Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Spring Makeup 2015





So I finally made a video! Here is my Spring make-up look!

I hope you all enjoy, and make sure to leave a comment with your favourite make-up products of the moment!

I hope you have a fantastic day (or night)!

Mackenzie xx

Sunday, 26 April 2015

Haircare Essentials

Hey guys, hope you are all well. Today I'm going to share some hair products and tools that I have found work best for my hair. I have quite thin natural blonde hair that tends to be dry at the ends and oily at the scalp. Since my hair is so fine I find my hair gets greasy super fast and these products have helped to manage that. I hope you find some of these products helpful!






This shampoo and conditioner were recommended to me by my hairdresser. I was finding that since I am in pool water teaching swimming lessons that my hair had become very brittle and would fall out easily. Since using this combo my hair has become less dry and fragile and it all around looks better. You don't have to use much of either- about a quarter-size for the shampoo, and a pump and a bit for the conditioner. The smell is also a huge bonus- I always feel that whenever there is mint in a product it makes you feel extra clean.



These two products are ones that I definitely do not use on a day-to-day basis. The conditioner is a very heavy one, you have to use the absolutely smallest amount to avoid weighing your hair down. When your hair dries it just feels so soft and looks so healthy. I use it about once or twice a week.
The shampoo is a cleansing one so it cuts through all the product build-up in your hair that your regular shampoo may not have been able to get rid of. Since I use dry shampoo and other things in my hair I find that using this twice a week helps to clean my hair completely and make it feel light and grease free for a few days.


This product has been a saving grace for my dry ends, it adds a lot of moisture but is still weightless. I use about a dime sized amount, and I run it through the ends of damp hair. When your hair is dry there is no frizzy-ness and it is easy to manage and style.


Sea salt spray is something I have recently gotten into and it is amazing. It is great if you want some texture to freshly washed hair, or to add some oompf to second day hair. I spray it generally just everywhere (flip your hair upside down to volumize underneath too) and then scrunch my hair to add some volume and work the product in. I have tried a few different brands and I like the Lush one the best, it doesn't make your hair crunchy, and leave a nice fragrance behind.


Dry shampoo is something I simply cannot live without, it changes your hair from a giant grease-ball to something that can be seen by people in the real world. I like the Batiste one because it doesn't leave a residue and is easy to brush out. I spray this down my roots, crown, and side of my face, if I want more volume I part my hair down the sides of my head to lift underneath the hair. It does leave a white cast so you have to really work it in, but it is well worth it. If you have brunette hair they do make one that is tinted brown.


This product is perfect for controlling any pesky fly-away hairs. Some pieces of my bangs like to stick straight up so this helps to make me look like less of a cockatoo. I take a tiny amount and work it between my fingers to warm it up and then run it through the hairs that need to be tamed.


This brush has made brushing my hair such a breeze, whether it is wet or dry. It doesn't pull your hair at all, it just glide through smoothly and leaves you tangle free. It is definitely worth buying if your hair tangles easily.

Let me know if you try any of these products, or have any recommendations for me to try!
Hope you all have a great Sunday!
Mackenzie xx

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Dry Skin Fixes

Hey guys hope you are all surviving the never ending winter!
I have some of my favourite skin products to share with you all today.
My skin used to (and still sometimes) get extremely dry in the winter, especially on my face which made applying foundation a nightmare. Since I started using these face products I have not had a single issue! My knuckles seem to be betting the brunt of the dry weather but a new product discovery has brought them back. Hopefully you find these products/tips helpful!


The first product I want to talk about is my daily morning facial moisturizer;

There is also a gel for oily/combo skin.
This face cream is new to me this winter and I have fallen completely in love. The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + is for dry skin and I was worried that it would make my foundation breakup and look patchy on my skin, but it dries fast and leaves no oily residue- the perfect foundation base! It has a pump on it which makes it easy to dispense, and I typically use one pump for my entire face after I have cleansed.


My nighttime moisturizer is also from Clinique and it is one that I have used for years- and the jar lasts forever! The Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief is perfect for skin that gets dry and flaky in the winter. I have not tried this under makeup but if you use a small amount it should work as long as you give it ample time to sink in completely. There is also a skin fortifying version which is more of a cream rather than a gel. I found with the skin fortifying one I had to use more product in order to feel like it was actually giving me enough moisture, whereas with the gel I use less and get the same result. If you find that you have flaky patches (I typically get them around my nose) put an extra dollop of the cream on the dry spot after you have applied it to the rest of your face- don't rub it in! Overnight it will sink into your skin and your dry spot will be gone by morning!


Now I have not tried many eye creams/gels in my day but I decided to pick one up because I found my under-eyes and lids to be getting quite dry which was making my eyeshadow not apply as smoothly as it should. Since this one is anti-aging it is very moisturizing and lightweight. I typically only apply this at night, but its texture is almost watery so you could definitely apply it in the morning.


The Body Shop has some amazing face masks but this one takes the cake for me; it gently exfoliates, cleanses, and nourishes the skin. I use this mask once a week, applying it to freshly washed skin and leave it on for around 20-30 minutes. It can be a bit tedious to remove but I find that warm water and a face cloth works the best. It removes dead skin but does not strip the skin, and you look glowing and refreshed after.


There is nothing worse than chapped lips, and this combo makes sure that you never feel like you are losing you mind with how dry your lips are. The scrub makes your lips feel tingly and brand new (also smells and tastes like peppermint + chocolate). You want to make sure you use a good lip balm after the Blistex one is amazing, I also like the Burt's Bees peppermint one. After doing this (when needed- typically once or twice a week) your lips will be perfectly prepped for any lipstick- especially matte ones! 


This scrub will make any Canadian feel right at home- it smells like straight up maple syrup. It is the perfect amount of grainy and moisturizing to make you feel all brand new- it gets rid of the dead skin but is not so rough that it's painful to use. I use this in the shower on my arms and my legs (perfect before shaving so you can get a closer shave), and once I'm out I follow up with the cream below.


Once again the Body Shop nails it for dry skin, this body butter is very thick and super moisturizing. I use this at night to give it time to sink it. It works well for any part of your body that needs a little TLC. They have so many scents to choose from, there is sure to be one for you.


If I ever need an extra boost of moisture I break out the Lemony Flutter, even though it is branded a cuticle butter I put it on any part of skin that is extremely rough. My knuckles always crack in the winter and this has saved them. I slather it on at night (I wouldn't use this in the day as it turns oily when warmed up) and wake up with happy soothed skin.



My last product is again from Lush their Charity Pot Body Lotion is perfect for when you're in a rush but still need to moisturize. All the money from the sales of this lotion goes to grassroots charities and it is an amazing way to help give a little something back. It is lightly scented (floral/chocolate-y) and that scent lingers for around an hour. Also comes in a larger pot, the small one is perfect to toss into your bag to use throughout the day.

tl;dr
You need;
-The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +
-The Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
-Olay Age Defying Eye Gel
-The Body Shop 3-in-1 Face Mask
-Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub
-Blistex or Burt's Bees
-Soap and Glory The Breakfast Scrub
-The Body Shop Body Butter
-Lush Lemony Flutter
-Lush Charity Pot Body Lotion

 Let me know your favourite face/body products to use in the winter time!

Mackenzie xo

Monday, 9 February 2015

Easy Breakfast to Go

Hey guys! Hope you are all well!

Now I don't know about you but I never leave anytime to eat properly in the morning- especially coming into midterm season- so I'm sharing with you all my favourite way to start the day. I cherish my 5 extra minutes of sleep so in order to get them I make over-night muesli. It is so simple to make- you just throw everything together in a container, put it in the fridge and voila you're done!

Now what you need is:
-2 medium apples (any kind you like- I use pink lady's because they are sweet)
-1 cup (250 mL) rolled oats
-1 cup (250 mL) coconut yogurt (I don't usually like coconut but it's delicious in this!)
-2 tbsp raw pepita (pumpkin) seeds
-2 tbsp dried cranberries
-a splash of milk

Steps:
1. Dice one apple and grate the other on your largest grater size. Place the apples in a large tupperware container.
2. Add the oats, yogurt, pepita seeds, and cranberries on top.
3. Stir to combine (adding the milk if needed to make everything stick).
4. Put the lid on and refrigerate overnight (or at least 2 hours).
5. Portion into smaller containers to easily pack with you. And top with anything you desire (I always add fresh fruit).



This recipe makes about 2-3 servings and will last for 3-4 days in an airtight container.

Whenever I do this I am assured that I will have a healthy meal first thing in the morning, even if it means eating it while doing my makeup or having it in class.

I hope this helps to give you an alternative to just grabbing a granola bar in the morning because you are in a rush- something I am very very guilty of.

TL;DR
Throw some ingredients together and be proud of yourself for being an actual self-sufficient adult.

Enjoy! And let me know if you make it yourself or if you have any other suggestions of easy breakfast ideas!
Mackenzie xx

Ps. Who knew that MacBooks had a built in memory card reader? These things can do everything!

Friday, 20 June 2014

Tame Those Wild Things


We are just going to act like I didn't drop off the face of the earth for a couple months....just pretend that my last post was a week ago and I totally managed to keep my schedule. Alright now that I am back I have some post ideas that I hope you will enjoy. This one is short, but it is something that I have struggled with, and no lie these products have made shaping and containing my brows a lot easier.

tl;dr
All you need is clear brow gel, a spooly, and some hairspray and you can be on your merry way without checking throughout the day to see if there are any runaway eyebrow hairs.



So here are my tips and tricks to taming even the most wayward of eyebrow hairs. My eyebrow hairs just seem to like to grow in every which way and even sometimes they are slightly curvy- I know it's weird. So I have tried a couple things in an attempt to tame the fury beasts and I finally have managed to get a hold on them. My first step, which is optional, is filling in my brows with a powder.  I use MAC charcoal brown eye shadow for that, but any matte eyeshadow that matches your brow colour will work. Then I put on some Maybelline clear mascara to get the shape I want. After that has dried I spray a spooly (you can get these anywhere... I took mine from a MAC counter...) with some hairspray, you can use any brand you like (I use the L'Oreal Elnett Extreme Hold Hairspray) and then comb the brush through your brows. And viola those bad boys are locked and loaded for the whole day. Might sound like a lot of steps but after trying the Benefit Gimme Brow in an attempt to roll all those steps into one, I am just going to say that hairspray will be the best things to happen to your brows. Even in the heat of the summer, those brow hairs are not going to break free and cause all kinds of issues.

Hope this helps some of you that are looking for a cheap and easy way to tame your eyebrows and frame your beautiful face.

Talk to you soon my lovelies,
Mackenzie xx

Friday, 2 May 2014

April Favourites 2014



Hey guys welcome to my blog. This week is my April Favourites, I can't believe how fast this month gone by and I am so glad I am done classes (even though I have to write 2 in June). It's been cold and windy all month so I haven't really gotten into the spring spirit, but I'm sure that May will change that. I have make some new discoveries this month and have quickly become obsessed with them. So without further ado here are my April Favourites!

tl;dr- a summary

Make-up

I bought the L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Concealer in C-1-2-3 and I am absolutely loving it, it works really well with the foundation I have been using (L'Oreal True Match Foundation- N1). It blends really easily and it never looks caky on my dry skin. I do find that I have to layer it to get it to cover everything, but for an everyday look one layer is absolutely fine. It lasts all day, and I never feel like it is sliding around my face. 

We need to discuss how freaking fantastic the Beauty Blender is, my foundation has never looked better when I use this (damp of course). I can blend my foundation in, in about 1 minute with no effort at all. Your skin just looks so flawless when using this, and I use it to blend in my concealer as well. This has definitely become one of my new obsessions and I regret not getting it sooner. 

My last make-up favourite is the Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara in the waterproof formula. I love mascara and this one makes getting full lashes so quick and easy. I did have to buy the waterproof version because the regular one smudged throughout the day. This is a great mascara for those who like big lashes but don't want to have to put 3 coats on. 

Books

I finished reading the book Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, now I admit that there are better teen books out there, but this one is still a very cute and intriguing story. It is a typical teen romance novel; two high-school outcasts fall in love, but there is just something about it that made me want to read until the end. If you are looking for an easy read to fill your time then this is a good option.

I just started reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and I am not very far into it, but I can say that it is a very gripping story. The basic premise is that a wife goes missing and her husband is blamed for it. I will update you when I have finished it. 

Movie

I just recently saw Captain America: Winter Soldier and it was simply FANTASTIC! I love superhero movies and this one did not disappoint. Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan have fantastic chemistry and are both phenomenal actors. I would highly recommend going out to see this movie.

TV Show

I have be obsessively watching Revenge with my mom, we are both addicted! The story does not move very fast, but it still manages to entertain you for the entire episode. If you are looking for a new show that it not too difficult to follow, then be sure to check it out.

Band

Ooo boy the Arctic Monkeys have quickly become one of my all-time favourite bands, their music is just out of this world. They are indie rock-esque and I promise it's not as obscure as it sounds. Alex Turner is 1) gorgeous, and 2) just an outstanding songwriter. His lyrics are just so perfect, and the rest of the band can just rock their instruments. I am actually going to see them in Toronto in June and I cannot wait! I will do a full post about it then. 

Full Reviews

Make-up

I haven't had a chance to try too many new products this month, although the few I have purchased have found their way into my everyday make-up routine.



First up I bought a new concealer (which I must say I am addicted to buying- one day I will find the perfect one... one day), my previous concealer that I loved was the Mac prolong wear in NW15, but unfortunately I found that the colour has oxidized into more orange undertone then when I had first got it, maybe I just had it too long and just need to repurchase it... anyway just something to consider if you are looking into buying it. I may try the NC20 for the summer time and see how that goes. Back to the new concealer, I got the L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Concealer in cool-fair/light C-1-2-3. This colour is supposed to work with the colours in their True Match Foundation which I currently love and am the colour N1 soft ivory. I have a neutral skin tone and I find that this works perfectly to even our my base. The concealer is darker than the foundation but once you blend it out it matches perfectly in my opinion. It never looks caky on my dry skin, it is not a matte finish so if you have oily skin you would want to set it with a powder, which I end up doing anyway. It lasts all day, and if you feel the need to add more, the applicator makes it really easy to add a tiny amount exactly where you need it.

(ignore the foundation stains...)
My next favourite is the Beauty Blender (I have the Royal colour), I don't know why it took me so long to jump onto this bandwagon but I am a true convert. I have extremely dry skin during the winter and spring and this has just been a godsend. I am beating myself up for not getting it back in November when my flaky skin started to rear it's ugly head. The damp BB just makes it so much easier to apply my liquid foundation, with a brush you have to buff over your skin to blend and that can cause your flaky patches to really standout (sounds gross but it's just one of those things that happen). I don't even know how many times I have had to take off my foundation and reapply it because it just looked so patchy and obvious, but since purchasing the BB I have not had a single issue with applying my base. Even if you have oily skin the beauty blender will be the best thing to ever happen to your make-up routine. It makes applying liquids so easy, and your face looks flawless every time- I even find that I can use less product to get an even coverage. I haven't done too much research into dupes for this product, but I have heard the most about the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, so if the BB is out of your price range then that might be a good alternative. I decided to invest in this product because I had heard that some other sponges lose their shape after being washed, so I wanted to have a sponge that I knew would last a good 4 months, rather than spending $10 on alternative ones and replacing after a month or so.



A mascara that I have currently been obsessed with is the Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara, it is just simply amazing. It gives tons of volume (as the name would suggest) and also length. I have the black colour in the waterproof formula. It goes on so easily, and with one coat your lashes are fuller, and it does not clump at all. The only downside to this product is that the regular formula tends to smudge under the eyes by the end of the day, but if you don't put it on your bottom lashes you should not have that issue. I personally love doing both top and bottom lashes to attempt to make my eyes look bigger, so the waterproof version is perfect for achieving that look.

Random 

Books



This month I finished the book Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, it's quite an easy read as it is teen fiction, but it was quite a cute and heartwarming story. Without going into too much detail; the book is about two teens who are on the outs with their peers, there are of course bumps a long the way but eventually they fall in love. Now I will admit there are better novels out there, but it was a nice time-filler during study breaks.

A novel I have just started is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, now I am only about a 1/4 of the way through this, but it is very gripping. The basic premise is that a husband discovers that his wife is missing, and everyone believes that he is guilty. I will have to update you with my final thoughts when I have finished it. (Sorry I didn't have a photo, I lost the cover sleeve). 

Movie

We need to take some time to discuss Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It has easily become one of my favourite movies of all time. Even though I loved the first film, the sequel surpassed all my expectations and it predecessor. Can I just say that Sebastian Stan has also become one of my favourite actors? His performance is just outstanding and this movie just solidifies his place in my heart. I would highly recommend this movie is you love superhero movies as much as I do. 

TV Show

So my mom and I have become obsessed with the show Revenge, we are currently on the 3rd season. It is a drama but more on the soap-opera side with some action thrown in- it's a hard show to explain. Basically a woman moves into the Hampton's to exact her revenge on those who had a hand in putting her father into jail. It is slow show, but I just can't stop watching it! It is great for something light- you don't have to put too much thought into watching and understanding what is happening. You can find it online or on Netflix- which has also become an addiction of mine. 

Arctic Monkeys 

I just have no words for how absolutely amazing this band is. I have been listening to them for a couple months now and I am just addicted. They are an English indie/rock band for those who have never heard of them before. There music is very catchy, and just all around brilliant. My favourite songs are No. 1 Party Anthem, Piledriver Waltz (from the Submarine soundtrack), Fluorescent Adolescent, Reckless Serenade, the list could go on. But in summary, give them a try and you are sure to love them. I am actually going to see them in June and I cannot contain my excitement- Alex Turner will be the death of me. I will do a full post all about it closer to the time.


And that's all for this month, I hope you enjoyed reading!
Mackenzie xx



Friday, 25 April 2014

Hello, welcome to tl;dr

Hey guys, my name is Mackenzie and welcome to my blog. I am a 19 year old girl from Canada, and I have just completed my second year of university in the English program. I have wanted to start a blog for sometime now, but never had to confidence to do it. I decided today that there is no point in waiting any longer I just have to jump into it and hope for the best.

I decided to name the blog tl;dr (which means too long; didn't read) because I have a tendency to ramble and say a lot about one thing. So at the beginning of my posts I will have a tl;dr section that will have a short summary of the post. Below that will be the full post that will go into more detail about the topic, along with photos. I hope that this set up will make it easy for you to find exactly what you are looking for, and then be able to scroll down to find out more if you wish. 

This blog will be a medley of make-up, fashion, food, movies, books, music, and more. I will try to update at least once a week with posts and photos. I am in the market for a new camera so once that happens the photos will be much better quality then they would be with the camera I am using now. 

I hope that this blog is useful to at least one person, and this doesn't turn into a train wreck. Please feel free to leave a comment with ideas for new posts, your own favourite products, and even some criticism on how I can improve over all. 

Thanks so much for reading,
Mackenzie x