SPOTLIGHT: July Empties!...

Had another successful month of clearing the decks and making way for more stuff - think I'm on a roll lol! Again I had quite a few almost-used-up products, and hooray I'm coming to the end of those now, but the real thrill last month was finishing off four makeup items - honestly it's such a rare thing for me, but it does happen...eventually ♥...

Bodycare

Beechworth Honey Bush Honey & Macadamia Hand Cream (100ml, RRP $12)

Yep I'm a scentophile - I have this thing about products that perform brilliantly AND have a fragrance that resonates with every cell in my bod, and this is one of them. Super softening, non-greasy and smells DEE-VINE (lemon myrtle) ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, Yes, Yes! ♥...

Original Source Lime & Coconut Milk Moisturising Shower Milk (250ml, RRP $4)

Reviewed HERE -  my skin has been extra dry this winter, and even these moisturising shower milks haven't been hydrating enough (along with quite a few other brands), so I've been adding a squirt or two of Dermaveen Shower Oil to my flannel when I use them, and that does the trick...

Repurchase?

Yes but not for a few months as I have NO SPACE lol...

Original Source Green Banana & Bamboo Moisturising Shower Milk (250ml, RRP $4)

Ditto above...

Repurchase?

Same goes for this one...

Pearl Drops Instant Natural White Charcoal Innovation Toothpaste (75ml, RRP $11.99)

Gave this a go because of the charcoal content. So far I haven't found either a charcoal powder or a toothpaste that whitens my teeth any more than mainstream whitening brands. This has a delish minty flavour, but like so many other products with charcoal content, it's messy. The paste is dark purple so you'll need to rinse thoroughly after use or else your lips and teeth give you a very nice zombie look...

Repurchase?

Not unless I decide to ONLY clean my teeth while I'm in the shower...

Skincare

Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (60ml, RRP $55.99)

So I'm officially stating that this moisturiser is my overnight HG - this pot of goodness does everything for my skin that I want it to in the nourishment & hydration department, and the fragrance blisses me out. I SO look forward to my nightly cleanse just so I can use this! Actually I'm fast becoming an Antipodes addict. Contains Avocado Oil, Manuka Honey Active 20+ & Vinanza Grape. The scent comes from sandalwood, ylang ylang & patchouli essential oils. Euphoria! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Forever ♥♥♥...

Be Fraiche The Flower Face Cream (50 ml, RRP $35)

Interestingly this is a close second to the Antipodes cream - very similar fragrance (scented with Frankincense & Patchouli), enriching but not heavy or greasy. Like the one above, massaging it into my face is the most pleasurable experience. This adorable sample pot came my way in the Bloggers United AU goodie bag last year, another instance of me being very silly to wait so long to try it ♥...

Repurchase?

Definitely - it's not as expensive as the Antipodes, and I'll use it as a day cream ♥...

Bioten Skin Moisture Micellar Water 3-in-1 (200ml, RRP $4.99)

Reviewed HERE - I'm slowly working my way through the huge collection of micellar waters I amassed when I was doing the series. One more bottle to go and then I'll resume where I left off...

Repurchase?

I would actually but not for a while - it's effective and good value, but I still have 5 bottles to finish up...

BotanicES Natural Caffeine Face Creme (50ml, RRP $45)

As mentioned in earlier empties posts, this moisturiser will always be in my kit. While I find myself needing something more potent for overnight at this time of year, this is the cream I fall back on whenever my pores become congested with anything else I'm using, and it's the perfect consistency and formula for summer when my skin can't take anything too heavy ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Already have, I say again it will always be in my kit ♥♥♥...

Freezeframe REVITALEYES (15ml, RRP $69)

A delightfully refreshing gel, sadly this did nothing for my vast array of issues. For the price I was hoping for a mini-miracle, but perhaps I'm too far gone for it to have any effect. Mind you my wrinkles and bags didn't get any worse during the time I used it, but there was no obvious improvement. After reading reviews around the internet, it seems folks either love it or are very disappointed, given how expensive it is...

Repurchase?

No - I've had noticeable and ongoing improvements from other eye products for the same price or less...

Jojoba Natural Pigmentation Oil (30ml, RRP $39.99)

Designed to target age spots, uneven skin tone and pigmentation, I was very excited to try this product. It's lovely, comes in a gorgeous shimmery orange bottle, has a very pleasant smell and my skin seemed to drink it in, but as with anything else in my skincare experiments, if I don't see any noticeable benefits by the time I get to the bottom of the container, then I tend to write it off, and that's what happened here...

Repurchase?

I'll think about it...

L'Oreal Revitalift Laser Renew/Laser X3 Eye Cream (15ml, RRP $44.95)

Well now, I'm on the fence with this one - I noticed an initial improvement in the first week as far as firming is concerned, so it scores points for that, but no change thereafter. Interestingly the blurb says to apply it to the under eye area, but no mention about the region above, and I need something that will work everywhere. Mind you so far my bags are defying just about anything. Nifty metal (somewhat phallic-shaped) applicator, but I never like these things so I always dispense onto my pinkie...

Repurchase?

Maybe not...

Skin Therapy Dragon's Blood Sculpting Serum (30ml, RRP $30)

Another beaut product I fall back on when I'm disappointed by anything else similar, as it really helped firm my jawline. Having fallen in love with Antipodes Hosanna, and with four other serums lined up to trial, this may or may not reappear in one of these future posts...

Repurchase?

I might just keep one in reserve for emergencies lol ♥...

Face Masks

Garnier SkinActive Hydra Bomb Pomegranate Tissue Mask (RRP $5)

Aimed at normal to dehydrated skin, for me this Pomegranate variety is the least hydrating of the three available. I actually found it to be better for firming and tightening - go figure? ♥♥......

Repurchase?

Certainly - I need a ton of firming and tightening, and for $5, well it's a sure bet ♥♥...

Garnier SkinActive Hydra Bomb Chamomile Tissue Mask (RRP $5)

My favourite of the three in the range - in a word, calming. One of the most relaxing sheet mask experiences, target is sensitive or dry skin, neither of which I have but this was just so lovely. The only reason I didn't doze off completely is because I left the packet on my forehead after I took the piccie, and it slid off when I started to turn on my side, which I do just before I go to sleep, but never do when I'm wearing a mask, but hey I was just so relaxed ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Oooh yes ♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Youthfoil Mask Sheet (25ml, RRP $14.99)

Raved about this back in the May Empties post and I'm still of the same opinion - up near the top of my list of fave sheet masks ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Without a doubt ♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Detox Charcoal 10-Superfood Formula (25ml, RRP $9.99)

This is a special one - it doesn't just deep cleanse and hydrate, but it also feeds the skin. So many nourishing ingredients - Acai Berries, Chia Seeds, Quinoa, Spirulina, Black Tea, Rosehip, Avocado and Quinoa. I swear I could feel my face drinking in all the goodness ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Already have ♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Platinum Lift (25ml, RRP $7.99)

Like all SR sheet masks, this was supernally hydrating and came with oodles of serum so there was plenty to massage into my neck and hands after I was done. Not sure that it's special enough for me to buy again though - some of their others are knockouts, and I'd rather concentrate on the ones that make a big difference rather than a small one...

Repurchase?

Maybe not, but I won't say never...

Skin Republic Brightening Eye Mask (3 pairs RRP $9.99)

No photos 'cos I applied them on week nights, but I used the remaining pairs last month instead of the Collagen Hydrogel patches. They do different things, so there's a place for both, and I won't give up my collagen patches ever again, not for anything. The patches firm, whereas these eye masks cover the entire eye area, and are deliciously hydrating.

Repurchase?

Will do, but I want to try a couple more brands before I get back into these again...

7th Heaven Dead Sea Mud Pac (20g, RRP $3.99)

Only the second one from this brand I've tried, but I'm in love. You know that fabulously fresh salty smell and feel your skin has when you've had a day at the beach? Well this gives you the same, only there's additional aquatic fragrances and hydrating ingredients, and it doesn't leave your skin feeling parched, quite the contrary actually. Contains kaolin, Dead Sea salt, Dead Sea mud, seaweed extract and lavender oil to name a few of the goodies in the mix. Yes it's messy, but aren't they all ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Affirmative - I've already bought the big tube ♥♥♥...

Haircare

Amazon Series Muru Muru Anti-Frizz Smoothing Masque (250ml, RRP $29.95)

My new hairdresser recommended this to help maintain the benefits of my keratin treatments. I like it because I don't have to leave it on for a long time to reap the rewards, and therefore I can give my tresses a hit while I'm showering, and in between post-colouring deep conditioning.  It has a lovely natural fragrance, and leaves my hair silky soft. Don't like the container as it's difficult to unscrew the lid and scoop out the product with the shower running, but I can live with that ♥...

Repurchase?

Bought a replacement the last time I had a trim ♥...

Kevin Murphy Smooth.Again.Wash Smoothing Shampoo (250ml, RRP $38.95)

Another recommendation from my stylist. Nothing special and not as good at smoothing fly-aways as my HG Reference of Sweden, but I can't buy that any more so was prepared to try something else. Not keen on the rectangular packaging with the cap sticking out design as it's an awkward shape to fit in my storage hangers. I've since found a salon that sells the entire Goldwell Kerasilk range, and I'll probably stick with that...

Repurchase?

No...

Kevin Murphy Repair.Me.Rinse Reconstructing Conditioner (250ml, RRP $42.95)

Whether this worked or not (it did) I would buy it again for the fragrance alone. If it was an EDP I would wear it every day. There's something about the scent that makes my whole body sing. I stand there in the shower taking deep breaths because it's so fabulous - must be the papaya and the pineapple. Anyway it's also a beaut 2 minute conditioner, and this particular rectangular bottle shape (with the cap on top) is workable ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Heck yeah - even if I only use this once a week, I need that fragrance hit ♥♥♥...

Makeup

Estée Lauder Little Black Eyelash Primer (6ml, RRP $45)

A gift from my gorgeous friend Amy at Health and Beauty Girl. Chatted about it HERE, lovely product but not an essential - thrilled to have had the opportunity to try something like this though...

Repurchase?

Probably not...

Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara (8g, RRP $34.95)

My weekend mascara. It's so good I'd wear it every day, but I need fibres in my mascara for as long as I'm taking photos - my lashes just don't show up in the pics if I don't. But this is a beautiful mascara, full of natural and mostly organic ingredients. I treat my lashes to its goodness on Saturdays and Sundays, and I feel them breathe a sigh of relief when I start stroking it on ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥♥♥...

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream (32ml, RRP $58)

My HG primer, will always be in my kit, deliriously ecstatic review HERE, except that Sephora is out of it at the moment - holey cow, I'm trying not to panic! Had to wait 6 months for them to restock the Bye Bye Redness cream- oh how I wish I could buy this somewhere else. Once it's available I'm going to order 3 so I'm never without it again (although one tube does last me for 6 months) ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I'm waitlisted...sob ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

My HG under-eye liner, has been for years - never smudges or smears, and I rarely (if ever) make a mistake when I use it. In my book it's goof-proof ♥♥♥......

Repurchase?

No less than 3 spares in my drawer ♥♥♥...

How did you go last month lovelies - got rid of some clutter?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Here's the link to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - come say gidday after 6:30am...