Having weird issues with both race menu and ECE

[tadams2tone]

So I'm modding Skyrim for a new playthrough and I am to the part where I need to beautify my character. I originally went with race menu, noticed some problems getting any mod to load through it, like KS hairdo and what not. Didn't think much of it at the time because I decided to switch to ECE because I found some really nice presets.

Then I noticed that I cannot get ECE to load, at all, no matter the confirguration. I can get race menu to load but it will not work with other mods, like hair, skin face. I have tried everything, loot, deleted any appearance mods and started fresh. Note - I'm not using them together, just trying to get one or the other working. I'm not a mod master but also not super ignorant. For the record I'm using Mod Organizer.

I think it may be some type of SKSE problem? I really don't know. if anyone has ANY ideas please let me know. I've been fretting over this all day and it has been a complete roadblock to getting this mod order done and then playing. Thank you in advance for your time.