July 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

Well now, in comparison to many of my other Empties posts, July was a bit of a fizzer - my collection tub was only two thirds full lol! Understandable as I took a break from the under-eye patches (I used 24 the month before), I was trialling a few new skincare items so my usual ones went on hold, plus I have quite a few products in rotation so I'll probably finish a whole bunch at the same time, which means that next month should be back to normal max volume ha ha. There are a few newbies in this collection though, so at least there's something interesting for you to read...

Body

Colgate Plax Alcohol-Free Gentle Mint Mouth Wash (500ml, RRP $6.49)

Because I get bored easily, and also so I wouldn't tire of the taste of the White Glo mouthwash that's always in my Regulars section, I chose this one mainly because of the description "Gentle Mint". Most mouth washes are way too strong for me - I don't like it when they sting, burn my tongue, or inhaling the fumes makes me cough, and this particular variety doesn't give me any such grief. In fact, it might well become my favourite - delish fresh mint taste, and it's available at the supermarket. The only negative is that it doesn't have any whitening power ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely! ♥♥♥...

Du-it Tough Hands Intensive Skin Repair (150g, RRP $11.99)

I'm a bit naughty when it comes to hand creams - I have around eight partially used ones in my bedside drawer, so I'm now on a mission to use them all up before I open anything else (wish me luck!). I think this sample tube was a freebie from a beautyheaven Rewards Room pack, but regardless of its origin, if your hands are in poor shape, it's really something special. Amazingly rich and restorative, it absorbs well and doesn't leave a greasy film on the surface - just enough to keep the healing going, especially overnight. Barely any scent but I don't mind as it's such a great cure for cracked and damaged paws ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Definitely need a tube of this on hand for when I'm doing dirty work and neglect to wear gloves ♥♥♥...

Sukin Arkie Hand Wash (500ml, RRP $9.95)

A lovely scent mix of tangerine, mandarin, lavender & vanilla, I bought this primarily because I spotted it at Coles, and my household is powering through the hand wash these days (like everybody else). Foams well, doesn't dry my hands, and with jojoba, avocado & rosehip oils, aloe vera and chamomile, well how could I not toss it into the trolley? ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

It's a limited edition, but if I spot it at Coles again, yes ♥♥♥...

Weleda Citrus Creamy Body Wash (200ml, RRP $19.95)

ADORE this body wash - my full review of it is HERE. It's officially a regular from now on ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Without doubt ♥♥♥...

Weleda Skin Food Light (75ml, RRP $24.95)

Ahh, Weleda - I'm a late boarder on this bus, but I'm making up for the lost time. There's a bit of a story behind how I discovered how AMAZING this stuff is. I knocked over a cup of freshly made tea onto my hand - my arm was in a sling from a major shoulder injury the day before, and literally trapped the just-off-the-boil water against my skin. In short, I had a rather severe burn across the back of my hand. Did all the right things with the ice, but it was bright red and very sore for days. Once the sting had gone I applied some of this magical potion every time I thought of it - let's say up to 10 times in a day. It was so soothing and cooling. After a few weeks, the skin started to peel - looked terrible while it was going on, dark brown and very wrinkly. But I kept applying the Skin Food Light until all the dead skin peeled off, revealing...smooth, clear, non-scarred skin. Unbelievable! My left hand now looks 10 years younger than my right. Weleda, you are my hero ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Silly question ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Natures Commonscents Natural Goats Milk & Paw Paw Body Wash (500ml, $8.00)

Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)

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

Face

Eaoron Makeup Remover Balm (90g, RRP $39)

My favourite cleanser for the cold weather. Don't be put off by the price - this seems to be permanently on special at Chemist Warehouse (currently $18) - a total bargain, and it's brilliant. Such a shame the jar isn't recyclable. My in-depth review of it is HERE. ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, every winter ♥♥♥...

Olay Eyes Pro-Retinol Eye Treatment (15ml, RRP $48.99)

Thanks to Fawn ♥ for putting me onto this gem. Improvements in under-eye skin texture within a matter of days, same for crows feet. I'm trying the new purple retinol one right now, and that has maintained the benefits already gained, but no startling new developments. I will always have a tube of this red jewel on hand. Pricey, but regularly on special, and I honestly don't care a fig about price if it works, which it does. No change to the baggies, but that's a given ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

You betcha ♥♥♥...

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel (35ml, RRP $?)

This sample tube came in last year's lookfantastic Advent Calendar. The problem with these boxes is that a lot of the products simply aren't available anywhere in Australia, this one included (although ASOS will ship for free). So if you fall in love with any of them, you're pretty much screwed. I didn't exactly fall in love with this one (fortunately) but it's a lovely pink cleanser - it's almost an oil that melts into the skin and removes everything, with minimal suds. Smells a bit soapy, but tolerable ♥...

Repurchase?

Nah - I prefer my Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit cleanser any day ♥...

Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel (50ml, RRP $59.99)

This was sent to me to trial by theorycrew, and I'll be forever grateful. Loved it so much I bought two more jars when it was on special recently at Priceline, which is the only place you can buy it. It's a soother and a smoother, absorbs super quick and leaves my skin all glowy, plump & refreshed. Unlike other gels I've tried recently, this one doesn't leave any tacky feeling on the skin surface. Mega hydrating with very little scent (sort of earthy, coconut coffee maybe?) and I believe it's making a difference to my jawline. Watch this space ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes, oui, si, ja etc. ♥♥♥...

Regulars
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil (30ml, RRP $42.99)
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99) 
Sukin Rosehip Rejuvenating Facial Scrub (125ml, $14.99)
Sukin Oil Balancing Charcoal Pore Refining Facial Scrub (125ml, $12.95)
Swisspers Make-up Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.79)

Fragrance

Versace Dylan Blue EDP (30ml, RRP $102)

Cute little sample bottle from a DJ's beauty bag. Nice scent, but for me not worth buying as it fades quickly. Starts off fruity and flowery and then becomes wood, wood and more wood. Adore the bottle...

Repurchase?

No...

Hair

Schwarzkopf Professional Royal Permanent Hair Color (60ml, RRP $23.96)

Still hunting for a permanent silvery-blue hair colour - thought I'd found it in this one, but no. First time I used it, perfect! Fabulous shimmery steely grey - my dream shade. The second time, came out brown-ash, and third time, golden highlights. What is it with grey hair dye that no-one seems to be able to make it?...

Repurchase?

No - the search continues...

Makeup

Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Eyebrow Pencil (RRP $15.95)

So Maybelline dropped my hero Total Temptation Brow Definer from their range - boo! This is the substitute, and it's a pretty good one. The thing is, now that I'm going silvery-grey (or attempting to at least) my brows look weird being blonde and even weirder if I go up a level. So I use this to create the shape, and then go over them very lightly with the MNY Tattoo Brow Pomade in taupe, because this Ultra Slim doesn't come in taupe - boo! Believe me, I've tried 15 different colours and brands in the last 3 months, even grey and they all make me look like a clown, or Sylvester Stallone's mother. So, for now, it's a two-step process, and that's working just fine, just takes longer ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Affirmative ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Face Studio Prime Pore Minimizing Primer (30ml, RRP $17.95)

Because of this primer, Maybelline you are forgiven for the above. My regular is by DB Cosmetics, but my local Price Attack is ALWAYS out of stock, so I tried this and it's almost identical. Does the same pore minimising and mattifying trick, and at least it's readily available in lots of places. In June I bought four tubes for half price at Priceline ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Not for a while as I'm sorted for now, but yes ♥♥♥...

Giveaway

Ok, so this month we have up for grabs...

• Maybelline Face Studio Prime Pore Minimising Primer
• Olay Eyes Pro-Retinol Eye Treatment
• Sukin Rosehip Rejuvenating Facial Scrub
• Weleda Citrus Creamy Body Wash
• 2 x Amber Rose Rose Gold-toned Indian Bracelets
• Lovisa Rose Gold-toned Mosaic Earrings

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $135.  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 Manda G. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 2nd September to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Manda has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx