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, hello! If you know anything about me, you know that I absolutely love makeup. I’ve been obsessed since I was in about 6th or 7th grade, and I find playing with makeup just so fun! I get asked all the time about my makeup in my snapchats, so I thought I would share with y’all in detail my current makeup routine. It’s really hard for me to make a set ‘everyday day makeup routine‘ because honestly, I don’t always do the same identical makeup look every single day. It really just depends what I am feeling and how much time I have. For class, I usually just fill in my brows, swipe on a little shimmer brick and concealer, and go. If I go out with friends on the weekend, I will do a heavier eye makeup look with falsies or I’ll opt for a darker, bolder lip. If I have an interview, I usually swap out my favorite bold, pink lipgloss for something a little more subdued and neutral. However, this is my typical daily makeup routine when I am at home in Texas or when I just want to look more polished.
So without further ado, here are the makeup products I gravitate towards on a daily basis. You can click on each item in the picture to take you straight to the product!
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!
Sephora is my happy place. It would be probably be impossible for me to leave that store without my hands covered in hundreds of swatches. When I was shopping with my sister this weekend, it was too hard to pass by Sephora without trying out a few new things (and picking up an old favorite).
I absolutely love Urban Decay, and their eyeshadows are probably my very favorite out of all the brands I have tried. Even though I am an avid collector of the Naked palettes, I have never once purchased any of their individual shadows (mostly because they are around $20 a piece!). However, after swatching all of the Moondust Eyeshadows in my local Sephora, I just couldn’t say resist picking one up for myself. They are so incredibly unique and gorgeous, making them worth the $21 price tag, in my opinion. I decided to go with Solstice, a gorgeous duo chrome. I love this shade because I’ve never seen anything just like it before. From one angle it looks like a berry, burgundy tone, and from the other angle it appears to be a bold turquoise/teal. This eyeshadow totally makes a statement, and I plan on wearing it packed into the center of my eyelid. In the pictures above, I just did one light swatch on the back of my hand. If you apply the eyeshadow with water or MAC Fix+, it creates a stunning, ‘wet-like’ effect that is incredibly pigmented. This eyeshadow can also be worn as an eyeliner, which I think would be super fun on the upper lash line. My sister decided to pick up one of these Moondust Eyeshadows as well, and she was torn between Zodiac and Ether. She decided to opt for Ether, which is another duo chrome shadow. We decided the light purple 3D glitter in Ether would make her green eyes really pop. We both plan on purchasing Zodiac next!
The name of this mascara may be a little ‘out there’, but this mascara totally rocks. One of my best friends raved about this mascara to me for months. I eventually gave in and tried it out for myself not too long ago. It was love at first swipe. Unfortunately I was not blessed with naturally thick and beautiful eyelashes, but this mascara really makes the world of difference for my lashes. It adds tons of volume, drama, and length without any clumpiness whatsoever. I love the formula because it isn’t too wet, but it isn’t too dry either. Mascaras that are too wet can end up in a clumpy mess and all over your eyelids. Mascaras that are too dry, on the other hand, can flake throughought the day, also leaving a huge mess. The Better Than Sex Mascara has such an awesome formula that honestly looks great for hours and hours. It is very rare for me to repurchase a product, especially a mascara, because I love trying out new things. However, this mascara is a product I will constantly repurchase.
Over the past year or so, I have become something of a lipstick addict. Lipsticks can totally change up your entire look and are fun to add to your makeup collection. I’ve been on the hunt for a perfect everyday, neutral lipstick- something not too nude, but not too bright. After swatching probably thirty lipstick shades on the back of my hand, I decided to go for the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in ‘Rush’. ‘Rush’ is pretty much a ‘your lips, but better’ kind of shade. It has a pinkish-mauivish tone that pairs perfectly for day or night. I think it’s especially great for winter because it has a very cool undertone which goes great with any cool toned eye look. I absolutely love the formula of this lipstick. It is very pigmented, but also very comfortable to wear. It goes on smoothly and lasts on the lips for several hours. I also find it to be very moisturizing, which is always a huge factor for me with finding the perfect lipstick. The Revolution Lipsticks also have a nice sheen to them, making them very flattering on the lips. They also don’t have any scent whatsoever, which is something a lot of people prefer. I also love the price of these luxurious lipsticks. They are not drugstore price by any means, but they are a lot more affordable than a lot of other lipsticks at Sephora (Dior & YSL, I’m looking at you). I would definitely purchase another one of the Revolution Lipsticks in the future. There is such a great shade selection, and the formula is just awesome.
Let me know if have been trying out/loving any new products lately! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend & a great Thanksgiving.
P.S. – who else is excited for Cyber Monday in just a few hours?!
I am addicted to makeup. That is a well-known fact that I can’t even try to deny. So every year when my family asks what I want for the holidays, they are never too shocked when I mention a new palette or lipstick. Makeup always makes a great gift (whether it’s for your sister, mom, bestie, or even yourself!). I selected several makeup gift ideas from my favorite place to shop- Sephora!
Thank you so much for checking out my blog! I would love to hear which makeup products/gifts are on your wish list/shopping list this year!
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 !!
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!
