Vanity Organization

Vanity Organization

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Location: Dallas, TX, USA

     

     

♡ HELLO THERE ♡

It's been a while since I've had time to sit down and write a blog post. I've been traveling almost nonstop for the past 3 and a half months, but I'm finally settled in at home for the foreseeable future. I'm actually stuck in bed with the flu this week and although I feel miserable, I have the opportunity to get new content up and running. 

♡ HOME ORGANIZATION ♡

For those of you that don't already know, I am a neat freak. I've been this way for as long as I can remember. No one ever had to tell me to clean my room as a child because by the time it was messy enough for anyone to notice, I had already taken care of it. My personal spaces have always been kept neat and organized. Now that I have my own place, I've spent a considerable amount of time organizing it to a point of perfection. In the coming weeks, I'll be posting a new series of blog content pertaining to home organization.

First things first... my makeup collection.

♡ HOW I ORGANIZE MY MAKEUP ♡

I love the art of makeup, and over the years I've accumulated a large number of products that I can no longer fit in a caddy on top of my bathroom counter. I have a vanity in my extra bedroom which stores all of my makeup and hair tools. It's great to have a place where I can sit down and get ready with everything I need in a singular organized space. 

The vanity and mirror are from Ikea. The top three drawers are dedicated to my makeup collection, then I have a drawer for hair tools, and the bottom drawer holds the extra makeup bags that I usually travel with. 

My makeup is organized in order of application, starting from right to left.  You'll see my tools, primers, foundations, concealers, powders, blushes, bronzers and highlighters are all stored in separate little bins. You can find these at The Container Store. 

Next we have brows, eyeshadow primers and palettes, liners, mascara, and lashes. 

Since eyeshadow palettes vary in size and shape, they're a little tricky to store. I was able to fit my three most-used Urban Decay palettes here, but I also have a separate palette organizer on a nearby shelving unit that stores a few more. 

In the third, larger drawer, I have my lip collection along with some storage space for extra brushes (the black cases) and product multiples/backstock (the red bag). 

It took me a while to find the most ideal solution for my lip collection. The drawers in this unit are a unique size, so none of the premade lipstick holders would fit. I ended up DIY-ing this lip storage unit from a set of interlocking drawer dividers available at, you guessed it, The Container Store. I got this idea from a YouTube video.

The other small bin of products contains lip tints and moisturizers that simply wouldn't fit into the storage unit's 1x1 spacing.

I like to store brushes on the countertop for easy access. They're separated by function - sponges, face brushes, and eye brushes. The clear acrylic containers are available here, and I found the beads that make the brushes stand upright on Amazon.

So there you have it! This is a space I use every single day. Since it's organized to peak efficiency, it's a major time-saver that makes my mornings considerably less stressful. I'll never spend another morning frantically digging through a makeup bag for mascara.

If you have any questions or would like help organizing your own makeup collection, don't hesitate to reach out! Weirdly enough, I absolutely love this kind of thing and I would be happy to help you. Keep an eye out for what's next in my home organization series including spaces in my kitchen, bathroom, and closet!

♡ Til next time, Kenz ♡

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Dermalogica Product Review

Dermalogica Product Review

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Location: Dallas, TX, USA

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

As we get into the swing of 2018, what could be a better time to revisit your skincare routine and try some new products?

I'm a member of Influenster, a company that sends bloggers/influencers free products in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I recently received a box full of Dermalogica products from them that I'm so excited to share with you guys!

The box contained their double cleanse set -- which includes the PreCleanse Balm, Special Cleansing Gel, and a handy Cleansing Mitt. Their double cleanse system assures your face is cleared of all makeup and impurities. I am allll about a clean washed face at the end of the day and I was super excited to try these products. 

♡ I M H O ♡

♡ PreCleanse Balm: 4.5 out of 5 ♡

This was my favorite item in the box. You start with a dry face, squeeze about a quarter drop of this in your hand, and rub it on your face. You'll notice your makeup starts to come off! Wash your face thoroughly with water when done. 

Pros: 

- Smells amazing

- Great balm texture that washes off easily when combined with water

- Very efficient at removing makeup

Cons: 

- Pricey

- Can leave your face feeling a bit oily

- Got in my eyes and made me fear I was going blind for a few minutes (but I'm fine)

♡ Special Cleansing Gel: 4 out of 5 ♡

This cleanser was nice as well. It was effective, yet gentle enough for my sensitive, dry skin. It left me feeling soft, clean and hydrated. 

Pros: 

- Gentle for sensitive skin

- Hydrating for dry skin

- Efficient and effective

Cons: 

- Pricey

♡ Mitt: 4 out of 5 ♡

This is a great add-on, especially since it comes free with the PreCleanse Balm. It did what it was supposed to do, and made me feel like my face was getting a mini-massage! 

However, I'm way too in love with my Clarisonic to consider using something like this on a daily basis. It could be great for traveling, or sticking in my gym bag for use when I don't feel like packing my Clarisonic. Other than that, I don't think I'll be using it much. 

♡ B O T T O M   L I N E ♡

I do recommend all three of these products, and plan to buy them and use them myself in the future! They are a bit pricey, but I think they're worth it. 

I have to say that if you're more into drugstore brands, you may be able to find less expensive dupes for products like these elsewhere. Maybe not the PreCleanse Balm, but the Special Cleansing Gel for sure. Stay tuned for more info on that... 

But if you're someone who is into prestige brands for makeup and skincare, then don't hesitate to buy this! I'm in love with these products and will be using them for time to come. 

These products were received for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Winter Skin Remedies

Winter Skin Remedies

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Location: Dallas, TX, USA

I am not a huge fan of winter time.

I mean, Christmas is amazing... But other than that, it's just cold and dark all the time. If that doesn't make it bad enough, DRY SKIN.

I struggle to keep my skin hydrated year round, and winter time makes it that much harder to do. Thanks a lot @plummetingtemperatures, @hotshowers, @wind. Dry, itchy, flaky skin is unappealing at its best, and painful at its worst.

Never fear -- there are some miracle products out there that will make your skin soft, hydrated, and glowing again! Say goodbye to winter skin with this holy grail of hydrating remedies. These are all products I use and love, and I hope you will too!

♡ F A C E ♡

♡ L I P S ♡

♡ H A I R ♡

♡ S K I N ♡

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Current Must-Haves

Current Must-Haves

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Location: Dallas, TX, USA

Hello there! 

Today I'm going to tell you guys about some of my favorite must-have beauty and wellness products. All of these are pretty affordable and easy to get, and they will change your life.

And FYI, none of this is sponsored content. (Come on y'all, I'm not at that level of blogging yet.) I'm just trying to help you out. 

A C U P R E S S U R E   M A T

I've been sleeping like a baby lately, which is completely not normal for me. It usually takes me a long time to fall asleep, and when I finally do, I'm a very light sleeper. I wake up and toss and turn throughout the entire night. 

NONE OF THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING LATELY. 

I contribute this to the fact that I've been laying on my acupressure mat for 10-30 minutes every night before I go to bed. I originally bought it on a recommendation from my bff Alli Unflat (shoutout Al Pal!!) after she said it helped with stress relief. Which it definitely does! But it will also solve your sleep problems. Restful, restorative sleep is one of the most important parts of a healthy and balanced life, so stop wasting time and buy it here now. 

C L A R I S O N I C

Never underestimate the power of an investment in your skincare. I realized I had been breaking out more than usual lately, so I decided to get my life together and buy a Clarisonic. I saw a difference in my skin after the first use. 

First of all, it just feels really good on your face. It removes six times more makeup than washing your face normally. It improves your skin's texture, making it super soft and smooth. Your products will absorb better after use. There are so many benefits to using it. I have the Mia 2, but there are different models to choose from based on your specific needs. They have holiday deals going on right now, so get to it! 

R O S E H I P   O I L

This is another wonderful, and less expensive, skincare product! This stuff is amazing. It's hydrating, anti-aging, and it helps improve acne, dark spots, and overall skin tone and texture. I apply it before bed and wake up with a soft, smooth, beautimous face. It's my favorite face oil (compared to Jojoba, Tea Tree, etc). You can find it here. 

I C E   R O L L E R

I was definitely skeptical of this product before I bought it. It's literally something you stick in the freezer and then roll all over your face. But The Skinny Confidential swears by it, so I caved in and bought one. 

Let it be known: this is a miracle product. I use it right when I get up in the morning. In addition to waking me up immediately (which is a miracle within itself), it reduces all of my morning swelling and puffiness. It has a bunch of other benefits which you can read more about here, including migraine and hangover relief. (Hangover relief? What? Yeah, you're definitely buying one now.) 

Disclaimer: when you first use it, it's going to make an ungodly screeching noise that is sourced from the depths of hell. Don't worry -- apparently that's normal and fixable. Just smear some oil (jojoba, coconut, olive, vegetable, canola, whatever) on it and you'll be good. Buy it here now. 

H I M A L A Y A N   S A L T   L A M P

For some reason, Amazon kept targeting me with Himalayan salt lamp ads. It worked, and I bought one on yet another one of my Amazon Prime shopping whims. 

Luckily, I ended up loving this thing! It releases negative ions into the air, which neutralize the electromagnetic radiation that we're exposed to all day from our phones, computers, iPads, and TVs. It reduces stress and anxiety, causing you to feel happier and more relaxed, also helping with insomnia. It naturally purifies the air and helps with allergy problems. TBH I don't fully understand the whole negative ions vs. positive ions thing, but I'm really enjoying the benefits from this lamp. And it looks really pretty! Buy one here.

E S S E N T I A L   O I L   D I F F U S E R

I originally got into the ~essential oil life~ because my mom swears by them. Also because her house smells really good at all times because of it, and also because moms know best. (Which I will finally admit at 23 years old.)

I got the holy grail of essential oil products for my birthday in September, and I've been loving it ever since. In fact, I love it so much that it's getting its own post. So stand by for that, but go ahead and buy one here, like, immediately. 


So there you have it -- a few of my favorite things. I hope you guys love these products as much as I do! I sincerely apologize if you just spent way too much money on Amazon, but not really, because you'll be thanking me soon. 

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Life Update

Life Update

Monday, October 23, 2017

Location: Dallas, TX, USA

Okay, yes, I know it’s been awhile.

I won’t write all the excuses as to why I haven’t posted lately, but I’ve been really happy to hear people telling me they want to hear more from me. So, I’m baaaaack.

I have some topics in mind that I’ll post about in the upcoming weeks, but for now I just wanted to give you guys a little life update on what I’ve been up to lately.

I turned twenty-three, and that was pretty cool. I got lots of birthday love from my family, friends, and boyfriend. I felt super special this year, it was really wonderful. The problem is that I always forget how old I am. When people ask me my age, I literally have to think about it. Please tell me that I’m not the only one this happens to.

I got promoted, and that was really cool. I came into my job as an Account Service Apprentice, which was kind of like a fancy internship with a hopeful job at the end of it. I’ve been working hard and learning a lot. Sooner than I expected, I got promoted to Project Manager! This next paragraph is pretty much going to sound like something you read on LinkedIn but if you want to know what I’m doing...

I’m kind of like an air traffic controller -- but instead of directing planes at an airport, I’m directing jobs at an agency. I plan, manage, and execute client projects from beginning to end. So -- a client hires us for a job. I look at the client’s goals and the big picture of what they’re trying to accomplish, then transition that into a detailed plan that can be tasked out to our production artists (designers, copywriters, developers, etc). The most important part of my job is to know the status of all the different projects we have going on, keep them organized and moving along, and make sure nothing gets lost or forgotten about. Making clients happy makes me happy.

Almost everything we do at our agency involves a lot of collaboration. So, 1) not everything listed above is on my plate for every job, and sometimes different people do different things 2) major props to all of my coworkers because they’re awesome people that I enjoy working with. I came in as a fresh college grad with just a little bit of agency experience, and they have taught me so much!

Side note: I’m going to write more about why I love working in advertising, specifically at a small agency, later -- but if you are considering taking this path and have any questions for me please don’t hesitate to reach out!

I found a yoga studio I love, and that was much needed. Having a yoga home is so important to me, and it was exhausting to try out a different studio week after week, usually not happy with the experience. WeYogis Uptown is my new zen spot. I totally suggest it. Namaste.

I went to ACL and had an amazing time. The Red Hot Chili Peppers brought tears to my eyes. I also discovered I am not fit for raves.

TCU football is undefeated, and y’all knew I had to mention that.

Other than that, it’s just been normal day-to-day stuff. I’m starting to feel more and more at home in Dallas. I’ve established kind of a sense of normalcy, which I enjoy. The past few months have been really fun and happy. :)

That’s all for now. Please comment with your thoughts and let me know what you want me to write about next!

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