ways to apply mascara

After talking about these different mascaras, I realized that I never actually dedicated a blog post to putting on mascara. Although this may sound like a pretty self-explanatory thing at first, I have heard many techniques mentioned through my friends, YouTube and myself experimenting. Here are what I have come up with:

standard method
This is probably the most common used method to make up newbies, or people who enjoy minimal mascara/a natural look. I would say this method deposits the least amount of mascara and general coats only the lashes located in the center of the lid. In this method, you are placing the wand at the base or roots of your lashes and pulling the wand up to reach your tips.

wiggle/vibrate method
This is probably the method I hear most mentioned. Mascaras that vibrate have also been developed to replicate this technique (one by L'Oreal and one by Lancome). In this method, you  are applying mascara from the root to the end of the lash, and simultaneously wiggling the brush left and right. It sounds a lot harder than it is, and I guarantee that many of you already do this naturally. This method tends to separate the lashes a bit more than just pulling the wand up from the roots. I would also say that a bit more product is dispensed because you are spending more time on each lash.

blink method
This method is exactly what it's name states. In this method you are blinking, or closing your eyes, onto the mascara wand. I do not personally use this method because it sounds too messy for me. People who do use this though, say that it makes their lashes curled, without the use of a eyelash curler. It also seems that this method allows you to get closer to the roots because you don't see the wand coming to your eye, which may frighten you.

eye pull method
I have only seen this method used by one person and I can't quite explain what she sees as benefits. Basically, she pulls the outside corner of her eye towards her temple and applies the mascara to her lashes. I assume this may have something to do with not seeing the mascara wand also (she is terrified of them). I can only assume that this also allows you to get close to the roots, however, I can't say for sure. (if you use this method, leave a comment as to why. I am curious to know how it works for you!)

top and bottom method
This is a play off of any method, but in this one, you are coating both "sides" of your lashes. I think this is probably best for people with blonde or very light lashes because it doesn't allow your natural lash to show at all. I personally have dark blonde eyelashes and don't feel the need to do this. I think it just makes a mess, but that's my opinion.

Those are all the methods that I have heard of or seen. Which method do you use, or do you use one that I haven't mentioned here? How did you come up with it? Leave a comment!


Always stay happy and healthy :)

Tschüss, Katharina

perfect pink "Pretty Little Liars" lip

Ever since my friends and sister have told me about "Pretty Little Liars" last month, I have been obsessed! I watched both of the beginning seasons and the first half of season 3 in about 3 weeks! One thing that I have noticed though, is that almost all the female characters (mostly) seem to be sporting the same pink lip. I mostly see it on Aria, but others wear it sometimes also. (On Spencer, here)

courtesy of: http://www.brebeauty.com/spencer-hastings-troian-bellisario-makeup/

It is a true pink lip, almost like a natural lip color but much more pigmented. I feel like a achieved a pretty close effect using 2 products. The first thing I used was the Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Honey. I made sure to get a nice layer of that and then added a light nude lipstick on top. I personally used the ELF Essential Lipstick in Nostalgic (can be found on beautyjoint.com), but you could also use the Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in 865 Nude Nuances or any light pink lipstick that you have laying around. I think this is a great color lip because it is natural enough for work, class, etc. but can be brightened up for a night out!

Although my version does look a little bit lighter, it's only because I took the picture in direct sunlight. Face to face, the color looks much more of a deeper pink.

What do you think of this lip color? Have you found any lip products that generate a similar lip? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Stay happy and healthy :)

Tschüss, Katharina

the 5: best ELF products (plus some extra!)

For the price of their products, I think ELF is a great make up company that is making dupes that match many high end brands. I composed a list of what I think are some of the best ELF products, in no particular order (these are my opinions):

1. Blending Eye Brush and Professional Eye Crease Brush

I think these two are very essential for any eye make up. The Blending Brush is very soft and easily blends out the rough edges of any natural or even dark smokey look. I have also used it for concealer, where it performed amazingly. This is from their mineral line of brushes and I think it cost around $5. I could not find it on the website, but try looking for it at beautyjoint.com.

The Eye Crease brush is a perfect size to get not only the inner and outer corners of your eye, but also underneath. It can also do a little bit of blending (if your shade is light enough) and serve as a pencil brush, for lining your lower lashes. This brush costs only $1, so even if you end up not liking it, it didn't cost a whole bunch of money.

2. Conditioning Lip Balm SPF 15 (Nice & Natural), Luscious Liquid Lipstick (Bark) and Essential Lipstick (Nostalgic) -swatches from left to right

    

The Conditioning Lip Balm was one of the first products I ordered from ELF. It has a great color that just goes on the lips so smoothly and has a nice moisturizing effect. I could wear this color every day because it is truly the "your lips but better" type of effect. It has a coconut scent, which is not too strong. And an added plus is the SPF, which keeps your lips from getting chapped on a sunny day! This is from their studio collection and costs only $3.

The Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Bark has to be my favorite liquid lipstick. I think the color is such a beautiful natural brown that looks great on fair skin! The lipstick itself has a minty smell and is somewhat sticky, but that doesn't bother me! This lipstick is from ELF's essential collection and costs only $1. I love this color so much, that I have several back ups of it, just in case!

Lastly, is the lipstick in Nostalgic. Although, I do not necessarily like the consistency of this, the color is just amazing. I like more pinky nudes because orange or brown based ones are too dark for my skin tone. Even though I have fair skin, I think this lipstick would look great on any skin tone! I think this is almost like Myth from MAC except since it has more pinks to it, it is much more wearable. This lipstick only costs $1. It is no longer available at ELF, but definitely at the site listed above.


3. Shimmering Facial Whip (Spotlight, Toasted)

These highlighters are just amazing! I think they give the most beautiful sheen to the skin that makes you look glowy and fabulous! The one on the left (Spotlight) is perfect for lighter skinned tones and is white in color. Once blended out, it looks very similar to Benefit's High Beam.

Toasted, however, is my favorite. This is beautiful for all skin tones and gives the skin a bronzed look. I love this one for when I'm trying to look a bit tanner because it just seems to do that, along with giving my face a beautiful highlight.

Both of these are part of the essential collection and only cost $1. I know they have a hard, stick version of these, but I didn't find them to work as well.

facial whips on left (2), tinted moisturizer

4. Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

This tinted moisturizer gives the perfect coverage for me. All the ones I have tried before leave some redness still showing, but this is great. It matches my skin tone easily and can be made up to medium coverage when adding a powder. I usually use a translucent powder in my t-zone to offset oiliness.

This does not have the greatest staying power, but for going to class it does great! I like to apply it with a flat top brush (which you can also find at ELF). This is part of the essential collection and costs $1.

5. Mineral Powder Brush and Small Stipple Brush

The Powder brush can be used for so many things! It has very soft bristles that are perfect for blush, contour, highlight, t-zone powder, full coverage powder application, etc. I can think of so many uses for this! For many of these brushes, I ordered 2 of them because I think they are amazing for the price.

The Stipple brush runs along the same lines. There are so many uses for this, but especially when using cream products. I think the finish this brush gives is absolutely gorgeous! There is a larger Stipple brush that I sometimes use for foundation that I also enjoy.

Both these brushes are part of the studio line and only cost $3. The quality for the price is outstanding!


*Honorable Mention: Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder. I also enjoy this product, but only half of it. The bronzer is the perfect matte color for me to contour with, however the sparkly blush only benefits me in the summer (I like to keep my blushes matte most of the time to make my skin look less oily). I also noticed that they have come out with this in several shades, where as before there was only one. Definitely worth a try for $3!

I love many of the ELF products, but these are my favorites (even though there were more than 5). Do you enjoy any of these products, and what are your favorites from ELF? Let me know in the comments below!

As always, stay happy and healthy :)

Tschüss, Katharina

nails of the day

Lately, I have been experimenting with nail polish colors. Now let me start by saying that I am not a "colorful" person. My clothes are pretty much neutral colors, with maybe one or two tops that I bought because I was trying to incorporate something that wasn't black, white or gray. So obviously, this trend generally continues to my nails...until now. I have been stepping out of my comfort zone and been rocking colored nails. I am starting slow, in the green/blue zone. So these were my most out-there nails yet.

       

Pictured you see the nails in different lights. I think this is a really cool nail polish because it does look like different shades in different types of settings. The first is natural light (no flash, taken around 1 pm), the second with flash during the evening (around 9 pm) and the third, under a lamp with no flash (around 9 pm). The first picture is the most true to color.

I've built this nail polish up without even listing the name! The nail polish is by Color Club in the color Age of Aquarius. I think it is one of the cheaper brands (I couldn't say the exact price because I received it in my monthly Birchbox subscription, which I do not recommend, by the way), so definitely worth the money if you like the color.

As for more details:

• the color glides on nicely and has a good thick formula. Pictured are the color after 2 coats, however, one thick coat would suffice. It is almost like a gel formulation.
• the brush is a traditional one (which I personally like best because I have small nails/hands).
• I like the finish without a top coat (a bit shiny), but you could use one for more added shine.
• after the 3rd day I still had no chips (unfortunately I started to pick at my nail polish after that, so I can't say how much longer it would have lasted).
• removal was also easy, which is a big plus!

Overall, I think this is a great polish! I look forward to trying more from this brand. If you have any colors from this brand that you love, or any great colors in general let me know in the comment box!

Stay happy and healthy :)

Tschüss, Katharina

PS. I just ordered nail polishes from a brand called KleanColor and am waiting for them to come in. Have you tried anything from this brand and do you like it?

Also, if you have a perfect french manicure pink, feel free to leave that in a comment too! I'm pretty picky with that am looking for the perfect one!

PPS. I recently found out from a friend that works in the nail polish industry that L'Oreal owns Essie and they use the same formulation for both. So if you find a color that is sold in both brands, pick up the L'Oreal one to save some extra bucks!