December 2019 Empties & Giveaway!...

Another round of solid support for the retail sector! And getting in my December 2019 Empties post while the goodies are fresh in my mind, and before I resume the work routine, which will (sadly) restrict the frequency of my uploads, but on the other hand, will allow me to maintain my beauty addictions. ♥♥♥ I've also included a few little extras in the giveaway at the end to keep the spirit of Christmas going into what has been a devastating start to 2020 here in Australia. Praying those of you in fire-affected areas are all safe, and sending heartfelt thanks to all the brave Aussies working tirelessly to defend our beautiful country, and all the kind and generous souls offering their much-needed support in whatever way they can to the families and wildlife that are suffering ♥♥♥...

Body

Antipodes Deliverance Kowhai Flower Hand Cream (75ml, RRP $32)

Oh, I do so love this hand cream! Every application has been an absolute delight for its nourishing & moisturising properties (avocado, marigold & macadamia oils), the total absence of greasy aftermath, and the scent is right up my alley - orange and cedarwood, which is both comforting and refreshing. Don't like metal hand cream tubes from any brand, but this one at least didn't split before I used the last ml. Wherever I bought this from I certainly didn't pay $32 for it ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Yes, but like most of my beauty purchases, I'm not prepared to pay full price, and probably not for a while as I have a stack to get through ♥♥♥...

Bosisto's Desert Lime & Eucalyptus Revitalising Hand Wash (300ml, RRP $6)

I think this is new - spotted it (and their body wash) for the first time not long ago at Coles, and pretty much any hand cleanser or shower gel that is SLS-free and not tested on animals will go into my trolley at least once. It's quite a pleasant scent, but the eucalyptus makes it a tad clinical - by that I mean a bit disinfect-y. Overall it's pretty good but has one flaw in the kats beauty ledger - it's too runny. When you depress the pump it has a tendency to squirt quite a long way (i.e. clean across the hand basin) unless you have your hand directly in front of it at the time. This happened in the rushing-out-the-door chaos of a workday morning and it landed on my top (grrrrr), so after that, I put it in the laundry to use it up ♥...

Repurchase?
No - it has a lot going for it, but the consistency is not what I could call user-friendly, and the marketplace has quite a few similar others that are way less squirty ♥...

Johnson's Pure Cotton Buds Applicators with Paper Sticks (Box of 150, RRP $2.69)

I used these for years then defected to another brand, but now I'm back and I'm staying. The only buds I (very carefully) insert in my outer ears because the tips don't ever fluff or fall off. They're also indispensable for cleaning my Bluetooth earbuds, makeup goofs, the insides of my lipstick tubes that get a bit mucky, and goodness knows what else. I keep the containers for bits and pieces like jewellery that needs repairing, collecting dead batteries for disposal, lipliner crayons that are too short for my standard holder etc. etc. They'll be in the Regulars section from now on ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
For as long as I wash my hair or wear makeup, which will, of course, be forever ♥♥♥...

Swisspers Dual Cosmetic Tips (Box of 100, RRP $2.99)

Another indispensable makeup tool, I use the pointy end to flick off unwanted mascara bits, tidy up my lipstick outline, and to clean my crayon sharpeners. The paddle end is brilliant for applying an extra touch of concealer or absorbing excess moisture from the eyelid crease. They've appeared before but will also join the Regulars section next time ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
They're sometimes hard to find so I stock up whenever I see them - currently four spares in the cupboard! ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Natures Commonscents Natural Goats Milk Body Wash (500ml, $8.00)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Hydrating Body Wash (384ml, RRP $24.95)
White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, RRP $6.99)

Face

Klara Cosmetics Zero Pores + Primer (20ml, RRP $29.99)

Picked up two of these on clearance from Priceline without realising it was so expensive. It's actually a terrific primer and creates a beautifully smooth base for foundation, or I've even worn it on its own (around the house lol) - the clear silicone type but it doesn't leave any oily film on the skin surface like others I've tried, leaves the skin matte, smooth and even. It doesn't have any scent and it's not tested on animals. While Priceline no longer stocks the brand, they have a website, and this primer is listed as sold out ♥♥...

Repurchase?
While it's good, I doubt it - my fave one from DB Cosmetics is half the price ♥♥...

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash (175ml, RRP $14.99)

Every summer I switch to a cleansing gel - the oil production in my T-zone goes into overdrive and I need something to control the flow as well as keep the blackheads from taking over. This time around I've renewed my acquaintance with this highly effective yet gentle-enough-for-mature-skin cleanser PURELY because I needed the pink grapefruit fragrance hit! I love it soooo much, especially in the really hot weather when I want something super refreshing at the end of the day. I used to buy the same thing as a scrub but I haven't seen it for years so it's probably discontinued - this one I can only find at Chemist Warehouse ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Yep, bought another one 'cos I just can't get enough of the scent ♥♥♥...

Nivea Hyaluron Cellular Filler Day Cream SPF15 (50ml, RRP $27.99)

A bit embarrassed to say this was leftover from a beautyheaven trial in September 2018! I'd put it aside as I switched to retinol products and only just finished it now - no deterioration in the product though, and I gave it 5 stars in my bh review (about halfway down the page HERE). It's a beaut cream, but for me, its richness is better suited to cooler weather ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
I'll think about it closer to April ♥♥♥...

Nivea MicellAIR Skin Breathe Expert Make-up Remover (400ml, RRP $13.99)

Interestingly, I wasn't all that impressed with this, either as the main cleanser or second cleanser, even though it was quite effective. But then again I'm pretty fussy when it comes to the experience of a product. So this worked reasonably well at removing makeup, although I went through at least six cotton pads per go - the problem for me is that there isn't enough slip. I can't bear the feeling of something dragging over my skin - lord knows I don't need anything to pull my already sagging face, and I found this just didn't cut it, plus the remover pad started to disintegrate after the 3rd swipe, and that just doesn't happen with other products. The absence of a flip-top lid also niggled so I left the cap off permanently. Anyways, it has quite a lot going for it, but not for moi...

Repurchase?
No - I prefer a regular cleanser, washcloth, and micellar 2nd cleanse...

Sukin Rosehip Rejuvenating Facial Scrub (125ml RRP $13.95)

LOVED this! I'm mad keen on all Sukin scrubs, and this one just hit the #1 spot. I was a little nervous as I've given up some other rosehip products (from a different brand) because the scent was making me feel peculiar - not this beauty though. Such a gorgeous delicate fragrance and I love the texture of the scrub - not too grainy, but enough ground rosehip seeds and walnut shells to leave my face feeling smooth and soft ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

You betcha, and probably before any of the others from the range, that's how good it is ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Cooling Gel Scrub (100g, RRP $11.99)
Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99) 

Face Masks
Regulars

Purederm Ginkgo Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches (2 pairs, RRP $3)

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

Fragrance

Elizabeth Arden White Tea EDT (50ml, RRP $50)

One of my favourite spring/summer fragrances ever, I've decided I can't go through a sunny season without it. Bought this because of beautyheaven's review of it by @skincare junkie, and I was sold at first sniff. So pure, fresh and clean, my full review of it is HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
I had assigned it the kats-can't-live-without status months ago and bought the 100ml bottle on special from feelingsexy for half price - score! ♥♥♥...

Hair

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Intensive Smoothing Mask (200ml, RRP $42.95)

Last appeared in December 2018 Empties post - this jar has lasted 12 months (instead of the usual 6) because I've been trying a couple of others that I scored, but this one is the ultimate. Nothing leaves my hair softer than this powerhouse, which is well worth the $$$ ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Picking up another one tomorrow ♥♥♥...

Hi Lift True Colour Hair Colour Creme - Light Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $6.95)

Soooo, my plans to no longer dye my hair with a permanent colour have been shelved for the time being. Basically, colouring with semi-permanent turned out to be exceptionally high maintenance, the results weren't necessarily as expected, the finish was sometimes uneven despite all my care and attention, and going to work with greenish, purplish or bluish hair wasn't quite the right look for my role lol. So I've resumed the permanent regime, just adding the semis to achieve the silvery grey colour I'm after. How I wish I could buy a permanent silver hair colour in this country! As for this dye, the pigment wasn't as potent as the Salon Professional Brand (below), but hey it was half the price... 

Repurchase?

Nope - I only bought this because the store was out of the other brand...

Salon Professional Supplies Creme Peroxide 20 vol (200ml, RRP $5.95)

This is the developer for the hair dye I'm using - comes in various strengths and it's not too stinky... 

Repurchase?

I determined that I need the 30vol for the base, and 10vol for the toner, so no...

Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Extra Light Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $14.95)

This wasn't dark enough, but I'm still experimenting to find the right intensity. In conjunction with the peroxide, it doesn't seem to be too damaging a combo, but I will still be adding my Olaplex every time I colour ♥... 

Repurchase?

Will buy the Light or regular Ash Blonde as soon as they are back in stock ♥...

Regulars

Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Violet Toner (100ml, RRP $14.95)
Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey, Metallic - Lilac Chrome & Denim Steel (RRP $5.49)

Makeup

NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Fuchsia Fusion (discontinued...sob)

The pinkest, fuchsia-est, most metallic, most vibrant, most compliment generating, most comfortable lip cream ever. Sorry NYX but what is wrong with you? Why oh why was this range a limited edition? The tube is empty, and my heart is broken ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Would if I could, in a (broken) heartbeat ♥♥♥...

Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer (10ml, RRP $40)

Find of the month. Quite frankly, The Best Concealer I Have Ever Used. There...I've said it. This stuff covers ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and it doesn't crease, not even over and around my massive eye bags and the plethora of crinkles. At the end of the day, there is no change. Wow, I mean wow, the hype is true. I bought Light Neutral (22N) as it's a bit yellowy, perfect for my skin tone, and to cover the freckles under my eyes. I used to rave about IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye, but this Tarte is even better. Holey guacemoley, this is the one ♥♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
I have five other concealers, including two Kat Von D ones, but none of them is as effective, so yes, I just ordered another from Sephora ♥♥♥♥...

Regulars

Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)

Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer (RRP $17.95)

Giveaway

Up for grabs are...

• Olay Regenerist Pre-Essence
• Klara Cosmetics Zero Pores + Primer
• Elizabeth Arden White Tea Pure Indulgence Body Cream (100ml)
• Essence Crystal Power Eyeshadow Palette
• Essence Crystal Power Blush & Highlighter Palette (personal fave!)
• Lovisa Something Special Pale Pink Swarovski Halo Silver-tone Necklace & Stud Earrings set

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $135.  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

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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 Karen C. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Karen, please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight

Wednesday 22nd January to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Karen has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. I've now included links to my reviews of the regulars wherever possible ♥