Monday 21 December 2020

November 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

Well with two Empties posts this month my recycle bin is overflowing, but I'm so relieved to have been able to catch up at last! Lots of regulars but I finished some new products as well, and perhaps even my ultimate ashy/grey hair colouring solution, the search for which has been ongoing for well over 12 months. And as I've mentioned before, I believe Christmas shouldn't just be one day a year (which is one of the reasons why I have giveaways every month), but I have chosen some special products for this bundle to mark the occasion, and I hope you'll enter - the prize won't arrive till January, but it would be a beaut start to 2021 for one of my precious followers ...


Body

Nutrimetics Ultra Care Platinum Hand Therapy (75ml, RRP $39)
I do love this hand cream - still searching for my Holy Grail, but this is pretty close. I reckon if I used three tubes in a row, I'd see a significant reduction in the pigmentation on my hands. It does lighten the spots a little, but I want to get rid of them completely, so I'm hanging out till the next time this is on special. I've tried other brands that specialise in fading the spots, but none of them has worked for me - with this there is hope ...
Repurchase?
Will do ...

Palmolive Luminous Oils Hand Wash - Rejuvenating Fig Oil with White Orchid (500ml, RRP $7)
This contains SLS which is a no-no in my beauty routine, but I'll be honest I bought it for the colour (pastel coral pink) and the scent (I'm a fig fragrance fanatic). I wanted something pretty to decant into my clear glass dispenser, but I've since changed to an amber set, so colour is not a requirement any more. Can I live without the fragrance? Probably - but it was nice to try it, and  I had no irritation from the dodgy content ... 
Repurchase?
Perhaps ...

Regulars
Colgate Plax Alcohol Free Gentle Mint Mouth Wash (500ml, RRP $6.49)
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Body Wash - (384ml, $10)
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Hydrating Body Wash (384ml, RRP $19.99) 
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Soap (230g, RRP $9.99)
White Glo Micellar Whitening Toothpaste (100ml, RRP $5.99)
White Glo Toothbrush (free with the above toothpaste)

Face


Garnier Organics Anti-Age Sleeping Cream (50ml, RRP $19.95)
Gee this is such a lovely cream - I'm tempted to use it exclusively for the divine scent alone, but I'm not sure it's potent enough for my old skin. Mind you I had no issues with dryness or deterioration in my current wrinkle situation, but I think I'm at a stage in my life when I need some big guns - something that addresses my additional issues of enlarged pores and pigmentation ...
Repurchase?
Yeah, I'll keep a jar on the bench for when I need a lavender fix and the fabulous feel of this on my face ...

Nutrimetics Ultra Care+ Super-C & Retinol Serum  (20ml, RRP $70)
The other half of the buy-one-get-one-free deal - loved this second bottle as much as the first. I was concerned as the special deal was listed as "Clearance" so I figured it was discontinued, but I just found it on their website so I can relax. I raved about the first tube back in September - I still feel the same way about it, and I'd use it regularly if it was on special regularly ...
Repurchase?
Not till the next deal and if that happens in winter, I'd keep it for the warmer weather as it's hard to spread ...

St. Ives Energising Coconut & Coffee Scrub (150ml, RRP $9.99)
Love the consistency of this scrub - it's marked with an exfoliating factor of "Deep" and that suits me just fine for a once-a-week application, but I'm on the fence with the fragrance. Coffee & coconut is what it smells like, but I think I would prefer coffee and caramel, or coconut with something else. Anyways I'm a huge fan of St. Ives scrubs, but not so keen on this particular fragrance ...
Repurchase?
Possibly ...

Regulars
Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 


Fragrance

Stoneglow Candles Bergamot, Vetiver & Patchouli Reed Diffuser (140ml, RRP $38.95)
This was my winter room scenter and it's lasted a particularly long time - opened the bottle in May, so that makes it a good six months. The fragrance is to die for and one of those that I would spritz on myself if it was available as an EDP.  Sensual, uplifting, comforting - divine. The local chemist doesn't seem to be stocking the brand anymore so I'm freaking out, plus this particular scent isn't listed on their website. But I'm keeping the glass container - the ombre blue to green is gorgeous. Sigh ...
Repurchase?
Would if I could ...

Hair

Hi Lift True Colour Hair Colour Creme - Extra Light Intense Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $7.50)
This is the base colour I use with the Ash & Blue colours below. Being so light it doesn't contribute very much yellow or gold to the mix - that's a bonus, plus it's cheap as chips ... 
Repurchase?
Yessiree - I have half a dozen tubes in the cupboard ...

Wella Koleston Perfect Permanent Creme Colour - Special Mix Clear, Blue Intensive & Ash Intensive (60g, RRP $19.97)
Found these on the Salon Warehouse website. While I'm still experimenting with the proportions (too much of the Intensive colours makes my hair look almost black lol) I'm confident that I'll get the quantity right within the next few applications, and then the yellowy tinge that ALWAYS creeps into my locks with other brands will be gone forever. These are pure pigments designed to boost the base colour, and they certainly deliver. I use the Clear one to dilute the Ash & Blue so that I have enough mixture to apply all over, and I've also used it with 40 Vol to lighten my hair if it's turned out too dark. Works a treat, pure silvery-grey here I come ♥♥... 
Repurchase?
You bet - I've recently stocked up so I have enough to play with ♥♥...

Regulars
Goldwell Kerasilk Control Conditioner (250ml, RRP $34.95)
Goldwell Kerasilk Control Shampoo (250ml, RRP $35.95)


Makeup


Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer - Light Neutral (10ml, RRP $40)
Bought this in January from Sephora so it's lasted brilliantly, I think because it's so dense and therefore very little is required for complete coverage. I doubt I'll ever buy any other concealer - it's the best I've tried in all my years. I use it under my eyes to give the whole area a lift, around my nose to cover red spider veins, down the centre of my schnozz for contouring, and around the outside of my lipline, which helps me achieve a clean finish for my LOTD pics. It doesn't crease or flake and comes in 30 shades - truly awesome ♥♥... 
Repurchase?
Already have, it's on my can't-live-without list ♥♥...

Regulars
Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Eyebrow Pencil (RRP $15.95)
Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)
Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara (RRP $19.95)

Giveaway




Ok, so for the Christmas edition, we have up for grabs...
  • Ecopure Milk & Honey Fragranced Hand Soap with Natural Honey Extract
  • Ecopure Oh Be Hive Milk & Honey Fragranced Gift Soap
  • Lovisa Sapphire Blue & Silver-toned Necklace & Earring Set
  • Nutrimetics Juniper Fragranced Hand Cream
  • Nutrimetics Juniper Fragranced Soap
  • Nutrimetics Sequinned Makeup Bag
  • Urban Rituelle Lemongrass & Lime Fragrance Diffuser Set
  • White Glo Accelerator Dentist Blue Light Teeth Whitening kit
Here's a closeup of the jewellery so you can see how gorgeous the set is...


All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $150.  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

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    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 Sakina M. as the winner.  
    Congratulations gorgeous! 
    Sakina, please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight
    Thursday 31st December to claim your prize :-)
    Edit: Sakina has claimed her prize 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Best of luck to all who enter!

    And in case I don't get to post again before Friday...

    Merry Christmas Lovelies!

    Take care of you, and keep safe,
    kats xxx

    13 comments:

    1. Thanks for all your hard work with your reviews and beautiful photos Kats. I also follow you on Instagram and look forward to your daily posts and loved the perfume photos and reviews you did earlier this year. I now have a favourite natural deodorant due to your extensive testing and reviews and I must say I'm really impressed with the Fresca brand, their deodorants really do work for me and I love that they are a local company as well. Merry Christmas to you and all the best for 2021.

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    2. What a crazy year its been for so many people. At the start of the year I had no idea my life would be so changed by the end of it. A lot of negative events but there were also some wonderfully positive events also. I loved that when I had some time to kill I could always pop on over to your blog and snoop about. Sometimes I go way back in your blogs history and read ... Your blog is the only one im seriously addicted to.

      I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe, positive and loving start to the New Year.

      ReplyDelete
    3. Hello Kats, I can’t believe another month has been and gone! What a crazy year it’s been but some how it’s whizzed by.
      Wishing you a lovely Christmas and best wishes for a happy new year.
      Love
      Claire x

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    4. I wish you a happy Christmas Kats and hope you have a gorgeous Christmas. I love your blog and reading about your experiences with products, it really is so very helpful xx Life is different, but I feel people are more helpful and kind now

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    5. Thank you for a wonderful year of blogposts and Instagram posts Kats. Wishing you a lovely and safe Christmas and here’s to the New Year! 🥂🍾

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    6. Wish you Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

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    7. I wish you merry christmas and a blessed new year. Your kindness will be rewarded.

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    8. Merry Christmas Kats! Hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday break x

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    9. Love the minireviews, Kats. Another generous prize, too!

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    10. I do Hope you had a Wonderful Christmas Kats! and Easter's not that far away!

      ReplyDelete