How to get Perfect Beach Waves

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Chi Silk Infusion | Garnier Shine Spray | Surf Spray | Leave in Conditioner

Even though summer seems to be forever away, who says you can’t rock some tousled beach waves this season? Whether your hair is collarbone length or hip length you can still rock this look. I’ve been receiving lots of questions about the hair products I used when I was in Maui and how I styled my hair. Here are my top tips for achieving beach-ready hair (even if you are just cozying up by the fireplace with some hot chocolate)…

  1. Prep your hair with the right products – Having the right products to create your beach waves is absolutely essential. Your #1 secret weapon will definitely be Salt Spray, no doubt. My go-to is the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray which is for ‘beachy, windswept styles’. I have been through almost three bottles of this heavenly product, and it is worth the splurge. I’ve been dying to try Bumble & Bumble’s new Surf Infusion. If you want to try a drugstore alternative, definitely check out Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray.  I use salt spray when my hair is both wet and when it is dry by scrunching it into the bottom half of my hair. The other products pictured above include Chi Silk Infusion, Garnier Shine Spray, and It’s a 10 Leave in Conditioner. I have naturally very dry and coarse hair that tends to get mega frizzy angry. Though Salt Spray creates a nice, beachy texture, it can dry out your hair a little. To help my hair feel soft and manageable, I use some hydrating products to balance everything. Right after getting out of the shower,  I apply ‘It’s a 10 Leave in Conditioner’ after towel drying my hair. I then lightly brush through my hair. I avoid applying this product to the roots so that my hair is not greasy or weighed down. After that, I scrunch the Surf Spray into my roots and tips of my hair. Once my hair is dry (hours and hours later..), I will style it. You could also blow dry your hair if you don’t want to wait for it to dry. I recommend blow drying it upside down to get some additional volume. After styling my hair, I will finish it off with Chi Silk Infusion in the bottom half of my hair. I use this product by rubbing it between my hands, and then running through my hair. This keeps the fragile tips of my hair hydrated and healthy. I spray Garnier Shine Spray throughout my entire hair just to tame frizz and create shine. My sister and I have loved this affordable product for years and years. The last product I use is hairspray, and I will use it all over my hair. I actually like to hairspray my hair upside down because I find that adds volume.  To touch up later in the day, I will scrunch in some more Surf Spray to refresh the waves!
  2. Style – Even if you don’t have naturally wavy or curly hair, you can totally achieve beach waves with the help of a curling iron. I personally prefer a one inch barrel because it creates nice, loose waves, however, you can definitely use a smaller barrel as well. I find that using a cone shaped wand like this one helps easily create beachy waves. I will wrap each chunk of hair around the barrel instead of clamping my hair. When you use the clamp, your hair tends to look too styled and can leave creases. When I use a curling iron, I will take a strand of hair, wrap it around the curling iron, hold it for a few seconds, and then lightly let the piece of hair go. If you have naturally straight hair, I would suggest splitting your hair into sections and layers, starting with the bottom layer first. Make sure you are curling each piece away from your face to create a more windblown affect. After you finish curling it, flip your hair around to help the curls look a little more natural. If you find your hair looks a little too styled, spray in some more salt spray, and you’re good to go.
  3. Extend your beach-ready look– Why would you want your new tousled hair to only last one day? Be beach ready in the morning by sleeping in two loose braids or trying out sponge rollers. Sleeping in braids will create nice waves- just comb through your hair with your fingers in the morning to loosen up the waves. If you want to try sponge rollers, I recommend tying your hair up in a high pony with a scrunchy. Then take chunks of hair from the ponytail and roll them up in sponge rollers about half way. In the morning, take the rollers up and hairspray your hair upside down at the roots. Shake it out, scrunch in Salt Spray, and finish off with some shine spray to top it all off. I am also a huge fan of dry shampoo for second (or third.. or fourth) day hair. My all time favorite is Batiste. I love how affordable their dry shampoos are and the variety of shades and scents.

Thanks for checking out my blog!

xoxo

Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette Giveaway {now closed}

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hello friends & Merry Christmas! To celebrate 100,000+ views on this blog (in just a few months!) and 25,000+ followers on Tumblr, I thought it would be fun to host a little giveaway. I received the Vice 4 palette this Christmas as a gift from my awesome grandma, and I have been absolutely loving it. I love the variety of colors from the bold jewel tones to the wearable neutrals. Urban Decay is my favorite brand of eyeshadow, and I also love the pigmentation and quality. Because I love the UD Vice 4 Palette so much, I decided to purchase one to give out as a giveaway!

Check out the widget above for the three ways to enter. All you have to do is comment on this post & let me know what your favorite part of 2015 has been! I will be checking all answers and entries. The winner will be announced on January 1st at 2:00 PM, and the palette will be sent out the following week (the winner has 48 hours to email me back, as mentioned in the terms & conditions). Thank you so much for all of the encouragement and love I have received over the past few months. Blogging has given me the coolest opportunities in the world and has really given me the ability to express myself- so this is my little way of saying thank you & happy New Year to all of y’all!

I hope you all are having an incredible day & a happy holiday!

xoxo

Beach Bliss

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Top | Bralette | Eyeshadow (in ‘Stargazer’)

[on Alexandra: Dress | Bralette | Sandals| Necklace]

There is nothing I love more than the beach. Every Christmas, my family heads to Maui for some rest & relaxation. For the past six years or so we have stayed at the Ritz Kapalua, which I absolutely love. This year we decided to do something different and book a room at the Montage. We have been absolutely loving every second of this gorgeous resort so far. My sister and I decided to take a few quick pics near the ocean before enjoying an awesome dinner at Merriman’s– one of our family’s favorite restaurants on the island. I had fun being behind the camera and snapping some pictures of my sister twirling in this Free People dress [also featured here].  She paired the tunic dress with brown lace up sandals and a simple necklace. For dinner, I wore a blue halter blouse paired with some flowy, black shorts. I also added some gold sandals as well. For my makeup, I decided to use my favorite lime green eyeshadow that is super glam and sparkly. I also added some ardell lashes just for something different! To finish it off, I went with Too Faced’s lipstick in the shade ‘Juicy Melons‘. It’s such a fun shade for the beach, and it definitely reminds me of summer time.

Follow me around this week on Maui by following my Snapchat (Mackenzieken) & my Insta (mackenziekmiller). Thank you so, so much for checking out my blog! I hope you all are having a great week!

xoxo

Anthro Beauty

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Perfume (stella)| Soap (poppy) | Cheek/lip Stick (bare rose) | Facial Cleansing Sponge (lavender)

Hello, friends! Greetings from Kapalua, Maui! Last week, Anthropologie surprised me with some beauty goodies to try out. I’ve been loving them so much that I just had to bring them all on my island getaway trip. One of my favorite products would have to be the cheek/lip stick in the shade ‘bare rose’. I’ve tried so many ‘lip/cheek’ products in the past, but I have never been impressed. However, this Albeit cheek/lip stick is a total game changer. It is incredibly creamy and is so easy to apply. It has no fragrance at all (which is definitely a plus for me), and you can throw it in your purse or beach bag for a mid-day pick me up. I also love the shade ‘bare rose’ because it gives a very natural, ‘I just worked out‘, flush to the cheeks and lips. Another one of my favorite products would have to be the Mirabeau Bar Soap in ‘Poppy’. Oh my goodness, this soap smells heavenly. When I showed it to my mom, the first thing she said was “that soap smells so fresh”. I couldn’t agree more. I also found this soap to be very moisturizing, and it left a nice, light fragrance on the skin. The most unique product out of this goodie bag would have to be the Dr. Sponge Facial Cleansing Sponge. I’ve never seen a product like it before. I find that this sponge does an awesome job of really exfoliating the skin and getting off every inch of makeup. I really love the lavender version because it really calms and balances my sensitive (and at times, angry) skin.

Now that I am completely hooked on #anthrobeauty, here are ten more products I am dying to try out next:

Molten Geo Soaprock

Mission Grove Sea Salt Scrub

DuWop Seashell Compact 

Mermaid Shampoo

Mini Love + Salt Mist

Albeit Nourishing Lip Balm

MOR Lip Macaron Tin

Albeit Shimmer Stick

Mirabeau Bath Salts

When Mask Set

Thank you so much ShopStyle and Anthropologie for sponsoring this post!

xoxo

Gift Guide: Bestfriend

bestiegiftguide1. metallic phone charger | 2. studded lipstick | 3. vineyard vines hat | 4. fuzzy socks | 5. candle | 6. coloring book | 7. daisy rollerball perfume | 8. zebra dish | 9. kate spade earrings | 10. kate spade planner | 11. lilly pulitzer phone case | 12. cactus phone case | 13. portable phone charger | 14. eyeshadow palette | 15. bubble bath

Hello, Hello! Finals week is almost over for me, and Christmas is just 14 days away! The only thing getting me through these stressful five days of cumulative exams is the fact that I will be on the beach in Maui this upcoming Monday! Maui is my favorite place in the entire world, and I’m beyond excited to have a relaxing getaway with my family.

I apologize that I have not been posting as frequently as I would like to. However, I have some really exciting things coming up on the blog soon! This post has been requested so many times over the past month on my Tumblr, and I decided to finally answer it in a more visual post. I did make a list earlier this week of ‘25 gifts under $25‘ which you can check out here! One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the shopping. I absolutely love shopping and picking out gifts for my friends and family. Shopping for your best friend is always especially fun! In addition to the ideas above, I’ve listed some additional gift ideas at the bottom of this post as well.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

xoxo

November Favorites

novemberfavoritesone. over the knee boots | two. duo chrome eyeshadow | three. little velvet dress | four. luxie makeup brushes | five. whispy false eyelashes (out of stock- but here is a similar pair)

Hello, hello! Sorry I have been a little behind on posting. We are currently having final exams, and I’ve been swamped with studying. I decided to take a little study break from Accounting to share a few of my favorite things from the month of november. November was such a fantastic month because I got to enjoy some much needed time with my family. It was great to finally have a week at home after six long months away, and Thanksgiving break was such a huge blessing.

Now that it is December, I decided it would be fun to share my monthly favorites this past month. I have shown most of these on my public snapchat, which you can follow at @mackenzieken. Without further ado, friends, here are some things I have been loving this past month:

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When you’re 5’0 tall, it can be hard to pull off every single fashion trend. I’ve always loved sky-high suede boots, but I have been hesitant on trying them out because of my height and short legs. Over the break, I went shopping with my mom and sister in Nordstrom at North Park Mall in Dallas. I walked by these gorgeous, suede over-the-knee boots and decided to try them on just for fun. As I walked across the store to find a mirror, two different strangers approached me and told me how much they loved the boots. These boots actually were surprisingly flattering- and super comfortable. I would definitely say they fit true to size if you nervous about deciding on a size to order. I love that they are higher in the front, and that they have subtle stud embellishments. I couldn’t resist buying myself a little early Christmas present as shows are definitely my guilty pleasure. I am so obsessed with these suede boots, and I get compliments every single time that I wear them. If you are looking for the perfect pair of over-the-knee boots, especially if you are petite like me, you have to check these out!

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I mentioned these stunning Moondust eyeshadows in my mini sephora haul (which you can see here). These mega-shimmery shadows have had my heart these past few weeks, and I just ordered a few more to give as gifts! There is something so special and unique about them, and I absolutely love the shade selection as well. I definitely plan on buying this little ‘build your own palette’ so I easily take my Urban Decay shadows on the go!

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I had a formal a few weeks ago and was struggling finding the perfect dress. My sister found this velvet bodycon dress online for me, and I ordered it nervously. I usually opt for fit-and-flare style dresses, so bodycon dresses tend to be a little out of my comfort zone. When the dress arrived in the mail, I was so excited that it was actually flattering and the right size. I decided to order an XS, and I definitely think it does run pretty true to size. I like that it has a bodycon fit and a fun cutout at the top, but it is still a little conservative with the high neckline and long sleeves. This little velvet dress a great mix between sexy and classy, making it the perfect go-to piece for a multitude of versatile occasions. I would recommend using fashion tape if you have a larger chest because it does tend to gape open a little in the front. I enjoyed the velvet dress so much in royal blue, that I ended up purchasing it on Cyber Monday in the burgundy color (because it was half off). I wore the burgundy one last night for another Christmas formal, and I was very glad I ordered it in another color! When I really love a specific clothing piece, I always purchase it in more than one color. I really love both the royal blue and the burgundy versions of the dress, and it also comes in black too!

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Luxie Beauty, a paraben and cruelty free company, reached out to me over a month ago about trying out a few of their new makeup brushes. I do get sent productions to try out pretty frequently, but I only mention the ones that I actually do really, really love. I always give y’all an honest opinion on what I think about each product. Luxie sent me five different brushes from their new Luxury collection called ‘Onyx Noir’. In addition, they did send me a few eyeshadows, but I did not love them as much as I do the other eyeshadows in my collection. I’ve been trying out these Onyx Noir brushes for several weeks now, and I can honestly say that I really enjoy them (and prefer them over my MAC brushes). My very favorite brush is the Tapered Highlighter Face Brush. I love to apply my MAC ‘Soft & Gentle’ highlighter with it! I also really enjoy the Tapered Face Makeup Brush. I use it to apply setting powder and blush. It reminds me a lot of my MAC 150 brush. I actually prefer the Luxie Tapered Face brush over the MAC 150 because the Luxie brush doesn’t shed whatsoever. The MAC 150  sheds like crazy, and I find myself never reaching for it anymore. Also, the Luxie brush is cheaper as well! If you’re looking for a new makeup brush brand to check out (that’s also cruelty free), definitely check out LuxieBeauty. (P.S. You can use the code ‘mackenzieken’ to get a discount on these fabulous Onyx Noir brushes).

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I was unfortunately not blessed with dark, long, or voluminous lashes. But I can definitely fake it with the help of some glam false eyelashes. False eyelashes can be intimating at first, but it definitely helps to watch youtube tutorials and practice. You’ll get the hang of applying them before you know it! I find that they make any makeup look pop and really open up the eyes. After trying tons of different styles and brands, I’ve really fallen in love with the whispy stye of false lashes. I’ve been obsessed with these affordable whispy eyelashes from Walmart. I picked them up on a whim when I saw them labeled with a sticker that said ‘blogger favorite’. They are reusable too, which is great because you can get tons of uses of out them. They are currently sold out online, but they are available in Walmart stores. In addition, I love Ardell ‘Whispies’. You can get them at any drugstore or Ulta, and they look so glamorous, but still natural. I recommend applying false eyelashes with Duo glue. It’s my very favorite, and I find that works very well (while still being very affordable)! If you love false lashes, let me know what your specific favorites are!


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I decided to narrow down my favorites to five for the month of November. Some other things I loved this month included the Soapy South Wash House ‘Charcoal Facial Detox Soap‘ and ‘Shave Soap Tablet‘, Neutrogena Triple Age Repair Moisture with SPF 25, Milani Lipgloss in the shade ‘Nude Touch‘,  and Chi Silk Infusion. I thought all of these products were awesome and are all things I would definitely repurchase in the future!


I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend so far! Let me know what your favorite things were during the month of November!

xoxo

Mini Sephora Haul

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 Moondust Eyeshadow (in ‘Solstice’) | Better Than Sex Mascara | Revolution Lipstick (in ‘Rush‘)

Sephora is my happy place. It would be probably be impossible for me to leave that store without my hands covered in hundreds of swatches. When I was shopping with my sister this weekend, it was too hard to pass by Sephora without trying out a few new things (and picking up an old favorite).

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I absolutely love Urban Decay, and their eyeshadows are probably my very favorite out of all the brands I have tried. Even though I am an avid collector of the Naked palettes, I have never once purchased any of their individual shadows (mostly because they are around $20 a piece!). However, after swatching all of the Moondust Eyeshadows in my local Sephora, I just couldn’t say resist picking one up for myself. They are so incredibly unique and gorgeous, making them worth the $21 price tag, in my opinion. I decided to go with Solstice, a gorgeous duo chrome. I love this shade because I’ve never seen anything just like it before. From one angle it looks like a berry, burgundy tone, and from the other angle it appears to be a bold turquoise/teal. This eyeshadow totally makes a statement, and I plan on wearing it packed into the center of my eyelid. In the pictures above, I just did one light swatch on the back of my hand. If you apply the eyeshadow with water or MAC Fix+, it creates a stunning, ‘wet-like’ effect that is incredibly pigmented. This eyeshadow can also be worn as an eyeliner, which I think would be super fun on the upper lash line. My sister decided to pick up one of these Moondust Eyeshadows as well, and she was torn between Zodiac and Ether. She decided to opt for Ether, which is another duo chrome shadow. We decided the light purple 3D glitter in Ether would make her green eyes really pop. We both plan on purchasing Zodiac next!

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The name of this mascara may be a little ‘out there’, but this mascara totally rocks. One of my best friends raved about this mascara to me for months. I eventually gave in and tried it out for myself not too long ago. It was love at first swipe. Unfortunately I was not blessed with naturally thick and beautiful eyelashes, but this mascara really makes the world of difference for my lashes. It adds tons of volume, drama, and length without any clumpiness whatsoever. I love the formula because it isn’t too wet, but it isn’t too dry either. Mascaras that are too wet can end up in a clumpy mess and all over your eyelids. Mascaras that are too dry, on the other hand, can flake throughought the day, also leaving a huge mess. The Better Than Sex Mascara has such an awesome formula that honestly looks great for hours and hours. It is very rare for me to repurchase a product, especially a mascara, because I love trying out new things. However, this mascara is a product I will constantly repurchase.

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Over the past year or so, I have become something of a lipstick addict. Lipsticks can totally change up your entire look and are fun to add to your makeup collection. I’ve been on the hunt for a perfect everyday, neutral lipstick- something not too nude, but not too bright. After swatching probably thirty lipstick shades on the back of my hand, I decided to go for the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in ‘Rush’. ‘Rush’ is pretty much a ‘your lips, but better’ kind of shade. It has a pinkish-mauivish tone that pairs perfectly for day or night. I think it’s especially great for winter because it has a very cool undertone which goes great with any cool toned eye look. I absolutely love the formula of this lipstick. It is very pigmented, but also very comfortable to wear. It goes on smoothly and lasts on the lips for several hours. I also find it to be very moisturizing, which is always a huge factor for me with finding the perfect lipstick. The Revolution Lipsticks also have a nice sheen to them, making them very flattering on the lips. They also don’t have any scent whatsoever, which is something a lot of people prefer. I also love the price of these luxurious lipsticks. They are not drugstore price by any means, but they are a lot more affordable than a lot of other lipsticks at Sephora (Dior  & YSL, I’m looking at you). I would definitely purchase another one of the Revolution Lipsticks in the future. There is such a great shade selection, and the formula is just awesome.

Let me know if have been trying out/loving any new products lately! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend & a great Thanksgiving.

xoxo

P.S. – who else is excited for Cyber Monday in just a few hours?!

Gift Guide: Makeup Addict

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  1. Palettes: Vice 4, Chocolate Bar, Naked2 Basics, Naked Smokey, Contour Palette
  2. Value Sets: Party Poppers 12 Days of Gorgeous, Too Faced Blush/Lip SetSephora Favorites Beauty Closet
  3. Stocking Stuffers: Beauty Blender, They’re Real: Sexy on the Run, Statement Lash Essentials, Jem and the Holograms Lipstick,
  4. Individual Goodies: Watts Up Highlighter, Liquid Lipstick, Marc Jacobs Nail Polish, Better than Sex Mascara, Sweethearts Blush

I am addicted to makeup. That is a well-known fact that I can’t even try to deny. So every year when my family asks what I want for the holidays, they are never too shocked when I mention a new palette or lipstick. Makeup always makes a great gift (whether it’s for your sister, mom, bestie, or even yourself!). I selected several makeup gift ideas from my favorite place to shop- Sephora!

Thank you so much for checking out my blog! I would love to hear which makeup products/gifts are on your wish list/shopping list this year!xoxo

Three Lipstick Shades You Need + Dupes

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MAC Rebel | MAC Pure Zen | MAC Ruby Woo

I’ve been obsessed with lipsticks lately. It is so fun to experiment and play with new shades and colors. These have been my go-to favorite MAC shades this past season. I love MAC lipsticks because they are very pigmented and have a great variety of shades to choose from. They are also pretty affordable, especially in comparison to other brands like Chanel and YSL that are double the price. I ordered the MAC lipstick shades ‘Diva‘ and ‘Honeylove‘ this past weekend, and I can’t wait to try them out.

Let me know what your favorite MAC lipstick shades are!

xoxo

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Fall Polish Pairings

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Metallic Silver + Shimmering Burgundy (Apres-chic | After Sex)

Beige + Dark Navy (Sand Tropez | After School Boy Blazer)

Orange + Bronze (Fear or Desire | Leggy Legend)

Gold + Orange/Red (Golden Nuggets | Geranium)

Plum + Iridescent Khaki (In the Lobby | Armed and Ready)

Let me know what your favorite fall combos have been this season! Check back on the blog tomorrow for my October favorites. Hope you all are having a fabulous week!

xoxo

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