REVIEW: Grahams Natural Daily Facial Gel Cleanser...

A few weeks ago, Grahams Natural contacted me regarding their anti-ageing creams, and after checking out their website and all the awesome products they make for dry & irritated skin, I jumped at the chance to try them. I'll be reviewing the creams next week, but in the meantime, they also kindly sent me their Daily Facial Gel Cleanser, and I was so impressed that I was compelled to write a separate post to give it the attention it so deserves ♥...

My preference is usually for a foaming formula, but this gel has won me over. It's so refreshing, and I'm amazed at it's effectiveness. I always follow my facial cleanser with a cotton pad soaked in micellar water as a double-cleanse, mainly because most of the ones I've tried leave a small amount of makeup behind. Not this gem! Regardless of the type of makeup (and you know I wear a helluva lot of it) there's not been one molecule of slap left on the pad! I use a bamboo cloth to wipe off, and it's been heavily coloured with foundation, blush and lipstick residue, and yet it rinses clean, and there's been no tide mark around the basin either...

The gel is clear and it's difficult for me to describe the fresh scent, but I'll take a stab at it and say "sherbet" lol! Sounds weird I know, but it smells like something fizzy or tingly - nothing I can really put my finger on, but it's crisp and invigorating, and I love it. The ingredient list includes Aloe as the second highest content, and there's also Cucumber and Green Tea extract...

One pump is more than enough to cleanse my face and neck, and it's possible to control the amount that's dispensed by not pressing so firmly. The gel spreads effortlessly and becomes quite runny once it's applied to the skin, but not enough to drip.  After massaging it in and rinsing off, I'm left with super clean skin that doesn't feel tight or dry...

I'd not heard of Grahams Natural before this, but I'm about to place an order for some of the other goodies in their range (like soap, body wash, lip balm, and of course, more of this gel cleanser). Their specialty is products to relieve eczema, psoriasis and very dry skin, and while I'm fortunate to not be dealing with any of those stressful conditions, I'm convinced my skin will benefit from their calming and anti-irritant formulations. They're having an EOFY sale on at the moment too, with all products 25% off - the reduction shows up as soon as you add an item to your cart...

Thank you Grahams Natural for the opportunity to try your brilliant cleanser - and for $12.95, it's most certainly scored a permanent place on my vanity ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - come say hello!...

CONFESSIONS: of a Scrubaholic (Part 5)...

Golly gee - I haven't done a Scrubaholic post for almost 2 years! Oh I'm still a Scrubaholic, but my exploration slowed down considerably for a while simply because I'd found some face scrubs I was absolutely crazy about, and consequently wasn't buying very many others to try. But loving variety (and blogging) as I do, I decided a fresh discovery of the market offerings was in order. Sooooooo......below is a pic of all the scrubs in my shower stall at the mo' - whoops!...

These four I've been using for many many moons, and am still madly in love with all of them...

For links to my reviews of these beauties, just click on the brand names: Dermalogica, St. Ives, Nude by Nature...

My recent acquisitions are in the piccie below, and today I'm reviewing four of them. A couple are "technically" cleansers, but as they exfoliate as well, I'm including them in my scrub category...

Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimiser (92ml, $10.99)

This is my second bottle, and sure won't be my last. I haven't seen much in the way of pore minimising as yet, but I love the charcoal content and the consistency, and it sure does give my face a deep clean without leaving it feeling tight or dry. Love the funky pump dispenser, and what comes out is creamy and black and foams up nicely while gently exfoliating away those pesky dead surface cells that can make my complexion look dull and tired, and it also keeps the dreaded blackheads from regaining control of my nose sector. Some of the other Bioré products in the range make my eyes water, but I'm delighted this one doesn't - I think it's the menthol-like fragrance that gives me trouble, but this one is only mildly scented. I've been going a bit charcoal-crazy of late, and so has Bioré, so we're well matched lol ♥...

Beechworth Honey Gentle Scrub (100ml, $19.95)

Only discovered their hand cream at Woolworths a few months ago - oh my gosh it's magnificent, the lemon myrtle fragrance and skin softening formula has secured its place on my bedside table forever, so of course I had to try the scrub too. Was a little sad it didn't have the same zesty lemony fragrance, but the eucalyptus scent is equally refreshing, and the whole formula smells so organic and natural, probably because it is ♥ While the scrub grains are fine and minute, they're quite firm (I think it's pumice) and they don't soften or dissolve, so I would rate it as a medium scrub rather than "gentle". I counted eight oils in the list of ingredients along with Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter - skin nutrients by the bucketload here. Love the whole concept of saving the honeybees too. They make several other ranges that include lavender, grapefruit & rosemary oils which I'm aching to try - I've only seen the macadamia one in the supermarket, but all the others are available from their website. No animal testing, and they also sell lip balms, candles, homewares, books and the most delicious sounding edible sweet treats and drinks, and of course...honey! ♥...

Lush Dark Angels Fresh Facial Cleanser (100g, $17.50)

One of my purchases at the Bloggers United AU Birthday party at Lush earlier this year. I can't imagine ever not buying this again! Love it to bits ♥ I use it at least once a week in the shower because it's thick and VERY VERY BLACK and makes one helluva a mess of my vanity. But hey I'm finding ANY charcoal product a challenge because of the cleanup required, but it's not stopping me getting into this magical ingredient big time. Dark Angels exfoliating cleanser smells like licorice and leaves my face softer than I thought was even possible at my age. The paste is very thick, and I scrape out enough to cover a 20 cent piece (the label recommends "pea" size, but that's too mean for me), I mix it with a little water and then massage it into my face and neck, and then rinse thoroughly (under finger nails needs attention too). I'm about half way through the container which has a use-by date of May, but it still smells so fantastic and works so brilliantly, so I'm not stressing ♥...

Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Exfoliator (100ml, $14.99)

Have thoroughly enjoyed every essano product I've ever tried (currently blissing over their foaming cleanser) and this scrub is no exception. Very very gentle, has a delicate floral scent, aloe vera juice is the second listed ingredient, no sulphates or silicones, not tested on animals, and the microscopic granules are actual rosehips. It's really more of a facial polish than a scrub, and perfect for those days when I just want to whisk away the bare minimum, without any mess or fuss. No need to write much more because the label says it all - in short it's a gem ♥...

The other four scrubs will star in Part 6, which'll be up in the next few weeks ♥...

Have you used any of these facial scrubs? Do you have a favourite one that I should try?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - the party starts bright and early ♥...

SPOTLIGHT: May Empties!...

After last month's mammoth post, I thought I'd put this one together nice and early as I powered through quite a few in May as well. And to be honest, having all the empty containers lying around is a space issue for me, so here we go...

Hair & Me Hair Rejuvenation Treatment (90ml, RRP $16)
I've lost track of how many sachets of this magical hair elixir I've gone through - first discovered it two years ago, full review HERE, nothing's changed, it's still awesome and I can't live without it ♥...
Repurchase?
3 spares in the bathroom drawer ♥...


Skin Republic Youthfoil Face Mask Sheet (25ml, RRP $12.99)
Like the Hydrogel ones, this is special, which is why it's more expensive. It's a 2-piecer (much more comfortable) with lashings of hyaluronic acid serum. The foil fabric itself dries out by the end of the 20 minutes (no it's not alfoil lol), but the serum stays locked in underneath - when you peel it off, there's heaps left on the skin, which I massaged in, and that was my skincare regime for the night, nothing else required. Amazingly hydrating ♥...
Repurchase?
Already have 2 waiting in the queue ♥...

Hylamide Low-Molecular HA Multi-Depth Rehydration Booster (10ml, 30ml RRP $29.99)

This sample came in the Bloggers United AU goodie bag last November - amazingly thick and enriching serum, I can't imagine a dry skin cell making it out the other side of this stuff without transforming. Can't say I noticed any obvious change in my skin over such a very short period of time (barely a week), but I sure as eggs didn't need much else to moisturise my skin ♥...

Repurchase?

Probably - I need to investigate this whole brand (The Abnormal Beauty Company) in more depth, but right now I have no less than 6 serums backed up waiting for their chance to shine ♥...

NeoStrata Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy (15g, RRP $69.99)

My favourite eye cream to date - I buy it from Pharmacy Online as it's almost always $20 cheaper. This has certainly helped diminish my crows feet and smoothed out my crinkly hoods a bit, but does nothing for my eye bags, and therefore doesn't technically qualify as an HG, but it's the best I can find for now ♥...

Repurchase?

Definitely, but again I have around 5 other eye creams to use up first - will probably buy some later this month and alternate with the others I'm testing as I don't want to lose the benefits I've already gained ♥...

Matt Miller Mega Lash Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancing Serum (3ml, RRP $49.95)

Believe me I SO wanted to love this as it's a far more natural eyelash growth enhancer than the one I've been using for years (RapidLash). And it works a treat - rave reviews all over the internet including some of my blogger pals, but...over the space of a month or so, I developed a painful sensitivity to it (stinging), so I've gone back to RapidLash which gives me no such problem :-(

Repurchase?

Ouch, no...

Skin Republic Brightening Vitamin C Face Mask Sheet (25ml, RRP $7.99)
This one targets freckles (yay!) and age spots, so it will be a regular in my routine, unless the Eaoron (in June's empties) ones prove to be more effective. My skin tone did look more even and overall a tad lighter after using it, so there's definitely potential. Also contains Vitamin E & 7 plant extracts ♥...
Repurchase?
You bet ♥...

NATIO Cucumber & Aloe Micellar Cleansing Water (all skin types) - (200ml RRP $14.95)
Reviewed HERE, this is still the most gentle micellar water I've tried, just not as effective as some other brands ♥...
Repurchase?
Possibly, but I still have a stack left over from my research, and more in the wings to test lol ♥...


Natural Secrets Goatsmilk Moisturising Hand Wash (300ml, RRP $6.99)
Reviewed HERE, love this hand wash - it's actually one of my winter staples as it is very hydrating and smells delish ♥...
Repurchase?
Already have another one on my vanity ♥...


Dettol Profresh Peach Burst pH-Balanced Shower Gel (500ml, RRP $6.49)
Very nice body wash, lathers well but not a standout as far as fragrance or skin hydration are concerned...
Repurchase?
Maybe once we get to Spring/Summer - but hey, there are so many more out there that ARE special...


botanicES Face Creme (50ml, RRP $45)
Rave review HERE, I am NEVER without this face cream. I try a truckload of skin care products, some of which clog my pores because they're too rich, so in between trials, I go back to this darling and it sorts out my congestion in a couple of weeks. Love everything about it, it's the perfect formula for balancing my combo skin, but I'm still in search mode for one that will turn back time ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Done deal ♥♥♥...


Skin Republic Stem Cell Plant Protein Face Mask Sheet (25ml, RRP $7.99)
Especially for fine lines and deep wrinkles, in which case I probably need to use one of these every night for the rest of my life lol! Also containing CoQ10, this one (like all SR sheet masks) is refreshing and gave my complexion a definite lift. I don't see how it could possibly change wrinkle depth after one use, but I'll let you know once I've had a few more goes - I'm thinking of at least twice a week for a few months, just gotta squeeze it into the schedule ♥...
Repurchase?
Yes - there's not one of these that I've tried that I wouldn't use again and again ♥...

L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Anti-Ageing Power Serum (30ml, $49.95)

Bought this because of the outstanding success I had with the Dual Action Moisturiser in the same range. Silky texture, smells lovely and fresh, absorbs in a flash. Can't say I noticed much difference in my pores or wrinkles, but I should imagine that using it in conjunction with the moisturiser is the way to go ♥...

Repurchase?

Yep - I have two bottles of the moisturiser stashed away (bought at half price) and once I'm done with a few of the other serums on my bench, I'll launch a major anti-ageing attack on my face ♥...

For Beloved One Hyaluronic Acid GHK-Cu Moisturising Serum (30ml, RRP $113)

Crikey, I think this is the most expensive serum I've ever tried, and interestingly I had no idea of its pricepoint until I looked it up for this post - it's another one that was in the Bloggers United AU goody bag. Beautiful serum - rich and thick, barely any fragrance, absorbs in nano-seconds, and hydrates like there's no tomorrow. I was kinda sad when I finished it as I was sure enjoying the feel of it on my skin, and the added juice it injected into my complexion. No visible reduction in wrinkles, but if you have super dry skin, I reckon this'll fix it.  To read more about the technical side, check out Labmuffin's highly informative review HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

Hmmm, I probably should for the sake of my face, but the cost is a wee bit prohibitive - it's available from Sephora ♥...

Calvin Klein Eternity Eau de Parfum (Miniature) - (100ml, RRP $89)

I've had this teeny little bottle for more years than I can remember, but the fragrance stayed pretty true till the last drop. This is a classic and timeless floral that I reviewed HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

Wasn't going to as I have so many already (!), but it's half price at Chemist Warehouse right now, so...maybe ♥...

Skin Republic Bubble Purifying + Charcoal Face Mask Sheet (20ml, RRP $7.99)
Already covered this in February's Empties post HERE, but I love it so much, it deserves another mention ♥...
Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patches (3 pairs, 18g, RRP $9.99)
Ditto ♥...
Repurchase?
Yes yes yes yes yes ♥...

Lush Ultrabland Cleanser (46g/100g, RRP $17.95/$29.95)
This and the two creams below were a few of  the goodies gifted to us at the Bloggers United AU Birthday Bash at Lush earlier this year (HERE).  It's a lovely cream cleanser, but not my thing - I'm into the foaming/wash-off kind, and while you can use warm water and a cloth to take the bulk of this off, it doesn't rinse away completely because of the oil content, and my face just didn't feel clean. It's one of their best sellers though, vegan and full of goodness...
Repurchase?
No...

Lush Vanishing Cream Facial Moisturiser (45g, RRP $39.95)
Fell head over heels in love with the smell of this cream - so fragrantly herbal and organic, sigh...it's just gorgeous! Very very rich though, in fact both this and the Celestial one below were just too rich for my skin - I had major congestion problems which annoyed the hell out of me because I loved this cream so much. Unfortunately, me loving it and me dealing with the lumps and bumps and pores filled with goop are too different things that just can't live together... Boo!
Repurchase?
Sadly, that's a no...

Lush Celestial Facial Moisturiser (45g, RRP $29.95)
Another lovely cream made from delicious natural ingredients. Lighter than the Vanishing Cream and delicately fragrant, but still too heavy for my pores...
Repurchase?
No, same reason as the other one...

Lush Sugar Scrub (100g, RRP $6.50)
Another one that I adored the smell of, which is why I bought it - that and the fact that I'm only just discovering body scrubs, and only just discovering the joys of Lush! Refreshingly herbal fragrance (fennel, ginger & lavender), at the time I chose it I wondered why there was a stack of metal boxes near the display. The first time I used the scrub in the shower (and left it on the shelf) I discovered that the boxes were for keeping the scrub intact and reasonably dry. Oh how I wish someone had told me! To my dismay, by the time I got home that night, most of the scrub had melted and oozed down my shower wall throughout the day, and very little was salvageable. Still I was able to scoop up about one third of it, and left it to dry out in a bowl for a couple of weeks, and have used it with reasonable success since, although a lot of the oils were lost so it was pretty rough and scratchy...
Repurchase?
Ermmm, I think I'll go for a tub or a bar next time - they make lots of other yummy scrubs in far more practical formats...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. As always I'm linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - come check out all the brilliant blogger posts ♥...

SPOTLIGHT: 1st Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 2...

Following on from Part 1, here are the oranges, reds, berries and purples. Seeing them all together like this it really hits home how many different colours I wear lol! Not everyone's cup of tea of course, but I do love experimenting ♥...

This first one is such a fab shade for summer - NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Banana Split - my mouth waters just reading the name! Next we have two more NYX beauties - Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Foiled Again & Orange County. This formula is quite comfortable, nowhere near as supple and slick as the butter glosses, but (of course) far longer wearing ♥...

First red is Australis Velourlips NY-CEE - fabulously vibrant fire engine red, but oh so drying on the pout. So in the second pic I slicked on the Cosmoholic gloss again and turned it into a power house of radiance and juicy hydration. This last red is a glamour puss from the NYX Pro Lip Cream Palette, pan #5 ♥...

Onto the deeper reds, which I absolutely adore ♥ Another from the NYX Pro Lip Cream Palette, this is pan #6. And just to show you there's no need to break the bank, this second one is by MUD - it's called Cocoa Berry, costs around $5 from Woolies, and it's fabulous. Last one is Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lip Colour in Adobe, one of the most lusciously lip smacking lipstick formulas out there ♥...

Oh wow, this was probably my greatest discovery of the first quarter - Lush Liquid Lipstick in the shade Power Without Force. Amazing pigmentation with a touch of gold shimmer, it lasts FOREVER and doesn't dry out my pucker. Then we have Australis Matte Lip Cream in Amster-Dance. It's such a shame these creams are so drying as the colours are a blast. And this last one came via Lip Monthly - Be A Bombshell Lush, and it sure is ♥...

So now we're well and truly into berry territory - another couple of MUD lipsticks, this time in Pretty Please (pretty gorgeous I'd say) and Mulberry...sigh. The deep deep one on the right is a crayon by Lord & Berry (another Lip Monthly score) - this shade is called Black Red, whoa ♥...

And what list of favourites would be complete without some purples hey? NYX Liquid Suede in Run The World, I have nothing else even vaguely like it in my collection. #2 is Rimmel The Only 1 Matte Lipstick in Run the Show (be still my beating heart), and the third and final "out there" one is another NYX Liquid Suede, called Amethyst, and yes it really is as vivid and as purple as it looks in the photo lol ♥...

So that's it for the first three months of 2017 - probably more NYX than any other brand, but then again I did treat myself to one of their vault collections for Christmas. I'm already working on the 2nd quarter lip beauties, up soon I promise ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 1st Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

I'm several months behind with these favourite-for-the-first-three-months-of-the-year LOTD's - whoops! Regular readers will know that I usually do four or five different posts for the various hue families, but as the next quarter is already looming on the horizon, and crazy work commitments are STILL limiting me to one post per week (boo!), so I've shrunk down the photos and condensed them into two posts. So here we go with the Nudes, Bricks, Bronzes, Corals, Mauves & Pinks ♥...

L to R: Crop Mineral Lipstick - Spice, Hola Neon Velvet Liquid Lipstick - DF, Rimmel The Only 1 Matte Lipstick - Look Who's Talking

As you can see, I enjoy a wide variety of formulas and finishes. The Crop Mineral Lipstick is exceptionally comfortable, and keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day. The Hola Liquid Lipstick came in a Lip Monthly bag, and it's amazingly non-drying, smooth as silk, and lasts for hours. The Rimmel Matte Lipstick is a fave, for all the aforementioned reasons ♥...

L to R: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip - Tulle, Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip - Love Bug, Same Colourpop Love Bug with Cosmoholic gloss over the top

You can probably tell I'm a Colourpop fan lol - their colours are stunners for Autumn/Winter, although I wish the formula was a little less drying. Adding the Cosmoholic gold gloss to the Colourpop Love Bug transformed it into a mind blowingly fantabulous shade, and counteracted the shrivelling effect. Absolutely LOVE this gloss (also from a Lip Monthly bag) ♥...

L to R: BYS Matte Lipstick - Espresso, NYX High Voltage Lipstick - Dirty Talk, NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick - Downtown Beauty

Good old BYS - it's a struggle to find a good brown lipstick, let alone one that's comfortable, but this Espresso is both.  The NYX High Voltage lipsticks have been discontinued, and I'm bummed about that as they're such great shades, and very comfy. The NYX Downtown Beauty was an answer to a prayer for a non-red brown liquid lippie - this formula is ok, but I'd prefer a tad more moisture ♥...

L to R: MUD Full Colour Lip Lacquer - Truly Coral, SAVVY Lipstick - Mango, NYX High Voltage Lipstick - Rags to Riches

Love me a good coral lippie - this MUD one is a beauty and lasts quite well, considering it's a gloss and it costs around $5. The SAVVY is a teeny tiny little lipstick that came in a box of 8 or 10, not sure if I can find it again. The NYX Rags to Riches is a very similar shade, but it's more hydrating than the SAVVY one ♥...

L to R: Cougar Mineral Lipstick - Sangria, MUD Full Colour Lip Lacquer - Wild Mauve, Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lip Colour - Dawn

Yet another gem from Lip Monthly, this Cougar Sangria lipstick is gorgeous - creamy and moist, and the colour has quite a punch. A second beaut gloss from MUD, and the Revlon Dawn is dear to my heart because of it's super slim and elegant case, and it keeps my lips moist and supple all day long ♥...

L to R: Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lip Color - Vineyard, Mirenesse Maxi-Tone Lip Bar - Soul, SAVVY Lipstick - Grape

Love this Revlon Vineyard - has a wee bit more blue in it than Dawn, and really flatters my skintone. The Mirenesse one is a pretty colour, but I struggle to get the ombre effect happening (there are two shades in the one stick). The SAVVY one is another from the "sample" box ♥...

L to R: Maybelline 14hr Megawatt Lipstick - Neon Pink, bhcosmetics Creme Luxe Lipstick - Pop Cultured, NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Funnel Delight

And finally the bright pinks. The Maybelline Neon Pink is a blast - very pure and clear, and it lasts for at least half a day, or until I eat something with oil in it.  Have had the bhcosmetics Pop Cultured for over 18 months and keep forgetting about it - don't know why because I adore this pink, and the formula is smooth and buttery. And of course the NYX Butter Gloss - probably my favourite glosses of all time, they're so rich and vibrant, and well, I just loves NYX ha ha ♥...

Part 2 will be up later this week - Oranges, Reds, Berries and Purples ♥...

Would any of these colours suit you?  What's your favourite lip product formula?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Yes it's that time of the week again - time for Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up. Be sure to check it out after 6:30am ♥...