OOTN: cheetah, fleather & red

I don't think I have ever done a post like this before, but I thought I'd give it a shot! Here is the outfit I wore last night to go to a friend's get-together. (All clothing items will be mentioned below!)

Clothing:
Top- cheetah blouse from H&M (Europe)
Bottoms- "fleather" liquid matte black leggings from ebay
Shoes- black buckle boots from JustFab
Jewelry- DKNY watch, Alex & Ani bracelets

Nails: Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Bloody Mary

Lips: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry, N.Y.C. Ultra Moist Lipwear in Sheer Red

If you have specific questions about anything that I haven't mentioned, or even things I have mentioned, let me know in the comment section below!

Always stay happy and healthy! :) Tschüss, Katharina

ipsy glam bag: January 2013

On my quest to find a monthly sample subscription service, I tried several brands. I somehow stumbled upon the "ipsy" glam bags, which like most of these services offer a few samples for around $10- $20 per month. This is probably the best one I have tried so far, because the samples are actually decently sized and not completely miniature (some of the samples I was receiving were ones you could probably get free)! So here is the glam bag for this month:

Starting from the left, there is the BigSexyHair Spray & Stay Hairspray. I have tried this before and didn't really have an opinion about it- to me, hairspray is hairspray. It has a strong hold and can leave your hair feeling crispy if you spray too much in one area.

Next is the Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter. I love how this smells! It obviously has a citrus smell but there is a hint of something deeper and sultry. Upon first use, it felt very moisturizing but not greasy.

Third item for this month is the Nailtini Nail Lacquer. I couldn't find the name of the color, but it is a true blood red. In the picture it comes across more orange than red, but trust me...this is classic, pure red. I love how fast this nail polish dries and how shiny it looks (no top coat in the pic). The polish sort of feels like a gel nail polish, let's hope it lasts like one! My only complaint is the smell- very very potent. I thought with such a cute name it may smell like a martini or mixed drink!

A product that I use often and came with this month's subscription is the Josie Maran Argan Oil. I use this on a daily basis to moisturize my face and love how it feels. It leaves my skin soft, yet not oily. The sample size they give alone costs $10, so this bag is definitely worth the money.

The final item I received, which is not pictured, is the Soho Concealer Brush. I don't really use concealer brushes that often, I feel that it goes on better with fingers, but I am sure I will find a use for this!

I loved the little bag all these products came in and even the shipping packaging was cute! This month's subscription also came with coupon codes for all the items that were in the bag! I am really looking forward to next month!

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina

2013 resolutions!

A new year is always a great time to create goals you wish to complete throughout the year. I don't like to think of them so much as resolutions, because that makes me feel as though they can be "finished". I like to think of them as aspirations and goals because they are definitely on-going and not confined to just 2013!

So here is what I wish to accomplish this year:

1. wash off my makeup every night. I am very good about this, better than ever before, but sometimes I just get lazy...especially when I am coming back from a late night. I really see a difference from when I sleep with my makeup on and those nights when I consistently take it off- as well as feeling better and more refreshed in the morning. I'm trying to think of this less as a chore and more as a beneficial habit to have.

2. continue sanitizing brushes. This is something I started when I was abroad because I was having a lot of trouble with break outs. I spot clean my brushes after every use and like to deep clean them after about 10 spot cleans (or every week and a half).

3. drink more water. I am not really a soda drinker, every once in a while I'll have some, but I do like sticking to water. I want to try to drink more, especially since I also drink coffee most mornings. The only problem I usually have is that I am constantly running to the bathroom the more water I drink.

4. only buy clothes that can double as work clothes. Since I am going to be graduating in May, I have been really giving a hard look at the wardrobe pieces I own. I started this in November, so it isn't necessarily a new year's resolution but I thought I should include it anyway. I never had to really have "work" clothes before but since I will be working soon they will be taking over my closet.

Hopefully I can stick to these- maybe I will keep you updated throughout the year! What are your resolutions for 2013? Let me know in the comment section!

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina

December favorites

December, along with 2012, is now over! As with every month, I cannot believe how quickly it has passed- seems like just yesterday the month was starting! The month of December was pretty relaxing and you will probably notice there aren't too many makeup related things in December's favorites...that's pretty much because I haven't worn that much makeup (trying to be au naturale!).

So here is what I have been loving this month, I would consider these basic things that are necessary for every day but don't necessarily get the recognition they deserve! First is the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder which I purchased during Black Friday shopping. It serves very well as a natural contouring powder but can be intensified with build-up. It has this chocolate smell which I can't decide if I like or despise, but for right now I'll deal.

Next I have been using the Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub very often because in the winter I get dry lips and don't want my lipstick to look like a mess. It really has been a saviour this month. Another thing that really has been coming in handy is the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo and Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil. The dry shampoo is perfect for the days I don't feel like washing my hair- I refuse to use any other brand other than Suave because it has worked better than any expensive dry shampoos- and the argan oil is the right moisturizer for my skin currently. All these products are really working together to provide a bearable winter for my hair and skin.

Lastly, I have been loving the Real Techniques Detailer Brush. I love it for concealing my blemishes, since it is so small and precise. There are some brushes you wish you had doubles (or quadruples) of and this is most definitely one of those! I'm not sure if they sell this brush separately but the kit that it comes with is worth it!

What are your favorites for the month of December? Have you been into any of these products? Let me know in the comment section below!

Always stay happy and healthy! :) Tschüss, Katharina

Christmas gifts/mini haul

I know Christmas has been over for a while, but I wanted to wait to do this post since I knew I was going to be purchasing more makeup. I got a few higher end products as presents and went to the drugstore to purchase some other things. I'll start with my Christmas gifts and then go on to my purchases.

My large gifts were the Too Faced Shadow Bon Bons Palette and Calvin Klein Euphoria Perfume. I did a little description of the Too Faced Palette in this post, so go read that if you want to know what products are included in the kit. I think this palette is awesome! I have only used it once, but I swatched all the colors and they just look beautiful. Even the purples and pinks in the palette are gorgeous- and y'all probably have noticed I generally don't go for those shades. I can't wait to try a look with the bright pink shade (still trying to figure out the best way to showcase it)! It has definitely lived up to my expectations, and I can't wait to use it more.

As for Euphoria, I mentioned this in my October favorites. It is still a gorgeous scent, as it was before. I am sort of rationing its use because the scent is so lovely. It is a bit pricey, but I think so worth a try...especially if you have a birthday or a gifting holiday coming up!

I also received MAC Fix+ and MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle. I haven't tried the Fix+ yet because I am using Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray until it has run out, however, I have tried the Soft and Gentle. It is so beautiful. I like to use this on a more daily basis because it is a bit more natural than the DiorSkin Shimmer Powder. The last gift is the Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black which I haven't tried yet, because I am waiting to use up other ones.

I went to the drugstore the other day and purchased L'Oreal True Match Foundation in W2, Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creamsicle and Wet n' Wild MegaLast Lip Color in 901b. I haven't tried the foundation yet, but have used both lipsticks. I really like the Wet n' Wild on top  of the Lip Butter since the 901b is a bit bright for me. Together these make a nice lip that is nude with a hint of pink.

What did you all get for Christmas? Let me know in the comment section below! Hope you had a lovely holidays and a great start to the new year!

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina