skincare – Mackenzie Billington

Current Skincare Routine | August 2017

August 28, 2017 by Mackenzie

Hello & happy Sunday! I have been getting so many questions lately via Tumblr about my skincare routine. The last time I shared a thorough skincare routine on my blog was 2015, and I recently realized how much my routine has changed in the past two years. Back in high school, I started diving deeper into skincare, specifically into the world of anti-aging products. I know what you’re probably thinking – ‘Girl, why are you using anti aging products in your early 20’s?!’. I am a big believer that it’s better to start preventing skin damage and aging now than to try and reverse things twenty, thirty years down the road. Though there are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to skin aging (i.e. genetics, lifestyle, diet/health, sun exposure), I believe that taking care of your skin externally is also very important! I crave routine, so for me personally, having a skincare regimen is essential.

I could ramble on about skincare forever (even though I am no expert or dermatologist by any means); it’s always been such an interesting top for me personally. Today, I wanted to share my favorite skincare products, my current routine, and a few tips I have learned over the years. So without further ado, let’s get into it, friends!

Updated Skincare Routine

December 30, 2015 by Mackenzie

Happy Tuesday everyone! I’ve been getting a ton of questions lately about my skincare routine. As a lot of y’all know, I have struggled with oily/acne-prone skin for as long as I can remember. My skin has always been my biggest insecurity, and for the first time in my life, my skin finally gives me confidence. I actually have been getting so many compliments on my skin these past few weeks, which is such a huge, huge thing for me. I posted a skin routine a few months ago (read it here), but I wasn’t 100% happy with it as a long term thing. It was working fine, but I was still struggling with frequent breakouts and very excessive oil.

When I first started noticing my oily skin back in grade school, I did every thing I could to fight it. I used any ‘anti-shine’ product I could get my hands on to try and mask any trace of shine. I also avoided moisturizers at all costs. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that your skin can actually overproduce oil if you are not properly moisturizing it. I feel like by adding more moisturizing products into my skincare routine instead of using drying, oil fighting products, I’ve seen major improvement in the quality of my skin and its appearance. (If y’all would like to see a more thorough post on oily/acne prone skin and my tips for getting rid of acne, just comment below & let me know – I have before and after pictures).

I started adding anti-aging skincare products in my weekly routine about four years ago. A lot of people look at me weird the second I tell them that- most because I already look incredibly young for my age. I always reply with my same-old, same-old joke, “I want to look 12 forever!”. I know that aging is a lot easier to prevent now than to try and reverse it down the road. Now that I am in my 20’s, I’ve started to use a full routine of ant-aging products. I’ve been loving my skincare routine lately and thought I would share it! Though anti-aging skin care products are great, the best thing you can really do is to stay out of the sun and wear SPF- on your face, neck, and hands. I recommend keeping a little bottle in your car!

In the morning, I start by washing my face with the Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Cleanser. I purchased a little skincare set from Ole Henriksen at Sephora several weeks ago just to try out some of the best selling products from the link. The set was only $25, and I couldn’t resist picking it up to try these mini products. The African Red Tea cleanser is probably my favorite product from the entire set, and I will definitely be repurchasing another one soon because I am almost completely out. I love that it is foaming and that it has a nice scent. After cleansing my skin, I apply some of the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster. It makes my skin feel a little tighter, and I absolutely love the scent. It has a very strong fragrance to it that smells exactly like oranges, which some people may not enjoy. The scent doesn’t last long on the skin, but I do actually love the way it smells. After applying the Truth Serum, I finish my daytime skin care routine by applying my Neutrogena Triple Repair moisturizer to my face, neck, and hands. I love this moisturizer because it is very thick and creamy on the skin, but doesn’t make me feel overly greasy. I also find that my skin doesn’t get too oily throughout the day either. I love that this moisturizer has SPF in it, and I find it doesn’t wash me out in photos (always a plus!). My only complaint is that I wish it had a pump as I don’t find it very sanitary to stick my fingers in the jar. In addition to my Neutrogena moisturizer, I also apply Clinique All About Eyes. I got this sample size of the product in a Sephora ‘500-point’ set, and I would definitely repurchase it in the full size. It really makes a big difference when it comes to under eye circles and any darkness. I also find that it helps with applying my undereye concealer and really creating a smooth base. Make sure that you lightly tap it around the undereyes so you don’t tug at the sensitive skin!

At the end of the day, I usually remove my makeup with makeup remover first. I then apply a pump of the African Red Tea cleanser on my Clarisonic brush. I have been using the Clarisonic for over a year now, and I honestly think it has made major improvements on my skin. It does a fantastic job of really removing every inch of makeup off of my skin, thus preventing additional breakouts and clogged pores. I have the ‘acne brush’ on my Clarisonic and has been my favorite brush out of all the different ones I have tried over the past year. If you don’t own a Clarisonic brush, you should definitely look into investing in one. They are pricey, but I promise you won’t regret the purchase- especially if you struggle with skin problems like I do. I’ve been told before that it’s actually not good to apply moisturizer before you go to sleep, so I usually only apply moisturizer if my skin is feeling extra dry. I’ve been really loving the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation moisturizer because it is very light on the skin and doesn’t break me out. It is packed with Vitamin C and Vitamin D. I don’t wear it during the day because it does not have SPF in it. Once a week, I use the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment. It’s a really nice nightly treatment that leaves my skin feeling mega soft. I also find that it doesn’t cause any breakouts whatsoever, which is something I am always fearful of when trying out new products.

I’d love to know what skincare products y’all have been loving lately!

P.S. – Two full days of 2015 left!! That is beyond crazy to me. My New Years Resolutions post will be up on Thursday- stay tuned!

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!

The Lush Lowdown – part 2

May 28, 2015 by Mackenzie

Lush Fail #1 – Black Stocking

I was really optimistic about this product when I first purchased it. A cute heart shape bar that will make me tan? Oh yeah! However, this product ended up being more of a flop for me. Though it does have a nice scent, it’s incredibly difficult to use. When you rub it onto the skin, it is extremely shimmery, streaky, and hard to rub in evenly.

Pros: has a nice smell, similar to licorice. It also has a nice bronzy color.

Cons: Applies unevenly, and is very difficult to blend. Looks streaky on the skin.

Lush Fail #2- American Cream Conditioner

The sales associate talked me into purchasing this conditioner for my dry, coarse hair. After smelling it, I was sold. It is honestly the most delicious smelling conditioner I have ever come across. It definitely reminds me of a vanilla and strawberry milkshake. However, when it comes to how well this product works, I am less than impressed. I had to apply a very large amount to my hair for it to even work as a conditioner whatsoever. After getting of the shower, and brushing through my hair, it felt very frizzy and dry. When I looked at the ingredients I noticed it has sulfate, something I don’t usually put on my hair. The conditioner is such a light formula and I would not recommend it for thick, coarse hair.

Pros: Smells amazing- best scented conditioner I have ever used. The scent lingers throughout the day, which is something I do really like.

Cons: Very light and not moisturizing enough. You have to use a large amount for it to even work at all. I would not repurchase even though the smell is amazing.

Lush fail #3 – Shower Jelly

I originally purchased this seasonal shower jelly for my mom for Christmas. It came in a gift set. She really didn’t like it, so she ended up giving it to me. I was really excited to try it because I’ve seen the shower jellies many times in the store and have always been tempted to try them. The smell of this specific product is interesting. It’s not exactly pleasant, but it isn’t necessarily bad either. The consistency is the weirdest aspect about it though. It feels like jello. My main issue with the product though is that is kind of difficult to use. I’ve tried many different methods of using it, and nothing seems to work because it is so slippery. When I pinch a small amount and try to use it as a shower gel, it slips out of my hands. I have even tried putting a small amount on a loofa, but that didn’t work for me either. The shower jelly just wouldn’t lather at all for me, and I felt like it would just bounce off my skin. I don’t think I would repurchase another shower jelly again!

Pros: It’s a really fun, unique product that’s definitely worth trying. They’re also really fun to touch!

Cons: Didn’t really work for me. I don’t feel like it really cleaned or lathered. Instead, it would slip onto the floor or bounce right off.

Lush Skin Care

I’ve always been a drugstore skin care fanatic, trying every cheap face wash and moisturizer on the market. All have worked, but none have really been a ‘holy grail’ for me. When I was in Lush back in the the winter, I was given a sample of a skin care product to try- Coal Face. I was a little freaked out by this black rock I was suppose to rub on my face, but I decided to give it a try. After a few weeks, I noticed great results. I also liked that the Lush product didn’t irritate my sensitive, acne-prone skin. I decided it was time to switch from the harsh drugstore products I had used for year to something more gentle and organic for my skin. What I noticed is that Lush is really not much more expensive than your typical drugstore products. I went into Lush recently to pick up some skin care products, and I have been loving them. Here is a review on my Lush skincare routine:

Step 1- Fresh Farmacy Cleanser

In the past, I have only ever used liquid cleansers in a bottle. It has been an adjustment to switch to a cleansing bar, but I really, really love this one. My sister, who also has the same skin type as me, has been using this product for months now. She recommended it for me, so I decided to choose this specific cleanser. It is light pink in color and has a nice scent. It is made with calamine, elderflower, and lavender oil, so it’s incredibly soothing on the most sensitive skin. To apply it, I hold the bar under warm water and then rub it between my hands. I put the bar back in a small dish by the sink and then rub my hands on my skin to apply the product. Then, I use my Clarisonic skin cleaning brush to help the product really clean my skin. One of my favorite things about this product is that my skin feels incredibly clean after using it. I think it’s really awesome that you can actually choose the amount you want to pay for each bar depending on the size. I decided to buy $10 worth, which is a pretty decent amount. When I got home, I cut the bar into 9 different pieces. I know my sliced up bar of Fresh Farmacy will last me a long time, and when I do run out, I will definitely, definitely repurchase.

Step 2- Tea Tree Water Toner

Before purchasing this product, I had never used a skin toner before. After hearing tons of raves and recommendations about the Lush Tea Tree Water, I decided to give it at a try. It doesn’t have much of a fragrance in my opinion, but it feels very refreshing on the skin. The ingredients in this product include tea tree water, grapefruit water, and juniper water, so it is awesome for oily and acne prone skin. To use this product, I spritz the toner onto a cotton ball after cleansing my skin, and then I rub it to my skin, concentrating on the t-zone. The Tea Tree Water feels really light and soothing on the skin. Within just a few days, I noticed a huge difference in my skin. I would recommend this product for anybody looking for a great toner that really helps with breakouts and oil!

Step 3- Imperialis Moisturizer

This moisturizer is a life saver. It is a balancing moisturizer for combination skin. It’s super soothing because it includes lavender flower, shea butter, olive oil, elderflower, and tons of awesome ingredients! It has really helped the oil production of my skin without making my skin necessarily dry either. I use it twice a day right after using my toner. The Imperialis moisturizer leaves my angry, sensitive skin feeling soft and healthy. Plus, it does’t break my skin out at all, which is awesome! It’s a little more on the pricey side in comparison to the cleanser and toner, but it is well worth the money. The only thing I don’t love about it is the packaging- I would prefer the moisturizer to be in a pump bottle. When I run out, I will definitely be purchasing some more.

Thank you so much for checking out my two part Lush series! Have a great day!

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: