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

EOTD'S: Too Faced, Annabelle & Maybelline Blues...

OK, time for some baby BLUES! Bit of a mix of brands that I've been playing with of late - these are all delightfully pigmented, and suitably different. First up is Blueberry Swirl from the Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar palette. What a lovely surprise to find a gorgeous smokey blue in amongst all the chocolatey hues...

My base was Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Boys Boys Boys - applied the Blueberry all over the lid except for the inner corner, and then blended a smidgin of Hydra from the Sleek Hall of Fame palette from the inner corner. Waterline was Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil...

Foundation was Rimmel Lasting Finish, cheeks were Ulta3 Pretty Plum Bluch, lips were BYS Fine Wine... 

Form my accessories I chose a mix of powdery light and dark blue - the bracelets and earrings were from Lovisa, and the necklace was a bargain from Millers...

Next is a gorgeous blue from an Annabelle Haute Mer palette that my beautiful friend Amy from Health and Beauty Girl gifted to me ♥ It's a Canadian brand I'm not familiar with at all, but I love the formula and the boldness of the hue - very creamy and very little fallout. There's some stunning greys in the quad as well which you'll see at some stage in the not too distant future...

Base was Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil, and I used the Teal Malachite one on the waterline for some extra oomph...

For my face I tried a new foundation - Australis Stayput. It's excellent, a beaut colour match, max coverage and it sure stays put ♥ Cheeks were the third pan from the BYS Heart Skipped A Beat trio, lips were NYC Blossom. This lippie was another pressie from darling Amy - my first ever try of NYC lipsticks, and I'm impressed with the density, intensity and moisturising qualities of the formula...

Kept the jewellery pretty low key as I was wearing such a busy print top...

And this last one is from one of my go-to palettes - the Sapphire Maybelline Hyper Diamonds palette that never lets me down...

Base was Chi Chi Boys Boys Boys Waterproof Gel Eyeliner, and I added that to the waterline as well. Been a while since I used a relatively light colour in this area - not sure that I like it so much, but it does seem to make my skimpy lower lashes stand out a bit more...

Face was Rimmel Lasting Finish again, cheeks were Savvy Satin Magenta Cheek & Lip Colour topped with Hourglass Ambient Mood Exposure, lips were Maybelline Pink So Chic ColorDrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil...

I normally only wear pastel blue in the warmer weather, but my usual rampant boredom kicked in and I made an exception lol. The blue heart pendant is Russian Blue crystal (laboratory grown)...

Hope you're keeping warm lovelies!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Jewellery Collection Part 1 (Lovisa haul)...

High time I started a series on jewellery hey, especially given it's yet another of my obsessions that's almost surpassed my makeup & perfume passions ♥ Over the months I've been uploading some of my bling rings, and pics of what I wear each day in my EOTD posts, but there seems to be quite a bit of interest (well on Instagram at least) in my overall collection, so I thought I'd put together some examples of  what I have, and how I gradually build my kit of bits and bobs. Just for the record, I have very few pieces of "real" jewellery (i.e. gold, diamonds etc.) - most of the good stuff I had was stolen (including family heirlooms and items of major sentimental value) when my home was burgled many years ago. I've never really recovered from the loss, but I'm endeavouring to heal the scars by gathering together exceptionally pretty (and inexpensive) costume jewellery, and I buy most of it on sale from Lovisa. So here's my latest haul from their current "up to 70% off" extravaganza...

The original price of all of the above items came to $192.88, but I only had to part with $63.00. The beauty of buying repeatedly from the same store is that I end up with items that match, and you know how important that is to me lol! I regularly fall in love with things I see on their racks, but I bide my time until they have a sale, and then I pounce. Sometimes not all pieces of a set are on special at the same time, and that's why I keep going back - eventually, everything gets reduced MASSIVELY in price, so I hold my breath and wait ♥ Below I've selected a few of the above new goodies, and arranged them with the ones I've previously scored so you can see what I'm trying to achieve...

The cognac coloured stretchy glass bead bracelet ($4 instead of $14.99) was to match the necklace from a previous sale, and the Swarovski earrings and ring I picked up not that long ago at a heavily reduced price - so this glam little set was put together from four separate Lovisa sales ♥...

And this green/bronze bead necklace (yes I have a "thing" for glass beads ♥) was to go with the bracelets from an earlier bargain hunt. This was a bonus because at the time I bought the bracelets, I didn't know the necklace was also available, but I loved the colour so much I bought them anyway - it's an unusual shade of green, and goes with quite a few of the tops I have, including some of the more olivey hues. The necklace is a super long one so I can also wrap it around my neck a few times for a different look. Price was $12 instead of $22.99...

Spotted these shell earrings and remembered a necklace/bracelet set I'd snapped up from Millers earlier this year - I reckon they were meant to be together, and especially with a price tag of $4 ♥...

The plaited glass pearl bead necklace and drop earrings were too good to pass up, although I hummed and haahed for quite a while - the necklace is normally $29.99 but had a $10 sticker, and the earrings were $4. They are set in gold, but it's a very pale gold, so I can get away with wearing these with silver settings as well. I already had the Lovisa bracelet and ring from Goldmark in my box of treasures - they're both a little creamy compared to the pure white new arrivals (which is why I was humming and haahing), but not a problem, given they are not next to each other when worn...

The bronze metal "door-knocker" earrings were a $4 gamble that paid off - the necklace was from yet another previous Lovisa sale haul, and I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted the bracelet during a fleeting visit to the store last weekend. While the earrings don't have diamantes like the other two, the base metal is the same colour and ridgy texture, so I'm glad I took the chance that they'd co-ordinate. This set looks particularly striking when worn with cream, white or khaki green...

Fell head over heels for these cute earrings - they were tagged as "semi-precious" but I have my doubts that they're actually turquoise. Still I was attracted to the blue/green/wood/diamante combo, and felt the shape would give this set a bit of a lift with a modern touch ♥ ($4 down from $12.99). BTW I found the sterling silver bangle in a Vinnies store years ago for 5 bucks, and the pendant was a gift my from Dad (it's my birthstone)...

And last but by no means least, adoring bling as I do, I couldn't resist this Swarovski ROCK (an absolute bargain at $8!) - it wasn't to complete any particular set, but it was such a stunner, well I had to have it, and it's the perfect fit for the ring finger on my right hand. Might just be my ultimate bling-ring!

I take my hat off to anyone who photographs sparkly stones successfully - over 100 shots to get these ones, and they still don't do it justice. Looks like glass here, but the facets are beautifully reflective, and it's around 6 carats of in-your-face bedazzlement...

There all sorts of different styles, shapes, materials, textures and colours in my collection - you can count on me for variety, I truly believe it's the spice of life. Part 2 coming soon ♥

Take care of  you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking this to the always fabulous Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party ♥♥♥