Sunday, 27 January 2019

December 2018 Empties & Giveaway!...

A predominance of charcoal products last month (I love pretty much anything charcoal), and much to my amazement, two perfumes - always quite an achievement given I have a somewhat large collection of cheap and cheerful fragrances. There's a nice little bundle of faves in the giveaway too, so read on ...



Body

Thankyou Botanical Lemon Myrtle & Goat's Milk Hand Wash (500ml, $7.50)
This divine smelling hand wash is pretty close to being my all-time favourite. Just like the body wash, it has everything going for it - the lemon myrtle scent of the creamy and non-drying bubbles is just so refreshing on a hot day, it's a generous 500ml, SLS-free and not tested on animals. I've raved about it before and will continue to do so to spread the word about this Aussie-made range where 100% of the profits go towards ending global poverty ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Sure bet ♥♥♥...

White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, $6.99)
Delighted to have found a pleasant tasting mouthwash that contains fluoride and activated charcoal, so it strengthens teeth enamel as well as keeping my pegs whiter and my breath fresher. Has a not-too-strong spearmint taste and it tingles a little, but my gums are looking and feeling the better for it ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Yep ♥♥♥...

Face

Antipodes Hosanna H2O Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum  (30ml, $48.99)
First raved about this gem back in June 2017, and nothing has changed other than I don't use it all the time because these days I need bucket loads of retinol to slow my wrinkle progression. But I alternate with this because I adore it. If I'm ever feeling stressed I just sniff the bottle and the fragrance calms me down ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Yes, and there's a spare in my drawer ♥♥♥...

Bioré Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water (300ml, $10.99)
Current fave, I reckon it's even better than Bioderma - love the smell of it, the feel on my skin, and its sensational cleansing power ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Several in my stash ♥♥♥...

Blistex Pearl Soft & Silky Lip Balm (RRP $5.95)
I didn't finish this because it was just awful - possibly the worst lip balm ever. Smells and tastes sickly sweet, and does barely anything to hydrate my lips. It gets such rave reviews, I wonder if I received a dud. It was a freebie with one of my beautyheaven beautorium orders. Love the purple packaging and the pearl-in-an-oyster-shell concept, but this is not for me...
Repurchase?
Never...

Essano Rosehip Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser (140ml, RRP $14.99)
Excellent cleanser, but I can no longer tolerate the fragrance so there was still some left in the bottle when I binned it - smells like old tinned cherries, I didn't even want to use it to clean my brushes...
Repurchase?
No...

Lancôme Advanced Génefique Youth Activating Concentrate (30ml, $99)
I won this in an Adore Beauty Instagram comp - wildly grateful for the win and the opportunity to experience a full bottle of this wildly popular elixir, and I thoroughly enjoyed using it, but from a results perspective, it didn't blow my skirt up. I reckon it's an age thing, with this awesome product being more suited to younger complexions ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Negative - if I'm going to spend that many $$$ I would invest in Visionnaire, which I've used before with sensational results ♥♥♥...

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser (145ml, $15.99)
Have fallen for this big time, especially in this hot steamy Sydney summer. So cooling and refreshing and brilliant for taking off every bit of grime, grease and slap without leaving my face feeling dry and taut. The scent is uplifting and I've been reaching for this just about every night - basically, the other cleansers on my bench haven't had a look-in since this arrived, and that's not likely to change any time soon ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Absolutely - can we have a bigger bottle please Neutrogena? ♥♥♥...

Nivea Hyaluron Cellular Filler Day Cream with SPF15 (50ml, $27.99)
A lovely day cream that came my way via the beautyheaven Trial Team back in September. I wrote a glowing review with 5 stars. It's a terrific day cream, smells delish, and providing I don't slap on too much, it doesn't make my skin greasy or give me any extra shine. Didn't observe much filling in of my wrinkles, but there was an overall improvement ...
Repurchase?
Yes but probably not till next Summer - I'm using something else at the moment that will take me through till Autumn, and then I'll be back on my heavy duty cold weather hydrators ...

Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, $39.99)
I go through one of these every two months - one dropper-full every morning and night. Does nada on its own, but improves the absorption and effectiveness of any serum you use. ADORE!!! ♥♥...
Repurchase?
Till the day I die ...

Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment (100ml, $59.90)
Scored this at a beautyheaven even last August, and I'm sold on its effectiveness as an exfoliator, and as a treatment. Wowee, it's fantastic! Leaves my skin so smooth and soft, instantly shrinks my pores, and it's gentle enough to use every day. The price is outrageous though, so I've been making it last by giving myself one treatment per week. It's a winning combination of mechanical and chemical exfoliation, Aussie made and not tested on animals ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
I haven't yet, but I reckon when my face starts its winter-wither, the price won't seem quite so exorbitant ♥♥♥...

Sukin Oil Balancing + Charcoal Pore Refining Facial Scrub (125ml, $13.95)
Reviewed HERE, I'm still loving this scrub ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Affirmative ♥♥♥...

Face Masks
In the last few months, various events have been thwarting my Self Care Sunday sheet masking plans, but I'm confident that my usual weekly routine will resume in February  

Garnier SkinActive Pure Charcoal Tissue Mask with Black Algae (RRP $4.99)
Love this mask, one of the best pore shrinkers in town ...
Repurchase?
Always 3 or 4 in reserve ...



Skin Republic Volcanic Ash Mud Sheet Mask (RRP $12)
I go through at least one Skin Republic sheet mask every month - this is one of their best for overall texture refinement and deep cleansing. If you ever see it on special, by two! ...
Repurchase?
Ah-huh ...



Regulars:

Purederm Ginkgo Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches (2 pairs, RRP $3)
Went through seven packs in December, that's 14 pairs, which is roughly one pair every second night ...
Repurchase?
Till the cows come home ...

Skin Physics Instant Lift V-Shape Vitality Mask (RRP $14.99)
LOVE! ...
Repurchase?
Stocked up on sale not long ago, but I need to get more - I always feel a bit anxious when there's only one left lol ...


Fragrance

Vera Wang Be Jeweled Rouge EDP (50ml, RRP $?)
Lovingly reviewed HERE, it's taken almost two years to go through this bottle, but that's pretty good considering how many are on my fragrance shelf, and a testament to how lovely it is. Like the original Be Jeweled, I've kept the ring of jewels from around the neck of the bottle - they're way too gorgeous for the bin! ...
Repurchase?
Sadly I believe it's been discontinued - can only find it on eBay ...

Chi Chi Peach & Mango EDP (50ml, RRP $19.95)
Also lovingly reviewed HERE, still adore it! ...
Repurchase?
Definitely - thank goodness this one is still available ...


Hair

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Intensive Smoothing Mask (200ml, RRP $42.95)
This may seem expensive, but it's the best hair mask I've ever tried. I use it after colouring, sometimes leaving it on overnight under a beanie, and it leaves my hair ridiculously silky soft and smooth. This jar has lasted me 6 months, and I will never EVER be without it ... 
Repurchase?
I buy one twice a year from the salon that does my Kerasilk treatment - it's simply the best ...


Makeup

All the makeup items I finished are repeaters and staples in my kit, and I've covered them numerous times before. They are all totally awesome, and can't-live-withouts 
Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder
Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner
Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer


Giveaway!


  • Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder
  • Bioré Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water (75ml)
  • Garnier SkinActive Pure Charcoal Tissue Mask with Black Algae
  • Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner
  • Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser
  • Skin Republic Pink Clay Mud Sheet Mask
  • Sukin Oil Balancing + Charcoal Pore Refining Facial Scrub

All items were purchased by me and the total prize value is approx $100. The 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

    Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Amanda C. as the winner.  
    Congratulations gorgeous! 
    Mandy please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight
    Wednesday 6th February to claim your prize :-)
    Edit: Amanda has claimed her prize 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Best of luck to all who enter!

    Take care of you,
    kats xxx

    10 comments:

    1. I really dont think there is anything new that ive discovered recently to be honest as life for me has become very busy with 50million Doctors and hospital appointments now that a family member has been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. Ive not had time to browse priceline. I have however been using the goodness chia oil and my face loves it even though to me when i first apply it the smell reminds me of fish oil...eck...thankfully that dissipates quickly.

      This past month ive also finished an Olay Miracle essence and a Antipodes Hosanna Serum.
      The Biore Micellar water does smell amazing but I havent used it on my skin. I was given a 75ml bottle when I was in the US. Sadly on my return journey home it came open in my bag and made everything smell wonderful but I was left with no Micellar water :(

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. That's such sad news Fawn - over the years you've always amazed me with your strength and endurance, you and your family are in my prayers ♥♥♥

        Delete
    2. Nice job on finishing up so many products! My bin of empties is so full I had to choose some to remove from the post that I'm putting off. 😁 xoxo

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I know the feeling Amy - for me it's easy as pie to finish products, but a whole other deal to do the write-up. Bon courage! ♥♥♥

        Delete
    3. Lots of lovely products in your empties this month! The White Glo mouthwash sounds great, will keep an eye out for it. As always lots of amazing face masks. They are definitely my favourite things to see in your empties posts. I tried out a Skin Nutrients clearing mask the other day, from the products of the year and it completely refreshed my skin.

      With the warmer weather my skin has broken out a little bit more than I would like. This month I tried out a couple of the Ordinary products and they have been excellent in balancing out my skin. They are such great value for money as well so I could definitely justify treating myself.

      Thank you for the beauty inspiration! xx

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. So far I've only found the White Glo mouthwash at Priceline, but it does have "New" on the label. I haven't tried the Skin Nutrients mask - thanks for the tip Isabel, it sounds like a must!

        Delete
    4. Again , another impressive collection.I heard a lot about the charcoal and its benefits , but never used any charcoal cosmetic products .Sukin charcoal scrub sounds appealing , I might try that one day , I bought Sukin super greens facial scrub few months ago and I am really happy with it.
      Thank you for your reviews , I always like to read them.
      Raluca xo

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks for your feedback Raluca - I too love the Sukin Super Greens scrub, in fact I raved about it in a post here: https://katscolourings.blogspot.com/2017/12/confessions-of-scrubaholic-part-7-sukin.html

        Delete
    5. Wow so many empties there kats. I do love Australis, Ready Set Go finishing powder. I've been hooked on that since it came out. That Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel cleaner looks beautiful just looking at the bottle.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. The Australis powder is awesome hey Mandy - there's not a day goes by that I don't use it, totally controls my shine and I've even been dusting it on my eyeliner/eyeshadow to lock it down so it doesn't transfer to my hoods. And I reckon you'd love the Neutrogena cleanser - I've just bought an extra bottle from the Priceline skincare sale ♥

        Delete