SPOTLIGHT: January Empties...

Another mega-month for empties, but hey, I delved into my samples drawer for the first time in almost a year, and those teeny tubes don't take anywhere near as long to get through, so they boosted the collection. I've decided to completely exclude any product that I use on a regular basis, and that I've already covered in a previous post, so you'll only see NEW products listed and mini-reviewed from this point on. Actually I'm pretty darn excited about this post because I finished two makeup products this month lol!...

Palmer's Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub

I must be one of the very few beauty lovers on the planet that doesn't like the smell of Palmer's products - never have, and at the rate I'm going, never will. Don't get me wrong, this is a beaut scrub - gentle and powerful, but I find the fragrance totally off-putting...
Repurchase? Negative - took me 12 months to use this up, and I have some new loves that smell fantastic...

John Plunkett's Superfade Cream

This will be the subject of it's own review soon, with before and after pics - let's just say I'm very pleased with the results on my hands so far, but I'm not done yet...

Repurchase? Third tube is already in my handbag, and the Accelerator is next to my bed for nightly applications ♥...

Hair & Me Hair Rejuvenation Treatment

LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is the only treatment product I use on my hair other than the sensational REF range I recently reviewed (here). Full rundown on this amazing hair pacifier is here ♥...

Repurchase? YES YES YES!...

botanicES Face Creme, Eye Creme & Body Creme (samples)

Previously reviewed here. I've only just finished the eye creme today - gosh so little is required, I imagine a regular tube would last at least 6 months. No visible difference in the crinkles around my eyes, but I still reckon this has shrunk my under eye baggies a little. This gorgeous range definitely has mood enhancing qualities...

Repurchase? I've made myself a promise to buy the Face Creme just as soon as I get through the three others that are waiting for their turn. Same goes for the Eye Creme. The Body Creme is a beauty, but I so rarely have time to apply body lotions, so that's a yes, a yes, and a no ♥...

Swisspers Cotton Tips

I used to be a devoted Johnson & Johnson gal - totally wouldn't buy any other brand of cotton bud, but I've come around to Swisspers as they're just as good, seem to be more readily available, and, well, the pack is purple...

Repurchase? If you've read a few of my previous empties posts, you may have gathered I have an unbridled fear of running out of things (anything) so there are two of these big boxes in the cupboard at any moment in time ♥...

Ostelin Chewable Vitamin D & Calcium

I quite enjoy the taste of these - I always think it's good to experiment with different ways of getting vitamins and minerals into my bod, and the usual swallow-the-tablet method didn't seem to be working all that well. Here's hoping my next bone density scan gets me a pass mark...

Repurchase? There are 60 in each bottle, so yes, every two months ♥...

Lancôme Genifique Youth Activator

A darling friend sent me this full-sized bottle when she switched to cruelty-free - ever so grateful as I've never had the pleasure of this quantity on my bench before. A beautiful serum - deliciously hydrating, and a fabulous makeup base. Can't say I've observed any major improvements in my skin texture, pore size or elasticity, but I love the feel of it on my skin. I struggled a bit to work the dropper button with one hand, but that's minor...

Repurchase? Probably not, but only because Visionnaire works far better for me as far as shrinking pores are concerned. And if I'm going to spend >$100, I definitely want smaller pores... 

Bioderma Exfoliating Purifying Gel

Hmmm. Bought this in the hope it would reduce my pore congestion, but there wasn't any change. It's a very powerful scrub (probably a wee bit too powerful for my mature skin), smells delish, but I don't need to add it to my list of must-haves - it wasn't exactly cheap either...

Repurchase? No...

Boots Serum7 Regenerating Night Cream

A lovely night moisturiser - came in the first Marie Claire Ageless Parcel, along with the day cream (which I haven't tried yet). Light yet richly hydrating, this gently fragranced cream absorbed well into my skin, and I didn't wake up with a greasy face. Nice, but nothing special...

Repurchase? I really need something more powerful to target my ageing issues, so no...

Mirenesse Purify Dual Comfort Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (sample)

A beautiful product that takes off waterproof mascara and longwear lip products in a flash, but it's wickedly expensive...

Repurchase? No - I'll stick with my Neutrogena fave which does the trick just as well, and at a fraction of the price...

REF.241 Get It Straight
Recently reviewed on my blog here...
Repurchase? Absolutely, already have ♥...

ALPHA-H Balancing Cleanser (sample)

This was a tad disappointing, given who makes it - oh it's nice enough and effective, and I like the fact that it doesn't foam up, but with no fragrance, snore...

Repurchase? No hook to keep me interested, so no...

Lancome Eclat Miracle Serum of Light (sample)

Well now this was a treat - came in one of my GWP packs. A gorgeous pearlescent white liquid that made my skin look dreamy and soft-focused, feel beautifully hydrated, and there was an instant lightening effect. BUT I honestly don't see the point of these serums that contain particles to make your skin shimmer and glow, and then you turn the light off minutes later, or cover it up with makeup during the day...

Repurchase? Delighted to try it out, but no...

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum

If I could recommend only ONE beauty product to any of my friends, it would be this amazing liquid. My lashes may not look all that lush in my photos compared to other gals, but before I started using this serum, I had basically none at all. It works! It's been in my kit on and off since 2011 with not one concern arising, and I'm NEVER going to stop now. I tried applying it every second night and lost some of the length, so I went back to daily applications, and could see the difference within a fortnight. Absolutely awesome stuff! Full review is here...

Repurchase? Cannot, repeat cannot live without this - three spares, Pharmacy Online has it permanently on special for $49 ♥... 

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Waterproof Mascara

Can't remember why I bought this because I gave up purchasing ANY mascara other than Maybelline The Falsies years ago, but I'm very glad I did - it's brilliant! Not enough volume for my EOTD pics, but what I do is apply a coat or two of this underneath the MNY one (or on its own when I'm not taking eye pics) - it separates the lashes magically, holds the curl, wouldn't dream of smudging or flaking, and looks completely natural...

Repurchase? Undoubtedly - onto my 2nd tube now ♥...

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner

My one and only liquid liner, and I use it every single day along my lower lashline - nothing else compares for ease of use, longevity, availability and price...

Repurchase? Silly question - I have three spares of these in my drawer, bought them all at half price sales, which seem to be on every month or so. Bless you Maybelline - please don't EVER stop making this product ♥...

Take care of  you,
kats xxx

P.S. I've chosen this article for Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party, and highly recommend checking out the other bloggers' choices...