Man, I miss you guys! I know I’ve been MIA here on the blog, but it’s because I’m working on something very special for you. I know you’re going to love it! Just be a taaad bit more patient with me, I promise it will be worth the wait.
In the meantime, keep up with me on IG and Snapchat, both @McKenzie_Renae.
Talk to you soon!
xoxo
McKenzie
Nude polish is a classic in my book. Perfect to wear practically anywhere at anytime. So you can only imagine my excitement when OPI released their Infinite Shine Summer 16 Collection.
Much like choosing the “perfect red”, picking a new nude that’s the perfect match for your skin tone can be tricky and require trial and error. Yet in this case, trial and error can be so much fun!
Let me introduce you to the girls already!
For my girls who polish their nails at home themselves, remember to paint two thin even coats, for richly pigmented, vivid color. Always use a base coat to protect your natural nails from any stains polish could leave if directly applied to the nail, and always finish with a top coat to help your new color last by accompanying it with maximum shine.
(L to R: “Cant Stop Myself”, “Don’t Ever Stop!”, “Staying Neutral on This One”, “Hurry Up & Wait”, and “No Stopping Zone”. ***not pictured: No Strings Attached).
Each shade retails for $12.50 each and can be found at your nearest ULTA store.
Honestly I love them all, but I think my favs are a toss up between Can’t Stop Myself, and Don’t Ever Stop!.
Floral for Spring? Groundbreaking. But it’s Summer, and these beauties are compliments of Vanity Projects on Instagram.
P.S: I have been on the hunt for a dope nail artist in the Atlanta area that can make some of the dope nails of the day features on my blog happen. So if you know anyone, let me know what’s up in the comments! xoxo
If you follow me on IG or Snap, you’ve already heard me obsessing over my new little hair do. I don’t switch up my hair as much as I’d like to, mainly because I was a bit limited with my tapered cut. Now that it’s slightly past shoulder length when straightened out I can have a lot more fun with it and finally pull it up into a ponytail. It’s summer and it is still hot outside, so I felt led to rock a style up off the neck, a bit undone, and effortless.
Appropriately named, the “Halo” braid, it’s a style that starts as a french braid around your hairline the continues to wrap around the crown of your head mimicking a halo.
I borrowed my inspiration from this photo of Ciara. Kind of messy, loose, with a french braid intertwining into a fishtail toward the ends. Isn’t she gorgeous?
I didn’t have time to swing by the salon, so I booked an appointment through an at-home styling service app called COLOUR and a personal stylist named Ashley made her way over to make this beautiful halo braid happen for me.
Here are some finished photos of the look.
Because I wanted the braid to appear a bit loose and tousled, we left out some pieces in the front and by my ears so it wasn’t so “perfect”. At night, I simply tied a silk scarf loosely around my hair and the style lasted for about 5 days before I decided to take it out.
Wala, hope you love! I sure did 
Honey I have been working haaarrd on achieving the clearest and smoothest skin possible. My goal is to keep wearing little to no makeup this summer and focus on illuminators, highlights, strong brows, wispy lashes and a red or nude lip. That look just screams FRESH to me!
I wanted to do a quick review on Estée Lauder Flash Illuminator and put it to the test with my “no makeup” makeup routine.
Review:
Color: 03 Sun Light
I applied the illuminator with my fingertips on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, my cupids bow, and brow bone. I finished the look with a dab of Kat Von D Lock It concealer right under my eyes to cover any dark circles, a coat of Estée’s Edgiest up & out double mascara, Ciate’s brow gel, and a shimmery gold Dolce & Gabbana lipstick.
I applied the illuminator in the natural light by my window and it looked gorgeous with the natural lightening. It’s funny because it’s waayyyy more subtle in photos almost coming off as more of a dewy glow finish. I still love the end results, it gives you that fresh glowy face we were JUST talking about.
Gripe:
The onlyyy thing is that the formula is a bit thick, not unmanageable, but not quite as “liquidy” as I would like for a better application. And, with this particular shade that was sent to me, I had to be careful not to apply too much so I didn’t appear too pink or red. I’d love to see what the darkest shade “Night Light” looks like!
I ordered a new one from Glossier over the weekend and can’t wait to share that review with you as well!
Estée Lauder rounded up some of their favorite guest editors to put together a special gift called “the Estée edit”. Estée Lauder was kind enough to send one over so I could check it out and try some of their most coveted goodies.
I don’t know if you can tell, but the bag handles are made of rubber, so cute. I’m all for great aesthetic and packaging.
So here’s the scoop on the new Estée products!
A high impact highlighting cream that can be used alone, mixed with foundation, or as a brightening primer. It delivers hydrating skincare ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and vitamin E. Available in 5 shades for any skintone and every effect. The color below is “03 Sun Light”.
Two heads are definitely better than one. On one end you get a bristle brush for volume and the other end is a molded brush for lift. I also use the brush for lift on my bottom lashes.
Last but certainly not least:
Use this blacker-than-black liner to conquer the cat eye. The 12 hour wear marker tip, makes getting a thin or thick line just a matter of pressure. Won’t fade or transfer to upper lids (always a blessing!).
I’ve been using all of these products lately and really love them all. The mascara is similar to the effect of the faux Ardell “Wispie” lashes. Natural, but still statement making. And the liner is fool proof . Literally channel your inner five year old and get to drawing, with a tad more precision of course.
Stay tuned for my more in-depth review of the Flash Illuminator.
I can’t wait to try out this negative space design. Nails courtesy of @vanityprojects on IG. What do you think? Do you love or nah?
Art is food for my soul. I get this inspirational high every time I visit an exhibit or cool museum. Next on my bucket list is to conquer the plethora of museums in New York. Hopefully I’ll have some free time this summer to make a weekend trip there for that sole purpose alone.
I have to admit, I was left pretty clueless after seeing Basquiat: The Unknown Notebooks exhibit. Literally, a show displaying pages of his infamous notebooks with random words and “poems” that made no sense at all, at least not to me. But hey, I still found the beauty in his work, mainly being the simplicity of it all.
I chose something comfy and cool since the weather has been so beautiful in Atlanta the last few days. Light layers are still needed but it’s finally time to shed the all black and prepare for Spring.
Thread List:
Jacket: GStar
T-shirt Dress: Zara
Kicks: NIKE Air Max
Socks: American Apparel
