SPOTLIGHT: April Empties 2018 + Giveaway!...

Well, my monthly product turnover doesn't appear to be slowing down! Of course there's always going to be quite a few sheet masks and eye patches (I'm addicted), but there are a bunch of "regulars" here, so I'll concentrate on the ones I haven't mentioned before, or at least not for a while ♥...

Body

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

One of my can't-live-withouts. Have tried lots and lots of self-tanners, and this is the one I've settled on - never fails to deliver an even, golden, natural looking tan, and it dries in less than a minute. The best! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely, but probably not till around October when I peel off the winter layers...

Dermaveen Shower & Bath Oil (500ml, RRP $16.99)

Another can't-live-without, especially in the cooler weather when my skin shrivels. Covered in several previous Empties posts, and full review HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Forever...

Dove Original Antiperspirant Deodorant (250ml, RRP $5.25)

Believe it or not, I've had this since November 2016! It was part of the goody bag from the Bloggers United Event, and it's been on my bench ever since. While I'm a devoted Dove stick deodorant user in Summer, I'm not at all keen on aerosols of any kind 'cos I loathe breathing in the fumes, but I managed to hold my breath and FINALLY use up this can. It's awesomely effective for keeping wetness and odour completely at bay, and it has that lovely baby powder fragrance that Dove does so well ♥...

Repurchase?

No, but only because I'm thingy about sprays...

Graham's Cucumber & Aloe Vera Natural Body Wash (250ml, RRP $15.95)

Love, LOVE, LOVE! Full review HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Already have, but I've stashed it for next Summer when it will once again become my #1...

Natura Siberica Extra-Firming Hand Cream (75ml, RRP $14.99)

I absolutely love the Oblepikha hand cream, and this one was a GWP from Chemist Warehouse. Absolutely love this one too - enriching without being greasy, this will sort out any dry skin woes you might be experiencing. Has a lovely delicate, powdery, floral fragrance and it leaves my hands feeling soft, nourished and much loved. Ingredients are 99% natural origin and include Siberian ginseng & limonnik nanai (Vit C & E). You don't need much ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

You betcha...

Oral-B 3D White Luxe Perfection Toothpaste (95g, RRP $9.49)

For the majority of my life, I've been a Colgate gal, but I switched to Oral-B several years ago because of a change in taste preferences, and haven't looked back. Been working my way through their range, and this is my latest purchase. I'm sold on the fresh peppermint taste, and I like that this is icy blue instead of the usual garish stripe. It's enamel safe and keeps my pegs shiny and bright ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

I have a stash that I picked up on special...

Swisse Ultiboost Memory + Focus - Ginkgo, Brahmi & B Vitamins (50 tablets, RRP $29.95)

Earlier this year I went through a period where my short-term memory frequently went out the window - I was struggling to remember the names of everyday things (and people!) in conversations. I didn't know if it was exhaustion, stress or old-age, but it was ferociously embarrassing, so I bought this jar and within a couple of weeks, I was back to normal (thank goodness!) ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I still don't know the cause, but I'm guessing it's a combination of everything I mentioned above, so I'm not taking any chances and will continue to buy these for a while lol...

Urban Rituelle Mandarin + Basil + Lime Hand Cream (100ml, RRP $24.95)

One of my favourite hand creams EVER, the fragrance is to die for, and it's chockfull of goodness - I reviewed it years ago HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Once I get through the five I currently have open, without a doubt...

Face

Beauty by Nicholas Eye Alchemy (15ml, RRP $49.99)

Still my go-to eye cream, full review HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

My peepers absolutely INSIST I do!...

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water (250ml, $31.99)

Reviewed this in my Micellar Magic series (HERE). It's outrageously expensive, but it's the best ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I reckon I'll always have a bottle of this in my stash...

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

This little gem has already appeared in three previous Empties posts, love it. Hasn't reduced my pores any further than when I first used it, but they aren't getting any bigger either lol ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
It's a staple...

Graham's Natural Raspberry Organic Lip Balm (4.25g, RRP $7.95)

I haven't actually reviewed this on my blog or beautyheaven, but it's my favourite lip balm. Deliciously hydrating (and tasting) I apply this at various times throughout the day whenever I'm not wearing lippie, but ALWAYS before bed. I've included a few in some of my giveaways, but not any more, I'm keeping them all for myself ha ha! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Till I'm pushing up daisies...

Sukin Oil Balancing + Charcoal Pore Refining Facial Scrub (125ml, RRP $12.95)

My rave review is HERE. The more Sukin products I try, the more impressed I become - the best value range of natural Aussie skincare ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I stock up whenever it's on special, which thankfully is often...

Face Masks

BLAQ Charcoal Eye Mask (Box of 5, RRP $29.99)

In my March Empties post, these are beautiful but you cannot walk around in them, so take advantage of that limitation and RELAX ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Hoping they're on special in next Priceline skincare sale, but if I not I'll buy them anyway...

Lancôme Advanced Genefique Hydrogel Melting Mask (RRP $29)

Part of an Instagram prize from Adore Beauty, there are almost no words for this beauty. In their words "...contains the same amount of bifious extract found in one full bottle of Advanced Genefique Serum". Whatever that bifious stuff is, it works. This is the sheet mask to end all sheet masks - the most plumping, smoothing, refreshing, hydrating, firming & hydrating mask I have EVER tried. Also comes in a box of 4 for $110, which is top of my Santa Wish List ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Sigh...saving my pennies as Christmas is 7 months away...

LonVitalite C7 Collagen & Gold Lip Mask (Box of 6, RRP $35)

Mentioned these in February's post, just adore them. If I could afford it I would use one every day and say goodbye to my vertical lip lines ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes - I only have one left!

Neutrogena Youthful Boost 100% Hydrogel Mask - Smoothing (RRP $5.99)

If you're overwhelmed by the choices of sheet masks to try, then give this one a go. For $6 it blew me away. Comes in 2 pieces (preferred) and has optional flaps to cover eyes and lips if you want to treat absolutely everything (awesome innovation), very pale lilac colour which looks almost clear when you're wearing it so it won't scare the cat or young children, contains hyaluronic acid & adenosine, nicely hydrating and smoothing. Winner! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Gonna buy a stack of these next time I see them on special...

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

Always raving about these, introduced my hairdresser to them and now she's hooked too! Word is spreading though, and every now and then they're out of stock at Kmart - quelle horreur! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Kmart restocked on Friday so I can breathe again...

Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Mask (RRP $12.99)

One of several new additions to the SR range, I think I prefer this to their gold one (did I say that?). Another one that won't frighten anyone, it's in two pieces, the nose flap is longer than usual so it covers my big schnozz, it sits quite high under the eyes so it works on that area too without needing separate eye patches. I left it on for the full 40 minutes and was impressed with how my skin looked and felt afterwards. Contains hyaluronic acid, peony & jojoba - the results aren't as spectacular as the Lancôme one, but it's the next best thing, and far more affordable ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yep - this will be a quarterly (at least!) treat for me...

Fragrance

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

Adore this in Spring and Summer, waxed lyrical about it back in November HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

As soon as the weather warms up...

Hair

Schwarzkopf Colour Specialist - Cool Ultra Light Blonde (RRP $18.99)

The best home hair colourant on the market - gave it both thumbs up and a bucketload of gold stars HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Priceline & Chemist Warehouse regularly have this on special, and there are three boxes in my bathroom cupboard...

Schwarzkopf Live Salon Permanent - Ultra Light Ash Blonde (RRP $13.99)

The second best home hair colourant on the market, I use this to create my highlights. It's one or two notches below the Colour Specialist for gentleness and low damage, but still streets ahead of anything else out there. I did a mini-review in my January Empties post in which I wished they made a Light Ash Blonde, and was thrilled to discover they do - found it at CW! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Two boxes under the vanity...

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey (RRP $5.49)

Appeared in my March Empties post, and you'll be seeing it over and over again ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes...

Makeup

Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder - True Translucent (RRP $13.95)

Yet another of my C-L-W's, the only setting powder that works for me to control shine in any temperature and minimise the appearance of my pores and lines. It's a shaker style with little holes in the middle of the pan - way too much powder comes through, so when I peel back the seal on a new jar, I only take it part-way and then cut the half I've lifted off. Also comes in a pressed compact version, which I carry with me wherever I go ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Always one or two in my spares drawer...

Colourpop Creme Gel Liner - Teaspoon (RRP US$5)

My #2 eyeliner for the waterline. Doesn't last as long as my EOH faves, but there's no stinging or eye-watering, and this colour is the most fabulous bright emerald green. As with all Colourpop propelling pencils, the product always separates at the base inside the tube so you have to keep pushing it back in, and only being available from their US website means shipping costs and waiting for delivery, but for US$5, I'm prepared to put up with those annoyances ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Must!...

GIVEAWAY!

I've chosen five of my April faves for one of you lovelies - I'm keeping this pack lightweight so the OS gals can join in...

• 1 x Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Mask
• 1 x LonVitalite C7 Collagen & Gold Lip Mask
• 1 x Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder - True Translucent
• 1 x Natura Siberica Extra-Firming Hand Cream
• 1 x Neutrogena Youthful Boost 100% Hydrogel Mask - Smoothing

All products were purchased by me, and the total value is approximately $53.

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 on this page, 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 Fay W. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 6th June to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Fay has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 1st Quarter 2018 Fave LOTD's - Part 2...

Following on from Part 1, here are my recent personal Fave LOTD's in the nude, coral, pink, berry and purple families ♥ Kinda proud of myself for including more than one row of nudey examples - maybe I'm mellowing in my old age lol? Can't imagine that I'll ever stop wearing the bold reds, pinks and purples, or the deeper browns and berries though - too much fun!

I'm not faithful to any particular brand, although I do have quite a few more Maybelline and NYX lip products than any other. But there are lippies from 15 different companies here, hopefully some you might be inspired to try. So here we go, starting with...the nudes...

1. NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Speed Of Light. Almost always in one of these posts, can't rave enough about the formula (some other brands do metallics that set like plastic, and peel off like plastic), and my local Priceline now has a spot for them on the stand - yes!!!...

2. Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick - Beige Trench. Lovely pinky nude with the perfect balance of comfort and lasting power. My love affair with Bourjois continues unabated...

3. Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick - Prudish Pink. Via Lipmonthly, this is the same company that makes my #1 gold gloss, so dense, so glossy...

4. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Vintage Pink. This one appears almost every time - adore!

5. Revlon Matte Balm - Sultry Sulfureuse. I've never been all that enthused with stick balms as they're usually not dense enough to hide my freckles, however this one has exceptional coverage...

6. Eye Of Horus Bio Cleo Goddess Lipstick - Plum. Lovely colour, but I'll admit I was a little disappointed, was hoping it would be a deeper shade (this appears to be the brightest and boldest in their range and for me it's only a notch above nude), but the formula is lovely and like their fabulous Goddess eye pencils, all natural...

7. Models Prefer Artist Collection Crayon - Flushed. Always a soft spot for corals, and this is a pretty one for around $1.50...

8. Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - In With Coral. I think this is the third or fourth one I've purchased, so dreamy and creamy...

9. Hola Neon Velvet Liquid Lipstick - Party Pop. Thanks Lipmonthly - another winner, and with an almost metallic sheen...

10. Bobbi Bown Crushed Lip Color - Watermelon. A gift from the beautyheaven Glosscar Marketplace event, and my first ever from this brand. One of the few mattish style lipsticks out there that is comfortable to wear all day, and it will survive a meal...

11. Mirenesse Matfinity Rouge Liquid Lipstick - Ibiza. Streaky, but such a pretty vibrant pink...

12. Avon Mark Lipstick - Reddy To Go. I have a few of these from mag cover freebies, and I'm impressed with both the packaging and the contents. Just have to find out where I can buy them...

13. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid - Berry Boost. I need to dig all these out and wear them heaps more - so moist, never streaky, stunning shades...

14. Mirenesse Lip Bomb - #3. I've had this for ages and it shows no signs of going off - beautiful colour, rich and dense liquid that keeps my lips supple and moist...

15. L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick - Eternal Rose. Can't decide if this is shocking pink or neon pink, but it sure packs a punch, and of course L'Oreal lippies are always so reliable...

16. Mirenesse Shona Lip Art Ombre Stick - Noosa Duo. Love these colours and there's plenty of moisture, although it takes a while to get the hang of applying it. One of those lippies where half the stick is pale and the other is deep, and when applied correctly, you get an ombre-like finish without having to fiddle with blending or carrying around two lipsticks. But you have to remember to turn it around before you apply to the second lip so that the deeper shade ends up on the outside...

17. Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme - Orchid. This was yet another Lipmonthly surprise. It looks like a full-on lip shriveller but it isn't, in fact I'll say it's the most comfortable totally matte liquid formula I've ever tried, and it stays put FOREVER...

18. NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Spice Cake. You know, I look at this picture and wonder how on EARTH I don't wear this every day - it's just to die for...

19. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance Lipstick - Orchid. Gorgeous, GORGEOUS lipstick, I raved about it HERE...

20. NYX LUV Out Loud Cream Lipstick - LOLO3. The only reason this is here is the colour - be still my beating heart! Sadly the formula somewhat sucks the juice out of my lips - it's bearable, but I won't be buying any more from this set...

21. NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick - Amethyst. The suede range appears to be super popular - I find it quite drying, but for that colour, I'll put up with just about anything!...

Would love to know which ones of these you like ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 1st Quarter 2018 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

Gosh, it won't be long before the year is half over (eek!), so it's high time I got these personal favourite LOTD's from the first 3 months of 2018 up on the blog! Below is a selection of the browns, oranges and reds in my collection that I either discovered (or re-discovered), and that deserve a mention ♥...

I choose a lipstick colour each day to go with my outfit (although sometimes I pick the lippie first and then the reverse applies), and while I don't have many holus-bolus brown pieces in my wardrobe, some items have components or trims in this earthy shade, and so I choose a toning lipstick to tie them in...

1. Up first is NYX Liquid Suede Cream in Club Hopper, so deep and rich, quite long lasting, but I wish this formula wasn't quite so drying - nothing a little slick of gloss won't fix though...
2. Next is another NYX Liquid Suede Cream in the shade Downtown Beauty, one that makes a regular appearance in these posts because of its yellow content...
3. Next is Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick - Bronze Metal, also quite golden, but with a dash of pink which makes it ultra-flattering...

4. Edging into the bricky shades, this Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Crazy for Coffee is an old fave for its warmth without being too reddish...

5. The middle one is a Colourpop Matte Lip Cream in a shade I absolutely adore - Love Bug! Oh how I wish it wasn't so lip-shrivelling - you can see how it accentuates my deep creases, but I put up with it because to me it is the epitome of Autumn, and I really have nothing else like this colour in my collection...

6. On the end is another oldie-but-a-goodie - Milani Lipstick in the shade Candied Toffees. Lots of orange content and a lovely moist formula, despite its age...

7. I would wear a lot more orange lippies if I could find ones that are intense, dense and don't apply all patchy and streaky, but it's always one of my life challenges to find a good one, and even harder to track down a yellowy-orange. #7 has lots of red, but still most definitely an orange - NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Orangesicle - it's fabulous! These glosses from NYX are still my Number One in terms of intensity and comfort...
8. In the middle is Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipstick in Hot Mamma - is this orange or red? Let's call it rorange, another one with a refreshingly moist formula, and pretty good wear time...
9. This last one is definitely a red - Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Fatal Red - always a winner in the orangey-red section and keeps my lips supple from morning till night...

10. This next one came in a LipMonthly bag, it's by Mirabella - Modern Matte Lipstick in the colour Crimson. This was a great find as it dries quite mattish, but doesn't suck all the juice out of my lips, and its lasting power is quite remarkable...
11. In the middle is one that earned a spot mainly because it's by Lacura (Aldi) - Matte Liquid Lipstick, with no name on it that I can find, but really quite comfy for a matte liquid. Very thin and sheer so for me it requires building, but might suit any gal wanting a red that isn't too bold. Pretty good for the price too (I think it was around $6), but good luck with finding it...
12. Last one in this row is ModelCo Lip Crayon in Red Velvet - another LipMonthly delightful discovery as I don't go for the brand as a rule, but this crayon is a beauty, and the true red pigment is a stunner. It's also non-drying...

13. On the left is one that appears in most of my fave posts - it's just the best, for colour, comfort and wearability - L'Oreal Bloody Mary...
14. Last of the true reds is Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick - One-Of-A-Kind. This one blew me away with its intensity and super glossy finish. Love!...
15. Lucky last is a recent acquisition and one that I ummed and ahhed about what section to put it in. Alongside the pinks it's obviously a red, and in here with the reds it looks more pink, but I had a spot left in the row. Anyways this is Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance Lipstick in Garnet, a brilliantly hydrating pout perfector, lovingly reviewed HERE...


Part 2 will be up shortly, and incidentally, you can see all my LOTD's for the year on Instagram - #katslotds2018. Now for what I hope is a nice surprise! I bought an NYX Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar in the Priceline after-Christmas sales for a ridiculous price, but I have SO MANY lippies I'll just never get to use these, so I'm giving the box away to one of my followers. Lots of gorgeous nudes plus a few boldies, and a mix of glosses, mattes & lingeries...

                                                               

While this is not heavy it's bulky, so the giveaway is open to...

AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY 

(My April Empties Giveaway will be International!)

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 on this page, 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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This giveaway is now closed

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Dara S. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 23rd May to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Dara has claimed her prize ♥

Thanks for entering lovelies - there'll be another giveaway soon!
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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: yrGear.com.au

A few months back I was approached to review some of the products from yrGear.com.au, a website I hadn't come across before. They so kindly gifted me with two items of my choice - a stunning watch, and prettily patterned travel cosmetics bag...

They have an interesting mix of all sorts of stuff - from MacBook cases to baseball caps, eyewear and office bits and bobs, and the bonus is that shipping is free! My two items arrived safely and securely packaged in separate bubble bags and came from Beijing in China...

I'm seriously over the moon with for the watch ♥ Even though I have a Samsung Gear AND a phone to tell me the time, I still love to accessorise with a matching watch, and I couldn't believe my luck when I opened the pack to discover that the one marked on the website as the "green" variation just so happens to have an olivey green band that matches so many items in my wardrobe! There are no markings on the back of either the watch or the band, but both are beautifully finished, and the mechanism has a subtle but solid sounding tick. The half pattern on the face is fresh and stylish and has an almost watercolour quality to it, plus I'm confident I'll be able to change the battery myself (as I do with all my others)...

I chose this particular makeup bag primarily for the pattern - on the website the main colour looks black, but I'm thrilled with the navy, olive & white combo. It has a flat base and metal frame around the top which means it stays open and freestanding when I want it to. The outside feels like a heavy-duty gaberdine, and the inside is lined with a waterproof material (not plastic) and there are two handy internal side pockets. The zipper seems sturdy and strong, and there's a small matching ring pull on the end. For me it's the perfect size for what I take to work - large enough to fit all my touch-up makeup items & brushes, dental floss and a purse-sized fragrance bottle, and yet it's not too bulky for my tote bag...

The watch is priced at $19.99 and comes in three colour-ways & four designs - two black, one blue and one green, and the two black ones have different floral patterns. There are also four choices for the Travel Cosmetic Bag, which sells for $14.99...

There was a surprise free gift with the watch too - a cute-as gold-toned bracelet with a star charm, and I put mine somewhere SO safe that now I can't find it (boo!), which is why it's not pictured. Totally bummed, but I'm sure it will turn up eventually...

I found the website easy to navigate, and I'm so happy with the watch that I ordered the blue one (lol!), and no doubt you'll see it (at least on Instagram) when it arrives...

Thank you yrGear for the chance to try out some of your fun products - I'm looking forward to re-checking your range as it grows, and please please PLEASE keep the free shipping! ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx