SPOTLIGHT: Favourite October 2018 LOTD's...

Here we go with another month of pout paint pics, and you can always count on me for a variety of shades, formulas and price points. Those three factors are why I am so loopy for lippie - any gal will always be able to find something that's flattering to their complexion, comfortable to wear, and within their budget...

...plus I never ever underestimate the power of a new lipstick to lift my spirits ♥... 

1. ModelCo Luxcreme Long Wear Lipstick - Sienna. Don't you just LOVE it when magazines have a free lipstick stuck on the cover? Thanks to Coles & Womens Weekly for this pretty nude that wears well, and is actually quite comfortable for a long-laster ♥...

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Abstract Orange.  Aptly named as it's hardly what I'd call an orange, more of a terracotta or bricky red, but I love these in-between shades. Been a big fan of Revlon for many years, and I can't see that changing any time soon ♥...

3. Seraphine Botanicals Quince & Crimson Lip & Cheek Crayon. Soft velvety feel on the lips, lasts for hours and hours, vegan, glorious colour but quite sheer - the blotchy bits in the photo are my freckles showing through as I didn't use a lipliner underneath, still love it though ♥...

4. Hikari Lip Crayon - Armour. This is absolutely gorgeous, I wore it again just the other day and it survived breakfast. Courtesy of a Lip Monthly bag, I have a few of these crayons from this brand and they are all stunners ♥...

5. Antipodes Natural Lipstick - Hungry Like the Wolf.  Oh, oh, oh, so much to love in these lippies, chockablock with goodness - this was a gift from the gorgeous Marisa Robinson a few years ago, I'm not even sure they make it any more, but holey guacemoley, what a red this is ♥...

6. Essence Adventure Awaits Metallic Lipstick - Kisses From The Orient. I'm a huge fan of Essence lipsticks, BUT, this is a limited edition and we all know what that means - buy it while you can (and if you can find it). I nabbed a couple because it's the perfect Christmas lipstick - the metallic content is gold, and it glistens and gleams with all the bedazzlement of the festive season ♥...

7. Maybelline ColorDrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - Pink So Chic. I'm still in awe of this range - fabulous colours and formula, and still available for $9.95. No liner required, lightweight, comfortable, the dedicated post I wrote in April 2015 when they first came out is HERE ♥...

8. Essence Adventure Awaits Metallic Lipstick - Kisses from Asia. The partner in the Limited Edition set - not quite as jaw-dropping as the Orient one, but still a beauty, and oh how I love the pink + gold metallic combo (but weird that the case is orange). I bought a spare 'cos I have nothing else like this ♥...

9. MBA Cosmetics - Lovespell. These MBA lipsticks just keep on keeping on - at least 3 years old and no degradation of the product. What a pretty girly pink hey ♥...

10. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate - #20. Another gem I can't get enough of. Some bright pinks are just too lollyish or what I call "Barbie Pink", but this darling has both oomph and class, and the formula is a dream ♥...

11. Revlon Matte Balm - Passionate. Adore this shade, and it's so smooth and velvety - I have one other from this set, and I should buy more as I'm mad keen on the convenience of crayons, and especially if they're as lip friendly as this ♥...

12. MBA Cosmetics - Stargazer. If you want purple, head to MBA Cosmetics - this fave has appeared many times in these posts, and will for a while yet ♥...

What's your go-to lip colour?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Lip Monthly Subscription...

I'm ALWAYS excited when I discover one of those little "...you have a parcel..." cards in my letterbox, but the one I found on Tuesday had me puzzled as well. I wasn't waiting on any orders that I could remember, so I was intrigued by this distinctive shiny gold padded bag from the US. But it turned out to be my very first Lip Monthly pack! (Don't you just love it when you completely forget about something, and then it shows up out of the blue?). I subscribed several months ago after reading all about it over at the beautiful Barbe's brilliant Fashionista in Suburbia blog (thanks babe!). How it works is magically described in Barbe's post (link above), along with reviews of three of the bags, including this one. I'm super impressed with the value, and if you fancy joining up for US$12.95 a month (shipping is free), be sure to use her code (FASHINSUB) ♥...

So onto the contents - all full-sized products, three for lips and one for face. The pack contains a cute little card listing the contents, along with the RRP of each item. None of these goodies are currently available in Oz, but that doesn't bother me as there's always somewhere online that sells anything and everything hey. Lip Monthly says this pack has a retail value of US$68.95 - awesome!

Two of the colours I received were different to Barbe's pack, and here's my absolute FAVE - Dirty Little Secret Vengeance. The most gorgeous GORGEOUS blue pink, and right up my lip-colour alley. Stunning pigmentation, creamy, moist and an absolute pleasure to wear ♥...

Next is the Manna Liplocked Priming Gloss Stain in the shade Lucky - a super pretty pinky nude "with benefits". Again, excellent pigmentation, not the least bit sticky, and it lasts a good few hours - love this...

It does turn out a fair bit paler on my lips, but has enough colour for me to get away with it, plus it doesn't streak AT ALL - very little effort is required to create a smooth, glossy finish...

My Jello Shot Rosy Cheek & Lip Gel is the same shade as Barbe's - Hangover. The beauty of this stain is that it's different on everyone, depending on your body temperature. The lasting power is incredible - I swatched it last night on the back of my hand, and it's still there!...

As you can see from the pic, this is of little value to me on it's own as my lips are RIDDLED with imperfections, but it's staining quality is a winner as far as an "underlay" is concerned - it's a pretty shade, and given I haven't as yet found a way to remove it (!), this does at least give my blotchy lips some pigmentation, which is a bonus when my lippie wears off. I could also use it as a cheek stain, but interestingly it comes out Barbie pink on the rest of my face. Actually, I've never been a fan of cheek stains as they require such precision to apply evenly, but I'll sure make use of this on my pout...

The Jor'El Parker Fango Mud Therapy is one of the best masks I've ever tried. I gave up cream types a while back in favour of the sheet variety, mainly because the tube/tub ones are just so darn messy. But this organic beauty only stays on for 5 minutes, so I applied it while I prepared for my shower. Given the somewhat frightening picture below, I'd recommend remaining in the bathroom throughout the process - my cat would never forgive me if I wandered around looking like this! Ingredients include Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Green Tea Antioxidants and Volcanic Ash Minerals, it's 100% vegan, it's not tested on animals, and it smells DIVINE. My skin was incredibly soft, refreshed, toned and becalmed once I rinsed this green goop off. Totally hooked! 

All up I'm loving everything about this new subscription, and can't wait for the next gleaming gold pack to arrive ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

Linking this to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - starts at 6:30am, and you won't be disappointed. The standard of blog articles you'll find there each week is top class ♥...