October 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

Well, obviously I didn't make my December deadline for this October Empties post last weekend. Instead, all the outdoor Christmas lights are up as well as the tree and other inside decorations, and I'm giving myself a pat on the back anyway as this is quite an achievement, especially given how festive and beautiful the house looks. All the same, I'm determined to catch up this month, and I know I can do it as holidays are looming on the not so distant horizon, so I'll just get on with this lot ♥...

Body 

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Dry Oil (150ml, RRP $19.99)
This has been my go-to tanning product for years - love the natural-looking colour it gives my bod, and if I apply it on Sunday morning, I'm still looking reasonably tanned by the following Friday. It doesn't have the usual fake tan stink - this one is nice and coconutty. It's a non-aerosol spray that I squirt onto my Bondi Sands tanning mitt, it dries in 5 minutes so there's no waiting to get dressed, and doesn't stain my clothing or bed-linen. Perfect ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Without a doubt, although I seem to have scored a couple of cans of the Aero foam variety, so I have enough to get me through this summer ♥♥♥...

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil (100ml, RRP $29.95)
Regular readers will know that I'm pretty much obsessed with using shower products that actually restore moisture to my skin, and this is another of my secret weapons. I mix a few drops with any of my shower gels or creams for an extra boost of skin juice - the scent is divine on its own, but not strong enough to clash with whatever wash I'm using, nor does it make the shower floor slippery ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yep, I reckon this is one in the "forever" category ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Schmidt's Lavender + Sage Natural Deodorant (75g, RRP $13.99)

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Soothing Body Wash - (384ml, $19.99)

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

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

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

Face

Breeze Balm Lip Balm - Go Go Mango (15g, RRP $19.95)

I'm still of the opinion that this is the best & most effective lip balm to ever soothe my lips. I've bought a few from the range now and they all have the same fabulous formula, just the flavour/scent changes. In that regard, this Mango one doesn't ring my bells, but I'm glad I tried it. I reviewed my fave Pineapple Pash HERE ♥...

Repurchase?
Pineapple Pash, yes! ♥...

Breeze Balm Lip Balm - Watermelon Crush (15g, RRP $19.95)

This was delicious, in fact, it's a close second to Pineapple Pash - love it! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Definitely ♥♥♥...

Garnier Organics Anti-Age Eye Cream (15ml, RRP $19.95)

This was sent to me to trial by beautyheaven as part of their Natural Beauty Month, and I was super impressed, 5 stars impressed actually. I'd been using a retinol eye cream which was so potent, the skin under my eyes towards the outside corners was quite flakey and my concealer wasn't sitting right. This marvellous and enriching cream fixed the problem in a couple of days, and I used it continuously, night & day, till it was no more. Smells divine ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Sure will. I have several other eye creams opened at the moment, but as soon as I clear one or two of them, I will grab another tube of this cream - it's awesome and a total bargain ♥♥♥...

Regulars

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 Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99) 

Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel (50ml, RRP $59.95)
St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask (150ml, RRP $9.99)

Swisspers Make-up Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.79)


Face Masks

Sukin Pink Clay Facial Masque (100ml, RRP $19.99)

This jar has lasted me 12 months. An interesting thing occurred during the COVID lockdown. I became quite slack in my face mask routine, which was a clay one every Friday night. Didn't do it for around 6 weeks, and my blackheads came back with a vengeance. I used to think that they were controlled by my morning scrubs, but this abstinence revealed that either the mask keeps them at bay, or a combination of mask & scrub does the trick. So revealing, and needless to say I resumed my weekly clay mask, and the blackheads are no more ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
For sure, but I had already bought the Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying one, so it won't be for a while ♥♥♥...

Regulars

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

Fragrance

Beyoncé Midnight Heat EDP (100ml, RRP $29)

Had this bottle for 4 years, and sadly wasn't able to completely finish it as it changed on me. It's the first one from this gal that I ever bought, and it's still my favourite of hers. My full review of it is HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Not for a while - there are so many more that I want to try, and my fragrance shelf is going to collapse unless I finish a few others first ♥♥♥...

Katy Perry Royal Revolution EDP (100ml, RRP $30)

This one I did manage to finish - I prefer this to Killer Queen, although I really like that one as well. Surprised myself with the fact that I never ever reviewed this on my blog - WTF? No idea why 'cos it's a special one, a lot fresher than KQ. Definitely a fruity floral, which is my fave combo for spring/summer - this one opens with red pomegranate and pink freesia, but the vanilla kicks in pretty quickly followed by leather and musk. SO interesting and I adore the bottle, although it takes up way too much room on my shelf because it has to lie down ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Another one that's "not for a while" for the same reason above ♥♥♥...

Hair

Indola Permanent Caring Color - Very Light Blonde Intense Ash (60ml, RRP $11.88)

On the website, the hair sample swatch is silver grey. On my hair, it turns out golden...

Repurchase?
Noooooooooooo...

Kerastase Densifique Densifying Treatment Mousse (150ml, RRP $48)

My hair is quite thick, but I have it chemically straightened every 3 months with a Goldwell Kerasilk treatment. The process leaves my hair silky soft but super straight and I use this fab mousse to give it a bit of body and root lift. Expensive, but well worth it as it doesn't make my hair gluggy ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Already have ♥♥♥...

Kevin Murphy Maxi Wash Detox Shampoo (250ml, RRP $40.95)

This is one of my life's embarrassing moments - bought it probably 5 years ago (eek!) and it's taken this long to use it up as it's a kind of once-every-few-months application. Takes out all the product build-up and has a refreshing fruity fragrance. Doesn't fade home hair dye, and doesn't leave the hair feeling stripped ♥♥...

Repurchase?
Probably not for the time being - I've changed the finishing products I use and so I'm no longer dealing with build-up, but if I ever need a clarifying shampoo again, this is it ♥♥...

Regulars

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

Makeup

Revlon Colorstay Life-Proof Matte Foundation Stick - Sand Beige (10g, RRP $24.95)

Yes, it's love - my current fave foundation of all time. Of course, the recipient of this accolade changes whenever better formulations are developed and released, but this is it for me for now. Perfect shade, perfect coverage, perfect finish. I've always loved stick foundations, but they're not all created equal - some I've tried have been too greasy or cakey, some have been too sheer, some transfer onto my clothing or don't last the day, but not this brilliant baby - it's smooth and creamy, blends like a dream, and finishes almost matte, but not dull enough to emphasise my wrinkles. The original Colorstay liquid was my #1 for almost 10 years, but Revlon has gone one better ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Definitely - I've bought two of these now, both half price. It's a dream come true ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)

Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner - Peachy Beachy (0.25g, RRP $12.95)

Giveaway

Up for grabs are some of my personal favourites, and ones I'm currently using...

• Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder
• Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence
• Schmidt's Lavender + Sage Natural Deodorant (aluminium free)
• Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $130.  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 Ariane S. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Friday 18th December to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Ariane has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Beyonce Heat Wild Orchid EDP...

Well Beyonce business sure seems to be booming, so much so that I've lost track of just how many Heat variations she's released. There's only one other in my collection (Midnight Heat), but I love it so much I bought this version unsampled - I mean how could I go wrong with that fabulous fuchsia pink bottle right? Hmmm...I might have been a tad rash as this fragrance packs such a powerful punch, it almost knocks me over lol...

With Orchid in the name, I knew it would be pretty heavy on the vanilla, and sure enough, it's almost pure vanilla, swimming in a sea of sweet coconut water. Every time I spritz it, I keep waiting for the pomegranate and boysenberry to say hello - oh they're somewhere there, but they don't really get a chance to be heard because the vanilla and coconut have such a firm grip on the microphone. There's definitely musk and amber in the base as it lasts on my skin for hours, but I can't for the life of me pick up the magnolia or honeysuckle. It reminds me so much of FCUK Friction (reviewed here), which I actually prefer as I my nose can detect its fruit and floral content, which in turn balances out the sweetness of the main players...

However I'm a lot more comfortable with the drydown of Wild Orchid - takes the best part of 15 minutes, but then it takes on an almost woody character, and the voices begin to harmonise. For me it's a winter fragrance, and actually quite sensual once you get past the ferocity of the opening blast ♥...

In summary this is a 100% gourmand scent, and if you love vanilla and coconut, you will ADORE it. But if you're prone to migraines, then I'd give it a wide berth...

Do you have a favourite Beyonce perfume?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Beyonce Midnight Heat EDP...

My very first Beyonce fragrance, and it's a darling. Thought it would be heady and intense with lots of orchid and maybe violet, but it's actually quite deliciously fruity and fresh, almost tropical. It has patchouli in the base, and the mix of a few precious blooms with plum, star fruit and dragonfruit is both sublime and inspired. Sort of sensual and fun at the same time...

Love the flacon shape, reminds me of a genie bottle, plus it's purple, which is what initially caught my eye. There's also sandalwood and amber on the ground floor which gives it pretty good longevity, although some gals say it's gone in 30 minutes - not on my skin though, I get a good 3-4 hours. It starts out quite sweet but settles down within a minute or so, and then the peony and orchid notes come through and balance it all out. There's black tulip listed in the ingredients too, but I have no idea what that smells like. The patchouli gives it a spicy tang but doesn't overpower the fruits or the flowers, so I'm going to categorise it as an oriental fruit floral - sounds a bit of an odd mix, but it definitely works ♥

In summary it's a sexy perfume, but not seductive enough to exclude it from office wear. I find it especially entrancing to wear to bed - it has quite a calming and soothing effect, and yet it has sense stirring qualities too. I don't normally go for fragrances that contain patchouli - so often they smell like incense, but the blend here is so well balanced, it simply smells delish. This EDP is quite strong at first, but mellows quickly, and stays mellow and almost woody for the next few hours. Despite being what I'd call "warm", the fruit content makes it wearable all year round. This is one I'll be buying again ♥

Do you have any Beyonce perfumes in your collection? Would love to hear which one is your favourite...

Take care of you,

kats xxx