mark. Beauty Review

Alrighty, as you may or may not know-probably the latter-I am a mark. Beauty rep(woo hoo). And, since I am not one to promote things I know nothing about, I bought a few of their products a few months ago to test them out. Here are my reviews!


First up: That's Deep Purifying Gel Cleanser

This cleanser features sugar maple to help exfoliate and black willow bark to provide a deep cleanse. It's basically your typical cleanser, but it leaves a nice tingly feeling after you rinse(deep cleansing perhaps?) and it smells nice. However, it was a bit drying, and if you are breakout prone, this product will not do much for you.

Conclusion: If you have normal/combination skin, go for it.

  

Help Wanted Anti-Acne Exfoliating Cleanser

This product essentially speaks for itself; it's an anti-acne cleanser. Sort of. This cleanser boasts apple and cinnamon as it's powerhouse anti-bacterial, moisturizing duo, combined with 0.2% Salicylic Acid. It also had some exfoliating beads for extra cleansing power(Warning: they are not very gentle). Again, this is a pretty typical cleanser. Though it does help fight blemishes, it does so very poorly. Also the smell is a strange combination of apple, cinnamon, and cucumber which I can only describe as odd(it does grow on you). And don't let the tittle fool you. This is as much of an exfoliater, as I am a three-legged dog.


Conclusion: If you are looking for a scrub, keep looking. If you need an acne-fighting cleanser, move along. If you hate odd smells, look elsewhere. If you want a slightly-exfoliating cleanser, and you don't have sensitive skin, go for it.

For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30


 First off, I would like to say that this product smells delicious! Seriously, you're going to want to eat your face off(please don't). This is a wonderful moisturizer, featuring blueberries and dark chocolate as natural antioxidants. I really don't have anything bad to say about it, other than it can be greasy. But, really any moisturizer with SPF is going to be greasy so that's to be expected. Just don't use a harsh cleanser or exfoliater with this, because the sunscreen will sting.

Conclusion: Unless you have severely oily skin, this is for everyone.



Break Out Plan Anti-Acne Gel Lotion

This product is a companion to the Help Wanted Anti-Acne Exfoliating Cleanser. It features the same funny smell and does not really fight acne. But while the cleanser actually does cleanse, this product does not moisturize. I was using it as part of my night routine and I felt like I had to keep piling it on in order to feel any sort of moisture(I eventually started layering products, then completely giving up on this one). However, this is partly my fault for not using a toner. When I started using a toner again, I did notice a big difference in how my skin absorbed the moisture. But the main reason for my disappointment with this product is that there are hundreds of tiny shards of what I can only assume is plastic(?!). I don't care how great a moisturizer is, that is a deal-breaker.

Conclusion: Don't bother.

Save The Day Anti-Acne Concealer Stick

This is a very nice product. It has a creamy texture with a powder finish, gives good coverage without feeling heavy and has 0.2% Salicylic Acid. Though it won't get rid of blemishes by itself, paired with another acne fighting product it helps keep them under control, and cover them up.

Conclusion: I definitely recommend it.



  Light Bright Lighten and Depuff Eye Gel

 I love this product! It really works well for me, and does what it's supposed to. The results aren't dramatic, but I have noticed a difference in the way the skin under my eyes looks. I use it every morning and night, and it has gradually lightened up my dark circles. On mornings when I wake up really tired, I put this on and immediately notice a difference in the way my eyes feel, and they are definitely less puffy. My only complaints are that it is way too small, and kind of a pain to get out of the tube. Though it can't replace a full nights sleep, for 8 bucks, it's a damn good product.

Conclusion: Highly recommend it.



And that was my review. I hope someone found this helpful, or at least slightly entertaining. Obviously I'm not a beauty expert nor am I a dermatologist, but I've spent years searching for the perfect product only to waste tons of time and money on crap that didn't work. If I can help someone else avoid that, I'll be a happy camper.

If you want to read other user reviews, the product description or full ingredient list, I've provided links to all of the featured products. If you want to browse through the entire mark. collection and website, the link to my store is on the upper right corner of this blog.

Happy Cyber Monday!

Music Monday/You are my sweetest downfall

I love Regina Spektor. She may not be the best singer, but she does crazy things with her voice, has interesting lyrics, and always has awesome music videos.

Regina Spektor - Samson

P.S. I'm still working on that new content I spoke of last Monday. Be patient with me. I'm lazy and one heck of a procrastinator.

Music Monday/But I'll try not to bring it back home with me

So my blog is really starting to look like a music blog more than anything else. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't my original intent for my blog, so I'll try and fix that and give you all some more content. Anyways, for this week I turned on my iPod, stuck it on shuffle and this is what I got.


The Black Ghosts- Full Moon

For the record, I hate Twilight, and if you try to talk to me about it I will napalm your house. You've been warned.

Music Monday Halloween edition

Happy Halloween everyone! And a belated Happy Birthday to myself(it was yesterday). Halloween has definitely always been my favorite holiday. This year I celebrated at a party on Saturday, dressed as a panda. I didn't get any pictures, but trust me, I was adorable.

So for this week's installment of Music Monday, I of course had to pick a Halloween song. I chose a song from Nightmare before Christmas(how could I not?), but this one has a twist. There is a CD called Nightmare Revisited which features famous rock groups performing the NBC soundtrack with their own personal touch, and the results are pretty flippin' awesome.

Nightmare Revisited- Sally's Song by Amy Lee

Music Monday/When I believe in you, I believe in me

For the past few days I've been rehearsing a dance for my friend's choreography class assignment. It's a really cool piece with a slightly creepy, avant-garde feel. It's short, but I really like it. And since the song has been stuck in my head all weekend, I thought I would share it with you all.

Inner- My Philosophy

I also found a different version of the song here if you want to check that out too.

Music Monday/On the floor with the great divide

This song was brought to my attention by my wonderful boyfriend. I absolutely love it, and I have found a new favorite singer/songwriter.


Sufjan Stevens- Casimir Pulaski Day

[Insert sarcastic alcohol fueled tittle here]

So I look extremely out of it in all of these pictures, but there is a good reason for that. I was a bit hungover today. My boyfriend was in town Friday so we went with friends to Avila Valley Barn(pics to come soon). After that we went to my college dance department's semester show(I get so sad when I'm not in them), and spent the rest of the night drunk bowling and causing a riot in Denny's 'til 3am. Good times.

My sister was in town for the weekend so we made a trip to SLO to do some shopping, and eat yummy food that cannot be found in crap town Santa Maria. Other than the fact that I'm running on 2 hours of sleep, it was a pretty good day.

                             Blouse: French Connection Cords: TJ Maxx Boots: Steve Madden 
                                  Purse: Crossroads Trading Panda Necklace: Betsey Johnson


 P.S. My sister has a weird thing with taking sitting down pictures.

Music Monday/It doesn't get better than home now does it?

Like most female 20-something's with an affinity for vintage fashion, I too have a major girl crush on Zooey Deschanel. I actually have a strange, unnatural obsession with both of the Deschanel sisters, but I'm not gonna get into that right now. Anyways, this song is by Zooey's band She & Him, a very quirky, retro-pop* sounding duo. It's a very cute song.


She & Him- Home

 * Why yes, I did just make up retro-pop specifically for the sake of this post. But I believe it aptly describes their sound, so suck it.

A is for Apple

I want to go apple picking so badly! I want to run through the rows of trees in the crisp Autumn air, and listen to the orange leaves crunch under my feet. And I want to drink apple cider and eat freshly picked apples next to an open fire while watching a beautiful fall sunset. That sounds like the perfect afternoon. I believe a trip to Avila Valley Barn is in my near future.

Music Monday/Can you get hip to what I'm saying?

I don't care what anybody says, Ska music f@cking rocks! The world needs more of it. Enjoy this little ditty from one of my most favorite bands, The Aquabats.

The Aquabats- Fashion Zombies

Music Monday/Cause in the daylight anywhere feels like home

The sun is shinin', the birds are singin', the sky is blue. It's a beautiful day on the Central Coast! I must savor these last few sunny days before colder weather rolls around. Perhaps I'll go for a bike ride, or take Charlie to the dog park. Or maybe I'll just drive around town rocking out to awesome music, whilst I smile like an idiot because this song makes oh-so darn happy!

Matt and Kim- Daylight

P.S. Why is it that every time I don't have a job or money, ModCloth decides they're going to have crazy awesome ridiculous sales? *Le sigh*

Major Score!

We have two Goodwills in my hometown. The big main store is downtown, but there is also a smaller one only a couple of blocks from my house. While the latter isn't the best source for vintage clothes(it's mostly newer clothes in really good shape), they have a great selection of vintage knick-knacks, and one the best collections of vintage books I've ever seen. Today after a visit to this tiny little thrift store, I walked away with some amazing vintage fashion textbooks. In fact, so amazing that I felt the need to share them with you, dear readers.

 1. A consumer psychology book focused on family apparel; A history of costume book; A vintage lunchbox I found a couple of weeks ago
2. The arts and Man. A world view of the roles and functions of the arts in society
3. The Fashion Book. An A-Z guide of influential fashion industry members spanning 150 years. Not vintage, but still amazing.
4. The 1st and 2nd editions of a fashion psychology textbook. 
5. An awesome vintage plaid tunic(It's not a dress. The sides are completely open!)

I love finding cool treasures at thrift stores. It's so fun to discover old and unique things. I'm very excited about reading my new books. Even if the information is outdated, I'm sure they will still be really interesting and I know I'll learn some new things(always a plus).

What awesome vintage finds have you come across recently?

Bold and Sweet

Bold and Sweet by linzypanda featuring a circular skirt

Music Monday/You show the lights that stop me, turn to stone

I was out of town all day so this is more like a Music Tuesday. Sorry. Anyways, I love this song(as do most people) and the music video is also pretty f-ing amazing.

Ellie Goulding- Lights(Bassnectar Remix)

This song is also featured in the Tempest Free Running Academy's promo video. This video is ridiculous, and I want to learn how to do this!

Academy of Art University: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

I just wanted to share with everyone the Academy of Art University's Spring 2012 Graduate Collection. They are the only fashion school in the country to debut their graduate's collections at New York Fashion Week, and I couldn't be more proud to be attending such an awesome school! Every time I watch their shows I get more and more excited to start my classes this spring. My favorite was Dipti Irla's Indian inspired collection. She used vintage sarees and dyed them in a soft gray palette with metallic touches, and the result is very stunning! Meredith Acton's use of soft, silky fabrics combined with stream-lined silhouettes is also very inspiring, but the whole collection is great! If you have an extra 20 or so minutes of free time, definitely check out this video!

Academy of Art University: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center -September 9, 2011 at 5PM (Pacific Time)

P.S. Which collection is your favorite?

Music Monday/A friend in need is a friend indeed

I'm not feeling remotely creative today. So, for these week's song I grabbed my iPod, put it on shuffle and picked the first song that came up. Enjoy!

Placebo- Pure Morning

P.S. This is the first time I've seen the music video for this song. Not sure what's going on here.

Remember, remember...

Ten years ago I was 11 years old. I had just started Jr. high, and I was embarking on a new chapter in my life. I was excited for the future. That Tuesday morning in September looked like any other. I woke up early for school, but right away I could tell something was off. I could hear my parents talking anxiously in the other room, and the T.V. was on. They were watching the news. I went into the room where they were and stared at the screen, groggy, tired and confused. They kept saying the same thing, "It's the towers. They crashed into the Twin Towers." I didn't know much about the World Trade Center at the time, except that it was the tallest structure in the world. I was so young. I thought that wars were only fought by soldiers, I just couldn't grasp the idea of hurting innocent people for no reason.

At school during the morning announcements our principle was solemn as he talked about the tragedy and we held a moment of silence. It was all anyone could talk about for the rest of the day. My friends and I exchanged theories on why we thought it had happened. The air around us was full of confusion and fear.

Ten years have passed and I still can't read or watch anything about that day without crying. As I was doing my history homework today, I flipped to the back few pages and read an unemotional account about the attacks. Even though it's written in my textbook, it doesn't feel like history to me. People are still recovering, still missing their loved ones, our nation still anxious. I've heard many people say that they remember everything about that day. What they were doing, where they were,what was said to them. It's all a blur to me, and I remember only a few things. What I do remember is how everything felt. It was strange and different, and even at my young age I knew life for many Americans was going to change drastically. Some people were confused, many people sad and hurt, most people afraid, and every single person angry.

I found an old t-shirt from my childhood a few weeks ago. It has a picture of the New York City skyline at night, with the World Trade Center right in the middle. Many things crossed my mind when I found it. I thought about that day, and remembered that the 10 year anniversary was quickly approaching. It's hard to believe it's been so long, when it feels like it just happened. Our nation was affected in so many different ways that day, and a little girl from California learned a very harsh lesson about the realities of our world. My thoughts go out to every person who lost a loved one. To the people who risked their lives to save others, and those who continue to. To the people whose lives were stolen from them. This day is for you. We will never forget.

Music Monday/I woke up one morning, all my fingers rotten

Silly me, I almost forgot it was Monday! Oh well, better late then never right? This week's song was chosen for no particular reason other than I really like it. I have a bit of a soft spot for folksy type music(NOT country). I wonder if it has to to with the fact that my dad was a hippie. Hmm.....

Fleet Foxes- Battery Kinzie

Fashion is not for the serious

I love fashion, but sometimes it takes itself way to seriously. Dressing up is supposed to be fun, and express who you are. So why is it, that every fashion campaign is filled with tight lipped, brooding models, who look like they're about to kick your ass? I don't get it! I'm going to be going to school for fashion design, and I planned long ago that at my debut runway show, the models were going to dance down the runway. That's right dance! And I don't mean awkward 7th graders in a gym kind of dance. Real, awesomely spectacular dance! The fashion industry won't know what hit 'em.

The reason for this ridiculous rant? I came across the Lanvin Fall-Winter 2011 ad campaign, and I laughed my ass off. I love that they broke away from tradition, and it's just so goofy. The clothes are also pretty fantastic.

While I was writing this, I was reminded of another great video showcasing Moncler Grenoble's Fall/Winter collection as well as their refusal to conform. It's probably the greatest fashion show ever, even if it is a tad long.

I crave the unconventional :D

Music Monday

I've decided to do a new feature on my humble little blog! I've been thinking about this for a couple of weeks, but I've been too busy to start it yet. I debated for days what sort of feature I wanted to do, how frequently I would do it, what the criteria would be the for the feature, etc. After going through a few options that were decidedly not me, I stuck upon Music Monday. It's pretty self explanatory. Basically, every Monday I feature a new song that I like based on a number of different factors including(but not limited to) how I'm feeling, my plans for the day, a song that inspires me, and so on and so forth.

Today was a little stressful for me. After getting very little sleep, I spent a long day cleaning, studying, doing homework, sort of packing, job/apartment hunting, wrangling my dog, and trying to remember to blog. Needless to say, I'm exhausted. Today's song is inspired not only by my intense need to sleep, but also because the lyrics remind me to try and be happy even in stressful times. You never know when your time might be up. 

Streetlight Manifesto- The Big Sleep

ModCloth Dorm Design Contest

ModCloth Dorm Design Contest by linzypanda featuring leaf jewelry

I just wanted to quickly share my contest entry for Modcloth.com's Dream Dorm Design contest. I love doing these Polyvore entries; they're so much fun to do!