SPOTLIGHT: March Empties 2018 + Giveaway!...

Well, I guess no-one can say that I never finish products! Not a bad effort for March and this post is late yet again because of the time it takes to put it all together, but I sure do get a wonderful sense of achievement when I hit "Publish", and my recycle bin gets a good feed haha. Oh and there's a special treat with the giveaway this time around, so off we go lovelies ...

Body

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover (100ml, RRP $4.99)

This was my polish remover of choice (for my toes), but as of a couple of months ago, I stopped painting my own toenails, and now I have them shellacked at a salon - holey guacemoley, what rock have I been living under?...

Repurchase?

Not anymore, but it was the best and most effective for standard gel nail polish...

Cutex Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover (100ml, RRP $4.99)

So much kinder to my nails than regular remover, but takes a bit more soaking and rubbing...

Repurchase?

Even though I'm now having my toenails painted at a salon, I still need this for removing sticky marks that come off my shoes and dull the shellac, and it doesn't damage the glossy finish, so yes, bought some today in fact ♥♥♥...

Natura Siberica Oblepikha Shower Gel (400ml, RRP $12.99)

I wasn't a fan of this shower gel when it first came out - there was a sharpness to the fragrance that didn't appeal initially, but things change, well...I changed, and now I love it! Being tall and slim it takes up minimal space in my caddy, the turquoise bottle is a standout amongst the others, it contains lots of interesting Siberian herbs, no SLS, and it doesn't dry out my skin. Hoping that one day I'll be able to pronounce it lol...

Repurchase?

Definitely! ♥♥♥...

Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Shower Oil (200ml, RRP $38)

This creates such a beautiful shower experience, I wish it wasn't so expensive. But just about everything from this brand eventually goes on sale, and surprise surprise, the replacement for this bottle was a freebie with my last order - score! A very interesting product - yes it's an oil, but when mixed with water it foams into a light and creamy cleanser that moisturises the skin without leaving it feeling greasy, or making the shower floor slippery. The apricot fragrance is to die for, and I don't need to apply any body lotions or potions afterwards. Very softening, very hydrating, very nice...

Repurchase?

Undoubtedly ♥♥♥...

Nutrimetics Ultra Care Platinum Hand Therapy (75ml, RRP $42)

Well, it's called Hand Therapy, and that just about sums it up. Superb hand cream with a soft baby powder scent that smooths and hydrates the most withered skin. I didn't notice any reduction in my brown spots, but I'd say a few tubes would be needed for that. Love the glam silver (platinum) packaging. It's as good as the L'Occitane Shea Butter one, and absorbs COMPLETELY!...

Repurchase?

That'll be a yes, as soon as it's on special ♥♥♥...

Original Source Limited Edition Hibiscus & Pomegranate Tea Shower Gel (250ml, RRP $3.99)

Fell for the scent of this bargain shower gel quite a while ago, and being a Limited Edition, I stocked up. Crisp and refreshing, this is a beaut all-year-round body wash that lathers well and the delicate fruity-floral fragrance is 100% natural. Contains SLS, but unlike numerous other products with this tricky ingredient, it doesn't dry or irritate my skin ...

Repurchase?

Would if I could but I think it's only available on eBay now - fortunately I still have several bottles stashed away in the cupboard ♥♥♥...

Face

BioEffect Day Serum (5ml sample, 30ml, RRP $195)

Crikey, from memory this sample came in an Adore Beauty order, but I nearly fainted when I looked it up and found out that a 30ml bottle costs $195!!!! It's an interesting formulation - the clear gel is amazingly smooth and a tiny amount spreads in a flash. It feels almost like silicone, but boy does it hydrate! No scent that I can detect and some of the online reviews are from gals that swear by it. Honestly, I didn't notice any change or improvement in the short period of time I was using it, but I may have been a bit more observant and frugal with the dispensing if I'd known how much it costs lol...

Repurchase?

Umm, I doubt it - lovely serum, but for that price, I need it to work an overnight miracle!...

L'Oreal Pure Clay Detoxifying Gel Wash (150ml, RRP $14.95)

Definitely one of my favourite cleansers. My passion for anything clay or charcoal is well documented, and this contains both, so it was bound to be a winner. Love the fresh fragrance, and while it's blackish in the tube, it becomes lighter grey when mixed with water and even foams up. It's one of those rare cleansers that removes every molecule of makeup from my face, and the rinse water doesn't leave a ring around my basin, which makes it a winner...

Repurchase?

I already have several of these stashed away (bought on special!) ♥♥♥...

L'Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Advanced Regenerating Serum (30ml, RRP $49.95)

Trialled this for beautyheaven in March and gave it 5 stars - my review is towards the bottom of the page HERE. It's even better than the original formula, and I so looked forward to my beauty routines, both for the feel of it on my skin, and the revitalising lemony scent. Perfect overnight serum hydration-wise, and a beaut base for makeup too as it absorbs very quickly, and the pearly liquid contains tiny gold particles that give a slightly shimmery radiance to the complexion...

Repurchase?

No less than 6 serums on my bench, but as soon as they reduce to 3, I'll definitely be picking up another of these gems ♥♥♥...

Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub (125ml, RRP $12.95)

My rave review of this is HERE...

Repurchase?

You betcha! ♥♥♥...

Face Masks

BLAQ Charcoal Hydrogel Eye Mask (pack of 5, RRP $29.99)

My latest under-eye-depuffing love (pictured below underneath the brown face mask) - these are slippery little suckers, so you can't really walk around with them on as gravity and the slightest movement makes them slide down, but they work a treat AND they contain charcoal. They work out to be $6 a pop, but who cares. LOVE!...

Repurchase?

Affirmative ♥♥♥...

Purederm Black Food Recipe MG:Gel Mask (RRP $3)

Exceptionally hydrating, and even (temporarily) firmed my jawline. Contains 17 black foods - whoa! - including black rice, black bean and blackcurrant. The blurb says that if you store it in the fridge, even more moisture will be released when you slap it on, so for me that little extra tip is a hot weather only one. Anyways for $3 from Kmart, it's a bargain and well worth trying to find it in amongst the gazillion masks they have for sale these days...

Repurchase?

Sure will - I have at least 30 sheet masks in stock to use up (gaahhhhh!), but I'll definitely be buying this one again ♥♥♥...

South Mane Lip Gel (Pack of 3, RRP US$9)

Also pictured above partially covered by the face mask, this pack of 3 came in a Lip Monthly box. They're huge and cover the entire lip area and surrounds, but are also very slippery so you need to lie down and not move your mouth at all. Nicely softening, but very little moisturising beyond the 10 minutes of wear...

Repurchase?

They seem to be only available from the US website, so I'll stick with the LonVitalite ones...

Skin Republic Bubble Purifying + Charcoal Face Mask (RRP $7.99)

Already raved about this one numerous times ...

Repurchase?

Absolutely! ♥♥♥...

Fragrance

Lanvin Eclat d’Arpège EDP (100ml, $140)

Just can't live without this beautiful fragrance in Spring & Summer - been buying it for years, and always ALWAYS receive compliments. Covered it succinctly in a previous empties post in 2016 (HERE) and nothing has changed - this stunner will forever be part of my life. BTW it is regularly on special at various outlets/websites, and I've never paid more than $65 for it...

Repurchase?

I make sure I have a spare even before I open a new bottle ♥♥♥...

Glasshouse Fragrances Beverly Hills Pink Lemonade Reed Diffuser (250ml, $42.95)

A full review of this beautiful baby HERE - it's so summery and fresh and fun! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Affirmative, but not till next warm season ♥♥♥...

Hair

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Silver Toner (RRP $5.49)

I think this may work best if you have bleached blonde hair - it toned down the yellow in mine, but overall my colour was too dark for this to have anything other than a neutralising effect. Leaves the hair nicely conditioned and glossy though...

Repurchase?

No - the one below is what works for me...

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels Cool Grey (RRP $5.49)

Now, this is the go - it actually adds colour, a lovely soft grey (not purplish or bluish). It may sound odd that I wanted to put grey in my hair, but it's true - my ultimate goal is ash blonde with silver streaks. I've decided to go with the flow a bit more, and change my colour to something that blends a whole lot better with my white roots, which are killers to cover up every 2 weeks. This cheap-as-chips semi-permanent has already helped get me closer to where I want my tresses to be without any more damage, and I will continue to use it every month or so (in addition to the Schwarzkopf Colour Specialist) to keep the yellows at bay... 

Repurchase?

It was recently on special at one of the supermarkets, so I bought 8 (yes 8!) boxes ♥♥♥...

Makeup

Maybelline COLORdrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - In With Coral (RRP $9.95)

The perfect coral colour for my skin tone and I also use it as a liner for some of my other lipsticks - lovingly reviewed the range HERE...

Repurchase?

Can't live without it ♥♥♥...

GIVEAWAY!

As usual, I've picked some faves from this month to giveaway, and the thought crossed my mind, why only have one winner? So to double the fun, there are TWO prize packs this time around!

Up for grabs are 2 packs (1 for each winner) containing...

• L'Oreal Pure Clay Detoxifying Gel Wash
• Skin Republic Bubble Purifying + Charcoal Face Mask Sheet
• Original Source Hibiscus & Pomegranate Tea Shower Gel
• Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub
• BLAQ Charcoal Eye Mask

All products were purchased by me, and each pack is valued at around $45.

And again because of the weight, the giveaway is open to...

AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY 

(To all you gals who are overseas, there'll be another International Giveaway soon - dinks!)

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 following 2 beauties as the winners!

Sonia A. & Leonie C.  

Congratulations lovelies! 

Sonia & Leonie please respond to the emails I've sent you by

Wednesday 9th May to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Sonia & Leonie have claimed their prizes ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: February Empties!...

Blimey these empties posts seem to come round so fast! By comparison I barely got through anything last month - had to happen eventually hey. Still it's all stuff that hasn't appeared here before, and some of these products I absolutely adore ♥

Original Source All In One Moisturising Shower Gel - Watermelon & Jojoba Oil

Reviewed here - I do love the formula of these Original Source gels, they hydrate my skin nicely, and I always feel refreshed. My only beef with this particular one is that the fragrance is a bit wishy-washy - I need perfume potency in the shower, especially in the hot weather...

Repurchase? I'll give this one a miss, there are other scent slam-dunkers in the range...

L'Oreal BaseMagique Transforming Smoothing Primer

My current favourite primer for Summer - interesting as it has no sunscreen content, and I normally go for Dermalogica Age Smart because it contains 30+. But there's no denying that Base Magique is the best mattifying primer I've come across in my travels, and it makes a HUGE difference to the shine content of my oily-T. It also has sentimental value as it was the very first primer I ever tried, way back when I had no idea what a primer was, and why the hell would I need one? Ha ha, my how things have changed...

Repurchase? Yes, there's still a few weeks of hot weather left, and I can't live without it ♥

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover

I always buy Cutex Nail Polish Remover, have done for years - not sure why but I trust it to always perform, and not be too harsh. My usual variety is the whitening one, but this is my 2nd choice if the other one is out of stock. Can't say it actually whitens my nails, or that this one nourishes them in any way, but it's a nice thought all the same. I only ever wear polish on my toes, and there may be better formulas out there, but this does the trick...

Repurchase? Undoubtedly - it's one of those beauty kit essentials I can't bear to run out of ♥...

NeoStrata Renewal Cream

Hmm the jury is still out on this one. I bought it after reading rave reviews on beautyheaven, and I saw a very promising reduction in the creases around my mouth in the first few weeks, but no further improvement since. It has a nice fresh fragrance and it sure is super softening, but for $54 I was hoping to be jumping up and down by now. It's a long term product though, contains Pro-Retinol and I'm onto my second tube - only applying it to my t-zone. I probably need something a whole heap stronger, but I'll persist - it does last a long time as so little is required...

Repurchase? Will see how tube #2 goes, but if there's no change, I'll move on to something else...

NeoStrata Daytime Protection Cream

Loved this cream, it's consistency and rapid absorption - light and yet enriching, and no problem with shine, BUT no obvious improvement in my ageing issues, although my skin did feel a little firmer. Was surprised it only contained SPF15. Another one around the $50 mark, and therefore a bit pricey for 40g. I have the Pigment Controller one to try next...

Repurchase? Doubt it...

Max Factor Colour Correcting Cream

A darling friend sent me this, and I am forever in her debt. Never been all that interested in CC creams, but this tube of fabulousness has earned a permanent place on my bench. The medium shade is my exact colour match, and the coverage is almost as good as a foundation - I've even been known to wear this alone to the shops! But my main use of it is underneath the numerous font de teints that don't quite cover my flaws - base perfection, it evens out my skintone and helps blend in my freckles...
Repurchase? Had quite a bit of trouble finding my shade, but eventually scored, so I can now relax ♥

Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream

Well this was a massive surprise - a beautiful BEAUTIFUL cream! I think it's been in my drawer for around 18 months, possibly from a DJ's Beauty Tote. A most unassuming tube containing the most delicious night moisturiser - smells fantastic (organic but not stale like some others), amazingly hydrating, and every application was a joy. In fact I almost cried when I finished the last squeeze. Jam packed with natures goodness, and made my skin feel ultra-smooth with no gunk on the surface the next morning. LOVE this ♥

Repurchase? You bet - I've checked out the entire range at Priceline, doesn't come cheap, but I reckon it's worth it for the scrumptious experience...

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub

This is a regular in my shower stall - madly in love with the fragrance, and how it keeps my blackheads from taking over my nose. Reviewed here, I alternate between this and the Deep Clean one (also Pink Grapefruit). You may have gathered I have a thing for Pink Grapefruit...

Repurchase? Yes indeedy - several times a year ♥

Swisspers Dual Cosmetic Tips

Another of my "can't live withouts". Very hard to find (only at Priceline), and I recently had to make three trips before they restocked - so I bought six packs, and will replenish my supply when I get down to the last two! Nothing beats these thingies - I use the flat paddle end for cleaning up my hoods, and the pointy tip repairs my sloppy lip product applications in a flash. I live in fear that Swisspers will stop making them...

Repurchase? What a silly question ♥...

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Nice fresh smell, low sudsing, non drying, but not "special" enough for me to spend upwards of $50 on a full size bottle. Forget where this sample came from, but I was very happy to try it...

Repurchase? No - there are lots of others in the market that are just as effective, and for half the price...

Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Colour - Intense Copper & Very Light Blonde

My new home hair colourant of choice - reviewed this last Sunday

Repurchase? Yup - two of each ♥ Not every store has the copper shade, but found it at Chemist Warehouse...

Till the next round of empties, keep well and safe lovelies!

Take care of  you,
kats xxx