Sunday 29 July 2018

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
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    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 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Best of luck to all who enter!

    Take care of you,
    kats xxx

    13 comments:

    1. Another great empties blog Kats, though I couldn’t see the question in rafflecopter though

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      Replies
      1. Anne the question is "in the comments section let me know if you're a fan of reed diffusers, and if so, which is your #1 brand and scent..."

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      2. Thanks Fawn. My favourite reed diffuser is the Air Wick Freesia & Jasmine, but I really want to try the Mor range.

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    2. I love reed diffusers and must admit the one you spoke about sounds amazing. I love anything with a citrus scent. My favorite brand is Wavertree and London which is an Aussie brand. They suffered a really bad fire about 18mths to 2 years ago and all of their candles and diffusers were no longer available. When they finally came back inot stock at my local chemist I dashed in there to buy 3 diffusers ...one each for my daughters and the woman at the chemist told me that someone had been in first thing that morning and grabbed the entire stock of a certain scent so already she was going to be on the phone and placing another order. Obviously im not the only one who loves their products.

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    3. I've tried that Andalou Naturals mask you emptied in clay form & the scent was so intense it made me dry retch. I couldn't wear it on my face for longer than about 2 minutes & ended up washing it off because the scent made me gag. Such a shame as I like other products from them. I have also tried a couple of their sheet masks & both of them fitted just like yours did - not well. Then again, sheet masks generally don't fit me well at all.

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    4. My fave reed diffuser is by MOR, unfortunately also a fave of my kitty who regularly makes off with them!

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    5. Hi Kats. Once again impressed with your empties. How DO you do it. Not entering this time but great tip to put a bar of soap in with my knickers drawer. I might have to go around sniffing some highly scented bars for just that reason. I’m assuming the scent does not fade unlike potpourri sachets?

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    6. I haven't tried much reed diffusers . I think I was given a gift once and I can't remember the name. Reed diffusers would look good in my bathroom.

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    7. I love Ecoya's guava & lychee diffuser. A lovely fruity, sweet fragrance.

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    8. My favourite reed diffusers are made by a friend so I have quite a few around the house. I love anything with a vanilla or citrus scent.

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    9. Reed diffusers are nice but I'm more of a candle lover...I love natural soy candles ♥

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    10. I don't have any reed diffusers going at the moment but I've had a few in the past and one I found was great was Urban Rituelle's Mandarin Basil & Lime. Very unisex aroma - almost like an aftershave and was perfect in my son's room - made it bearable to walk into!

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    11. I always love your mask pics! (I noticed the colour coordination too!)

      I'm a fan of Oral-B too. I grew up with Colgate, but Oral-B are MUCH better!

      ReplyDelete