January 2021 Empties & Giveaway!...

Gee these Empties posts seem to come around fast - well actually it's every fourth post I upload here unless I can squeeze in an additional review now and then, and as you can see, I'm still maintaining the monthly turnover pace. The Regulars sections are increasing but there are some new products in the weeks to come so hang in there with me - and this month's Giveaway is four of my all-time fave beauty products, plus some pretty bling babies, so read on ♥...

Body

Method Gel Hand Wash Refill - Pink Grapefruit (1L, RRP $12.99)

My passion for Pink Grapefruit scented products knows no bounds, and while I always intend to eliminate all cleansers containing SLS from my shelves, I haven't been able to find a substitute for this so far - even the Body Shop one contains SLS, so this is it for now. Mind you I haven't had any issues with my hands - the other ingredients are naturally derived, I find it doesn't dry the skin or cause any irritation, and it smells divine. I don't use the cute-as Method bottle because it becomes unstable as the quantity reduces so I use the refill pack to load my preferred pump dispensers. Overall I LOVE the brand - this pack is terrific value, and I've actually replaced all my home cleaning products (including laundry) with their range ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes indeed ♥♥♥...

Urban Rituelle Hand & Body Lotion - Sea Kiss (60ml, RRP $14.95)

This was gifted to me by UR just over 12 months ago in a set of four - this was my absolute favourite. My full review is HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Probably, and I'm only saying "probably" because they have so many other delicious hand and body lotions, it's SO hard to choose ♥♥♥...

White Glo Coffee and Tea Drinkers Formula Extra Strength WhiteningToothpaste (100ml, RRP $5.49)

Gradually working my way through all the different formulations from this brand. So far no one variety is any better at whitening than the other, but I'll keep going as they work well - all seem to have the same minty taste that I like, and the brush is the best I've ever used ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Yes ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Natures Commonscents Natural Goats Milk Body Wash (500ml, $8.00)

Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Shower Oil (200ml, RRP $42)

Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Soap (230g, RRP $9.99)

Skin Physics Advance Superlift Caviar Age-Recovery Hand & Nail Renewal Cream SPF15 (75ml, RRP $39.99)

Swisspers Makeup Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.99)

Thankyou Botanical Lemon Myrtle & Goat's Milk Body Wash - (500ml, $7.99)

Face

A'kin Hydrating Coconut Water & Green Tea Micellar Water (500ml, RRP $17.95)

I bought a small (150ml) bottle of this three years ago for a whopping $14.95, so the pricing of this has dramatically changed for the better with this 500ml quantity now available for just a few dollars more. It's a 2nd cleanser that I use after the main wash - truly lovely, soothing and cooling, excellent slip, very pleasant "organic" fragrance which I can't pinpoint. It's up there with my faves ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Sure will - Aussie made, cruelty-free, recyclable packaging, no nasties ♥♥♥...

L'Oreal Sugar Scrubs Purifying Scrub with Kiwi Seed (50ml, RRP $19.95)

I bought this ages ago, and only recently found the part-used jar buried 3-deep on my bench. I'd forgotten all about it because I only use scrubs in the shower, and this is in a glass jar with a screw-top lid, which is a definite no-no! It smells delicious, works well, warms the skin while gently exfoliating, and looks positively mouth-watering - it's so pretty I reckon L'Oreal would have an absolute winner on their hands if they packaged it in a clear tube ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I have, but I'll transfer it into a squirty plastic travel bottle - just gotta find one with a big enough nozzle so the kiwi seeds don't get stuck ♥♥♥...

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 Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89)

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Detoxifying Pore Scrub (150ml, RRP $14.99)

Face Masks

Regulars

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

Skin Republic Fast Fix 5 Minute Under Eye Mask (2 pairs, RRP $9.99)
Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)

Fragrance

Regulars

Lanvin Eclat d’Arpège EDP (100ml, $140)

Hair

Hi Lift Creme Peroxide For Hair - 20 Vol (1000ml, RRP $7.50)

I find very little difference in this product from one brand to the next, so I just go with whatever is a good deal at the time. The 20 vol strength is what I mix with the hair colours below to cover my white roots ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥♥♥...

Regulars

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

Hi Lift True Colour Hair Colour Creme - Extra Light Intense Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $7.50)

Wella Koleston Perfect Permanent Creme Colour - Special Mix Clear, Blue Intensive & Ash Intensive (60g, RRP $19.97)

Makeup

Rimmel Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation - Soft Beige (30ml, RRP $17.95)

Great foundation - perfect coverage, great finish though a little pale for me in summer, and I guess you could call this my COVID base as I opened the bottle in March last year. It lasts well all day long and doesn't transfer. I squirt a little onto the back of my hand and then pick up small dabs on my fluffy foundation brush ♥♥...

Repurchase?

Probably not, but it's a good standby if I can't get hold of my fave Revlon stick ♥♥...

Regulars

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

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

ModelsPrefer Infinite Colour Eye Pencil - Blue Lagoon ($12.99)

Giveaway

The loot for this month is...

• Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry (deep olive) Goddess Pencil
• Lovisa Silvertone Snowflake Pendant
• Lovisa Emerald Green & Clear Swarovski Stud Earrings
• Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Shower Oil with Apricot Kernal Oil
• Olay Regenerist Whip UV Active Moisturiser SPF30
• Skin Physics Advance Superlift Caviar Age Recovery Hand & Nail Renewal Cream

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $180.  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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Alex P. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

midnight 3rd March to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Alex has claimed her prize ♥

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

May 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

Well, I think you can see from the picture what I've been working on the most during the last month of isolation lol - yes the old eye bags are starting to get the better of me so I've upped the frequency of the overnight eye patches to see if I can slow down the deterioration. They are helping quite a bit with the puffiness, and with the recent half-price sales of the Skin Republic range at Woolies & Coles, I think I can maintain the treatment for another month to see if a daily application is worth the expense. As for the rest of the May Empties, there are quite a few new discoveries in this bunch, although it's just my luck that some have been discontinued. All the same, here we go ... 

Body

Method Pink Grapefruit Naturally Derived Hand Wash - (354ml, RRP $5)

Fell in love with the colour and the scent of this hand wash - I SO have a thing about pink grapefruit, and this mix also includes blood orange and cassis. A truly lovely product that's gentle on the skin and looks so pretty on the vanity. Triclosan-free, biodegradable and not tested on animals, it has only one little flaw - the container becomes unstable once you get down to the last few centimetres ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Not yet - I may just buy the refill pouch and refill another less wobbly container ♥♥♥...

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Body Wash - (384ml, RRP $10)

This came with one of my regular Shea Moisture orders - they had a deal at the checkout where I was able to select a free product, and this was what I went for. So glad I did because it's brilliant, and I've since ordered another. It's one of their Limited Editions, but one I hope will be available for a while. Super enriching, it's perfect for dry winter skin, and also contains African Rock Fig & Baobab Oil. Has a deliciously sweet honey-ish scent with a hint of fig, yum! ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Sure did ♥♥♥...

Regulars
Oral-B 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste (96g, RRP $9.49)

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

MIÓD Skincare Balancing Face Oil  (30ml, RRP $45)

This partly used sample bottle has been on my bench for almost 3 years - embarrassing, and I didn't realise it had been that long until I looked it up on my blog to find out where it came from. It was the March 2017 edition of the Good Green Box, a subscription service that sadly is no more. Smells so incredibly DIVINE, I'm at a loss as to why I started using it and then stopped. But kudos to this brand as the product is just as delicious and stable, even after all this time, and leaves my skin feeling fabulously soothed, radiant and replenished. It's formulated especially for oily/combo skin - lightweight, and it absorbs magically. This is really something special ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

I reckon so ♥♥♥...

Neutrogena HydroBoost Night Concentrate  (50g, RRP $26.99)

Bought this to try as I love the sheet masks in this range. Not so fussed on this - it was fine for the summer, but I didn't find it anywhere near moisturising enough for these cooler months. So pretty to look at though and it smells, hmmm, ok - it has little blue beads suspended in the gel, but I found they didn't always dissolve and stayed on my skin surface, which was a tad annoying. I think in general I'm not a fan of these new gel moisturisers - I don't like the sticky feeling they leave behind, I prefer the slip & slide of a standard formula ♥...

Repurchase?

I think not ♥...

Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Gel Cleanser  (145ml, RRP $15.99)

I've actually had this on the bench for over a year but didn't finish it off till now as I was so enamoured with their Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash throughout the hot season. Doesn't take up much space on the bench, nice fresh scent, highly effective on waterproof makeup, but didn't notice any benefit in the hydration department ♥♥...

Repurchase?

Maybe, but not till the weather warms up ♥♥...

Nivea 3-in-1 Urban Skin Detox Clay Wash  (150ml, RRP $9.99)

Love this - used it as a scrub as I also have the separate 1 Minute Mask in the same range. Green tea, black rice & kaolin clay - a great combo for my skin, gentle enough to use every day as the consistency is more like a polish, and I would except I get bored using the same thing too often. Leaves my face feeling soft and smooth, adore the clean fresh fragrance ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

Yes, it's been replaced already ♥♥♥...

Olay Regenerist Whip UV Cream SPF 30  (50g, RRP $48.99)

My new #1 day-cream - I've always loved the Regenerist range, and I'm thrilled that they've introduced this Whip version with SPF 30. Used this all throughout the summer without any greasies emerging during the day. The scent is so lovely - fresh & invigorating and a pleasure to experience every time. Kicking myself a bit as I bought this and the Luminous one during the same bargain sale, so I need to use up that one next, but it doesn't have the same scent although it's supposed to minimise pores. Either way, I'm pretty impressed with Olay, just wish their jars were recyclable ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

Absolutely ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99) 
Swisspers Make-up Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.79)

Face Masks

Anko (Kmart) Evening Primrose Botanical Eye Mask (2 pairs, RRP $3)

I did a rave review of the Raspberry Leaf variety last month, and haven't been able to buy them since - totally sold out! Fortunately, I bought these a few months ago, but I haven't seen them since either - I think COVID has a lot to do with their lack of availability in that they are made in China, and I reckon every second gal who's working from home has bought up the supply. They're terrific, cheap as chips, and if you ever see them on the racks, buy lots ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Would if I could ♥♥♥...

Anko (Kmart) Red Ginseng Botanical Eye Mask (2 pairs, RRP $3)

Ditto the above ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

Ditto the above ♥♥♥...

Andalou CannaCell Glow Mask (50g, RRP $22.99)

This came my way via the beautyheaven Natural Beauty Event late last year - gave it 5 gold stars, and having finished the jar, still feel it deserves each and every one of them. My first experience with an enzyme mask - interesting green jelly with an unusual but pleasant botanical fragrance, and even more interesting stinging sensation when applied, though not to the point of being uncomfortable. I was expecting my face to be a slightly irritated pink when I washed off the cream, but it just looked more glowy and healthy than usual ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

Definitely - I have four opened masks on the vanity at the mo' but will buy a jar once I finish one of them ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Skin Republic 24K Gold Aquagel Under Eye Patch (2 pairs, RRP $12.99)

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

Hair

mydentity demi-permanent Hair Colour - Silver Smoke (58g, RRP $28.95)

At last I've found a silvery grey hair colour that doesn't contain any yellow and doesn't fade to reveal golden highlights. It's been quite a struggle but I found this on the MyHairCare&Beauty website - one of those places that sell salon products. It costs twice as much as supermarket hair colour but when I want something really bad, I'll pay for it. This demi I used with 30 vol developer and it barely faded in 6 weeks - amazing! The only problem is it doesn't cover my white hair all that well so I'll be buying the permanent one next time ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

You betcha ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Shampoo (250ml, RRP $35.95)

Makeup

Australis Full On Foundation SPF30 - Natural Fawn (15g, RRP $18)

I have to stop buying foundation when it's on sale, and when I already have a stack to use up. This one was under $10 from the Australis website, and by the time I opened it and discovered how brilliant it was, there were none left because, again, it's been discontinued. The most amazing full coverage foundation stick that was a perfect skin tone match, didn't cake or crease, and it had SPF30. Why oh why did Australis stop making it? I even used a brush to poke down into the wind-up tube to get the last of it out. Sob! ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

Not available any more ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse - Sand Beige (30ml, RRP $22.95)

I found this stuck down the back of one of my stash drawers - I think it's been there for a few years as I don't remember buying it, and the range has been discontinued. This is the problem when you have too many stash drawers! But I DO remember that I loved it, and considering it was unopened I decided to use it up. So glad I did because this is the perfect shade for me, and I love the formula - excellent coverage without looking gluggy or mask-like. Over the years I've been enamoured with just about any MNY foundation that has "Dream" in the name (and there's been quite a few) and this was no exception. Currently using their Dream Urban Cover foundation, so the love affair continues ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

Not available any more ♥♥♥...

Maybelline Face Studio Prime Pore Minimising Primer (30ml, RRP $17.95)

This was on special from somewhere, but it's still available lol! Almost the same mousse formula/texture/finish as my fave DB Cosmetics one. Fills in the gigantic pores on my nose and an overall terrific mattifying primer. Creates a silky smooth base for foundation, and I apply it on the days I don't wear any makeup as it cuts the shine and makes my skin look better than it is ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?

Yes - this is a great alternative if my fave isn't available ♥♥♥...

Regulars

BYS Highlighting Palette (5 pans + brush, RRP $14.95)

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum (3ml, RRP $69)


Giveaway

This month I have a special "restriction-lifting" pack to celebrate the return to the workplace and a bit more socialising, but always with caution hey...

• Essence Hey Cheeks Blush, Bronzer & Highlighter Palette
• Nutrimetics Nourishing Lip Oil
• Nutrimetics Silk Creme Lipstick - Violet
• Nutrimetics Silk Creme Lipstick - Frosted Grape
• Nutrimetics Silk Creme Lipstick - Aztec Bronze
• Nutrimetics Silk Creme Lipstick - Scarlet
• Synergie Skin Sanitiser Spray for hands & surfaces

Here are the lipstick colours...

And here's what's inside the Essence palette (it has a clear plastic protective cover that's reflecting the light, which is why the pans look a bit wonky)

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $200.  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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Ingrid N. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Thursday 18th June to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Ingrid has claimed her prize ♥

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe

kats xxx