Monday Morning Review: Natural Skin Care

Happy Monday Morning Fellow Beauty Addicts ;-)

This morning I want to blog about two new skin care products I have begun using for about the last week to two weeks.

First off is a facial cleanser from Neutrogena:

This is a cleanser and make-up remover in one. Okay, so....Neutrogena and I haven't really always gotten along. I tried their products in middle school and all it did was make my face red and dry. I do like some of their cosmetics, but their skin care was never my gig.

BUT I had noticed this new Neutrogena Naturals line at Target and I kept looking at the cleanser and thinking, I really want to try this....and so last weekend I caved in and bought it. I did not have high hopes, and I had asked at the register if I could return it...just in case. However.....um....I love this! Seriously! It does have a fragrance, but it's light, and the color/consistency reminds me of mark.'s Calming Effect Cleanser (which is what I was using). I removed all my face make-up and did an okay job on my eyes. If I was just wearing mascara it was awesome, but on Saturday we had (ANOTHER) wedding to go to so my eye make-up was a little more intense.

Bottom Line: Love it! I also feel like it has made my skin/complexion brighter too, score!

Continuing with our natural theme:

I have already tried some of the Yes to Cucumber and Yes to Blueberries products, and when I was in desperate need of a zit cream I went to Target and found this. It's super fun! It's a little rolly ball deal that has salicylic acid in it to help zap zits. I use it after I wash my face and before I put on moisturizer. And during the peak of my panic I used it twice a day to really get that little effer out ;-)

This is a great product, it really does work, and doesn't seem to be overly drying. I noticed a slight smell, but it's not bad or anything.

Bottom Line: No one notice my zit and I will definitely buy this again!

So what are your thoughts on natural skin care??? Do you have a favorite cleanser or zit zapper???

Please share in the comments section :-)

Wednesday Wish List

My wishlist is so cram-packed full of stuff and a lot of it changes daily, hehe!

So today here are some of my "cravings"

For fall I would love to have something blue. Preferably in the form of a delicious little handbag like this one.

Or this one!


Something else that is on my wishlist and has been for a few years now, but I haven't purchased is the deliciousness that is Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist!! OMG I am so totally in love with this perfume!!! But haven't found a reason to splurge on it....yet ;-)

And the last thing on my wishlist (well at least in the top 3 - not the actual last thing!) is this Mally Beauty palette.

Isn't it pretty????

Sigh......

What items are on your wishlist???

The Monday Morning Review: Bright Colors and Mousse......

Happy Monday Morning!!!

So over the last week or so I have tried out a couple of new products that I thought I would share with you guys because I really, really like them!

The first is a new product from mark. It's this Fall's Super Flip Kit, comes with 9 eye shadows that are on trend for Fall and on the flip side is a face highlighter. mark. comes out with one of these every fall, and usually we have a Spring It Kit too. This Fall's Super Flip is a little different because it doesn't have any lip colors in it. Usually on the flip side of the eye colors are some lip colors. I personally really like the face highlighter better than the lips so I was super excited about this.

The cover of this one is pink, which of course I really like. Now I know some of you are looking at those colors and thinking, um yeah right not on me....I just want you to know that the colors are sheer, so you can make them as bright or subtle as you want. I am dying to use the yellow and the blue together but haven't figured out a look for that yet. The other colors are great neutrals and can be used to create any number of looks from basic to super-hot and smoky. Also loving the highlighter on the back, I used it this weekend at a wedding and I thought it gave me a pretty glow of color.

This product is not yet available to the general public, sooo...check out the end for a special offer ;-)

Next up is a product that was kind of an impulse buy (big surprise). Anyone who really knows me, knows that as much as I am loyal to many things, the one thing that I can't stay loyal to is mascara. I ALWAYS want to try the newest one out there and can't help myself when I see the displays.

This is Covergirl's new NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara. I got it in Very Black and I love it so much! I didn't really have high expectations for this, although Covergirl is my favorite drugstore brand ever since Nikki Taylor was their spokesperson (OMG gorgeous!). But okay, so why do I love this product??? Well I like the brush, and the color, and it feels so incredibly light on my lashes. I hate mascaras that make my lashes and eyes feel hard, and like I just want to close my eyes for a minute because my lashes hurt, do you know what I mean??? So yeah it volumizes my lashes and it looks great on. Definitely a day mascara or a casual mascara. For night or smoky eyes I still will go with something a little more dramatic.

The last product I have is something I have been wanting to try for awhile now but just forgot. It's the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation.

I have this in the lightest shade and it's awesome! I love the matte finish, I still added a little powder on my nose, chin and forehead because I don't like any shine at all ;-)

You don't need that much and I used a foundation brush to apply it. Coverage is really good and it lasts all day. I also wore this to the wedding this weekend and it held up perfectly.

***SPECIAL OFFER TIME***

If you want to get the new mark. Fall Super Flip, you can order it through me right now for $10. When it launches next month it will be $10 with a $20 purchase, but if you order through me right now, it will be $10 (plus whatever tax). Interested??? Leave a comment here or message me on Facebook to get yours now!!!

Moroccan Oil a.k.a. Liquid Gold (no joke!)

Are you really happy with your hair??? How many styling products do you use??? Do you even bother to style your hair, or are you more of a wash and go kind of gal???

Well, most of the ladies I know are always, and I mean ALWAYS, on the look-out for that one product that is going to make their hair perfect. Sadly a lot of the products out there don't really work that great or don't do what they claim to do. And a lot of that depends on the type of hair you have, how thick it is; which is all based on genetics. 

I have spent a stupid amount of money on hair products over the years, and some I really like and some...well....not so much. 

HOWEVER..................

After recently chopping 10 inches of my hair off and sportin a new sassy short do, I have discovered gold! Yes, that's right gold. It's called Moroccan Oil and it's for all hair types and you should finish reading this blog and then IMMEDIATELY go order some. I mean it, not kidding. 

I ordered mine on Amazon.com and it was $35 for a 3.4oz. bottle. You only need a tiny amount so it will last you awhile. I know there are hair places that sell it, but up here in the boonies I figured I was better off ordering online. 

So here's what you do.....

wash your hair like normal, comb out, and then put a little drop of this in your hair with your hands and then comb through your hair. Then style as normal. And, bam! Hot, sexy, sleek and shiny hair. I use a 1/2 dime size amount in my hair and then bow dry and flat iron like normal and then I'm done. I don't add any addtional frizz or sleek/shine serum to my hair. 

OMG seriously go buy this now, I can't believe your still here ;-) 

I LOVE Nail Polish

I have always been addicted to nail polish. It's cheap, it's fun and it totally changes your look! I love all shades from dark to light, EXCEPT there is a very select color group that is like the mauve-y/beige-y mom colors, that I really don't think look good on anyone...Do you know what I'm talking about???

Well anyway......

Here are a couple of the colors I specifically can't get enough of right now...

This is like a brown metallic color, and it's a great basic nude with a funky twist ;-) The name of this color is called Time to Shine. Right now I only have it on my toes due to a thumb injury...but I love this color very funky!

This color is Mellow Yellow. And I have used it on my toes and hands and you would think it would come out weird on such a pale skinned lady BUT it comes out awesome!!! Love this for summer. I had been using this color on all my fingers except the ring fingers where I would use a silver color and that looked pretty cool.


All the colors here are available at any drug store (I get mine at Target) and they are just over $2 a bottle. Huge variety in color; and one word of advice...have patience when removing the colors with glitter ;)

Fab Five Fave Drug Store Products

As much as I LOVE me some mark. products, I need to admit that I am a product junkie. I am. P.R.O.D.U.C.T. J.U.N.K.I.E.

And as much as I would love to be able to shop all the expensive brands at Sephora, the bottom line is I can't and quite frankly I don't need to. mark. offers a great line of affordable products that are in some cases way better than the stuff at Sephora. But I digress...

This blog post is all about my fave products that I can't stop buying whenever I go to Target/WalGreens/Walmart, etc. I just love them! Ugh, I am addicted what can I say. I just get this rush from walking into the beauty department at Target and picking up my favorite things. Some of them are cliche' products and some aren't but I don't care ;-)

The following five things always get me:

I heart Nivea products. I used to save my lunch money in high school to buy make-up instead of eating lunch and this was one of the products I would always buy because my mom said it was too expensive and I could use the Vaseline lotion like everyone else in my family. This lotion leaves my skin feeling so silky smooth and I love the smell. One whiff and I am back in high school all over again....but in a good way....

On to the next product:

Okay truth be told, this was a product that I had to learn to love. I love drama when it comes to my lashes and I had tried this a few times and really wasn't impressed. I didn't understand what the big deal was. BUT after several attempts I got it. My lashes were dark, and volumized and long in a couple swipes. Are there mascaras out there that are better? Yes, mark. Lash All You Want for example is waaaaayyyy better. However, for a fun drug store purchase at less than $5 this is a great everyday go to mascara. I personally love the waterproof version.

And next up....

This is another product that is a new addiction for me. I HATE Dr Pepper soda. Yuck-ola. BUT I kept reading about how everyone and their mom loves this lip smacker and how it tastes good and gives a hint of color. And wouldn't you know...they were right!!! It does kinda smell like the soda, but it mostly smells like cherry and it does give your lips a light pop of color. It's just over $1 and change and it's super moisturizing. Also, it reminds me of being in elementary school and middle school where I was first learning about make-up. Highly recommend picking this up, it will brighten your day. Promise.

Fab Find #4....

Love these. Love! They smell a little like cucumbers. They are not drying and don't leave residue. They really get rid of all the dirt and make-up on your face and they are 98.7% natural. Seriously what's not to love. I use these when I am too lazy to wash my face at night, or after a workout.

And last but not least...

Dear Aunt Lani, thank you thank you thank you thank you for introducing me to these in the 8th grade!!! I have tried a million and five (yes I counted) different eye make-up remover products, from the ridiculously expensive to the dirt cheap and I ALWAYS go back to these. Always. These little pads get waterproof make-up and regular make-up off my eyes like nobody's business. They do not sting or irritate my eyes like other products do. They are oil free so my eye lids are not all goobery. And I just think these are the best product out there for eye make-up removal. Around $5 or so at Target and so totally worth it!

So now get in your car and get to your nearest drugstore and shop away!!! What are some of your favorite drug store beauty finds???

Lip Gloss, Lip Stick, Lip Lacquer, Oh My!!

So in looking for new ideas for blog posts, it was brought to my attention that mark. offers a wide variety of lip products and that it's not easy to tell the difference between what each one does. So in prepping for this post I looked at all of our products and was surprised to see just how many we have (16 actually!!). So below is a listing of all the mark. lip products that are current, along with a description of each:

This first product is called Kiss Dry Goodbye, you can find it under skin care hook-up treatments. This is a basic lip balm. No flavor, no scent, just moisture. It's part of the hook-up collection which is essentially the core of mark. Over 7500 possibilities from fragrance to skincare to eye products and lip gloss!!

Glow Baby Glow is another of the mark. hook-up lip glosses. It has a minty flavor to it, and is a sheer, shiny gloss. I guess I would say this is your standard lip gloss. It's not goopy or sticky and it comes in 9 different sheer colors. And I'm not gonna lie I think I have them all ;-)

Glow Baby Glow Luxe. Comes in 5 shades, and is a high shine, uber glam gloss. The shades are still pretty sheer, but this is super de duper shiny! I like this for night time or special occasions, or really any day. But this is like regular gloss amped up. GBG Luxe also has a minty flavor to it.

Pro Gloss Plumping Lip Shine. Slightly thicker, and with a sweet flavor (think cookies or cake) this gloss is a little more pigmented than GBG or GBG Luxe, but still mostly sheer (good lord does that even make sense). This gloss is designed to plump up your lips to give them a fuller look. This is a gloss I would suggest for someone with thinner lips or someone who is looking to amp up their lip look for whatever reason. Comes in 5 shades.

Glow Baby Glow m.powerment. These glosses are pretty much the same sheer minty gloss as the regular glow baby glow. BUT they benefit the mark. m.powerment line, and the net proceeds from the purchase of these glosses go to the charity which helps prevent dating violence. One is a sheer peach shade and the other a sheer golden shade. Both flatter all skin tones and are a great buy!

Totally Balmed is a lip balm with SPF 15 that offers a sheer color. It has a slight minty flavor to it and comes in 4 shades. Great for the gal that loves her chapstick but maybe wants a little more color.

Calling all my high drama fans!!! This product, Lots of Lacquer, is high shine, intensely bold color. This look is not for the average gal. This is something to wear when you are going for a high drama bold lip look. Maybe a date night, maybe a special occasion. Comes in 5 shades each with a minty flavor to them.

Pro Glimmer Powder. This is a really fun product that I had never heard of before. It's a shimmery powder that you apply like gloss on your lips BEFORE adding a lip color over it. It helps your gloss or lip stick last longer and can brighten or neutralize your lip color look. Comes in 3 shades, I highly recommend trying this, it's really fun!

Mini mark it stick. This can be used a couple of ways. One, you could use it as a lip pencil if you're into that. The other way to use it is as an actual lip color that you fill in your entire lip area with. It sounds weird, but I have this in apricot and I really like it! It gives more coverage and color than gloss but it's not as full coverage as a lipstick. It comes in 4 shades and its really moisturizing considering it's a pencil. This is also a hook-up product so you can connect it to other hook-ups!

Okay this is one of my fave fave fave mark. products!! It's like a clicker pen for your lips!! It comes in 4 sheer shades, I have bare and I use it almost everyday. It goes on like a gloss, but when the gloss part wears off it leaves a stain in that same color. So you never have to worry about losing color! It does have a minty flavor to it as well. This is also one of Ashley Greene's fave products. (Ashley Greene is our brand ambassador, she also plays Alice Cullen in the Twilight movies). Love this product!!

Another Ashley Greene fave! This is a sheer gloss that you put on and in a few seconds it transforms into the perfect shade of pink gloss for your lips. It works with your body chemistry. The best thing I can compare this to is the Smashbox O-Gloss that does the same thing (but is way more expensive). It only comes in one shade, but since it flatters everyone uniquely you don't have to worry!

Juice Gems!! Each of these contains a fruit extract, so they have a slight flavor/smell that coordinates with the name of the Juice Gem. These are high shine, and slightly thicker glosses. These are super moisturizing and the colors are very sheer (even the dark berry one pictured up there). I have like 5 of them going all over the house, I just love the color and moisture they give my lips!

Lip Clicks are a pretty sweet version of the standard lipstick. First off they are called lip "click" because the cap and the bottom twisty part (very scientific name) have magnets in them so that when you put the cap on it stays on. No more lipstick mess in your bag, and no more missing caps. The colors are full coverage, and relatively sheer, but the color in the tube is the color that will be on your lips. Comes in 12 shades.

Lipclick Sheer SPF 15 is the summer version of lipstick. Just like the lipclicks they have the magnet closure so you won't lose you cap. BUT these have SPF 15 in them so they are great for summer. These colors are also very, very sheer. If you are a regular lipstick kinda gal, this should be your summer go to product! Available in 8 shades.

Kissink Lip Tintmarker. This product is like a marker you can use to draw on your lips. It has a slight berry flavor and it pretty much the color in the tube as it is on your lips. It's like a traditional lip stain in that once it dries on your lips it's there to stay for a little while. It comes in two colors, and I would recommend using a lip balm over it to keep your lips hydrated.

And finally...the Ibiza marbelized lip glosses! These are a limited edition product for this summer. They have a tropical flavor to them, and come in three shades. Each shade has two different colors in the tube and they mix together with each application. They are sheer colors and very moisturizing! I highly recommend the Chica Coral color. It's a great pop of summer color :-) Get them now before they're gone!!

Whew! So there are my reviews of all the mark. lip products we offer. If you still have questions or aren't sure which one is right for you, let me know and I will be happy to chat with you about it! I also have samples available too! Check them out at www.mymarkstore.com/mtrost