January 2019 Empties & Giveaway!...

I've been working on a lippie post, and planned to finish this huge January 2019 Empties one next weekend - well that was until it dawned on me that February ends today! And with the weather already cooling down considerably, I need to think about getting my skincare organised for the seasonal change. It's not all that different, but I do shift from a gel cleanser to a balm or oil and up the hydration strength of my creams. This post includes some products from a new range (well new to me anyway) I've been trying out which may or may not get me through the winter, and I'll probably do a feature post soon 'cos I'm loving them, but for now, here we go ♥...

Body

Dermaveen Shower & Bath Oil (500ml, RRP $16.99)
Full review HERE ♥...
Repurchase? Probably not as I don't seem to need it now that I've gotten rid of all my body washes containing SLS ♥...

Marc Anthony Renewing Macadamia Oil Body Wash (500ml, RRP $12.99)

Already reviewed HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Hopefully - the Priceline store where I found it is closing, and the remaining one doesn't stock it, but it's available from their website ♥♥♥...

Nutrimetics Ultra Care+ Extreme Night Hand Repair (100ml, RRP $44 for Day/Night)

Raved about this in my September Empties post HERE. I've reached a plateau with the fading of my freckles, but I'll persist as this has really made a difference to the intensity of the dark spots, and with the weaker winter sun, I'm hoping there'll be some further improvement over the next six months ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥♥♥...

Rexona Invisible Dry Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick (42g, RRP $4.49)

First time trying this. In general, I prefer a stick for the hot weather as it dries within seconds, and my preferred natural deodorant just doesn't control the wetness when the temperature soars. Not too fussed on the fragrance, but this is certainly effective on the hottest most humid days ♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, but not until next summer ♥♥...

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

Numerous reviews of this in the past, most recent one HERE. I might have to shift this into the Regulars section going forward as I ALWAYS have a bottle of this in my caddy ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Sure bet ♥♥♥...

Face

Beauty Skin Care Micellar Cleansing Water (200ml, RRP $?)

Can't remember when I bought this or how much it cost, but it was from Chemist Warehouse and it was cheap as chips - it's no longer available, which is a pity as it was lovely. Non-drying, excellent slippage, delicate baby powder fragrance, made in the Netherlands ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

No longer listed - boo! ♥♥♥...

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil (4.25g, RRP $6.95)

Wasn't so keen on this - for a "replenishing" lip balm I expected something richer that would give my shrivelled lips a major juice boost but it didn't quite happen. It hydrated a bit, but I prefer something that really softens and comforts my pout with one slick, whereas I needed to apply this over and over again ♥...

Repurchase?

Not this particular flavour/formula - currently loving their pink grapefruit one which hydrates brilliantly ♥...

Neutrogena Deep Clean Micellar Gel to Foam Cleanser (142ml, RRP $16.99)

I've been madly trying to use this up before autumn - it's nice enough and I love the fragrance, but it's simply too drying for any time of year except high summer. Cleanses magnificently. I have the Normal to Dry skin variety as well which I'm also doing my best to finish off this month - it's also too drying for my old face...

Repurchase?

No, the Hydro Boost is the one for me ...

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Anti-Ageing Moisturiser with Accelerated Retinol SA & SPF 15 (29ml, RRP $39.99)

So this is the range I've been stuck on since December, and it's awesome. I'm seeing some real results in skin smoothing, refining and pore-shrinking, but because I'm also using the serum and night cream, I don't know if any single product is responsible - it's quite possibly a combination of all three. Anyways I'm sticking with this regime for as long as I can. I haven't been involved too much in retinol products before, but can really see a major improvement in my skin texture - woo hoo! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely, and I've not paid full price as yet ♥♥♥...

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream with Accelerated Retinol SA (29ml, RRP $48.99)

This is the big daddy of the range - still experiencing some tingling when I apply it, but to me, that means it's working. No redness or flaking, so far this has been potent enough hydration-wise to get me through the night, and I hope that continues into the cooler months because I don't think I want to stop using this stuff EVER. Smells beautiful and I can't wait to take off my makeup and night! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes indeedy - between Priceline and Chemist Warehouse, this range seems to be on special fairly regularly ♥♥♥...

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum with Accelerated Retinol SA (29ml, RRP $42.99)

Have only been using this at night, for no other reason than I have a stack of serums that I don't want to toss out. But once they're all used up, I'll probably use this one day and night exclusively ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Ditto ♥♥♥...

Sukin Purely Ageless Restorative Night Cream (120ml, RRP $22.95)

I'm a Sukin lover from way back, and was super excited to try this range - adore the serum, but I found this night cream just wasn't potent enough for winter. I've been stuck on another brand for the last few months so I've been using up the jar contents on my bod to not waste it, and it's been terrific for my arms and legs. Smells delish, and of course, it's full of goodness and minus all the crappy stuff  ♥...

Repurchase?

Not at this stage ♥...

Face Masks

7th Heaven Dead Sea Mud Cleanse & Detoxify Hard Drying Mask (175g, RRP $10)

This is actually an AMAZING mud mask, and my skin looks and feels fabulous afterwards. But towards the end of the tube, I couldn't handle the smell any more. It's way way strong - deliciously refreshing and aquatic, salty, seaweedy, fruity all combined, but once I put it on, I have to keep moving until it dries or else the scent is overwhelming. The tube has lasted me well over 12 months so I reckon it's awesome value, and I'll try another variety, probably a sachet size before I buy the big tube ♥...

Repurchase?

Not this particular one ♥...

Neutrogena Hydro Boost 100% Hydrogel Mask (RRP $5.99)

Oh bliss, oh joy. This is a beauty. I do love two-piece sheet masks - they're just so much easier to handle and fit. If your skin is thirsty, then this will quench it. So cooling and refreshing, and I love that there are little flaps for eyes and lips so you can cover them too if you wish, which I did. If they made this in a body suit, I'd encase myself in it every week ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Already have, but I'll buy the box of 5 next time ♥♥♥...

Nutrimetics Ultra Care+ Clarifying Clay Treatment with Kaolin Clay & Black Rice Powder (60ml, RRP $69)

A lovely clay mask that has amazing deep cleansing and refining qualities, but it's dark grey and contains little sloughing granules, so for me, that means it's a shower-only product from a mess and rinse-off perspective, but then I can't leave it on for as long as I'd like. Dilemma! From memory it was a GWP so I'm not complaining, it just doesn't suit the way I run my skincare routine ♥...

Repurchase?

Love it but no, and actually the price is quite prohibitive ♥...

Hair

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Smoothing Fluid (75ml, RRP $35.95)

This is the magical non-greasy leave-in elixir that keeps my hair super smooth between Kerasilk treatments. A bottle lasts for around 12 months as you only need a few squirts in your palms to run through towel-dried hair. Has the same fresh and inoffensive fragrance as the shampoo and conditioner ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

That'll be a big yes ♥♥♥...

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo (384ml, RRP $24.95)

I trialled this for beautyheaven back in September and gave it 5 stars. Awesome SLS-free and colour safe shampoo with a natural earthy fragrance, it's ideal for anyone with damaged or distressed tresses. Very soothing, smoothing, enriching and silkifying (is that a word?), and riddled with goodies like organic shea butter, peppermint and apple cider vinegar ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, but not immediately as it seems to have worked its magic and I don't seem to need it any more - it's actually too rich now! ♥♥♥...

P.S. A reminder that you can use my discount code "KATS" on the SheaMoisture website for 30% off!

Regulars

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

The best, gentlest, most effective waterproof eye makeup remover ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes - I stock up when it's on special, always at least three spares in my drawer! ♥♥♥...

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

Can't live without this stuff ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Forever ♥♥♥...

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

My under-eye maintainer ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Always ♥♥♥...

White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, RRP $6.99)

The best and tastiest mouthwash I've found so far - actually I probably won't try anything else as this one suits me just fine ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yep ♥♥♥...

Home

Models Prefer Scented Reed Diffuser Sampler - Milan (Box of 5, RRP $30)

The only one I didn't like - smells like chocolate, and while I'm a chocoholic, I'm not keen on anything fragranced with it. But I kept the cute little stiletto sling-back heel charm that was hanging around the neck... 

Repurchase?

No...

Makeup

Mirenesse Smooth Nude CC Hydra Makeup Mousse (40g, RRP $39)

My current fave foundation - the colour (Vienna) is perfect for me for summer, and I blend it with a BB cream that has 50+ SPF. The formula is matte medium coverage, and it gives me a superb air-brushed finish. Mirenesse foundations are among the best in the market, and this is one of their cheaper ones, but the quality is still there. Lasts all day and doesn't crease ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Yes, I'm on my next tube already ♥♥♥...

Giveaway!

• Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence
• Nutrimetics Ultra Care+ Hand Repair SPF 15
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost 100% Hydrogel Mask
• 3 packs of Purederm Ginkgo Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches

And to make it a little more enticing, I'm including this cute-as jewellery set from Lovisa featuring teal blue Swarovski crystals...

All items were purchased by me and the total prize value is approx $120. The giveaway is open...

Internationally! 

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
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Gwendolyn J. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Gwendolyn please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight

Wednesday 13th March to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Gwendolyn has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of yourself,

kats xxx

Jennifer Aniston Chapter Two EDP...

While it was released in 2017, it was only in September last year that I discovered Jennifer Aniston's Chapter One, and my review of this refreshingly crisp and beachy fragrance is HERE. I love it SO much I've already powered through half the bottle, and I expect I'll finish the other half by the time the summer heat is over. So what next? Well, just last week I spotted Chapter Two in Chemist Warehouse - thankfully they had a tester so I spritzed, fell instantly in love, and headed for the checkout counter clutching the 30ml bottle (such restraint!) ♥...

Released last year, this 2nd flavour in the series is a whole different ball game. I find that often fragrance flankers have a similar base (or DNA as darling Jeremy calls it) with an added or different twist, but this sweetheart from Team Jen is really quite different. This is most definitely an oriental floral, with the emphasis on the oriental, which means it's the perfect scent to kick start my autumn perfume lineup ♥... 

The box is in keeping with the Chapter One style - plain brown on one side, and a spunky pic of Jen in evening attire on the other. The bottle is the same gloriously fluid curved shape, but with a warm brown base that fades ombre-style into clear at the top, and topped with a shiny gold cap instead of frosted. The fragrance is what I would call safe, in that you could buy it for any gal that has a penchant for oriental scents - warm, feminine and elegant. It opens with a splash of mandarin wrapped in powdery musk, closely followed by a steady stream of gardenia, jasmine and hibiscus petals, nestling on a base of sandalwood and amber. Totally my kind of cool weather fragrance ♥ There's also orris, lavender and coconut water listed in the ingredients, which I can't pick up at all, but the overall combination delivers a sublime woody floriental that's tame enough to wear to the office, but add some candlelight and you can expect the pulses will be racing ♥...

I sprayed it on before bed last night and could still enjoy a hint of its beauty on my skin 8 hours later - for daytime, I'd say 4-5 hours before a respray is needed. Loving this scent, and so looking forward to the cooler weather when I can truly douse myself in it, and at $19.99, I can afford to be liberal. Actually, I'm heading back to CW for the bigger bottle - only $10 more for almost double the spritzes! Also very much looking forward to Chapter Three, whenever and whatever that may be. Nice one Jen! ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite December 2018 LOTD's...

Another lipstick love-fest! Somehow or other I'm always a month behind with these LOTD posts so there may be another one before the end of Feb if I can catch up. I was hammering the reds and bricks in December, but there'll be more pinks and softer hues in the next collection ♥... 

In case I don't get to post again before the 14th, Happy Valentines to all the lovers in the world! Although in my book, if you love someone I reckon every day should be Valentines Day ♥♥♥

1. NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Chocolate Crepe. I'm always banging on about these glosses to any gal who will listen - they're just the best! Super pigmented, creamy and very kind to dry lips. An awesome range of colours too ♥...

2. Essence Melted Chrome Liquid Lipstick - Iron Heart. Chrome lip products are hit and miss with me - this one's a hit, stunning red and comfortable to wear ♥...

3. Nutrimetics nc Hydra Brilliance 50th Anniversary Lipstick - Marshmallow. This one keeps appearing here, love everything about this range ♥...

4. L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick - Forever Frappe. One of the best bricky orange-reds around, deliciously moist, love L'Oreal lippies ♥...

5. NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Speed of Light. After featuring this so many times I probably don't need to say too much, other than ADORE ♥...

6. MUD Full Colour Lip Lacquer - Vintage Pink. Another one that keeps coming up in these posts, such a soft and feminine coral ♥...

7. Bourjois Rouge Laque - Selfpeach. Weird name as there's nothing very peachy about this hue, but what a fabulously bold red/orange it is - goes on so smooth and slick ♥...

8. Bourjois Rouge Edition 12 Hours - Red Belle. A lovely formula that lasts for at least 6 hours, whoa! ♥...

9. NYC Lipstick - Ruby. Cheap and cheerful, the pigmentation is exceptional for the price, I should buy more from this brand ♥...

10. NARS Audacious Lipstick - Grace. Can't decide if this is pink or red, but I do know it's gorgeous ♥...

11. Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipstick - Countess. Have had this one for almost four years, and every time I toss it in the bin, I take it back out again. No change to the formula or smell - it's magical! ♥... 

12. Maybelline Colour Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - Berry Much. Here's hoping MNY keeps making these - this is such a divine berry, and I love that I can use it as a lipliner too ♥...

13. Maybelline Colorsensational Lipcolor - Fifth Avenue Fuchsia. Dreamy, creamy, this is what Barbie wears when she wants to be taken seriously ♥...

14. Australis Colour Inject Moisturising Mineral Lipstick - Mash Up. A smidgen more blue takes this over the edge into purple-land, a winning formula from Australis - lush and moist ♥...

15. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolour Metallic - Dazzle. The metallic finish is almost non-existent - actually I don't get how you can have a matte metallic, but I can't get enough of this colour so who cares ♥...

More soon lovelies!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Sash Cosmetics Luminous Lipstick...

A few days before Christmas last year, my Insta-buddy @claire88floyd alerted me to a fabulous giveaway by a relatively new Aussie brand, Sash Cosmetics - choose any four of their Luminous Lipsticks, and just pay shipping! Well being the lipstick loony that I am, how could I possibly resist? In my mad rush to take advantage of this amazing offer, I accidentally only ordered three - what a goose! They are so gorgeous and glam and long-lasting, and and I'm kicking myself for not placing an order for more weeks ago because at the time of putting this post together, their website is unavailable - I do so hope it's a temporary glitch as I'd love some of the other colours ♥...

There are 12 shades in the range - nudes, mauves, purples, browns and a couple of stunning reds. They are paraben-free and cruelty-free, and retail for $16.95. The packaging is stunning - high-end black and gold casings in a glossy box that lists the ingredients, and when you press the SC button on the top, the lipstick pops out of the base. So nifty! I'm loving the colours I chose, so let's get on with the swatches...

This is Instigator - quite an intense mauve with a high red content, and one that I reckon would suit most skin tones. The formula is demi-matte so (typically) they're not all that moisturising, but interestingly they don't make my lips feel dried out nor is there any flaking, probably due to the inclusion of coconut and wheatgerm oils ♥...

The formula glides on smoothly and easily, the pigmentation is intense, and the colour lasts for hours and hours with an excellent stain...

And here we have Gypsy Child, my personal favourite of the three. It's the most gorgeous purple, but a really subtle one - so soft and ultra-flattering to my particular colouring ♥...

For those of you who are scent-sensitive, these lipsticks have very little fragrance - the box lists vanilla, but to me, they just have the faintest smell of sweetened wax (candelilla & microcrystalline), and barely any taste...

This last one is Insomnia - also what I would call a purple, but with less blue content than Gypsy Child, and quite a bit darker. I wore this on Friday with a teal and black outfit and it was PERFECT! ♥...

These really are beauties, and I'm mad keen to order the two reds - Light It Up, which is super bright and sassy, and Kiss It Better, a deep ox-blood that will be just the ticket for Autumn/Winter ♥...

Thank you Sash Cosmetics for the chance to try your lovely lipsticks, and hugs to darling Claire for introducing me to this brand ♥♥♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx