8 Year Bloggiversary & Giveaway!...

Oh wow, I almost missed the date! When I started this little blog back in September 2013, I couldn't have imagined I'd still be here three years into the future, let alone eight ♥ But kats colourings is still alive and kicking, despite my current job extending its tentacles into my after-hours life. And joy of joys, our beloved Spring has sprung (yay!) and I haven't had a giveaway since May, so I couldn't think of a better excuse lol ♥...

Due to lockdown, my usual in-store bargain hunting has been on hold, but I did manage to pick up these three Nutrimetics Mystery Bags, and seeing as this month is a special celebration, I thought why not have three winners?...

Each bag contains four Nutrimetics items valued at over $90 - three are full-sized products, and the fourth is an accessory. I can't possibly show you what the goodies are because that would spoil the surprise now wouldn't it, but I've had a peek inside all of them, and I'd sure be happy to win any of these, and I hope you will too ♥...

As usual, the giveaway is open to...

Australian Residents Only! 

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page that answers the question inside the Rafflecopter (please note: if you don't leave a comment on this page, you won't be included in the draw!) If you're unable to leave a comment for technical reasons, please email your answer to katshepsutt(at)gmail.com.
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed
4. Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter

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This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen these beautiful gals as the winners. 

Amanda C.

Yohanna

Claire F 

Congratulations lovelies! 

Please respond to the emails I've sent you by midnight

Wednesday 22nd September to claim your prize :-)

Edit: All beauties have claimed their prizes ♥

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Hope you'll join in the fun, and best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Skincare...

Well hi lovelies - yeah, I know, long time no post! Everything is fine and good here, well as good as can be in an extended COVID lockdown hey. But I can assure you the only reason I've been off the social media grid is work-related - as boring as that sounds, my job commitments started exploding in May and are showing no signs of returning to normal until closer to Christmas - yikes! While I'm thanking my lucky stars to have a steady income (and to be able to work from home), 12-hour non-stop stressful days are the norm and to be honest, by the time I disconnect from the office network I'm mentally drained and not fit for much at all. Impact? Apart from missing you all terribly (and even more grey hairs), I'm literally up to my neck in empty containers and have a ton of stuff to review. I can't bear to be away from you any longer, so will do my utmost to resume my weekly upload, although it will be a couple more months before I'm back to posting on Instagram. For now, I desperately wanted to share with you my new skincare regime - the Skin Physics Dragon's Blood range, which I'm crazy-in-love with ♥...

It all started back in May last year when the generous team at Theory Crew sent me the Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel to trial. I absolutely loved it AND the firming effect it had on my jawline, and have been using it every night since then. I'd also read fab reviews by some of my blogging gal-pals about the Ultra Plumping Night Cream and Retinol Sleep Serum, and filed that info away for future reference. Then, earlier this year, my skincare stars aligned - by that I mean my usual collection of lotions and potions was getting low and I noticed that Priceline (the only place where this range is sold) were having a Skin Physics sale, and I thought "perfect timing, why not?". It was a rare opportunity for me to shift to a whole new set of products (which is something I rarely ever do), and I'm so happy I took the plunge because this stuff is awesome! ♥...

I'll be reviewing each of them, including the Daily Radiance Moisturiser and Deep Wrinkle Filler over the coming weeks.  Interestingly there's no Eye Cream in the range, but they have an Advance Superlift Eye Contouring Serum which I've been powering through, and will post some notes on that as well. The cleanser in the range is the only product I wasn't crazy about, but I'll let you know why in one of my upcoming Empties posts - remember those? Ha ha yes, that's the next challenge (lol!) but I've already worked out how I can catch up, as well as return to sharing the love with my usual giveaways ♥...

Gee willikers, I've SO missed keeping in touch with you all!

Until next time, take care of you, and keep safe,
Hugs from kats xxx

P.S. In amongst all this I've had to change my blog subscription system, so hopefully, some of you will receive a post notification email from a system called Follow-It ♥...

REVIEW: Judith Leiber Topaz EDP...

The addition of a Judith Leiber perfume to my collection is literally a dream come true. She's the lady who makes all those stunning bejewelled clutches you see accessorising the stars at the Academy Awards, and I've been wanting one of her fragrances for at least 10 years - but at $120 a pop (and hard to find), I could never justify the outlay. That was until last December when Feeling Sexy had Topaz in stock and on special for $64.95, and at that price, I couldn't justify NOT buying it, especially as of the three I was lusting after (Amethyst & Exotic Coral are the other two), Topaz was a sure bet to be the one I would love the most considering its high wood content ♥...

Just look at that bottle - it's absolutely exquisite ♥ The gems on the cap and centre base of the bottle were what piqued my interest in this set all those years ago - I'm totally obsessed with bling (oh really?) and this would have to be one of the most glam flacons on my shelf. The glass is thick and solid and tinted roughly the same pale amber as the gems, which means that the fluid is a deeper shade of amber. In the pic below you can see the inside of the box has a cutout base (a throne!) to hold the bottle securely in place, and the top of the box also fits snugly to protect the precious contents during transit...

And what of the fragrance? Oh my gosh - it's divine of course! I can't believe it's been sitting in its box at the back of my cabinet for five months - well actually I have amazing self-control in some areas (and absolutely NONE in others ha ha) and stashing a fragrance until the right time of the year is something I've practised religiously, and I wasn't about to spoil my pre-winter pleasure by getting stuck into this precious gem before the cooler weather hit. But it's here now and at last, I can indulge my passion for this golden elixir ♥...

The opening notes are quite fruity and fresh, thanks to black currant, bergamot, mango and kiwi fruit. The fruit actually holds its own right to the very end, but the heart and base are what sends my pulses racing. There's jasmine, frankincense, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley, violet leaf, rose and myrrh to create a warm and exotic caress, and the base intensifies the mystery with a sexy and smoky blend of musk, patchouli, guaiac wood, vanilla, cedar, oud and sandalwood. Holey guacemoley, I think I have a new winter signature scent! It's just SO classy, sensuous, elegant and unique, and lasts on my skin for around six hours - an absolute gem, the contents are a perfect match for the packaging ♥... 

The good news is that this amber elixir is still available from Feeling Sexy for $69.95, and given how long I waited to embrace this jewel (and given I spritz it every night before retiring), I'll be securing another bottle stat. If you love woody orientals with a touch of fruit and flowers, then you won't be disappointed. Sigh...I'm besotted ♥...

Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx

March 2021 Empties & Giveaway!...

Before I get started on the March Empties, I thought to let you know that my work life is still impacting my personal world in a major way - I was kinda hoping that after 31st March the pressure would ease a little, but I'm still waiting for that to happen lol! It's a bummer as I have lots to share with you as well as on Instagram, but after long and stressful days, I have very little time or energy left to put it all together. But I know how much you enjoy the Empties and I'm up to my neck in throwaway containers (!), so instead of colouring my hair (whoops), here we go...

Body

Glow Lab Blackberry & Bay Body Wash (400ml, RRP $9)
I do so enjoy these Glow Lab body washes. When I first bought this one I tagged the scent as winter appropriate but it was so enticing I couldn't wait, so I washed my bod with it over the summer. It's crisp and spicy rather than fruity, although it has heaps of citrus essential oils, and they're balanced with floral & herbal extracts. Quite distinctive and one I'll continue to enjoy in the cold weather, but I'll add a few extra drops of shower oil to boost the moisture content ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Yes indeed ♥♥♥...

White Glo Professional Choice Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste (100ml, RRP $5.99)
Ever so slightly different taste to the others, but the same level of whitening power on my old choppers. It's good to know it doesn't matter which one from the range I buy - they're all as good as each other ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
For sure ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Colgate Plax Alcohol Free Gentle Mint Mouth Wash (500ml, RRP $6.49)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)

Schmidt's Charcoal + Magnesium Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant (75g/92g, RRP $13.99/$19.95)

Swisspers Makeup Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.99)
White Glo Toothbrush (free with the above toothpaste)

Face

Breeze Balm Lip Balm - Birthday Bash (15g, RRP $19.95)

I'm crazy about these balms - far superior to anything else that's crossed my lips over the years. Not so keen on this "flavour" though - supposed to be pink lemonade, but it just smells super sweet to me. Same fabulously enriching formula though, and the good news is they've made the hole slightly bigger so it's an easier squeeze in the cold weather ♥...

Repurchase?
Not this one, but I'm hooked on the watermelon & pineapple variety ♥...

Regulars

Ecopure Bath Bamboo Fibre Face Cloths (pack of 2, RRP $12.99)

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 
Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash (175ml, RRP $14.99)
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99)
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum (30ml, RRP $59.99)
Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel (50ml, RRP $59.99)

Fragrance

Vera Wang Lovestruck EDP (100ml, $89)
Well now, this fragrance is proof that if you keep your perfumes in a cool dark space, they last a long time. Bought this in 2015 and it was almost perfect until the last half dozen spritzes. I reviewed it at the time and I still feel the same way about it, click the name above to go there direct ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Tempting, but there are so many others I want to try ♥♥♥...

Hair

Regulars

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Conditioner (250ml, RRP $34.95)

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Intensive Smoothing Mask (200ml, RRP $42.95)

Makeup

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil - Grey (RRP $45)

I bought this in a fit of desperation during a relatively fruitless search for a grey eyebrow pencil (to match my hair) - in hindsight the price was ridiculous. Yeah, sure it was good quality, but too dark and stark for what I'm after, which is a  light to medium grey that I can build up ♥...

Repurchase?

Not unless I'm totally desperate again ♥...

ModelsPrefer Contour/Collection - Ultimate Higlighting + Contouring Palette ($16.99)
My local Priceline has stopped stocking this, but it seems to still be available online - thank goodness as it's the best colour scheme for my complexion (which means not orange!). Mind you I only use four of the six pans, but by mixing them together I can create a blend that suits me to a tee and doesn't look weird. Great price too. Powders are fine for my cheeks and jawline, but they seem to exaggerate the craterous pores on my nose, but I can smudge the cream ones so they're effective but not obvious. So hard to find cream contour kits! ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Definitely, online ♥♥♥...

Revlon Colorstay Life-Proof Matte Foundation Stick - 180 Sand Beige (RRP $25.95)

Ahh, Revlon - you were one of my first loves, and you're still delivering the goodies. My current numero uno foundation. This is the one I wear to the office or for special occasions. PERFECT colour match to my skin, blends to a perfect finish, lasts ALL DAY, doesn't transfer, SPF 27, slight sheen finish - it doesn't get much better than this ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Forever ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)

Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Eyebrow Pencil - Blonde (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Master Precise Allday Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Mascara (RRP $19.95)

Natio Define Eye Pencil - Charcoal (RRP $14.95)

Giveaway!!!

Totally bummed that I didn't get to do a special Mother's Day gift in time, but hey, it's only May so I'll no doubt make up for it. For now, here's what's in the bundle...

• Makeup Revolution freebie comprising:
• Revolution Pro 4K Bronzer Palette - Warm
• Unicorns Heart Rainbow Highlighter
• 5 Eye Shadow Palette - Raspberry Icing
• Intensely Pigmented Foil Shadow Palette
• The Liner Revolution Waterproof Smudgeproof Eyeliner - Intense Black
• Semi-Permanent Brow Tint - Taupe
• Lovisa Rose Gold Tone Silk Square Earring and Necklace Set,  & Diamante Crossover Ring - Size M/L

The makeup was a Gift With Purchase - I thought it was so awesome I placed another order so I could get a set for this giveaway. Here's a pic of a couple of the items I opened from my pack:

And a closeup of the gorgeous jewellery:

Approximate value is $85, and this giveaway is open to...

Australian Residents Only! 

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page that answers the question inside the Rafflecopter (please note: if you don't leave a comment on this page, you won't be included in the draw!) If you're unable to leave a comment for technical reasons, please email your answer to katshepsutt(at)gmail.com.
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed
4. Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Anna M. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Anna, please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight

Wednesday 19th May to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Anna has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx