Monday 12 September 2016

SPOTLIGHT: August Empties!...

This post comes to you from a very happy blogger - the days are finally getting longer, the Antarctic winds are finding someone else's toes to freeze, and I've started poking around in the secondary wardrobe for some of the bargains I scored at the end of last Spring/Summer. I do so love buying at end of season sales, and then stashing things away so that I've something fresh and new to wear on day one. And today I changed my hair colour (yet again!), but enough of the Kats-Has-Got-Spring-Fever ravings, let's get on with last month's empties ...


Skin Doctors Relaxaderm Advance (30ml RRP $59.95)
From memory I bought this at Chemist Warehouse because it came with a free tube of Younger Hands (which is very good).  I've been using this instead of a serum - advertised as a wrinkle relaxer, it claims to reduce expression lines by 66% in 28 days, but I've not noticed much difference in my crevasses. To be honest I think I'm too far gone for anything like this to have an effect, but you don't know till you try! I've had mixed results from SD products in the past - some have been astoundingly good (like their Eyetuck), while others have been nice enough, but not all that (visibly) effective. I reckon this would be excellent for much younger gals who are starting to see some signs of ageing...
Repurchase?
No - my search for the Fountain of Youth will continue elsewhere...

Imperial Leather Japanese Spa - Jasmine & Green Tea Triple Moisturising Bodywash (1 litre RRP $8.99)
Another one of my gigantic bottle purchases, but unlike the Forbidden Fruit one, I'm still loving this fragrance. Surprising as it contains Jasmine, but it's beautifully balanced with the Green Tea, plus a wee bit of citrus, orange blossom and rose - a lovely fresh and slightly exotic scent that hits the spot all year round. I raved about it HERE, in fact I think it's the same bottle lol!...
Repurchase?
Definitely - at least this one is still available at Coles, but I'll wait till I've cleared some of the others in the cupboard ...

Garnier Skin Naturals Miracle Sleeping Cream (50ml RRP $19.95)
This came in my third Marie Claire Ageless Parcel, and won me over from the first application. It's just plain gorgeous - the fragrance alone is heavenly enough to put me in the perfect state for a peaceful slumber. The cream has an unusual texture - it's sort of springy to the touch (if that makes any sense). Not a gel nor a cream, but somewhere in between. Magnificently hydrating without being heavy, it absorbs in a flash, and I wake up with plump, refreshed and satin-soft skin, and no oily film. LOVE it! ...
Repurchase?
Already have another jar - I have SO many night creams to try, but I'll alternate them with this because it's so special ...

Mirenesse Liquid Silk Foundation (35g RRP $59.50)
Well whoopdedoo, I finished some makeup! I have to hand it to Mirenesse - they make fabulous foundation. Pricey (unless you're a VIP member), and their entire range of foundations only comes in 4 shades, but Vienna is the perfect match for me. This baby is matte, oil free and contains SPF15. It's not my HG (their Velvet Maxi Lift Supreme Antiageing Renovage is even better) but it's a close second. Not quite enough coverage to be perfect, but with a tinted cc cream underneath, the finish is superb. Detailed review HERE ...
Repurchase?
I'm in a bit of a quandry - I like the Velvet Maxi Lift a tad more but it's an extra $40, and I'm just now trying their new Smooth Nude CC Hydra Makeup Mousse which I'm absolutely loving, so... maybe not ...

Maybelline FITme Shine-Free Foundation Stick (9g RRP $15.95)
I always like to have a stick foundation in my kit, but I was disappointed with this. Super easy to apply and blend, but kind of disappears by lunchtime on my combo skin, and even though I didn't wear it every day, I used up the entire stick within a month. I didn't find it to be shine-free either ...
Repurchase?
No - MNY make so many other foundations that are heaps better...


Clairol Nice'nEasy - Natural Lightest Golden Brown (RRP $12.99)
My experimentation with a new hair colour continues - so now I'm moving away from the reds and getting into the golden stream, and this shade is a natural looking dark honeyish blonde (no way is it brown!). As mentioned in previous empties posts, this range suits me to a T because the colour never EVER becomes darker with re-application. I'm actually after something a wee bit deeper as my base, but the next one up is medium brown which I reckon will be too dark, so I might do my usual trick and mix them half and half ...
Repurchase?
Oui - there's several boxes under the bathroom sink ...

Lancôme Trésor in Love Eau de Parfum (30ml/50ml/75ml RRP $81/$114/$138)
SO sad when I finished this - it was only a miniature, but I sure fell under its spell, and I made it last for 4 years! I wrote a rave review about it on beautyheaven, and called it 100% romance. The original Trésor smells like rotting fruit on me, but this fruity-floral on a cedar base is nothing short of divine ...
Repurchase?
I'm putting all my gold coins in a jar so I can buy the big bottle - it's taking a while, but I'll get there ...

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector (10ml RRP $50)
I'm embarrassed to say that this eye cream was part of my beautyheaven Blogstar prize that arrived in January 2014, and it's been languishing in my drawer for two years! Mind you I don't have dark circles under my eyes (I have huge bags instead), which is why I wasn't in a hurry to try it. Nor can I report that it does in fact work. All I can say is that the cream is a fleshy colour, has a lovely texture, a groovy little dispenser nozzle, hydrates well, and leaves my skin baby soft...
Repurchase?
Negative - does nothing for my eye bags, and my squinty crows feet are the same depth...

CROP Gentle Cleansing Gel - Essential Oil Blend (125ml RRP $12)
Finishing this was probably my greatest achievement last month. I'm a huge fan of CROP products, but this cleanser would have to be the weirdest one I've ever tried. In its favour, it smells fantastic because of its essential oil content (eucalyptus, rosemary, lemongrass, cajeput & peppermint), and once I rinse out my face cloth, the water is decidedly murky and the colour of my foundation, so it's amazingly effective, but it feels way too peculiar on my skin. I'll try to explain. It's an oil. The directions say to work it into a light lather, but it's ridiculously sticky, and the only way I can get any kind of lather up is to wet my hands a little. So then it lathers a teeny bit and spreads a little more easily, but only for a few seconds, and then my hands get stuck to my skin again, and I have to add more water, and on it goes. By this stage, I'm dripping all over the sink, and well, it's all just too awkward...
Repurchase?
Shakes head from left to right - life's too short for tacky cleansers...

CROP Natural Mineral Pressed Bronzer - Solaire (10g RRP $24)
My HG bronzer - it's a quad with four shades ranging from light to dark, the lightest shade is a terrific highlighter with a slight shimmer. I've hit pan on the two deeper pigments, and halfway to the bottom on the other two, but I'm treating myself to a brand new one that doesn't look so cruddy. EXACTLY the right tone for my skin, riddled with goodness, minus all the bad stuff, and no animal testing ♥...
Repurchase?
Absolutely - it was 40% off at Coles this morning. Yay! ♥...

Did you get through many products last month?

Take care of you,
kats xxx


P.S. It's a done deal that I'm linking this to the always awesome Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party 

23 comments:

  1. I've heard so many rave reviews about that sleeping cream from Garnier lately!! Talk about a new cult favourite. I love empties posts, such a great way to see what people love and hate based on their full use!! Jackie - Lipstick, Lattes & Louboutins

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    1. I have too Jackie, and to be honest I didn't quite get what all the fuss was about, until I opened the jar and tried it - SO good and SO inexpensive ♥♥♥

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  2. I think I have one of those Garnier Sleeping Creams sitting in my stash yet to be opened! I'm going to dig it out tonight and start using it! It sounds amazing!

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    1. I do love it Ingrid - I can't really put my finger on why other than to say it makes me smile, so it must have some of that stuff in it that Physician's Formula put in their blushes ha ha ♥♥♥

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  3. The Imperial Leather Japanese Spa Bodywash sounds amazing! I am almost out of my current bodywash so I will definitely have to give this one a go! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Maybelline FITme Shine-Free Foundation Stick too - I have been using stick foundations more lately and it's always great to get an honest opinion on the formula and finish before investing in them :) x

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    1. Hi Marisa, the body wash is lovely - the scent isn't overpowering, just right in fact, very refreshing, and this range is really moisturising. I have another stick foundation that's considerably better (DB Flawless All In One) but I'm still looking for one that lasts the whole day - will let you know if I find it! xxx

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  4. Great work Kats! It's always satisfying to finish products!

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    1. Ain't it just hon! I already have a nice little collection going for this month - the best part is when I actually finish writing up the blog post and then have the pleasure of tossing out the containers ♥x♥

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  5. Great job on the empties this month Kats! I need to try out your tip on buying at the end of the season and actually putting it away! I have to wear new clothes immediately! LOL
    Tal xo

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    1. Well now Tal it's takes a whole bunch of restraint I can assure you, but well worth it for the delight at finding things you've quite forgotten you ever bought. It's even harder for me with shoes, and I don't even try with makeup ha ha ♥

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  6. You did so well! Even finishing makeup, that's not an easy feat! I wish Crop would come to Canada, I'm still loving the products you sent me from them.. I'd probably even like their cleanser that you didn't! lol. xo

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    1. Agreed Amy - I usually toss foundation out because it's too old lol! So thrilled you like the Crop products, and you might be right about the cleanser - every other blogger seems to love it ♥

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  7. You finished so much makeup! I usually finish quite a bit of skincare, but very little makeup - maybe one product in six months. Time to stop buying makeup unless I use it all up LOL.

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    1. I tell you what Renu, last month was an unusual one - I hardly EVER finish any makeup products too, which is why I was whooping a bit lol! I'm especially silly with foundation, I don't actually like to finish it because I love having lots of choices all the time - hopeless case ha ha ♥♥♥

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  8. it's so difficult to find under products that works. I purchased eyesentials for mum and it reversed her under eye bags and wrinkles in seconds, but left a white cast an hour into it :( Still hunting!

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    1. Oh Lily, I'm so glad it's not just me! Yes those instant anti-wrinklers are brilliant, until later as you mentioned, or until you apply makeup over the top, and then it's back to square one. Can't believe we have the most amazing technology available these days, and yet noone can make an eye-bag cream that works properly xxx

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  9. I know ... this is something you should never ask another female, but how old are you? lol I'm just trying to gauge what your skin is like in comparison to mine. I haven't found any anti wrinkle products to really work but I also don't really have many - the doc says my skin is much better than others my age - so I'm assuming the anti aging products are at least preventing wrinkles, if they're not fixing them. Dark circles however, never leave my face. I throw things out before I finish them, especially makeup, I'm the worst.

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    1. Hi Alinta! How lovely to read you ♥ No problem asking about my age - it's actually at the top of this page, I'm a very young at heart 60. Wishing like crazy I'd started my full on skin care regime at a much younger age - whatever you're doing, it sounds like it's working, so keep going won't you ♥x♥

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  10. I LOVE the Garnier Night Cream too! When I wake up in the morning, my skin is just so happy. Nice job finishing an entire bronzer! What an effort.

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    1. Oh goody - another Sleep Cream fan! It's really great hey Mel - I'm always thrilled when I find a mainstream skin care product that's effective, a reasonable price, and especially when I can buy it at the supermarket. And thanks for the encouragement sweetie - this is the first bronzer I've ever gone anywhere near finishing lol ♥♥♥

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  11. Absolutely loving the sound of the CROP Natural Mineral Pressed Bronzer. I've just added it to my 'must try' list ♡

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    1. Right up your alley hon - full of natural goodness and minus all the chemicals. Keep an eye out in Coles - as mentioned in my post, they often have it on special, at least every 6 weeks or so ♥

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