mac – Mackenzie Billington

November Favorites

December 5, 2015 by Mackenzie

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

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

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

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

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

Three Lipstick Shades You Need + Dupes

November 2, 2015 by Mackenzie

MAC Rebel | MAC Pure Zen | MAC Ruby Woo

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

Let me know what your favorite MAC lipstick shades are!

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!

May favorites

June 3, 2015 by Mackenzie

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:

1.) NARS Key Largo eyeshadow duo

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.

2.) MAC ‘Margin’ blush

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.

3.) Revlon colorburst lip balms

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.

4.) Bath & Body Works ‘Maui scrub’

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!

5.) Essie ‘Bikini So Teeny’ nail polish

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!