I've been AWOL

I've been so busy lately...school and stuff it's a chore but it's one that must get done. I have been trying new products here and there so no i've not forgotten my true life's calling, makeup! I have to catch up on my video output but I've just been so busy and i dunno about you guys but videos are a pain to load. I love doing them don't get me wrong but I just hate waiting for them to load and all and when I've got alot of homework and stuff to do...well, let's just be frank, I'm not the best multi tasker. but hey I check my facebook pretty regularly so you catch me there any time!


Thanks!
-Kat

Mark Good Riddance Concealer Stick... I'm in love.

Hi everyone,
I recently posted a video up of me where I remove my under eye makeup and you can see how bad my circles are. And the concealer just covers them up no problem. I'm so impressed with my purchase. I haven't been impressed with a concealer in I dunno since when... I'm usually so disappointed in concealers so this is a pleasant surprise honestly. I was going to post photos but if you watch my video you can see how great of a color match it is for me so I don't really even know if you'd be able to really see the concealer against my skin. Some people had said it was a small stick and when I first saw it I thought so too but after using it for about a month now I've only had to sharpen it once so I'm really surprised about that because it's such a soft consistency and blends so great that I thought I'd be sharpening it all the time, but thankfully that's not the case. Compared to what i've spent on some other concealers, 6$ is a relief. I'm really happy with this product (in case you couldn't already tell lol).

If anyone has any questions, let me know. Hugs!

So Busy....!

Hey Everyone,
I know I haven't been posting much lately and I have to apologize. I had a surgery to have my tonsils removed a couple of months ago and I've just been so slow paced since ugh...Sorry guys. And I just finished a pretty demanding class over the summer and I'm starting a new university now ahhh! So forgive me things a little hectic but I'll still be posting videos and stuff so stay tuned and thanks for reading and watching. Kisses!

My Summer Essentials from Avon/Mark

Ok so these are just a few products but I think they can make a good impression for the summer. In the first picture is just an overall collection of the products mentioned in my video. And then obviously there are swatches of the blushes and the eye shadow/liners. The last 2 photos are of the bronzer and the highlighter ( not blended) and the last photo is of the highlighter blended out but it took a few applications to get the color to show up, in person after just one application there is a subtle glow, very pretty and not overly glittery. Unfortunately it's being discontinued but if you like it I suggest talk to an Avon/Mark representative and asking them to put in a request that it be brought back (well saved because it's not completely gone quite yet) But like I mentioned you could try the Glowdacious which is great if you are on a budget because you'll get bronzer and highlighter in one product and it comes with a little half moon brush.

It's pretty clear that everyone has their own personal favorites when it comes to blushes but I tried to choose a few shades that I honestly think will be flattering on everyone. These are my personal favorites right now. I'm such a blush addict but these are my Mark favorites.

I also love these waterproof formulas for the eyeshadow/liners. I think the Mark Keep It Going inch out over the avon big color pencils for me though. I say that because they are a little thinner in consistency and extremely creamy. I've such an easy time smoothing them on with my fingers and no problems blending. I'm in love and really wanna get other shades.

As for the foundation well you all know I use the smooth minerals every day but here's something: Avon is soon coming out with a liquid smooth minerals foundation! You can bet I'll be trying that one as soon as I can.

And of course I need a great lip balm with SPF but I didn't think it really worth mentioning in the video but I rely on Moisture Therapy Intensive Treatment Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 which i can usually get for around $1.

Avon Solutions Skincare Line - Total Radiance

These are four products that I've been using and have really enjoyed. I think the two stand out products for me are the eye gel and the thermal cleanser. Like I mentioned in my video I thought of thermal cleansers as sort of gimmicky before trying this product because I had been disappointed in the past. This one really is a deep pore cleanser I think. I know if I haven't exercised in a while my nose tends to be a little rough, not as in dry skin but as in yucky pores ; ( So I always notice that I really exercise I can sweat out all the bad stuff and my nose will be so remarkable smooth. It's like ever better than using a pore strip! The results I get from this cleanser are kind of close because it heats up and scrubs and cleanses. So I like to really let it heat up on my nose I feel like the hotter the better.

As for the eye gel, I'm impressed with the size for starters because I've seen a lot of brands that charge an arm and a leg for eye creams because they know they can get away with it. The beauty industry is always telling us women your eyes show the signs of aging blah blah blah...so women are so afraid that quite often they will pay a good sum of money for an eye product. Now I'm only 21 yrs old so obvious this isn't like industrial strength eye cream/gel but really I like it. I like it's consistence for under makeup, there's no tackiness even though it's a gel and it's such a generous amount I feel like i'll never use it all up lol.

The other products are great as well I'm really enjoying using them and overall I'm pleased with my decision to purchase these particular items and I think they really suit my skin type.

Mark's Pro Golden vs. Nars Laguna

Well there are couple differences like price (10$ vs 32$) and there isn't a very visible shimmer in the Pro Golden and the Laguna has a sheen that isn't very visible either. Obviously there's packaging as well, Laguna comes with a weird sponge applicator (umm...yeah who uses that??) and Pro Golden comes with a very surprisingly good brush applicator. Both have mirrors. Now Nars offers 3 shades and so does Mark. But I could try all 3 Mark shades for less than the cost of just one Nars shade!!! That means I have more options for less cash...I'm all for it!

Mark's Just Pinched Instant Blush Tint in Peachy vs MakeUpForEver's HD Microfinish Blush in #6 (Quickie).

So some people might be surprised that I would dare to make such a comparison but truthfully this is just a comparison and I'm not intending to say these are dupes. I don't like to use the word "dupe" because that insinuates that they are the same or exactly alike. Obviously they aren't but I'll leave that for the review. So here it goes:

I like them both. In my video review I mentioned I preferred the Mark Just Pinched, which is true for one reason. See the colors are practically identical. If anything the Peachy is more sheer, feminine, and fresh-faced looking but the huge advantage I think it has over the MUFE HD blush is that it doesn't rush you to blend quickly. The MUFE has a fast setting time. And blush is something that I'm crazy about! I love it! But it can be tricky, for instance, it is a total transformation. It can make you look fresh, youthful, alive, alert, perky, happy and so on... Or it can make you look older, tired, flustered, ruddy, makeup challenged and worse if done wrong. So those are the things I like to consider and with a fast dry down time you run the risk of not having it well blended or improperly placed by the time it sets. And sure, make up is removable that's the beauty of it right? But if blush is something I'm putting on last then I don't want it to mess everything up and have to start over again because I hate removing a patch and then trying to redo it, it just never comes out the same does it? So the Mark Just Pinched edges out over the MUFE for a couple of key reasons:

1. Easy of application. Apply with finger of from the product itself.

2. More blending time means more time to get it right.

3. Softer color means it is more buildable & I'm less likely to over do it.

4. Only 7$ and it's been featured in magazines & won an Allure award!

So yeah unless you just have to have to spend 25$ on a blush by MUFE I don't think it's really necessary. I haven't seen anything spectacularly HD about mine and I don't think it's really worth 25$ it's just a cream blush when you get down to the bottom line.

Rio Bikini & Pur Blanca Blossom Fragrances

These are 2 fragrances that caught my attention and so naturally I got them! They are both light & feminine. The Rio Bikini has a beachy feel to it along with subtle floral notes and a touch of coconut milk. The Pur Blanca Blossom is certain a clean floral scent that is whisper soft, and perfect for day or night. Both of these fragrances are going to be fantastic this summer.

Pro Gloss & Glow Baby Glow Luxe Gloss

Ok so these are the glosses that I featured in a youtube video where I compared these to a Bare Escentuals Gloss as well as a Stila gloss. In these pictures hopefully you'll be able to see a little better because as I said they may have looked the same in the video but they are a little different. I think that's evident now. These both glide on so smoothly and they don't get tacky as they wear away. I definitely recommend them. Please check out my website and see for yourself the shade range and the fantastic pricing. If you've tried these products definitely let me know how you like 'em :)

Mark AfterGlo & Mark GoldenGlo vs Nars Orgasm

So the first photo is of me wearing Orgasm on one cheek and Afterglo on the other but see they look identical on the skin! GoldenGlo is the second photo and the last is of AfterGlo. I use both pretty much daily and as I said in my video I've been really enjoying both. The Afterglo has a bit of gold shimmer in it just as the Nars Orgasm does but I personally don't think there is as much of it or as finely milled. So like I said I'm trying to be really honest in the comparison here and when you put the two side by side, you can tell the difference but if you were to blend them out properly on the cheek they really do look the same. I'm really loving these shades for spring and summer in reality I think these a couple of go to shades year round but they really do work with your complexion to bring out a liveliness almost a glow. I'm glad I got these shades so check 'em out.

-Kat

youravon.com/katerinalongoria

Flip For It - Los Angeles

From the name of the palette alone I expected something and I was not let down when I received this. I love the two glosses and the lip colors are really pretty. If you like an eyeshadow with "dimension" this "brown" color has a little plum and gold shimmer so it's not just a brown. I like the highlight a lot but the blush is especially gorgeous. I'm a blush fanatic so I love playing with the colors and this is one of those pretty dusty rose shades that workable for fall and such but just so feminine in the spring and summer. Yay for palettes and convenience!

My Intro & Recently Mentioned

Hi,

I'm Katerina Longoria, feel free to call me Kat, everyone does. I have a youtube channel in case you don't already know that features products mainly by Avon/Mark.

I've recently talked about a foundation I've been using and loving which is the Smooth Minerals Pressed foundation by Avon. The shade I wear is Sand Beige which is a pretty good match. There is a considerable amount of money I'm saving just by switching from Make Up For Ever HD Foundation which is 40$ to this one which was about 7.99$ when I purchased it. (Avon is always having specials so if you're interest just keep your eyes open for offers.) And in pictures I can't tell the difference between the two products! People haven't noticed I've switched either! Like I mentioned in my video review of the product I used it on a friend who prefers really sheer coverage and I prefer more medium coverage but it works wonderfully on both of us and the mineral pigments are very forgiving. Now I'm not saying that these two foundations are the same or that they are similar, obviously one is a powder and one is a liquid. One makes claims of being HD and the other is mineral, so please don't misunderstand the point I'm making. Which is simply put, after I've applied my Smooth Minerals Pressed foundation and blended everything like I normally would for any foundation I get a very similar effect and my complexion looks just as good as it does in the HD foundation. Obviously one is powder so if I did need a touch up it's super easy to carry it with me and fix anything I might need to fix on-the-go whereas with a liquid I couldn't do that. And the mineral foundation gives me a luminescence that the HD doesn't. I did like the HD a lot but if I had to choose between the two I could get the Smooth Minerals + a lot of other products for the same price or less than the Make Up For Ever HD.

So there you have it. I hope this helps. Feel free to comment.

And as always please visit my website to browse, purchase products & contact me personally with questions or for advice.

youravon.com/katerinalongoria