SPOTLIGHT: November Empties + Giveaway!...

Wow, what a mega-month of empties, but what month isn't for me hey ha ha! All pretty much awesome products except for one epic fail, but I'll let you discover which one that was as you read on. A good mix of faves that make fairly regular appearances here, and some I've only just discovered but have rocketed to the top of my can't-live-withouts list. Plus I'm giving some of these newly acquired loves away, so I hope you make it to the end of the article. For now, it's on with the show ♥...

Body Products

Essano Bliss Coconut Oil Lightly Moisturising Body Wash - Frangipani & Paw Paw (445ml, RRP $9.99)
Absolutely loved the smell of this body wash, but had problems with the pump - it got sort of stuck in the depressed position, and even though I cleaned it (thought it might be gummed up with product) it made no difference and I ended up having to unscrew the cap and tip the liquid onto my wash cloth in order to use it. Not my idea of a good time, and it doesn't lather up very much at all. I actually prefer low sudsing body washes, but this one just doesn't have enough bubbles for my personal taste. Non-drying though, no nasties and they don't test on animals...

Repurchase?

No - there's a gazillion body washes in the marketplace that meet my shower experience criteria, without being annoying lol...

Grahams Herbal Mineral Deodorant Roll-on (65ml, RRP $7.95)

I'm a big fan of this company and what they produce - simple, effective and natural formulations that work. I ordered this deodorant on a whim to give it a try and was amazed at its effectiveness, both for keeping me dry as well as smelling fresh. The fragrance is refreshing, very subtle, and it doesn't linger - but what does hang around is whatever the stuff is that counteracts any odour or wetness. Ingredients are Purified Water, Potassium Alum, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Natural Fragrance. No alcohol, parabens or aluminium. Amazing! ♥...

Repurchase?

Already have ♥...

I love... Mango & Papaya Bubble Bath & Shower Creme (500ml, RRP $7.99)

Bought this from Priceline as it definitely passed the kats sniff test, but I won't buy it again - doesn't appear to contain anything natural except for water lol! Apart from the delicious scent, it's quite average - non-drying but non-moisturising either...
Repurchase?

No - see above reasons...

Thankyou Charcoal Body Polish - Black Clay, Botanical Sweet Orange & Coconut Oil (350g, around $12 I think)

While I am 100% supportive of this brand and what they're doing for the world, and I simply adore their hand washes, body washes & coffee scrub, this was a DISASTER. I'd read on Instagram that the charcoal left a stain on the skin, but I was prepared to deal with that - what I wasn't prepared for was the stench when I peeled off the seal. Oh lordy, talk about stale oil - it was so awful I didn't even get as far as putting it anywhere near my skin let alone dealing with the charcoal stain. I'm guessing someone screwed up at the factory, or else this has been stored in a hot warehouse for 5 years (no aircon). I can't see it listed on their website, and Woolworths says it's unavailable, so I guess it's been canned...

Repurchase?

Never EVER!!!...

Hair Care

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Silver Toner (RRP $4.89)

Haven't bought one of these packs for years, but nothing's changed - it's still a cheap and effective but temporary way to get rid of yellow/orange tones from blonde hair. I've been gradually working my way into a cooler more ashy blonde for the Summer, and this has been helping my highlights achieve the colour I'm after. Lasts about 6 washes on my hair, and so long as you apply it evenly, it does the trick ♥...

Repurchase?

I have two packs stashed away ♥...

Makeup

Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder (RRP $13.95)
I've tried numerous similar products by other brands, some of them way more expensive, but nothing works as well for me as this baby ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Always two spares in my drawer ♥♥♥...

Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil - Scarab Sapphire & Serpentine Sultry (12g, RRP $30)

Repeating that these are my numero uno eye pencils, reviewed numerous times (in depth HERE) ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Absolutely - both these colours are can't-live-withouts ♥♥♥...

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer (8ml, RRP $38)

My HG concealer, raved about it HERE and in that December 2016 article, I said it would probably last me a year - guess what, I was right! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Just recently bought two tubes - I cannot POSSIBLY live without this stuff, and this brand is regularly out of stock at Sephora, so I'm not taking any chances ♥♥♥...

Skin Care

Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimiser (92ml, RRP $10.99)

This is a keeper, review HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes ma'am ♥...

L'Oreal Revitalift Concentrated Serum (30ml, RRP $32.95)

Have had this for 12 months since it came in a Marie Claire Ageless Parcel (service since discontinued sob!). It's an ok serum - didn't notice any improvement in my wrinkles though, but hey being the age I am, I need no less than the Laser X3 range to make any sort of dent. Back then I said "It's a translucent white liquid with a baby powder fragrance that dissipates quickly - lots of slip so it spreads easily, and dries almost matte", and that's about it...

Repurchase?

Not potent enough for me, so no...

Nature's Way Beauty Collagen Gummies (40, RRP $19.99)

I wrote a funny little review for beautyheaven - this jar came in their 10th Birthday goody bag, and I've been hooked ever since, on both the flavour of these beautifying lollies and the idea of taking collagen internally. I promised myself I'd munch away on 3 of them daily for at least 3 months to see if there was any improvement in my skin elasticity and wrinkle depth - I'm up to about day 60 now and I swear my jowls aren't hanging as low as they were before, and overall I'd say my face is looking a tad plumper. Of course, it could be my imagination combined with my passion for these delicious tasting low-calorie sweets, but I've 3 more jars in the cupboard so I won't be stopping anytime soon. I'll be sure to let you know in the next few months if this truly is a can't-live-without inclusion in my anti-ageing arsenal ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

As mentioned above, I have enough stashed away for another 40 days ♥♥♥... 

Nutrimetics White-Age Luminous Skin Serum (30ml, RRP $70)

Having recently rejoined Nutrimetics as a home buyer, I bought this to try as it has the little suspended beads of activators that dissolve when you dispense the serum - I love this concept in a face serum! Lovely product with a beautiful fragrance, very soothing and hydrating, it was supposed to "dramatically even skin tone", but that didn't happen. I actually prefer the Nivea Cellular Volume Filling Pearls, which is also half the price...

Repurchase?

Unlikely...

Nutrimetics Ultra-Care Platinum DNA Cellular Age Repair Creme (60ml, RRP $82)

Was lucky to score a 5ml sample pot from the beautyheaven-Turns-10 birthday bash, enough for about a week. While it's a truly beautiful and delicately fragranced cream that hydrates brilliantly, a week isn't long enough for this old chook to see any improvement. Still I'm quite impressed with the range, and plan on trying the whole set once the bank account has recovered from Christmas - they have a great deal of $179 for this cream, the serum, and the eye cream. Gee, I should have written to Santa ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes ♥...

Olay Regenerist Revitalising Thermal Mini-Peel Treatment (125ml, RRP $19.99)

Recently reviewed HERE...

Repurchase?

Nope - microbeads...

Face Masks

Essenzza Fuss Free Naturals No Dirt on Me Natural Silk Facial Mask (30g, RRP $2.99)

No pic, pretty good for the price, but I struggled to handle it as there are 2 backing sheets to remove, and I seem to be all fingers and thumbs with cloth masks that are dripping serum onto my lap! There's quite a big range, and I have 4 more to try - this one was especially for cleansing and exfoliating, although I don't see how a cloth mask can exfoliate (I guess it's a chemical peel). Very little fragrance and my skin did feel super clean afterwards...
Repurchase?
I'll try the others and probably repurchase my favourite from the range...

Leaders 7 Wonders Caribbean Coconut Calming Mask (RRP $7.86)

Scored this in a @lipmonthly bag - can only find it on one website, and that's not in Australia so I doubt I'll pursue actually buying any of these. Reasonable face fit, adheres really well if you prefer to be moving around for your mask session, very calming and cooling, but so many of them are right?...

Repurchase?

No - I'll stick to what's readily available...

It's Skin Prestige Eye Masque D'Escargot (Box of 5 pairs, RRP $13.33)

Bought this (made in Korea) pack from iHerb as the reviews were very good (4.6/5). They're interesting because they're clear, almost invisible, and yet they are quite substantial and adhere well. One side is smooth and the other has a texture, which I believe is the side that's supposed to touch the skin. I've used them twice now - they are cooling, temporarily firm the area and there's a slight reduction in the puffiness. I reckon these are worth further investigation and experimentation ♥...

Repurchase?

Probably - they contain niacinamide for brightening as well as the snail secretion for treating wrinkles, so I reckon I need a few packs in order to see some obvious and lasting results ♥...

Purederm Botanical Choice Ginkgo Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches (2 pairs, RRP $3)

The kats colourings beauty find of 2017! These are from K-mart (made in Korea) and they are SENSATIONAL. I mean they actually reduce the size of my under eye bags - whoa! Not permanently mind you but I get a good few hours looking like a normal person ha ha. Honestly, these are even better than the Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel ones that you know I adore, and 2 pairs for $3 is the most brilliant value. At that price, I could afford to use them almost every day...

Repurchase?

Umm, let's see that'll be a yes, like YES, like YES...

Sephora Rose Lip Mask (RRP $4)

I finally made it to a Sephora store (!) and this is one of the products I bought - very happy I did because it's a beauty. Having had cold sores since my teenage years, my lips have suffered considerably and I feel good about giving them this treat on a regular basis. I love that the mask covers the area outside the lipline as well - it's where I have some vertical lines, and anything that gives them a scare is high on my list of necessities. The whole experience was one of loving hydration, and my lips felt so softened and cared for afterwards...

Repurchase?

Already have, but I'd better be quick to order more as this has made it to the Sephora Skincare, Bath & Body 2017 Hall of Fame, and I'm dreading that "Out of Stock" symbol...

Skin Inc Soothe-N-Purify Black Gold Mask (RRP $16)

A bit more expensive than what I usually limit myself to, but well worth it as I reckon this is my favourite mask of all time. Bought it from Sephora (it's currently out of stock!) mainly because it is infused with Vitamin C, Charcoal and Pure Gold, and I was curious to discover if that particular combination of ingredients made any difference. Well, my skin looked so refined and felt so good afterwards, I reckon the answer is yes! The mask comes in two separate (packaged & sealed) pieces, which means you can fit it PERFECTLY to the contours of your face, with the hydrogel material touching almost every part of the skin. The blurb says "Calm & Detox", and that's how I felt, and my skin was perfectly hydrated and soothed. Made in Korea, I'll be saving these up for special occasions ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Wish I could! I'm waitlisted ♥♥♥...

Giveaway!
I've chosen four of my most loved products from last month to give away to one adventurous follower...

• 2 x Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patch packs
• 2 x It's Skin Prestige Eye Masque D'Escargot [packs
• 2 x Purederm Botanical Choice Ginkgo Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches packs
• 2 x jars Nature's Way Beauty Collagen Gummies

All products were purchased by me, the total value is approximately $70, 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 today to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Sandhra J. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Saturday 30th December to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Sandhra has claimed her prize

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,
kats xxx