SPOTLIGHT: Favourite March 2019 LOTD's...

Given I have such an acute obsession with lipstick, I've always wanted to send a massive "thank you!" into the ether to whoever invented it. So I did a bit of digging (aka googling) and yes, no one knows who came up with it, but the practice of colouring the lips can be traced back at least 5,000 years. And in those early days, red lip colourant was often extracted from highly toxic substances that eventually poisoned the wearer, and apparently, this is where the term "kiss of death" comes from. Whoa - who knew? Fast forward to today when we still need to be careful with what we use to decorate our pouts, but fortunately, there is a multitude of choices available, both in formulation ingredients and presentations, so let's just say I'm eternally grateful to anyone and everyone who has contributed to the evolution of this most magically uplifting cosmetic ♥...

And so here we go with the products and hues that clanged my chimes in March ...

1. Revlon Super Lustrous - Bronze Beauty. Have had this one for a long long time - according to the purists I should have tossed it 2 years ago, but it's still going strong, comfortable, no colour change and doesn't have a weird smell. Ok, so I'm not a purist lol ♥...

2. Mirenesse 3D Forever Gloss - Star Struck. Another one that's older than I care to admit, but I just ADORE the colour, and they don't make it any more sob ♥...

3. David Jones Moisture Cream - Terracotta. This autumn stunner is a long time favourite, and exactly 2 years old - I guess you can tell that I was rummaging through my aged lippie box in March! Seriously though I've had a major blitz in the last couple of months and tossed out a whole bunch so that I can rotate my precious lippies more frequently ♥...

4. Appeal Cosmetics Ultra Shine Liquid Lipstick - Vixen. This one hasn't made an appearance in these posts since 2017, but I have been wearing it fairly regularly - it's the ultimate in glossy red liquid lipsticks, but you definitely need a lipliner as it has a tendency to bleed, well on me anyway ♥...

5. Mirenesse Mattfinity Rouge - Ibiza. This one is still available - luscious formula, intense colour, supremely comfortable, but not really a matte (thank goodness!) ♥...

6. Rimmel The Only 1 Matte - High Flyer. Love this nudey pink - I have a few from this range and they are very kind on the lips. I've binned all the ultra-drying lip products I had in my kit, but this one is a stayer ♥...

7. Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist - Ella. Oh oh oh, this was a freebie at the beautyheaven Glosscars event. The formula is to die for - so rich and creamy, silky smooth, and it even survived a meal. More please! ♥...

8. Covergirl Katy Kat Matte - Catoure. A regular in these posts, there's something about this shade that I just love on my skin, and it's also one of the non-lip-shrivelling mattes left in my collection ♥...

9. Lacura Photo-Fit - London. Discovered this range last November, and I've been a fan ever since. There's a fabulous red and hot pink too, but this mauve has won my heart ♥...

10. Maybelline Colorsensational - Pink Me Up. I admit I have now let this one go - they don't make it any more, and while it was way paler than I normally wear, I loved pairing it with the occasional pastel outfit ♥...

11. NYX Cosmic Metals - Fuchsia Fusion. My ultimate hot pink gloss of all time - these were a limited edition and I'm totally bummed as they were unquestionably the best metallic lip glosses I've ever tried. NYX, please reconsider!!! ♥...

12. Revlon Ultra HD Metal Matte Lip Color - Dazzle. One of the few matte liquid lipsticks I've kept - it's quite drying but I simply can't let this fabulous orchid purple go ♥...

Well lovelies, that's it for March - April will follow soon!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 4th Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

Time to recap the LOTD's for the final three months of 2017! These are the nudes, oranges and reds - no browns this time around, it's just not a colour I usually wear in Spring/Summer, but no doubt I'll get back into it once the weather cools down a bit ♥...

As usual, there are some repeaters here - I have lots of lippies, but some I adore so much they deserve to get trotted out a little more frequently. So let's get started with the nudes...

First up is a soft beige from SAVVY by DB - Rich Coffee. Have had this one a while, but it's still moist and slick, and goes on nice and evenly. In the middle is one that keeps appearing on these pages, and will for a long time to come - NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Speed of Light. The Cosmic Metals are my favourite glossy metallic lip products of all time, fabulous formula, awesome colours, and the most comfortable to wear. LOVE! On the right is a surprise find from MUD - Full Colour Lip Lacquer in Vintage Pink. I'd be more inclined to name it Vintage Coral, but what do I know haha. Absolute bargain for $6 from Woolies ♥...

These next three are heading into pink territory, but I still classify them as nudes. On the left is a mini lipstick from SAVVY by DB - if I could find this in a full size I would, just love it, it's called Raspberry. The second one is another firm favourite - Covergirl Katy Kat Matte in Catore. Moist and not entirely matte, my kind of matte.  No. 3 is another one that's up near the top of my list - Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in the shade Kisses - love this whole range actually ♥...

Such a challenge to find a pretty and intense orange that isn't patchy or streaky, but these are all winners in my book of this sunny colour. First one is by BOE Beauty, called Primped, and it's $2 from Big W - yessssss! Astounding formula, long lasting, amazing colour, what's not to love hey. The middle one is by Ulta3, called Sweet Passion. It's almost a metallic, and a rare and pure unadulterated orange. The third one is SO close to a red - it's one of the ModelsPrefer Artist Collection crayons - Carnation, and 3 for $5. You can count on me to let you know about lippie bargains! ♥...

Ooh ooh, we're getting into the REDS! Tip of the Day - if you're ever feeling blue, put on a red lipstick. It's a sure bet this colour will give me a boost and an instant dose of sass, not to mention a bucketload of don't-mess-with-me 'tude! On the left is a bricky red, but still a red, and great if you're not feeling quite so daring. This is Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Brun Boheme. Exquisite formula, I'm a late starter with Bourjois, but I'm making up for lost time lol. Centre stage is another Bourjois - from their Rouge Edition Aqua Laque range, Brun'croyable. Ooh la la! And on the right is SAVVY by DB Matte Lipgloss in the shade Glow. Came in a box of 10 for $10, what a $1 stunner ♥...

On the left is the same SAVVY by DB Matte Lipgloss in the shade Glow, but with a slightly pinker lipliner underneath - it's bold but sheer enough to be versatile so I can get away with a few subtle adjustments. In the middle is probably my ultimate red - JeffreeStar Velour Liquid Lipstick in Redrum. This fella sure knows how to make a lip product that's non-drying, long lasting and intensely pigmented, whoa! The last one in this row is something that came in one of my Lip Monthly bags - Appeal Cosmetics Ultra Shine Liquid Lipstick, and it's (very appropriately) called Vixen. Freaking awesome colour and super moist - unfortunately it bleeds severely, and I haven't found a way to stop that as yet...

This first glorious red was a gift from my beautyheaven Secret Santa, and I will be eternally grateful ♥ PUR Cosmetics Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in Key Red. She couldn't have chosen anything more wonderful for moi hey ♥  Centre one is another $1 Matte Lipgloss from SAVVY by DB - this one is called Warmth. Has a wee bit of blue in it for those of you who go for cooler reds. And on the right is one more Lip Monthly winner - Seraphine Botanicals Long Lasting Velvet Lip/Cheek Crayon in Quince & Crimson. These are definitely worth investigating further - the formula is vegan, smooth as silk, and non-drying ♥...

Well looky here, another Matte Lipgloss from SAVVY by DB - Heat. You may have gathered I'm quite taken with these ridiculously cheap lippies. Piggy in the middle is an Ulta3 Lipstick in the shade Prom Night. I find Ulta3 lipsticks to be a bit hit and miss as far as density is concerned, but the ones I've mentioned here are perfect. Lucky last is Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Fuchsia Ecstasy. Crazy about this range too - has everything I could want in a liquid lipstick. I probably should have included this shade in the pinks (post up soon!), but I always have this dilemma with fuchsias - are they pinky reds, or reddish pinks?

Hope you've enjoyed this review -  Part 2 will be up later this week, and that'll be pinks, plums, berries and purples ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx