March 2021 Empties & Giveaway!...

Before I get started on the March Empties, I thought to let you know that my work life is still impacting my personal world in a major way - I was kinda hoping that after 31st March the pressure would ease a little, but I'm still waiting for that to happen lol! It's a bummer as I have lots to share with you as well as on Instagram, but after long and stressful days, I have very little time or energy left to put it all together. But I know how much you enjoy the Empties and I'm up to my neck in throwaway containers (!), so instead of colouring my hair (whoops), here we go...

Body

Glow Lab Blackberry & Bay Body Wash (400ml, RRP $9)
I do so enjoy these Glow Lab body washes. When I first bought this one I tagged the scent as winter appropriate but it was so enticing I couldn't wait, so I washed my bod with it over the summer. It's crisp and spicy rather than fruity, although it has heaps of citrus essential oils, and they're balanced with floral & herbal extracts. Quite distinctive and one I'll continue to enjoy in the cold weather, but I'll add a few extra drops of shower oil to boost the moisture content ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Yes indeed ♥♥♥...

White Glo Professional Choice Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste (100ml, RRP $5.99)
Ever so slightly different taste to the others, but the same level of whitening power on my old choppers. It's good to know it doesn't matter which one from the range I buy - they're all as good as each other ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
For sure ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Colgate Plax Alcohol Free Gentle Mint Mouth Wash (500ml, RRP $6.49)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)

Schmidt's Charcoal + Magnesium Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant (75g/92g, RRP $13.99/$19.95)

Swisspers Makeup Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.99)
White Glo Toothbrush (free with the above toothpaste)

Face

Breeze Balm Lip Balm - Birthday Bash (15g, RRP $19.95)

I'm crazy about these balms - far superior to anything else that's crossed my lips over the years. Not so keen on this "flavour" though - supposed to be pink lemonade, but it just smells super sweet to me. Same fabulously enriching formula though, and the good news is they've made the hole slightly bigger so it's an easier squeeze in the cold weather ♥...

Repurchase?
Not this one, but I'm hooked on the watermelon & pineapple variety ♥...

Regulars

Ecopure Bath Bamboo Fibre Face Cloths (pack of 2, RRP $12.99)

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 
Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash (175ml, RRP $14.99)
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99)
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum (30ml, RRP $59.99)
Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel (50ml, RRP $59.99)

Fragrance

Vera Wang Lovestruck EDP (100ml, $89)
Well now, this fragrance is proof that if you keep your perfumes in a cool dark space, they last a long time. Bought this in 2015 and it was almost perfect until the last half dozen spritzes. I reviewed it at the time and I still feel the same way about it, click the name above to go there direct ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Tempting, but there are so many others I want to try ♥♥♥...

Hair

Regulars

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Conditioner (250ml, RRP $34.95)

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

Makeup

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil - Grey (RRP $45)

I bought this in a fit of desperation during a relatively fruitless search for a grey eyebrow pencil (to match my hair) - in hindsight the price was ridiculous. Yeah, sure it was good quality, but too dark and stark for what I'm after, which is a  light to medium grey that I can build up ♥...

Repurchase?

Not unless I'm totally desperate again ♥...

ModelsPrefer Contour/Collection - Ultimate Higlighting + Contouring Palette ($16.99)
My local Priceline has stopped stocking this, but it seems to still be available online - thank goodness as it's the best colour scheme for my complexion (which means not orange!). Mind you I only use four of the six pans, but by mixing them together I can create a blend that suits me to a tee and doesn't look weird. Great price too. Powders are fine for my cheeks and jawline, but they seem to exaggerate the craterous pores on my nose, but I can smudge the cream ones so they're effective but not obvious. So hard to find cream contour kits! ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Definitely, online ♥♥♥...

Revlon Colorstay Life-Proof Matte Foundation Stick - 180 Sand Beige (RRP $25.95)

Ahh, Revlon - you were one of my first loves, and you're still delivering the goodies. My current numero uno foundation. This is the one I wear to the office or for special occasions. PERFECT colour match to my skin, blends to a perfect finish, lasts ALL DAY, doesn't transfer, SPF 27, slight sheen finish - it doesn't get much better than this ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Forever ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)

Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Eyebrow Pencil - Blonde (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Master Precise Allday Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Mascara (RRP $19.95)

Natio Define Eye Pencil - Charcoal (RRP $14.95)

Giveaway!!!

Totally bummed that I didn't get to do a special Mother's Day gift in time, but hey, it's only May so I'll no doubt make up for it. For now, here's what's in the bundle...

• Makeup Revolution freebie comprising:
• Revolution Pro 4K Bronzer Palette - Warm
• Unicorns Heart Rainbow Highlighter
• 5 Eye Shadow Palette - Raspberry Icing
• Intensely Pigmented Foil Shadow Palette
• The Liner Revolution Waterproof Smudgeproof Eyeliner - Intense Black
• Semi-Permanent Brow Tint - Taupe
• Lovisa Rose Gold Tone Silk Square Earring and Necklace Set,  & Diamante Crossover Ring - Size M/L

The makeup was a Gift With Purchase - I thought it was so awesome I placed another order so I could get a set for this giveaway. Here's a pic of a couple of the items I opened from my pack:

And a closeup of the gorgeous jewellery:

Approximate value is $85, and 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!) 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 see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Anna M. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 19th May to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Anna has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

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

EOTD Catch Up!...

Was going through some of my old posts and realised I haven't done an EOTD upload since May last year! The simple fact is that time is my enemy, both from an ageing perspective, as well as how long it takes to make it all happen. I'm still way passionate about eye makeup (I can't imagine that EVER changing!), and invariably create a look up to 6 days a week, but the camera is becoming more unkind by the day, and adjusting my technique for closeups (like drawing on the crease or combing my fringe WAY down lol) to disguise the sagging, bagging and wrinkling sometimes just doesn't do the trick. I'm still putting some up on Instagram fairly regularly, but considering it was an EOTD that got me started on blogging, I figured some pics were well overdue here. I've also had a major change of hair colour (work in progress) and I'm tending towards cooler eyeshadow hues, so here's a few of the looks from the last few months, plus the full face makeup, clothing and accessories so you can see the whole effect ♥...

Morphe Brushes 35B palette, Eye of Horus Jewel Amethyst Goddess Pencil on the waterline

L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick - Eternal Rose

The Balm Matt Johnson & Matt Malloy, Natio Steel Grey Define Eye Pencil on the waterline

Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick - Prudish Pink

BYS Peach Palette - Lavish & Peachy, Revlon Jade Colorstay Eyeliner on the waterline

 Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer - Sunstone

Chi Chi Cosmetics Oasis palette, Eye of Horus Teal Malachite Goddess Pencil on the waterline

Mirabelle Beauty Modern Matte Lipstick - Crimson

Morphe Brushes 35B palette, Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil on the waterline

NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Fuchsia Fusion

Makeup Revolution Envy, Colourpop Coconut, Eye of Horus Teal Malachite Goddess Pencil on the waterline

Dirty Little Secret Lipstick - Sugar Daddy

MBA Cosmetics Navy & Babybaby, Natio Steel Grey Define Eye Pencil on the waterline

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Vintage Pink

Chi Chi Oasis palette - olive & lime, blend of Models Prefer Lime Tart Infinite Colour Eye Pencil & Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil on the waterline

 JeffreeStar Velour Liquid Lipstick - Unicorn Blood

Colourpop Tink, bhcosmetics Wilde & Free palette - ice blue, Natio Steel Grey Define Eye Pencil on the waterline

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick - Fatal Red

Hope you enjoyed these looks - in all pics, I've lined my lower lashline with Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner, and mascara used was Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof, and L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber. As always, I ignore the majority of recommendations for mature age makeup colours and techniques, and just do what I want!

Do any of these EOTDs appeal to you?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTDs: Catch up time! (Part 2)...

Crikey, it's the last day of August, which means it's Spring tomorrow - yay!  And I'm just scraping in with the remaining four EOTD's for the month. I was determined to get these up so that there's eight to choose from for the next giveaway, which is closer than you think, and it'll be a SUPER DUPER special one to celebrate my little blog's third anniversary, so pop back in again soon won't you ♥

I haven't done a really colourful eye look for yonks, but I reckon this one might make up for it lol - used essence white kajal as my base on the inner corner, and Eye of Horus Amethyst Jewel Goddess Pencil for the rest, and on the waterline. The pink is the boldest magenta from the bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil Palette, and that gorgeous sparkly purple/blue/pink multichrome is the one and only  Colourpop Dare...

My outfit was a purply pink top with navy pants, a combo I often put together, and I was thrilled to find the multi-bead bracelets in the pic below at Millers to add to my collection - they were a steal at $5, and helped tie everything together...

For this one I used Max Factor Charcoal Grey Kohl Pencil for my base and waterline, and patted down the grey from the Annabelle Haute Mer palette. For fun I added a smear of Eye of Horus Alchemy Gold Liquid Metals in the centre of the top lid, and swiped a wee bit under the lower lashline...

On the dial was Mirenesse Liquid Silk Foundation (yes I've FINALLY used it all up!), cheeks were the purple pink from the bhcosmetics Glamorous Blush palette, lips were MBA Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lip Color in the shade Immortal...

And the gold/grey accessories...

This one looks a bit weird because you can't really see my top eyelashes very well against the deep green, but I adore the shadow - it's from the Chi Chi Oasis palette, and it went over the top of Models Prefer Infinite Colour Eye Pencil in the shade Lime Tart. Also used this for my waterline blended with Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil...

Foundation was Mirenesse Liquid Silk again, cheeks were Ulta3 Pretty Plum Blush, and on the lips was L'Oreal Color Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick in Bloody Mary...

I need to expand my olivey green jewellery collection, but there's been very little available in that shade this Winter, so will have to see what I can rustle up for next season...

And lucky last is Who's There from the Makeup Revolution Give Them Nightmares palette over the top of essence white kajal.  For the waterline, I stroked on Eye of Horus Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencil...

Foundation was the same Mirenesse one, cheeks were the brightest red pan from the bhcosmetics Glamorous Blush palette, and lips were Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss #30, over-slicked with Maybelline ColourSensational Gloss in Signature Scarlet - had to blend these two to make just the right shade to go with the pinky red in the striped top...

And of course, the jewels. I bought the triangle pendant more than 10 years ago at Vinnies, and was excited when I spotted the (almost matching) earrings a few months ago at Lovisa...

And so lovelies, I can't say I'm sorry to say bye bye to the cold weather, although I will miss my boots. Wishing you all a sensational Spring ♥

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