Showing posts with label Elemis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elemis. Show all posts

Sunday, 17 May 2020

April 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

What a revealing month for Empties April was! With the rather sudden reduction in the volume of what I went through, it's pretty obvious that I use quite a lot of products for presenting myself to the outside world, and working from home combined with only venturing to the shops one day per week sure made a significant difference. I also decided to give my hair a break from any major colouring attempts and bought half a dozen newsboy caps instead lol. Still, there's a couple of interesting skincare items in this lot, so on with the reviews ...

Every product I finished in April 2020

Body

Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant Paste (15g, RRP $7.95)
Rated this #3 in my Top 6 Aluminium-free Deodorants (review HERE), and the only reason it won 3rd prize is because I have to use my fingers to apply it. Other than that little fussy-folly of mine, this stuff is legendary ...
Repurchase?
If they made it in a stick form, you betcha ...


KOi Relaxing Body Wash - Jasmine & Sandalwood (500ml, RRP $8)
Beautifully fragranced, natural ingredients, great price, SLS & cruelty-free - a truly lovely body wash available from supermarkets, but just not quite enough hydrating power to meet my new baseline requirements ...
Repurchase?
Maybe next Summer ...

Schmidt's Bergamot + Lime Natural Deodorant (75g, RRP $13.99)
Schmidt's deodorants are my current #1 in the aluminium-free range, and I'm crazy about the Charcoal & Magnesium, Cedarwood & Juniper & Lavender & Sage varieties, but not this one. It works brilliantly and has a lovely zesty fragrance, but the little lumps in it (I think it's baking soda) are way too hard and scratchy - so much so I found this quite painful to apply. I bought it on special at Priceline so it may have been old stock and dried out, but I won't get it again just in case that's the way it is - it's just too harsh for my pits...
Repurchase?
No...

Regulars
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)
White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, RRP $6.99)

Face

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (50ml, RRP $205)
One of the ritzy-ditzy products in the 2019 lookfantastic Advent Calendar, and one I was super excited to try, especially given the rave reviews and hefty price tag. Well now, I'm a little puzzled as I really didn't find it fabulous at all. Mind you I only used it at night. On the plus side, it's a lovely textured cream, very light, and the tiniest amount spreads so easily and absorbs well, but I didn't find it the least bit special - there were no obvious improvements in my fine lines, moisture levels or elasticity. The fragrance was disappointingly bleah - like an old-fashioned el-cheapo cold-cream, but not even as pleasant as that. Marketed as "a revolutionary anti-aging product", sorry folks it didn't work for me...
Repurchase?
No way...

Indeed Labs Snoxin Facial Line & Wrinkle Fighting Serum (30ml, RRP ?)
This has been in my stockpile drawer for longer than I can remember (like maybe 2 years), and I probably shouldn't review it at all as it's no longer for sale (there is a new version Snoxin II). But the seal was intact so I decided not to toss it. Actually, a lovely and amazingly slippery serum which left my skin feeling so silky smooth, but there were no obvious improvements. The box said "4 x better than $500+ serums" - maybe mine was old and had lost its potency, but I can't discount how fabulous it made my skin feel, and would definitely try the new version ...
Repurchase?
Snoxin II, yes ...

Liar Wrinkle Cheater Eye Roller Serum (12ml, RRP $39.95)
This came in the July 2019 Bellabox, and because it has a metal roller ball, I put it away till the warmer weather as it felt so cold on my face. Silly me - it's SO good! The best roller-ball eye serum I've ever tried - I don't know how or why, but unlike every other eye cream with this kind of dispenser, the Liar ball never EVER drags on my delicate skin. On first application, there is an immediate tightening sensation, and my eyes look refreshed and feel perfectly hydrated. No improvement to my eye bags, but my crow's feet are less deep and the under-eye area especially has lost that crepey withered look - 100% natural ingredients too ...
Repurchase?
Ooh yes ...

L'Oreal Pure Clay Exfoliating Scrub (150ml, RRP $14.99)
Absolutely LOVE the smell of this scrub and how it leaves my skin so soft and de-flaked without being harsh, although I wouldn't use it on my old skin more than once a week. It's messy (like the charcoal one) so best used in the shower, but it's a great product and a great price. No less than three clays plus red algae ...
Repurchase?
Yes ma'am ...


Nivea Q10 Power Anti-Wrinkle Replenishing Day Cream for 60+ Skin (50ml, RRP $23.99)
Trialled this for beautyheaven throughout the summer, I gave it 5 stars - my review is 4th from the bottom of the page HERE. Needs a light hand with the quantity or else there's a high probability of T-zone shine, but overall I loved it. So often the creams made for us oldies are way too rich for my skin and I end up with clogged pores, but not with this darling. The fragrance is fresh and delightful, and the price is surprisingly low, just wish it was 30+ SPF ...
Repurchase?
Sure will ...

Regulars
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99) 

Face Masks

Kmart Raspberry Leaf Botanical Eye Mask (2 pairs, RRP $3)
My latest passion in the eye patch arena. These are as cheaps as chips, supremely comfortable, and surprisingly effective - they're the jelly type, almost invisible on the skin, and they slide down if you're standing up, but I wear them to bed. And at $1.50 a pop, I can afford them every night! These ones are for firming, and they also come in Red Ginseng for brightening, and Evening Primrose for hydrating ...
Repurchase?
Silly question lol ...

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

Fragrance

Sarah Jessica Parker  Lovely EDP (30ml, RRP $9.99)
One of my faves, and the 30ml bottle is the perfect handbag size as well as being totally affordable - lovingly reviewed HERE ...
Repurchase?
Already have ...

Paco Rabanne Lady Million EDP (30ml, RRP $81)
The cutest little sample size, I forget how this came into my hands, but I'm glad it did as I sampled it years ago (when I was a different person ha ha) and didn't think much of it. Have definitely changed my mind about it, but maybe not quite enough to spend $80. Woodsy white flowers with a touch of orange and a base of patchouli. Quite the seductress, but I have caught a drift of it on quite a few gals, and that always puts me off a bit. Still, I might relent ...
Repurchase?
Maybe ...

Regulars

Hair

Kérastase Paris Densifique Densimorphose Treatment Mousse (150ml, RRP $48)
My stylist recommended this for my new spikey haircut, which needs some lift and has a tendency to reveal my scalp in places (and consequently my white roots if I've been slack), so I needed something to create a bit more fullness, and this is it. It doesn't make my hair all goopy and really fluffs it out without adding to the frizz. It's my first ever Kérastase product, and I'm already on my second can ...
Repurchase?
Affirmative ...

Regulars
Salon Professional Supplies Creme Peroxide 5 vol (200ml, RRP $5.95)
Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Violet Toner (100ml, RRP $14.95)
Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey (RRP $5.49)

Makeup
Regulars
Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)
Eye of Horus Charcoal Obsidian Goddess Pencil (1.2g, RRP $30)
Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara (RRP $19.95)

Giveaway
This month's giveaway prize

Ok, so this month we have up for grabs...
  • Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely EDP 30ml
  • Nourished Life Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser 125ml
  • Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Body Scrub
  • Lacura Cherish Luxury Hand Cream with Peony Flower & Mandarin Oil Extract
  • Peppermint Grove Patchouli & Bergamot Soy Candle 60g
  • Colette Teardrop Diamante Stud Earring & Ring Set (Medium)

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $65.  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

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    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 Ange L. as the winner.  
    Congratulations gorgeous! 
    Ange, please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight
    Wednesday 27th May to claim your prize :-)
    Edit: Ange has claimed her prize 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Best of luck to all who enter!

    Take care of you, and keep safe,
    kats xxx

    Sunday, 10 November 2019

    SPOTLIGHT: lookfantastic Advent Calendar 2019...

    Oh wow - after several agonising weeks' wait, my lookfantastic Advent Calendar 2019 finally arrived, and it's even more fantastic than I'd hoped. Interestingly, it's the only Advent Calendar I've ever bought and what a way to start! For $145, the contents are advertised as being worth over $750, and almost all of them are full-size. And having opened all the boxes, I definitely chose wisely for my first experience ...
    Spoiler Alert - contents will be revealed! 

    Lookfantastic Advent Calendar Box with christmas garland

    The presentation is absolutely gorgeous! The box is huge and really quite heavy, made of super sturdy cardboard in a deep blue with gold embellishments. I have to say I'm feeling a bit of a tease as this is currently listed as "sold out", but I'm posting all the goodies in case it might inspire you to put some pennies aside throughout the coming year so you can score one next Christmas - I sure as hell am! ... 

    nside Lookfantastic Advent Calendar Box with christmas decorations

    Each slide-out box contains a beauty item professionally wrapped in midnight blue tissue paper, with a cute little numbered card describing the product - it's all so so beautiful, so let's get on with the contents. This will be a picture heavy post without many words as I haven't tried any of the products yet, but you'll see my reviews as usual in the Empties posts going forward ...

    #1 - Morphe 9A Always Golden Eyeshadow Palette*
    Morphe 9A Always Golden Eyeshadow Palette - box and inside

    A mix of matte and shimmer pans in beautiful warm shades - I have a couple of Morphe palettes in my kit and their pigmentation is excellent and the texture buttery smooth...

    #2 - Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment
    Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment tube & card

    This styling cream promises strength, shine, smoothing, volume & condition - right up my alley!...

    #3 - Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner
    Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner bottle & card

    I haven't used a toner for years, but looking forward to trying this on my open pores...

    #4 - Luxie Eye Makeup Brushes - 121 & 141
    Luxie Eye Makeup Brushes & description card

    Excellent! Some nice new eyeshadow brushes never go astray...

    #5 - Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Day Cream
    Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Day Cream jar & description card

    Holey guacemoley - this cream sells for $196 at Mecca, and it promises to "...soften wrinkles, firm, tone and hydrate for visible results in 14 days."  Fingers crossed!

    #6 - Illamasqua Nude Collection Lip Liner - Raw*
    Illamasqua Nude Collection Lip Liner & description card

    A little pale for me, but everything I've ever tried from Illamasqua has been fabulous...

    #7 - Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil
    Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil bottle & description card

    This is for both hair and body, and I can't wait to try it out...

    #8 - Philip Kingsley Elasticizer hair mask
    Philip Kingsley Elasticizer hair mask tube & description card

    Ooh yes please, and I'll probably leave it on overnight instead of the recommended 20 minutes...

    #9 - Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
    Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel tube & description card

    Perfect timing with the start of the warmer weather and my shift away from cleansing balms. This is non-foaming as well which makes it even more appealing...

    #10 - First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
    First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads jar & description card

    I'm hoping for mega-radiance from these pads, which contain lactic and glycolic acid, and pretty awesome reviews on Sephora...

    #11 - Avant Skincare Moisture Surge Overnight Treatment
    Avant Skincare Moisture Surge Overnight Treatment tube & card

    Crikey - this is the same quantity (and appears to be the same product) as the jar on the lookfantastic website that's priced at $156.40. I'll be saving this for special occasions lol!...

    #12 - PRAI Throat & Decolletage Creme
    PRAI Throat & Decolletage Creme jar & description card

    How perfect is this for me? Whoop, whoop, whoop!...

    #13 - Lord & Berry Eye Liner - Travel Black*
    Lord & Berry Eye Liner crayon & description card

    I have several lip crayons from this brand and they are brilliant - very creamy, long-lasting and beautifully pigmented...

    #14 - Mellow Cosmetics Liquid Lip Paint - Tehran*
    Mellow Cosmetics Liquid Lip Paint tube, box & card

    While this shade isn't all that appealing, the formula sounds like my kinda thing...

    #15 - Rodial Dragon's Blood Lip Mask
    Rodial Dragon's Blood Lip Mask sachet & description card

    Just what the doctor ordered for my shrivelled pout...

    #16 - Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel*
    Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel bottle & card

    I'm positive this would smell totally divine, but it contains SLS so I'll be gifting this baby...

    #17 - Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream
    Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream tube & card

    One of the very few sample sizes in the box, I'll definitely use it on some of my pigmentation spots...

    #18 - Neal's Yard Remedies Wild Rose Hand Cream
    Neal's Yard Remedies Wild Rose Hand Cream tube & card

    Can never have too many hand creams, and this sounds delish...

    #19 - Bioeffect EGF Serum
    Tiny Bioeffect EGF Serum bottle & description card

    This is the cutest bottle, and while it's only 5ml, it'll be plenty if all I need is 2-4 drops. The 15ml dropper bottle sells for $195 so I'm more than happy with $65-worth...

    #20 - Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara - Black*
    Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara tube, box and card

    Oh wow, how interesting - my lashes could do with some caffeine!...

    #21 - Delilah Cosmetics Eye Brow Pencil - Sable*
    Delilah Cosmetics Eye Brow Pencil, box and card

    Such a pity this is way too dark for me...

    #22 - lookfantastic Bubble T Limited Edition Bath Fizzies - Salted Caramel
    lookfantastic Bubble T Limited Edition Bath Fizzies package & card

    Well, these should satisfy my sweet tooth...

    #23 - Filorga Meso-Mask
    Filorga Meso-Mask tube & card

    You know of my passion for face masks - thankyou, thankyou, thankyou...

    #24 - Sleek Makeup Highlighting Palette - Solstice*
    Sleek Makeup Highlighting Palette box & card

    The package was sealed so I didn't open it, but it looks stunning...

    #25 - Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist Limited Edition
    Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist Limited Edition bottle & card

    So looking forward to the delightful boost this will give me at the end of a hot humid day...


    I haven't heard of half of these brands, but I'm busting to try them, and I tell you what with all this going on my face, body and hair over the next 12 months, I'll have no excuse to not look fantastic by the end the of the year ha ha. Overall I reckon this is the most unbelievable value and massive thanks to darling Ingrid from fabulous and fun life, without whom I would never have known it existed! ...

    Even though I've already peeked inside every box, I've put everything back, and am planning to still play along with the tradition, and only open and try each product on the relevant day in December - incidentally any of the above products marked with an asterisk (*) are the ones that don't necessarily suit me, so watch this space in the weeks ahead as I might just have a special giveaway ...

    Take care of you,
    kats xxx