hair – Mackenzie Billington

Everyday Heat-Free Waves + Current Hair Routine

January 23, 2017 by Mackenzie

Hello & happy Monday! I am excited to announce I will now be having a blog schedule (yay for organization). I will be posting every single Monday and occasionally on Fridays too! So check back every Monday for a new post.

So today’s post is definitely long overdue. Throughout my years blogging/on social media, this is been my #1 most requested post: a heat free hair tutorial + my daily hair routine. I have always enjoyed making the previous hair posts (like this one about growing long, healthy hair), so I decided it was finally time to share my little secret to heat-free waves. So without further ado, here is my hair routine + my heat-free method for loose waves.

T H E P R O D U C T S

sponge rollers

These are my little secret weapons. I sleep with sponge rollers in my hair pretty much every single night. I’ve been sleeping with sponge rollers in my hair since I was about 2 or 3 years old. I personally do not find them uncomfortable, but that is most likely because I have been using them for about nineteen years now (except for those two years in middle school where I was addicted to the flat iron).

I naturally have course, wavy hair. However, my natural waves are messy, unpolished, and unruly (inserts the Miley Cyrus song ‘Can’t Be Tamed’). In middle school, I would spend an hour every single morning trying to straighten my hair, in failed attempts to tame it. When I decided to start the journey to healthy hair, I decided to use my sponge rollers again as a heat-free method to polished, effortless hair.

I love sponge rollers because they give the effect that I used a curling iron. I also love that they save me so much time in the morning. I can just take them out, and go (instead of spending an hour straightening/curling my hair). Sponge rollers take me under a minute to put in, and in the morning, I can just take them out in seconds. Most importantly, I love that they do not damage my hair. I have been bleaching my hair for years, which is incredibly damaging. Using sponge rollers keeps me from using excessive heat on my hair! Almost forgot to mention this final pro of sponge rollers- but they are also very affordable. The set I linked above are under $2.00. Sponge rollers are very budget friendly!

To some, sponge rollers may seem ridiculous or strange. My roomies over the years have probably been so perplexed at first by my strange sponge roller addiction, but to me, saving time in the mornings & preventing damaged hair makes them SO worth it. I love being able to wake up in the morning and get ready quickly- especially if I have work or class.

I hope that you can find my hair tutorial below informative & helpful!

Loreal everpure condition | Batsiste dry shampoo | OGX coconut milk serum | Moroccanoil | Loreal shine spray

Here are a few of my favorite hair products. I have repurchased ALL of these products multiple times, and they are products that I plan to continue repurchasing for years to come. I am constantly testing out new products, but these are my top five that I always, always come back to. I find that they work very well for my hair type, and most of them are ultra affordable.

T H E R O U T I N E

I wash my hair about 2-3 times a week. This is something that I think surprises some people, but my hair really doesn’t get greasy (neither does my mom’s hair). It’s important to try to avoid washing your hair every single day, as it does strip your hair of essential oils.

After washing my hair, I usually dry it gently with an old t-shirt (which is better on your hair than using a towel). I then brush through it, apply a heat protectant, and blow dry it using my favorite blowdryer. My blowdryer is pretty much the only heating tool I use, but to me, it’s an essential. I personally use a blowdryer because my hair takes HOURS to dry naturally + using a blowdryer really tames my hair and makes it straighter/sleeker.

Drybar Blow Dryer Review

January 16, 2016 by Mackenzie

Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer

Gone are the days of holding my heavy blow dryer above my head for an hour, only to end up with frizzy, dry hair. Every year for Christmas, my sister and I get ‘one big gift’. When I told my parents that I wanted a blow dryer for my ‘one big gift’, they were beyond confused. I have very long, course, wavy hair that I have a love/hate relationship with. Though I do actually like my hair, the one thing that I completely despise about it is how long it takes to dry after washing it. One morning this semester at college, I washed my hair, got dressed, and headed to the library to spend my Sunday cramming for finals. When I came back home that evening, my roommates were like ‘Your hair is wet.. didn’t you wash it this morning?! Like 8 hours ago’. Yes. Yes, I did. On average, my hair takes over 3 hours to air dry. Ain’t nobody got time for that. I’ve purchased drugstore blow dryers in the past, but that still took an hour to dry my hair with, leaving my arms aching. I was always so unsatisfied with the end result.

For about a year now, I’ve thought about investing in a ‘high end’ blow dryer. So Christmas was the perfect time to finally get a nice blow dryer that would hopefully make my life a little easier. I debated back and forth between blow dryers, but I ended up deciding on the Drybar Buttercup after reading a ton of reviews. I got the little value set that was available at Nordstrom this past holiday season, and I got to try out the Drybar round brush, shine mist, and tons of other goodies. This blow dryer has completely changed my life. Wow, that sounded completely dramatic, I know. However, it really has changed the game for me. Meet the Drybar Buttercup- on Sephora, it is described as:

“A precision blow drying tool designed for use by stylists at Drybar shops across the US to deliver perfect blowouts to thousands of clients every day—now available to Sephora customers to create their own professional blowouts at home. The Buttercup Blow Dryer features an ultra-powerful motor to get the job done fast and efficiently. Buttercup was designed for use by stylists at Drybar shops across the US to deliver perfect, long-lasting blow-outs to thousands of clients every day. NanoIonic™ Technology helps to break up water quickly for reduced dry-time. Nano beads within the dryer emit powerful negative ions that seal and smooth the hair cuticle, helping to reduce frizz, increase shine, and trap moisture inside for more healthy-looking, hydrated hair.”

I definitely think the Drybar Buttercup lives up to these claims. No doubt.

About two weeks ago, I posted a snapchat selfie on my public account (mackenzieken) of me with wet hair. Then 7 minutes later, I posted another selfie of me with completely dry hair, and tons of y’all asked questions about this magic. I have to give all the credit to this hair dryer. Now, drying my hair is a piece of cake. It takes about 10 minutes on average to completely dry my hair with the Drybar buttercup, and that’s incredible. It also leaves my hair so soft, smooth, and shiny. In the past, blow drying my hair always made my hair feel dryer and frizzier than it was to begin with. However, this blow dryer actually makes my hair feel and look better than it did in the past. I love this blow drier because I also don’t have to use direct heat on my hair (via flat iron, curling iron, etc.) after because it does such an incredible job on its own of making my hair look great. I like to use the blow dryer with the nozzle (that it comes with) and the round brush. I always started by blotting my wet hair with a tshirt before using the blow dryer. Then I apply a little product. I’m always completely blown away – no pun intended – with the results after each use. Even some of my friends noticed a difference in my hair, and several of them accused me of wearing hair extensions like I did back in high school. The only change I’ve made is using the Drybar Buttercup, but the difference is definitely noticeable.

If you are considering buying a high end hair dryer and you struggle with coarse, frizzy hair that never dries, definitely, definitely look into the Drybar Buttercup. I would highly recommend it, and it has completely changed the amount of time I have to spend on my hair. The only complaint I would have is that sometimes it randomly blows out cold air (like can you not plz). It’s always a little random and strange, but it’s not too big of a deal. When I was reading reviews of this product on Sephora, I saw a few other customers mention the same little weird issue. It doesn’t bother me at all. The only other con would be the price, of course. I always do a ton of research on products before splurging, and I read tons of reviews before choosing the Drybar Buttercup. I would highly recommend reading other reviews for yourself.

Here are my pros/cons to the Drybar Buttercup.

Pros:

dries hair in under 10 minutes
leaves hair feeling very soft, shiny, and healthy
hair feels more hydrated
hair does not feel frizzy or dry whatsoever after
cord length
less damaging for your hair
cute packaging
quieter than most blow dryers
lightweight compared to most blow dryers

Cons:

price
sometimes randomly blows cold air out

So in summary, I am so happy about the Drybar blow dryer. It has made my life so much easier, and I would highly recommend it if you are looking to splurge on a high end blow dryer. This blow dryer has really, really worked for my personally, and I’m a big fan. It’s so fantastic, and now every day can be a good hair day.

My Favorite Sephora Products of 2015

January 9, 2016 by Mackenzie

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!

How to get Perfect Beach Waves

December 27, 2015 by Mackenzie

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)…

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!
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.
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!

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:

The Lush Lowdown – part 1

May 27, 2015 by Mackenzie

It’s no secret- Lush is my favorite store. Every time I go, my sister has to pretty much drag me out because a ‘quick stop’ usually turns into a 5 hour adventure of my smelling everything in the entire store. If you aren’t familiar with Lush, it’s a wonderful and fresh, handmade cosmetic store. Everything is incredibly unique and smells heavenly. The best part- they use all fresh ingredients and do not test on animals. I have been a huge ‘lushie’ for the past few years, so I wanted to share with y’all my opinions on some of my favorite (and least favorite Lush) products that I have purchased over the years! I decided to make this a two part post because it is quite lengthy. Part one will be my favorite products and part two will be my Lush skin care routine and my least favorite Lush products.

#8. Ocean Salt

This glowing, blue mystery is one of Lush’s best selling products- and for good reason! It is a product I have repurchased 3-4 times now. Ocean Salt is an exfoliating scrub that smells just like summer. It makes me feel like I’m at the beach and it makes my skin feel very soft and clean!

#7. Sultana of Soap

This little soap bar is one of my newest Lush products- I picked it up this past weekend, and I am loving it. I was so torn when choosing a soap bar, so I asked the girl working there which soap was her favorite. She recommended ‘Sultana of Soap’, and I am so glad I took her advice. Don’t be afraid of its strange appearance. It’s made with dried apricots, but I don’t really pick up that scent. To me, it smells very creamy with a hint of fruit. What I love most about it is how moisturizing it is. When you hold it, you can feel it melting to the warmth of your hands. It’s incredibly creamy, and makes your skin feel so soft. I will definitely purchase another Sultana of Soap after finishing this piece.

#6. Lip Scrub

If I had to recommend one product from Lush that absolutely everyone would love, this would be it. The Lush Lip Scrubs are out of this world. I got the limited addition flavor, Santa, back in the winter. The three permanent flavors in the line include Mint Julips, Popcorn, and Bubblegum. I would highly recommend the Mint Julips one; it smells so minty and refreshing. These lip scrubs not only smell incredible, but they also do a great job of exfoliating and getting the dead skin off of my lips.

#5. Face Masks

A face mask was my first purchase from Lush. They are definitely worth the money, and they real do make a difference. My favorite part of them is that there are tons of options depending upon your skin type and skin needs. Because I have very oily and acne prone skin, my favorites are Cupcake, Love Lettuce, and Cosmetic Warrior. Cupcake is my favorite because it smells delicious and really helps with breakouts. The only bad thing about them is that they do expire because they have fresh ingredients. They have a shelf life of about a week or two, so it’s best to use them as soon as you can and to keep them refrigerated. Also, when you have 5 empty lush containers, you can get a face mask for free!

#4.) Daddy-O Shampoo

Purple shampoo? What? It definitely looks scary in the bottle, but is one of the best hair products I have ever used. This violet colored shampoo is perfect for blondes. As a lot of y’all know, I color my hair (that is actually naturally dark brown). A few weeks after coloring my hair, the blonde will start to turn brassy. This shampoo really does a great job of toning my hair and helping my color look refreshed. Not only does this help with color tone, it makes my hair feel so soft and healthy. It has a very nice, organic smell that I actually really enjoy. I purchased the small travel size, just to try it out. When I finish this bottle, I will definitely be back to repurchase the full size!

#3.) Shampoo Bar

I have tried 3 of the Lush shampoo bars now, and I think they are absolutely brilliant. They are incredibly unique, and I would highly recommend them if you are looking for a fun hair product to try. The main reason I love them is because they are so perfect for travel. You don’t have to worry about spills or messes; you just throw them in a bag and you’re good to go. There are also tons of options for these shampoo bars depending on your hair type and scent preference. Out of the ones I have tried, my very favorite is by far is called Jason and the Argan Oil. This one has a beautiful rose jam scent. I remember the first week I purchased it, I walked around the house holding it up to my nose. This rose jam scent is my very favorite out of all the scents at Lush. I have had this shampoo bar for almost 3-4 months now, so it lasts a really long time (which is awesome for only $10).

#2. H’suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment

I can’t pronounce the name of this hair treatment either, don’t worry. My sister and I have both been through 2-3 containers each of this product- it’s a miracle. It does a great job of adding hydration and health to dry, damaged hair. Put it on your hair 20 minutes before hopping in the shower, and then rinse it out. I only apply it to the bottom half of my hair, and I notice a huge difference in my hair after using it. I try to use this product once or twice a week. The only thing I don’t love about this product is the smell. It is made with vinegar and banana, and you can definitely pick up that combo when you use the product. However, it’s still the best hair treatment I have ever used, and I would highly recommend it for anybody looking for a perfect hair mask!

#1.) Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner

And the winner goes to…. Ro’s Argan Oil. This is the most heavenly product I have ever used in my entire life. I will definitely be repurchasing this product as long as they continue to make it. When I went to Lush this past weekend, I convinced my sister to buy this body conditioner. She was a little hesitant at first because it really isn’t a common product that most people keep in their shower. The reason I decided to purchase this product for myself a few months ago was because of the smell. It smells exactly the same as the rose jam scented shampoo bar, Jason and the Argan oil. Ro’s Argan oil is incredibly moisturizing, and you don’t even need to use lotion after showering. You leave this product on in the shower like you would a conditioner for your hair. I apply it to my body and then let it sit. After a few minutes, I rinse it off. It really works wonders for dry skin and leaves your skin soft and beautifully scented for the entire day. If I could only pick one product from Lush, it would most definitely be this. It’s so unique and has the most incredible fragrance.

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

(Also- feel free to comment and let me know what your favorite Lush products are!)

Check out part two of this series, which includes ‘the misses’ and my Lush skin care routine: