REVIEW: Estée Lauder Pleasures EDP...

Seeing as it's the last day of summer (what summer?) I thought I'd post a review of another of my fairly regular warm weather fragrances - Estée Lauder Pleasures EDP. This is my third bottle and one I plan on always having on my shelf.  I first discovered it back in 2013 when I was gifted with a mini bottle in one of those collection sets. It so reminds me of the very first bottle of perfume I ever owned when I was a spotty teenager - Louise Feraud Justine. I don't know when they stopped making that beauty but it was a long time ago, and Pleasures (created 30 years later) is the closest match I've found so far to its refreshing crispness ♥...

Close enough for me to classify this as a crystalline (my fave for hot days), this quite potent scent is a white floral perfectly balanced with a fairly hefty whack of greenness that stays right up till the end (around 5 hours later). The formula contains Freesia, Violet (love!), Tuberose, Red Berries, Lily-of-the-Valley, Peony, Lilac, Lily, Rose, Geranium, Jasmine and Karo Karounde (unheard of by me but apparently smells like spicy Jasmine). All these precious petal juices are interlaced with a sprinkling of Pink Pepper on a base of Sandalwood, Cedar, Musk and Patchouli. Magnificent ♥...

The bottle is exquisitely fluid and feminine - plain as can be but with a sensuous curve, the name etched into the glass in a romantic font, and a frosted silver bulb cap. The box is a glorious salmon pink with alternating sheen stripes that sadly don't show up all that well in my pics - ever so pretty though ♥...

Described on the Estée Lauder website as a sheer, shimmering floral, I totally agree. The green edge stops it from being overly sweet, and the longevity and projection are impressive. Some gals say it smells like soap, others say it reminds them of celery, but I don't get any of that - it conjures up flowers that have been kissed by rain, and I can't think of a better formula for a hot day when something refreshing, revitalising and uplifting is all I want ♥...

I was lucky enough to pick up this 50ml bottle from Priceline for less than half price (RRP is $110) during a recent sale - in hindsight, I should have gone for the 100ml! But if you ever spot it on sale anywhere, go for it - it's such a pleasure ♥...

Do you have a favourite Estée Lauder fragrance?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

January 2021 Empties & Giveaway!...

Gee these Empties posts seem to come around fast - well actually it's every fourth post I upload here unless I can squeeze in an additional review now and then, and as you can see, I'm still maintaining the monthly turnover pace. The Regulars sections are increasing but there are some new products in the weeks to come so hang in there with me - and this month's Giveaway is four of my all-time fave beauty products, plus some pretty bling babies, so read on ♥...

Body

Method Gel Hand Wash Refill - Pink Grapefruit (1L, RRP $12.99)

My passion for Pink Grapefruit scented products knows no bounds, and while I always intend to eliminate all cleansers containing SLS from my shelves, I haven't been able to find a substitute for this so far - even the Body Shop one contains SLS, so this is it for now. Mind you I haven't had any issues with my hands - the other ingredients are naturally derived, I find it doesn't dry the skin or cause any irritation, and it smells divine. I don't use the cute-as Method bottle because it becomes unstable as the quantity reduces so I use the refill pack to load my preferred pump dispensers. Overall I LOVE the brand - this pack is terrific value, and I've actually replaced all my home cleaning products (including laundry) with their range ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes indeed ♥♥♥...

Urban Rituelle Hand & Body Lotion - Sea Kiss (60ml, RRP $14.95)

This was gifted to me by UR just over 12 months ago in a set of four - this was my absolute favourite. My full review is HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Probably, and I'm only saying "probably" because they have so many other delicious hand and body lotions, it's SO hard to choose ♥♥♥...

White Glo Coffee and Tea Drinkers Formula Extra Strength WhiteningToothpaste (100ml, RRP $5.49)

Gradually working my way through all the different formulations from this brand. So far no one variety is any better at whitening than the other, but I'll keep going as they work well - all seem to have the same minty taste that I like, and the brush is the best I've ever used ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes ♥♥♥...

Regulars

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

Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Shower Oil (200ml, RRP $42)

Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Soap (230g, RRP $9.99)

Skin Physics Advance Superlift Caviar Age-Recovery Hand & Nail Renewal Cream SPF15 (75ml, RRP $39.99)

Swisspers Makeup Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.99)

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

Face

A'kin Hydrating Coconut Water & Green Tea Micellar Water (500ml, RRP $17.95)

I bought a small (150ml) bottle of this three years ago for a whopping $14.95, so the pricing of this has dramatically changed for the better with this 500ml quantity now available for just a few dollars more. It's a 2nd cleanser that I use after the main wash - truly lovely, soothing and cooling, excellent slip, very pleasant "organic" fragrance which I can't pinpoint. It's up there with my faves ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Sure will - Aussie made, cruelty-free, recyclable packaging, no nasties ♥♥♥...

L'Oreal Sugar Scrubs Purifying Scrub with Kiwi Seed (50ml, RRP $19.95)

I bought this ages ago, and only recently found the part-used jar buried 3-deep on my bench. I'd forgotten all about it because I only use scrubs in the shower, and this is in a glass jar with a screw-top lid, which is a definite no-no! It smells delicious, works well, warms the skin while gently exfoliating, and looks positively mouth-watering - it's so pretty I reckon L'Oreal would have an absolute winner on their hands if they packaged it in a clear tube ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I have, but I'll transfer it into a squirty plastic travel bottle - just gotta find one with a big enough nozzle so the kiwi seeds don't get stuck ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Ecopure Bath Bamboo Fibre Face Cloths (pack of 2, RRP $12.99)

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

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

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Detoxifying Pore Scrub (150ml, RRP $14.99)

Face Masks

Regulars

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

Skin Republic Fast Fix 5 Minute Under Eye Mask (2 pairs, RRP $9.99)
Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)

Fragrance

Regulars

Lanvin Eclat d’Arpège EDP (100ml, $140)

Hair

Hi Lift Creme Peroxide For Hair - 20 Vol (1000ml, RRP $7.50)

I find very little difference in this product from one brand to the next, so I just go with whatever is a good deal at the time. The 20 vol strength is what I mix with the hair colours below to cover my white roots ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥♥♥...

Regulars

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

Hi Lift True Colour Hair Colour Creme - Extra Light Intense Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $7.50)

Wella Koleston Perfect Permanent Creme Colour - Special Mix Clear, Blue Intensive & Ash Intensive (60g, RRP $19.97)

Makeup

Rimmel Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation - Soft Beige (30ml, RRP $17.95)

Great foundation - perfect coverage, great finish though a little pale for me in summer, and I guess you could call this my COVID base as I opened the bottle in March last year. It lasts well all day long and doesn't transfer. I squirt a little onto the back of my hand and then pick up small dabs on my fluffy foundation brush ♥♥...

Repurchase?

Probably not, but it's a good standby if I can't get hold of my fave Revlon stick ♥♥...

Regulars

Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Eyebrow Pencil - Blonde (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

ModelsPrefer Infinite Colour Eye Pencil - Blue Lagoon ($12.99)

Giveaway

The loot for this month is...

• Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry (deep olive) Goddess Pencil
• Lovisa Silvertone Snowflake Pendant
• Lovisa Emerald Green & Clear Swarovski Stud Earrings
• Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Shower Oil with Apricot Kernal Oil
• Olay Regenerist Whip UV Active Moisturiser SPF30
• Skin Physics Advance Superlift Caviar Age Recovery Hand & Nail Renewal Cream

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $180.  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 see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

midnight 3rd March to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Alex has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Urban Rituelle Hydrating Face Cleanser & Hydrating Face Balm...

My skin's love affair (skomance?) with the new Natural Remedy range from Urban Rituelle continues. I've been using their Hydrating Face Cleanser and Hydrating Face Balm for a few weeks now, and my skin doesn't want me to stop any time soon! Jam-packed with naturally derived and organic ingredients, they're not only keeping my skin clean, supple and hydrated but also delivering a delight for the senses throughout my evening ritual - when something smells as fantastic as it looks and feels, it's a winner in my beauty book...

Mandarin, Lime & Neroli Hydrating Face Cleanser (100ml, RRP $25.95)

Oh wow - I think I just found my new summer cleanser! This is a clear golden gel that lightly foams and gently (but thoroughly) removes all traces of makeup (including long-wear foundation), while at the same time providing an instantaneous aromatherapy session ♥ Fruit gel cleansers are my favourite in the warmer weather and as soon as this hits my face I can smell the zing of freshly squeezed limes and mandarins - I swear it's the real deal! SO refreshing at the end of any day, but especially a hot and sticky one. The ingredients list reads like a who's who of the botanical world - Aloe Vera, Camellia Seed Oil, Hibiscus Flower, Ginkgo Biloba, Seaweed Extract and Kakadu Plum. Not the slightest bit irritating or drying, this cleanser is an absolute delight, and one I will definitely continue to use ♥...

Incidentally, when I opened the parcel, I thought the Body Wash or the Face Scrub were sure bets to be my pick of the bunch from this range - it turns out that all three of the ones I've reviewed so far score equal passion points. But wait...there's more ♥...

Mandarin, Lime & Neroli Hydrating Face Balm (200ml, RRP $34.95)

Well now, this is an interesting one. I don't believe I've ever tried a face balm before, and so I wasn't quite sure how this would pan out - I mean it's not a day cream or a night cream, which is what I'm used to. Anyways, because it doesn't contain sunscreen I thought I'd start by trying it at night - I can assure you that any doubts I might have had about its potency or suitability for my mature skin went out the window on morning one. My skin felt incredibly soft, plump, supple yet firm, and not a hint of dryness or any skerrick of excess oil either. This is a BEAUTIFUL moisturiser, surprisingly enriching, yet light and rapidly absorbed. Whoever develops these products at Urban Rituelle has done their homework and come up with a brilliantly balanced formula that seems to provide everything my skin needs to feed on overnight. Two tiny pumps of this thickish white cream are all I need to massage an instant glow into my face, neck and decolletage, and I'm still glowing when I wake up ♥...

I'm delighted that the fragrance is similar to the cleanser - that fabulously uplifting lime/mandarin combo, I swear it makes me feel energised and happy. Some of the ingredients are common too - Kakadu Plum, Aloe Vera & Hibiscus Flower, and there's also Shea Butter, Sweeet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil and Avocado Oil. Actually, according to the box, 84% of the ingredients are organic, which is possibly why this feels so soothing. Calling it a Hydrating Face Balm was genius - what lip balm does for my pucker, this formula works the same wonder for my face ♥...

So lovelies, another two winners from this range - there are two more products from the parcel for me to review (soon), and the Mandarin Lip Balm and Hand Cream are absolute dead certs to be in my next UR order ♥... 

Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx

REVIEW: Lanvin Eclat D'Arpège EDP...

I was going through my fragrance collection the other day, and a thought struck me - what if there was some sort of crises which meant that I could only keep one bottle of perfume? Perish the thought, but hey, we weren't expecting COVID. So which one would I choose? Well lovelies, it wasn't that hard at all - faced with the prospect of the same perfume every day for an unknown length of time, I immediately grabbed a darling that's been on my shelf and behind my ears for almost 20 years - Lanvin Eclat D'Arpège ♥...

And given I've just finished a bottle and happened to have another pristine one stashed away, it was the perfect opportunity to photograph this beauty and give her a moment in the spotlight because she's so worth it, and so very close to my heart. Incidentally, a 100ml bottle usually lasts me around two years - I reckon this is number 12 as I've had a few 50ml ones gifted to me and they're usually done and dusted in 12 months. Which makes it the perfume I've bought more often than any other - I start spritzing on or around the first day of spring, and don't put it away till early April ♥...

Released in 2002, I first discovered her in 2003 when sampling for a friend's birthday gift. The friend absolutely loved it, and the scent stayed in my head and my heart for weeks - I swear I could still remember how beautiful it was so I picked up one for me as soon as I could afford it. It's nothing like the original Arpège, which I don't like, even though it was my grandmother's signature scent. Perfect for her but not for me. The bottle has the same gold mother & child symbol on the flacon, but that's where the similarity ends. This Eclat version is young, fresh and summery, and out of all the perfumes I've ever worn, it's the one that has generated the most compliments. And as I've said in previous Empties posts, I have never EVER smelled it on anyone else. So it's all mine lol ♥...

Lanvin Eclat D'Arpège is a magical blend of lilacs and lemons, wisteria and peach blossom, peonies and green tea, white cedar, musk and amber. There's not one part of it that I don't absolutely adore, from the crisp fruity floral opening to the soft musky dry down that's still hanging there five hours later. I categorise this scent as a crystalline - same group as Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline and Versace Bright Crystal. It stays very close to my skin so it's not at all intrusive, it's just there like a gentle fragrant breeze all through the day. Perfect for the office, the scent is elegant, timeless, almost angelic, and as you can see, the most exquisite lilac shade. The cap has a faceted jewel mounted on the top and there are two gold rings that rotate around the base, supposedly representing the marriage between the two versions ♥... 

RRP of the 100ml is $140, but I've never paid more than $65 as it's regularly on special, either at Chemist Warehouse or Feeling Sexy (currently $55.75!). This is a classic fragrance - no vanilla and no caramel, it will lift your spirits up into the clouds. It's so, so beautiful, and a perfume that will always be in my collection ♥...

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx