Hello everybody & happy, happy Friday! Can you believe the weekend is finally here?
Today I wanted to share my summer favorites from the past almost-full month of living in California. I’ve had so many favorite things lately that I just had to rave show y’all. As no surprise, there are tons of shoes. Shocker, I know. Without further ado, friends, here are some things I have been loving lately:
Happy Friday & happy first day of April (*insert April Fools’ Joke*)! Didn’t March go by so quickly? What an eventful month it has been! Though it’s been a great month, I am so excited that it is finally April, which may or may not be my favorite month of the entire year. I love that it finally starts to look & feel like spring when April rolls around. April is also my birthday month, and I will be the big 21 this year (which totally makes me feel like a real adult). I officially booked a flight for Vegas to celebrate my birthday at the end of the month; fingers crossed I’ll be lucky so I can do more of my favorite past-time, shopping.
Okay speaking of my shopping addiction, I tried out a few new products this past month that I wanted to share with you guys! I found some new favorites that I have been just head-over-heels for.
Hello everyone! I hope you all have had a great first week of 2016. This post is a little overdue, but I figured, ‘better later than never’. Sephora is pretty much my addiction. Anybody that knows me knows that I can’t resist walking into Sephora at any given opportunity. I also can never leave Sephora without hundreds of swatches decorating my hands and arms. I try out tons of new products all the time, but these were my favorite from Sephora during 2015. I found myself reaching for these products all the time, and I have repurchased the majority of these products more than once! I have a ton of new products I want to try out in 2016, which I have included at the bottom of this post!
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:
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!
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!
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!
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).
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!
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!
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!
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 !!
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:
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!
At the beginning of this summer, I did some serious closet cleaning. I went through everything in my closet that didn’t fit anymore or I hadn’t worn in the past two to three years. It felt good to finally de-clutter my life and get organized. After selling some of my old Lilly Pulitzer pieces that didn’t fit anymore, I had money to do a little shopping and purchase pieces that fit, and that I could get great use out of. This season I’ve been all about off-the-shoulder dresses and tops, pom-poms, bold colors, tassels, cut outs, crop tops, versatile, pieces, and heels/wedges! London has some great shopping, and I absolutely love living in the city. If any of y’all have any London shopping recommendations- let me know. So far I’ve been loving Topshop, Zara, and Mango!
Thank you so much for checking out my blog. I hope you all had a great weekend!
As the month of June begins, it’s time to share my beauty favorites from the month of May. I am a little bit of a beauty-junkie, and I am constantly trying new products. These are my favorite beauty products I have been loving this month:
These NARS eyeshadow duos are my favorite, especially for travel. I picked this little duo up on a whim, but I have been loving it so much. It’s a perfect peach and bronze combo that works for both day and night. I find myself wearing it pretty much daily with black liquid liner and mascara. The peach shade is matte and looks really nice with a tan. The shade on the right is a rich bronze that looks lovely in the crease of the eye. I think ‘Key Largo’ is a great duo for blue eyes! I will definitely be bringing this perfect summer duo with me when I head abroad.
When I am picking up a new blush, I usually go for warm peaches and pinks. I was just browsing around at the MAC counter in Memphis, and the makeup artist there suggested that I try this blush. Initially, I was very opposed to giving this blush a try. It does look muddy and dull in the pan, however, it actually looks very natural on the skin. It really adds a nice glow and is perfect for everyday use. I think this blush would be especially perfect on tan skin and works great as both a blush and bronzer.
These Revlon lip balms are brilliant! I have three shades- Sweetheart, Cherish, and Mischievous. ‘Sweetheart’ is a bold, hot pink that is super bright and stays on the lips all day. ‘Cherish’ is a cool toned pink that is a little more wearable for daytime because it is more sheer. ‘Mischievous’ is a pale orange stain with a matte finish. Something that I love about these balms is that they are so easy to apply and require no sharpening. These Revlon balms also have the nicest scent. They smell so minty and fresh, which is great because I can’t stand lip products that smell bad! I definitely plan on purchasing more of these fun Revlon lip balms in the future.
I got this summery, little scrub for my birthday and I’ve been loving it! With notes of coconut, hibiscus, and mango, it smells so tropical. This body scrub also does a fabulous job of exfoliating (which is great if you spray tan and/or use self tanners). I am a little bit in love with everything from the Bath & Body Works Hawaii collection, especially the lotions and body sprays!
This has been my go-to nail polish for the past month. It reminds me of the beach and really flatters any skin tone. This cool blue polish also looks great on the toenails as well! It’s a really nice color for the season, and I would highly recommend it for anybody looking for the perfect summer nail polish!
Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Let me know what your May favorites are!
freckles // fringe booties
tassel sandal heels // succulent gardens
white wine // lace up sandals
outdoor concerts // little, lacy bralettes
