Showing posts with label John Plunkett's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Plunkett's. Show all posts

Sunday, 3 April 2016

SPOTLIGHT: March Empties!...

Well as you can see, last month was all about hair colour! No I didn't dye my hair six times lol - I'm still blending shades together to achieve the hue I'm after, and while it looks like a lot, in most cases I only used a quantity from multiple packs for each session, and tossed out the leftovers. But I'm almost done, and this month should see me hit the desired hue, and then I'll revert to a maintenance mode - it's been lots of fun experimenting though, and along the way I've discovered a BRILLIANT new product, so read on ...


Imperial Leather Limited Edition Bird of Paradise Triple Moisturising Bodywash
One of my fave fragrances in this range - reviewed here. Almost the perfect shower formula for me - leaves my skin amazingly soft and deliciously scented...
Repurchase?
As soon as I can find it again, but you know how it goes with "Limited Editions" sigh ...


Palmolive Naturals White Citrus with Lemongrass Extract Shower Gel
I was sad when I finished this, mainly because for me it's a Summer scented body wash, and I got to the bottom of the bottle just as Autumn kicked in. I'm always a bit down in the dumps when the warm weather starts to fade, over it now though. This Palmolive gel is terrific value, smells sensational, is non drying and I lovingly reviewed it here...
Repurchase?
I won't use it again till after Winter, but I'll buy a bottle and stash it away in case it's discontinued in the meantime ...


L'Oreal Casting Creme Gloss Conditioning Colour - Dark Blonde
I bought this because it's a semi-permanent and contains no ammonia. After one of my recent experiments, my hair was way too orange - this looked quite golden on the pack, and I thought it would tone down the clowny orange without being too harsh on my already over colour-treated tresses, but it turned out quite ashy and dark, probably because my hair is so porous. Terrific formula though, gentle, non-drying and not too stinky, and considering it's only meant for 70% grey, it coloured my white roots pretty well... 
Repurchase?
Not this particular shade, but I've just coloured my hair again with a mix of the Amber & Silky Blonde from this range, and it's pretty close to the hue I'm after 


L'Oreal Preference Brush On Glam Highlights - No. 3
Definitely the find of the month, maybe even the year! I've successfully done my own highlights for many years with Nordic Blonde Streaking Kit, but this is even easier to use. You mix the activating powder and lightening cream in the bottle of developer cream, and then dispense the solution onto the nifty three-pronged brush (see pic below). Starting near the roots, you simply stroke the brush through your hair, reload it with solution, and repeat until you have as many streaks as you desire. Development time is 25-45 minutes, but I only leave it on for 20 as my hair lightens at the drop of a hat. I tried this a couple of weeks ago - 100% natural look, I received quite a few compliments, and all the gals were amazed that I'd done it myself. Comes in 3 strengths - light blonde to dark blonde, dark blonde to light brown (my choice) and light brown to brown. The pack includes a special conditioning shampoo, but I used my usual...
Repurchase?
Already have - it's brilliant! ...


Ansell Medium Disposable Gloves
These are my go-to throw away gloves, and I consider them to be a beauty essential. I use them primarily when I colour my hair because unlike the flimsy ones that are included in the dye packs, I can take them off while I'm waiting for the colour to develop, and then put them back on again for the rinse (they're lightly powdered). Ideal for light household cleaning jobs as they're strong, but don't make my hands sweat anywhere near as much as the usual rubber variety, and because they're a reasonably snug fit, there's no loss of dexterity. I wear them when I'm repotting my plants too - latex free (they're made from vinyl) and they fit either hand...
Repurchase?
Never EVER without a box of these ...


John Plunkett's Superfade Accelerator
This tube has made a massive difference to the effectiveness of the Superfade cream. I've been it using on my hands every night, in fact with the intensity of my brown spots, I wouldn't bother using the cream without it ever again. As mentioned before, I'll be posting a separate review of my age-spot fading adventure soon...
Repurchase?
Have already bought a second tube ...


Compeed Medium Blister Plasters
If you ever get blisters from new shoes, then forget the bandaid solution - these plasters leave them for dead. I guarantee you that the discomfort from any blister you could possibly develop will be IMMEDIATELY eliminated as soon as you stick one of these thingies over the top. They're pretty much invisible when applied, survive multiple showers, and the blister will heal super fast...  
Repurchase?
Crikey, these are SO essential in my life, I have three packs - one at home, one in my handbag, and one at work ...


Napro Palette Intense Oil-Care Colour - Luminous Gold
Fabulous colour on the box - exactly the shade I've been aiming for (what I call "chestnut blonde"), and with a name like Luminous Gold, I had high hopes. Turned out ok, but more red than I wanted. 100% grey coverage though, usual smell but not overpowering, my hair felt soft afterwards with lots of shine...
Repurchase?
I'll try this again, but combine it half and half with an ash blonde from the same range to counteract the red...


Garnier Nutrisse Creme Permanent Nourishing Hair Colour - Dark Golden Blonde
I mixed this with the Copper Passion - nice resultant hue, but still too orange for my new look. Excellent formula though - I raved about the Copper & Fiery Red in my December Empties post...
Repurchase?
Not this particular shade - I'll probably try the Copper one again, but next time I'll add some ashy tones to see if I can "make" the colour I want...


Mirenesse Studio Magic BB Pore Powder
This little pot came in a VIP pack (which means I didn't intentionally buy it) - costs around $30 if you're a member, $50 if you're not. While it does effectively diffuse lines, reduce shine, and set makeup, I find the fragrance totally offputting - reminds me of shoe polish (lol!). It contains all sorts of yummy ingredients and no nasty ones, and I eventually finished it, but noooooo....
Repurchase?
Negative - I really can't get past the whiffy smell, and for my super oily T, Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder works better for me, plus it's a fraction of the price...


Clairol Nice'nEasy - Natural Golden Auburn & Natural Golden Blonde
This particular combo was close to my ideal shade, but it wasn't bright or intense enough - in other words, it was too "ordinary", and I don't do ordinary ha ha. I'm a fan of Clairol hair colourants though - used a coppery hue from the Nice'nEasy range exclusively for many years, until it was discontinued...
Repurchase?
No, well not at this stage anyway...


Original Source Vanilla & Raspberry Shower Gel
Equal favourite with the Lime from this range, but this is an all year round one for me - rave review here. There's something about this fragrance that I find supremely comforting, and I know it will help me make it through the cold dark winter mornings ahead...
Repurchase?
Yes and yay - I found the giant size! 


Imperial Leather Indulgence Rich Moisturising Body Wash  - Effortless (Citrus & White Gardenia)
Another of my regulars in the shower stall - adore this scent, reviewed here, and I'll always keep one in my cupboard as a spare. Simply stunning fragrance, and the compact shape and size of the bottle is a bonus if you have space issues like me...
Repurchase?
You betcha ...


Ego QV Face Exfoliating Polish
This has lasted me just over a year - I won it in a giveaway from the gorgeous Sarah from morethanadored. The most gentle scrub I've ever tried, I use it twice a week on the mornings after my Alpha-H Gold treatment. Love it! Full review here...
Repurchase?
Yessireee 

Phew, well that's a wrap for another month - how did you go with finishing off some products?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. The fun begins at 6:30am over at Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party 

Sunday, 31 January 2016

SPOTLIGHT: January Empties...

Another mega-month for empties, but hey, I delved into my samples drawer for the first time in almost a year, and those teeny tubes don't take anywhere near as long to get through, so they boosted the collection. I've decided to completely exclude any product that I use on a regular basis, and that I've already covered in a previous post, so you'll only see NEW products listed and mini-reviewed from this point on. Actually I'm pretty darn excited about this post because I finished two makeup products this month lol!...


Palmer's Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub
I must be one of the very few beauty lovers on the planet that doesn't like the smell of Palmer's products - never have, and at the rate I'm going, never will. Don't get me wrong, this is a beaut scrub - gentle and powerful, but I find the fragrance totally off-putting...
Repurchase? Negative - took me 12 months to use this up, and I have some new loves that smell fantastic...

John Plunkett's Superfade Cream
This will be the subject of it's own review soon, with before and after pics - let's just say I'm very pleased with the results on my hands so far, but I'm not done yet...
Repurchase? Third tube is already in my handbag, and the Accelerator is next to my bed for nightly applications ...

Hair & Me Hair Rejuvenation Treatment
LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is the only treatment product I use on my hair other than the sensational REF range I recently reviewed (here). Full rundown on this amazing hair pacifier is here ...
Repurchase? YES YES YES!...

botanicES Face Creme, Eye Creme & Body Creme (samples)
Previously reviewed here. I've only just finished the eye creme today - gosh so little is required, I imagine a regular tube would last at least 6 months. No visible difference in the crinkles around my eyes, but I still reckon this has shrunk my under eye baggies a little. This gorgeous range definitely has mood enhancing qualities...
Repurchase? I've made myself a promise to buy the Face Creme just as soon as I get through the three others that are waiting for their turn. Same goes for the Eye Creme. The Body Creme is a beauty, but I so rarely have time to apply body lotions, so that's a yes, a yes, and a no ...

Swisspers Cotton Tips
I used to be a devoted Johnson & Johnson gal - totally wouldn't buy any other brand of cotton bud, but I've come around to Swisspers as they're just as good, seem to be more readily available, and, well, the pack is purple...
Repurchase? If you've read a few of my previous empties posts, you may have gathered I have an unbridled fear of running out of things (anything) so there are two of these big boxes in the cupboard at any moment in time ...

Ostelin Chewable Vitamin D & Calcium
I quite enjoy the taste of these - I always think it's good to experiment with different ways of getting vitamins and minerals into my bod, and the usual swallow-the-tablet method didn't seem to be working all that well. Here's hoping my next bone density scan gets me a pass mark...
Repurchase? There are 60 in each bottle, so yes, every two months ...

Lancôme Genifique Youth Activator
A darling friend sent me this full-sized bottle when she switched to cruelty-free - ever so grateful as I've never had the pleasure of this quantity on my bench before. A beautiful serum - deliciously hydrating, and a fabulous makeup base. Can't say I've observed any major improvements in my skin texture, pore size or elasticity, but I love the feel of it on my skin. I struggled a bit to work the dropper button with one hand, but that's minor...
Repurchase? Probably not, but only because Visionnaire works far better for me as far as shrinking pores are concerned. And if I'm going to spend >$100, I definitely want smaller pores... 

Bioderma Exfoliating Purifying Gel
Hmmm. Bought this in the hope it would reduce my pore congestion, but there wasn't any change. It's a very powerful scrub (probably a wee bit too powerful for my mature skin), smells delish, but I don't need to add it to my list of must-haves - it wasn't exactly cheap either...
Repurchase? No...

Boots Serum7 Regenerating Night Cream
A lovely night moisturiser - came in the first Marie Claire Ageless Parcel, along with the day cream (which I haven't tried yet). Light yet richly hydrating, this gently fragranced cream absorbed well into my skin, and I didn't wake up with a greasy face. Nice, but nothing special...
Repurchase? I really need something more powerful to target my ageing issues, so no...

Mirenesse Purify Dual Comfort Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (sample)
A beautiful product that takes off waterproof mascara and longwear lip products in a flash, but it's wickedly expensive...
Repurchase? No - I'll stick with my Neutrogena fave which does the trick just as well, and at a fraction of the price...

REF.241 Get It Straight
Recently reviewed on my blog here...
Repurchase? Absolutely, already have ...

ALPHA-H Balancing Cleanser (sample)
This was a tad disappointing, given who makes it - oh it's nice enough and effective, and I like the fact that it doesn't foam up, but with no fragrance, snore...
Repurchase? No hook to keep me interested, so no...

Lancome Eclat Miracle Serum of Light (sample)
Well now this was a treat - came in one of my GWP packs. A gorgeous pearlescent white liquid that made my skin look dreamy and soft-focused, feel beautifully hydrated, and there was an instant lightening effect. BUT I honestly don't see the point of these serums that contain particles to make your skin shimmer and glow, and then you turn the light off minutes later, or cover it up with makeup during the day...
Repurchase? Delighted to try it out, but no...

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum
If I could recommend only ONE beauty product to any of my friends, it would be this amazing liquid. My lashes may not look all that lush in my photos compared to other gals, but before I started using this serum, I had basically none at all. It works! It's been in my kit on and off since 2011 with not one concern arising, and I'm NEVER going to stop now. I tried applying it every second night and lost some of the length, so I went back to daily applications, and could see the difference within a fortnight. Absolutely awesome stuff! Full review is here...
Repurchase? Cannot, repeat cannot live without this - three spares, Pharmacy Online has it permanently on special for $49 ... 

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Waterproof Mascara
Can't remember why I bought this because I gave up purchasing ANY mascara other than Maybelline The Falsies years ago, but I'm very glad I did - it's brilliant! Not enough volume for my EOTD pics, but what I do is apply a coat or two of this underneath the MNY one (or on its own when I'm not taking eye pics) - it separates the lashes magically, holds the curl, wouldn't dream of smudging or flaking, and looks completely natural...
Repurchase? Undoubtedly - onto my 2nd tube now ...

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner
My one and only liquid liner, and I use it every single day along my lower lashline - nothing else compares for ease of use, longevity, availability and price...
Repurchase? Silly question - I have three spares of these in my drawer, bought them all at half price sales, which seem to be on every month or so. Bless you Maybelline - please don't EVER stop making this product ...

Take care of  you,
kats xxx

P.S. I've chosen this article for Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party, and highly recommend checking out the other bloggers' choices...