March 2021 Empties & Giveaway!...

Before I get started on the March Empties, I thought to let you know that my work life is still impacting my personal world in a major way - I was kinda hoping that after 31st March the pressure would ease a little, but I'm still waiting for that to happen lol! It's a bummer as I have lots to share with you as well as on Instagram, but after long and stressful days, I have very little time or energy left to put it all together. But I know how much you enjoy the Empties and I'm up to my neck in throwaway containers (!), so instead of colouring my hair (whoops), here we go...

Body

Glow Lab Blackberry & Bay Body Wash (400ml, RRP $9)
I do so enjoy these Glow Lab body washes. When I first bought this one I tagged the scent as winter appropriate but it was so enticing I couldn't wait, so I washed my bod with it over the summer. It's crisp and spicy rather than fruity, although it has heaps of citrus essential oils, and they're balanced with floral & herbal extracts. Quite distinctive and one I'll continue to enjoy in the cold weather, but I'll add a few extra drops of shower oil to boost the moisture content ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Yes indeed ♥♥♥...

White Glo Professional Choice Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste (100ml, RRP $5.99)
Ever so slightly different taste to the others, but the same level of whitening power on my old choppers. It's good to know it doesn't matter which one from the range I buy - they're all as good as each other ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
For sure ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Colgate Plax Alcohol Free Gentle Mint Mouth Wash (500ml, RRP $6.49)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)

Schmidt's Charcoal + Magnesium Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant (75g/92g, RRP $13.99/$19.95)

Swisspers Makeup Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.99)
White Glo Toothbrush (free with the above toothpaste)

Face

Breeze Balm Lip Balm - Birthday Bash (15g, RRP $19.95)

I'm crazy about these balms - far superior to anything else that's crossed my lips over the years. Not so keen on this "flavour" though - supposed to be pink lemonade, but it just smells super sweet to me. Same fabulously enriching formula though, and the good news is they've made the hole slightly bigger so it's an easier squeeze in the cold weather ♥...

Repurchase?
Not this one, but I'm hooked on the watermelon & pineapple variety ♥...

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 Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash (175ml, RRP $14.99)
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99)
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum (30ml, RRP $59.99)
Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel (50ml, RRP $59.99)

Fragrance

Vera Wang Lovestruck EDP (100ml, $89)
Well now, this fragrance is proof that if you keep your perfumes in a cool dark space, they last a long time. Bought this in 2015 and it was almost perfect until the last half dozen spritzes. I reviewed it at the time and I still feel the same way about it, click the name above to go there direct ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Tempting, but there are so many others I want to try ♥♥♥...

Hair

Regulars

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

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Intensive Smoothing Mask (200ml, RRP $42.95)

Makeup

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil - Grey (RRP $45)

I bought this in a fit of desperation during a relatively fruitless search for a grey eyebrow pencil (to match my hair) - in hindsight the price was ridiculous. Yeah, sure it was good quality, but too dark and stark for what I'm after, which is a  light to medium grey that I can build up ♥...

Repurchase?

Not unless I'm totally desperate again ♥...

ModelsPrefer Contour/Collection - Ultimate Higlighting + Contouring Palette ($16.99)
My local Priceline has stopped stocking this, but it seems to still be available online - thank goodness as it's the best colour scheme for my complexion (which means not orange!). Mind you I only use four of the six pans, but by mixing them together I can create a blend that suits me to a tee and doesn't look weird. Great price too. Powders are fine for my cheeks and jawline, but they seem to exaggerate the craterous pores on my nose, but I can smudge the cream ones so they're effective but not obvious. So hard to find cream contour kits! ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Definitely, online ♥♥♥...

Revlon Colorstay Life-Proof Matte Foundation Stick - 180 Sand Beige (RRP $25.95)

Ahh, Revlon - you were one of my first loves, and you're still delivering the goodies. My current numero uno foundation. This is the one I wear to the office or for special occasions. PERFECT colour match to my skin, blends to a perfect finish, lasts ALL DAY, doesn't transfer, SPF 27, slight sheen finish - it doesn't get much better than this ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Forever ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)

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

Maybelline Master Precise Allday Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Mascara (RRP $19.95)

Natio Define Eye Pencil - Charcoal (RRP $14.95)

Giveaway!!!

Totally bummed that I didn't get to do a special Mother's Day gift in time, but hey, it's only May so I'll no doubt make up for it. For now, here's what's in the bundle...

• Makeup Revolution freebie comprising:
• Revolution Pro 4K Bronzer Palette - Warm
• Unicorns Heart Rainbow Highlighter
• 5 Eye Shadow Palette - Raspberry Icing
• Intensely Pigmented Foil Shadow Palette
• The Liner Revolution Waterproof Smudgeproof Eyeliner - Intense Black
• Semi-Permanent Brow Tint - Taupe
• Lovisa Rose Gold Tone Silk Square Earring and Necklace Set,  & Diamante Crossover Ring - Size M/L

The makeup was a Gift With Purchase - I thought it was so awesome I placed another order so I could get a set for this giveaway. Here's a pic of a couple of the items I opened from my pack:

And a closeup of the gorgeous jewellery:

Approximate value is $85, and this 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 see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Anna M. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 19th May to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Anna has claimed her prize ♥

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

EOTD: Urban Decay Peace...

Praise the maker! Spring has sprung, the grass has ris, I wonder where the flowers is? Lol my Dad used to say this little rhyme when I was a kiddywink, and I've never forgotten it because it's just so darn cheerful - just like this most precious of seasons. How could I not kick it off with a bold and bright turquoise from those clever folks at Urban Decay...

UD Peace is such a fabulous blue - the pigment is out of this world, and there's very little fallout, even when packing it on as I did here. Actually it's so intense it doesn't really need a base, but I used one anyway - essence BBC All Night Blue gel liner. Love the fact that it's waterproof (vital for someone like me who's eyes water at the whisper of a cool breeze) and of all the gels in my kit, it's probably the best stayer in the waterline department, and an almost perfect match to the shadow, which is why I added it here...

For my lips, I started with Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lip Liner in the shade Indian Pink, topped that with NYX lipstick in (also) Indian Pink, and glossed over everything with Mirenesse 3D Forever Gloss in Lust Me. Cheeks are Benefit Rockateur...

In the crease is Revlon Matte Riviera Blue - yet another one of my ancient shadows that's still performing brilliantly. It has quite a bit of green in it, which is why it teams exceptionally well with turquoise...

Hope your Spring is chock-a-block full of blossoms ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Rediscovering Powder Blushes (Part 2)...

Following on from Part 1, here's a few more of the powder blushes that I've been collecting, and am loving right now - one was a freebie, one was a prize, and the other two I purchased. I'm still using Australis Chocolate Truffle cream blush as a base on most days, but adding a couple of flicks of any one of these gorgeous powders is bringing another dimension of colour and shape to my face. I really must have been crazy to give them up for so long...

This first beautifully boxed Benefit blush was one of the delights in the beautyheaven goody bag I scored at the recent Beauty Degustation event. ROCKATEUR is a subtle and soft rose pink embedded with minute particles of gold - it's a tad too reflective for me to build it up enough for sufficient colour, but applied as an illuminator along the tops of my cheekbones, hey I'm ready to rock :-) This is the only really shimmery blush in my kit - I normally avoid them like the plague because the light has a tendency to bounce off them and accentuate my enlarged pores and creases, but not this playful little hotsy totsy. Adore the packaging of this range, which includes an in-lid mirror and baby brush nestled on top of a protective plastic insert - sheer genius ♥

Benefit HERVANA came in my Blogstar prize box - the inspired mix of coloured segments all tone together to create a flush that never EVER looks fake. I have swirl my brush about 6 times (washing machine action lol) to pick up enough pigment to give my cheeks a natural glow, but the result can only be described as "natural radiance". It's not completely matte - there are microscopic sparkles in both the lightest and apricot shades to break up an otherwise flat finish, but not enough to give this older gal any grief. These powders are so finely milled that there's never any excess left in the cute-as-a-button box either - quite remarkable really, but hey for $51, I kinda expect something reasonably close to perfection :-)

And next we have ModelCo PEACH BELLINI. I first encountered this pretty shade as a freebie on a magazine cover, but a few months later I had a severe attack of the clumsies and dropped it on the floor - cracked into several large chunks (and a whole heap of powdery bits) and made a huge mess on my carpet. I was totally bummed because it's a magical hue that goes with almost half my winter wardrobe, and I was tickled peach to find it on special for $10 a few weeks ago at Coles. It blends beautifully, and seems to accentuate my hair colour (not that it needs any boosting lol). The plastic case is modern and comfortingly sturdy, and it came with a baby kabuki brush that's been stashed away in my drawer - too tiny for everyday use, but it will be handy when I'm travelling...

And here's the oldest one in my kit - found this at Aldi on one of those "specials" tables, along with a bronzer (which I've completely used up) and a couple of stunning lip glosses. It's great value for under $8 - a similar shade to the ModelCo one, but a tad more orange, and a notch brighter. The loose powder makes it a bit messy for transporting, but the finish on my cheeks is superb. The problem with gems like this from Aldi is that you only ever see them once, or maybe twice in 12 months if you're lucky. Oh how I wish this Minerals range was included in their standard stock along the back wall...

Well my lovelies, that's it for Part 2, but there's more to come I can assure you :-)

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Soft Velvety Purple...

For my lucky last June EOTD, I decided on PURPLE! I've had a love affair with purple since my mid-teens, and although I adore bright and bold examples of this royal hue, I'm equally passionate about the more subtle tones I can bring out from this warm and rich colour - it all depends what you use as a base...

Just for a change I used MNY Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk for the first layer - I normally use a purple gel underneath, but I wanted this look to have more of a reddish hue. I stroked the pomegranate all over the lid, except along the top lashline - here I used my essence white kajal because I wanted this section to be lighter than the rest for some contrast...

Along the top lashline I added a shimmery purple from the MUA Poptastic palette...

Over the rest of the top lid went Highness from the SleekV2 Matte palette, and I also blended this with my usual Black MNY Master Precise Liquid Liner under the lower lashline ...

And here's the whole face - on the cheeks is Benefit Hervana blush, lips are ASAP Mineral Lip Liner in Three, Revlon Violet Frenzy, and Lacura Minerals Lip Gloss...

I was deliriously happy to find a purple top a few weeks ago that matched my favourite scarf...

What's your favourite purple eye shadow? Do you prefer blue-purple or red-purple?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Burgundy & Pink...

Last weekend I changed my hair colour from fire engine red to deep cherry (even surprised myself!). As is often the case with home colouring, I wasn’t exactly sure how it would turn out. If the truth be known, my first thought was EEK, what have I done! But if I think back, that's always been my reaction when I've made a dramatic change - it usually takes a bit of getting used to when you've had the same colour for a while. Although this shade is far deeper than I expected, I’m absolutely loving it :-)

It’s a rare thing for me to wake up in the morning, glance quickly in the mirror while I comb my hair, and have my face look good without makeup. Believe me as I've aged, looking ok barefaced starts to become a long lost dream, so I’m very pretty chuffed that I managed to achieve a shade that’s amazingly flattering to my skin tone, and especially minus the slap.

For me a new hair colour always means a re-evaluation of my makeup shades, from lipstick through to blush & bronzer, and most definitely eye shadow. So for day one, I opted for a similar toning to my locks. Probably more of a broody Autumn/Winter look, but I’ll be playing around with some Spring brights later in the week.

Here’s what I used…

bhcosmetics black liquid liner to tightline the top lashes

MNY Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk all over the lid as a base

Revlon Luminous Color Diamond Lust shadow in Starry Pink along the top lashline

MUA matte charcoal (Shade #20) towards the crease and underneath

MNY Precise Liquid Liner on the lower lashline

Benefit EyeBright on the waterline

MUA matte beige on the hood...

Do you colour your hair at home?  How often do you review your makeup kit shades?

Take care of you,

kats xxx