What's missing from your makeup routine?

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Let’s talk about something that may be missing from your makeup routine, but can make a huge difference in your overall look. 

Eyebrows. Yes, eyebrows. Did you know that filling in your eyebrows can make your makeup look more professional and put together? In my opinion, this often-forgotten makeup step, makes the biggest, and best, difference to any makeup look.


Having a good hair day can boost my confidence and make my look feel complete. However, while many women take the time to do their hair, some don’t take the few extra minutes to add some extra definition to their eyebrows.

Eyebrows frame the face and can make your makeup look go from pretty, to well balanced and put together.

The sculpted and defined eyebrow, which began with the 50s pin up look, reappeared and took off just the past few years and escalated with the release of many, new eyebrow products.

On the high end makeup spectrum, Anastasia Beverly Hills is queen of the eyebrow world with her famous eyebrow pencils, brushes, powders, and other brow products. Just within the past year, however, drugstore brands have released many eyebrow products that even rival Anastasia’s products. Check out the eyebrow products created by NYX cosmetics to see some exact dupes for hyped-up Anastasia products.

Some people may prefer brow powders (you can even use eyeshadow for this), some prefer pomades, which hold in eyebrow hairs into place well, and others may like eyebrow pencils to create realistic hair strokes. I suggest using a powder or pencil for those who are just experimenting with your brows or just want a light fill-in. 

Whatever you use, practice filling out the shape of your brow a few times because it may take a few tries to get the shape that you want. I like to create a line along the bottom of my brow and then fill in upwards until my brows looks uniform and more prominent.
Quick tip: if you have dark hair, opt for a brow color that’s slightly lighter than your hair color. If you have light hair, go a little darker with your eyebrow pencil.

Not only can filling in your eyebrows make your face look more put together, it also compliments any eye shadow you use because it creates a frame for your eyeshadow. After doing your eyebrows, put a light/white eyeshadow under your brow to highlight the brow bone and complete the brow look. If you get a little messy with your eyebrow products, use some of your concealer to clean up any mistakes.

There are many different ways and products you can use to sculpt out or lightly fill in those lovely eyebrows of yours. The goal is to fill in those sparse, or hairless areas of the eyebrows to make them look uniform and add definition to the eye area. Keep practicing until those eyebrows are on fleek! 







Fall Favorites Tag!

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So, all week I've opened up my YouTube subscriptions page to see video after video about this fall favorites tag that the makeup queen herself, Jacyln Hill, created. If you don't know what I'm talking about, YouTuber Jacyln Hill made up her own questions all about the wonderfulness that is the fall season and tagged other YouTubers to answer the same questions. Although I'm no makeup YouTube guru, I thought these questions were so fun and I encourage you all to let me know your answers to the tag.
Let's do this.


First question is what's your favorite candle in the fall. 

Here comes the expected rant about Bath and Body Work's fall candle releases! You knew it was coming.

 My favorite fall candle has to be the BBW pumpkin pie candle. I love how it smells spicy and sweet at the same time and it's one of those candles that smells up your whole house, or apartment in my case. Straying from the typical BBW candles, I wanted to also mention another candle I recently found and have been burning. My mom and I have become obsessed with the Swan Creek candles that we recently found at Scheels. These candles are super strong and yummy! When I'm not burning pumpkin pie, I'm burning my Swan Creek candle in wedding cake. Add a hot cup of coffee and you've got the perfect fall ambiance. Heck yeah.

Favorite Lip Color

I'm a die hard nude lip kind of gal, but I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone and try some darker colors. Fall is the perfect time to experiment with your makeup, especially lip colors. My favorite fall lip color is a lippie stix from Colourpop. I can't stop raving about these lippie stix, but they're $5 and so dang good. Can't stop, won't stop! 
Drumroll please...
My favorite fall lipstick is Colourpop's lippie stix ($5) in the color Flawless. It's the perfect dupe for MAC's infamous lipstick in rebel. It's that super flattering, plum color that looks great on everyone. I like this formula better than the MAC one because it's longer lasting and doesn't move around or get on my teeth as easily. 

Favorite Drink

Pumpkin spice latte. Is there anything better? I may or may not be drinking one as I type this sentence. 

Favorite Blush 

I love putting on blush. It just makes your face look alive. Since I'm pretty fair and my skin begins to resemble paper the deeper we get into the colder months, I like a blush that isn't too deep or pigmented. My favorite is hands down Benefit's Dallas blush ($28). It's almost one of those bronzer/blush combos for my fair-skinned homies, but it's such a beautiful, unique, dusty-rose color that gives the perfect color to my cheeks. If I'm in a hurry, I'll dust this all over the outside perimeters of my face because it has a bronzy undertone. It pairs great with deeper lip colors. 

Favorite Clothing Item

Cardigans! I'm pretty sure my family knows it's the fall season when my black and tan cardigan appears again. Cardigans just make every outfit look put together and they're so cozy and comfy. I love that I can take it off if I get a little toasty as well. My all-time favorite cardigan is from Express. I also usually get my cardigans from Target and Old Navy. 

Favorite Fall Movie/Favorite Fall TV Show

Hmmm... I'm not someone who watches the same movie over and over, so I couldn't think of my favorite fall movie. However, I love all the fall TV shows that come around in the fall time. My all time favorite is Scandal - who doesn't want to be Olivia Pope? I also love Empire, Arrow, Reign, Sleepy Hollow, and The Walking Dead. Sleepy Hollow is perfect to watch during the fall since it's Halloween/fall themed, so is The Walking Dead because, well.. zombies. 

Favorite Thanksgiving Food

Noodles! My mom makes the best homemade noodles. Add some noodles on some mashed potatoes and I'm a happy camper. Now I'm hungry! 

Favorite Halloween Costume

Pocahontas!

Brands to know, try and love! Colourpop Cosmetics

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I want to start doing a couple of reoccurring series on my blog. These topics I will revisit and rewrite about from time to time and add on to the series.

Today’s spotlight brand is Colourpop Cosmetics, a recent, online only brand that got started in Los Angeles, California.
 
Let’s dive into this series I’ve named: Brands to know, try, and love. This series is all about branching out of your makeup rut and trying some new products from brands that you may not see on your typical drugstore shelf or Sephora counters. Of course, I’ll just be talking about some brands that I’ve tried and products that I’ve purchased that I’ve fallen in love with and want to share about with you all.


They’ve gained a lot of love lately and many prominent YouTubers have been talking about their products. This brand blew up fast because of their super cheap prices, good quality and super sparkly eyeshadows. Colourpop started out just producing shimmer-packed eyeshadows, but now have evolved into creating lipsticks, liquid lipsticks, blushes, highlighters, matte eyeshadows and bronzers. Although I don’t own every type of product they have, I own quite a few and find that my favorite
products are their lipsticks, or lippie stix. I also own a couple highlighters, a liquid lipstick, and many eyeshadows that I use on a regular basis.

I feel confident while recommending these products to you makeup junkies and newbies out there because Colourpop’s products are fun, they have a large range, and they’re inexpensive (most items are $5) they’re made in the U.S.A and are cruelty-free.


Eyeshadows in "On the Rocks," "Game Face," and "Animal"
This brand stays fun and hip with their innovative products and fun product names. One of their most recent releases is a lipstick set called “Back to Cool.” Not only are the names different from many brands, their products are as well. The formula of all the powder products are a strange gel to powder like formula and are best applied with your fingertips. I enjoy popping a shimmery Colourpop eyeshadow in the center of my eyelid, with my finger, to top off any look.

If you’re a budget babe, maybe head to Colourpop’s website and try a few, fun products out for yourself. Let me know what you think about your purchases!

How to transition your summer makeup routine into fall

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Welcome to the revamped Kenzie's Beauty Corner! I'm recommitting to my blog once again and posts will be up once a week. Head over to www.washburnreview.org to also read my blog posts and check out some other awesome stories from Washburn's student newspaper. 

Today's post is all about transitioning your summer makeup routine into the fall months that are finally upon us! 

Well I suppose I’ll blot and powder my face for the fourth time today. This thought often pops into my head during the sweltering summer months and I often wonder why I bother to put on makeup when I know it’s going to just melt off my face.

The fall and winter months are finally coming upon us and I get overly excited about all the makeup possibilities there are when my makeup can stay on for more than 30 minutes. This time of the year gives us an excuse to play with makeup and experiment with fall trends, dark lips, smoky eyes, contoured cheeks, and sculpted eyebrows. The possibilities are endless and for a makeup junkie like me, I’m bouncing on the edge of my seat waiting for the cooler weather ahead.

Transitioning your summer makeup routine, or lack of a makeup routine, to fit the cooler months can be a lot of fun when you know what you need. I’m going to share my thoughts on what makeup items you should trade in, throw to curb, or keep rocking. If you’ve never experimented with makeup, fall is the perfect time to try.

Fall is all about richer, deeper colors that mimic the changing of the leaves and the arrival of seasonal Starbucks drinks. Okay, maybe not the Starbucks drinks, but I like to be creative.

Trade in your bright or simple eyeshadow palette for shadows that are more orange and plum in tone. Swipe a camel-color across your lids and crease and deepen the edges of your eyes with a dark cranberry color to instantly look ready for fall. My suggestions: Wet N Wild Color Icon eyeshadow palette in comfort zone or Makeup Geek’s eyeshadows in desert sands and bitten.

Toss that summer tinted moisturizer or bb cream for a more full coverage foundation that fits your skin tone when that summer tan begins to fade. When you’re rocking a fall lip or deeper eye look, a foundation that gives more coverage and is the right shade will make your look complete and flawless. Matte skin is in this fall. My suggestions: CoverGirl 3-in-1 foundation, Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch foundation, or L’Oreal true match.

Add some cream products to your makeup stash during the cooler months because they won’t melt off the face. Cream products can look much more natural on the face and never look cakey like heavy powders will. Try a cream bronzer or blush to look naturally awake and sun-kissed. If you’re worried about the cream products not lasting, top them off with a powder. My suggestions: Sonia Kashuk Undetectable cream bronzer and Sonia Kashuk crème blush, both found at Target stores.

Trade in that bright pink or coral lipstick for a more neutral or darker lip. This fall, aubergine is going to be a huge color for makeup artists. Browns, reds, raspberry’s and nudes are popular lipstick colors for fall. My suggestions: go to Colourpop’s website and shop their five dollar lipsticks, or lippie stix as they are called on the website. Don’t be afraid to experiment with deeper, sultry colors on the lips.

Have a makeup question that you’re dying to get an answer for? Have no fear; Kenzie’s Beauty Corner is here! Email mckenzie.mccoy@washburn.edu with your beauty questions.





See this story also at http://www.washburnreview.org/arts_and_entertainment/how-to-transition-your-summer-makeup-routine-into-fall/article_b8c7fc16-5bc5-11e5-aa89-d356dc03797f.html

February Favorites!

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I'm so excited to finally get back on my blog and share some of my favorite products from the month of February! Please comment down below on what products you've been loving.

Unfortunately, for the time being, my posts/videos won't be very frequent due to my super busy school schedule. However, I hope to be post more blog posts in the near future! I'm thinking a bronzer/contour routine for my next post. 

Let's get on to these awesome products:

1. Nars All Day Luminous Foundation - Link
First off, I love that this foundation has a pump! Yes, finally NARS got with the program and added a pump on their new foundation. A++ for that. If you watched my video accompanying this blog post, you saw that I talked about the different skin types that can or cannot wear this foundation. Although everyone could wear this foundation, it's going to be harder for dry-skinned gals to wear this. The foundation definitely can cling to any dry patches, so thorough exfoliation is key for anyone with drier skin. However, if you're an oily beast (like me) then you will appreciate the coverage and weightlessness of this foundation. It looks so watery in the bottle, but it has such great coverage and makes me look luminous and keeps my oil at bay. Love, love, love it.

2. Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation - Link
If you can't tell, I've been on a foundation kick lately, and I've gone from loving some affordable, drugstore, foundations, to picking up some high end foundations. However, the drugstore really doesn't carry a powder foundation that has any good reviews. Since I'm oily and the weather is hopefully going to get warmer someday (Come on, Kansas) I wanted to try a powder foundation. I also thought this would be a quick, easy thing to throw on for busy mornings. I am BLOWN away by how awesome this foundation is. Bobbi Brown, you hit this one out of the park. I'd say this is my favorite product out of all my favorites. I haven't put this stuff down. It gives me a full coverage look if I want it, and it also can be applied lightly over my other liquid foundations to give me better coverage. I've been using this over my NARS foundation, and it's such a beautiful combination. I could go on and on about this powder, it's THAT good. For real.

3. Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer in Warm Tan - Link
This stuff is like buttah, yes, buttah. So easy to blend and work with, this is a beginner's dream. I was hesitant about using a cream, but this stuff is such a drugstore gem. Blend so easily and gives a great sun-kissed look. Anxious to use this in the summer! Plus, it's so affordable! Check this stuff out at your local Target, you won't be disappointed.

4. Lush Lip Scrub in Bubblegum - Link
This stuff is so cute, and it smells like bubblegum heaven. It's such a quick step that can make your lips look so smooth and soft, getting rid of that winter dry skin that everyone loves, (not!). I think one pot of this stuff will last me forever and ever, since I only have to use the tiniest bit to exfoliate my lips. They also have different scents of this lip scrub, so if you're not a fan of bubblegum, check out the other scents (mint). This product quickly has become a staple in my makeup routine!

5. Belitae Vitamin C Serum - Link
I'm anxious to put this on my face every time after washing my face. It has already started making my face seem brighter, and has helped with my acne scars. Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are great things for your face and they help with so many issues (wrinkles, dark spots, etc.) I highly suggest you try out this serum or another vitamin C serum, just make sure to apply sunscreen after using this product if you plan on going outside.



6. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul - Link
To me, this color is the most natural, flattering color in the entire line of these lip products. It's such a pretty pink color and it lasts on my lips for a long time. I exfoliate my lips with my lush lip scrub and apply a small amount of chapstick, and then apply this lip cream on top. For some reason, I think this color makes my lips look bigger, which is a great bonus. Must be the color. :) Anyways, these lip creams are so fun to put on because they feel like mousse on your lips. They're also super affordable!




Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation

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So it's been a hot minute since I've done a new blog post. I wanted to get on here and share my thoughts about another drugstore foundation I recently picked up at Target - Maybelline Dream Wonder Foundation. 

If you've been keeping up with my blog, you know that I did a raving review over Covergirl's new Ready, Set, Gorgeous foundation. But I'm never satisfied with just using one foundation over and over, especially when drugstore brands keep popping out new foundations. Plus, it's so fun to review new products and find hidden drugstore gems! These brands seem to have really stepped-up their foundation game, and I've been impressed with the drugstore foundations I've tried so far. So, I wanted to let you guys know my thoughts on another wallet-friendly foundation.

The packaging: Although (I think) the bottle is visually appealing, I always prefer a pump on my foundation bottle. It's just the easiest and most sanitary way to get the foundation out of the bottle. If you've seen any other reviews on this foundation, you know that everyone thinks the applicator is stinkin' weird. And (spoiler alert), it is! Why can't they just make all foundations have a pump?

Why they decided to do this weird teardrop thing is simply beyond me, but I'm much more concerned about the actual foundation. On the back of the bottle, it says to shake well and apply the foundation to your fingertips (by wiping it off the applicator). I don't like putting foundation on my fingers, so I just apply it straight to my clean face from the applicator and it works just fine. The only problem I run into is that the foundation can easily drip off the applicator onto my sink or desk when I'm applying it.

The product: I was skeptical about this foundation because I had heard that it was pretty light coverage and I'm a die-hard full coverage foundation kind of girl. However, I was majorly surprised by the coverage this foundation gave me! This foundation is very build-able and it covered all the imperfections I wanted it to cover. I was really impressed by the coverage since it's such a watery consistency. The super-thin, water-like consistency is probably why so many people like this foundation. It literally feels like nothing on your face - lighter than a BB or CC cream. If you're someone who hates feeling caked-up with a heavy, thick foundation, this is so perfect for you. It really feels like you're swiping water on your face, but it provides nice coverage. However, if you struggle with acne, know that you will need a concealer to pair up with this foundation or may want a heavier duty foundation. 

Why I love it: I bought the shade 15 (Ivory) and it matches my winter-pale skin really well. I honestly have been using this a lot more than my Covergirl foundation (Gasp!). That's how you know I really like it. There's something about this foundation that just makes your skin look good and healthy and I've even had a couple people compliment me on my skin when wearing this foundation. After I got those compliments, I was 100% sold.

Even though I have combination/oily skin, this foundation hasn't left my face feeling greasy at all during the couple of weeks I've worn it. However, I always wear a foundation primer underneath it and set my face with a shine-reducing powder - so that will always make a difference on how oily my skin can get. It's the perfect combination for my skin type (Smashbox oil-free primer, this foundation, Rimmel stay matte powder).

Still, it is winter and I'm not near as oily as I am during the summer months. So I'll have to put this to the test and see if it holds up in the heat. But, for now, it's a great, affordable, winter foundation for me. I always apply this foundation with a beauty blender and find that it works best that way and gives me a very natural finish. This foundation gets an A+ from me. Let me know your thoughts if you've tried this foundation.

That's all for now! :) Thanks for reading.