SPOTLIGHT: Favourite October 2019 LOTD's...

Whoops, December kinda snuck up on me - this post was supposed to go up last week (when it was still November), but the lure of becoming Christmas-ready was too great, and I succumbed. While I'm bummed if I don't manage to upload something every weekend, right now I'm feeling pretty satisfied with myself for finishing off the pressie shopping, and just this afternoon I found a home for the last string of solar lights in the garden. As for the lipstick collection, I'm STILL culling, and boy doesn't it feel good ♥...

1. BYS - The Golden Ticket.  No tube included in the pic because it's looking too battered and worn, but the lipstick itself is still in great shape after at least 2 years. This one turns out different every time I wear it depending on the shade of lipliner I use underneath, and it also goes so well over the top of anything else if I want to add a bit of golden lustre into the mix ♥...

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Matte - Gold Goddess.  Ditto this one although it's relatively young in comparison. More of an orangey gold though and doesn't look half bad on its own, just a bit pale for me so a reasonably pigmented liner is a must. Of course, it has the same usual Revlon formula which is moist and lush ♥...

3. Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl - Sandstorm.  Every time I trot this out I think it will be the last time, but it never turns out that way - just as creamy and shimmery as it was the day it joined the team, which is years ago. Sadly not included in the shade range any more ♥... 

4. Maybelline ColorSensational Made For All - Mauve For Me.  Yes again! Can't not wear this at least once or twice in a month - goes with just about anything, still hanging out for more in this range, like orange or purple, please ♥...

5. Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color - Watermelon. Stunningly vibrant coral shade, one of the most comfortable lipsticks I've ever come across, gorgeous packaging, need more ♥...

6. Maybelline Colordrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - In With Coral. Not quite as bold as the previous BB one, but we're talking under $10 instead of $46, so I can have four of these lol! The best lip crayon around for comfort. colour range and price ♥...

7. NYC Lipstick - Ruby. She's just so pretty and soft - I have three from this brand and they're all lovely, moist and last well ♥...

8. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid - Rebel Red.  MNY lip products seem to have a very long life - this is three years old, and not showing any signs of throwing in the towel. It's not matte, but that's one of the many reasons I love it, and it's just so sassy ♥...

9. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Sloane's Plum. Who said darker lipsticks are for the cooler months? Not me, although I do tend to wear brighter and lighter shades as the temperature climbs. Still, this one has enough colour oomph to look fab with anything, except maybe red or orange, so I'm not packing it away ♥...

10. NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Spice Cake. This one appears regularly here, and why not - it's simply divine, and truly one of my all-time favourite shades ♥...

11. Ulta3 Lipstick - Lilac Glow. Well hello my pretty. Is this peony pink? I think so, and I really MUST pluck this out more often. For $4.95, you can't go wrong with this range, especially with 17 colours to choose from ♥...

12. L'Oreal Color Riche Balmain - Freedom. Last outing for this one. To-die-for purple, but the formula is one of the biggest disappointments I've had in lipstick-land. Totally sucks the juice out of my lips, and it goes on patchy. The presentation is stunning but sadly the contents don't match. So glad I only bought one ♥...

Would any of these suit you?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite July 2018 LOTD's...

As promised, this is my LOTD catch-up post - just for the record, these collages are so interesting for me as I have zero conscious recollection of the lipsticks I've worn in previous months, and this collection is particularly revealing as there's only one true red - what on earth was I thinking? It's all a bit odd as I almost always wear at least one scarlet lippie in a week, but obviously NOT in July lol...

Oh and I have a special giveaway at the end, so please read on ♥...

1. I think this is my favourite plum of all-time - Max Factor Color Elixir Giant Pen Stick in Intense Plum. Oh Max baby, PLEASE bring this back! ♥

2. Here's one for the bargain hunters - boe professional Colour Last Lipstick in Primped - beautiful formula and it's a steal for only $8.95 at BigW ♥...

3. The Lone Red is essence Bring the Glam On Star Lipstick in shade 01. The bullet is creamy and lush, and in the shape of a star - so very cute, but in reality, not all that practical ♥...

4. This gorgeous bricky shade is Milani Cinnamon Spice - another one I hope one day they will bring back (why do I fall in love with discontinued lippies?) ♥...

5. Next is one of my favourite browns for Autumn/Winter, Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Bronze Metal - I do so love this range for comfort and value ♥...

6. And number 6 is Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Coffee Shimmer - not quite so daring as the previous one, but gorgeously earthy all the same ♥...

7. Next we have the find of the month, LipMonthly Lipstick, shade 02. Wowee, what an unusual colour - I'd describe it as burnt orange, and I absolutely adore it. I guess it was only a matter of time before LipMonthly released their own range, and if this is any indication, bring it on! ♥...

8. Ohh...the darling (and most expensive @ $46) of the bunch (thanks to beautyheaven) - Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Watermelon. There are no words, just ♥♥♥♥♥♥...

9. And another gem from a LipMonthly bag - this is a matte, but a comfortable one, City Color Be Matte Lipstick in Melon ♥...

10. Yay, the pretty pinks, starting with Mirenesse French Kiss Lip Cocktail in Bijoux - this lippie is beautifully moist, wears well too ♥...

11. 2nd from Mirenesse - this is their unbelievably sensational Lip Bomb, shade #3. I have quite a few of these and MUST dig them out because they really are something special - the pigmentation is extraordinary ♥...

12. I need to buy another one of these - MBA Cosmetics Color Rich Lipstick in Mauvalicious. It's the most exquisite feminine girly frosted pink, n'est pas? ♥...

13. On the home stretch now, and into my precious PURPLES. On the left is Australis Colour Inject Moisturising Mineral Lipstick in Mash Up. Sadly no longer listed on their website...sob. They seem to have gone ballistic with their GIRLBOSS range, so it would appear the lippies are on the way out ♥...

14. Another from MBA Cosmetics, and so dear to my heart - Heliotrope ...sigh...♥

15. And lucky last is Colourpop Satin Lips in So Wavy - not crazy about the formula, but the colour speaks to me in the language of love ♥...

And now for the giveaway!

So I ordered some lipsticks from Nutrimetics when they were on special recently, and I have two to give away to whoever thinks they could use them...

• Hydra Brilliance - Amber, a soft peach
• Hydra Brilliance - Garnet, a soft red (swatch of my one is HERE)

And because this will be a very small and lightweight package (no extras!), this giveaway is open...

INTERNATIONALLY!!! 

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!)
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 Meedee as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Meedee please respond to the email I've sent you by

Saturday 29th September to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Meedee has claimed her prize

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 1st Quarter 2018 Fave LOTD's - Part 2...

Following on from Part 1, here are my recent personal Fave LOTD's in the nude, coral, pink, berry and purple families ♥ Kinda proud of myself for including more than one row of nudey examples - maybe I'm mellowing in my old age lol? Can't imagine that I'll ever stop wearing the bold reds, pinks and purples, or the deeper browns and berries though - too much fun!

I'm not faithful to any particular brand, although I do have quite a few more Maybelline and NYX lip products than any other. But there are lippies from 15 different companies here, hopefully some you might be inspired to try. So here we go, starting with...the nudes...

1. NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Speed Of Light. Almost always in one of these posts, can't rave enough about the formula (some other brands do metallics that set like plastic, and peel off like plastic), and my local Priceline now has a spot for them on the stand - yes!!!...

2. Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick - Beige Trench. Lovely pinky nude with the perfect balance of comfort and lasting power. My love affair with Bourjois continues unabated...

3. Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick - Prudish Pink. Via Lipmonthly, this is the same company that makes my #1 gold gloss, so dense, so glossy...

4. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Vintage Pink. This one appears almost every time - adore!

5. Revlon Matte Balm - Sultry Sulfureuse. I've never been all that enthused with stick balms as they're usually not dense enough to hide my freckles, however this one has exceptional coverage...

6. Eye Of Horus Bio Cleo Goddess Lipstick - Plum. Lovely colour, but I'll admit I was a little disappointed, was hoping it would be a deeper shade (this appears to be the brightest and boldest in their range and for me it's only a notch above nude), but the formula is lovely and like their fabulous Goddess eye pencils, all natural...

7. Models Prefer Artist Collection Crayon - Flushed. Always a soft spot for corals, and this is a pretty one for around $1.50...

8. Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - In With Coral. I think this is the third or fourth one I've purchased, so dreamy and creamy...

9. Hola Neon Velvet Liquid Lipstick - Party Pop. Thanks Lipmonthly - another winner, and with an almost metallic sheen...

10. Bobbi Bown Crushed Lip Color - Watermelon. A gift from the beautyheaven Glosscar Marketplace event, and my first ever from this brand. One of the few mattish style lipsticks out there that is comfortable to wear all day, and it will survive a meal...

11. Mirenesse Matfinity Rouge Liquid Lipstick - Ibiza. Streaky, but such a pretty vibrant pink...

12. Avon Mark Lipstick - Reddy To Go. I have a few of these from mag cover freebies, and I'm impressed with both the packaging and the contents. Just have to find out where I can buy them...

13. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid - Berry Boost. I need to dig all these out and wear them heaps more - so moist, never streaky, stunning shades...

14. Mirenesse Lip Bomb - #3. I've had this for ages and it shows no signs of going off - beautiful colour, rich and dense liquid that keeps my lips supple and moist...

15. L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick - Eternal Rose. Can't decide if this is shocking pink or neon pink, but it sure packs a punch, and of course L'Oreal lippies are always so reliable...

16. Mirenesse Shona Lip Art Ombre Stick - Noosa Duo. Love these colours and there's plenty of moisture, although it takes a while to get the hang of applying it. One of those lippies where half the stick is pale and the other is deep, and when applied correctly, you get an ombre-like finish without having to fiddle with blending or carrying around two lipsticks. But you have to remember to turn it around before you apply to the second lip so that the deeper shade ends up on the outside...

17. Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme - Orchid. This was yet another Lipmonthly surprise. It looks like a full-on lip shriveller but it isn't, in fact I'll say it's the most comfortable totally matte liquid formula I've ever tried, and it stays put FOREVER...

18. NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Spice Cake. You know, I look at this picture and wonder how on EARTH I don't wear this every day - it's just to die for...

19. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance Lipstick - Orchid. Gorgeous, GORGEOUS lipstick, I raved about it HERE...

20. NYX LUV Out Loud Cream Lipstick - LOLO3. The only reason this is here is the colour - be still my beating heart! Sadly the formula somewhat sucks the juice out of my lips - it's bearable, but I won't be buying any more from this set...

21. NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick - Amethyst. The suede range appears to be super popular - I find it quite drying, but for that colour, I'll put up with just about anything!...

Would love to know which ones of these you like ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

Beautyheaven Glosscar Awards Marketplace Member Event...

Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of attending one of the Beautyheaven Glosscar Awards Marketplace Member Event sessions at bh headquarters in the Sydney CBD ♥ The Beautyheaven Glosscar Awards are an annual affair, and members can vote for their favourite beauty products released in the previous 12 months. This Marketplace Event was a fabulous opportunity to learn about and experience some of the amazing products nominated this year, from MAC, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Beauty by Nicholas, L'Occitane, Essano & Proactiv ♥...

Image courtesy of beautyheaven.com

While we were only there for an hour, we were provided with some delicious refreshments, and there was time to take in everything on display, as well as catch up with some long-time member friends and the bh Team of lovelies. After missing out on a pic with the gorgeous Debbie Black from beautyheaven at the 10th Birthday Party Event last October, I made sure to hijack her this time around - she's a total doll! ♥...

There were seven beauty stations to visit, manned either by bh staff or sponsor representatives, and we were able to sample the products, ask questions, and were generously gifted with items from every stand. I've been a fan of the Beauty by Nicholas brand ever since discovering them at the previous bh event I attended last year and chose the only product from their range that I hadn't tried before - Omega Hydroxy Night Rejuvenation ♥...

I left it too late to take a photo of the Bobbi Brown stand before it was swamped (lol!), but all 20 colours of their Crushed Lip Colour lipsticks were on display and available to swatch, and you can imagine all us girls went to town on that opportunity! ♥... 

I chose the shade Watermelon, a stunning red with lots of pink, or is it pink with lots of red? Either way the formula is a wonder combination of long-lasting pigments and a matte finish that's comfortable to wear ♥...

At the Essano station, we learned about their Rosehip Clarifying Clay Masque, which I tried last night and it's brilliant! Delectable rose fragrance, the prettiest soft pink colour, and it left my skin glowing and deeply cleansed. Also gifted was their Clear Complexion Detoxifying Serum, which I also included in my Saturday night beauty routine, and will continue to use to help control my oily-T zone ♥...

The Estee Lauder experts were on hand to colour match us with their new Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup which includes SPF 25. They used one of those nifty electronic gadgets that they hold against areas of the face and neck in order to find the perfect match. We were gifted with a full-sized bottle of this delightful foundation, and my match was Ivory Beige 3N1, which I'll be road-testing tomorrow ♥...

Our lovely L'Occitane rep treated us to samples of the latest moisturisers, and we were so kindly gifted with their miraculous Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm, and a bottle of Terre De Lumiere EDP. I'll be reviewing this separately, but let's just say that it's a crisp and spicy, sensual gourmand floral masterpiece! ♥...

Here's bh's stunning and ever so friendly Steph at the MAC stand, where we were introduced to the Bold & Bad Lash mascara. Of course, I'll be doing an in-depth review in the weeks ahead, but if the contents are as magnificent as the packaging, I'll be happy as a clam! The spectacular silver, red and black tube has two brushes, one each for top and bottom, and the bottom lash formula is smudge-proof - we shall see! ♥...

I've not tried any Proactiv products before - their speciality is troubled skin, and I only experience maybe one blemish in a year, but I am regularly dealing with blackheads on my nose, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to try their Blackhead Dissolving Gel. It's designed to shrink pores as well - my hooter has already had a treatment, and I'll report back to you soon. Incidentally, it smells divine ♥...

How beaut it was to play catch up with some of the other bh members, so many of whom are fellow beauty bloggers, like these two babes - Leah from Temporary Princess, and Marisa from Marisa Robinson Makeup Artist ♥♥♥...

And here's what was in my loot bag - I feel totally spoiled and so chuffed to have received so many delish products to try ♥...

 

If you're not already a beautyheaven member, I can assure you the rewards are amazing, and if you join now and vote, you can be in the running for one of 10 prize packs valued at around $1,000. I've been lucky enough to win two of these mammoth prize boxes in my 9 years as a member so I won't be entering the comp, but I WILL be voting for my fave products before the closing date of this Thursday 29th March...

Huge thankyous to the beautyheaven team (& sponsors) for this fun experience - you guys always put on the best show! ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx