SPOTLIGHT: July Empties + Giveaway!...

Here we go again with the empties - I left out the hair colouring products as you've seen them all before, and I really need to omit more of the repeaters going forward so the photo shoot doesn't get out of control! Quite a few items I won't be repurchasing, but a stack of ones I adore too, and the usual giveaway at the bottom of the page...

Body

A'kin Lavender Body Wash (500ml, RRP $24.95)

This bod cleanser has everything going for it - vegan, contains organic lavender oil, free of most nasties, not tested on animals, Aussie made & owned, but interestingly, it didn't grab me at all. I adore the scent of real lavender and this one sure smells genuine, but there was nothing special enough about it to make me want to buy it again. Not particularly moisturising, not a lot of bubbles - just all a bit ordinary which is surprising as I was geared to fall in love with it. Oh well, them's the breaks...

Repurchase?

No...

BodyBlendz Sugar Glow Coffee Scrub (200g, RRP $19.99)

Reviewed HERE, this is a delish scrub that was sent to me - very effective, smells good enough to eat, but makes a mess of my shower stall like all coffee scrubs. At the end of the day, it's no better or worse than any other similar products I've tried. I can't bear pouches as I find them impossible to seal after the first use, so I transferred this one into an empty jar, much easier to manage ♥...

Repurchase?

Probably not - the Thankyou one from the supermarket is just as good, and it's cheaper...

Cenovis Vitamin B Complex (150 tablets, RRP $14.99)

I take one of these every day to help me deal with the stresses of work - supports the healthy function of my brain and heart, so it's a sure bet. This one seems to be on special somewhere whenever I run out ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Always ♥♥♥...

Evodia Daintree Mango & Pink Grapefruit Hand & Body Wash (400ml, RRP $13.95)

OK, so I've officially learned my lesson - if the label says Hand & Body Wash, it's highly unlikely that it will serve me well in the shower. Lovely crisp and tangy fragrance for hands, but really quite drying as a body cleansing gel - I only used it twice before I moved it permanently to the basin. Again Aussie made & owned, vegan and cruelty-free, but there are other hand washes I far prefer. I added it to an online order to get the free shipping, so no regrets there...

Repurchase?

No...

Original Source Mango Shower Gel (500ml, RRP $7.99)

This was left over from last Summer so it was just a matter of finishing it off. LOVE the fragrance, but I won't be buying any more of these as they contain SLS. A pity as it has some great qualities including an awesome price, but my skin comes first, and SLS seems to be what is causing the flaking and teeny little bumps so I'm opting out of products that contain that ingredient...

Repurchase?

No...

Thankyou Botanical Lemon Myrtle & Goat's Milk Hand Wash (500ml, RRP $7.99)

Can't get enough of this - my current fave hand wash, same goes for the body wash. Fresh and invigorating fragrance, it doesn't dry my skin, there's no SLS, not tested on animals, Australian-made, and the profits go towards people in need ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥♥♥...

Face

Derma-E Vitamin C Micellar Cleansing Water (175ml, RRP $19.95)

I bought this last year from Priceline for $11.99 but I can't see it on their website any more - it was left over from the days when I was running my Micellar Magic series, and I still have a few other brands stashed away to use up! It's a beauty - very gentle but very effective, left my face feeling calm and refreshed, has a zesty citrus fragrance, contains probiotics and rooibos (what is that?), and cruelty-free ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Yes, although it's not that economical ♥♥♥...

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (75g, RRP $84)

Raved about this BRILLIANT product HERE - I've had this bottle for yonks as I only use it once a week (to make it last lol!) ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Still deciding if I will buy this or the Daily Superfoliant, which is very similar but contains charcoal, and the powder is grey instead of white, but I'll certainly be purchasing one of them ♥♥♥...

L'Oreal Age Perfect Golden Age Night Cream (50ml, RRP $36.95)

Trialled this for beautyheaven back in May - my undying love review of it is HERE, third from the bottom of the page. I do so enjoy this night cream, and L'Oreal makes brilliant mature skin care - I love that they regard us older gals as worthy of specific formulations, and this is affordable, smells divine, and has kept my skin hydrated and flake-free during this cold winter ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

I'm torn between this and the Cell Renewal one in the black jar - either way, I'll definitely buy one of them once I've used up a few more of the four part-used ones I have on my bench ♥♥♥...

NIP + FAB Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum (50ml, RRP $44.95)

I bought this from Priceline after reading Amy from Health & Beauty Girl's amazing review (HERE). It's the most awesome smelling serum, and I would buy it again just for the fragrance lol! Smells like a range of products I used to purchase pre-2000, I think it was Norsca - an unbelievably uplifting aquatic spa scent, and this is very similar. The serum itself is soothing, smoothing, plumping and hydrating ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Definitely on the list for my next Priceline sale ♥♥♥...

Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99)

My latest LOVE! I have one of my long-time followers to thank for this - Fawn, you're a treasure! She left a glowing comment about this serum on one of my posts, and I finally got around to trying it, and it's now officially a Kats-Can't-Live-Without. I've been applying 2 droppers-worth to my face night and morning after cleansing, and I honestly believe this is helping my serum and moisturiser to absorb and work more effectively. I can see exactly how much is left in the red plastic bottle, the dropper automatically draws up the dosage, it makes my skin look and feel fantastic, I love the delicate floral scent, and the fact that it's seemingly on special somewhere every few weeks is a bonus. Lasts me a month, and I'm feeling good about having one constant (the only one) in my skincare regime ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

I'm already on my second bottle, and I have a few half-price deals stashed away ♥♥♥...

Sukin Revitalising Facial Scrub (125ml, RRP $10.95)

This scrub has appeared a few times already, and I reviewed it in depth HERE. Just love everything about Sukin products ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Sure bet ♥♥♥...

Face Masks

Eaoron Instant Whitening Face Mask (Box of 5, RRP $29)

I have one of these left from the 2nd box I bought - love them, and they do make a difference in the skin tone brightening department ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Affirmative ♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Green Tea Mud Sheet Mask (18g, RRP $12.99)

Oh oh oh, these mud sheet masks are a new passion! The collagen ones are brilliant for maintaining hydration, but these mud ones make a difference to my skin texture that's instantly visible. The cloth is impregnated with the goop that would normally come in a jar, but the beauty of it is that delivered this way, there's no mess, no waste, and the formula is distributed evenly. The mask fits like a glove (see pic below) and the two-piece cloth stiffens as it dries, but it stays in place so you can walk around in it if so desired. It's not only calming and softening, but it shrank my pores - woo hoo! So easy to peel off when you're done (30 minutes) followed by a light rinse to remove any residue. Expensive, but well worth it for a treat ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Forever - slight catch though in that it's not yet available everywhere, and I've been holding off buying another from Priceline in the hope it would be on special, but I don't think I can wait any longer lol ♥♥♥...

Skin Republic Pink Clay Mud Sheet Mask (18g, RRP $12.99)

Ditto the above comments, this one specialises in brightening and evening skin tone. Also hard to find, but it's such a lovely experience ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely  ♥♥♥...

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

Have already raved about this many times - it's the white sling thingy underneath the mud mask in the picture above ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I'm in desperate need of a skincare sale somewhere as I don't have any left - gaaahhhh! ♥♥♥...

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

Went through 6 pairs this month ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Always ♥♥♥...

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

Can't live without these - sleep in them at least twice a week ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

As I said above, can't live without ♥♥♥...

Makeup

Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder (RRP $13.95)

Has appeared before in these posts, and will again ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Thanks Priceline, just recently bought a year's supply ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer - Blonde (RRP $13.95)

My brow product of choice, reviewed HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Also just recently bought a year's supply ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

The only liner for my lower lashline ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Till I'm pushing up daisies ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara (RRP $19.95)

I've tried five new mascaras in the last few months, but this will always be a favourite as long as I take EOTD photos - it's really the only one that gives me enough volume (from the fibres) for the camera to register all my lashes ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I have the abovementioned stack to use up, but I've bought another one of these already ♥♥♥...

Natio Define Eye Pencil - Steel Grey (RRP $13.95)

For the waterline - creamy kohl formula, comfortable, lasts well, great colour for older gals to give definition without being too stark ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yep, approximately twice per year ♥♥♥...

Giveaway!

As usual, a selection of this month's faves ♥...

• 1 x Skin Republic Green Tea Mud Sheet Mask
• 1 x Skin Republic Pink Clay Mud Sheet Mask
• 1 x Eaoron Instant Whitening Face Mask
• 1 x Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence
• 1 x Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner
• 1 x Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder

All products were purchased by me, the total value is around $100, 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 Michelle H. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 5th September to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Michelle has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: nc Nutrimetics Extreme Volume Mascara...

Don't you just love the magic of mascara? It's something I can't live without, and which I wear almost every day of the week. I can spend anywhere up to 45 minutes doing my face, lip and eye makeup, but it's not complete until I stroke on a couple of coats of mascara. Just like a spritz of perfume, it's the finishing touch, the icing on my face-cake so to speak ♥ Mind you, one that clumps and flakes can make all that effort for nought, so this post is all about a couple of beauties from Nutrimetics that will give you whatever nature didn't, and without smudging, smearing, flaking or gluing your precious lashes together  - nc Extreme Volume Mascara...

These are new releases from Nutrimetics, and I was kindly sent both the regular and waterproof varieties to road-test. The presentation is an elegant and classy fat black tube with silver labelling, and both formulas contain Jojoba to strengthen, hydrate and nourish the lashes. The standard one has a curved wand with a bristle brush that tapers at the tip. This is my favourite kind of mascara applicator as my lashes are sparse and I find that bristles provide a far more effective coating while keeping the hairs separated. I've mentioned on numerous occasions that I don't use non-waterproof mascara because my eyes water so much, but I had no problems whatsoever with this formula - my lashes looked lush, long and vampily black, there was no under-eye smearing, and the curl lasted all day ♥ Winner!

The waterproof formula is just as lash-loving as the plain one. Incidentally, neither of these mascaras have a yucky chemical smell - what there is is very faint and not at all unpleasant. This applicator wand differs in that it has plastic spikes rather than bristles. It didn't give me as much separation as the bristles, but still quadrupled the appearance of my barely-there's, and didn't budge until I removed it with waterproof eye makeup remover at the end of the day. I was pleasantly surprised to find it took less product and less time to take it off than my usual brand, and interestingly with either formula, my lashes feel silky soft and flexible, regardless of how many coats I apply, which means there's far less chance of breakage ♥...

Here's a pic of both formulas in action - I used the regular one (with the bristle wand) as a base coat and then topped it with the waterproof one. I love how my lashes feel so soft and look natural, and yet the intensity of the black cream gives my eyes all the definition they need ♥...

All up I'm impressed with both of these mascaras, and after using them daily for the last month, my lashes seem to be in a lot better condition than usual ♥...

Well done Nutrimetics! I have volume, length and curl, and it feels like I'm not wearing mascara at all. The nc Extreme Volume Mascara is ophthalmologically tested, retails for $38, and can be purchased from their website. All Nutrimetics purchases are covered by a 60-day Money Back Guarantee, and yay, they don't test on animals ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTD Catch Up & Nutrimetics Giveaway!...

Been way to long since I posted some EOTD's ♥ I still create them every working day of the week, but upload-worthy photos are becoming rarer by the minute, either because I don't leave myself sufficient time to take enough pics to end up with a decent one, or I simply wake up too wrinkly - and then if I crop out all the craggy saggy bits, there's only the pupils left ha ha! I'm exaggerating of course, but it's a fact that the signs of ageing accelerate exponentially with each passing year after 60, and that's that. So before I get any older, here is a selection from the past few months, and if you make it to the bottom of the page, there's a gorgeous giveaway for one of you lovelies ♥...

No. 1 - Rusty red from the BH Cosmetics Take Me Back To Brazil palette over the top of Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil, which is also on the waterline...

No. 2 - Charcoal and sparkly silver from the Morphe Brushes 12z palette, Natio Steel Grey Define Eye Pencil on the waterline...

No. 3 - Colourpop Melrose + MBA Cosmetics Spiced Pumpkin, Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

No. 4 - Black, green and lime from the BH Cosmetics Take Me Back To Brazil palette, Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

No. 5 - Colourpop Dare + Essence Raspberry Frosting, Natio Steel Grey Define Eye Pencil on the waterline...

No. 6 - Blend of red and orange from the BH Cosmetics Take Me Back To Brazil palette, Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

No. 7 - Forest green + teal from the Chi Chi Oasis palette, blend of Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry & Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencils on the waterline...

No. 8 - Ribbon & Organza from the Sleek Oh So Special palette, Eye of Horus Charcoal Obsidian Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

Quite a variety of colours though nothing all that vivid, but hey it's Winter, and the vibrant and inspiring hues of Spring aren't far away...

GIVEAWAY!!!

I have way too many eyeshadow palettes, so I've decided to give away my most recent acquisition - the Nutrimetics Professional Smokey Eye Shadow Palette, which was a freebie. While I adore the colours, I'll simply never make enough use of it, and then I'll feel bad for neglecting it. Valued at $69, it's a mix of mattes and shimmers in a white metal tin case, includes a double-ended applicator brush, and has been safely stored away in its box in a dark drawer...

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 Kristine S. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 22nd August to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Kristine has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx