SPOTLIGHT: October Empties (the real ones) & Giveaway!...

Confusing title I know, but I had a major brain lapse with the previous "October Empties"- they were actually the SEPTEMBER empties! Could have been a seniors moment I guess, but I like to think it was the excitement of all the giveaways I've had lately lol. Anyways, here we go with the REAL October ones, and yes there's another giveaway at the bottom, and it's not just one of the faves in the pic below, so read on ♥...

Body Products

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Dry-Oil (150ml, RRP $19.95)

I've tried quite a few tanners over the years, and this is the one I've settled on as the staple in my kit. What makes it my #1 choice is that it's simple to use, dries in seconds so I can get dressed pretty much straight away without the fear of the product getting onto my clothes, the colour is a glowy amber and very natural looking, it smells delish, no streaks when applied with their self-tanning mitt, and it lasts up to a week. Absolutely TANFASTIC! ♥...

Repurchase?
Never without it once the temp stays above 20C, or I stop wearing socks ♥...

Natural Secrets Goatsmilk Moisturising Shower Gel (500ml, RRP $11.99)

I keep raving about this shower gel, and rightly so because my skin just loves it, non-drying, fresh but delicate fragrance, and it's such a great price. Reviewed HERE ♥...

Repurchase?
Always in my shower stall ♥...

Natures Commonscents Natural Goats Milk Body Wash (600ml, RRP $8.25)

Another beaut goats milk shower product - this one has a lovely soft scent, non-drying, not tested on animals, plus it's available in supermarkets. Also comes in a pawpaw variety ♥...

Repurchase?
As soon as I make some room lol ♥...

Nutrimetics Loofah Shower Gel (150ml, RRP $25)

I received a 50ml tube for free with one of my first orders, and I was instantly sold on this exfoliating gem, so much so that I bought the full size one ASAP. It's gentler than a body scrub and yet just as effective, and the little loofah particles don't make a mess of my shower stall. It has the usual divine apricot fragrance we've come to know and love from this brand, plus it leaves my skin feeling SO soft and silky, hydrated and refreshed ♥...

Repurchase?
Already have, and I will again ♥...


Hair Care

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Shampoo & Conditioner (250ml, RRP $34.95)

My life changed back in Feb 2016 when I experienced the Goldwell Kerasilk treatment that sent my frizzies packing, a prize from beautyheaven, and reviewed HERE. Things have changed a bit since then e.g. the treatment is now only $180 (woo hoo!), plus the salon provides a bottle of the shampoo & conditioner for free to get you started. Using their hair products post-treatment also guarantees their guarantee - that it will last for 3-5 months, else they will redo it at no cost. That's my kind of guarantee so I'm continuing on with this range - they are both fabulous, smell delish, ensure the longevity of the silky smooth finish of the treatment, and in general, keep my tresses in tip top condition ♥...

Repurchase?

I actually scored some of the shampoo from beautyheaven's beautorium, so I've only had to buy the conditioner ♥...

Clairol Nice'n Easy - Natural Dark Cool Blonde (RRP $14.49)

For Summer I've decided to go a bit cooler in the hair colour department, moving from golden blonde to ashy blonde, and this is the perfect shade for what I'm after. It's actually pretty close to my natural colour (before it turned white). This range always seems to be on special for $10 somewhere in my travels, so colouring fortnightly is a minimal expense ♥...

Repurchase?
Yes, several actually - there's only one chemist that carries this particular shade so I stocked up ♥...

Home

Tilley Pink Lychee Aromatic Reed Diffuser (150ml, RRP $24.95)

Had not heard of this brand before, which is astounding as the company has been going for 150 years! But I stumbled across a display of their diffusers and soaps in a chemist next to my dentist. It was love at first sniff - the Pink Lychee fragrance is so crisp and fresh, every time I smell it I feel energised. All Australian-made, they have a massive range of products, and the diffusers are triple-scented. Looks like they've recently changed the packaging as their website shows the bottles as being opaque white whereas mine is clear. I find it doesn't last as long as the more expensive brands (like Glasshouse), but being considerably cheaper I'm thrilled 'cos I'm inspired to try more from their range. This particular fragrance is out of stock at the mo', understandable as it is simply sensational ♥...

Repurchase?

Yep - bought another one when I had my recent check-up ♥...

Makeup

L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber Mascara (RRP $28.95)

My current fave, and passionately reviewed (with pictures) HERE. I'm staggered that the two reviews on beautyheaven are negative, but it just goes to show how different we all are. Having experienced the discomfort of conjunctivitis several times in my life, I religiously toss out my mascaras every 3 months ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Several spares in my drawer because of my 3-month limit. It's pricey, but I have NEVER paid full price for this ♥♥♥...

Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Black Mascara (RRP $19.95)

This has been my HG mascara for more years than I can remember. I still use it in conjunction with the L'Oreal one above - this goes on first, then I curl, then the L'Oreal one, then a final coat of The Falsies because it's waterproof. The combination locks my lashes into their curl for the whole day, and I mean from 6:30am to 11pm. ♥...

Repurchase?

Also several of these in my drawer - again I have NEVER paid full price, it's always on special somewhere sometime or other ♥...

Skin Care

Ecopure Bamboo Fibre Face Cloth (pack of 2, RRP ?)

The packaging says this is "Specially packed for Priceline" yet I can't find it on their website, and I honestly can't remember how much it cost, but it was under $15. This is my go-to face cloth - it's super soft and highly effective at removing all traces of makeup and cleanser. Rinses out so easily and being so small and soft, it dries in a few hours. I throw it in the washing machine every week and only toss it out when it gets so very stained that it looks awful hanging on the bathroom hook ♥...

Repurchase?

You betcha - I refuse to use any other kind of cloth on my face ♥...

Grahams Natural Daily Facial Gel Cleanser (125ml, RRP $12.95)

This is still my favourite cleanser - I know, I know, how can that be when it's so cheap and so non-mainstream? I reviewed it HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Just ordered two more bottles ♥♥♥...

Indeed Labs Retinol Reface (30ml, RRP $34.99)

My first real foray into retinol, but a little disappointing. It doesn't sting or cause any irritation, but it also made very little difference to my issues. I'd say it's one of those products that you need to use for at least 3 months, well on my ancient face anyway...

Repurchase?

I have five more serums to try, and then I might give this another go ...

Johnson & Johnson Hydrocolloid Technology Band-Aid  (box of 10, RRP $8.47)

Not exactly a beauty item, but considering they heal any of my cuts and scrapes super fast with no scarring, I'm including them. These are amazing, and I'd never go back to regular Band-Aids again. You leave them on till they (literally) fall off - they're waterproof and act like an instant scab, similar to blister patches. More expensive than the regular ones, but so worth the extra couple of $$$ ♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥...

L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Dual Action Total Rejuvenation Moisturiser (48ml, RRP $49.95)

There are SO many face creams that I love, but this one is probably the most effective for anti-ageing results. Sometimes I wonder if I should simply stop trying out other products, and stick with something that works, but hey I'm a skincare junkie, so it never happens lol. For now, I alternate whatever I'm testing with this wonder-cream. This stuff definitely firms and lifts the skin, and whenever I see it on special, I buy it. For some reason, I didn't ever get around to reviewing it here on my blog, but my beautyheaven assessment of it is HERE about halfway down the page (katshepsutt) ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Two bottles safely tucked away in my stash ♥♥♥...

Nivea Cellular Anti-Age Volume Filling Pearls (30ml, RRP $32.99)

Absolutely adored this bottle of anti-ageing fun - barely lasted a month, but then again I was using it at every opportunity. Loved how it felt on my face, how it made my skin glow with a healthy radiance, how quickly it absorbed, the fragrance is fresh and feminine, and watching the little pearls melt as soon as the serum hit my hands was a treat ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

This is another one that I buy whenever it's on special - currently have three bottles in reserve ♥♥♥...

Skin Doctors Eyetuck (10ml, RRP $49.95)

The only eye cream that has ever reduced my under eye-bags - only a slight reduction, but a reduction no less. I pat this on every morning and let it absorb before doing my makeup routine. Interestingly, my bottle is just over a year old and it's 15mls, whereas I noticed on their website that you now only get 10ml for the same price. How wicked!...

Repurchase?

I already had another 15ml bottle stashed away - my bags are so huge I honestly can't tell if this is still working, but I'm not game to stop using it lol ♥...

St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask (150ml, RRP $9.99)

Been using this scrub for years, and will continue to do so - it's so darn calming. I reviewed it HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

I always have a spare in my cupboard ♥...

Face Masks

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

Already raved about this numerous times ♥...

Repurchase?

There's always one in my stash ♥...

Skin Republic 24K Gold Aquagel Under Eye Patches (2 pairs, RRP $12.99)

Even better than the Hydrogel ones - total bliss! If I could afford it, I would sleep in these every night. They're so cooling, calming and firming ♥...

Repurchase?

Can you believe I haven't yet? Actually, I did, but gave the pack away in a recent giveaway, will definitely be buying these again though. If they're ever on special, I'd buy like 10 packs haha ♥...

Baroness Snail Mask Sheet (RRP $4.99)

This is one of several Korean sheet masks I also bought from the chemist near my dentist. There were 15 on the stand, and of the couple I've tried so far, this has been my favourite. In the pics below, the left side was taken with a flash, and the right, no flash. The mask didn't fit my face as well as others (and not enough nose coverage which is where most of my problems are) but overall I was really impressed with how refreshed and bright my complexion looked afterwards. This is supposed to reduce scars and age spots, and I'd believe it. Definitely one to repeat a few times a week I'd say  ♥...

Repurchase?

I'm not due for another dental checkup for 6 months, but I'll make an exception and drive all the way  up north to buy a few more of these ♥...

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask (RRP $35)

Once you get past the name (!), this definitely is the Rolls Royce of sheet masks - came in the beautyheaven 10th Birthday goody bag. It's in two pieces, and while it was a supremely pampering experience that I will be eternally grateful for, and my skin felt supple, hydrated and firm afterwards, I'm not sure that it's worth the mind-boggling price ♥...

Repurchase?

I doubt it - they are cheaper when you buy them in bulk, but unless Santa has $210 spare buckaroos, I'll probably give these a miss ...

Mirenesse Wrinkle Freeze Collagen Event Mask (RRP $29.95)

First go at one of these masks was a fail - you put it in the freezer for 10 minutes prior to use, and I was SO looking forward to it as the day was a stinker. But it kind of disintegrated in my hands as I was trying to separate it from the backing sheet. I mean sections of it literally broke off into my lap. It may be because I've had a stash of these in my drawer for almost 2 years (they came in various VIP packs). So I opened another one without freezing it first, and that was a raging success. As you can see in the below photo it is clear and almost invisible on the skin. Ultra cooling and calming, and my pores looked more refined afterwards ♥...

Repurchase?

I have a few more in my drawer so I'll use those up first, after that I'll have a think about it - they're really quite expensive ...

Giveaway!

I've chosen five of my most loved products from last month to give away to one adventurous follower (plus there's always a surprise in my giveaway parcels). These are products I use and buy regularly, and hunt them down whenever they're on special:

• Grahams Natural Daily Facial Gel Cleanser
• Nivea Cellular Anti-Age Volume Filling Pearls
• L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Dual Action Moisturiser
• L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber Mascara
• Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patches

Total RRP of the above products is over $140, all items were purchased by me, and this giveaway is open

INTERNATIONALLY!

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page that answers the question inside the Rafflecopter (please note: if you don't leave a comment, you won't be included in the draw)
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed
4. Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter

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This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Lauren A. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Lauren please respond to the email I've sent you by

Wednesday 22nd November to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Lauren has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx