REVIEW:Makeup Revolution Precious Stone - Emerald Eyeshadow Palette...

I bought this fabulous Makeup Revolution Precious Stone - Emerald eyeshadow palette in October last year, and have only just started using it in the last few weeks. Until now, all I've done is look at it - how hopeless am I? Couldn't bear to muck it all up lol. It's not the first time that's happened of course, and I figured I would never EVER use it unless I reviewed it, because to review it I have to swatch the pans, and well, then after that it's no longer pristine and I can get on with experimenting with all the stunning colours and finishes it contains, so here she is ♥...

My eyeshadow palette purchasing frequency has reduced dramatically since I stopped photographing my eye looks a couple of years ago (too old and wrinkly now). I most certainly haven't lost interest though - I wear eyeshadow every day and I still have a stack of palettes, even after a cull of the really old ones. Around that same time, I decided to direct my beauty investments into skincare, haircare, lipsticks and fragrances, and that's what I've been doing. But then I saw this in Priceline and fell head over heels for the shades and textures in this glorious palette, and I just had to have it ♥...

Under the sparkly teal lid, there's a full-size mirror and 20 pans set into a luxurious shiny gold base - a mix of matte, shimmers and even a couple of glittery ones for those days when I'm feeling particularly brave. I bought it mainly because of the six greens - two stunning emeralds and four mossy olivey shades, but there are some gorgeous pinks, mauves, taupes, blues and purples as well as some pale ones for highlighting ♥...

Overall the range of shades is right up my alley, and apart from a couple of neutrals that probably won't get used all that much, they are all colours I will wear on a regular basis. The mattes are well pigmented and blend nicely, the shimmers are intense and creamy and glide on like butter, and the ones I thought would be really glittery aren't over the top at all - just a gorgeous extra sparkle that even I can wear daily. You have to admit, she's divine from any angle ♥...

But enough of the chatter, let's get on with the swatches...

This top row contains all mattes, all stunning colours, and how about that Royal one at the end - it swatches with more green content than it looks in the pan - in fact, it's a marine explosion! ♥...

The middle row has the extra shimmery/sparkly ones - Primitive has a gold reflect, and I thought that Azure was metallic grey but it has quite a lot of lichen green in it.  These are all faves, but I've been wearing Vivid the most ♥...

And the bottom row is a mix of slight shimmers and mattes. To be honest, I bought this palette based on Majestic - that truly awesome emerald is the one that blew my mind when I spotted it, but every other colour is a winner, and I adore them all ♥...

In summary, it's a rare thing to find a palette with no duds, but this is it. Can't recommend it highly enough - there are so many different finishes and the selection of shades makes it ultra-versatile. And gals, it's on special at Priceline right now for $15 - get it while you can! ♥...

Take care of you, and keep safe

kats xxx

REVIEW: July Bellabox...

When I was made redundant last year, I thought it best to cancel all my subscriptions until I landed a new job, and I sure have missed the parcels of goodies that used to turn up every month from various sources. And even though I've been working fairly steadily since then, I haven't re-subscribed to anything because it was the perfect opportunity to use up the ton of products I had stashed away - a task I've only just recently managed to (almost) complete. But then as luck would have it, last week the generous folks at Bellabox kindly sent me their July pack to review, and after grazing through the terrific contents, and seeing the value, I'm sorely tempted to make this monthly offering my next adventure ♥...

No doubt some of you are familiar with this particular sub, but for those of you who aren't, let's take a closer look at what's in this month's box...

Luna by Luna Eyeshadow ($15)

The shade I received was Miracle - a gorgeous shimmery plum that's smooth as silk and blends like a dream. Delighted to have a compact single pan to slip into my makeup bag in case I need to pat on a little more during the day, although I doubt I'll need to - this seems to have excellent staying power, and it's cruelty-free ♥...

MODELCO Highlighting Shimmer Whip ($12)

This is a stunning cream luminiser in the shade Champagne - the prettiest soft gold with an amazing metallic sheen. I'm not a big user of highlighter - I usually just dust a little on the top of my cheeks and the tip of my nose, but I've already tried blending a teeny bit of this liquid with my foundation, and I'm amazed at the difference it makes to my face - gives me a lovely youthful radiance without looking overdone. I also stroke a smidgin down the centre of my nose after contouring, and I far prefer the result than the powder I've been using ♥...

Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask (10ml, $5.99)

Haven't tried this yet, but it's scheduled in for the end of the week which is when I always ALWAYS indulge in some kind of mud mask. While I don't experience acne, my skin can always do with some detoxifying, and I'm loving the sound of the tomato, watermelon and pumpkin ingredients. The blurb says it's 96% natural, so that's a bonus too ♥...

Liar Wrinkle Cheater Eye Serum (12ml, $39.95)

I'm always up for a new eye product, and this clear serum is 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan, and has a lovely fresh scent. With a metal rollerball applicator, it feels icy cold in the current Sydney temperatures, so I'm stashing this away till the weather warms up a bit. Specifically for reducing wrinkle depth and preventing new ones forming, I'll report back on this via one of my Empties posts later in the year. Love the writing on the tube - "Tell them your real age, they'll never believe you" ♥...

Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque (212ml, $64.90)

Can't wait to try this when I next shampoo - it smells SO good, and the instructions say it only needs to stay on for 10 minutes. Cruelty-free and vegan, it's also minus any sulfates or parabens and is designed to restore damaged hair, tame the frizzies, and deliver lots of hydration and shine. Sounds like my kind of hair product ♥...

Plunkett's Nutri-Synergy Working Hands Intensive Repair Treatment 

I actually have a half-finished tube of this magical hand repairer in my bedside table drawer - I've been sidetracked with three others that came my way, but it will appear in my Empties post in the next month or so. Absolutely BRILLIANT hand cream - totally unglamorous, but boy does it work, and it absorbs completely ♥...

I've checked out the contents of previous boxes, and they all seem to be of the same excellent quality. Bellabox costs $19.95 per month, and the fact that there will always be five sample-sized products is especially appealing as there's no chance my bench will become overloaded again with a whole bunch of stuff that I'll struggle to finish. And the bonus is that anything I try that I love, I can probably buy from their website. I've lost count of the number of beauty items from other subscription services that I adored, but could never purchase because they simply weren't available in Australia...

Thank you Bellabox for the opportunity to sample your terrific product - I love that there's a mix of skincare, hair and makeup items, so this is a winner!

What say you lovelies - does this sound like your kind of thing, or are you already a customer?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTD Catch Up & Nutrimetics Giveaway!...

Been way to long since I posted some EOTD's ♥ I still create them every working day of the week, but upload-worthy photos are becoming rarer by the minute, either because I don't leave myself sufficient time to take enough pics to end up with a decent one, or I simply wake up too wrinkly - and then if I crop out all the craggy saggy bits, there's only the pupils left ha ha! I'm exaggerating of course, but it's a fact that the signs of ageing accelerate exponentially with each passing year after 60, and that's that. So before I get any older, here is a selection from the past few months, and if you make it to the bottom of the page, there's a gorgeous giveaway for one of you lovelies ♥...

No. 1 - Rusty red from the BH Cosmetics Take Me Back To Brazil palette over the top of Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil, which is also on the waterline...

No. 2 - Charcoal and sparkly silver from the Morphe Brushes 12z palette, Natio Steel Grey Define Eye Pencil on the waterline...

No. 3 - Colourpop Melrose + MBA Cosmetics Spiced Pumpkin, Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

No. 4 - Black, green and lime from the BH Cosmetics Take Me Back To Brazil palette, Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

No. 5 - Colourpop Dare + Essence Raspberry Frosting, Natio Steel Grey Define Eye Pencil on the waterline...

No. 6 - Blend of red and orange from the BH Cosmetics Take Me Back To Brazil palette, Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

No. 7 - Forest green + teal from the Chi Chi Oasis palette, blend of Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry & Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencils on the waterline...

No. 8 - Ribbon & Organza from the Sleek Oh So Special palette, Eye of Horus Charcoal Obsidian Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

Quite a variety of colours though nothing all that vivid, but hey it's Winter, and the vibrant and inspiring hues of Spring aren't far away...

GIVEAWAY!!!

I have way too many eyeshadow palettes, so I've decided to give away my most recent acquisition - the Nutrimetics Professional Smokey Eye Shadow Palette, which was a freebie. While I adore the colours, I'll simply never make enough use of it, and then I'll feel bad for neglecting it. Valued at $69, it's a mix of mattes and shimmers in a white metal tin case, includes a double-ended applicator brush, and has been safely stored away in its box in a dark drawer...

This 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!)
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 see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Kristine S. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 22nd August to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Kristine has claimed her prize ♥

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Maybelline Total Temptation...

I'm always excited to have the opportunity to road test ANY beauty product, but when it's makeup, my happy dance goes on for quite a bit longer lol! And to my delight last month beautyheaven invited me to trial three gems from the new Maybelline Total Temptation range - Mascara, Brow Definer, and the Shadow + Highlighter Palette, all beautifully presented in this gorgeous flavour-of-the-month (or is it the year?) peachy packaging ♥...

The Shadow + Highlighter Palette is one of the prettiest I've seen in a while. I love that the lid is clear so I can see the colours and appreciate it's beauty all the time, nor do I have to open it when I'm checking if it coordinates with an outfit ♥ The eyeshadow pans are a mix of warm (left) and cool (right) shades, mattes and shimmery finishes, and there's one gorgeous pastel pink containing sparkly bits (second from the top on the right). All colours are deliciously pigmented, creamy and super easy to blend (yes even the mattes!) and there are "Look" suggestions on the back of the box for those who appreciate a little application guidance. The highlighters are nothing short of divine - a matching gold and lilaccy-pink that can be as subtle or as out-there as you wish, depending of course on how much you apply ♥...

Below are some 3-finger-swipe swatches - a bit wonky (swatching is definitely NOT my forte) as my camera just doesn't do them justice, but it gives you an idea of the intensity and finish of each of the pans - so gorgeous! ♥♥♥...

Left - artificial light, Right - flash

Left - artificial light, Right - flash

Highlighters

The Brow Definer is my dream brow product - it's a wind-up cream-to-powder stick (more cream than powder) in a diamond shape, which means there are sharp angles for creating a crisp outline, and a wider flat side for filling in. There's also a fluffy baby spoolie on the other end, which I use for grooming both before and after application. We were able to choose the shade, and I went with Blonde (300) - the perfect neutral taupe that's neither too ashy nor too golden ♥ My brows are almost non-existent, and this little darling gives me the most natural looking result ever. I've been using their Brow Satin for yonks, but this is an even better match for my skin tone and (latest) hair colour - adore! ♥♥♥...

I have to admit my hopes sank when I read that the Mascara (Blackest Black) was washable. While that might be a bonus for some gals because it's SO easy to remove, my eyes are drippy at the best of times, and when the wind blows or I'm watching a soppy movie you can forget it, so I always ALWAYS go for a waterproof formula. However, the wand is so effective and the volume and length result from the tapered brush so awesome that I've been using it for weeks, but adding a layer of waterproof The Falsies over the top, and have not had a problem with flaking or smudging (or the dreaded panda eyes) at all. The tube is solid and feels comfortable and balanced in my hand - the finish is matte and tends to get a bit grubby, but wipes clean in a flash ♥...

In fact, I was so impressed with how fabulous this makes my lashes look, I bought the waterproof variety (Very Black) so I can reap all the lush lash benefits using it solo. Found it at Priceline - the brush isn't as tapered, but still as effective at catching every last little wisp, and the tube is a pretty pale aqua ♥♥♥...

So many of my can't-live-without makeup items are by Maybelline, and now I have three more to add to the list. Muchas gracias beautyheaven and Maybelline! ♥♥♥

Have you tried any products from the Total Temptation range?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

Bloggiversary Giveaway - Crop Mineral Cosmetics!...

As promised last week, here's Bloggiversary Giveaway #2 - a crop of Crop Naturally Derived & Dermatologically Tested Mineral Makeup items! I'm a regular user of their Concealer Pencil and Bronzer, and can vouch for the quality and consistency of their products. While the company is Australian owned, their range is made in Italy and sold in Coles, they don't test on our beloved furry friends, there's none of the usual chemicals in the ingredients list, and just about everything they make is enriched with Vitamins A & E. So if you've been meaning to try some of their range, this is your chance ♥...

RRP comes to around $110, and here's the details of what's up for grabs...

• Natural Mineral Pressed Highlighter - Aura
• Natural Mineral Eyeshadow Quad - Smokey
• Natural Mineral Loose Powder - Translucent
• Natural Mineral Pressed Bronzer - Solaire
• 2 in 1 Folding Mineral Kabuki Brush

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY!

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page as to why you'd like to win this collection of yummy cosmetics
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 see who won

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Kate W. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Tuesday 26th September to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Kate has claimed her prize ♥

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hope you'll join in the fun - best of luck lovelies!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Adding this post to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - come check it out any time after 6:30am Monday ♥...

REVIEW: essence All About Roses Eyeshadow Palette...

Seems like forever since I reviewed an eyeshadow palette, and I picked up this ever so pretty essence All About Roses darling a few weeks back. Only just today got my swatching act together, so no EOTD's as yet, but you can be sure they're not far off (I have a phobia about using a palette before I photograph and swatch it). I just adore soft dusky pinks, and this palette is a gem as it has both mattes and shimmers, and even a couple of pans with sparkles ♥...

The beauty of essence products is that they're available in quite a few outlets here in Oz, and also in many countries around the globe. Believe me I feel for my international readers - nothing worse than falling in love with a palette via a blog review, and then finding out it'll cost you an arm and a leg for overseas shipping!...

Top row are all shimmers, pans two and four (top row) also have micro-glitter. I swatched them (on my arm this time) over a primer, and these are max three swipes each. I totally suck at swatching (which is why they're not single swipes) I can never seem to get the product in an even stripe. I probably need to make some templates on my arm using sticky tape. Anyways the texture is surprisingly creamy, dense and silky smooth -  I've been playing with them on the back of my hand, and they blend beautifully...

And here's the bottom row - all but the second pan are mattes, with quite impressive pigmentation for $8.20. With bargain priced mattes, I'm often find they're chalky or wishy-washy or so packed down that you can't pick up any powder with a brush, but these are all easily workable, and with quite good colour pay-off. ...

The case is solid and sturdy, the lid closes with a firm click, and I'm glad they didn't bother including a manky sponge applicator (which I always ditch anyway). Absolutely delighted I gave in to the temptation, and you can bet I'll be using this baby before the end of the week...

If you're wondering where I've been...with my darling Dad in hospital this past month, after work and week-end visits (Mama too) have meant limiting my blog posts to just a handful - but he's all good now and back home, and I hope to return to my usual blogging schedule for August, including some EOTD's plus my usual giveaway, so stay tuned lovelies ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - pop on over after 6:30am ♥♥♥