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Catherine Bandstra

@catebambi

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A little of this. A little of that.
Media Agency Owner.

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✨ MEET YOUR WELCOME DINNER & SASHING CEREMONY HOST — SAMANTHA STAR BRAINERD! ✨

JR Beauty USA is proud to welcome Samantha Star Brainerd, Just Right Cosmetics Beauty Ambassador, as the official host of our 2026 Welcome Dinner & Sashing Ceremony! 👑🇺🇸

Samantha’s pageant journey began in 2004, and since then, she has experienced the industry from both sides of the judging table—as a competitor and a judge. Today, she proudly holds the title of Mrs. Missouri Petite and is a 3x Miss Congeniality recipient at Petite USA, a recognition that speaks volumes about the woman behind the crown. ✨

Beyond pageantry, Samantha balances a successful career in Human Resources for a global technology company with her work as a published model, actress, wife, and mother—proving that there are no limits to what a woman can accomplish when she leads with purpose and passion.

But perhaps one of the most powerful parts of Samantha’s story is her commitment to SERVICE. ❤️

In the past year alone, she has contributed more than 400 volunteer hours supporting local charities, Mercy Hospital, and her national initiative, Message Meals, which works to combat childhood food insecurity. Her dedication to her community has earned her nominations for both the Missouri Good Neighbor Award and Creve Coeur Citizen of the Year.

And her journey is far from over! Samantha is preparing to return to the national stage as she competes for Mrs. USA Petite 2027. 👑

We couldn’t think of a more fitting woman to help us officially welcome our delegates and begin the JR Beauty USA 2026 experience.

✨ One night. One stage. The beginning of an unforgettable journey.

Welcome to JR BEAUTY USA 2026! 🇺🇸👑

#JRBeautyUSA #JRBeautyUSA2026 #SashingCeremony #JustRightCosmetics #BeautyAmbassador

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kinda chic to accidentally win a pageant and make history … 🥹

wned and Clueless Merch is HERE!
What started as a content idea to see if I could win a pageant with no money, no coach, and no clue. Turned into the very thing that would change my life 🥹 because it brought me all of you, cheering me on from all over the world, this crown is for all of us and we’re Just Getting Started! Xoxo your favorite underdog Miss Universal Petite 💋

#kindachic #pageantlife #pageantjourney #pageantgirl #crownedandclueless

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Summer 2026… you’ll be a tough one to beat 🩷 thank you for so many memories. 🫶🏼

#summer #carousel #explore #memories

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Us....The sister Queens through years🤍💖🤎❤️

📸 @magicdreamsproductions thank you so much

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43. Four kids.

As I prepare for the swimsuit competition at the @unitedworldpageants I’m choosing confidence over comparison.

📸: @magicdreamsproductions & @catebambi

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PRETTY PICTURES, LOUD THOUGHTS
Ep. 1: Miss Universal Petite Was Left Unsupervised 👑

The Petite USA Sparkle Party—with the commentary left on. Little cameo from my bbys
📸: @magicdreamsproductions
💄: @aprilrenee_pro @justrightcosmetics

#MissUniversalPetite #PetiteUSA #PageantLife #pageantweekend #beyonkasmalls

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For nearly a decade, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with thousands of women.

As the founder of an online women’s fashion company that raised money to provide clothing to women in need. As an esthetician. As an entrepreneur. As a pageant titleholder.

I’ve listened to conversations about skin, confidence, aging, stress, purpose, and the quiet emotional weight so many women carry.

Every woman had a different story.

Yet over time, I realized they were all searching for the same thing.

Not more products.

Understanding.

Because your skin has never existed in isolation. It reflects your biology, your lifestyle, your nervous system, your environment, and the story you are living every day.

I realized the future of skincare would not come from another miracle ingredient.

It would come from a system that could understand the person behind the skin.

That realization became the Vetra Method.

I created Vetra by bringing together what I learned in the treatment room, what I learned through my own setbacks, and what I learned from the women who helped shape my life.

Women who showed me the power of resilience, sisterhood, self-belief, and becoming.

Now, I am passing those lessons forward, using the experiences that once felt like setbacks as my superpower and helping other women recognize the power within their own stories.

The Vetra Method is an expert-developed methodology, refined through years in the treatment room, designed to create the optimal conditions for beauty inside and out.

It considers real skin living real life, helping you understand what your skin is communicating instead of simply treating another symptom.

Because true beauty is not created by chasing perfection.

It is uncovered when you understand yourself, align with your unique story, and learn to recognize that what you have overcome may be the very thing that allows you to influence someone else.

This is neurocosmetics.

This is the future of skincare.

This is the Vetra Method.

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@petiteusa pageant sisterhood is unmatched 💖

#petiteusa

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What a perfect pairing! Sparkle cake pops for the @petiteusa pageant! 💖
✨After the Sparkle Party, the Alumni party had pink sparkle chocolate cake pops ✨

@sparklingsandingsugar was the perfect choice for these sparkle pops 💖 Along with edible images from @fancypopsbakery , chocolate from @stoverandcompany , & disc poppers from @daisymakes_innovations !
And a shoutout to @magicdreamsproductions for taking my 📸

Sweettoothcakepops | PetiteUSA | pageantcakepops | MilwaukeeCakePops

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Stepping into the role of your Miss Petite USA 2026…and I still can’t believe I get to say that! ✨🤩

What an absolute dream come true. I am beyond grateful and honored to carry on the legacy of so many brilliant, kind-hearted, and passionate women who have worn this title before me. Petite USA holds such a special place in my heart, and I am committed to continuing our message of sisterhood, confidence, and empowering others to embrace who they are 💖

Emma, Abby, Natalie, and Lolita, I am so excited to get to know each of you and cheer you on throughout your reigns. I cannot wait to see the incredible things you all accomplish and the impact you will make 💕

To Jenna, Catherine, and Ashley - thank you for creating such a welcoming, unforgettable experience year after year. Your dedication and love for this organization shines through every detail, and I am so grateful for everything you do to bring this community together.

And to my Miss sisters: thank you for being the community I’ve been searching for. The memories, conversations, laughter, and moments we shared this week reminded me exactly why Petite USA is so special. Whether our paths cross again soon or years from now, I will always cherish the friendships and connections made through this incredible sisterhood 🤍

My heart is so full, and I know this is just the start of an incredible year. I have so many more people to thank who have helped me reach this moment, and I cannot wait to bring you along as I step into this role and begin the road to Universal Petite 👑✨

Your Miss Petite USA 2026 (again, cannot believe I get to say that),
Lilija Shuger🩷

📸: @magicdreamsproductions
H&M: @yadira.amador.hmua
Touch Ups: @justrightcosmetics

#misspetiteusa2026 #petiteusa #universalpetite

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✨ A new chapter begins! ✨

Please join us in congratulating our newly crowned Petite USA @petiteusa Queens! 👑💖 We are beyond excited to welcome each of you to the Just Right Cosmetics family and cannot wait to support you throughout your incredible journey.

Here’s to confidence, beauty, leadership, and making a lasting impact. We look forward to seeing you shine on the Universal stage. Welcome to the family!! we’re so excited to be working with you! 💕✨

#JustRightCosmetics #PetiteUSAQueens #PageantLife #BeautyWithPurpose #CrownedForSuccess

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Honored to be the 5th women to choosen @jrcbeautyambassador for @justrightcosmetics
Happy to join the legacy 💖

Photos include:
@catebambi JRC Beauty Ambassador 2022
@ameliameyersofficial JRC Beauty Ambassador 2024
@stephx_alonso JRC Beauty Ambassador 2025
Beautiful ladies inside and out 💋

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#jrcbeauty #beauty #ambassador #queen #legacy

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