SPOTLIGHT: Favourite March & April 2020 LOTD's...

Sadly I missed the upload boat for the fave March LOTD's. To be honest, when I started working from home, I didn't wear any makeup for the first 10 days (until it hit me how much I missed it!) so there weren't a lot of photos to choose from, soooo...I decided to combine the March and April posts to have as wide a colour and texture range as possible to choose from, so here we go ♥...

With the start of Autumn, I trotted out some of my precious browns...

1. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Shady. These were March's Find Of The Month. For $7 each at Priceline, I couldn't possibly resist - dense, creamy, rich and deliciously moist, my full review of the first six I bought is HERE ♥...

2. Maybelline Color Sensational - Bean There. Probably one of the last few times you'll see this in a post as I've almost hit pan, and as is often the case with my loves, it's no longer available. Still on the hunt for a replacement - I have quite a few browns in my collection, but they all have a lot of red content, whereas this darling is golden all the way ♥...

3. Colour by TBN - Mocha-Chino. This range was last year's big discovery at Price Attack. For $3.95 they can't be beat for intensity, packaging, range and comfort. This is such a pretty and soft latte ♥There are two dedicated posts for these babies, HERE & HERE ♥...
4. L'Oreal Le Rouge Lumiere - Brilliant Brown. This was one I bought from Priceline recently (online) and which I was hoping would be a replacement for the MNY Bean There above. Of course, the trap with buying lipsticks online is that rarely are the website colours accurate, and this one is leaning more towards orange. But I'm glad I indulged as it's totally gorgeous and perfect for this time of year ♥...

5. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Modern Soul. Possibly my most favourite orange of all time. I mean how unusual is it, and so different than anything else I have. I'm totally in love with these lacquers, and because they were (and are still) $7 from Priceline, I figured the range was being discontinued, but they are still listed on the NYX Aussie site, just not these shades, so perhaps they're just doing a colour revamp? Fingers crossed ♥...

6. Colour by TBN - Why So Orange.  Another amazing orange, and one that will brighten many a dull day in the coming winter - SO vibrant ♥...

7. Colour by TBN - Roses Are Red. Well now, I could just keep on raving about these lipsticks forever, but how about this red? I reckon it would almost glow in the dark! ♥...

8. Nutrimetics Silk Creme - Chilli.  Still loving all my Nutrimetics lippies, and Chilli red is another one that will punch a massive hole in the dreary ♥...

9. Maybelline Vivid Hot Lacquer - Classic. Sometimes I just need a super-duper glossy OTT out-there red, and when I do, this is the one I reach for. Bought it mid-2018 and there's been no deterioration in the formula or wham-factor ♥...

10. Colour by TBN- Milkshake. One of the most gorgeous rosy coral pinks ever! ♥...

11. Antipodes Natural Lipstick - South Pacific Coral.  This was in a gift pack that was sent to me recently, for which I will be eternally grateful ♥ Antipodes lipsticks are so full of goodness, and they never disappoint in comfort, density and moisturising power ♥...

12. Karen Murrell Natural Lipstick - Blushing Rose. Don't you just love it when companies put out a freebie with a magazine? This was one of three colours that came with the April issue of Marie Claire. I'd been wanting to try at least one from the range for ages, but hadn't gotten around to it. At $29.95 they're not cheap, but who cares when they're riddled with nourishing ingredients that make them so good for girl ♥...

13. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Rosy Outlook. Absolutely nuts about this shade. Have been going through a discovery phase with rose coloured lip products, and delighted with the results, given that I'd always classified this colour family as "doesn't suit me". But this darling has changed all that ♥...

14. Karen Murrell Natural Lipstick - Bordeaux Rouge. Another from the Marie Claire GWP - perfect winter red, like mulled wine, and my lips drink in all the goodness ♥...

15. Maybelline Colordrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - Berry Much.  These lip crayons just keep on keeping on - this baby has had many many outings, and more to come. The formula is so comfortable, and these also work brilliantly as lip liners ♥...

16. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Negotiator. Oh oh oh. Haven't lusted after a new purple for ages, but this one has my heart ♥...

Which ones do you like?

Take care of you, and keep your loved ones safe,

kats xxx

Colour by TBN Lipsticks - Part 2...

Back in December (HERE), I reviewed nine of the lipsticks from the Colour by TBN range - absolutely loved them (especially for $3.95 & cruelty-free!), so much so I've been visiting my local Price Attack on a regular basis, waiting for them to restock. Well, it finally happened a few weeks ago (pre-COVID), and I found another six that, from the packaging, looked like they would serve me well, and indeed, these are all terrific for my particular colouring, although the last one is a wee bit pale but still totally wearable ♥...

There are 20 in the range, so with these six new babes, I have 15 of them! Only missing three that I really want - Going Taupeless (looks like a purple-pink), Bite Me (deep red), & Sugar & Spice (bold pink), the other two (Ice Queen & Candy Man) will be way too light, so I'll give those a miss...

And so, it's on with the swatches!...

Why So Orange...

Oh yum - doesn't get much more vibrant or juicier than this citrus delight. Has quite a bit of red in it - in fact, I'm calling it a rorange (just made that up lol) ♥...

Roses Are Red...

Who doesn't love a bold and bright red now that the weather is cooling down, the days are shorter, and dull days will be far more frequent? This hydrating scarlet is the perfect antidote! ♥...

My Milkshake...

Gee, I don't know what this has to do with milkshakes - maybe a strawberry one? Can't decide if this is a coral or a rose - either way, it's such a gorgeous colour, n'est-ce pas? ♥...

Birthday Suit...

Aptly named, this is one of those my-lips-but-better shades. On my lips it's a nude, although it does have a tinge of terracotta ♥...

Mocha-Chino...

I love a warm soft brown, and while this one is more of a latte, it will certainly see some outings with the biscuity beiges, and even the golden tans in my wardrobe ♥...

Souffle All Day...

Same goes for this one - borderline too pale but just scraped through. Love how creamy it is, makes me think of butterscotch cream pie ♥...

These are such terrific value - which one(s) would you choose for yourself?

Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite January 2020 LOTD's...

Time for another round of lip products that rang my bell a little bit louder last month. Just when I think I've found my ultimate favourite shade, I'm reminded that it's pointless because I adore so many, plus I reckon colour preference is very much related to mood, and that changes hourly for me. I've even tried choosing my top pink or red or purple of all time, but that's also a waste of brain cells as there'll always be another I've forgotten about...and another...and another. So let's just say here are my top 12 from last month lol ♥...

1. Revlon Super Lustrous - Mink. Sadly discontinued - a pity as this is such a pretty one. Still smells good and keep my lips lush and moist, so I'll hang onto it for another season ♥...

2. Maybelline Colorsensational Rebel Bloom - Rose Rush. This vibrant orange beauty has appeared many times and I'm still bamboozled as to the name. But who cares hey, and anyway MNY is saying it's going to be phased out. The story of my lip life sob ♥...

3. Colour by TBN - Teak-Alicious. Such a pretty deep nude,  with benefits - it's actually verging on a bricky red, but either way, I'm loving it and will continue to love it into Autumn when it will be even more perfect, particularly gorgeous with navy and olive. I'm literally hanging out till my local Price Attack store restocks this range so I can try some of the other shades ♥...

4. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance - Coral Silk. Still making regular appearances in my fave LOTD's for colour and comfort, I'll probably retire this after March, but only to the "save for Spring" box - it's just a wee bit too pale to make it through the seasonal wardrobe changeover ♥...

5. Maybelline Smoked Roses - Blushed Rose. My latest passion, and lovingly reviewed just a few weeks ago HERE. There are seven in the set, and I've bought one more (Dusk Rose) to add to my three, and that will UNDOUBTEDLY appear in the Feb LOTD collage - so in love with this range ♥...

6. Australis Colour Inject Moisturising Mineral Lipstick - Bolero.  Picked this up in one of the "everything $3" sales they had last year. Of course, now they only have the GRLBOSS range which I've yet to try. To be honest, when I'm in front of the stand I go into overload because there's just too many to look at, plus they all seem to be such similar shades. Oh well, I'll be wearing this tomato-ey red stunner for a few years yet - the mineral formula is a sure bet to keep my lips from drying out ♥...

7. Covergirl - Succulent Cherry. This one's good enough to eat hey? I just searched for this on my blog and found it first appeared in (wait for it) December 2015! Yes hard to believe this is still viable, but it is I can assure you, and kudos to Covergirl's manufacturing technique & formula that it has lasted for over 4 years. Still sweet and moisture-rich with shea butter to keep my pucker well greased - it's the lippie that keeps on keeping on ♥...

8. DB Cosmetics Moisturising Lipstick - Red Hot Red. Another blast from the past. New range, new packaging, but no red as hot and sassy as this one so I'll hang onto it for now. Great value lipsticks ($11.99) that are certified vegan and cruelty-free, super moist and wear very well ♥...

9. Maybelline Smoked Roses - Steamy Rose. I think I've already expressed my deep and profound sentiments for this luscious baby ♥...

10. Ulta3 - Lilac Glow. Another one with a confusing name, but it's certainly a straight-talking yummy pink. In general, I find Ulta3 lippies pretty awesome value - some are sheerer than others, but choose the right formulation for your needs and you'll be happy as a clam ♥...

11. Maybelline Smoked Roses - Frozen Rose.  Absolutely adore this greigey purple-pink, and who would have thought it would be so flattering. To me, it's the colour of a genuine (well, genetically modified) blue rose, not one that's been dyed. So beautiful...sigh ♥...

12. Sash Cosmetics Luminous Lipstick - Gypsy Child. The company disappeared around Christmas 2018, but the lipsticks are still fab. I search every few months in the hope they'll come back ♥...

Which ones do you like? Would they suit your skin tone?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Colour by TBN Lipsticks...

Over the last six months, I've been gathering some Colour by TBN Lipsticks from their range to add to my (already ridiculously huge) lippie collection (oops), and I thought it was about time they had their moment in the spotlight because they really are something special ♥...

I found them in a perspex fishbowl near the counter in my local Price Attack store. For $3.95, they can't be beat for value. Vegan and cruelty-free (what?) there are 20 shades in the range - a mix of gloss, demi-matte and pearlised finish. No purple, but I won't hold that against them because the formula of these pout-paints is smooth and creamy, comfortable to wear, and they last well with little transfer. The packaging is amazing for the price - quite sturdy, colour-coded to reflect the contents, and the lids click firmly in place. The base is a clear box containing some of the product so you can see exactly what you're getting. What's not to love? ♥...

So let's get on with the swatches so you can see how gorgeous these shades truly are ♥ (I'm listing them in order of their numbering). Some of these have already appeared in my monthly faves so the bullets aren't pristine, but I'm including them so you can see all the colours together...

Oh My Melon (924)

I adore this shade, but like many orangey ones, it's a bit streaky and doesn't apply (or wear) all that evenly. I get around that by applying a closely matching liner all over my lips and then slicking this over the top. It's more like a bright orange coral than a melon, but it's such a happy summery colour hey ♥...

Teak-alicious (928)

Quite a bright red that's softened by a tinge of brown, light enough to wear all year round though, this will go with anything except maybe pastels ♥...

Raisin Rage (930)

I've worn this one a few times already - similar to the one before, but more subdued and with more brown. Still bold enough and perfect if you don't want your lips to be too loud - this looks SO good with khaki and olivey shades ♥...

Vampira (931)

Mmm now you're talking - doesn't get much more blood red than this, and aptly named. The darker shades do stain the lips a little, which I prefer but it comes off easily with makeup remover ♥...

Blackforest Babe (932)

For those of you who love your lips all dark and broody ♥ I'll probably put this aside till Autumn when I can pair it with black, navy and claret velvets - ooh yes, looking forward to it ♥...

Made in Magenta (935)

I have a stack of magentas in my kit, but none with quite as much depth and wow power as this one. Magnificently pigmented, I gave it a test run back in November with a black, white and grey outfit - totally lifted it out of the doldrums. Made in heaven ♥...

Love Seat (937)

The palest of this set, it's an unusual shade - kind of peachy with a tad more red than the other lobster or apricot ones in my stash. It also has a pearlised finish\ which I love - I think the soft shimmery formulas are so flattering to us older gals ♥...

French Kiss (938)

Well now, how pretty is this pink? This is what I would call a deep rose - a shade I rarely wear because I don't think it suits me all that much. But this one has changed my mind - I absolutely love it ♥ It's also the most matte-ish of all the ones I have, but still moist enough to be comfortable ♥...

Caramello Qween (940)

Love me a soft juicy brown, and this one ticks all my boxes. It's deeper than it looks in the bullet picture above, but because it's a pearly one, the light bounces off and makes it look paler than it is. Toffee lovers rejoice! ♥...

Well, nine down, eleven to go lol! If you want to see the entire colour range, there are pics HERE although they're not all that accurate colour-wise. But I'll be buying more, so I hope you'll come back for the next round ♥...

Have you tried any of these Colour by TBN lipsticks? Which one of the above is your fave?

Take care of you, and Happy New Year lovelies!

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite November 2019 LOTD's...

Sneaking in a second LOTD post - I don't want to start the year on the back foot! A couple of new ones in this batch and some old faithfuls that never let me down. And of course, the return of the reds (yay!) that took a breather in October ♥...

1. Color by TBN - Caramello Queen. Only discovered this brand in June at Price Attack - loved what I bought so I went back and rifled through the bowl for more colours, which I couldn't swatch, but for the price ($4.95) I didn't give a hoot. Total bargain - smooth, creamy, moist, and I'm a goner for this soft brown ♥...

2. Covergirl Colourlicious - Ravish Raspberry. Had this a long time - slightly more pink than my-lips-but-better, super comfortable and wears well. I reckon Covergirl lipsticks are underrated in the lipstick world ♥...

3. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance 50th Anniversary - Coral Silk. Isn't this just the softest, prettiest coral? Nutrimetics lipsticks are up near the top of my list of faves for comfort & value (when they're on special), and their colours are just that bit different to what else is out there. Sadly this is a limited edition, full review HERE ♥...

4. NYX Liquid Suede - Life's a Beach. Hard to go past this baby when I want a pinky coral. Not as hydrating as I'd like, but I adore the colour so much, it's a keeper ♥...

5. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance - Russett. Oh, why don't I wear this more often? Such an unusual orange, kinda burnt, and lots of red content - it's very autumnal but looks amazing with navy, black and grey, so that makes it an all-year-rounder for moi ♥...

6. Maybelline Colorsensational Matte - Craving Coral. This little darling is almost luminous! No way is it coral, more like scarlet, and as sassy as that gal in Gone With the Wind. Comfier than I expected from a matte - yep MNY has my heart ♥...

7. NYC - Retro Red. Another one I plucked out during the cull - ain't letting go of this one in a hurry though, that extra bit of glossy sheen gets me every time ♥...

8. Maybelline Colorsensational Made For All - Red For Me. You KNOW I love this range - probably has two more micro-millilitres of blue (or green, not sure) in it than the previous one, but it's easy to tell them apart IRL. LOVE! ♥...

9. Covergirl Katy Kat Matte - Crimson Cat. I swear every single one of my red lippies is different lol! Love this one as it's verging on tomato, and sometimes I need this EXACT slightly softer red shade to match my outfit ♥...

10. Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist - Ella. Another one I forgot about after Winter - kicking myself though as it's a stunner. One of the best formulas around, and looks sensational with pastels like beige, pink & cream ♥... 

11. Color by TBN - Made in Magenta. Yes, one more find from the Price Attack fish bowl - super pretty. I have quite a few magentas in my kit, and each one has unique shade qualities. Love the way this one almost glows ♥...

12. IBY Beauty High Intensity - Mardi Gras. Not as hydrating as some, but with a toe in purple-land that gives it some extra punch, I've moved this to the front of the box - summer is the time for whoa pinks! ♥...

Hope you're having the most wonderful day with your families, and may your 2020 be truly awesome!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite June 2019 LOTD's...

Squeezing in the June LOTD's with some classic Winter colours - yum! Maybelline is dominating thanks to the Made For All pack I was so kindly sent, but there are a few pre-loved faves and a couple of newbies that I really didn't need, but couldn't resist lol ♥...

So let's get on with the details...

1. Bourjois Rouge Edition - Brun Boheme. SO love this colour - it's particularly stunning paired with  an olive themed outfit, and the comfort factor is 10/10 ♥,,,

2. Nude by Nature Moisture Shine - Garnet. So different from the other "garnet" lippies in my kit (which are way redder) but another supremely softening and lip-loving formula ♥...

3. Colour by TBN - Raison Rage. One of my latest bargains, this was in a bowl in Price Attack for under $5. I've not seen this brand anywhere else, but I'm quite impressed. Very moist, wears well for the price, and the shade is a rare breed in my collection ♥...

4. Maybelline ColourSensational Made For All - Red For Me. Gorgeous orangey red, this is the only matte in the range (well for now at least). Very comfortable and long-wearing. You'll find my dedicated post HERE ♥...

5. Maybelline ColourSensational Made For All - Ruby For Me. Oh goody - side by side with the Red For Me it's easier to see the colour difference between these two than it was in my article. This beauty def has more pink content - so moist, so delish! ♥...

6. Maybelline ColourSensational Made For All - Mauve For Me. Surprisingly this is the one I've worn the most so far - amazingly flattering to my skin tone and goes with just about anything. A raging success story Maybelline! ♥...

7. Maybelline ColourSensational Made For All - Pink For Me. I call this kind of shade antique pink - love that it's muted but still packs enough punch for those of us who need some colour to look healthy lol ♥...

8. Colour by TBN - Vampira. Bargain #2 from Price Attack. They only had one other shade in the bowl - a nude that was too pale for me, but I'm hoping to find another outlet for these where I can check out the whole range ♥...

9. Shanghai Suzy - Miss Georgina Pink Plum. A much-loved berry (you can tell by the label wearing off). I simply MUST try more of these (vegan & cruelty-free). There's a special at the mo' - 3 for $50 with free express shipping HERE, although this particular shade seems to have been discontinued ♥...

10. Maybelline ColourSensational Made For All - Fuchsia For Me. Wowser bold pink that's sure to lift your spirits - a total knockout if you're wearing a black, grey or navy outfit ♥...

11. Maybelline ColourSensational Made For All - Plum For Me. The other one from this stunning range that's particularly dear to my heart. This is so ME! ♥...

12. Sash Cosmetics Luminous Lipstick - Insomnia. I feel a bit bad posting anything from this brand as it folded last Christmas, and there's nothing worse than falling head over heels for a lipstick colour only to find it's no longer available, so forgive me. I keep hoping they'll be reincarnated ♥...

So that's the June's lineup done and dusted - do let me know your thoughts on the Maybelline Made For All lippies if you've tried any of them!

Take care of you,

kats xxx