skincare

Recent Favorite Things 2021

Posted on January 13, 2021January 13, 2021 by mckennahbybee

Hi friends! I wanted to put together a list of all my recent favorites & products I’ve been loving so far in 2021! These are the products I’ve been loving & reaching for over and over again for skincare, makeup, fashion & random items that are absolutely necessary to me.

SKINCARE

Tula The Cult Classic Purifying Cleanser – I’ve quickly realized the reason “cult classic” is in the title. I love this gel cleanser because it leaves my face feeling so clean & glowy, this is one you can genuinely feel good about using because it’s 100% free from phthalates, parabens, toxins, carcinogens, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulfate, and harmful preservatives. YAY!

Hydro Boost Water Gel – I’m OBSESSED with this moisturizer because it has Hyaluronic Acid in it which attracts water from the air into your skin. It REALLY moisturizes your skin. It’s lightweight but it makes your skin feel nice & supple, plump & hydrated.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask – I know you’ve heard of the lip mask, but this one is for your skin! It’s the consistency of moisturizer & does absorb into your skin so you don’t have to worry about it getting onto your pillow. When you wake up in the morning you face is SO SOFT! Don’t believe me? It has 163.9k loves from other customers on Sephora’s website alone.

HAIR CARE

Olaplex Hair Treatment – this treatment has 2 parts No. 0 & No. 3, which can be used by itself if you want to just try out one. I color my hair & use this treatment once a week & it has helped my hair so much, even my boyfriend noticed how soft & shiny my hair was after using this! It helps keep my hair strong.

Living Proof Dry Shampoo – I’ve loved this dry shampoo for awhile, but I don’t normally get the jumbo size & I love it because it lasts so much longer not quite double the product but only $10 more which overall saves me money! The technology behind this dry shampoo is so cool! It will actually bind to the oil in your hair & after a few minutes I rub my roots & the white powder along with the oil LITERALLY brushes out of my hair to leave fresh clean hair. The product doesn’t build up & feel gross in your hair either!

MAKEUP

Maybelline Lifter Gloss – I always grab this gloss in the ice color – I keep one in my bag & one with all my makeup when I get ready for the day & it’s so nice! It has hyaluronic acid & naturally plumps up your lips – nothing too dramatic & it doesn’t hurt like a plumper. It smoothes out the cracks/lines in your lips & it’s not sticky AT ALL.

Everyday Essentials Brush Set – I cannot believe I’ve been missing out on these brushes. I haven’t ever been able to justify $50 for 1 brush & I’ve always used inexpensive brushes from morphe BUT THEY SHED like crazy! This led me to these amazing brushes from Real Techniques – I’ve loved their beauty sponges for years so I’m not sure why I didn’t think to test out their brushes. Now that I have, I’m never going back. They are SUCH great quality – so soft & no shedding whatsoever. They blend like a dream too! I also went back and grabbed the Eye Essentials kit – which comes with a lash separator to use after mascara to prevent clumping and I LOVE. I also grabbed this really big bronzer brush & it’s probably my favorite out of all of them. They’re BOGO 1/2 off right now too!!!

Shape Tape – Again I’ve always loved this product, but last year I was searching for more drugstore options & ran out of this and forgot to grab more so I continued to use the drugstore “dupes”. HOWEVER, I just recently started back using Shape Tape & let me just say I haven’t found another product that does what this does for my under eyes. Perfect example of if it’s not broken don’t fix it, lol! ALSO : I found shape tape on sale basically 2 for the price of 1 + a free sponge on QVC. Use the code : OFFER if it’s your first time ordering from them or HELLO if it’s you second time. That will bring the price down to $27.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette – This palette is so beautiful & it’s perfect for everyday. It has a ton of neutrals & mattes with a few shimmery shades thrown in there for when you need a little extra for date night or a night on the town.

Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Palette – I LOVE this palette – the story is great the quality is great it really can’t get better. I love how inexpensive these palettes are ESPECIALLY how many shades you get it’s crazy to me. The colors in the palette are so awesome for spring & summer coming up & if you’re into bright colors this is the palette for you.

OTHER

Adidas Promotion Adapt Shoes – These shoes are so convenient & easy to quickly put on + they’re super cute. I’ve been using them on my training days in the gym or just for going on a walk/running errands. I love the elastic bands on the shoe they really hold it tight to your foot which I like & they have the cloud foam technology which feels like you’re walking on a cloud.

Fawn Design Backpack Mini – This is such a great bag & has so many pockets to help keep you organized. I know it’s meant to be a diaper bag, but the mini is the perfect size as a purse. I am really impressed with the quality – it’s really soft & nice leather thats super thick and well made. I love that it can be wiped down completely too.

Amazon Cotton Thong Panties – Listen – I was a Victoria’s Secret ride or die for awhile & then all my underwear started falling apart & bleeding onto my other clothes. I was on the hunt for the perfect pair of undies that are comfy because that’s my main concern & then I found this pack on amazon it’s 6 pairs for 10 bucks! Are you kidding? Why was I spending $30 for 5-7 pairs of undies?! Anyway I’m not the only one who loves these they have over 26,000 rating & are the #1 bestseller in thongs on Amazon.

Velvet Self Tanning Mitt – WOW! Has this made the biggest difference in my self tanning or what?! Why on earth I kept buying cheap little ones from Ulta I do not know. This baby will last FOREVER. It helps you blend out the moose SO MUCH EASIER & it takes way less effort to get a streak free tan. Since using it I really have stayed streak free. It’s super easy to clean afterwards as well.

Quip Electric Toothbrush – I cannot find the color that I have, but if you go in-store maybe you can find it! I have a pink & rose gold toothbrush. I really love the bristles on this tooth brush because they genuinely clean my teeth so well & it has a built in timer. It comes with a travel case & a holder to stick it onto your mirror if you want to. The replacement heads are $5 for a new brush head + it comes with a new battery as well, they have an auto ship options for every 3 months & the first month is free.

Xx, Kennah

Skin Care Revolution

Posted on May 19, 2019May 16, 2019 by mckennahbybee

Y’all ain’t ready for today’s post, this company is revolutionizing skincare. When you compare the make-up industry to the skincare industry its amazing how different they are. The skincare world is much smaller. Cosmetics are on fire & everyone has this desire & drive to do something new and innovative, but I don’t see the same thing in the skincare industry. Until The Ordinary. High quality skincare products that don’t break the bank & actually work!

They have a regimen guide that makes selecting the right products for you so simple. I know I am one that gets overwhelmed by too much information & this guide is a great place to start. You select your issue and they have product suggestions for your problems i.e. skin pigmentation, aging, texture, hydration & the regime that I’m using skin congestion.

I will note a few things before your start using any new skincare products. First, do test patches in case you’re allergic to the product. When using harsh products such as acids or retinol’s really anything that makes you slough your dead skin faster than normal more than likely your skin will purge. It can take days to weeks for skin purging to clear up & your skin to get used to these new products. If your blemishes continue beyond 6 weeks it probably not skin purging and it’s just the product doesn’t work well with your skin. Sometimes this happens so don’t be discouraged, everyone’s skin is different and what might work for some won’t work for you.

The products I ordered & have added to my routine are below :

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Oiliness
Pores

Salicylic Acid 2%

Blemishes & Acne
Dulness & Uneven Texture

100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil

Hydration
Tone

Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane

Aging

Xx, Kennah

Winter Nightly Skincare Routine

Posted on January 27, 2019January 25, 2019 by mckennahbybee

Hi guys! Thanks for coming back to my blog. This week I am tackling a huge problem I am struggling with RIGHT NOW! Dry winter skin! Everyone who lives in Utah knows this same struggle, here are my tips so your face doesn’t feel like its splitting when you smile.

Step one when getting ready for bed at night is to remove all my make-up from the day. I love these bulk packs of Kirkland wipes from Costco, I’ve found a ton of make-up wipes aren’t wet enough to take off all your make-up and then you end up using more than one. These aren’t like that at all.

Step Two is washing your face! I use my Clarisonic cleansing brush along with baby soap because my face is really dry and sensitive right now.

Step Three is this facial spray from Mario Badescu, I use the Rosewater one. If you didn’t know, your skin will absorb your moisturizer better if your skin is wet first!

Step Four of course is moisturizer. My favorite winter moisturizer is The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb from belief. It smells so dang good & works wonders.

Step Five isn’t one I do every night, typically only when I’m really struggling or have a spot that is extra dry. With me it’s usually my chin or nose. Bio Oil is a great option for extra love.

Step Six, we cannot forget about the lips! I’ve shared this before & I’m still in love with this Laneige Lip Mask. I also wanted to note that this thing lasts a long time! You’ll wake up in the morning with a soft plump pout.

3-4 Times a week I use this exfoliating facial wash a few times a week. I swear it makes you feel like a new woman. The citrus scent is so refreshing, it will really wake you up if you use it in the morning!

BONUS : If your hands are really dry use working hands lotion! It’s the same as the healthy feet that I’ve loved.

Xx, Kennah

Gift Guide for the Beauty Guru

Posted on December 15, 2018December 16, 2018 by mckennahbybee

Hi guys! Welcome back to my blog! It’s DECEMBER!! This Christmas I am trying to watch as many Christmas movies as I can squeeze in. Which includes the classics as well as the cheesy Hallmark & Netflix movies. What are your FAVORITE Christmas Traditions?? Leave me a comment or send me a message to let me know! That brings me to… Today’s post is a gift guide to help you find the perfect present for the beauty guru in your life!

I bet my mom wishes she had this continuous misting spray bottle when she was doing my hair before school, can’t wait for Christmas to get this baby.
This laneige lip mask is the BEST lip product I’ve ever used for moisturizing. My daily chapstick will never make my lips as soft as this lip mask does in one night. I use this multiple times a day!
With 3,600 reviews giving this product 4.8/5 stars comes my FAVORITE eyeshadow palette. My little sister got it for me last year and I have used it almost every single day (I don’t wear makeup everyday but everyday I do I used this).
Fan favorite, SHAPE TAPE is a must for all beauty gurus because dark circles and mistakes are not forgiving & no joke! My mom gifted me with this & I didn’t know if I would love it but it has grown on me SO much because it gives the BEST coverage.
My go to – Yes to Tomatoes Skincare Mask Kits. 5 different charcoal masks to try or 5 different mud masks. Mom already knows both of these are on my list.
This L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise kit comes with 2 tubes of the best mascara she’ll ever try & it makes the perfect stocking stuffer!
Budget friendly for you this butter bronzer looks and smells amazing!
Brush cleaning Mat will make cleaning her make-up brushes a breeze.
The Mia Clarisonic Kit been one of my favorite things ever. I got this actually for my birthday 2 year ago & it has been my ride or die.
Every girl needs one of these silk pillowcases! Usually these pillow cases are $85-$100 but I found this one for $25-$28 depending on size.

I hope you all enjoyed this post, as much as I enjoyed doing it for you. Let me know what else you would like to see!

Xx, Kennah

*make sure to follow the blog so you know when I have new posts! This year is going to be a good one.

Derma rolling

Posted on June 18, 2017June 18, 2017 by mckennahbybee

Dermarollers have become quite popular amongst Instagrammers and youtubers. Dermarolling (micro-needling) isn’t something that you can just say okay ya let’s try it. You need to research and make sure you’re buying a reliable and durable product because if you use it wrong it can cause a lot of damage. Most are a plastic roller with a bunch of teeny tiny titanium needles. I was super intrigued and actually pretty scared to try this because rolling 540 fragile needles on your face doesn’t sound safe or pain-free. If you’re reading this you’ve probably been thinking about trying it out so you really just need to find what is going to work for you.

How it works:

Derma rollers trick your skin into thinking that it has beed damaged so it creates and sends collagen to the surface to repair. When there is nothing to repair it grows new collagen reducing wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, fine lines and other skin conditions. It boosts blood circulation reducing the size of pores. This is also a great way to help you skin absorb product (like aerating a lawn).

Finding the right roller:

Needle size is definitely something you need to read about and decide what your goal is. Be sure the roller you purchase is made with durable needles that will not rust or bend easily as these can damage your skin. Only use rollers that have thin needles on your face, thick needles should only be used on the body. The number of needles is also something to consider. 200 needles that are widely spaced apart is light coverage and you will have to use it frequently to thoroughly treat the area. 540 is ideal coverage.

0.25mm – This needle size is mainly to help you absorb product, it can also aid in re-growth of hair. This size needle is virtually painless and it a good place to start.

0.5mm – At this length you’re going to see your best results with hyper pigmentation, large pores, small scars, and small wrinkles. It will help you product collagen and is still pain free.

0.75-1.0mm – Some people use a topical numbing cream for this size needle, but others find it is very tolerable. You can play it by ear with how you respond to pain. This size is great for wrinkles, scarring (acne scars), and stretch marks. DO NOT USE ANYTHING LARGER THAN THIS ON YOUR FACE UNLESS YOU ARE A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL.

1.5-3mm – Used only for the body to aid deep stretch marks/scars.

The Process:

Start with a clean face, no make up and no germs! Use a cleanser and then put a little alcohol on a face pad and rub it over your face. Make sure your derma roller is just as clean! I use a small spray bottle I got from Target and rubbing alcohol. Pull your skin a bit so it is tight, but not too tight where you’re stretching it out. Roll in every direction like you’re recreating a * (vertical, horizontal, diagonal going both directions) going over each section 7 times. Try to keep the pressure equal (medium-light) and don’t drag it at all. After you’re finished apply your serum that your skin will soak right up. Clean the roller again and put it away in a safe case until next use! *DO NOT USE REGULAR DERMA ROLLERS AROUND THE EYES. There are specific rollers for around the eyes and nose.

I have loved using my derma roller, I use it on my stretch marks and lips to plump them up. After a few uses I’ve noticed my stretch marks don’t feel as deep. My lips also feel and look much plumper. Results can take up to 6 months to see, but I’ve seen mine start working right away!

Xx, Kennah

Acne Tips

Posted on May 14, 2017June 4, 2017 by mckennahbybee

I’ve had a few people reach out asking about what I use and do for my skin to keep it clear, so I decided create a post for everyone to read! I have always had really good skin, but we all go through phases where our skin can get really bad and I’m in one of those right now! It can be hard to pinpoint what is making you breakout. I like to go through every single thing I do throughout the day to help figure out what could be going on. Ask yourself the following questions.

Is your pillowcase clean? Always be sure you have clean pillowcases, wash them every other week! Don’t use heavy softeners or detergents.
Are you touching your face a lot or talking on the phone? Be sure to sanitize your phone once a week (at least) and try not to touch your face and keep them clean if you do.
Do you wash your face after working out and getting sweaty?
Are your hands clean when applying products to your face?
Do you eat poorly? (fried foods, high sugar, high fat, unhealthy foods) What you put into your body will reflect in your skin.
Is your face-wash too drying? Test it out, if after washing your skin is so tight and dry it feels like it could crack, find a new one it could be causing your to overproduce oil and clog your pores!

Of course there are things that you cannot control like stress and hormones, that is why I’ve also created list of tips and products I use to help!

1. Neutrogena – Acne Treatment Pads

The Rapid Clear Daily Acne Treatment Pads are something I like to use on a regular basis when my skin is breaking out. It’s gentle enough to use every day and significantly reduces my breakouts and prevents any new ones from coming.

2. Mario Badescu – Drying Lotion

This acne spot treatment has had a lot of buzz around it lately. Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars, Leighton Meester from Gossip Girl and Huda Kattan founder of HUDA Beauty love this brand! It’s a fast acting acne treatment that can shrink pimples overnight. What’s nice about this product is that it’s good enough for the celebs, but it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. A little bit goes a long ways.

3. Clarisonice – Skin Cleansing System

Let me just start out by saying this brush cleans your face SIX TIMES better than washing your face with your hands or with a wash cloth. It gets rid of all the oil and dirt and clears out your pores. There are different interchangeable brush heads for deep cleaning, sensitive skin, acne cleansing, radiance ect. This is a preventative step although it can help clear up problem acne.

4. Eat healthy & drink lots of water!

Carrots, nuts, leafy greens, flaxseed, whole grains, fatty acids (avocados), fruit (berries, lemons, bananas), and water! All of these things are very important for your skin to help get the necessary nutrients to keep your skin healthy, radiant, and glowing.

Remember I’m no dermatologist these are just tips and tricks I’ve picked up a long the way that have worked for me.

Xx, Kennah

Beauty Tip : Layering your Face Products

Posted on April 29, 2017April 27, 2017 by mckennahbybee

With all the things we’re slathering on our faces it can get a little bit confusing what order they should go on to make sure they’re all being absorbed properly. What products do you need? What products are extra help? How often should I put them on? I’m here to answer your questions and help you get the best complexion possible.

If you have make-up on begin with a remover. Do this every night.
Next use a cleanser, when selecting a one make sure it is not too drying because this will cause your pores to overproduce oil. Wash in circular upwards motions and rinse well. Do this step everyday 2x a day. (If you don’t like using a make-up remover like me, wash your face twice. Once to remove make-up and the second to wash away oil and dirt buildup.)
Exfoliator is the third, we also scrub in circular motions upwards and rinse well. It’s important to do this step 2-3 times a week to get rid of any dead skin and keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Toner! Toner is something everyone needs, not just those with acne problems. Apply a few drops to a cotton pad and wipe your face down. If you have oily skin do this morning and night, if you have dry skin only do it once a day.
Spot Treatment.. If you do use a spot treatment on acne remember to only apply it to the areas that need treating and not to your whole face. This step is not mandatory and should only be done once a day.
Serums go on the skin next. I use mine twice a day because it is so light and makes my skin feel extra moisturized but if it’s super oily maybe try only at nights.
Eye cream is #7. If you’re younger you probably don’t need this step but it’s never too soon to get ahead of the anti-aging game. It’s best to use these at night.
FINALLY we are to moisturizer! (A lot more steps than you thought, right?) Apply a generous amount of moisturizer all over your face morning and night.
SPF. This step is only necessary in the morning when you’re going to be leaving the house and in the sun. I know a lot of foundations have some SPF in them, but they shouldn’t be your only level of protections from the harmful damage of the sun. SPF will keep your skin looking younger longer.

After these steps your can continue with your regular beauty regimen in the mornings or head to bed at night. For daytime your next step would be primer!

Xx, Kennah

Dermaplaning at Home

Posted on February 19, 2017March 3, 2017 by mckennahbybee

Dermaplaning is something I’ve been doing to my skin for about a year now (I actually didn’t know it had this name until I’ve seen it all over recently). Basically it’s exfoliating your face using a razor. Typically this is known to be done by a professional with a 10-guage scalpel, but I’ve been using this at home version that works perfect for a fraction of what it would cost to have it done. I know this sounds scary, but I promise it’s not. I use the tinkle face razors from Amazon (link below). It’s actually pretty hard to cut yourself with these razors because you shave it on an angle. I start by washing everything off my face and applying a good layer of face-lotion or of a suitable face oil (I’m sure coconut oil would work as well). I start with my cheeks shaving downward at an 45 degree angle. I shave my entire face removing all the dead skin cells and peach fuzz from my face. It makes my face not only feel softer and look better on it’s own, but it makes my make-up glide on smoother so your make up doesn’t look cakey. Me and my sister jokingly call it shaving your kitty because you get these clumps of white hair while shaving. It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t make your hair grow back darker or thicker or quicker. Afterward your skin feel so soft it almost tingles (like after you shave your legs). If you’re still scared I’ve linked in a video from how I learned how to do this face shaving! Order your razors and get to shaving those kitties!

www.youtube.com/michellemoneyfaceshavingroutine

Available for Purchase: www.amazon.com/tinklerazor

Face Oil:

Face Lotion:

Xx, Kennah

Muah or Blah : Shills Purifying Peel-Off Black Mask

Posted on February 18, 2017April 24, 2017 by mckennahbybee

I’m sure you’ve seen the Facebook videos of this crazy black mask that pulls out every single blackhead on your face. I know you’ve wondered if they really work like I did, so me and my boyfriend decided to test it out. Let me just start off by saying that this is the most painful face mask I’ve ever used. He brought over the mask and after putting it on I was so excited to see my results which takes 30 minutes to dry. He did his entire face while I only did mine in problem areas (nose/cheeks, chin, and forehead). I pulled off my chin pretty easily because it was such a small area, next was forehead which hurt more than chin, but still came off pretty easy as it was also relatively small. When I got to my nose and cheeks I couldn’t pull it by myself any longer because it was so painful. My boyfriend had to step in while my eyes were watering and I was squeezing him so I wouldn’t shove his hands away. After my skin was bright red and very irritated. I checked my mask for the result only to find that there was nothing there I was extremely disappointed, however, my skin was super soft. The next day I looked in the mirror to see if I still had blackheads and I did. The mask did seem to make the black heads come out easier when I popped them. I still wouldn’t recommend this product because it was so painful and the results were very minimal. I’m not sure if there are other “black masks” that will give you a different result, but this product did not work for me or for my boyfriend. Definitely a blah.