SPOTLIGHT: June Empties + Giveaway!...

Better late than never! Everything is topsy-turvy at work hence the delay, but June was yet another mammoth month for empties - actually, who am I kidding, this is now the norm for me ha ha!...

Body

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

One of my top three hand creams of all time, in fact, I'm wondering why on earth am I giving this away lol?!? Seriously though, when I find something I absolutely adore, I can't bear to NOT share it with you folks, and this is one of nature's gem - magnificently hydrating, supremely softening, it's scented with lemon myrtle & mandarin oils, and not tested on animals. I swear it's to die for ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

As sure as eggs ♥♥♥...

Dermaveen Extra Gentle Shower & Bath Oil (500ml, RRP $17.99)

Reviewed HERE - I go through a bottle of this every month, adding a few squirts to whatever body wash I'm using. Keeps my skin soft, supple and moisturised. LOVE! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yessirreeee ♥♥♥...

Ecostore Coconut & Vanilla Hand Wash (250ml, RRP $5.99)

Just as delish as the body wash, non-drying and smells fantastic - cray cray for this, love the packaging too, so modern and stylish ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes - always a bottle on my vanity, and one on the kitchen sink ♥♥♥...

Harvest Garden Rose Geranium, Patchouli & Lavender Soap with Australian Red Clay (130gm, RRP $7.50)

The last one in the old packaging, which was barely any packaging - not so keen on the new boxed presentation 'cos I can't see how gorgeous it is when I'm buying it. Have raved about this many many times - 100% natural, still my favourite soap ever, such a rich creamy lather, and I could sit around all day inhaling the fragrance ♥♥♥ ... 

Repurchase?

Never without a cake or two in my undies drawer ♥♥♥...

Harvest Garden Grapefruit & Cedarwood (130gm, RRP $7.50)

Not quite so mad keen on this one - it started out being nicely scented, but it's been on my vanity for several weeks now and I can barely smell it any more. It's a lovely soap though - pretty earthy pattern and colour, and has cornflower petals embedded in it so it has an almost exfoliating effect, awesome when my hands are really grubby or I've been swatching lipsticks ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Definitely ♥♥♥... 

Oral-B 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste (95g, RRP $8.99)

This was my #1 toothpaste until I discovered the Perfection variety and instantly fell in love with its fresher pepperminty taste ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Only if the white one isn't available ♥♥♥...

Original Source Green Banana & Bamboo Milk Moisturising Shower Milk (250ml, RRP $3.50)

Reviewed HERE. This particular flavour doesn't appear on their website any more nor in supermarket listings, so I guess that means it's been discontinued - a pity as it's quite yummy, and there are so few banana fragranced body products out there ♥... 

Repurchase?

No - actually I'm phasing this whole range out of my collection as it contains SLS...

Sukin Botanical Lime & Coconut Body Wash (500ml, RRP $12.95)

Loved this, but it's not surprising as I seem to love anything Sukin - low sudsing, non-drying, no sulphates, invigorating fresh scent, aloe second on the ingredient list, 100% vegan, no animal testing, I could go on but probably quicker if you just go out and buy it ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Undoubtedly ♥♥♥...

Face

Beechworth Honey Beeswax Natural Lip Balm - Berry (5ml, RRP $7.95)

Softer than the usual stick lip balm consistency, and boy does it hydrate. Contains so many natural oils - sweet almond, coconut, sunflower, macadamia, rosehip, jojoba & olive, plus beeswax, shea butter, vitamins E & C. In short, it's a first aid kit for dry lips ♥♥♥ ... 

Repurchase?

Definitely - just wish I could buy it in-store rather than online ♥♥♥...

Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Exfoliator (100ml, RRP $14.99)

Reviewed with love HERE ...

Repurchase?

Oddly enough, no, or at least not for a while - I think I'm bored with the fragrance as it no longer appeals...

Indeed Labs Eyesilix (15ml, RRP $34.99)

Covered this in my January 2017 Empties post (HERE), and nothing's changed in my view - it's a lovely cream but doesn't do anything startling for my issues (crows feet, sagging, bagging)...

Repurchase?

Nope - still looking for my HG eye cream...

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89)

My one, my only - I've not found any other product that can match this for taking off waterproof mascara in a flash, plus it's so gentle and doesn't sting my eyes ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

No less than three spares in my drawer at any one time ♥♥♥...

Skin Doctors Cosmeceuticals Eyetuck (15ml, RRP $49.95)

If you have small bags, then this will serve you brilliantly - effects are noticeable after two weeks' use, and even more noticeable if you stop using it in that the puffiness returns, so don't stop ha ha! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Love this, but my bags are so huge it no longer has any impact, and I've decided to bite the bullet and not repurchase as I've found something far more effective for my massive under-eye sacks (which I raved about HERE) ♥♥♥...

Face Masks

Andalou Naturals Instant Life & Firm Hydro Serum Facial Mask (18ml, RRP $8.99)

I'm 50/50 about this mask - it stung my eyes, terrible face fit (see below pic), and yet where it came in contact, my skin looked like it was made from crushed pearls. The fragrance is lovely but quite intense, it hydrates magically and my skin looked firmer afterwards - such a pity I couldn't get it to cover everything even after five minutes of frustrating fiddling...

Repurchase?

Not right now - might wait and see if they adjust the shape...

Bodyblendz Rose Collagen Facial Mask (RRP $7.50)

Reviewed HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

Probably, but not for a while as I have SO MANY in my stash - I keep thinking that my face mask discovery journey will wind down and then I can get on with just buying what I absolutely adore. But more and more companies keep bringing out more and more masks, so it will probably be endless like my micellar water exploration ♥...

Innoxa Hydrogel Under Eye Mask - Brightening with CoQ10 (3 pairs, RRP $14.99)

No photos as I slept in these during the week. They work out at $5 a pop, which is expensive compared to my other loves, but they are indeed superior in the firming, freshening and de-puffing departments ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, will slowly build up a stash (during sales) for special treats ♥♥♥...

Purederm Ginkgo Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches (4 patches, RRP $3)

Well now, I think the word is spreading as these haven't been available in Kmart for three weeks, and my fear is rising ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

As soon as they are back in stock - I usually buy at least five packs at a time ♥♥♥...

Skin Physics Instant Lift V-Shape Vitality Mask (21g, RRP $14.99)

The most effective under-chin lifter EVER ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I stock up whenever Priceline or CW has them on sale ♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Gold Hydrogel Mask (25g, RRP $12.99)

An old fave, they've made the nose piece a lot longer - it's almost too long now as it kinda flaps around and was sucked into my nostrils whenever I breathed in! Hard to beat this golden beauty for what it does for my skin though ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I always have at least one of these in the backup box, but never EVER pay full price ♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)

Such great eye patches which I sleep in quite regularly - thankfully these are always available somewhere, and often on special ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Probably forever ♥♥♥...

Fragrance

Stoneglow Candles London Lime & Mandarin Reed Diffuser (140ml, RRP $38.95)

Found this at my local chemist - according to Google these diffusers don't appear to be available anywhere in this country, and it's beyond me why some home decor giant isn't importing the range - it's the best I've ever tried, and that includes Glasshouse & Urban Rituelle. Whoa! Never thought I would say that, but it's true. Their website link is HERE. The packaging is divine - just looking at it restores my energy, lasts around 4 months, and the scent permeates the entire room (not just the immediate surrounding area) with a stunningly refreshing fragrance. They even make refills! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I've kept the bottle because it's so pretty, and to remind me to pick up another one for next Summer - I'm heading back to the pharmacy to see what other scents they have in stock ♥♥♥...

Hair

Schwarzkopf Live Salon Permanent - Medium Ash Blonde (Box, RRP $13.99)

While I far prefer the Colour Specialist range (reviewed HERE) for its gentleness and the miraculous condition it leaves my hair in after use, over time the colour (Cool Light Blonde) is not working out to be what I wanted - it's too yellow (not enough ash). So I've switched to this range, which is the next best thing - contains "Salonplex" anti-breakage care, it's almost as softening, and the ammonia content is quite low. I mix two-thirds Medium Ash Blonde with one-third Ultra Light Ash Blonde for my roots, and the remainder I blend together for the ends every second or third round to maintain the highlights. Perfect! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

You can count on it ♥♥♥...

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey (30ml, RRP $5.49)

I was using this to counteract the yellow, but I'll probably ease back on it now that I'm using a far ashier permanent colourant ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I have quite a few bottles under the bathroom sink that I nabbed on special so I won't need to buy any for a while ♥♥♥...

Makeup

Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil - Jewel Amethyst (RRP $30)

My passion for these eyeliners is the stuff that legends are made of ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

No need to ask ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Brow Satin - Dark Blonde (RRP $16.95)

Was my HG brow product, but it's been replaced with the new MNY Total Temptation Brow Definer, which is the perfect shade for me (review HERE) ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Only if the TT one isn't available ♥♥♥...

Giveaway!

As usual a selection of my faves ♥...

• 1 x Beechworth Honey Bush Honey & Macadamia Hand Cream
• 1 x Skin Republic Gold Hydrogel Mask
• 2 x Oral-B 3D White Luxe Diamond Strong Toothpaste
• 1 x Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover
• 1 x Harvest Garden Sweet Orange & Lavender Natural Handcrafted Soap

All products were purchased by me, and the total value is approximately $55.

And this giveaway is open to...

Australian Residents Only! 

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 Anne as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 8th August to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Anne has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Maybelline Total Temptation...

I'm always excited to have the opportunity to road test ANY beauty product, but when it's makeup, my happy dance goes on for quite a bit longer lol! And to my delight last month beautyheaven invited me to trial three gems from the new Maybelline Total Temptation range - Mascara, Brow Definer, and the Shadow + Highlighter Palette, all beautifully presented in this gorgeous flavour-of-the-month (or is it the year?) peachy packaging ♥...

The Shadow + Highlighter Palette is one of the prettiest I've seen in a while. I love that the lid is clear so I can see the colours and appreciate it's beauty all the time, nor do I have to open it when I'm checking if it coordinates with an outfit ♥ The eyeshadow pans are a mix of warm (left) and cool (right) shades, mattes and shimmery finishes, and there's one gorgeous pastel pink containing sparkly bits (second from the top on the right). All colours are deliciously pigmented, creamy and super easy to blend (yes even the mattes!) and there are "Look" suggestions on the back of the box for those who appreciate a little application guidance. The highlighters are nothing short of divine - a matching gold and lilaccy-pink that can be as subtle or as out-there as you wish, depending of course on how much you apply ♥...

Below are some 3-finger-swipe swatches - a bit wonky (swatching is definitely NOT my forte) as my camera just doesn't do them justice, but it gives you an idea of the intensity and finish of each of the pans - so gorgeous! ♥♥♥...

Left - artificial light, Right - flash

Left - artificial light, Right - flash

Highlighters

The Brow Definer is my dream brow product - it's a wind-up cream-to-powder stick (more cream than powder) in a diamond shape, which means there are sharp angles for creating a crisp outline, and a wider flat side for filling in. There's also a fluffy baby spoolie on the other end, which I use for grooming both before and after application. We were able to choose the shade, and I went with Blonde (300) - the perfect neutral taupe that's neither too ashy nor too golden ♥ My brows are almost non-existent, and this little darling gives me the most natural looking result ever. I've been using their Brow Satin for yonks, but this is an even better match for my skin tone and (latest) hair colour - adore! ♥♥♥...

I have to admit my hopes sank when I read that the Mascara (Blackest Black) was washable. While that might be a bonus for some gals because it's SO easy to remove, my eyes are drippy at the best of times, and when the wind blows or I'm watching a soppy movie you can forget it, so I always ALWAYS go for a waterproof formula. However, the wand is so effective and the volume and length result from the tapered brush so awesome that I've been using it for weeks, but adding a layer of waterproof The Falsies over the top, and have not had a problem with flaking or smudging (or the dreaded panda eyes) at all. The tube is solid and feels comfortable and balanced in my hand - the finish is matte and tends to get a bit grubby, but wipes clean in a flash ♥...

In fact, I was so impressed with how fabulous this makes my lashes look, I bought the waterproof variety (Very Black) so I can reap all the lush lash benefits using it solo. Found it at Priceline - the brush isn't as tapered, but still as effective at catching every last little wisp, and the tube is a pretty pale aqua ♥♥♥...

So many of my can't-live-without makeup items are by Maybelline, and now I have three more to add to the list. Muchas gracias beautyheaven and Maybelline! ♥♥♥

Have you tried any products from the Total Temptation range?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite May 2018 LOTD's...

Time for another round of personal fave LOTD's. To this day it still surprises me how lipstick-loco I've become in the last few years. In my younger days, I never dreamed that I would have such a massive collection so late in life, and in most colours of the rainbow. As I recall I was obsessed with ONE particular lippie in my early teens - can't for the life of me remember the brand (most likely Avon), but it was the palest beige, icily frosted and I used to slick it on straight after meals as I thought it made me look so hot lol! It's laughable because now it's the last colour I would wear - I'd just look ill ♥...

As usual, there are a few non-mainstream brands in the collage, and I'll start with the reds and work my way towards my true love, purple...

1. This first one has appeared before - Seraphine Botanicals Vegan Berry Tint in Cherry Cream. Every time I think about cancelling my Lip Monthly subscription, I remind myself how many gems have come my way in their little bags, and this is one - so creamy, so dense and such a fabulously vibrant red ♥...

2. Another stunningly fiery hue, this is Lush Liquid Lipstick in the shade Power Without Fierce. I should wear this way more often as it's simply divine, the gold shimmer is just so flattering ♥...

3. At least one of these NYX Cosmic Metals lip creams appears in every post as I wear them probably more than any other product - this is Solar Energy, adore its juicy vibrancy ♥...

4. You may have gathered I'm quite fond of metallic finishes - I just love the sheen! This one is Colourpop Ultra Metallic Lip in the shade DM. Wish it wasn't so drying, but it's tolerable ♥...

5. It's lipstick shades like this that make me look forward to Autumn - L'Oreal Infallible Forever Frappe. Gorgeous maple, and so lovely and moist ♥...

6. Another repeater, L'Oreal Color Riche - Oud Obsession. Is it brown, is it red? Don't care, it's a stunner either way ♥...

 7. Another one from Lip Monthly. I can count on them for something a bit different, and I can't get enough of this dusky pink - Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme in Antique Pink, and kiss proof it sure is, lasts forever, and then some ♥...

8. This ever so pretty pink is Rimmel Lasting Finish in Heart Breaker - moist and comfy, I have quite a few from this range ♥...

9. Adore this one and it's only $6 from Woolworths! - MUD Full Colour Lip Lacquer in Wild Mauve Surprisingly comfortable and reasonably long wearing ♥...

10. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick - Berry Boost. This range is still SO good, beautiful colours and the formula is brilliant, although it's far from matte, which suits me just fine ♥...

11. Fell for this one big time - Revlon Ultra HD Matte Metallic Lip Colour in Dazzle. There's nothing even vaguely metallic about it, but the shade soothes my soul ♥...

12. NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Asteroid Aura. Be still my beating heart ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥...

Well, that's it for another month lovelies - what's your latest lippie discovery?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

REVIEW: Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler...

Thanks to beautyheaven, I recently won a $150 Mecca Gift Card by completing surveys through The Insiders Community - what a surprise that was, and I was thrilled to be able to choose anything from the Mecca website that took my fancy. I selected items that I normally wouldn't purchase because they were either a) not really needed, b) items/brands I wanted to try for the first time, or c) things I'd lusted after for quite some time, but couldn't justify the expense. In short, it was a beauty fanatic's dream come true! And while I already have a Shu Uemura one, the Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler met all three of the aforementioned criteria, so it was the first item to leap into my cart lol ♥...

The Shu Uemura curler is probably the only cult classic item in my beauty tool arsenal, and it worked amazingly well for many moons, however, its effectiveness has been declining over this past year. Perhaps I need to replace the little cushiony pad again (already done that once), or maybe my lashes are stiffening with age (eek!), or more likely I haven't devoted enough time in the morning rush to the art of curling my lashes. Whatever the cause, I was struggling to get it to work any of its previous magic - quite frankly it's been a battle just to even keep the curl long enough to take the closeup EOTD pics. But the Kevyn Aucoin curler is a triumph ♥ - in the picture below, the right-hand shot was taken after using the KA curler for 10 seconds, and the results are a blessed relief. In the pic on the left, it looks like I haven't curled my lashes at all, even after repeated squeezes with the SU ...

Shu Uemura                                                                                   Kevyn Aucoin

So what's the difference, apart from it being new? At first glance, they have a very similar shape, and the price tags are almost identical (around $30), but on close inspection, the Kevin Aucoin curler has a couple of features that do in fact stand out. Most obvious is the bright red cushion pad (replacement included in the box) - I haven't been able to confirm what it's made of (most websites say "rubber") but it looks more like silicone to me. The second obvious difference is that when opened, the gap between the cushion and the metal is twice as big (if not more), which makes positioning far easier, and allows ALL lashes to be captured, even the tiniest ones on the inner corner ♥...

Incidentally, that fuzzy blob in the bottom right of the above pic is the thumb handle, whereas the Shue Uemura one isn't even in sight. Which leads me to the third major difference, which is the angle of the handles...

In the photo above you can see that the hinge angle varies considerably too, and I guess all these differences add up to what makes it an award-winning design (Allure Magazine's 2013 Best Eyelash Curler). All I know is that it takes a lot less time to achieve a far better result, you can forget skin-pinching, and if you have stubby straight lashes like me, that makes it a godsend ♥...

Incidentally, below is the complete parcel I received as my prize, so exquisitely presented, and with a complimentary bottle of Mecca Cosmetica Micellar Water...

And here are all the goodies I chose - I'll be reviewing the other three in the coming weeks. The total cost was a little more than my $150 gift card but well worth the extra coin to create my dream box...

In summary, the Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler is brilliant, and I'll be eternally grateful to beautyheaven and The Insiders Community for the opportunity to add this marvellously effective tool to my kit. Considering how torturous eyelash curlers can be, this one is 100% pain-free, heaps more effective, and a whole lot easier to use - love it! ♥

What's your go-to eyelash curler?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: L'Occitane Terre De Lumiere EDP...

One of the joys of blogging is the generous gifting from companies of stunning products that I would otherwise not come across in my daily travels, and while I've bought and loved several L'Occitane fragrances over the years, they've been mainly light Spring florals. What a delight it was to discover (at the March Beautyheaven Glosscar Awards Marketplace Member Event) that they've created a new and deliciously mouth-watering experience in their magnificent Terre De Lumiere Eau De Parfum...

To me, the captivating bottle is a masterpiece of design - sure, the curve of the glass disc is not uncommon in the fragrance world, but to combine it with an irregular shaped cap, the colour and lustre of a piece of natural amber, is pure genius. I could look at it all day long - there's something so pure and uncluttered about the ensemble. The contrasting colours are indeed striking, but I find the whole effect calming and comforting, so much so that I can't bear to decant the perfume into a purse atomiser because I want to experience the beauty of the container every time I spritz it onto my skin ♥...  

The golden liqueur inside the bottle is equally a work of art, so I'll start with the description on the L'Occitane website...

Literally translated the name means "Land of Light", and yes it's a gourmand, which is quite a change for this brand. On initial spray, my nose picks up lots of pepper and a flush of lemony bergamot giving it a spicy almost herbal start to life, but it quickly melts into a soft and creamy blend of French lavender blooms drizzled with sweet honey. I don't believe I've ever smelled this particular combination of flower and food before, but it's quite delectable. Not long after comes a sprinkling of almonds and tonka beans adding an earthy and vanilla-ish nuttiness to the mix, and the formula is rounded out by the acacia flower and white musk base notes, weaving this elixir into a delight for the senses. Ooh la la! ♥♥♥...

It's warm and rich, beautifully balanced, sophisticated and sweet, but not heavy or overpowering - in summary, "Autumn Sunset in a bottle", and kudos to the perfumiers for successfully capturing the moment. It lasts a good 4 hours on my skin with full potency, and even at the end of the day, I can still detect its faint presence. When I reviewed it on beautyheaven initially I said it smelled like a Summer sunset, but having worn it many times since, it's definitely more for the cooler weather - perfect for when I want something cosy that conjures up the warmth of the sun, and all that nature has to offer ♥...

Do you have a favourite gourmand fragrance?

Take care of you,
kats xxx