Sofia Quintero is a Puerto Rican-Dominican author, filmmaker and educator and most recently, cancer warrior. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2012. Each week, she'll be sharing her story here.

"I wouldn't push if this were routine," I told the woman at the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem. "But I found something that concerns me." She gave me an appointment for a mammogram on December 21, 2011. I told no one.

The second mammogram I had done in early January revealed two additional lumps, one in the right breast. Yet when the surgeon told me she could fit in a biopsy the next day I asked, "What do you have after that?" I had already missed Day 2 of a six-day shoot for this and I was scheduled to be second assistant director the next day. Stop messin' around, Fi! I thought to myself. "Never mind. What time tomorrow?"

Now I have to tell my executive producer, and how do I tell him and not my parents? Of course, they insisted on acc

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When "money pincher" falls in love with "big spender", the ending may not be a happy one. Shine Latina sat down with financial expert Andrés Gutiérrez to find out what couples need to know a

bout managing money together to avoid becoming a divorce statistic.

In marriage, as in many relationships, opposites tend to attract. It's usually a strong, silent type that falls in love with the fun extrovert. Unfortunately, the very differences that once attracted them to each other are the ones that can turn a symbiotic relationship into an antagonistic one. And, according to financial expert Andrés Gutiérrez, the results could be devastating when you add individual approaches to handling money.

Two money personalities

"When it comes to marriage and money, one is always the spender, the other the saver," says Gutiérrez, who has found that in every couple there will always be a Nerd (the saver) and a Free Spirit (or spender).

The Nerd wants to save to buy a home, put money away fo

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Mexican pop/rock artist Paty Cantú is well known for her musical talent, but who knew she's skilled as her

own makeup artist as well? Shine Latina sat down with the singer to get her tips for a rockin' look.

Paty Cantú, who was born in Texas but grew up in Guadalajara Mexico, started performing at age 16. Since there usually wasn't anyone available to prep her makeup before hitting the stage early on in her career, she learned how to do it herself. Today, most can't tell she's her own makeup artist. "Even if you do your own makeup, it shouldn't look like you did it," says Cantú.

This multi-talented Latina follows a couple of beauty secrets, including a balance between the eyes and the lips. Cantú says that one of the first things she learned about makeup is playing up the drama, but keeping it in focus: "If you're going to go heavy on the eyes, don't go heavy on the lips," says the artist. She then decides what area of her face to intensify,."I go as simple as I can, and em

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By Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina

While touring the Loire Valley in France last month, I stayed at a chateau-turned-hotel in the town of Tours. When I asked the concierge for restaurant recommendations, he immediately picked up the phone and made reservations at the Relais, a restaurant in the nearby town of Chenonceaux.

After the 30-minute drive through the chateaus and wineries, I reached an orchard in full growth which surrounded the Relais. Without a doubt, this promised to be a delicious and traditionally French meal. To my surprise the first dish that arrived to the table, as a courtesy from the chef, was a raw tuna salad covered with avocado spread served in a delicate shot glass with a tiny spoon.

The first bite was heavenly; I couldn't resist asking the waitress if she could give me a rough list of the ingredients used in the dish. She mentioned tuna, avocado, lime and scallions, which were evident in the recipe, but she couldn't tell me anything else. I

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Latinas usually have to battle with straight eyelashes no matter how curly the locks may be. Here are some easy options for creating striking lashes at home.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Fabulous drugstore mascara
L'Oreal has come out with an innovative formula which extends the length of your natural lashes. The Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara adheres fibers to your eyelashes and elongates the hair strands. This mascara doesn't flake or smudge throughout the day and leaves your lashes clump free. Another great mascara from L'Oreal is the Voluminous Power Volume 24 HR Waterproof Mascara. It has a large curved brush which adds tons of volume and length. If you have straight lashes that don't curl easily, I definitely recommend getting a waterproof mascara which will hold a curl much longer than a non-waterproof one.

Check out my video on adding drama and glamour to your eyes:

 

High-end favorites
Benefit's They're Real Mascara has found a cult following among mascara jun

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