It's not the end but a new beginning...

"Once a mark. girl, always a mark. girl"

I joined mark. 2010, after seeing a commercial on Lifetime. I was so eager to be apart of a company that has started the year I was a Senior in high school. Plus, I already had a love for beauty and fashion products. I want to share with other what I love and I've also been given many wonderful opportunities that the memories will last a lifetime.

On February 2011, the opportunity of being a makeup artist for a day happened. I headed to Austin, TX for the weekend for an Ann Taylor Student Look Book photo shoot. This reignited my passion of doing makeup for others. Later that month, I contact an organization, Project Cinderella, to offer my services to all the girls at no charge for Prom. My mentor, Tiffany, and I worked on at least a dozen of girls on their special night. I'd have to say seeing their expression when we were done...PRICELESS!

In June, I was appointed to Mentor Assistant for the Houston, TX area. This meant assisting my Mentor, Tiffany, with anything she might need with the team. We'd have team meetings, meet and greets, incentives, and more. Of course, I wasn't the only mentor assistant for the team there were five of us. I LOVED bonding with the team and giving any advice needed.

On Thursday, July 11, 2013, thousands of mark. girl lives changed when we were given the information that as of August 9th, 2013 mark. will have transitioned to Avon. What does that mean? There will no longer be mark. girl ONLY reps but we have been given the option to transition into Avon reps. Since the news, I spent all night at work deciding what I was going to do. I must have reread the FAQ a hundred times making sure I understood. I had contemplated joining Avon before the decision (and commercial) to join mark. a long time ago.

While it's the end of an era of mark. girl only reps, I've decided it's not the end for me. I will continue on this journey to becoming an Avon rep, which would include selling mark., too. I look forward to this new journey and seeing where it takes me.

Thank You to all the mark. girls I have meet in-person and online through our forums and social media. Your friendships mean so much to me and I hope to keep in touch with all of you. I also wish everyone the best in their new journeys whatever it might be.

VEET® EasyWax™ Electrical Roll-On Kit

Over a month ago, I received the VEET EasyWax Electrical Roll-on Kit complimentary of Influenster for testing purposes. I received the product the day before my birthday and was excited to test it out. While I've only tested the product once, it's pretty amazing.

 

From Veet's website, here are the claims:

 

Our innovative EasyWax™ Electrical Roll-On Kit is a self-heating wax system that has everything you need for quick and easy salon-quality results at home. Simply heat up, roll on, and wax off hair for incredible smoothness that lasts up to 28 days!

• Salon-quality without the salon prices
• Keeps wax at the perfect temperature
• Ensures a clean and even application

 

Each Pack Contains

• A self-heating device and its cap
• A 50ml roll-on wax refill, specially designed for use on legs & arms
• 12 non-woven strips
• 4 Perfect Finish Wipes
• A base to hold the device and electrical cable

So, what's my take?

The instructions given are to plug in the device and let warm for 30 minutes, then apply to the desired area. I actually took an hour to heat the wax because I found that 30 minutes just didn't seem like enough time. What's the greatest thing about the self-heating device? The temperature is consistent, doesn't get to hot like other waxes. I think I went over one area twice to pick up any residue or hair from the strip. Once I was finished, I used the perfect finishing wipes to make sure all the residue from the wax was gone (the wax cannot be washed with water).

 

Why did I only test the product once?

The claims really do speak for themselves. You get about 28 days of smoothness and no shaving! I've used other waxing products before that claim the same but have never matched to par.

 

Interested in trying the product?

You can find online or any drugstore retailer. I also found a $5 off coupon from Veet's website, click here.

Disclaimer: I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster. All opinions are my own.

The Haute Series: Gilded Matchy Matchy

I'm sorry for the delay in today's posting of "The Haute Series". I've had a few technical difficulties today with uploading pictures. Here's week 3, Gilded Matchy Matchy. These items are from the current mark. Magalog 7, which ends July 11 (this Thursday).


Featured Products:
Exotic Hues, $14, Nailed It Trend Marrakesh (Limited Edition), $7



Prep your face with a moisturizer of your choice, mine was Olay Fresh Effects Long Live Moisture Satin Finish Lotion. Next, I took Olay Fresh Effect BB Cream in Light to Medium with a damp sponge all over my face, except eyes. The BB cream has SPF 15, which is a bonus.
I applied mark. Just Pinched in Cheeky onto the apply of my cheeks, blend with either your fingers or blush brush. Lightly apply, Just Blushing in Afterglow on top. I applied NYX Blush in Espresso in the hollows of my cheeks and along my hairline for my bronzer.
I lined my waterline/tightline  with the L.A. Colors Eyeliner Pencil in Brown-Black, then swept exotic hues gold shade over my lids, into creases and up to brow bones. I then took exotic hues green shade onto the lids and across my waterline. I used mark. Make Me Lash Eyelash Curler to curl my lashes, then applied the Balm "The Body Builder" Mascara in Black to my top and bottom lashes.
For the lips, I lined them with Starlooks Lip Pencil in Bare, applied mark. Lipclick in Bare Hug, then added a little shine with mark.'s Glimmer Shine in Nude Shimmer (no longer available).
 

I had already given myself a manicure over the weekend and I only had applied Pink Armor Nail Gel (yes, the one from infomercials). I had already heard some good reviews, so my mom and I decided to test it out. So left it as a base coat, then applied nailed it shade in mint tea; allow to dry.
Once dried you need to take a clean sponge - tip applicator, paint on shade saffron to the end of the sponge, and dab onto your nails to achieve a foiled effect.
Once dried, I sealed it with Sally Hansen's Insta Dry in Clear to complete my manicure.

Thanks for checking out this weeks Makeup Monday series and don't forget to check back next Monday for the final installment of "The Haute Series".

 

*WIN* Lucy Hale's mark. Cover Makeup!

As many of you might know, Lucy Hale was recently announced as mark.'s new Brand Ambassador for the company. We've had top celebrities such as Ashley Greene, Jordan Sparks, Lauren Conrad as previous mark. Brand Ambassador's. Lucy Hale is featured on Lucky's August magazines cover for the month, now on newsstands everywhere. Guess what's even better? Lucky magazine is also having a cover photo sweepstakes to win the products used to create her look.

I want to note that I am in no way affiliated with Lucky magazine in the sponsorship of the sweepstakes. I am, however, a mark. Independent Representative. I do receive a discount on products ordered, as well as receiving a commission on orders from others through my e-boutique, http://laurengarcia.mymarkstore.com/.

Photo Credit: Luckymag.com

The prize includes:

• Get in Line Hook Up Waterproof Eyeliner in Painted Black
•  Just Blushing in Charmed
•  Wet/Dry Eyeshadow in Nightly
• High-Volume Mascara in Black
•  Got the Goods Foundation in Light 4
•  Color Me in Lip Crayon in Punch Line

Enter to Win! Lucy Hale's mark. Cover Makeup!
Sweepstakes end July 29th at 11:59 p.m. ET Sweepstakes Cover Rules
 

4th of July FREE Shipping

Check out what mark. has to offer this Summer! Shop http://laurengarcia.mymarkstore.com/  today & get FREE shipping on ANY order!
Don't forget to register (it gets you specials only offered by me)!

4th of July Mani

Happy Thursday! Happy 4th of July! I was originally planning an entire look from head to toe but I ended up working a 10-hr shift due to an emergency call that came in about 15 minutes before my shift ended. I want to take the time to say that life is very precious and we should never take it for granted. Live your life to the fullest! I want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. If you are traveling, I hope you have a safe journey to wherever your destination may be. For those popping fireworks, be cautious and safe, do not horseplay as they can be a danger to you or others. 

So, here's my 4th of July mani. Enjoy! (Singing) *the stars and stripes...* Sorry, that's the only thing I could think of. 

I interchanged the thumb and fingers, red and blue with the exception of the ring finger. On the ring finger, I mixed  blue, silver, and red glitter. I also applied the patriotic glitter nail polish as a base and top coat for the glitter. The products used are listed below.

Products used:
Sally Hansen Nail Growth in Clear (found at any drugstore)
L.A. Colors Color Craze in Confetti & In a Flash (from Dollar General or Dollar Tree)
Nicole by O.P.I Kardashian Kollection in Kourt is Red-y for a Pedi (Walmart)
Chi Ceramic Base Coat Bonder (HEB Plus - Texas Only)
Glitter (from Dollar Tree or Dollar General)

Review: Sun Goddess Sunless Tanner

Since the beginning of Spring, I've been looking for the right sunless tanner product but have either been too dark or turns me orange. Thank you to Sun Goddess, Inc. for sending me their Sunless Tanning Lotion in Dark (along with samples to hand out) for testing purposes. 

Sun Goddess, Inc. Quick Facts:

Natural & Luxurious Ingredients

Beautiful, Dark, Golden Brown Color

Tans Instantly

Quick Drying

Sunless Tan Will Last up to 10 Days

Tan Will Not Rub Off on Clothing

Smells Delicious

Animal Cruelty Free

Application Gloves Included. 

Before

After

On Saturday, June 22nd I received the product in the mail and I started my initial testing on Sunday, June 23rd. I used the self-tanner on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If you look at my after picture of my legs, the left leg was Friday's application and the right leg was from the previous three applications. This product is absolutely amazing! I recommend to anyone wanting to get a tan for summer or even year-round. I do recommend using gloves for application or your hands will change colors if not washed immediately. 

So, how much is Sun Goddess Sunless Tanner? It's $38.95 for an 8 oz bottle, samples included. Also, Sun Goddess, Inc. will be offering my followers a 10% discount, when you purchase from their website at www.SunGoddess.com.  The code for the 10% will be laurendanielle.

Disclaimer: This product was sent from Sun Goddess, Inc. complimentary for review and testing purposes. All opinions are my own. 

The Haute Series: Rainbow Lids

Welcome to Week 2 of The "Haute" Series. On today's Makeup Monday we focus on: Rainbow Lids. This month is all about "daring" yourself to set out of your comfort zone. This look is perfect for those summer parties and beach days.

On the Dot Compact, No Place to Run Eyeliner in Jet Black, NYX  Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk,
All  Over Eyeshadow Brush, Eyeshadow Brush

1. Prime your eyelid with NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk.
2. Apply On the Dot teal shade (shade 8)  on the outer corners of the eye, purple shade (shade 9) mid-lid, followed by the yellow shade (shade 3) in the inner corner; you will need to blend one shadow into the next.
3. Run teal, purple, and yellow shades (same as the lid) along the lower lash lines (make sure the inner and outer corners blend together).