MacKenzie Kassab on Labneh & Fresh Flowers
Plus, the sunscreens she and her daughter swear by.
Hello and welcome back <3
It’s allegedly summer, but NYC is on the breezy side—and I can’t decide if I mind or not. I am in desperate need of a pedicure, so in that sense, I could use a few more days to prep for sandal season. On the other hand, I’d love if it were, idk, six degrees warmer.
I’m writing this while I finally start season two of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives during a much needed break from moving tasks. I promise I’ll stop talking about moving eventually, but I do think I’ll share some of the fun things I’ve gotten for my apartment for paid subs soon, so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, I’m excited to welcome MacKenzie Kassab, Director of Creative Strategy at
, and the author of the brand’s Substack. If you’ve been around here a while, you know I’ve been dubious about brand Substacks, but Rare Beauty’s is a, well, rare exception—and that’s thanks to MacKenzie. Get to know her below, from her favorite tea to the flats she wears everywhere.Meet the Gatekeeper:
Name: MacKenzie Kassab
Calls home: Culver City, CA
In a nutshell: Curious, sentimental, asleep by 10pm
What was the last great meal you ate?
Labneh on thick sourdough with sliced cucumbers, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil from my father-in-law’s grove in Lebanon (we carry bottles home when we visit). It’s become a comfort food. I lived in Beirut for a long time and always ate breakfast on my tiny balcony, surrounded by my potted garden and neighborhood pigeons. One bite takes me right back. In L.A., you’ll find labneh in most grocery stores. There’s also a recipe in Rose Water & Orange Blossoms, a gorgeous cookbook by Maureen Abood. I’m not big on cooking, so unfortunately it’s more of a coffee table book in my house.
What's your current favorite little treat?
Harney & Sons tea in a Hawkins New York mug. I’ve always loved the idea of delicate vintage teacups but can’t handle the pressure of using anything too precious, so I always come back to these heavy duty mugs. So far, impossible to break. And aside from being great tea, the storytelling Harney & Sons does with each blend is really transportive, especially first thing in the morning. Victorian London Fog is high on my list of favorites. Something about the lavender makes it feel more sophisticated—*fancier*—than your average cup of tea. Murder on the Orient Express, a smoky black option, is also a great choice if you’re a tea-obsessed book nerd (guilty).
What do you do when you need a pick-me-up?
Fresh flowers. When you can’t get outside, bring a bit of nature indoors. My friend Sarah at L.A.-based design studio In the Den makes the most beautiful arrangements that can boost any mood. They’re like little works of art. When she’s not around, Trader Joe’s ranunculus are a decent runner-up.
What is the seemingly random thing you can’t stop talking about?
A Criterion subscription. It’s such a well-curated collection of movies—just log in and take your pick. You really can’t go wrong. My forever watchlist includes My Man Godfrey, It Happened One Night, and other ’30s screwball comedies with wardrobes I dream of raiding.
What’s the item you wear most in your closet?
Flat shoes. I’m at a point in my life where function is just as important as form, so you’ll rarely (never?) catch me in heels. Black Prada brogues, Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballet Flats in tan, and off-white Converse high-tops are my go-tos. Between the three of them, there’s something comfortable for just about every look.
What’s your favorite place to shop?
Etsy! I love window shopping for antique and vintage jewelry I can’t afford. Behind every piece of eye candy is a bit of history, which I find really special. My mom’s charm bracelet from the 1960s is one of my most prized possessions, and I’ve slowly been adding to it over the last few years. Etsy has loads of vintage charms at all price points (pro tip: throw them on a chain if charm bracelets aren’t your thing). They’re perfect for commemorating a trip or life event. Side note: Joining Substack is a great excuse to buy a tiny 24k gold typewriter with seed-pearl keys, no?
What's your current desert island beauty product?
On a hypothetical desert island, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Worth. It’s the softest, prettiest flush of color, and I can confirm it’s foolproof (I apply makeup in five minutes in a dimly lit bathroom with an audience—motherhood is very glamorous). On an actual desert island, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. I’d never be stranded outside without it.
What's your current favorite scent?
Sunscreen on my daughter’s skin. It’s the smell of summer. I grew up on Banana Boat, but she loves Sunshine + Glitter’s Sea Star Sparkle sunscreen with (biodegradable) glitter. It comes in scents like marshmallow and watermelon lemonade, and it’s very sparkly. Anything that gets a kid excited about sun protection is a parenting win.
What's the last book you weren't able to put down?
I somehow avoided Dostoevsky’s Crime & Punishment when it was assigned in school, but I finally picked it up last month. It’s 10% crime, 90% wondering if there will be punishment. Doesn’t sound like the recipe for a great book, I know. But it deserves 150 years of hype, and now I get why it’s a classic.
What show are you watching right now?
The Empress on Netflix. It’s not new, but it’s new to me. Sure, sure—historical accuracy might not be its thing. But who needs facts when you’ve got jaw-dropping costumes, over-the-top sets, and a no-nonsense heroine?
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