisie Pumps in Black Suede) \\ Bag (Zara) \\ Sunglasses (Adam Selman x Le Specs The Last Lolita in White) \\ Earrings (Topshop)

I gained a lot of weight over the past two years and it affected me in so many ways that I am just beginning to understand. It is a difficult topic to discuss because so many of us struggle with our body image and I feel like vocalizing what I don’t like about myself will inevitably offend some people. I definitely don’t want to take away from today’s body positivity movement, which I support 1000%.

However, this is my reality and I know that there are many of you out there that can relate. Being body positive doesn’t mean you have to ignore those moments when you don’t feel great. I personally got to a point where I didn’t feel well physically. It was as if I could literally feel the extra weight on my chest. Continue reading

Spring 2018 Clothing Haul and Try-On

Spring 2018 Clothing Haul

I recently did a huge clear out of my closet and have been feeling inspired to add some fun and flirty pieces to my Spring 2018 rotation. Maybe it’s that I’ve been feeling even better in my skin or that I’m stepping back out into the dating scene (or both), but I’ve been gravitating towards bold prints, open necklines, and accessories with personality.

Check out my haul video to see some of my favorite pieces so far and shop the items after the jump:  Continue reading

New Beginnings

Leopard Print Coat Poppy Lissiman Sunglasses

Photo: Marissa Pina

Sometimes change can come at you from so many different directions that you feel like you’re in the middle of a storm with no end in sight. Is your core strong enough to take it?

That has been my life for the past few months. From ending a relationship that I thought would last forever to leaving what was once my dream job, I’m now standing firmly on my own and somehow feeling better than ever despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

The peace I feel is like the universe telling me everything is going to be OK. I had to have my world rocked so that I could free myself and flourish. I hope I’m right.

Cheers to new beginnings (and a fresher wardrobe).  Continue reading

Cocktails and Discounts: Where to Shop Your Favorite Beauty Brands In NYC This Weekend

The Makeup Show NYC 2015

Photo: Cindy Diaz – The Makeup Show NYC 2015

Need some bubbly to give you the liquid courage you need to splurge on yourself and the other makeup junkies on your Christmas list? The Makeup Show NYC Holiday Pop-Up Shop is back from Saturday, December 12th, to Sunday, December 13th to give you the push you need. The event, which is open to the public (vs. their pro-only regular events), gives you the opportunity to shop over 40 brands you wouldn’t normally find together under one roof like NARS, Make Up For Ever, INGLOT Cosmetics, Ricky’s NYC, Kevyn Aucoin and more at discounted rates.

Check out some of the exclusives you will find at this year’s Pop Up Shop:

Breakups to Makeup will debut new holiday bags.

INGLOT Cosmetics will be featuring their new “Matte It Be” collection.

Ricky’s NYC is offering 25% off all products.

The Makeup Show NYC Holiday Pop-Up Shop will take place on Saturday, December 12th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, December 13th from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. You can purchase one-day or two-day passes for $28 and $44, respectively, here.

10-Year High School Reunion Makeup and Outfit

affiliate_buttons021 copy

In today’s get ready with me video I do my makeup for my 10-year high school reunion. I went with a grey smokey eye using the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette and a pop of bright pink on the lips. I also show you my outfit at the end of the video. I can’t get enough of this flowy, boho mini dress and over-the-knee boot combo!
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”1258483″]

2015 Holiday Wish List

affiliate_buttons021 copy

2015 Holiday Wish List

The best thing that ever happened to picky people like me is the wish list. Don’t get me wrong, I like surprises, but isn’t it even better when you know you are giving a gift that will actually be used, and even sweeter when it is something the recipient has already had their eye on for a while? Just sayin’! I know I am not alone in this because my sister has joined in on the fun. After every Thanksgiving, we sit down and put together a list of those things we’ve been stalking that would totally make our Christmas day. We make it extra long of course, so there is still some degree of mystery. If my Kylie Jenner wish list wasn’t enough, here are the other things that will make me just as happy as a Sephora or MAC gift card this year:

  1. Any crazy makeup junkie totally wants to try the new Christian Louboutin lipsticks even if they can’t bring themselves to drop $90 on it (myself included). It is the ultimate luxury item in my beauty world at the moment and the one calling my name is the Sheer Voile Lip Colour in Rose Du Desert. I could wear that neutral shade with any makeup look or days where I’m not wearing anything at all.
  2. I’ve always wanted to be a girl that wears a watch. I absolutely love how it looks on other women but I’ve never made it actually stick with me. The sleekness of this Marc by Marc Jacobs Peggy watch might just be the one that makes my daily watch wearing dreams come true.
  3. If you’ve been watching me on YouTube for a while, then you already know about my obsession with BaubleBar. They have the trendiest accessories with superb quality. I have been eyeing the Pisa Cuff from their Olivia Palermo collab for weeks now, their Ice Bar Studs are calling my name because they are subtle enough to pair with statement necklaces, and the Minimal Metal Collar can make even a simple crew neck sweater look sexy.
  4. Tons of my favorite beauty gurus like Desi Perkins and Rosita Applebum have used the Sony Alpha a5000 Mirrorless Digital Camera to take flawless selfies (it is like it has built in photoshop) with their gorgeous makeup looks. The camera features a screen that you can flip around to face you which is perfect for making sure you are always in frame (this also great for vlogging which I have been wanting to do for years). It comes in different colors but I’m absolutely obsessed with the white one.
  5. New year, new fragrance? I am ready to try something new and after picking up the dry shampoo from the line, I’m ready to go all in and try the Elizabeth and James Nirvana White perfume. I can only hoard so many samples ha ha.
  6. I am not a traditional wallet kind of girl. I have been using a small Rebecca Minkoff pouch for years that is falling apart and would love an upgrade. The one stuck in my head at the moment is this red Saint Laurent card holder.
  7. I live in New York and I don’t own a pair of snow boots. Crazy right?! Luckily we have not had any snow this years but I need to get my life together before the next snow storm arrives. If I get these Madewell x Sorel boots, I am going to be begging for a blizzard just so I can test them out.

What is on your wish list this year? Let me know in the comments.

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”1256103″]

Haul: Sephora VIB Sale 2015

affiliate_buttons021 copy

In today’s video I share my haul from the 2015 Sephora VIB Rouge Sale. I went a little crazy as usual and picked up a bunch of new face products and eye shadow palettes from brands like belif, Kat Von D, and Anastasia Beverly Hills. I will also be sharing my must-haves/faves to give you more inspiration.

What did you pick up from the sale?

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”1256124″]

Beauty That Works

It seems like the moment I started a new chapter with this blog, I had to put it on hold for something new. Since you’ve last heard from me, my whole life has been flipped upside down. I left my career in finance to work for Vivala, a lifestyle website for bold, real, and savvy Latinas, as a Writer, Editorial Assistant, and Founding Creator. It has been pretty much my whole life since I started in April and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Part of what I’ve been up to is a video series called “Beauty That Works” that has quick tutorials for the woman on the go. New episodes air every Wednesday and we just kicked off the second season last week. I’m super excited about what we have in store! You can add me on Facebook for updates.