SEASONAL CULL: Blushes...

Hmmm, this seasonal cull wasn't quite as productive as the first exercise, but while concealers and blushes are both vital makeup items, they're hardly comparable hey ♥ The spectrum of blush shade families, textures and finishes available is pretty much unlimited, and I for one delight in having lots of choices - hence the collection below ♥ But still I reckon it's worth reassessing every now and then, if for no other reason than to keep a mindful eye on storage space ... 

I started by sorting them into formulas and colours - first separating creams and powders, and then grouping them into pinks/purples, oranges/corals, and mauves/bricks/plums. Below are the creams, which I use when I want a more dewy finish, or as a base to boost the powder topping, and make it last all day. The lidless pots are by Lacura, and the Lip & Cheek Rouges are by DB Cosmetics. That Australis one on the far right is the last of the handful I bought when it was discontinued years ago, and it's STILL viable...

These are the two I decided to dispose of because I hardly ever wear them - the Lacura one because it's so very pale on my skin, and the Maybelline hue, well it just isn't quite right...

And here are the powders sorted into colour families...

I started with the corals and oranges - nothing pricey at all here, and more than enough to cover every need for this autumnal hue. Top left is NYX Ombre, and the bold trio in the middle is by Sleek...

I made up my mind to ditch the BYS Endless Summer palette as I've only ever used the middle pan, plus it's many years old. The two essence blushes are fairly recent additions, but again, the hues aren't quite flattering enough for my complexion, and the matt touch one has very little colour payoff...

Next up were the pinks and purples - without a doubt my passions, especially when wearing black/white outfits. Although I call myself a "warm", I'm actually a neutral, and can therefore wear some of these ever so pretty cooler tones. The purpley one without a label is by Real Purity, and was sent to me by a darling friend (♥), and I'd forgotten all about the Mirenesse one top left - found it in my work room on the "must swatch before reviewing" shelf, so I'll be giving that a go shortly (once I've swatched it lol). Top right beauty is by NYX, and the middle trio is by Sleek...

Couldn't bring myself to toss out very many here as they're all quite different, and equally gorgeous. However the essence blush up has seen better days, and I only ever wear the colour on the left side of the pan. The BYS palette is another ancient one, and well, it was time to say goodbye...

I tend to wear the mauves, plums and bricky reds more often in Autumn and Winter, although the mauves really have a place all year round. The one on the top right (no label, another gift) is the second untouched one I found on my shelf, and bottom left is the only Laura Geller makeup item in my kit, and it's divine - must explore this brand further! Bottom right is by Ulta3, my most treasured plummy cheek enhancer, next to it is a duo by BH Cosmetics, and the patchy looking one in the middle top row is NYX Ombre - seems to be have been moisture affected, but whatever I did wrong, it still lays down magnificently...

Could only give one the flick here - I do love the colours in this Maybelline pan, but it's just too shimmery, and gives me trouble in my EOTD photos because the particles always seem to spread up to my under-eye area, and accentuate my wrinkly bits...

I excluded these two palettes from the cull because they're indispensable - the big one by BH Cosmetics has such a fabulous assortment of shades, and the Hourglass one, well, besides being so beautiful, how could I throw away an Hourglass anything? ♥...

So there you have it - started with 40 in total (13 cream & 27 powder), and reduced them down to 32. Not quite the ruthless result I'd planned, but not a bad effort considering my fickle nature. I can't possibly label any one of these as my HG, but below are my personal faves and the ones I reach for most often - for their stunning colours, impressive pigmentation, and silky formulas ♥...

Haven't decided what I'll cull next - I'm torn between eye liners and foundation. I reckon the liners will be a breeze (thanks to Eye of Horus Cosmetics), but the foundations will be a challenge as there's so many I love ha ha ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Adding this to Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥ - the pick of the bloggers crop...

EOTD'S: Too Faced, Annabelle & Maybelline Blues...

OK, time for some baby BLUES! Bit of a mix of brands that I've been playing with of late - these are all delightfully pigmented, and suitably different. First up is Blueberry Swirl from the Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar palette. What a lovely surprise to find a gorgeous smokey blue in amongst all the chocolatey hues...

My base was Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Boys Boys Boys - applied the Blueberry all over the lid except for the inner corner, and then blended a smidgin of Hydra from the Sleek Hall of Fame palette from the inner corner. Waterline was Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil...

Foundation was Rimmel Lasting Finish, cheeks were Ulta3 Pretty Plum Bluch, lips were BYS Fine Wine... 

Form my accessories I chose a mix of powdery light and dark blue - the bracelets and earrings were from Lovisa, and the necklace was a bargain from Millers...

Next is a gorgeous blue from an Annabelle Haute Mer palette that my beautiful friend Amy from Health and Beauty Girl gifted to me ♥ It's a Canadian brand I'm not familiar with at all, but I love the formula and the boldness of the hue - very creamy and very little fallout. There's some stunning greys in the quad as well which you'll see at some stage in the not too distant future...

Base was Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil, and I used the Teal Malachite one on the waterline for some extra oomph...

For my face I tried a new foundation - Australis Stayput. It's excellent, a beaut colour match, max coverage and it sure stays put ♥ Cheeks were the third pan from the BYS Heart Skipped A Beat trio, lips were NYC Blossom. This lippie was another pressie from darling Amy - my first ever try of NYC lipsticks, and I'm impressed with the density, intensity and moisturising qualities of the formula...

Kept the jewellery pretty low key as I was wearing such a busy print top...

And this last one is from one of my go-to palettes - the Sapphire Maybelline Hyper Diamonds palette that never lets me down...

Base was Chi Chi Boys Boys Boys Waterproof Gel Eyeliner, and I added that to the waterline as well. Been a while since I used a relatively light colour in this area - not sure that I like it so much, but it does seem to make my skimpy lower lashes stand out a bit more...

Face was Rimmel Lasting Finish again, cheeks were Savvy Satin Magenta Cheek & Lip Colour topped with Hourglass Ambient Mood Exposure, lips were Maybelline Pink So Chic ColorDrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil...

I normally only wear pastel blue in the warmer weather, but my usual rampant boredom kicked in and I made an exception lol. The blue heart pendant is Russian Blue crystal (laboratory grown)...

Hope you're keeping warm lovelies!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTD: Too Faced Chocolate Bars...

Well now, here's a post I thought was highly unlikely to ever appear on my blog - four eye looks by me using what I call "neutral" palettes! I'm a colour maniac, and have barely looked twice at shadows in the brown/taupe/beige spectrum, WAY too dull and boring for this rainbow gal, or so I thought... But Too Faced has changed all that, and I've fallen truly, madly deeply in love with their Chocolate Bar & Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar collections. Better late than never lol ♥...

Having said that I'm not a fan of the fact that these palettes are scented - I prefer my chocolate in a wrapper and edible, but I've overcome that little bugbear purely because these pigments are such utterly stunning hues, and the texture is so buttery and smooth. For this look I used the Semi-Sweet palette - matte Cocoa Chili (why does it only have one "l"?) over the whole eyelid and underneath, and then blended the fabulous Caramel from the inner corner. My base was Eye of Horus Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil, and I used that on the waterline too...

Foundation was Mirenesse Velvet Maxi Lift Supreme, cheeks were DB Cosmetics Lip & Cheek Rouge in the shade Irresistible dusted with Hourglass Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light, lips were Milani Candied Toffees...

Most of these accessories came from Lovisa - powerless to resist, I am drawn to their store like a moth to a flame ♥

And here we have Truffled & Peanut Butter (inner third) also from the Semi-Sweet set over Eye of Horus Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil (+ waterline). But what's wrong with this picture? Undoubtedly my WORST EVER mascara application! Note to self - it is far better to get the later train than to rush the finishing touches...

These colours go so magnificently with my new hair shade ♥

Same foundation and Hourglass bronzer, but I added the peachy Cheek colour from the BYS Sweet Contour palette, and lips were L'Oreal Color Riche Cristal Cappuccino...

More Lovisa loves, plus a twisted gold & pearl bracelet I picked up for a steal almost 20 years ago at Vinnies...

And this is Salted Caramel from the Chocolate Bar palette over Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil (again!), waterline was Max Factor Charcoal Grey Kohl Pencil...

First try of DB Cosmetics Flawless All In 1 Foundation stick - True Beige is an astoundingly good colour match for me, coverage is excellent, and I love the creamy formula - only cooler weather wear though as it has a tendency to develop shine on my oily-T. Cheeks were Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Coral Sheen, and I added some Lacura Beach Babe Mineral Bronzer. Lips were Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Snapdragon...

Huge peach pearl shell statement necklace from Lovisa, rose gold earrings were a gift from my beautiful friend Amy from Health and Beauty Girl, and the bracelet was a pressie from my Mama who also knows what I love ♥ ..

I created look #4 using the Chocolate Bar palette - Triple Fudge, Milk Chocolate and Creme Brulee over EOH Bronze Amulet Goddess pencil base (same on the waterline)...

It's SO easy to blend these shadows - effortless in fact. I often struggle to get a seamless transition, but it's a snap with these pigments...

Looking a bit pasty here - lippie was too pale I reckon. Foundation was Rimmel Stay Matte, cheeks were Hourglass Bronzer, and lips were Maybelline Color Sensational Honey Beige - I should put this away till Summer when I have an itty bitty tan...

And of course the jewellery - went through my box of 30 year old retro stuff and was delighted to find the "humbug lolly" striped ring that matched my top so well...

Both of these amazing palettes were gifted to me by a gorgeous and ever so generous friend - you know who you are sweetheart, and I can't thank you enough for converting me to these delicious muted tones that flatter my colouring like no other ♥♥♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTDs: Sleek & Makeup Revolution Greens...

Holey guacemoley I can't BELIEVE April has been and gone! I tried to sneak in one last batch of EOTD's so there would be six to choose from for the May giveaway, but the clock struck midnight and so these will have to go towards the June EOTM ♥ Anyways, I'm a massive green eye shadow fan (as if you didn't know), probably because it does give my eye colour a boost, and in the not so distant past I bought an entire palette purely for ONE green pan - whoops! This post features looks using this gorgeous hue from two of my fave palettes - Sleek Garden of Eden, and Makeup Revolution Give Them Nightmares...

As soon as I spotted this Sleek Garden of Eden palette, I knew I couldn't live without it - one of the prettiest colour collections in my kit. I put it away every summer so that I can discover it all over again when the weather cools down...

I used the three marked pans from left to right - their names are Evergreen, Fauna and Tree of Life. The latter is a matte, and incredibly pigmented. Actually they're all stunningly dense, and the shimmery ones are smooth and buttery and so easy to blend. For the base and waterline I used Eye of Horus Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencil...

On this day, I wore Maybelline Stay Matte foundation, their Master Highlight blush in Pink Rose, and lips were Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lip Crayon in the shade 04...

And here's the jewellery, featuring my fabulous new glass bead necklace from Lovisa that was half price at their recent sale. I found the bracelets at Colette - not exactly the same shade, but close enough, especially at 40% off lol ♥

Makeup Revolution Give Them Nightmares palette is another one I only trot out in Autumn and Winter - the colours are all so smokey and smouldery and broody...

The bottom green pan is a matte called Elm Street, and I used this all over the top lid and under the lower lashline.  I then blended the second pan (The Hunger) on the inner half. Base was Essence White Kajal...

Waterline was Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil...

My foundation was Maybelline Super Stay Longwear, which might end up being my new HG - the colour (Sand) is one of the best matches I've ever come across. Cheeks were a combination of L'Oreal Le Blush in the shade Rosy Cheeks & Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light. Lips were Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Rum Riche...

Here's the accessories - I included the brighter green bits and pieces just to lift the whole look...

Well my lovelies, here's hoping May treats you generously and kindly ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx