SPOTLIGHT: August 2018 Empties!...

Gee I barely finished off any body products last month - no, I haven't stopped showering, it's all about my face lol! As you can see my passion for cloth masks is a permanent condition, and with the market expanding exponentially (who ISN'T bringing out sheet masks?), there are always new ones to try as well as faves to revisit, so let's get on with the reviews ♥...

Body

DU'IT Tough Hands For Her (75g, RRP $9.95)

From memory, this was a freebie with a beautyheaven beautorium parcel last year, and I've only just gotten around to giving it a go. Was very pleasantly surprised, a lovely lightweight but potent non-greasy hand cream with a baby powder fragrance. Absorbs very well and leaves my hands feeling super smooth and soft ♥♥...

Repurchase?

Definitely, but not till I've used up a few of my others ♥♥...

Johnson's Baby Cotton Buds (Box of 60, RRP $2.99)

These are one of three types of cotton buds that I have on my bench, mainly for makeup cleanups after major disasters, but I occasionally use them to help soak up the excess moisture in my ears after I've washed my hair, and they're also useful for cleaning out my eye/lip pencil sharpeners. Being so big and fat they're super absorbent ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Always a spare pack in my drawer ♥♥♥...

Natura Siberica Oblepikha Shower Gel (400ml, RRP $10.99)

Interestingly I didn't like this shower gel at all when it first came out - the fragrance put me off, way too astringent and I cringed whenever I sniffed it in store. Back then it reminded me a bit of cat pee. But I decided to give it another try a few months ago, and now I'm quite taken with it - refreshing, non-drying, and it foams well. Just goes to show that my nose definitely has moods, and I've learned to not say "never" ha ha ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes - it will be great for summer when I want something zingy ♥...

Face

Beauty by Nicholas Plump It Up (50ml, RRP $59.99)

Regrettably, I didn't get this at all. I tried using it multiple ways - under makeup, over makeup, overnight, during the day, but no discernible impact on any of my fine lines or deep creases. I tried different amounts (using too much results in flaking), patting it on, massaging it in, but...nada - I think perhaps I'm too far gone lol!... 

Repurchase?

No...

Beechworth Honey Meadow Honey & Grapefruit Gentle Scrub (100ml, RRP $12)

This is as effective as my fave Bush Honey & Macadamia one (reviewed HERE) but the fragrance isn't as delish ♥♥... 

Repurchase?

No, but I will definitely buy the Macadamia one again ♥♥...

essano Clear Complexion Detoxifying Serum with Probiotics (30ml, RRP $29.99)

A bit embarrassed to say this was gifted at the beautyheaven Glosscars event back in March. I used it for several weeks (and loved it) and then had to switch to quite a few other serums I was "officially" trialling, and only just got to finish it off last month. It's a beauty and a blessing if you have oily or combination skin. Upon application, it mattifies the skin surface, and over time it reduced the oil production on my nose, and for both those reasons, it's going to be a winner for the humid Sydney Summer. Has an unusual but pleasant earthy oatmealy scent which doesn't linger. My beautyheaven review of it is HERE about halfway down the page (katshepsutt) ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥♥♥...

Nivea Hydro Care Lip Balm (4.8g, RRP $4.49)

Another one I just didn't "get", or perhaps it's just that my lips are outrageously dry - this did very little to soothe my pout. I kept it next to my computer and found myself applying and reapplying it every 15 minutes or so. I honestly didn't feel any benefit from it, which is odd as it's highly rated in most online reviews. It just seemed to soak in, and then vanish... 

Repurchase?

No, there are quite a few others that work for me...

Nutrimetics Restore Anti-Ageing Eye Creme with Sauvignon Blanc Concentrate (15ml, RRP $52)

Bought this on special (almost half price) and I'm kicking myself for not buying more, but I rarely stock up before trying because, well, who knows? Anyways it's a gem of an eye cream. Unlike others that have a microscopic nozzle, this one has a fat cap that won't disappear down the plughole if you drop it (one day my sink is going to block up!). Very rich, quite thick but absorbs well and yet still leaves a surface film, delicate and pleasant floral fragrance, and...it firms. Woo hoo! My hoods appeared less saggy (which is a miracle) and the lid surface crinkles weren't anywhere near as prominent. Did nothing for my under-eye baggies, but not ever having found an eye cream that treats ALL my issues, I'm prepared to use this above my eyes, and another brand below ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

YES! Hanging out till it's on special again ♥♥♥...

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

Raved about this last month HERE. It's SO GOOD I buy a bottle whenever it's on special, which seems to be every other week. ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Currently have 4 stashed away ♥♥♥...

Indeed Laboratories Snoxin Facial Line Fighter (30ml, RRP $39.99)

Had high hopes for this, but I only had a 5ml sample, and to be fair, it's just not enough for me to see any difference. Nice serum though, lots of slip, barely any fragrance, kept my skin hydrated day and night. Fortunately for moi, my darling friend and fellow blogger Lara from RivetLicker recently gifted me with a 30ml bottle, so I'll be having another go at this shortly ♥... 

Repurchase?

Will see how I go over a longer term ♥...

Face Masks

Essenzza Natural Silk Facial Mask - Carrot Seed & Coconut Oil (RRP $4.98)

What a pleasant surprise this was. Pictured below, it fits like a glove and is darn near invisible, which is a bonus if you co-habit or have pets. Super hydrating, smoothing and soothing ♥♥...

Repurchase?

You betcha - I have a few other varieties from the range to try, but this one is excellent ♥♥...

Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks (8 pairs, RRP $52)

The results from these are noticeable, but they're a challenge to apply as there's so much serum, and being made of cloth, they tangle and fold over, and they're too wet to sleep in ♥...

Repurchase?

Naaah, the hydrogel type is so much easier to use, although these are a tad more effective ♥...

Skin Republic Nose Strip + Charcoal (6 strips, RRP $7.99)

Have covered these before - they work well to remove blackheads without damaging the skin ♥...

Repurchase?

Maybe - my blackheads are almost non-existent now (yay!) but if they return, I will ♥...

BodyBlendz Collagen Eye Mask (Box of 5, RRP $19.99)

These are good for hydrating, but not special enough for me to repurchase, and they sting a little bit if I position them too close to the lower lid. They're the clear plasticcy kind with embedded sparkles and four different colours, so they're a bit of fun...

Repurchase?

No, I prefer the cloth-backed hydrogel ones...

Garnier SkinActive Pure Charcoal Tissue Mask with Black Algae (RRP $4.95)

This is a frequent repeater, and one of the best I've tried for shrinking my craterish pores ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Regularly, and I stock up when they're on special ♥♥♥...

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

My lips and their surrounds just LOVE these, what a treat, plus they melt away the vertical lines above my top lip, and keep them away for a day ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Gonna ♥♥♥...

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

I've said before I would use these every day if I could afford them - I look so different with only one chin! Used two this month, wish it had've been four, but I'm budgeting ♥...

Repurchase?

Come on Priceline, how about another sale hmm? ♥...

Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Mask (RRP $12.99)

Lovely two piece mask of the jelly kind, great fit and glowing results. You need to stay horizontal for 40 minutes, so for me, it will be a quarterly treat. Supernally hydrating, firming and smoothing ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, now and then - I'd rather spend my $12.99 more frequently on their clay/mud masks which I can walk around in♥...

Overnighters:

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

Yeah baby ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yeah baby. These are catching on - it's a struggle to find them at Kmart, but I always have some spares ♥♥♥...

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

I alternate these with the above Purederm ones ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Always ♥♥♥...

Makeup

Eye of Horus Goddess Pencils - Scarab Sapphire & Selenite White (RRP $30)

Pure eye love, you know I adore these ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Already have another Scarab Sapphire one, I'll skip the Selenite White one as I don't use white on my waterline any more ♥♥♥...

Giveaway!

As usual, a selection of this month's empties, and who doesn't like trying stuff for free? ♥...

• 1 x Skin Republic Nose Strip + Charcoal (6 strips)
• 1 x Garnier SkinActive Pure Charcoal Tissue Mask with Black Algae
• 1 x Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Mask
• 1 x Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence
• 1 x Johnson's Baby Cotton Buds
• 1 x Beechworth Honey Bush Honey & Macadamia Gentle Scrub

All products were purchased by me, the total value is around $75, 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 Candice N. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 3rd October to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Candice has claimed her prize ♥

Thanks to all of you who entered!

Just a little reminder that if you don't comment on these giveaway posts, 

your entry is not counted.

There were lots of folks this month that I had to disqualify

because either there was no comment posted on this page, 

or they didn't enter the name inside the Rafflecopter

that they use to follow me, so I have no way of validating the entry.

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

Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx