Beauty – Page 5 – Mackenzie Billington

My NARS Favorites

October 27, 2015 by Mackenzie

NARS has been one of my favorite makeup brands for years now. From their classic, sleek packaging to their high quality, unique products, NARS definitely has it all. I have tried so many Nars products over the years, and I’ve finally narrowed it down to these favorites:

‘Laguna’ Bronzer & ‘Orgasm’ Blush are just two of many NARS products that have a cult following, and after repurchasing them for years, I can totally see why. ‘Laguna’ is that perfect bronzer that isn’t too matte or too shimmery. It also doesn’t leave you orange at all. ‘Orgasm’ is a beautiful, shimmery peachy-pink that just about everybody and their mom has heard of by now. It is such a universally flattering blush shade, and it also comes in a multitude of other products from the NARS multiple stick to lipgloss. The NARS eyeshadow duos are awesome, but I feel as though they are a little underrated. NARS eyeshadows are very pigmented and easy to blend. There is also a great variety in colors. My classic go-to is the eyeshadow duo in the shade ‘Key Largo’. ‘Key Largo’ has a nice satin peach on the left, and a shimmering bronze on the right. It’s that perfect eyeshadow duo that you can throw in your purse on the go. It’s perfect for an everyday-look, but also works for a night out when paired with eyeliner and several coats of mascara.

NARS has released several awesome collaborations over the years. The most recent- and my new favorite- is the NARS x Steven Klein collection. This limited edition collection is so incredibly unique and stunning. I decided to narrow it down to the deep purple lipgloss called ‘Provoke’ and a pewter bronze eyeshadow called ‘Stud’. The reason I chose these two is because I thought they would be perfect for fall, and I don’t have anything else similar to them in my makeup collection. Provoke is a new formula of lipgloss for NARS and has some mega shine. It’s a lot deeper and darker than I expected, but I really love it layered with my favorite MAC lipstick, ‘Rebel’. Provoke just screams fall to me, and I know I will be rockin it all season. I find that Provoke also pairs perfectly with the ‘Stud’ eyeshadow. Stud is a unique and slightly strange combination of bronze, taupe, pewter, and silver. The shade is hard to describe, but I’ve never seen anything just like it. It’s super shimmery and has a gorgeous metallic finish that is perfect for any special occasion. I love it paired it with black liquid liner and false lashes. In addition to Provoke and Stud, I also picked up one of NARS new lip glosses called ‘Chelsea Girls’. Chelsea Girls was originally in a pot container version, but was recently released in lipgloss form. It is showing up more pigmented and orange in the photos below, but in person it’s a very wearable, nude-pink color. It’s a great nude that doesn’t wash your out at all. I also love the formula because it is very pigmented and lasts on the lips for hours.

(Left to right: Provoke, Chelsea Girls, Stud)

I always find myself gravitating towards neutral, wearable shades, but it can be fun to break out of my comfort zone every once in a while. ‘Exhibit A’ is a bright red blush that looks absolutely terrifying in the pan, but on the skin (applied with a very light hand) it actually looks surprisingly beautiful. I love that it works for a variety of skin tones and gives a nice flushed look. I use it year round because I find it flatters my skin tone when I am pale and when I have a tan. ‘Isolde’ is my very favorite NARS eyeshadow duo, ever. I think it can look intimidating in the pan because it is a little bolder than your everyday neutral, but I always get tons of compliments when I wear it. I find it to be especially flattering on blue eyes. My favorite lipgloss this summer was most definitely the limited edition shade, ‘Nebulous’. I remembering when I purchased it in Sephora, my sister was a little conceded. “It’s literally orange”. However, there is something so fun and not too crazy about it when it is applied to the lips. I really love it for summer and spring layered over a coral lipstick. It’s bold, but still very wearable and fun! Even though it was released as limited edition in the spring, it is still available to purchase.

Have you tried any NARS makeup products? If so, let me know what your favorites are!

My Favorite Drugstore Makeup Products

September 29, 2015 by Mackenzie

I love drugstore makeup. It’s totally my guilty pleasure (besides Taco Bell, of course!). I have tried countless drugstore products over the years, and these have been my favorites:

In general, I typically prefer high end foundations and primers for the face. However, I absolutely love the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer. It does such a fabulous job of really brightening the under eye area and covering up all dark circles. As for powders, the Rimmel Stay Matte powder is ones of my faves for setting liquid foundation. It is especially great for oily skin types! I get so excited about blushes and highlighters. I think they are so fun and really add a nice glow to the skin. My two favorite highlighters can be found at Target. The first one is the ELF Shimmering Facial Whip. It comes in several flattering colors and is highly pigmented. My other favorite is the Sonia Kashuk Chic Highlighter Stick. I love the packaging of this highlighter because it is so easy to apply. The shade ‘Shimmering Sand’ is pretty much an exact dupe for Benefits Watts Up highlighter! As for blushes, I find the NYX cream blushes to be a dupe for the MAC cream blush. For powder blushes, Milani hands down makes the very best. They are similar to the NARS powder blushes. The Milani baked blushes come in several gorgeous colors and are very shimmery and beautiful on the face. My personal favorites are ‘Corallina’ and ‘Dolce Pink’. Corallina would look gorgeous on warmer skin tones, while Dolce Pink would be flattering on cooler skin tones.

My favorite drugstore eyeshadow quad is definitely the Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plus Eyeshadow Quad. I have purchased several of these over the years and have loved all of them. They are very, very pigmented and easy to blend. I also love the color combinations that they come in. My very favorite is definitely ‘Give Me Gold’. It’s a gorgeous quad that has a nice range of golds and bronzes. It’s a very warm toned set of shadows, and it really makes blue eyes pop! I definitely plan on trying ‘Coral Oasis’ next! For cream shadows, I love the Maybelline Color Tattoo eye shadows. They remind me of the MAC paint pots. The Color Tattoo shadows look great layered under powder shadows and also worn on their own. They really do stay on the lids all day without budging. My two favorites are ‘Bad To The Bronze’ and ‘Bold Gold’. Both of those pair nicely with most of the powder eyeshadows that I own. Another drugstore cream eyeshadow that I love is the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil. I have four or five of these now, and they are absolutely stunning. They are very pigmented, easy to apply, and do not crease. The color ‘Milk’ is the perfect base for eyeshadow shades because it makes any color stand out. I also love ‘Black Bean’ because it can be used as an eyeliner or smudged in the outer corners of the eye to create a perfect smokey eye look. One of my powder eyeshadow favorites is the Loreal Infallible eyeshadows. They come in a nice variety of shades and are great quality! ‘Eternal Sunshine’ is my personal fave because I tend to gravitate towards gold, warm shadows. However, I definitely plan on picking up another in the shade ‘Liquid Diamond’. As for mascaras, I am a huge Maybelline fan. I have loved every single Maybelline mascara I have tried, and I actually prefer them over all of my high end mascaras. If I had to choose one specific mascara out of all of my Maybelline favorites, it would have to be the Maybelline The Mega Plush mascara. This mascara makes my short, sparse eyelashes look ten times fuller and longer. It also doesn’t flake or smudge, which is something I appreciate. I have been through probably five bottles or so of Mega Plush over the past year, and I would highly recommend checking it out! My other favorite Maybelline mascara would probably be ‘The Falsies’. Both are great, and you can’t go wrong with any Maybelline mascaras!

Now for my favorite part- the lips. Adding a bold lip color can really change your entire look. Revlon makes the best lip color products! One of my favorites is the Colorburst Matte Balms. They come in so many vibrant, bold colors that are beyond easy to apply. I actually think they are super fun to apply as well! My sister, Allie, is constantly stealing mine from my makeup bag. I am dying to pick up the shade ‘Shameless’ for fall. Another one of my favorite Revlon lip products is by far the Colorstay Moisture Stain. The shade ‘Parisian Passion’ is absolutely incredible- especially for fall and winter time. It is that perfect dark, berry shade that isn’t too ‘vampy’. I also think it would look nice on a variety of skin tones. It’s very moisturizing, but actually lasts on my lips for hours and hours. I literally have to scrub it off to remove it completely. One time I even fell asleep with Parisian Passion on, and it was still on in the morning. This stuff doesn’t budge, and that’s perfect for special events, concerts, going out to dinner, or going out with friends. I recently ordered a MAC lipstick in the shade ‘Rebel’, and I think they will look great paired together. If you are looking for that perfect shade for fall, you have to check out the Colorstay Moisture Stain in the shade ‘Parisian Passion’. Okay, now for the two fun shades. I recently picked up the Milani Color Statement Lipstick in the shade ‘Rose Hip’, which is a gorgeous, neon pink. It is totally a dupe for MAC ‘Candy Yum Yum’. The main difference is that ‘Candy Yum Yum’ is matte, while ‘Rose Hip’ has more of a sheen (but not shimmer). The Milani lipsticks have a delicious scent and are not drying on the lips whatsoever. Even though summer is over, I still think neon lips are awesome year round! My other neon lip favorite is the Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in the shade ‘Shocking Coral’. This shade was initially out of my comfort zone, but it is seriously fun. It is a little bit more on the pink side than coral, but I like to layer it with an orange lipgloss just to make it a little more of a coral tint. I really wish I owned the entire Vivids collection because each shade is so unique and exciting!

Let me know what your very favorite drugstore makeup products are- I always love trying out new ones and finding new favorites !!

Bobbi Brown Lip Trio

September 20, 2015 by Mackenzie

Bobbi Brown Lipcolor Trio (c/o Neiman Marcus)

Bobbi Brown has easily become one of my favorite makeup brands over the past few months. I have absolutely loved every single Bobbi Brown product I have tried. I was beyond excited when I found out I would have the opportunity to try out this fabulous lipstick trio thanks to Neiman Marcus and Shopstyle. I’ve been really in love with lip products lately because I find they’re a great way to really add something different to every look. Bobbi Brown lipsticks are really, really great. I love the selection of wearable shades, and the creamy texture. I also love how they are unscented. Another one of my favorite things about the Bobbi Brown lipsticks is the packaging. I think the gold and black packaging is very classic and nice! I’ve been really, really loving these three gorgeous shades:

Your everyday go-to: Pale Mauve

Pale Mauve is a gorgeous, neutral pink. It gives a hint of color without being over the top, making it perfect for school or work. It also pairs nicely with any eyeshadow look! It’s a great shade for those that may be scared of trying lipsticks or bold colors on their lips. It’s very subtle and natural, but still adds a nice flush to the lips. Pale Mauve is also super creamy, so it won’t dry out your lips or cling to dry patches like some lighter lipsticks can!

Your girls night go-to: Salmon

I am a sucker for orange and coral lip products. They are so fun and bold. When I opened this lip trio, I knew immediately that Salmon would be my number one favorite. It can look a little intimidating in the tube at first, but it is actually quite sheer on the lips, making it more wearable. I found that it looks amazing for a night out paired with an orange lipgloss. My new favorite combo is the Bobbi Brown Salmon lipstick with my favorite NARS lip gloss in the shade ‘Nebulous’ layered on top!

Your date night go-to: Soft Rose

Soft Rose is a lovely, darker berry pink. It’s a little dark than what I usually go for, but it’s a nice darker shade without going too dramatic. It’s less sheer than Salmon and Pale Mauve and gives a creamy, high coverage finish on the lips. It definitely brightens up your face. I also find that I don’t need to pair a lipgloss with it because it has a creamy and moisturizing finish by itself. I definitely picture Soft Rose paired with black winged liner and mascara for any special occasion!

I’ve been really loving this fabulous lip trio. It is limited edition, so definitely check it out! I really love this trio because it is definitely universally flattering. I love the creamy textures of all three and find them to all be very wearable. Thank you so much for checking out my blog & thanks again to Neiman Marcus and Shopstyle for sending me such a fabulous lip trio to try out!

August Favorites

September 6, 2015 by Mackenzie

Now that August is over, it’s time to share my favorites from the past month with y’all! August was such a busy month between moving out of my dorm in London, to moving back to Texas, to finally moving back to the sorority house at college. I am so glad life is starting to finally slow down a little, and that I am getting into the routine of things once more. Here are some things I have been loving this past month:

The Beauty Faves:

I picked up this gorgeous coral blush back in London. I purchased it previously a few years ago, and I remember really loving it. It’s that perfect blush for the end of summer because it looks nice with a tan. When I saw that Too Faced released a new eyeshadow palette called ‘Star Dust’, I ordered it right away (and even picked up one for my sister as well). The color selection is just stunning and the shadows are so pigmented and easy to blend. The palette is only sold on the Too Faced site and on Ulta. It also comes with a small size of their popular ‘Better Than Sex‘ mascara, which I’ve been using and loving. Another favorite eye product of the month has been the Jumbo Eye Pencils by NYX. I now have three, and I really enjoy using them as an eyeshadow base. My current favorite is ‘Pure Gold’ as I find it looks beautiful layered under gold and bronze powder eyeshadows. I also repurchased another La Creme lipstick in the shade ‘Naughty Nude’. I’ve always struggled with finding that perfect nude lip shade that won’t wash me out, but I finally discovered this holy grail product at Sephora last fall. I also ordered the lipstick in another shade called ‘Juicy Melons’, and I am super excited to try it out. As for skincare, I have been obsessed with this Clinique moisturizer gel. My skin has been very dry and angry because of my topical acne creams, but this gel based lotion has really helped clear up all of my dry patches without breaking out my skin. It can also be used as a moisture mask, which I think is really interesting. I will definitely repurchase another bottle when I run out!

The Fashion Faves:

I am in love with the brand Show Me Your Mumu, which I’m sure is not a surprise to y’all. I recently purchased one of their tunics in this gorgeous map print called ‘A Whole MU World’, and it such a unique piece (with a super cute name). The print couldn’t be any more perfect especially because I love travel! I usually pair this bold tunic with white shorts, but I think it will look awesome paired with white jeans and denim when it starts to get a little more chilly. I also picked up some more shorts and a co-ord set recently because they had an online sale- I just couldn’t resist! As for shoes, I have been living in these super tall, metallic wedges. I get so many compliments every time I wear them (and they are only $30!). I’ve also been loving my rockstud sunglasses. My mom found them at Nordstrom Rack a few months ago and gave them to me. They are super sassy, and I really like the cat eye frame! Speaking of sassy- I recently got some white tassel earrings that I’ve been wearing all the time. They are on the heavy side, but they are perfect for any nice occasion, gameday, or night out with the girls. My final fashion favorite for the month of August has been my Daniel Wellington watch. I love the classic look of this watch and the great quality. It matches any outfit! Y’all can also use the code ‘MACKENZIEKENN’ to get 15% off any Daniel Wellington product (but only for the first 50 customers)! If you’re looking for that perfect, classic watch, definitely check out DW.

The Random Faves:

Now that school has started again, I’ve been loving my new backpack and my planner. In the past I’ve always had Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Spade agendas. While I did love them a ton, I was dying to try something new. I discovered the Day Designer earlier this summer and knew it was ‘the one’. Target also sells the Day Designer, which is super exciting and affordable! It’s perfect because I can plan out every single hour of my day, and it helps me make my goals and stay on task. A school related post will be up later this week featuring my new planner, so keep your eyes out for that!

Honorable mentions:

For the month of August, I’ve been obsessed with the show True Detective. I finished the first season earlier this summer, and I am now on the second. It’s definitely a ‘must watch!’. I also recently finished Sex and the City, and I can’t remember the last time I loved a show so much. I know it’s a little late, but I’ve been reading the Lauren Conrad Beauty Book that my friend, Miranda, gave me to borrow. Lauren Conrad is one of my hugest inspirations, and I love everything that she does.

Now that I am back in the states, I have been trying to get back in to working out. I’ve been doing yoga for the past four to five years, and it has always been my passion. I took a break from yoga due to a hip problem, but now I am back doing what I love most. When I was in high school, I went to Sunstone Yoga Studio and loved it. Lots of the other members there used these yoga mat towels called ‘Yogitoes‘, and I always thought they looked super cool. They are quite pricey, so I always hesitated splurging. But I finally decided to buy one, and I really, really love it. They also come in such a fun variety of patterns and colors. I would highly recommend the Yogitoe towel mats for any yogis that love hot yoga.

Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Let me know what your August favorites were!

Dermstore BeautyFix Box

September 2, 2015 by Mackenzie

Dermstore BeautyFix box | August (c/o dermstore & shopstyle)

Hello friends! I received this awesome box from Dermstore last week, and I’m beyond excited to finally get to share it with y’all! This Dermstore BeautyFix box is basically a monthly subscription box where you receive a collection of professional skin and hair care products, handpicked by beauty experts and delivered straight to your door. I was excited when this box arrived because the packaging was so cute, and it was stuffed with more products than I even expected.

As most of y’all know, I am obsessed with beauty products, and I am constantly trying new things out all the time. I absolutely loved getting this BeautyFix box because I got to try out so many really cool products, and I even found some new favorites. The best part about it is that you really get your money’s worth with Dermstore. Some of these products are full sized and retail for up to $60 each. The total box is worth about $158- which is insane that is costs only $12.48 for your first box.

Out of the hair products, the Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo was my favorite. It was super cleansing and really removed any buildup I had in my hair. I also really loved the Alterna Daily Densifying Foam. I scrunched it into the roots of my hair to add some volume, and I was really happy with the results. As for the skin care products, I’ve been using a new routine with the products. I’ve been using the Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash with my Clarisonic brush twice a day. I find that foaming face washes work best with the brush. I especially love the Bliss face wash because it has a very nice scent that leaves my skin feeling refreshed and smooth. The Bliss face wash comes in a travel size in the BeautyFix box, but I definitely plan on purchasing the full size when I run out. After cleansing my skin, I apply the Paula’s Choice CLEAR Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment. I have very, very acne prone skin, and it can be very difficult to find skin care products that work for me. Most acne treatments dry out my face or cause burning- this one doesn’t. I love it because it also looks nice under makeup, which is something I haven’t found before in an acne treatment. I apply the Medicell Labs Redness Relief Hydrating Cream to my cheeks and the outer perimeter of my face. It adds a nice layer of hydration to those drier bits of my face and really does a nice job at combating redness. Lastly, I apply the SmartFX SmartEye Wrinkle Lift. I have been using anti-aging products since I was about 16 years old. I believe that it’s important to start early with anti-aging products instead of later once you start noticing actual signs of aging in the skin.This SmartFX Wrinkle Lift is really nice because it is tinted, so it provides a nice hint of coverage. It also makes the area under my eyes super smooth and even, which makes applying under eye concealer so much easier.

I have absolutely loved getting to try out these products from the August Dermstore BeautyFix box. I would highly, highly recommend checking out these fun subscription boxes! They are a fabulous way to try out new products without breaking the bank. Sadly, this specific box seems to be sold out at the moment, however, hopefully the September box will be out soon! You can check out the Dermstore BeautyFix box here. I linked the individual products from the August box below if you want to check them out!

Thank you again, Dermstore, for sending me such an incredible BeautyFix box to review!

8 Tips for Growing Long, Healthy Hair

August 13, 2015 by Mackenzie

For years my hair was always stuck at barely-past-shoulder length. I wanted long, beautiful hair, but no matter how long I waited, it still seemed to be stuck at one length. Not only was it ‘short’, it was completely fried and damaged (as you can see in the before/after picture below). I decided that if I wanted to see a difference in my hair, I needed to make some changes. Here are some tips that really worked for me:

1. GIVE YOUR HAIR A BREAK

When I was younger, my hair was naturally blonde. However, as I got it older, it turned dark brown. I started it coloring it back to blonde when I was in the 4th grade. I bleached and highlighted my hair for probably five years straight. In addition, I was straightening it with a flat iron every single day. My hair not only felt like straw, it looked like it as well. I had terrible split ends, and my hair felt really thin, especially at the tips. When I decided I wanted to get healthy hair, I gave up coloring my hair and using heating appliances. A hair stylist once told me when I asked her about growing my hair/coloring it, “You have to choose between blonde hair or long hair”. Going back to my natural color felt weird initally, but I got use to it over time! It was incredibly hard at first to give up heating tools because I was pretty addicted. I first started by limiting my heating tool use to once a week, and then over time, once to twice a month. It is honestly very difficult, but I do think it is the #1 most important tip of all, especially if your hair is currently damaged or unhealthy. I now only use heating tools if I have a special occasion. I do blow dry my hair once to twice a week because it is less damaging than direct heat (like a flat iron or curling iron). I put it on the low to medium setting and usually use cold hair. I gave my hair about a four year break from color, and I pretty much eliminated my heating tool use, which made the world of difference. So in general, I recommend going back to your natural color and limiting heating tools. I learned to embrace my natural wavy hair and to try heatless hairstyles. Braids are always my go to, and there are countless ideas on Pinterest to try out! Now that my hair is healthy again, I do color it. It is good to take year long breaks though if you color you hair just to give it some rest from the harsh chemicals.

2. LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE

This sounds like a cliche tip, but it is definitely true. Your hair is also a reflection of your health. If you are eating poorly, not getting enough sleep, and overwhelmed by stress, it will most likely show in your hair. When my hair was unhealthy, I was eating lots of junk food, never sleeping, and I was constantly stressed out and upset. As I started to change my lifestyle, I noticed a difference in my hair growth and overall health.

3. GET FREQUENT TRIMS

This tip sounds so counterproductive, I know. It seems weird that cutting your hair would actually help it grow. The truth is- it doesn’t actually help your hair ‘grow’, but it allows you to see the growth. Let me explain. Lots of girls say ‘my hair doesn’t grow’, but that is not always correct. Your hair is growing from the roots, but you aren’t seeing the growth because it is splitting off at the tips before it has the chance to get long. When you have split ends and your hair is splitting off at the bottoms, you are losing length. Over time, split ends will split higher and higher up on the hair shaft, causing even more loss of length at the bottom. When your hair is healthy, it will have fewer split ends – thus less hair breakage at the tips. You will start to notice it appears to be ‘growing faster’. I recommend getting hair trims as often as needed depending on how healthy your hair is. When my hair was unhealthy and damaged, I went every 5-6 weeks to get the split ends cut off. With that being said, it’s never good to go too frequently or you will never notice growth. The healthier your hair is, the less you will have to go in for trims (which saves money- yay!). I only trim my hair once to twice a year now because I rarely get split ends. When I do go in for a trim, I only get half an inch off usually, and I get it cut straight across. Some hair stylists can be a little too ‘scissor friendly’, so make sure you clarify exactly how much you want off.

Also, when you first begin your journey to healthy hair, it’s best to get a hair cut before starting. Go to the salon and get those damaged, fried ends cut off. Shorter healthy hair always looks more beautiful than long, damaged hair (in my opinion). Start with a fresh hair cut! When I first decided that I wanted to grow my hair out and get it healthy, I not only colored it back to my natural color, but I got all those fried and damaged bits off. Though it was even shorter than before, my hair felt and looked much better.

4. BE GENTLE

Being very rough on your hair can cause lots of breakage at the tips, especially if it already damaged and fragile. Hair is at its most fragile state when it is wet. I recommend combing your hair with a wide tooth comb when your hair is wet. Don’t towel dry your hair. Dry blotting your hair with a soft tshirt, and then letting it air dry. Don’t use hair ties that have metal bits on them as those can actually contribute to breakage. I really love using scrunchies and those fabric hair ties like Emi Jays. When you sleep, keep your hair in a protective style. This is totally embarrassing, and I can’t believe I am writing this on the internet, but I actually use to sleep in a silk night cap when I was first tying to get my hair healthy (my sister and high school friends are probably laughing currently as they remember me putting on my silk ‘hat’ every night). I now usually sleep with my hair in a low bun using a scrunchy. This keeps it secure and out of my face while I get my beauty rest. Switching to silk/satin pillows can really help as well because cotton pillows can actually lead to hair breakage/damage. Be gentle to your hair to avoid breakage!

5. TREATMENTS

Give your locks some TLC. To ‘repair’ my damage hair and add moisture, I did hair treatments several times a week. My go-to for very, very damaged hair is olive oil. I would heat olive oil up in a little dish for around 20-30 seconds. After it was heated up, I would apply it to the bottom third of my hair and on any damaged bits. I would pull it back in a low bun and give it time to work! You can use this treatment for 5 minutes or even up to an hour. However, if you leave it on too long, it can make your hair greasy. The current hair treatment I use weekly is called Hsau Wen Hua by Lush. My sister and I have both been through tubs of it, and I will continue to repurchase it for as long as they make it. It’s great for damaged hair or anybody that wants to give their hair a little rehab. A drugstore favorite of mine is the Loreal Everpure ‘moisture restorative hair masque’. It smells awesome, is super affordable, and definitely is a great mask for dry and damaged hair! After washing your hair, apply a leave in conditioner. My all time favorite is ‘It’s a 10’. Comb your hair with a wide tooth comb after washing your hair, then apply the leave in conditioner to the bottom half of your hair. In addition, I love applying oils to my hair. I think this has really made a huge difference in my hair health and growth. If you want to splurge, Moroccan oil is fabulous and is most definitely worth every penny. My favorite drugstore brand for hair oils is OGX. Their anti breakage coconut serum is heavenly, and I have been through around ten to fifteen bottles of it over the past few years. I would highly, highly recommend it. In general, you can’t go wrong with moroccan, argan, and coconut oil products! Definitely check out OGX next time you are at Target, Walgreens, or any other drugstore. They are absolutely fantastic!

6. DON’T FALL FOR GIMMICKS

Many products will claim that they will magically make your hair grow super, super long. Don’t fall for it and don’t waste your money. For example, a lot of people claim ‘Mane N Tail’ is a magical shampoo (which is actually intended for horses) that will make your hair grow. It doesn’t. I have it tried it, and I would not recommend it. I actually found it to be quite drying on my hair. A lot of people also swear by biotin for magic hair growth. When I first tried to grow my hair long, I gave biotin a try. After months of use, I saw no difference in my hair. However, my nails grew even faster, and my skin was breaking out like crazy and more oily. I went into my dermatologist, where he gave me a long chat about biotin. He told me that biotin is actually not a good option for those with acne prone skin as it can make your body produce even more oily, which leads to more breakouts. After doing a ton of research when I got home, I found out there were tons of other women out there who experienced less than great results with biotin. As soon as I stopped taking biotin, the breakouts stopped and my skin went back to being semi-oily. Biotin is not a miracle worker, so be careful about taking it if you have acne prone skin.

7. SKIP THE SULFATES

These ingredients can be overused and can really cause you some hair problems. I decided to switch to sulfate-free shampoos/conditioners about 3-4 years ago, and it was such a good decision! My all time favorite is the Loreal Everpure/Everstrong line. It’s incredible, y’all. Not only do they make your hair smell amazing, they show great results. It was weird going sulfate free at first, but I really do feel like it’s made a huge difference in the health of my hair. So many drugstore shampoos have silicones and sulfates in their formula. Silicones coat your hair to make it look and feel healthy, but in reality, it can cause buildup and lock out nutrients. Sulfates are what cause your hair to lather, but they actually strip your hair of moisture. When I first switched to sulfate-free shampoo after years and years of using brands like Pantene and Garnier, it was weird to not experience that nice lather. However, I got use to over time, and I will continue to repurchase the products from the Loreal Everpure line (I linked my favorite ones below). They are the best sulfate free products I have ever tried, and I would most definitely recommend them.

8. PATIENCE

Lastly, patience is so essential. Long hair does not happen over night and neither does healthy hair. Over time you will notice a difference, but sadly there is no overnight solution to hair growth or condition. Continue to be patient & you will have long and beautiful hair before you know it!

(Here is the difference in my hair in just four years)

I hope that could help! I get asked all the time on Tumblr for hair growth tips & tricks. I am definitely no expert whatsoever, but these are all things that have worked for me! Let me know if you have any more tips that you love! Thank you so much for checking out my blog!

xoxo,

Mackenzie

Here are my favorite products/recommendations:

St. Tropez In-Shower Tan Review

August 11, 2015 by Mackenzie

St. Tropez In Shower Gradual Tan: Hit or Miss?

When this ‘in shower self tanner‘ came out a few months ago, I knew I had to try it out. I love self tanners, but between their unpleasant scents and the time I have to spend waiting for them to dry (while praying they don’t turn out streaky or ending up all over my white sheets), I am always a tiny bit skeptical when a new self tanning product comes out. It can be hard to find that perfect self tanner that gives you that bronze summer glow.

This product is described on Sephora as:

‘The most convenient way to tan—simply apply in shower and rinse in just three minutes. Great for all skintones and types, it delivers a natural-looking, bronze glow and extreme moisture without streaking or transferring onto clothing. It is made with a 100 percent natural DHA and infused with sweet almond oil to nourish the skin for a smooth, soft, hydrated finish. Use daily to gradually build an intense tan.’ (Sephora even has a little video you can watch on how to use the product that I found really helpful)

I couldn’t lie- it sounded too good to be true. I always look at reviews online before purchasing something, and even though this product didn’t have stellar ratings, I couldn’t resist picking it up when I saw it in Boots last week. After trying it for almost a week now, here is my honest opinion:

The Pros:

The #1 pro of this product for me is that it doesn’t have that strong, unpleasant smell that most self tanners tend to have. It honestly doesn’t have much of a scent whatsoever in my opinion, which is awesome! I also really like the whole concept of applying this product on wet skin in the shower. It’s easier to get a more even application. This is a small thing, but I do actually like the packaging. It’s sleek and nice, which is something I appreciate in beauty products. I think there is a good amount of product in the bottle, and I will be able to get tons of use out of it. You really do get your money’s worth. As for the results, I really think this product gives a nice, beautiful glow! It isn’t orange at all, which is great because it can be hard to find a self tanner that gives a natural looking color. I also love that this self tanner is buildable. You can definitely see the gradual build of color with each use. The color also lasts for days, so it’s nice that it doesn’t fade quickly. It also doesn’t come off on my clothes or sheets, and I can’t complain about that! The St. Tropez in-shower self tan is also not ridiculously expensive in comparison to other more high end self tanners. Retailing at $25 for 6.7 oz of product, it’s not as pricey as some of the self tanners I have seen in Sephora before. I also think that St. Tropez tanning products give a more natural color than most of the drugstore self tanners I have tested out in the past.

The Cons:

You are suppose to turn off the shower, apply the self tanner in circular motions, and then wait for 3 minutes before rinsing it off. It is honestly a little bit of an annoying process to turn the shower off, wait, and then hop back in. I get super cold! I use this time though to deep condition my hair and jam to some Katy Perry, but it can be quite irritating to have to wait outside of the shower, and then get back in again just to rinse the self tanner off. I also found it was difficult to apply to my hands/feet without streaking. My legs and arms looked very even, but as you can see in the picture above, my right foot didn’t turn out so great (which might be because I wasn’t applying it correctly- I’ll take the blame!). However, I have never had that specific problem with any self tanners I’ve used in the past. Luckily, I was able to scrub that little splotch off with some warm water and exfoliating scrub. I will definitely exfoliate my hands/feet the next time I use this in-shower self tanner. Another thing I don’t love about this self tanner is that it really isn’t as dark as other self tanners I’ve used before. It doesn’t offer any ranges of colors as it is suppose to be a ‘one size fits all’ kind of product. If you are medium to dark, this self tanner would most likely not give you noticeable results. I would recommend it for paler girls though as it is more of a lighter, sheerer glow.

In conclusion… would I repurchase this product? Most likely! I really love a lot of aspects of it, but I would not consider it a ‘holy grail’ self tanning product for me. If you are also tempted to try it out, I would definitely recommend it! I have no regrets purchasing this unique self tanner, but I don’t know if I would run out and repurchase it again the second this current bottle runs out. However, I am definitely glad I picked it up. Though it has a few flaws, I would still vote it as a hit!

Let me know if you have any favorite self tanning products that I should try out next!

My Everyday Makeup Routine

August 4, 2015 by Mackenzie

MAC Face Primer / UD Eye Primer / Bobbi Brown Touch Up Stick / Bobbi Brown Long Wear Foundation / Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer / Benefit “Hoola” Bronzer / NARS Blush in “Exhibit A” / MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in “Soft & Gentle” / NARS Duo Eyeshadow in “Key Largo” / Maybelline The Falsies Mascara / Wet ‘n’ Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner / Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in “Carmel” / Eyelash Curler / Make Up For Ever HD Setting Powder / Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lipstick in “Naughty Nude” / Beauty Blender / MAC 224 Brush / Eco Tools Eyeshadow Brush / MAC 150 Brush / ELF Small Stippling Brush / Real Techniques Contour Brush

Hey friends! So this has been highly requested, and I just wanted to share my makeup routine with y’all. This is the makeup I wear on a daily basis if I am traveling, spending the day with friends or family, shopping, going out to lunch, or attending a day time event. It usually takes me between ten and twenty minutes. I will skip a lot of the steps depending on how my skin is that week and how much time I have. When I have class or errands to run, I will typically only apply concealer and blush!

I start by applying face primer and eyeshadow primer. If you have oily skin like I do, primer can make the world of difference in helping your makeup stay all day! I then apply my foundation with my beauty blender sponge, and then I apply concealer to my blemishes and around the eyes. I then set it with setting powder. Next is color. I apply blush to the apples of my cheek and lightly down my nose and forehead. My very favorite blush is NARS ‘Exhibit A’. It looks really scary in the pan because it is bright red, but it looks really nice if you use it with a light hand. I then apply bronzer to the outsides of my face and cheeks. In addition, I contour my nose a little on the sides. My favorite highlighter is MAC ‘Soft and Gentle’. It’s super shimmery and looks really nice on the cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose. It’s definitely worth the money because it will last you ages. I then fill in my eyebrows with a pencil because they are naturally sparse. Anastasia Beverly Hills makes the best eyebrow products. Eyeshadow duos are so easy for day time, and NARS ‘Key Largo’ is my very favorite. It has a peach tone on one side and a beautiful bronze on the other. After applying a little eyeshadow, I curl my eyelashes and swipe on some black liquid liner to the top lash line. I put on two layers of black mascara after. The final step is setting my face with setting powder. I use my large MAC 150 brush to apply my powder, concentrating on my t-zone. Lastly comes lipstick. My go-to is ‘Naughty Nude’ by Too Faced. It is the one nude lipstick I have tried that actually doesn’t wash me out. I definitely plan on purchasing another one of the Too Faced La Creme lipsticks- they are gorgeous!

Let me know what your favorite makeup products are! I always love trying out new ones. Hope you all are having a terrific Tuesday!

Shopping Haul

August 2, 2015 by Mackenzie

Cleanser • Toner • Lotion • Pore Minimizer (primer) • Tea Tree Oil • Naked Palette • MAC 224 Brush • MAC 150 Brush • White Dress • Romper • Pom-pom Top • Bardot Top • Black Top

I love shopping. With only one more weekend left in London, I decided it was time to do some retail therapy before hitting the library to cram for exams. After leaving my dorm around 10:00 or so, I visited The Body Shop first. I have actually never been in The Body Shop before, but I recently read some great reviews on their tea tree products for acne prone skin. I’ve been struggling with angry breakouts the past few months, so I’ve been trying a ton of different products in hope of finding some that will help my acne. I picked up these five Body Shop products in two little sets that totaled around 30 pounds. The products I got include the tea tree facial cleanser, toner, lotion, pore minimizer (primer), and treatment. The products claim to make a difference in your skin in just three days, so I am going to put them to the test! I’ve only tried this new skin care routine twice so far, but I really like it so far. I will review these products in more detail once I use them a little more and get an opinion. Next stop was Topshop. I’ve been really obsessed with the store, Topshop, lately because I love their variety of styles, great quality, and petite line! When you are 5’0, it can be really hard to find clothes that fit perfectly without needing alterations. Luckily for me, there is a 3-story Topshop right here in London, and it’s incredible. They were having a huge sale this weekend where I was able to purchase this off the shoulder top, pom-pom top, and beige romper all for about half-off each! I actually have the pom-pom top in black already, but I’ve been wearing it pretty much weekly. When I really love a clothing piece, I always get it in every color! I was really excited when I saw my favorite pom-pom top came in white and was on sale- I just couldn’t resist. I also really liked the beige romper I found on sale. I’ve been really into tie-front tops/dresses lately, so I thought this romper was really cool. Something else I love about Topshop is that they actually offer a 10% student discount, which does help save you a bit of money!
Next stop was Victoria’s Secret. When you walk down Oxford Street in London you see hundreds of people with the pink, striped Victoria’s Secret bags. I decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check it out. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked in- it was huge! Never in my life have I been a four story tall Victoria’s Secret. I ended up purchasing a nude, strapless bra, which I felt would be a smart investment because I actually do not own one. It’s also multi-way, which makes it super versatile and practical. I was really glad I stopped by to check it out! Across the street from Victoria’s Secret were some makeup counters. I picked up two MAC brushes. I chose the MAC 224 brush because I felt like it would be an awesome brush for blending eyeshadows. I do not actually own a blending brush, so I felt like this pick would help make my daily makeup routine that much easier. I also splurged on the MAC 150 because I knew it would be an awesome brush for applying finishing powder. I also read reviews that raved about what an awesome brush it was for applying and blending bronzer! I also stopped by an Urban Decay makeup counter to get my favorite palette. I got the UD Naked Palette for Christmas a few years ago and fell in love. You really do get your money’s worth with any of the Naked Palettes, and they have awesome pigmentation! I actually used up my entire first Naked Palette, and I have been procrastinating buying a second. I don’t usually repurchase products because I love trying out new things, but I loved this palette so much that I decided it was worth it to purchase another! I would highly, highly recommend it if you are just getting into makeup or looking for that perfect, versatile day-to-night palette!

My last stop was Lush. I *no joke* spent almost two to three hours in Lush Oxford Street because I knew it would most likely be my last time to visit. I have been saving up my money all summer for my big Lush shopping spree, and I didn’t spend as much as I originally assumed I would. I walked out with tons and tons of awesome products to try out and gifts for my friends and family back home. I am going to do a thorough post and review on the products once I get home, but I don’t have anywhere to photograph them here in London! I am really excited to share my huge Lush haul with y’all, and if you follow me on Snapchat (mackenzieken), you probably already saw some of my snaps on some of the things I picked up! Lush is actually bringing in some new products to the states, so I hope to see some of the Oxford Street exclusives in all of the stores over the next few months! I am so glad I got to check out the flagship store! It was unbelievable to see a three story Lush store, and I absolutely loved the amazing staff and products there. So stay tuned for my Lush haul in the next two weeks (I included a little sneak peak below)!

Here are some pictures of my purchases:

Thank you so much for checking out my blog! Hope you all are having an awesome Sunday!

Scents of Summer

July 29, 2015 by Mackenzie

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I get asked so frequently about my favorite perfumes and body sprays, so I decided to a make a little list of my favorite ones for the season. In the daytime, I love a tropical body spray. They aren’t as heavy as perfume, but still add a nice fragrance. Bath & Body works makes my all-time favorite body sprays. They have such a huge variety of scents, but their ‘Hawaii’ line that came out a few months ago is amazing. It’s embarrassing, but I have actually been through three full bottles of the Oahu body spray. No joke. What I love most about the Oahu body spray is that it has coconut notes, but isn’t overwhelming at all. It smells like vacation in a bottle. I also love the Maui fragrance from the line as well! With notes of mango and hibiscus, I instantly feel like I am back in Maui! For nights out and special occasions, I love Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. Both smell very fresh and beachy, and I love them for summer time! My last favorite scent for summer is Sun by Lush. It doesn’t have the best staying power, I am going to be honest, but I absolutely love the fragrance. It has strong citrus undertones and smells just like oranges. I always throw it in my purse or backpack because it is a solid perfume and is awesome for ‘on-the-go’ use. It’s the perfect mid day pick me up. I love all of the Lush solid perfumes, but this is my favorite for summer!

Let me know your favorite scents for summer! Hope you are having an awesome Wednesday!