the 5: five product face for summer

As the warm weather comes...so does melting and splotchy makeup, so like most people I try to keep my foundation quite light and simple. So I decided to create a 5 product face that keeps the amount of products and the feel of these on the face quite light. Many of these things can be swapped out for different skin types, but here is what I used.

I used the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light after moisturizing since I do have oily skin. I recommend using a primer under makeup that is lighter coverage because they tend to get oily quicker. If you have dry skin, you could possibly skip this step and trade it for another product= like a highlighter (or eliminate one completely to make your application that much quicker). 

Next, I used the Dior Hydra Life BB Creme in shade 02 Golden Peach. I received a sample of this from my last Sephora haul and really was impressed at the coverage this gave. However, it is definitely not for someone with oily skin...even though I set it with powder, I looked VERY oily after about 4 hours. Someone with dryer skin would love this though and I do recommend it, even after one use. I would definitely like to look into the Dior BB Creams since I did like the coverage.

I then used the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant to highlight and conceal my under eyes. You could use a heavier concealer if you need more coverage, however I didn't mind my blemishes showing through. I set the entire face with Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in Light. I wanted to use quite a light shade since I didn't know if the BB Cream would oxidize, and it was already a bit dark for my skin tone.

The last step in my 5 product face was bronzer/contour and blush. I used the e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder. I used this to contour my face lightly and then give a glow to the cheek with the peach blush.

I hope this gave you some ideas into how to get a quick but put-together face done in 5 products. Like I mentioned, you can swap products in and out to fit what you like best!

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina

trash talk: episode 4

I was able to use up some more products and wanted to share my thoughts on some of them (a few I have talked about before and some new).

Of course I used another can of dry shampoo, and instead of talking the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo to death, I will link the posts where talked about it before...here and here. I was able to try a new brand through the Glam bag subscription service, which is the psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo and is kind of competing with my Suave. It has a lighter and more floral scent, however it is still quite strong. It is definitely for days when your hair is not as oily and gives a bit more volume, as well. It is only a few more dollars so could be worth it. It kind of comes down to convenience, so I will probably pick up what I find the easiest.

I used up a mini version of the Josie Maran Argan Oil that I do enjoy but can't justify spending so much money for. It does last quite a while, but I feel that my other moisturizers can do the job just as well. I also finished a chap stick- impossible, I thought! I got this from Germany and always stock up when I go, because it's so lovely. It's called the bebe Young Care Zartrose Lippenpflege. I don't know why this can't be bought in the US, since bebe is made by Johnson & Johnson. This leaves a lot of moisture on your lips and has a great rosy scent. You could possibly find these on ebay.

Lastly, I finished a bareMinerals Mineral Veil. I do really like this product because it's a nice setting powder that doesn't leave a cakey look. It also has a matte finish and can be reapplied throughout the day.

I hope you learned a little about what products I have enjoyed and what maybe hasn't worked so well. Look for more posts soon!

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina

Sephora birthday haul

Since my birthday is coming up, I thought I would treat myself to something I have been eyeing for quite a long time...and of course, buying one thing from Sephora is like opening a bag of chips- you can't just have one! So I thought I'd share what I got.

Every year, Sephora gives a little birthday gift and this year it happened to be the Benefit Real Birthday Turn-Ons!. This kit included a sample of the Watt's Up! Highlighter in the shade Soft Focus and the They're Real! Beyond Mascara. I have been wanting to try both for quite a while...the highlighter is a cream product and has a very frosted look. It is a peachy champagne shade (swatch not blended). The mascara is raved about, but I probably won't get to it for a while since I have trying to use up the ones I already have open.

I also got the Versace Yellow Diamond perfume sample as a free gift. I do enjoy this scent, but it is quite particular and strong- once it gets on something it will linger for a while.

The whole reason why I even bought stuff from Sephora was to get the YSL Rouge Volupte Silky - Sensual Radiant Lipstick in No. 7 Rose Lingerie. Aside from the color being the most perfect pink, the packaging is just to die for. I can never see myself throwing this lipstick away, it is just gorgeous!

I needed to spend $50 in order to get free shipping and have wanted to try some Anastasia products, so I thought why not get a sample kit. The Anastasia Go Brow Kit in Medium Brown comes with the Clear Brow Gel and Perfect Brow Pencil, as well as a pair of tweezers. I have heard the brow gel is great at keeping hairs in place, so I really wanted to test that on my unruly brows. I do kind of wish the kit came in a lighter shade, but I think the pencil is something I can work with.

That concludes my little, yet expensive, haul. Hope you are all staying cool in this heat wave!

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina

July 2013 Glam bag

As each month passes, I am more and more impressed by the ipsy Glam bag service. The quality and variety of the products is just phenomenal and each bag proves to be worth more than what you pay for. This month was no exception!

The July theme was "beach Beauty" with samples of products that will give you a beachy look- not to mention, that the cosmetic case that came with this month was great as well!

Starting from the bottom is the bh Cosmetics California Collection that came with the shades Hollywood, San Francisco and Malibu (swatched in that order). The shadows are pretty pigmented but a bit chalky, however I do love the boldness of each shade and they are definitely workable.

The product I was most excited for is the pop Pouty Pop Crayon in Rose Romance. Such a perfect nude shade! I think this is a bit light for a tanner complexion but I still absolutely love it, even right now when I am about 2 shades darker than my normal skin tone. The formula is very smooth and creamy so it feels like the all-too-popular lip butter products.

Next is the Benefit Benetint, which I probably won't use...I already used another of their staining products and it's just not my favorite. I tried swatching it all the way on the right, but you can barely see it. I might just use this to create a bitten-lip type of look but other than that I don't think this will get much use out of me.

The last two products are the Coola Mineral Sunscreen and the Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray. The sunscreen has no scent and goes on very smoothly like a moisturizer. It didn't seem to break me out, so that's a plus. The beach spray is quite fragrant and the scent stays with you for very long...it claims it can volumize dry hair, but that's not a claim I experienced. I am curious to see if it really will give those beachy waves.

Hope this gave you some insight to this month's bag and my thoughts on these products. I'll keep you updated next month on what I thought over a longer period of use!

Always stay happy and healthy (and cool)! :)

Tschüss, Katharina

pixi shades of nude

I think one of my favorite things to do in these summer months is to use shimmery shades on my lids- especially brown ones! It adds to the whole bronzed, glowing goddess look and creates a beautiful pop to the eyes (even brown eyed beauties). This type of look is really achievable with the pixi Shade Quartette in Shades of Nude.

This quad contains 3 shimmery shades and one matte, and they lean in between taupe and bronzed looking. Personally, I do not particularly love golden eye shadows on my eyes so these color combinations really catch my eye. The formula is so soft and creamy- which does leave a tad bit of a powdery on the eye shadow, but I had no fallout. I would suggest tapping your brush lightly before applying them to your eye, and some of the shades I would even suggest applying with your fingers...this will give a much more shimmery and popping effect. The matte lightest shade is an absolutely gorgeous inner corner and brow bone highlight- even though I love my shimmers, this is a perfect balance for a completely shimmery lid.

The swatches start with the darkest color (top left) and move towards the lightest. Shown without a primer here, but I would use one on the lid just to get the true color. This quad is perfect for a natural day look or can be darkened for a sexy night look, since even the darkest shade can be used with a light hand to give a small bit of definition or intensified to really contour out the crease. The second shade from the left also looks awesome on the lower lashline for a slight pop!

I really love how these color work with each other and really can't say enough about this quad. I found mine at Target for $22. Yes, a bit pricey but I think it's such a versatile palette that can be used for any eye color or skin tone. I can't wait to experiment with more looks from this palette!

Always stay happy and healthy! :) Tschüss, Katharina

favorite summer 2013 lip products

I know what you're thinking...it's been almost 2 months since I last posted on my blog, and I really have no excuse. I needed some time for myself after graduation- and to add on to that, I needed some inspiration. But I'm ready now to start this up again and share with you what has come of my newfound inspiration!

One of the biggest trends I have seen this summer is more of a concentration on lips. Although in some ways I have plunged into the bright lip trend, I still have a love affair with my nudes, so here are some products I have been loving since the start of the warm weather!

I have included some lipglosses as well, since I think they are sometimes the easiest for the summer since they can be applied without a mirror. So let me tell you a little bit about the nudes...

From left to right (swatched) is Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in Rossetto (113), MAC Lipstick in Hue and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose (668). The swatches are pretty true to color and with the exception of the Rimmel lipstick are quite pigmented. They all have a creamy type finish and feel comfortable on the lips. The Rimmel lipstick has a floral scent which is somewhat off-putting at first, but after a while I don't notice it anymore. I love the pink tone in each of these, which make them a bit more wearable for me- especially now that I am getting more tan.

On the colorful end of the spectrum, I have been obsessed with the Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids in Pink Pop and Fuchsia Flash (swatched in that order). I honestly don't think the swatches really do the lipstick justice- they are so beautifully bright! Fuchsia Flash definitely packs a little more punch than Pink Pop but I love both! The plus of these is that they almost stain your lips which makes them last long and that way I don't have to keep touching up my lipstick throughout the night. I love wearing these with very minimal eye makeup or being daring and adding a grey-ish smokey eye- absolutely gorgeous! I cannot rave enough about these and really encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and try just one!

Lastly are some nude glosses that really have been a perfect addition to the lipsticks or just great on their own! From left to right, Khroma Beauty Lipgloss in In the Flesh, Nars Lipgloss in Turkish Delight and NYX Butter Gloss in Eclair. The Khroma and Nars both have a kind of funky scent, but again I can deal with that because it doesn't linger too long. Mostly, I really enjoy the color they have and how they feel on my lips, not sticky...however, that does mean they don't last awfully long.

I hope this gave you some insight as to what I've been wearing on my lips lately! Looking forward to talking to y'all soon! (I hope you aren't getting down-poured on like we are in NJ!)

Always stay happy and healthy! :)

Tschüss, Katharina