Skincare Line

So, these past few weeks, I've been sampling the basic skin care line ~ the cleansers and moisturizers for dry skin and for oily skin. What I noticed is that in pairing the cleanser for oily skin (That's Deep Purifying Gel Cleanser) with the moisturizer for oily skin (Matte Chance); and in pairing the cleanser for dry skin (Calming Effect Comforting Milk Cleanser) and the moisturizer for dry skin (See Things Clearly), my face broke out a little bit. It was not happy. By chance, when I came to the end of my first set of samples, I had a squirt of the dry skin cleanser and the oily skin moisturizer. I used the two together, and my skin was never happier!!! So, with the rest of my samples, I mixed it up ~ this time using the oily skin cleanser with the dry skin moisturizer, and wow, it works great!!!

My original thought was that it may be because I have normal to combination skin...however, in looking at the mark. website, they recommend pairing the products as I did in the end! SO, my recommendation to you: first, I'd say, it depends on how dry or oily your skin is. If it's extremely dry, or extremely oily, perhaps try the cleansers and moisturizers aimed to help dry or oily skin. Otherwise, do the combo and decide how you would like your cleanser and moisturizer to work for you. The Calming Effect cleanser is a gentle, moisturizing cleanser (but yes, you still have to moisturize afterwards!) ~ great for delicate, sensitive skin; while the That's Deep cleanser goes down deep to clean out oil and dirt. Seeing Things Clearly moisturizer is great for dull skin ~ lotus flower and citrus brighten and highlight!; while Matte Chance sucks up with oil and keeps your skin shine free (seriously works ~ lasted me about 10 hrs.).

Note: The moisturizers don't smell so good pre- application. However, once you spread it on your skin, it's smells great!!! Odd, I know...but I discovered I wasn't the only one who went through this.


Mist Opportunity Mist Refresher ~ very refreshing! ;-) haha...I haven't had a REAL chance to test this one out. I've used it in the mornings when I get up, but the real test will be in going out somewhere where my makeup will fade and need a reboost. The downfall is with all the fun antioxidants (kiwi, grapefruit, lemongrass), you would think it would smell yummy. Eh. The smell is "eh." Doesn't stink, necessarily, but it's not as aromatic as you would hope it would be. The upside, though, is that it's antioxidant! Down with those free radicals that can cause wrinkles and pre-mature aging!!!



Next thing I wanna try is For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion w/ SPF 30! Dude, why doesn't mark. have samples of THAT?!?

Everyday mark. Makeup and Brushes

C-Thru-U Foundation ~ a sheer tint, VERY lightweight foundation. They weren't kidding with the name, C-Thru-U! I discovered this on a day that my face wasn't the happiest, too. Doing my usual routine of adding concealer after foundation didn't work too well (the concealer didn't blend as easily). However, the next day, I did concealer first, then foundation, and it blended perfectly! And my skin was radiant!





Invisible Touch Perfecting Concealer ~ Love it! I really do. As mentioned above, works best when put on UNDER foundation. :-)







Matte-nificent Oil-Absorbing Powder ~ Works well, as far as I can tell. Note (updated 5/20/08): I found the secret compartment!!! A powder applicator is located underneath the powder. It doesn't work to prow it open with your fingers; just flip the powder (with your wrist) towards the mirror and wallah!




Make It Big Lash Plumping Mascara in Espresso ~ Really does plump up my eyelashes! One downfall (in my book) is that it only comes in Espresso (=brown). I prefer black.










Go With The Pro mark Brush Mini Kit ~ Surprised me! The brushes are so soft! Just be sure to wash the brushes with soap and water, so they don't get all gunked up. ;-)

compliments ;-)

an FYI ~ tons of compliments on my mark. makeup today (using everything listed below)!

make YOUR mark. ;-)
www.mymarkstore.com/cmcdonald

mark. hook ups ~ lips and eyes

(click on item names for more info and/or to order :-))


glo baby glo lip gloss (pink crush) ~ I LOVE it! Perfect amount of gloss and can be layered to achieve your perfect amount of sexy glossiness, and the best part...it goes on smooth, I feel like my lips are being moisturized, and it's *not* sticky!!! No more fighting my hair off my lips when the wind blows in the wrong direction (so not attractive!).





metallucious lip creme (majesty) ~ Not bad at all! I'm not one who normally goes for darker shades, but the shimmer gloss on this makes it that much more appealing. And like the glo baby glo, this creme goes on smooth, I feel like my lips are being moisturized, and it's *not* sticky! I can't get over my love of that! (*note: the pictured color is "luxury")






i-sheer creamy eye shadow (glacee) ~ FUN!!! The first application was a little difficult. The creme shadow just kept coming off of the applicator. I finally had to just use my fingers to blend. The overall look, though, was fantastic! The next day, I tried it again and was able to use just the applicator to apply and blend. One to 1.5 coats was perfect for daytime wear. In the evening, I added another coat ~ along with the metallucious lip creme, I had a very poppy, dynamic, and fun evening look! (*note: the pictured color is "sorbet")



on the edge liquid eyeliner (cleo) ~ I had my doubts...normally, I don't like an eyeliner brush because the brush will separate and be worthless. On the edge, however, was a happy surprise! Not only did the brush hold together, it gave a nice, thin, even line along my lashes! And of course, if you want a thicker line, you can build on that.