mattifying moisturizers

I've used both of these mattifying moisturizers, and I decided to compare them on a handful of criteria.  Even though I'm a bargain hunter and the Clean & Clear is cheaper, I'd still pick mark.

Daring to compare facial cleansers

I'm always trying new facial cleansers to see if any of them will work to help my oil/acne situation, relatively recently mark.'s That's Deep Purifying Gel Cleanser.  It doesn't have salicylic acid of benzoyl peroxide in it--just willow bark extract, which, as I have found, is awesome!  I got a sample of what turned out to be a very similar cleanser:  bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser.  I liked it a lot (smelled good, left my face feeling squeaky clean without over drying, and made my face look better), and its main ingredient is also willow bark extract.  Then it occurred to me that it was essentially the same as the mark. cleanser I'd been using, but the bareMinerals one is more than DOUBLE the price (and for a smaller bottle!  The difference is only 0.7 fl. oz., but still).

So, what do you think?  Ready to try mark. yet?  ;)

If you want to try That's Deep or other products, let me know, and I will hook you up with samples and/or testers!

Looks of the week

I picked my favorite looks from this past week, and I'm going to tell you how to get the look!  I'm thinking about doing this regularly--thoughts?

Look 1

Eye makeup closeup

• Makeup:
• mark. Powder Buff foundation (Ivory)
• mark. Good Glowing blush (Kitten Glo)
• Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original eye primer)
• mark. On The Dot Neutral eyeshadow palette (Shades 3 & 7)
• mark. No Place To Run long wear eyeliner (Foxy Brown)
• mark. Make It Big lash-plumping mascara (Raven)
• Benefit Glitz, Glam, & Gloss lip gloss (I'm With The Band)
• Hair:
• I wrapped some strands around a 3/4" barrel curling iron to get the unstructured waves.
• I used bobby pins to pin some hair behind my ears.
• Accessories:
• mark. Itty Bitty Pretty Earrings (1 pair out of a set of 3)

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Look 2

• Makeup:
• mark. Powder Buff foundation (Ivory)
• mark. Good Glowing blush (Kitten Glo)
• Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original eye primer)
• mark. i-mark Custom Pick eyeshadow (Java and Lotus)
• mark. No Place To Run long wear eyeliner (Foxy Brown and Ultra Violet)
• mark. Lash All You Want high-volume mascara (Brown/Black)
• mark. Glow Baby Glow lip gloss (Girly Girl)
• Hair:
• I have naturally straight hair, but I left my hair in a bun for a few hours, and I had some slight wave when when I let it down.
• Accessories:
• mark. Lovin' and Leafin' Earrings (available 2/24/12)
• mark. Don't Leaf Me This Way Necklace (available 2/24/12)
• Headband:  my mom gave it to me after she'd opened it, but I'm guessing Goody or another drug store brand

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Look 3
(not sure why my hair looks orange. . .)

• Makeup:
• mark. Powder Buff foundation (Ivory)
• mark. Good Glowing blush (Kitten Glo)
• NARS Illuminator (Copacabana)
• Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer
• mark. i-mark Custom Pick eyeshadow (Java, Pink Dusk, and Biscotti)
• mark. No Place To Run long wear eyeliner (Foxy Brown)
• mark. Lash All You Want high-volume mascara (Brown/Black)
• Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish (Dolly)
• Hair:
• I was wearing it down and straight (my basic, default hair style), but I twisted the whole front chunk of hair on my right side and let it go in order to get some shape.
• Accessories:
• mark. Winging It Earrings (Hematite/Fuschia)
• mark. Boho Blend Scarf

Here's a closer view of my eyes for Look 3.  Pink and purple shades bring out green eyes!

I hope you've enjoyed this!  If you're suddenly itching to shop mark. (and who wouldn't be?), register here to start shopping online.  :)

Sephora haul

I got all this for $35!

Keep scrolling for deal secrets.  :)

To see all the stuff in a bit more detail:

I basically got all of the free stuff because I'm a Beauty Insider.  It's free to join, and you'll get email updates about deals being offered.  Here are the perks:

• They constantly have "order $25 of stuff, get free ____."
• For every dollar you spend, you get a point in your Beauty Bank, and you can redeem them for deluxe samples or some kind of set (they usually have a few choices that change every so often (probably every week).  Plus, the points don't expire, so there's no rush to accumulate your points.
• If you spend $300 within one calendar year, your status gets bumped up to VIB:  Very Important Beauty Insider.  VIB gets you access to more codes for even better free stuff.
• You get a free birthday gift every year!

Of course, I score deals everywhere, and I'll talk about that in a future post!

More nail polish? Yes, please!

Since I'm both a mark. rep and in love with nail polish, I have to try all of mark.'s nail polish, naturally!  This set of 2 was actually this year's holiday set, but I only bought it when it came to Last Chance.  I used the red one (Sure Fire) on all my nails, then I used the pewter one (Meltdown) at the base of my thumbnails.  Both colors are rich, shimmery, and really pretty!

In order to do the half-moon accent, I used a curved french manicure guide (came with my Sally Hansen french manicure kit) by placing it towards the base of the nail.  Then, I just painted 2 coats of Meltdown, waited a long time, and peeled it off.  Then, I used more top coat because the new layer of polish was raised, and the top coat helped to blend in the relief difference.









Next is my Julep Maven order (I'm a new Maven!).  I got the American Beauty Oscar colors (red=Glenn, and gold glitter=Oscar).  I just painted my nails, so I had to move to my toenails!

I used the same method for the gold accent as with my finger nails:  I just placed a guide and filled in the space I wanted gold.

*Tip for using guides or tape on already painted nails:  it takes a LONG time for it to be dry/hard enough so that you won't ruin it by putting something sticky on it.  I usually wait until at least a day later because if not I always mess it up.

The kit also came with a rollerball cuticle oil, which I'm really excited about because 1) winter is making my cuticles a mess and 2) it's a rollerball, so no messy oil!

Finally, Julep sent a piece of chocolate in the shape of an Oscar trophy.  At first I thought the chocolate was kind of strange (coming from a nail products company), but it was a nice touch to the Oscars theme.  Plus, I never turn down chocolate!!

fun with liquid eyeliner

My alternate (probably more accurate) title is:  A Series of Failed Attempts with Liquid Eyeliner.  Liquid liner is a pain, but it just looks so cool!  I finally decided to learn how to do it, and, naturally, I documented every step!  I used mark.'s On The Edge hookup liquid eyeliner in Cleo (black).

1st attempt

So, as you may have guessed, this was my first attempt.  I think my right eye is particularly entertaining!












The next time I tried, it was definitely better!

2nd attempt

A more recent attempt (below).  I might actually wear that where people can see me!

Finally, for this last one, I used mark.'s What A Line felt tip liquid eyeliner, and it's SO MUCH EASIER to use than regular liquid liner!  I got results that were better in less time with fewer mistakes.  This is definitely my liquid liner of choice!  (Buy either mark. liquid liner here.)

Beauty snobbery

We probably all know at least one beauty snob (this term is not necessarily derogatory!)--someone who will only use expensive makeup (like MAC, Benefit, Urban Decay, Bobbi Brown, etc.) and considers more affordable brands to be inferior based on price alone.

But mark. has the high quality of the high-end brands at a more affordable price.  Often, mark. is more expensive than drugstore brands, but not by a lot.  Plus, something that mark. has that neither the high-end or drugstore brands have is a rep who can tell you about the products and let you try them before you buy.

So, I challenge you:  dare to compare!

If you want to give mark. a try, get in touch with me (facebook or email), or start shopping online!  :)