January 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

This was supposed to go up last Sunday, but the power went off due to the wild weather here in Sydney, and I lost 5 precious hours of blogging time that I wasn't able to find again - but huge thanks to the engineers who went out into the mini-cyclonic conditions to fix the grid! Anyways, here we are with the January Empties, and it's quite a biggish collection, with a few newbies on the block to keep you interested ♥... 

Body

Colgate Advanced Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste (170g, RRP $7)

While I'm perfectly happy with my Oral B Diamond White toothpaste, this was on special and I thought I'd give it a try. I must admit I was a little hesitant when I popped the seal and found the paste was striped grey and orange - a bit weird and I wondered how bright it would keep my choppers given the peculiar colour combination. Well, I needn't have worried as there was no reduction in whiteness, but no improvement either. I enjoyed the minty fresh taste ♥♥...

Repurchase?
I've gone back to my fave Oral-B, but I would buy this again if it was on special ♥♥...

Regulars

Compeed Blister Plasters (Box of 5, RRP $12.95)
Ecostore Vanilla & Coconut Body Wash - (400ml, $8.99)
Grahams Herbal Mineral Deodorant Roll-on (65ml, RRP $8.95)
Johnson & Johnson Advanced Healing Hydro Seal Band-Aid  (box of 10, RRP $8.47)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Soap (230g, RRP $9.99)

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

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

Face

Derma-E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum (60ml, RRP $34.99)

The 7ml sample size (from I forget where) was just enough to get me excited - a delicate citrussy-scented serum that was an absolute pleasure to use, and I was somewhat peeved when it came to an end. Contains Hyaluronic Acid as well and is supposed to help with pigmentation - didn't expect any reduction within such a small usage time, but my skin felt and looked fabulous, supremely hydrated, and my foundation finish was smooth and sleek  ♥♥...

Repurchase?
I reckon I will - while I'm IN LOVE with the L'Occitane Reset serum, the price is somewhat daunting, and this would be a much more affordable option ♥♥...

Freezeframe Wrinkle Block Age Prevention Multi Stick (30ml, RRP $69)

The jury's still out on this one, but considering I'm on my third stick, that's a pretty good indication (question though, how come a solid stick gets measured in mls?). This was on special (40% off) and therefore irresistible to moi, the bargain hunter from way back, especially when it comes to trying new stuff. It's an odd little gem - a cream stick (not unlike a deodorant presentation) that you wind up as you use it. I've been swiping it over my forehead (special focus on my between-brows tramlines), crows feet, all around my mouth, and the base of my neck where it looks like what you'd see on a brush turkey. Applied to dry clean skin, the cream is kind of moisturising as you massage it in, and the blurb says no need for anything else, but I haven't found it anywhere near hydrating enough, so I added my day and night creams after waiting for 2 minutes, which is the recommendation on the box if you want to keep going with your usual routine. There's pretty much an instant smoothing of very fine lines, and it does seem to be cumulative, but I can't say for sure as I've been using it continuously. The deeper creases are taking longer to soften, but have definitely become more shallow, and the base of my neck isn't as horrendously wrinkled as it was. A substitute for botox? I think that's taking it a bit far, but my face does look quite a bit perkier, more refined, and definitely smoother and less lined. It's supposed to reduce eye bags by 76% in 7 days, but I've not noticed any change in my giant sacks. Still, I'm happy to not look so wrinkly elsewhere. There's a bonus when you get to the end - you can actually remove the little wheelie thing that the stick sits on, and scrape out enough leftovers for another 3 or 4 applications ♥♥...

Repurchase?
Yes, but I don't think it's worth full price - hopefully it'll be on special again before my current stick runs out ♥♥...

L'Occitane Immortelle Reset Overnight Oil-In-Serum (30ml, RRP $95)

Head over heels for this serum - in-depth review HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
If I can afford it when my second bottle runs out, definitely ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream with Accelerated Retinol SA (48g, RRP $48.99) 
Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub (125ml RRP $13.95)
Swisspers Make-up Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.79)

Face Masks

Skin Physics Oxygen-C Hydrating Velvet Mask (RRP $5.99)

If you like your face masks DRENCHED in serum, then this is the one for you. Literally dripping when you take it out of the foil pack, this is a major skin soaker and rehydrator, so if you're dealing with dryness, you'll be on cloud nine. Boasting ingredients like Vitamin C & B3 (Niacinamide), Allantoin & Hyaluronic Acid, this is the juiciest face mask I've ever tried, and it left my skin looking satin-smooth, and I didn't need anything else in my usual night-time routine to keep my skin soft and moisturised till the next morning. It has eyelid flaps, but I didn't use them as they were also dripping with serum and I didn't want to get any in my eyes ♥♥...

Repurchase?
Absolutely - this is one (make that half a dozen) to add to the next Priceline sale wishlist ♥♥...

Mirenesse Power Lift Superstar Eye Sheet Mask (RRP $14)

Nice patches that do a nice job of hydrating and firming the under-eye area. They stay put too which is always a bonus, but the price is a bit too much for me to use them on a regular basis ♥...

Repurchase?
No - I think the Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel patches are just as good, and they're way less expensive ♥...

Regulars

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

Fragrance
Regulars
Ecoya Apricot & Tonka Bean Reed Diffuser LE (200ml, RRP $37.46)

Hair

Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Silver Toner (100ml, RRP $14.95)

I'm becoming an alchemist! I mix this in with the colour below and it seems to help reduce the golden lights that always seem to be present whenever I use an ash dye - doesn't seem to matter what brand I choose, I don't ever get a cool ashy finish, weird huh? Anyways I keep a tube of this on the shelf along with the Violet Toner and it helps a lot to get the shade I'm after  ♥♥...

Repurchase?
Yes ♥♥...

Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Light Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $14.95)

I'll be alternating this with the slightly darker Ash Blonde - over time, this shade ends up being too washed out on my white tresses, and the next shade deeper builds up and becomes too dark. Sigh, I wonder if fellas have any concept of what us gals go through? ♥♥...

Repurchase?
Already have ♥♥...

Regulars

Goldwell Dualsenses Color Revive Color Giving Conditioner - Icy Blonde (s00ml, RRP $32.95)
Goldwell Kerasilk Control Conditioner (250ml, RRP $34.95)

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector (100ml, RRP $49.95)
Salon Professional Supplies Creme Peroxide 30 vol (950ml, RRP $5.95)
Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Violet Toner (100ml, RRP $14.95)
Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey, Lilac Blush and Metallic - Lilac Chrome (RRP $5.49)

Schwarzkopf OSIS+ Sparkler Shine Spray (300ml, RRP $27.95)

Makeup

Ecotools Wonder Cover Complexion Brush (RRP $24.99)

I raved about this brush HERE, but it seems to have a major flaw. The first one was sent to me in a PR pack, and it was BRILLIANT for about 3 months, and then started to shed really badly. I mean chunks of bristles mixed in with my foundation - eek! I thought it might be because I cleaned it several times in my rotating brush cleaner gadget, and figured I must have dunked it too deep, or else it was a production dud. So I bought another one, and only cleaned it with my makeup wipes, as I do with all my other brushes with zero negative effects, and...exactly the same thing happened after 3 months. Boo! So much for my glowing recommendation - sorry gals! I'm now using a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush with no problems whatsoever...

Repurchase?
Never again...

Rimmel Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue Foundation (30ml, RRP discontinued)

Dang! Discovered this True Nude in a clearance bin in Priceline and fell instantly in love with it. I went back a week later but they'd sold out. Great colour for me in summer, gave me a flawless and fresh finish, and I'm shattered that it's been discontinued - now only available on eBay ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Would if I could ♥♥♥...

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum (3ml, RRP $69)

I stopped buying this about 6 months ago from my usual (bargain) online source because it had stopped working for me. My eyelashes were back to where they were 6 years ago when I first discovered this magical formulation - short, sparse and barely there. I couldn't figure out what the problem was as I was using it nightly as always, but then I started to entertain the possibility that what I was buying was either old stock, or fake. So I decided to give it another go, but this time buying from Priceline ($20 more), and I was right, one way or the other. The brush on the ones I had that weren't working was a different colour (I think it was pink, can't remember exactly but I do remember I compared them) whereas this new one is orange. And voila - 6 weeks later, I was back to having long, lush and full lashes. So let this be a lesson to us all - bargain prices can sometimes mean out of date stock, or a case of the shonkies. My original (2014) review is HERE, and it still stands, so long as I buy it from Priceline ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
I bought two in the hope I was right, now waiting for it to be on special (she said hopefully) ♥♥♥...

Regulars

DB Pore Minimising Primer (25ml, $14.99)
Eye of Horus Nubian Brown Goddess Pencil (1.2g, RRP $30)

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer (RRP $17.95)

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

Giveaway

This being Valentines month, I decided to do something a bit more special - I'm giving away some of the gorgeous goodies (that I simply won't use) from my lookfantastic Advent Calendar...

• Bubble T Limited Edition Bath Bombs (mini) 3-pack - Salted Caramel
• Delilah Cosmetics Eye Brow Pencil - Sable (dark brown)
• Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel (100ml)
• Morphe 9A Eyeshadow Palette (pic HERE)
• Neal's Yard Remedies Wild Rose Hand Cream (50ml)
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Hair Mask (40ml)
• Sleek Makeup Highlighting Palette - Solstice (sealed)

All items were purchased by me (as part of the Advent Calendar) and the approximate value is $130.  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!) If you're unable to leave a comment for technical reasons, please email your answer to katshepsutt(at)gmail.com.
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 find out who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 26th February to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Gilded has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx