March 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

Well now, my biggest collection of Empties ever. Holey guacamoley, there are almost 40 containers here - so many I had to stand three feet back from the bench in order to take the pic! No less than four body washes - I usually have around eight in rotation in the shower caddy, and for whatever reason, I finished half of them within a few weeks of each other. Also another bottle of perfume (major back-pats for kats), two lip balms and some new skincare, so here we go...

Body

Beechworth Honey Bush Honey & Macadamia Hand Cream (100ml, RRP $12)

I've just realised I don't have a hand cream in my Regulars section - it's because I have such a huge stash to work through, and it takes me forever to finish each tube (although I'm using more now that I'm washing my hands every 10 minutes lol). The last appearance of this beauty in an Empties post was July 2018, but if I can manage another one this year, this darling will be the first one to hit that section. Even though I have at least 10 others in my drawer (most partly used), I bought this because I love what it does for my hands, plus I didn't want to go through a Summer without the refreshment of the zingy lemon myrtle fragrance ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Spare stashed away ♥♥♥...

Bosisto's Kakadu Plum & Lemon Myrtle Nourishing Body Wash (500ml, RRP $8)

Lovely crisp and fresh scent and has everything else going for it - available in the supermarket, SLS-free, not tested on animals & Australian owned. So why not three hearts? Well because of my age I've made yet another decision about the shower products I use, above and beyond they must be SLS-free - they also have to contribute some moisture to my skin, and I need that all year round not just in Winter. So while this is a lovely product, and I would recommend it to anyone that doesn't have very dry skin, I won't be including it in my collection going forward (see pic below of what I'm continuing to use) ♥...

Repurchase?
No. I actually have another one stashed away, but it's too heavy to include in the giveaway so I'll gift it to a family member ♥...

Fresca Natural Deodorant - Wooden Spice with Sandalwood & Carrot Seed (50ml, RRP $16.50)

In my not-so-long-ago series on aluminium-free deodorants, I rated this numero uno, and I still love it. But I'm now preferring the wind-up stick format from Schmidt's (see below), purely from an application comfort point of view as I don't have to wait for it to dry - cream sticks have been my preference for years now and still are, but that aside, this is a fabulous product and highly recommended ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Maybe ♥♥♥...

Schmidt's Cedarwood + Juniper Natural Deodorant (92g, RRP $13.99)

This range is now my #1. While I said that this fragrance was a bit strong and masculine on the really hot days, it's actually just right for the cooler weather ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Even though this particular scent is not available at Priceline, yes ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Natures Commonscents Natural Goats Milk & Paw Paw Body Wash (500ml, $8.00)
Oral-B 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste (96g, RRP $9.49)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Soothing Body Wash - (384ml, $24.95)
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Hydrating Body Wash (384ml, RRP $24.95)
White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, RRP $6.99)


Face

Breeze Balm Lip Balm - Bananas For You & Grape Crush  (15g, RRP $19.95)

Finished both of these at the same time, one next to the bed, one on my computer bench. Breeze Balm is still the best and most effective lip balm I've ever tried, and I've been hitting it hard these last few weeks as I've only been wearing lipstick for rare outings or swatching. My lips have reaped the rewards of pretty much all day use of this amazing formula - so much softer, more supple and even less wrinkly. I reviewed the Pineapple Pash HERE and have since fallen big time for Watermelon Crush ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Not these two particular flavours, but this balm will be in my kit forever, in one variety or another ♥♥♥...

InstaNatural Retinol Serum (30ml, RRP $32.77)

Embarrassed to say I bought this from iHerb several years ago when I was first researching retinol products, and never opened it! Well, my loss that's for sure - it's a gorgeous serum with a fabulously fresh citrus (orange?) scent. Contains Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide & COQ10 - an absolute powerhouse of anti-ageing ingredients. It had a use-by date towards the end of last year, but I figured that because I hadn't opened it, it would be ok. Well, it still gave me a little tingle and considering its age, I was pleasantly surprised at how much my skin seemed to love it - very runny but absorbs quickly, and my skin looked radiant, firm and with a more even texture ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
I might just to see if a fresh bottle performs even better to lighten my pigmentation - it's cheaper than the Neutrogena one below, but the shipping and waiting for it to arrive is a bit of a pain ♥♥♥...

La Roche-Posay Reactive Skin Micellar Water Ultra (200ml RRP $27.95)

This 100ml bottle came in a skincare bag - it's a lovely and very effective product, but I wouldn't normally buy it because of the price. There are other micellar waters that are just as good and cost half as much, and I only use it as a second cleanser anyway. I reviewed the Effaclar one for oily skin HERE and this one is very similar ♥♥...

Repurchase?
As nice as it is, probably not ♥♥...

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil (30ml, RRP $42.99)

I actually prefer this to the cream serum - I find it more effective and my skin seems to drink it in faster, which is interesting considering it's an oil, but there you go. It's a very light consistency, has barely any scent, and is effortlessly massaged into the skin. I stopped using it over the Summer (along with my other retinol skincare) and just finished up the last few droppers towards the end of March - love the cap with the push button that loads just the right amount into the glass tube ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Already have, just using up a couple of other serums I've had on the bench for a while ♥♥♥...

Sukin Oil Balancing Charcoal Purifying Gel Cleanser (125ml, RRP $12.95)

I love this cleanser, but it usually only appears once every 12 months as there are others that I love just that little bit more. Still, it's a terrific product for my combination skin in the hot weather - low-sudsing and non-drying, but still takes off all the makeup and helps balance my oily-T ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes but not till next November ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 
Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash (175ml, RRP $14.99)
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 
Sukin Oil Balancing Charcoal Pore Refining Facial Scrub (125ml, $12.95)
Swisspers Make-up Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.79)


Face Masks

BLAQ Charcoal Hydrogel Eye Mask (pack of 5, RRP $29.99)

I bought this second box from Priceline a while ago and then forgot about them. Used all five in March, but only one pic as I wore four pairs to bed! Love them, but sadly they only seem to be available from the BLAQ US website now, which means they are outside my beauty equation ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Not unless they are once again available in Australia ♥♥♥...

Lacura Charcoal Bubble Mask with Moringa & Green Tea Extract (Box of 3, RRP $4.99)

What a surprise this was! Just as good as the other brands I've tried, with the added bonus that there are three in the pack. If I see these again in Aldi, I will buy lots (COVID-19 purchase restrictions permitting of course). Below is my face once I removed the mask and wiped over with micellar water - deeply cleansed, smooth and hydrated. Incidentally, I do have eyebrows, but they are so pale and sparse, my camera barely registers them ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

In a heartbeat! ♥♥♥...

Regulars

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

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

Fragrance

Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush EDP (50ml, Discontinued)

Lovingly reviewed HERE, I bought this in 2016 so it's taken the best part of four years to finish it. Lovely fresh and alluring fragrance for Spring/Summer and I shall miss the exquisite bottle ♥♥...

Repurchase?

Can find it on eBay, but negative - there are way too many others to try! ♥♥...

Hair

Vitality's Art Absolute Creme Peroxide 30 vol (500ml, RRP $5.99)

This is the Chemist Warehouse equivalent of what I normally by from Price Attack. Very cheap and seems to work just as well ♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Probably not as I don't get to CW as often as PA ♥♥...

Vitality's Art Absolute Hair Colour Cream - Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $11.99)

Ditto the above but sadly the shade doesn't turn out as ash as the Salon Professional Supplies brand, in fact, it's more golden blonde than ash-blonde... 

Repurchase?

No...

Regulars

Goldwell Dualsenses Blondes & Highlights Anti-Yellow Shampoo (300ml, RRP $25.95)
Goldwell Kerasilk Control Shampoo (250ml, RRP $35.95)

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey, Metallic - Lilac Chrome & Denim Steel (RRP $5.49)

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

Makeup

NYX Pore Filler (20ml, $21.95)
This has an almost identical texture and delivers results similar to my favourite DB Cosmetics Pore Minimising Primer - mattifies and smooths my face without making it feel tight or dry, and creates the perfect base for foundation. I bought it because it was on special and actually cheaper than the DB one, but the regular price is $7 more and has 5ml less product ♥♥... 

Repurchase?

If I can't get hold of my DB fave, then yes - always a good idea to have a backup plan! ♥♥...

Regulars

Australis AC On Tour Contouring & Highlighting Kit - Cool Tone Cream (RRP $24.95)

Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer (RRP $17.95)

Natio Define Eye Pencil - Steel Grey (RRP $14.95)


Giveaway

This month we have some faves from earlier posts...

• Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil - Charcoal Obsidian
• Eye of Horus Precision Sharpener
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash - Pink Grapefruit
• Nutrimetics Honey & Almond Scrub
• Nutrimetics Mineral Clay Masque

All items were purchased by me 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 Ariane B. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 29th April to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Ariane has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx