CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (Part 18)...

Been almost 6 months since my last body wash confession - the influx of new varieties has definitely slowed, mainly due to the fact that my shelves and cupboards just can't take any more! But as you can see in my Empties posts, I've been putting in a concerted effort to finish off quite a few, and that focus has rewarded me with some space for these four newbies...

Given that I've tried just about every supermarket brand and flavour that's currently available (well the ones I liked the smell of anyway), this time I extended my search to a couple of online sources - Sephora and DB Cosmetics. It's a bit weird for me to have body wash arrive via the postie, but the nearest Sephora store is two hours away, and I've never seen shower products on the DB stand at my local stockist. Well that's my excuse anyway ♥...

Original Source Mango Shower Cream...

For a long long time, my Coles just didn't stock this fabulous Original Source Mango, and then one day it appeared, and in the giant 500ml size, so I grabbed it in a flash. I've waxed lyrical about some of the other flavours in this range at various stages (HERE & HERE), but I've been lusting after this fruity delight for months (without smelling it) ever since I spotted it on their website, and it sure didn't disappoint. I adore both the taste and scent of mangos, and this is the real deal. Fresh and fabulous without being overly sweet, I look forward to every shower, but trying not to use it all the time as I never want to tire of it. The formula is creamy, bubbly and non-drying, although for gals with skin sensitivities, it does contain SLS. A bargain for around $7 ♥...

Sephora Hydrating & Energizing Shower Gel (with Goji Berry extract)...

Definitely one of my greatest discoveries! This was $19, but worth every penny (although it also contains SLS). The bottle says it's made in France, and while I can't actually pinpoint the main fragrance note, it sure lives up to its name. A combination of unidentifiable fruit, flowers, herbs and even a spice or two, this is one of the most invigorating shower gels I've ever had the pleasure to experience. Crisp and enlivening, my skin (and nose) just loves this formula - moisturising and bubbly fresh, it's the perfect antidote to hot and steamy weather, which has a tendency to make me feel a little lethargic. Definitely a wake-me-upper, and it's a sure bet I'll be buying it again ♥... 

Thankyou Botanical Geranium & Rosewood Body Wash...

My first body wash from this brand, and I'm suitably impressed. The fragrance is soft and feminine and predominantly rose - more the sort of scent I go for in cooler weather, but I'm enjoying it all the same because of the formula. Second listed ingredient is Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, and further down are Chamomile, Sweet Almond Oil, Geranium Oil, Rose Oil, Patchouli Oil, Lemon Oil and Rosewood Oil - crikey, that's a helluva lot of oil, and yet it's super cleansing! Of course all these delish ingredients means it's magically hydrating, and there's a very long list of what's NOT included, which natural product loving gals will appreciate, along with the fact it's not tested on animals. There's also quite a story behind this brand, and a heart warming philosophy which you can read about HERE. Very happy to support this company, and while I'm not so fussed on the scent of the other two varieties, I will most certainly be investigating more of their range. I already have their hand wash and hand cream to try ♥...

Designer Brands Pomegranate Body Wash...

For once I didn't save the best till last. This body wash is a bit wishy-washy, in both the fragrance and moisturising departments, but hey it was only $5.99. The scent is quite lovely, but once I'm in the shower, I can hardly smell it, so that means it's automatically crossed off my re-buy list. The ingredients include Pomegranate Extract, Coconut Oil, Vitamin C & Vitamin E (SLS too), but my skin didn't seem to register any obvious hydration benefits, although it doesn't make it feel dry. In its favour, the footprint is minimal so there's a tad more space in my caddy. In summary, just a bit ordinary and I'll probably use it up as a hand wash...

Hope you had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas Day ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Joining in Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party ♥...

SPOTLIGHT: November Empties!...

Wasn't expecting my Christmas Eve post to be the empties from two months ago lol! But that's how it happened with all that's been going on in December. Still I'm giving myself a pat on back for having a successful November finishing off quite a few products - a good mix of body, teeth and face goodies, some of which were first timers, while others were long time favourites that have taken forever to get through. So let's get on with it...

Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste (100g, RRP $9.99)

Found this at the back of the drawer during a clean out - it was opened but the use by date was somewhere far off in 2017, so I finished it off. I had a sensitive tooth after it was crowned, and while this did the trick with helping to settle it down, I know why it was in the drawer - not the most inspiring taste (a bit meh actually), I much prefer the refreshing Sensodyne one below...

Repurchase?
No - there are other brands whose taste is more to my liking...

Sensodyne Whitening, Repair & Protect Toothpaste (100g, RRP $10.99)

Excellent product - tooth is no longer sensitive in the slightest, actually that happened long before I finished the tube but I kept going as it tasted so nice and minty ♥...

Repurchase?
Yes, next time I have a peg that shrieks when I eat icecream, this will be the one I go for ♥...

nspa Fresh Sweet Raspberry Shower & Bath Gel (500ml, RRP $7.15)

Love this brand of body wash in general, this one is particularly refreshing - definitely raspberries, but Coles has stopped stocking it - bah humbug!

Repurchase?
Absolutely, if I can find another stockist ♥...

nspa Exotically Creamy Coconut Shower & Bath Gel (500ml, RRP $7.15)

I actually prefer coconut scented products in Winter - I find this quite warming, and so I was just finishing it off to make space for something fruity. If you like coconut though you'll love it. The nspa formula of all their gels has lots of creamy bubbles, and it's non-drying...

Repurchase?
Not till the weather cools down...and I can find it again ♥...

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle EDP (4ml sample, 30ml RRP $97)

This beautifully gourmand fragrance leaked in my handbag a month ago (stopper dislodged) so technically I didn't finish it, but the bottle is empty so it qualifies for this post ha ha, and my bag is only just now returning to it's unscented state. Exceptionally potent, I did a little rave about it a couple of years ago HERE...

Repurchase?
I haven't actually purchased this ever - I have several tiny bottles that all came in GWP's, so no, I have enough to keep me going for a while yet ♥...

MBA Cosmetics Petite Lipstick - Paranormal (3.5g no longer available, 5g, RRP USD7.50)

ADORE this lipstick - MBA make the most fabulous purple lip products, and you'll find a piccie of this on my lips at the bottom of the page HERE. It's just so vibrant, the formula is dense and hydrating, and I'm shattered that I'll be without this beauty until I place my next order ♥...

Repurchase?

There was never a surer bet - the petites are no longer available, but it comes in a standard lippie so I'll breathe again as soon as the next sale is on ♥...

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara Black (8ml, RRP $26.95)

This was a pretty good mascara, but nothing exceptional - I bought it because it seemed pretty close to my fave (False Lash Telescopic Waterproof, which was out of stock), and while it worked ok as a first coat (for separation) under my HG Maybelline The Falsies, it just didn't do the job as well as the other one I love...

Repurchase?
No...

NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder (6g, RRP $18.95)

Being a NYX product I had high hopes, but to be honest, it isn't as good as my HG Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder. The main issue I have with this product is that it has a sheen - that might be what you're looking for, but I need my finishing powder to be matte, well at least at the start of the day. So while it ticked almost every other box (it's $6 more than Australis), I'll stick with the one that does precisely what I need it to do...

Repurchase?
Not unless they change the formula...

Dr. Lewinn's Eternal Youth Day & Night Eye Cream (15g, RRP $69.95)

Hmmm interesting. This is a lovely LOVELY eye cream, but I can't get past the weird applicator. It's hard to describe, but it's like a slightly curved metal disc - you squeeze the tube and the product oozes from the middle onto the metal, and then you swipe that around your eye. Doesn't feel sharp, but the sensation is not all that comfortable, and for that reason I'll give it a miss. The formula itself is very moisturising, just wish it was either a roller ball, or a plain old squeeze tube ♥...

Repurchase?
If they change the delivery system, yes...

Original Source Hibiscus & Pomegranate Tea Shower Gel (Limited Edition) (250ml, RRP $4.40)

Oh boy, this was a lesson in the fickle nature of my nose. Sniffed it when it first came out, and wasn't impressed. Then, being a limited edition, Coles were getting rid of it for $2, so I relented, and that's when I lapsed into TOTAL dismay because I absolutely LOVED it in the shower! Raced back the next day to buy whatever was left, and it was all gone. Sob...that'll teach me to always give a product a second sniff ♥...

Repurchase?
If anyone has seen this ANYWHERE, please let me know - I'd buy 10 bottles if I could...

botanicES Hand Creme (15ml, RRP $?)

Oh yeah baby, this is the ultimate hydrating, enriching, non-greasy hand cream. Rave review HERE, however it has two major flaws - 1) currently only purchasable with the complete skin care package, and 2) it comes in pump bottle that's way too small. The lovelies at botanicES have advised that they're working on both of these issues, and so I wait ♥...

Repurchase?
Without a doubt, just hanging till they sort out the packaging and availability ♥...

Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil Amethyst Jewel (12g, RRP $30)

These goddess pencils are my current HG eye liners - I use them as bases for my eye shadows because they're so incredibly pigmented and long lasting, but also on my waterline as they don't irritate, and last a good four or five hours. This particular purple is gorgeous - has some sparkles in it which look amazing on the lids, but it's a tad uncomfortable on the waterline if any of the bits find their way into my eye. Doesn't sting or cause any redness or watering, it's just not all that comfortable...

Repurchase?

Not for now - I have almost the complete set, but I'll keep looking elsewhere for a purple waterliner that doesn't have any glittery inclusions...

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil (7ml sample, 30ml, RRP $54.95)

Wasn't quite as enamored with this oil as I was with the Sleeping Cream in the same range (adore!), but it sure is a lovely oil. I would highly recommend it if you have dry skin and are after a more natural product - my skin is normal with oily parts, and while it didn't give me any problems, it also didn't really show me any benefits that I would want to pursue with a larger quantity...

Repurchase?

Probably not - with the range of products available these days, I would need an oil at this price to really blow my skirt up, plus I'd rather spend my moolah on something that is specific for my pigmentation...

Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases - stay well and happy, and keep your loved ones close and safe ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

REVIEW: Jessica Mauboy Be Beautiful EDT...

I have a huge backlog of fragrance reviews to post, but I chose to upload this Jessica Mauboy Be Beautiful first because the emerald green bottle with gold trim has "Christmas" written all over it. The whole presentation is gorgeous, from the jewel faceted cap to the trio of cute little trinkets around the neck - so festive, and I'll be adding them to my key chain once I've bathed myself in every last drop of this sparkling gem ♥...

It's a stunner of an eau de toilette, and more potent than some of the EDP's in my collection. When I first sampled it I thought it was so very similar to DKNY Be Delicious (which I adore), but every time I wear it I discover more and more differences in the blend that make it unique. It's also a fraction of the DKNY price ♥ Be Beautiful is an aquatic fruit floral, which means it's PERFECT for Spring and steamy Summer days. First notes are crisp and zingy apple and cucumber - the initial spritz is quite spectacular, and if you're hot and sweaty, or worn out from hitting the shops for pressie purchases, this is a sure bet to give you an instant boost of refreshment, and restore your vitality ♥...

After the first fruit flush comes the flowers - I can easily pick the magnolia and the frangipani, and there's waterlily and magnolia too, and the whole delight is cradled on a bed of musk, vetiver and white amber. Oh boy Mauboy! I can assure you it's as delightful and delish as it sounds - lasts a good three hours on my skin, and it stays very close to my body from beginning to end. Just love it when a fragrance envelops me without being overpowering. It's fresh, fruity, bursting with blossoms, and so unmistakably feminine. I bought it on sale at Target for half price ($15 instead of $29.95) - it came in a gift set with a shower gel and body lotion (which I've yet to try, and they're not tested on animals btw). The box was a bit battered and bruised (which is probably why it was on special) so I haven't pictured it, but the artwork on the individual bottle packaging is almost as stunning as the contents ♥...

It comes with a special message from Jess in the form of a poem (or perhaps they are lyrics to a song) which I've snapshotted from her website:

The 100ml bottle is currently on sale at Priceline for $19 (RRP $34.95), and I'll be picking up a spare to stash away as I expect to go through this 50ml rather quickly - I could easily wear this all day every day non-stop ♥..

Well done Jess! So looking forward to more fragrant delights from this talented Aussie gal ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - you won't want to miss this week's edition xxx

Bloggers United AU Kris Kringle...

When the lovelies at Bloggers United AU invited me to participate in their annual Kris Kringle swap, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in such a fun caper. Unlike a few of the secret santa events I've seen in the community, it wasn't a standard exchange - we were matched with two completely different bloggers. BUA provided details to send a gift to one gal, and we were to receive our pressie from another unidentified beauty. It was so well organised - we completed a form on which we listed what we'd really love to receive (and not!), general likes and dislikes, and any allergies. There was a spend limit ($25) and a set date for postage, and providing proof/tracking information was also one of the very mindful conditions. I had a ball choosing for my gal, sent the package off in good time, and was excited to receive my parcel this week - here's what was inside...

My Kris Kringle match was the lovely Katelan from Katelan Maria. She included this gorgeous Goddess card, and on the reverse introduced herself with some personal details and how to contact her. Katelan is a blogger and MUA from Brisbane who's relatively new to blogging, but she's well on her way, and I'm certain will have lots of interesting articles to contribute to the blogosphere...

Now for the surprises. Always believing the saying good things come in small packages, I opened the smallest parcel first, and to my delight, it contained this stunning Pro Lip Cream Palette (The Reds) by NYX. I'm absolutely over the moon as I don't have anything like this in my makeup kit, and adoring NYX lip products as I do, I'm busting to try every one of these stunning scarlet hues ♥...

Next up was the BIG package, which contained this lovely travel purse, with three delicious products by Fresh Fruit Spa. Never heard of this brand before, but loving fruity body goodies as I do, these are sure to be a winner. There's Papaya Moisturising Hand Cream, Coconut Body Lotion and Berry Cleansing Body Wash - yummm!

When I unwrapped the longish parcel, I was chuffed to find two BYS nail polishes - a scented one (Parfum Posies) and Confetti Top Coat. Again I have nothing like these in my enamel collection, and am very much looking forward to scented and spotted toes this Summer lol! Also in the package was a 7th Heaven Very Berry Mud Masque, which I will thoroughly enjoy plastering all over my face stat - ingredients include pressed blueberries, crushed cranberries, peach kernel oil and aloe ♥...

And here's everything all together - such a lovely gift ♥...

Katelan my dear, thank you so much for this very special present - I love everything, and so appreciate the care and thoughtfulness you put into choosing these products for me. I wish you and your family the merriest of Christmases, hope that your heartfelt desires all come true in 2017, and I'll be in touch with you soon ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Adding this to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - come join in the fun from 6:30am ♥

SPOTLIGHT: 3rd Quarter 2016 Fave LOTD's, Oranges...

And finally, the last in this series, the sunny Oranges. Only six, and that's because I find orange the most challenging as far as hunting down a formula that doesn't turn out all streaky when it hits my lips, but they are available if you're as determined as I am lol. I've often commented on this little idiosyncracy, and I'm still in the dark as to why it happens, and even whether it only happens to me - I'm guessing it's an ingredient. But it's a colour I truly adore and wear quite frequently all year round, so below are the current favourites in my kit that are comfortable, vibrant, and 100% streak free ♥...

The newest in my kit, this Ulta3 cream is part of a new range - not too drying for a longwear matte, it lasts well, and there's a matching lip liner available in the same shade. Oh how I wish all companies did this! The MNY Craving Coral isn't quite as moist as I'd like, but after all it's a matte, and that issue's sorted by adding a smidgin of gloss over the top - it's a beauty as far as longevity goes ♥...

The MNY Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks remain my ultimate formula comfort-wise, although they're not matte unless you blot them after applying. I reviewed the whole set HERE, and this Orange Shot gets a regular workout. As far as gloss is concerned, the NYX Intense Butter is numero uno for the intensity of the moisture boost, and this Orangesicle is just the prettiest hue for Summer ♥...

I love all the lippies on this page, but this is the one that has the edge. Good old L'Oreal - Always Apricot is softly subtle without compromising the fun of orange, and it keeps my lips supple and moist all day. This range is stunningly packaged too. I've included the DJ's one again (one of the First Quarter faves) because not only do I love it to bits, it's a shade that gals could try if they're a bit nervous about oranges, but don't want to take the plunge into anything too definite ♥...

That's all for now - will put together some posts of my final quarter loves and absolute 2016 faves starting early January. Till then lovelies, here's hoping the lead up to Christmas isn't too hectic for you...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

Bloggers United AU Sydney Event - Part 2...

Had to split my posts about the Bloggers United AU Sydney Event as there were just too many pictures (even this one will be a challenge for your ISP lol), but it's time to detail the gifted loot! All of these products came in a giant white carry bag, which was so heavy I was afraid it was going to split on the way home - but as luck would have it, I sat my bum down on an event chair that had a huge tote bag on it gifted by The Healthy Mummy, so that problem was solved ♥...

I'm not a mummy, but I'll certainly be getting lots of use out this bag - super sturdy and made from quality canvas, it has a waterproof lining and a zip pocket for special items ♥...

Very excited to see these For Beloved One products in the mix - I know nothing about this brand, but with a Hyaluronic & Mandelic Acid content in these serums, I'm looking foward to some stunning results in the anti-ageing department. I've spotted the range in Sephora too...

Aren't these Be Fraîche skincare products just the cutest? I'm tempted to put them aside for my next weekend away, but I doubt they'll make it - they smell so fantastic, and the teeny bit of Flower Face Cream I applied to the back of my hand told me to start using them stat!...

My skin is in for a triple treat with these Dove body washes and Moisturising Cream deodorant. I've tried the triple wash before and love how it makes my skin so soft as well as clean, and can't wait to experience the Aqua Moisture variety - it smells so incredibly refreshing. And I've been a Dove Stick Deodorant gal for more years than I can remember, so the opportunity to try another from the range is awesome ♥...

Next up are some deliciously moisurising Goats Milk products from all Aussie Natural Secrets - the hand cream is magically enriching, and this tube and the soap now have their place on the beside table and bathroom vanity respectively ♥...

Well my locks are going to be looking extra lush shortly! Thanks to TRESemmé for the Botanique Shampoo & Conditioner (which smell divine by the way), L'Oreal for the Shower Shine spray (I'm totally addicted to shine sprays) and Toni&Guy for the Style Spray Wax, which will define my blonde highlights magnificently ♥...

Another product that got my heart pounding when I spotted it - Hylamide Multi Depth Rehydration Booster. Yes please! I'm fully expecting to fall in love with this brand ♥...

And some very welcome goodies from Schick (thank you, I still shave my legs), Skin Republic (I already know and love you ♥), Lottie London (my raggedy nails are ever so grateful), and Waxaway (such a neat little kit with a bit of everything, and I'm always game to try something new)...

And a couple of orangey treats - Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads from Nip+Fab. I might have to buy a container load of these! And I'm champing at the bit to try the Megalash Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancing Serum from Matt Miller - I've been using RapidLash for years, so I'm keen to compare the results from this 100% natural serum ♥...

Are you still here? Lol, hang in there, we're almost to the end. How about this stunning Magnif'eyes palette from Rimmel? I think this is new in Oz because I can't find it on their website...

There seems to be three flavours - I'm absolutely THRILLED with the one I scored - "Keep Calm & Wear Gold". An inspired mix of mattes & shimmers - I'll be creating a look with this very very soon, including swatches!...

The lovelies at Thankyou sent along a can't-live-without bottle of water, and some enriching Geranium & Rosewood Hand Cream. So much goodness in this product range, and the motivation behind the company is something I wholeheartedly support ♥...

My dry bod will relish the Vaseline Intensive Care lotion, and this one is Advanced Strength. The gorgeous pastel blue nail polish from Sally Hansen will be adorning my toes sooner rather than later, and I've only just realised the Stophair spray is another product from Matt Miller, and while nothing springs to mind immediately, I'm intrigued enough with the natural ingredients to think of somewhere or someone that could use this lol ♥... 

And finally, the other fabulous items I featured in my first post, from Vani-T, BarryM & TheDessertStudio...

Well that's a wrap for now - needless to say you'll be seeing quite a few reviews from this little black duck in the months ahead. Buckets of thank yous to all the contributors, and to Bloggers United AU for the opportunity to try so many amazing products ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: botanicES Cleanser Crème...

I'm usually a low-sudsing cleanser type of gal, but I'm more than prepared to make an exception for this botanicES Cleanser Crème. Gifted to me by the lovelies at botanicES, I'm delighted they did as it's a gem of a cleanser. Love that it's a massive 200ml size (RRP $35), and with a sturdy pump dispenser, it's hygenic as well as practical ♥...

It has the same deliciously natural fragrance as the other products in their range, and minus all the usual yucko chemicals or mineral oils that so abound in other skin care lines. Ideal for anyone with sensitive skin, this cleanser packs a powerful cleaning punch without compromising gentleness...

I first tried it neat on a moistened cotton pad to see how it would go removing my waterproof eye makeup. I held the pad over my eyes for about 15 seconds, then gently swiped and hey presto, it was all gone, even the multi-layered mascara. What a great start! So then I dispensed 3 o 4 pumps into my hand, added a smidgin of water, and started massaging it into my face and neck...

I few wipes with a clean moist flannel, and my skin was makeup and grime-free, and with no feeling of tightness or dryness, in fact I felt an instant hydration boost. I usually double-cleanse so I repeated the process, followed by a cotton pad soaked with micellar water (as a test), but there was nothing left to remove ♥...

All botanicES skin care is infused with coffee extract - you can read all about the benefits here, or check out my earlier rave about the other face and body products in the range, hand crème review is here.  Everything is made in Australia, even the ingredients are sourced here, and they don't test on animals either. An extra bonus for me is that my bathroom decor just happens to be charcoal with lime accents, and the bottles look so bright and cheerful (and coordinated lol) on my vanity ♥...

Thank you botanicES for sending me this excellent cleanser, and for adding it to your lineup. Also delighted to hear this range is becoming available in selected pharmacies. Now can I have a caffeine-enriched body wash too please? ♥♥♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: IT Cosmetics - Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer...

I promised to review my HG concealer, and this IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye is IT lol! I'm only just beginning to discover how fabulous this range is - both products I've tried so far are amazing, so there's no way I'm stopping any time soon ♥The area under my eyes is bloated, baggy and riddled with wrinkles, so "baking" has been a disaster so far - it just accentuates all my issues. I need a concealer to even out my skin tone, disguise the odd freckly patch, and help diminish the magnitude of this awful part of my face. As you can imagine the last thing I want is a product that sinks into the crevasses, and this stays smooth and even all day long, and being waterproof, it even survives a tear-jerker movie ♥...

This is actually my second tube - for my initial purchase, I chose the lightest shade, but it's too pale for me and just not the right tone. But having experienced the coverage and longevity, I bought the next one up (medium) and it's PERFECT - has a yellowish content, but still light enough to work the Wayne Gross bag concealer trick. I really need surgery, but I'm not about to go down that road, so this is the next best thing...

So what's so good about it? Number one feature is coverage, and I mean coverage... Below you can see how much I use for both eyes & other areas of my face. It's quite difficult to dispense through the microscopic nozzle, but there's a reason for that - you need barely any product, and it blends effortlessly ♥...

I'll spare you a close up of my gross eye bags, so in this photo I've blended that same squiddly squirt to disguise the large freckle and surrounding spots on my hand. Voila - you'll need to set it with a translucent powder as it's quite shiny, but once set it doesn't look cakey, and stays crease-free precisely where it was applied. I take it off with waterproof makeup remover because I don't dare rub the delicate skin in the eye area...

I also apply this around my nostrils and down the centre of my nose before contouring - as you can see in the grisly before pic below (also different lighting), I have a multitude of freckles, spider veins & enlarged pores. For the after-photo, I applied it directly to bare skin topped with setting powder, but over a foundation base, this concealer gives me the closest I'm ever going to get to flawless...

Left bare moisturised skin : Right IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer + setting powder (no foundation)

Here's the list of ingredients from the IT Cosmetics website:

The tube isn't cheap at $38, but I reckon it will last me a year. I bought it from Sephora (the only distributor in Australia that I know of), and I'm hanging out till the rest of this stunning range is available, especially the Bye Bye Redness Correcting Creme which is the subject of numerous rave reviews ♥... 

Have you tried any IT Cosmetics products yet?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Have you checked out Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party yet? The best of the blogs each Monday from 6:30am ♥

SPOTLIGHT: 3rd Quarter 2016 Fave LOTD's, Berries & Purples...

In a rush to get these up as it's almost time to post the 2016 winners! I think that of all the lipstick shades I wear, berries and plums score me the most compliments - I guess it's a skin tone thing, plus the fact that I look far better in deep bold hues than pale pasty ones. Purples are also high on my list of loves, but I'm still in search mode for "the" one...

From memory this Max Factor Intense Plum stick has appeared in almost all my fave LOTD posts - there's something about it that grabs me every time, and I love it so much I have a spare in my drawer ♥ The Rimmel Starry Eyed has a tad more pink, and the formula is super comfortable too ♥...

L'Oreal makes such rich and moisturising lipsticks, and I think you'll agree this Persistant Plum is a deliciously pigmented fruit-fest ♥ The MNY Velvet Lip Pencils are still right up there on my hot lip products list - so easy to use, so comfortable, and this shade is so flattering ♥...

Plum Please is the MNY Color Blur shade that's most dear to my heart, and the semi-matte finish is perfect for my dry wrinkly lips ♥ And what collection would be complete without one of Rimmel/Kate's Lasting Finish lippies - #30 has lots of pink content, but I still classify it as a berry...

The NYX Intense Butter Gloss range is my most recent discovery, and I'm sold on the formula - glossy suits me way better than matte, and this Spice Cake is a stunner ♥ And how about this Husband Shopping by Chi Chi? Sooooo bright, and so much fun ♥...

For value it's hard to go past this W7 Neon Purple - I buy their Liptember Lipsticks every year (around $7), and this hue is divine ♥ And then of course we move onto the always awesome MBA Cosmetic purples - Grape Crush goes with quite a few pieces in my wardrobe ♥...

MBA Stargazer is another one that appears regularly on my list of top picks - just the right amount of pink and blue to make the prettiest purple. And I've included the Immortal Matte for those who are keen to try a purple, but maybe one that's not quite so glary. While I prefer the feel of their lipstick formulas, this is a truly gorgeous shade ♥...

Final set will be up this week - Oranges!

If you missed the others, here are the reds, corals mauves & pinks, nudes bricks & bronzes...

Take care of you,

kats xxx