SPOTLIGHT: August Empties!...

Eeek! With all the Bloggiversary giveaways, I didn't get to post my August Empties, and September ones are in the box waiting their turn too, but first things first. Another big month - I decided to use up some small sample tubes that have been cluttering my drawers for some time, and I'm feeling good about clearing a wee bit more space. Due to my current passions though, I figure the face mask tally is always going to be reasonably high, as is the body washes. There's a few long-term makeup items in here as well, some of which I've highlighted previously in these posts, but as they're absolute FAVES, I'm compelled to include them yet again ha ha ♥ ...

Body Products

Dove Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing Body Wash (375ml, RRP $7.36)

Love these Body Washes - they're so incredibly hydrating, including this one. Only a whisper of exfoliation so I'm more likely to categorise it as a body polish. Smells very similar to the rest of the range...

Repurchase?

Probably not - the Triple Moisturising one below is my favourite..

Dove Triple Moisturising Nourishing Body Wash (375ml, RRP $7.36)

Review HERE - Winter skin saviour! ♥

Repurchase?

Already have - this has become a can't-live-without ♥...

Lacura (Aldi) Detox Me Exfoliating Body Scrub (100g, RRP $4.99)

Nothing special although it smells incredible, but it's actually really annoying - it's pretty much dry coffee granules that don't hold together at all, which means that they flick all over the walls and make a HUGE mess of my shower stall when applied all over my bod. Ended up using it only below the knees to reduce the fallout...

Repurchase?

No...

Lush The Comforter Shower Cream (250g, RRP $19.95)

Bought this at the Bloggers United AU 2nd Birthday bash in March. Smells amazing (blackcurrant & vanilla), has delish skin softening qualities (Almond Oil) and what a pretty addition to my shower stall array ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes - it's one of the few Lush products that I don't need to see, touch and feel before buying, so I can order it online ♥...

Skincare

Bioderma Hydrabio Light Cream (40ml, RRP $40.99)

This was a 15ml sample tube that came in one of my Marie Claire Ageless parcels (incidentally I'm shattered this quarterly box has been discontinued, it was SO good). A lovely lightweight cream that's intensely hydrating, has a delightful and delicate fragrance, and is suitable for sensitive skin. Absorbs within a few seconds leaving the skin surface silky soft and smooth. You really can't go wrong with anything by Bioderma ♥...

Repurchase?

Maybe for next Winter...I have so many moisturisers stashed in my cupboard to try ♥...

Freeze 24.7 Anti-Aging Eye Serum (7ml, RRP US$56)

I forget how this came into my possession (a sub box?), but I sure didn't buy it, and with a US$56 price tag, that's a good thing. Have read mixed reviews of this product online - some gals say they would kill for it, while others (like me) experienced no change whatsoever in their issues (puffiness/dark circles/fine lines etc). It's a clear gel that doesn't hydrate at all, so you need an eye cream as well. There's definitely a tightening sensation as it dries, but for the outrageous cost of such a microscopic tube, I expected SOMETHING!...

Repurchase?

Hell no...

Innoxa Gentle Cleansing Gel (75ml, RRP $14.99)

Disappointed with this - didn't like the smell, and while it sure is gentle and it's a gel, I didn't find it all that effective at removing the layers of slap that I wear on weekdays. Absolutely amazing list of organic ingredients, but hey, if it doesn't work all that well AND I don't like the fragrance, forget it...

Repurchase?

Nope...

Mirenesse Youth Switch DNA Stem Cell Booster Eye Cream (10g, RRP $59.95)

Gosh I have so much Mirenesse skincare in my collection that has arrived via VIP packs, so it was time to test out another. They do make lovely products, and the online reviews of some of them are astounding - I just find most of them to be nothing special as far as targeting my particular advanced ageing skin concerns. This eye cream is super hydrating, the packaging is stunning, it has a nifty little paddle applicator (although I always use my pinky), but obviously I don't need DNA Stem Cells as I noticed no change in my crinkles. Mind you there was no further deterioration while I used it, but I'd rather spend my $60 on something that gives me visible results in a few weeks...

Repurchase?

No...

Nature's Care All Natural Paw Paw Lip Balm (10g, RRP $3.99)

Excellent lip balm, no better or worse than any of the other Paw Paw varieties out there for a similar price. Available from the supermarket, I find this type of liquid balm to be more hydrating than any stick variety, they're just not as convenient to apply. This is an Aussie brand ♥...

Repurchase?

Will probably buy another tube to keep next to the bed or in my handbag ♥...

NeoStrata Renewal Cream (30g, RRP $58.50)

I've tried quite a few NeoStrata creams now, and am suitably impressed with the quality, and their range is quite extensive. I reckon it's a case of finding the right product for the issues you're dealing with. I wanted this one to work on my skin texture and pore size - didn't notice any change, but it felt like it was doing something (tingling). According to their website, there was no pore size reduction observed until the product had been used for 3 months, so I probably need to line up a few tubes and actually stick with something for a while lol...

Repurchase?

Definitely, but not unless it's on special...

Neutrogena Hydro Boost (50g, RRP $24.99)

Another sample size, this one came with a beautyheaven beautorium order - loved it! Very pleasant fragrance, very hydrating, great for daytime as it absorbs COMPLETELY, I prefer something that leaves a trace for overnight, but this is a beaut day cream ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, after clearing some of the aforementioned backlog ♥...

Nude by Nature Daily Cleanser (125ml, RRP $17.95)

The last appearance of this fab cleanser in these posts - so sad that Nude have discontinued their skin care range...

Repurchase?

Can't...sob...

Face Masks

7th Heaven Charcoal Masque (15g, RRP $4.99)

After falling head over heels for their Dead Sea Mud Pac, I was all set to be hooked on this charcoal one (considering I'm charcoal-obsessed), but to be honest...it scared me. It's an exfoliator as well - walnut shells, but it felt like coarse sand (or fine gravel), and after the first few finger swipes, I didn't dare massage it in. Maybe I got a dud batch with extra granules, but I would class this product under "dermabrasion" because it almost hurt when it came time to wash it off. I had to rub quite a bit and my face was bright pink for a while afterwards. Admittedly my skin felt fantastic after it calmed down, but I wasn't mentally prepared for this level of resurfacing from a face masque - yikes!...

Repurchase?

Seeing as it won a beauty award in 2016, I'm gonna give it another shot, but I'll brace myself first lol...

Eaoron Instant Whitening Face Mask (Box of 5, RRP $29)

I enjoyed this so much the first few times, I bought another box (of 5), and embarked on a weekly session to see what would happen with repeated use - results will be revealed in my September empties post, coming soon! ♥...

Repurchase?

Sure did ♥...

Skin Republic Gold Hydrogel Mask (25g, RRP $12.99)
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Spots & Blemish (25ml, RRP $7.99)

First tried it back in April, loved it, and it's another one that I plan on using repeatedly over a set period to see if there is any improvement in my pore size ♥...

Repurchase?
I already have 2 stashed away, and will buy 2 more so I can do my experiment ♥...

Makeup

Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder (?, RRP $13.95)
I use this every day, have done for years ♥...
Repurchase?
Always, and at least 2 spares in my drawer ♥...

Australis Stayput! Longwear Foundation (23ml, RRP $16.49)

Well this surprised the hell out of me - so cheap and SO good! Absolutely lasts all day, the colour match is fantastic, although I'm bummed that either the label has come off or it never had one, anyway I have no idea what shade I purchased, so I'll have to take the bottle with me to buy another one (there's still a teeny bit left). The pump works brilliantly, coverage is full without looking caked on, SPF 15, and it's not tested on animals. Winner! ♥...

Repurchase?

Promised myself I'd finish off at least 2 of the 14 (gahhhh!) I have in rotation at the moment, but I will certainly buy this again - it will be terrific for the warmer weather when I desperately need a longwear formula ♥...

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (0.5g, RRP $15.95)
My precious, I use this EVERY TIME I do my eye makeup, it's goof-proof ♥..
Repurchase?
Forever ♥...

Maybelline Brow Satin - Dark Blonde (?, RRP $16.95)

My latest must-have brow product! I was perfectly happy with the ModelsPrefer crayon I was using, but I changed my hair colour slightly (amped up the ashy content to counteract the orangey tones it was developing) and consequently the usual brow pencil shade was too warm. So I bought several new products to try, all epic fails except for this one, and I was immediately hooked. It's the propelling kind, and it has one major flaw - if you wind it up more than a millimetre, it breaks off. Happened quite a few times before I twigged, and I went through the whole tube in less than 3 weeks. But I've got the hang of it now. Possibly the most realistic brow product I've ever used, the neutral tone is perfect for my new colouring. There's a spring-loaded smudger on the other end which also dispenses miniscule amounts of powder filler, but I never use it as it tends to flatten the hairs too much - instead I use a standard mascara brush to tidy up. Lasts all day ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

You betcha - bought several in fact from the Chemist Warehouse half-price sale, I reckon I have enough to keep me going for at least 6 months ♥♥♥...

NYX Ombre Blush - Mauve Me (8g, RRP $17.95)

Methinks this is my favourite blush EVER - the colour is just perfect for my skin tone, it's the only blush in my kit that makes me look like I'm genuinely blushing. By that I mean it looks real, and the fact that I used it up ENTIRELY over a period of 12 months says it all. I mean, I don't think I've EVER hit pan on a blush before ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yessirreeee - bought another at the last Priceline half-price makeup sale ♥♥♥...

Fragrance

Versace Bright Crystal Absolu EDP (90ml, RRP $150)

For me Spring is just not Spring without this fragrance - I absolutely adore it, so crisp and fresh and feminine. Raved about it 3 years ago HERE, and it will always be in my collection. It's such a beautiful bottle, I've kept the gorgeous faceted lid to use as a paper weight ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes indeedy, plus I have a spare as I expect to go through the latest bottle within 6 months. Incidentally I have never paid full price for it, I usually buy it on spesh from feelingsexy ♥♥♥...

4th Bloggiversary Giveaway will be up soon, along with September empties!...

Take care of you,
kats xxx