EOTD: MUA Poptastic Blues #2...

When I decide on a blue theme, it's hard to go past the MUA Poptastic palette - the pans have such a silky buttery formula that's a breeze to blend, and with 5 blues to choose from, can you blame me for not poking further into my kit? And by using different bases, the whole look never turns out quite the same, so my craving for variety is always satisfied ♥

To make the palest blue shadow pop, I used Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Like A Virgin (white, in case you hadn't guessed) on the inner third, and essence Waterproof Gel Liner in Around Midnight on the rest...

MUA matte Midnight went into the crease and underneath the lower lashline, and I lined my waterline with bhcosmetics Waterproof Eye Crayon in Royalty - this is a broody deep amethyst, perfect for cooler weather looks...

Face-wise I'm wearing a soft reddish blush from the bhcosmetics Glamorous Blush 10-colour palette, lips are Covergirl Hot Passion with a slick of Chi Chi Chandelier Lips in Money Bags. For future posts, I'll note down what foundation I'm wearing - it used to be ALWAYS Lancome Teint Visionnaire (which is why I don't normally list it), but I've been discovering some drugstore beauties of late, and it's time they got a mention ♥

Hope your June is a fab one - keep warm and safe lovelies ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Sleek Plummy Pinks...

I'm still way behind schedule because of my house move, in fact I only have 2 days left in May to meet my quota of 8 EOTD's for the month, so it's looking like I'll have to go with a trifecta - 3 in a row! Will return to my regular variety of content in June, meanwhile here's the plummy pink look I put together today ♥

These particular hues are just so flattering for an older chook like me - they have sufficient oomph to define my eyes, but with a softness that creates an almost velvety glow that's kind enough to not make my wrinkly bits stand out ♥ Base was Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk - over that went Valley of Diamonds from the Sleek Arabian Nights palette. It's the sparkly pink pan below right - just gorgeous! The deeper matte plum on the left (Stallion) was what I used for the crease, and along the lower lashline...

The ever so pretty pastel below is Eve's Kiss (don't you just love that name?) from the Sleek Garden of Eden palette - I blended this from the inner corner to the one third mark. Just love it when a company makes products that I can mix and match ♥

And on the waterline is essence kajal in I Have A Green...

For my cheeks I used a base of Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Make a Mauve, with a light dusting of bhcosmetics Iris blush over the top. Lips are Lacura Beauty Lipstick in shade 81, Chestnut - my latest love (and discovery!), and I'll be reviewing this whole range very soon...

I reckon I'll be wearing these colours a fair bit this Winter - they're cosy and pretty, and even though my hair is an orangey red hue, interestingly it doesn't clash with the pinks at all ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. I've just added this review to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness #9 Link Up Party - some great reads, and if you're a blogger, why not join in the fun too ♥

EOTD: L.A.Colors Aquamarine...

On a bit of an aquatic binge at the moment - sometimes creating one look in a particular hue just doesn't satisfy me, so I keep going until I'm ready to move on. Not really sure what that's all about, but my feeling is that I need to wash myself in a particular shade (for whatever reason), and so I indulge myself until the next colour beckons me...

I've not used this L.A.Colors Tranquil palette all that much mainly because, like so many others, I have way too many eye shadows in my kit to get through in a year, so they simply get neglected. All a bit sad really, but considering I create an eye look at least 5 days a week, I have no idea what to do about that little dilemma - probably just get on with the blurb hey lol. 

Incidentally, the last time I used these colours was about this time last year, and that was over a white base. Here's a reminder so you can see what a difference it makes using a lighter shade underneath...

So this palette is all turquoisey/aqua shades, but I wanted something a bit deeper, a bit more tealy, so I used Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Caribbean Queen as my base. Over that went the two shades marked above, with the lighter hue on the inner third. I deepened the outer corner with Orbit from the Sleek V2 Matte palette, and patted that into the crease as well, followed by the Caribbean Queen on the waterline...

For my cheeks I used Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Make a Mauve - LOVING this creamy, shimmery blush, such a flattering shade ♥ Lips are bhcosmetics Creme Luxe Lipstick in Pop Cultured, and I added some Maybelline Color Elixir Gloss in Hibiscus Haven for a mirror shine - nothing like a wet and wild hot pink lip to kick start the week...

Do you ever repeat a colour until you feel you're ready for the next one, or is it just me?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. I've just added this review to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness #7 Link Up Party - you'll find lots of other interesting blogger contributions there too ♥

REVIEW: Yves Saint Laurent Opium EDT...

I first discovered Yves Saint Laurent Opium when I was in my late teens - at the time I thought it was the sexiest perfume in existence, but I couldn't afford the real thing, so I settled for those cheap "copies" that were around at the time (and still are I believe). I bought a genuine bottle of it in my thirties, fell in love with it again, and then veered off the path, preferring Calvin Klein's Obsession instead (they're both orientals). But thanks to Priceline's recent half price sale, I'm rediscovering my passion for this exquisite classic. And after wearing it for a couple of weeks now, you know what? I haven't changed my teenage opinion - this is such a voluptuous womanly fragrance, and now that I've matured, I doubt I'll be unfaithful ever again ♥

Originally created in 1977, in my opinion this is perfume perfection - from the moment it hits my skin to hours and hours later, it remains beautiful and true, the sign of a master blender. On me it doesn't fade or develop into anything else - spicy, woody, powdery, sweet, smokey. I'm sitting here feeling like a High Priestess about to perform some sacred ritual - that's how special it is! There's not one teeny tiny thing about it that I don't adore. The bottle is a stunner too - I could spend hours (days!) photographing it, and I'm lashing myself for only purchasing 30mls of EDT...

The list of ingredients goes on and on, and here is but a small selection of the components (that I recognise) - coriander, plum, mandarin orange, pepper, jasmine, cloves, bergamot, carnation, sandalwood, patchouli, cinnamon, peach, lily-of-the-valley, rose, sandalwood, musk, coconut, vanilla, vetiver, incense, cedar, myrrh, and amber. Unbelievable!

This is an absolute must if you love spicy, mysterious, seductive, earthy orientals that are warming, comforting, and screamingly sensual. Believe me, it leaves anything else shuddering in it's wake. Despite my passion for a huge variety of scents, this one is the crown jewel in my collection. I'll be on the lookout for more sales of this legendary fragrance, and hopefully will nab the EDP very soon - I don't think I can live without it ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Chi Chi Goes to Rio Red and Green...

Well now, here's a blast from the past - dug out my Chi Chi Goes to Rio palette to create this red and green EOTD. The box is almost 3 years old, but you'd never know it - the shadows are just as vibrant and blendable as they were the day I bought them. It was one of the first bold multicoloured collections I ever laid my hands on, and a real treat at the time because the pans are all mattes, and back then I had an almost morbid fear of using shimmers on my wrinkly peepers (can you believe it?). Of course these days I don't give a flying foo about creases and saggy bits, and I'll play with just about anything ha ha...

I've kept this palette in a 5-drawer cabinet all this time, and it just goes to show that storing eyeshadows away from dust, light and temperature extremes can prolong their life. Once again my base was a Maybelline COLORdrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - Light It Up. These crayons are SO good under pink, red or orange powders - they almost double the intensity, and keep the whole look in one piece for the whole day...

I pressed the red over the top of the MNY pencil, and blended the green underneath my lower lashline, as well as in the crease. On the waterline I used essence kajal in the shade I Have A Green - such a great match for my eye colour...

Cheeks were one of the more reddish shades from the bhcosmetics 10 Colour Glamorous Blush palette, and on the lips went MUD Matte Lip Cream in Fuchsia, topped with essence Stay With Me LongLasting Lipgloss in Candy Bar...

It's almost a Christmas theme, but by omitting any gold or silver garnish, I reckon I got away with it lol...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: of a Body Washaholic (Part 10) - Palmolive!...

I'm always excited when I see something new on the shelves, and even more so when it's a shower product. Spotted these two new additions to the Palmolive range in Woolworths (come on Coles, get with the program!) and did a little dance as they flung themselves into my trolley - barely had time for a pre-purchase sniff, but when anyone mentions "passionfruit" or "citrus", well I'm pretty much a goner anyway lol...

Body Polish Passionfruit Exfoliating Body Wash

I have to say I haven't been this excited since Imperial Leather brought out their fabulous range of body washes, but I have such a soft spot for Palmolive - they're the ones that converted me from soap many many years ago, and I adore just about everything they make. And this being (in my memory) the very first PASSIONFRUIT scrub I've ever laid eyes on in a supermarket, I'm jumping for joy - it's fantabulous ♥ Smells like the real deal, and those little black specks you can see are kiwi fruit seeds, and there's some apricot ones plus peach juice in the mix as well. The consistency is thick and rich, it lathers magnificently, and leaves my skin feeling supremely soft and fruitily fragranced. While I'm indulging in a good old scrub, I can spot the black seeds on my skin, but they all wash down the drain without leaving any stray bits behind. This is a definite keeper, in fact, I've already bought another bottle!

White Citrus with Lemongrass Extract Shower Gel

As for the gel, it's just as refreshing, probably even more so because it has a deliciously sharp tang to it. Containing tangerine peel oil and lemongrass oil, you can probably imagine how zingy it is. 100% soap free and ph balanced, this shower beauty is guaranteed to kick start your morning with a foamy fruit punch. It's super concentrated so you won't need much to work up a luscious lather...

In all honesty, I'm going through torture each day deciding which one to use the. I'm giving them both a 5 star rating as neither of them have any vices - my skin doesn't feel the least bit dry, just clean and enlivened. Of the two though, I guess my heart belongs to the Passionfruit Body Polish, but that's ONLY because I'm a total nutter when it comes to this particular fruit - Passionfruit Pavlova is my favourite dessert ♥

Have you tried either of these bathroom belles yet?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

And if you missed the rest of the series, here they are...

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9...

EOTD: L.A.Colors Raspberry and MUA Midnight...

Needed some major warming up on Friday, so I trotted out my L.A.Colors Wildflowers palette - it has the most stunning raspberry shade, which I've hit pan on, but I had a spare in the wings for the photo ♥

Base was Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk - I only ever seem to use this in Autumn/Winter, but then again, it's probably the perfect time to use this rich maroon cream. Years old, but it still has some life left in it yet. Over this went the L.A.Colors raspberry, blended into MUA Matte Midnight, which I took underneath and in the crease as well...

On the waterline I used Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyliner in Dream Lover - these gels work very well on the waterline, and last a good few hours before the outer part starts to wash away. This happens with just about every liner I use, and usually within 30 minutes of taking the pics (my eyes water at the drop of a hat)...

And...the whole face. Lips were Shanghai Suzy Miss Georgina Pink Plum topped with essence XXXL Lip Gloss in Wood of Roses. Cheeks were Sleek Pink Parfait from the Pink Sprint Blush By 3 palette. This blush is so incredibly pigmented, I had to buff it back with my kabuki so I didn't look sunburnt lol...

What colours are you using to help keep you feeling warm and toasty on chilly days?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil Greens...

Ahhh green - how do I love thee, let me count the ways ♥ Back in March I announced here that my ultimate and absolute favourite green eye shadow was Sleek Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden palette. The problem with making statements of that nature is that they often don't hold true for too long (oops!), especially in the makeup world. And well, sure enough, after creating this look the other day, there's a couple more contenders for the title...

I've used this bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil palette literally hundreds of times, and loved everything I've ever created with it, and this look is no exception. BUT I hadn't actually combined these two greens before, or used Face of Australia Budge Proof Eyeshadow cream in Poison Ivy (a deep hunter green) as my base...

What goes under shadows makes a huge difference to the end result, and this particular cream gave an added considerable depth to the pigments, as well as shifting the hues slightly to make this rich foresty shade. I pressed the 2nd emerald colour marked above over most of the top lid as well as underneath the lower lashes, and lifted the inner corner with the bright lime. The black went into the crease, and for my waterline I used an old favourite - bhcosmetics Waterproof Eye Crayon in the shade Huntress...

And here's the whole green theme - cheeks were ModelCo Amaretto Sunset, and lips were Revlon Bronze Beauty topped with Mirenesse Lip Bomb #11...

Soooooo...I still reckon that Sleek Tree of Life is my favourite individual green pan, but I'm loving this "manufactured" hue. Oh and don't listen to anyone that says you should always go for a contrasting colour if you want to emphasise whatever eye-colour you have - I reckon green shadows make my irises look HEAPS greener, and this particular shade makes them stand out like never before ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Clearasil Daily Clear Superfruits Refreshing Scrub...

I don't often receive products to trial, but this arrived in the post (my first parcel at my new address!), and I was absolutely delighted as I love this scrub, and had just squeezed out the last dollop from the tube I'd had for around 6 months - perfect timing! I did a mini-review of it last November, but it deserves a whole page to itself, so here we go...

I still can't get used to the fact that Clearasil products work so well on my mature skin - in fact if it wasn't for beautyheaven sending a sample of the brilliant Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Wash almost two years ago, I would have continued on thinking that the Clearasil range was wholly and solely for young troubled skin. But I'm always happy to have my opinion changed, especially when I find something that works so well, and this scrub is a honey ♥

When it comes to bathroom products, my preference is for fruit fragrances, and this Raspberry & Cranberry combination is refreshing and zingy without being overpowering. The pretty pale pink cream is not at all difficult to dispense, but has a very thick and rich consistency - I far prefer this to some scrubs that are more liquid as they have tendency to slip through my fingers, and that means waste..

You can see how firm it is in the above pic, and if you look closely you can also spot some teeny little deeper pink exfoliating grains. There are much finer ones too that aren't visible, but together with the Coconut and Salicylic acid, they do a beaut job of scaring away blackheads and sloughing off flaky skin cells, leaving a surface that silky smooth and ready for moisturiser and foundation...

When I first try a new scrub, I use it daily for at least a week to see how well it performs, and to find out if it's going to dry my skin at all - no such problem with this little darling. There's not even a hint of tightness, and I like the fact that my face feels super clean, but not stripped. The label actually says it can be used every day, both morning and night - at my age I reckon that's a wee bit excessive, but I'd say it's gentle enough to not cause any issues if  you are so inclined.

In my earlier review I said this was a keeper, and that's still the case. At $10.99 it's excellent value, and you can pick it up at most supermarkets ♥ If you're interested, there's a helpful skin care guide on the Clearasil website, and of course they also make a deep cleansing scrub for those folk dealing with pimples and breakouts.

Thank you Clearasil for sending me something that I know and love, precisely when I needed it ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTD: Chi Chi OMFG Yellow Gold and Orange Gold...

Well June will soon be here, and with it, the official start of Winter - brrrrr! So best to get a few more Autumn looks up on the old blogaroony. And the Chi Chi OMFG palette is packed to the eye balls with appropriate shadow hues, so I turned to it once again to help me make my decision about what colours to put together ♥

On this particular day I was wearing coral and black, and not having a true coral pigment in my collection (will have to do something about that stat!), I set about making one by laying down a base of Maybelline In With Coral COLORdrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil on the outer half  (yes, using a lip product again!), and essence white kajal on the inside...

I then pressed the second orangey shade (pictured above) over the whole lid, and concentrated the first gold pan on the inner half. It certainly was an interesting result, and one I was delighted with because it turned out to be just the shade I was after - score!

Sleek matte Noir went into the crease and along the lower lashline, and I lined my waterline with ModelsPrefer Matte Black Kohl Pencil. This particular crayon came to me (I think) in one of those Priceline goody bags, but do you think I can find it on the stand in the store? Boo! 

But all is not lost - I can see it on the Priceline website. It's a BRILLIANT formula, lasts heaps longer on my waterline than any of my other crayons, doesn't irritate in the slightest, and I'll definitely be buying another one (or two!) ♥

So how's Autumn treating you? Mine has been one of considerable change, and getting rid of a whole heap of unnecessary clutter - always a good thing...

Take care of  you,

kats xxx