SPOTLIGHT: January Empties...

Another mega-month for empties, but hey, I delved into my samples drawer for the first time in almost a year, and those teeny tubes don't take anywhere near as long to get through, so they boosted the collection. I've decided to completely exclude any product that I use on a regular basis, and that I've already covered in a previous post, so you'll only see NEW products listed and mini-reviewed from this point on. Actually I'm pretty darn excited about this post because I finished two makeup products this month lol!...

Palmer's Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub

I must be one of the very few beauty lovers on the planet that doesn't like the smell of Palmer's products - never have, and at the rate I'm going, never will. Don't get me wrong, this is a beaut scrub - gentle and powerful, but I find the fragrance totally off-putting...
Repurchase? Negative - took me 12 months to use this up, and I have some new loves that smell fantastic...

John Plunkett's Superfade Cream

This will be the subject of it's own review soon, with before and after pics - let's just say I'm very pleased with the results on my hands so far, but I'm not done yet...

Repurchase? Third tube is already in my handbag, and the Accelerator is next to my bed for nightly applications ♥...

Hair & Me Hair Rejuvenation Treatment

LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is the only treatment product I use on my hair other than the sensational REF range I recently reviewed (here). Full rundown on this amazing hair pacifier is here ♥...

Repurchase? YES YES YES!...

botanicES Face Creme, Eye Creme & Body Creme (samples)

Previously reviewed here. I've only just finished the eye creme today - gosh so little is required, I imagine a regular tube would last at least 6 months. No visible difference in the crinkles around my eyes, but I still reckon this has shrunk my under eye baggies a little. This gorgeous range definitely has mood enhancing qualities...

Repurchase? I've made myself a promise to buy the Face Creme just as soon as I get through the three others that are waiting for their turn. Same goes for the Eye Creme. The Body Creme is a beauty, but I so rarely have time to apply body lotions, so that's a yes, a yes, and a no ♥...

Swisspers Cotton Tips

I used to be a devoted Johnson & Johnson gal - totally wouldn't buy any other brand of cotton bud, but I've come around to Swisspers as they're just as good, seem to be more readily available, and, well, the pack is purple...

Repurchase? If you've read a few of my previous empties posts, you may have gathered I have an unbridled fear of running out of things (anything) so there are two of these big boxes in the cupboard at any moment in time ♥...

Ostelin Chewable Vitamin D & Calcium

I quite enjoy the taste of these - I always think it's good to experiment with different ways of getting vitamins and minerals into my bod, and the usual swallow-the-tablet method didn't seem to be working all that well. Here's hoping my next bone density scan gets me a pass mark...

Repurchase? There are 60 in each bottle, so yes, every two months ♥...

Lancôme Genifique Youth Activator

A darling friend sent me this full-sized bottle when she switched to cruelty-free - ever so grateful as I've never had the pleasure of this quantity on my bench before. A beautiful serum - deliciously hydrating, and a fabulous makeup base. Can't say I've observed any major improvements in my skin texture, pore size or elasticity, but I love the feel of it on my skin. I struggled a bit to work the dropper button with one hand, but that's minor...

Repurchase? Probably not, but only because Visionnaire works far better for me as far as shrinking pores are concerned. And if I'm going to spend >$100, I definitely want smaller pores... 

Bioderma Exfoliating Purifying Gel

Hmmm. Bought this in the hope it would reduce my pore congestion, but there wasn't any change. It's a very powerful scrub (probably a wee bit too powerful for my mature skin), smells delish, but I don't need to add it to my list of must-haves - it wasn't exactly cheap either...

Repurchase? No...

Boots Serum7 Regenerating Night Cream

A lovely night moisturiser - came in the first Marie Claire Ageless Parcel, along with the day cream (which I haven't tried yet). Light yet richly hydrating, this gently fragranced cream absorbed well into my skin, and I didn't wake up with a greasy face. Nice, but nothing special...

Repurchase? I really need something more powerful to target my ageing issues, so no...

Mirenesse Purify Dual Comfort Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (sample)

A beautiful product that takes off waterproof mascara and longwear lip products in a flash, but it's wickedly expensive...

Repurchase? No - I'll stick with my Neutrogena fave which does the trick just as well, and at a fraction of the price...

REF.241 Get It Straight
Recently reviewed on my blog here...
Repurchase? Absolutely, already have ♥...

ALPHA-H Balancing Cleanser (sample)

This was a tad disappointing, given who makes it - oh it's nice enough and effective, and I like the fact that it doesn't foam up, but with no fragrance, snore...

Repurchase? No hook to keep me interested, so no...

Lancome Eclat Miracle Serum of Light (sample)

Well now this was a treat - came in one of my GWP packs. A gorgeous pearlescent white liquid that made my skin look dreamy and soft-focused, feel beautifully hydrated, and there was an instant lightening effect. BUT I honestly don't see the point of these serums that contain particles to make your skin shimmer and glow, and then you turn the light off minutes later, or cover it up with makeup during the day...

Repurchase? Delighted to try it out, but no...

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum

If I could recommend only ONE beauty product to any of my friends, it would be this amazing liquid. My lashes may not look all that lush in my photos compared to other gals, but before I started using this serum, I had basically none at all. It works! It's been in my kit on and off since 2011 with not one concern arising, and I'm NEVER going to stop now. I tried applying it every second night and lost some of the length, so I went back to daily applications, and could see the difference within a fortnight. Absolutely awesome stuff! Full review is here...

Repurchase? Cannot, repeat cannot live without this - three spares, Pharmacy Online has it permanently on special for $49 ♥... 

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Waterproof Mascara

Can't remember why I bought this because I gave up purchasing ANY mascara other than Maybelline The Falsies years ago, but I'm very glad I did - it's brilliant! Not enough volume for my EOTD pics, but what I do is apply a coat or two of this underneath the MNY one (or on its own when I'm not taking eye pics) - it separates the lashes magically, holds the curl, wouldn't dream of smudging or flaking, and looks completely natural...

Repurchase? Undoubtedly - onto my 2nd tube now ♥...

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner

My one and only liquid liner, and I use it every single day along my lower lashline - nothing else compares for ease of use, longevity, availability and price...

Repurchase? Silly question - I have three spares of these in my drawer, bought them all at half price sales, which seem to be on every month or so. Bless you Maybelline - please don't EVER stop making this product ♥...

Take care of  you,
kats xxx

P.S. I've chosen this article for Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party, and highly recommend checking out the other bloggers' choices...

SPOTLIGHT: My Skin Care Routine - What and Why...

I'm always intrigued with what products other gals use on their faces - there's a thousand and one choices out there, so finding out their selection criteria or why they persist with a particular brand is always of interest to me, especially if they have a similar skin type or "issues" as I do. The skin care market is even more vast than the fragrance one, so I find any suggestions are helpful when trying to figure out where to start. Of course once I've made my choice, it then takes quite a bit for me to stick with a product for any length of time, unless of course I see amazing results...

So in case anyone is interested in what I'm currently using, here's a snapshot of what's on my bench at the mo' - some of the inclusions are quite different than they were a few months back as I've decided to introduce some products with a whole lot more bang-for-my-buck in the anti-ageing department (I have a major milestone birthday coming up!). Some of these products I plan on reviewing in full in the weeks to come once I've given them a chance to show what they're made of, but for now, I'll just add a brief comment as to why they've scored a place in my kit...

These are in the sequence I apply them to my face - I usually follow the recommendations on the pack initially, but I use quite a few products, so it can get a little confusing. But right or wrong, this order seems to work ok for me. For the record, I have combination skin - normal/dry cheeks and an oily T-Zone, and I have freckles all over (which are now morphing into age-spots - boo!). Considering my age I don't have too many wrinkles so far, but I'm keen to diminish what I have, and slow down the formation of any new ones... 

DAY TIME

I always start my day with a scrub or a gentle polish in the shower - I haven't included any here because they're covered in my "Confessions of a Scrubaholic" series, but current faves are nude by nature Face Scrub, St. Ives Smooth & Hydrated Oatmeal Scrub & Mask, and Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub...

Next product to hit my skin is Neostrata Renewal Cream - I bought this after reading the (mostly) rave reviews by the beautyheaven Trial Team. I wanted to target the wrinkles around my mouth, the enlarged pores on my nose, and the deep creases between my brows, and I can say that after only a few short weeks, all those areas are showing improvement every day - yay! I'll review this in depth once I've used the whole tube ♥

After this I pat on Neostrata Intensive Eye Therapy - again I was encouraged to give this a try after checking out the beautyheaven reviews. It's early days yet, but the crows feet around my eyes are diminishing, even when I smile they're nowhere near as deep as they were...

I then wait about 30 seconds, and apply Neostrata Bionic Face Serum everywhere (except my eye area). I was in the market for another serum, and figured this was a companion product to the two mentioned above - love how soft and hydrated it makes my skin feel, and the overall brightening effect is encouraging...

Last is Elucent Whitening Day Moisturiser - this bottle is like the Magic Pudding, it doesn't seem to end! Have been using this daily for over 4 months, and there's still some left ♥ A truly lovely day cream, this has helped even out my skin tone, as well as protect it from future sun damage, and I will definitely repurchase...

NIGHT TIME

I wear a lot of makeup, so a thorough cleanse is vital to keep my skin clear, and allow the products I apply overnight to work their wonders. I start with removing my eye make up. There is only one I use (and have been doing so for many many years) simply because it works faultlessly and effortlessly - Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover. I've tried heaps of others, but only this baby removes my waterproof eye makeup/mascara without harsh rubbing. This is a kats-can't-live-without ♥

To cleanse my face, I use L'Oreal Skin Perfection Gel-cream Wash - I'm really enjoying this soap free, fragrance free cleanser because it doesn't dry my skin, nor does it foam up too much. Will report back later as to whether it's any better in the long term than the others I've experimented with...

I moved away from toners last year - my skin was becoming too dry in patches, and now I only ever use either Garnier Mycellar Cleansing Water, or Lacura Mycellar Cleansing Water. I find the Garnier one is gentle and almost as effective as Bioderma, and for a fraction of the price. The Lacura one has more ingredients - the label says it's 3 in 1, and that it tones and refreshes, and I find that to be true. My take on it is that it's half way between a mycellar water and a toner - I use this when I need a wee bit more cleansing oomph, like when I've worn long-wear foundation...

I usually clean my teeth while I'm waiting for my face to dry, and then apply the same three I use in the morning, and in the same order - Neostrata Renewal Cream, Intensive Eye Therapy, and Bionic Face Serum...

As far as night creams are concerned I've pictured two - I've been using the Elucent Whitening Night Moisturiser for the last 4 months (and just purchased my second jar), but just recently received the Boots Serum7 Regenerating Night Cream in my Ageless Beauty box from The Parcel. The Elucent cream is a beauty - suits my skin perfectly, and it's helping to fade my freckles, as well as give my skin all the nourishment it needs. But I'm loving this new Boots one as well - it's super softening and delivers the right level of hydration without being greasy. We'll see which one wins ♥

Like most beauty bloggers, I have some other products waiting in the wings - Neostrata Daytime Protection Cream & Neostrata Ultra Smoothing Cream, as well as Serum7 Protecting Day Cream and Lacura Cuvee Royal Anti-Aging Luminous Serum Concentrate, and will do another one of these posts in a few months. Gee willikers, with this backlog, I almost need another face lol!

So gals, do you stick with the same skin care products for long periods of time, or are you a Little Miss Fickle like me?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Monday Makeup Madness is happening over at Ingrid's Fabulous and Fun Life blog - starts 6:30am, and you won't regret paying a visit to this terrific listing of beauty bloggers...