REVIEW: July Bellabox...

When I was made redundant last year, I thought it best to cancel all my subscriptions until I landed a new job, and I sure have missed the parcels of goodies that used to turn up every month from various sources. And even though I've been working fairly steadily since then, I haven't re-subscribed to anything because it was the perfect opportunity to use up the ton of products I had stashed away - a task I've only just recently managed to (almost) complete. But then as luck would have it, last week the generous folks at Bellabox kindly sent me their July pack to review, and after grazing through the terrific contents, and seeing the value, I'm sorely tempted to make this monthly offering my next adventure ♥...

No doubt some of you are familiar with this particular sub, but for those of you who aren't, let's take a closer look at what's in this month's box...

Luna by Luna Eyeshadow ($15)

The shade I received was Miracle - a gorgeous shimmery plum that's smooth as silk and blends like a dream. Delighted to have a compact single pan to slip into my makeup bag in case I need to pat on a little more during the day, although I doubt I'll need to - this seems to have excellent staying power, and it's cruelty-free ♥...

MODELCO Highlighting Shimmer Whip ($12)

This is a stunning cream luminiser in the shade Champagne - the prettiest soft gold with an amazing metallic sheen. I'm not a big user of highlighter - I usually just dust a little on the top of my cheeks and the tip of my nose, but I've already tried blending a teeny bit of this liquid with my foundation, and I'm amazed at the difference it makes to my face - gives me a lovely youthful radiance without looking overdone. I also stroke a smidgin down the centre of my nose after contouring, and I far prefer the result than the powder I've been using ♥...

Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask (10ml, $5.99)

Haven't tried this yet, but it's scheduled in for the end of the week which is when I always ALWAYS indulge in some kind of mud mask. While I don't experience acne, my skin can always do with some detoxifying, and I'm loving the sound of the tomato, watermelon and pumpkin ingredients. The blurb says it's 96% natural, so that's a bonus too ♥...

Liar Wrinkle Cheater Eye Serum (12ml, $39.95)

I'm always up for a new eye product, and this clear serum is 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan, and has a lovely fresh scent. With a metal rollerball applicator, it feels icy cold in the current Sydney temperatures, so I'm stashing this away till the weather warms up a bit. Specifically for reducing wrinkle depth and preventing new ones forming, I'll report back on this via one of my Empties posts later in the year. Love the writing on the tube - "Tell them your real age, they'll never believe you" ♥...

Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque (212ml, $64.90)

Can't wait to try this when I next shampoo - it smells SO good, and the instructions say it only needs to stay on for 10 minutes. Cruelty-free and vegan, it's also minus any sulfates or parabens and is designed to restore damaged hair, tame the frizzies, and deliver lots of hydration and shine. Sounds like my kind of hair product ♥...

Plunkett's Nutri-Synergy Working Hands Intensive Repair Treatment 

I actually have a half-finished tube of this magical hand repairer in my bedside table drawer - I've been sidetracked with three others that came my way, but it will appear in my Empties post in the next month or so. Absolutely BRILLIANT hand cream - totally unglamorous, but boy does it work, and it absorbs completely ♥...

I've checked out the contents of previous boxes, and they all seem to be of the same excellent quality. Bellabox costs $19.95 per month, and the fact that there will always be five sample-sized products is especially appealing as there's no chance my bench will become overloaded again with a whole bunch of stuff that I'll struggle to finish. And the bonus is that anything I try that I love, I can probably buy from their website. I've lost count of the number of beauty items from other subscription services that I adored, but could never purchase because they simply weren't available in Australia...

Thank you Bellabox for the opportunity to sample your terrific product - I love that there's a mix of skincare, hair and makeup items, so this is a winner!

What say you lovelies - does this sound like your kind of thing, or are you already a customer?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

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: 1st Quarter 2018 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

Gosh, it won't be long before the year is half over (eek!), so it's high time I got these personal favourite LOTD's from the first 3 months of 2018 up on the blog! Below is a selection of the browns, oranges and reds in my collection that I either discovered (or re-discovered), and that deserve a mention ♥...

I choose a lipstick colour each day to go with my outfit (although sometimes I pick the lippie first and then the reverse applies), and while I don't have many holus-bolus brown pieces in my wardrobe, some items have components or trims in this earthy shade, and so I choose a toning lipstick to tie them in...

1. Up first is NYX Liquid Suede Cream in Club Hopper, so deep and rich, quite long lasting, but I wish this formula wasn't quite so drying - nothing a little slick of gloss won't fix though...
2. Next is another NYX Liquid Suede Cream in the shade Downtown Beauty, one that makes a regular appearance in these posts because of its yellow content...
3. Next is Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick - Bronze Metal, also quite golden, but with a dash of pink which makes it ultra-flattering...

4. Edging into the bricky shades, this Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Crazy for Coffee is an old fave for its warmth without being too reddish...

5. The middle one is a Colourpop Matte Lip Cream in a shade I absolutely adore - Love Bug! Oh how I wish it wasn't so lip-shrivelling - you can see how it accentuates my deep creases, but I put up with it because to me it is the epitome of Autumn, and I really have nothing else like this colour in my collection...

6. On the end is another oldie-but-a-goodie - Milani Lipstick in the shade Candied Toffees. Lots of orange content and a lovely moist formula, despite its age...

7. I would wear a lot more orange lippies if I could find ones that are intense, dense and don't apply all patchy and streaky, but it's always one of my life challenges to find a good one, and even harder to track down a yellowy-orange. #7 has lots of red, but still most definitely an orange - NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Orangesicle - it's fabulous! These glosses from NYX are still my Number One in terms of intensity and comfort...
8. In the middle is Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipstick in Hot Mamma - is this orange or red? Let's call it rorange, another one with a refreshingly moist formula, and pretty good wear time...
9. This last one is definitely a red - Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Fatal Red - always a winner in the orangey-red section and keeps my lips supple from morning till night...

10. This next one came in a LipMonthly bag, it's by Mirabella - Modern Matte Lipstick in the colour Crimson. This was a great find as it dries quite mattish, but doesn't suck all the juice out of my lips, and its lasting power is quite remarkable...
11. In the middle is one that earned a spot mainly because it's by Lacura (Aldi) - Matte Liquid Lipstick, with no name on it that I can find, but really quite comfy for a matte liquid. Very thin and sheer so for me it requires building, but might suit any gal wanting a red that isn't too bold. Pretty good for the price too (I think it was around $6), but good luck with finding it...
12. Last one in this row is ModelCo Lip Crayon in Red Velvet - another LipMonthly delightful discovery as I don't go for the brand as a rule, but this crayon is a beauty, and the true red pigment is a stunner. It's also non-drying...

13. On the left is one that appears in most of my fave posts - it's just the best, for colour, comfort and wearability - L'Oreal Bloody Mary...
14. Last of the true reds is Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick - One-Of-A-Kind. This one blew me away with its intensity and super glossy finish. Love!...
15. Lucky last is a recent acquisition and one that I ummed and ahhed about what section to put it in. Alongside the pinks it's obviously a red, and in here with the reds it looks more pink, but I had a spot left in the row. Anyways this is Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance Lipstick in Garnet, a brilliantly hydrating pout perfector, lovingly reviewed HERE...


Part 2 will be up shortly, and incidentally, you can see all my LOTD's for the year on Instagram - #katslotds2018. Now for what I hope is a nice surprise! I bought an NYX Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar in the Priceline after-Christmas sales for a ridiculous price, but I have SO MANY lippies I'll just never get to use these, so I'm giving the box away to one of my followers. Lots of gorgeous nudes plus a few boldies, and a mix of glosses, mattes & lingeries...

                                                               

While this is not heavy it's bulky, so the giveaway is open to...

AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY 

(My April Empties Giveaway will be International!)

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!)
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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Dara S. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Dara please respond to the email I've sent you by

Wednesday 23rd May to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Dara has claimed her prize ♥

Thanks for entering lovelies - there'll be another giveaway soon!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 3rd Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

It's time for another round of fave LOTD's ♥ These are for the three months up until end September, and I'm continuing on with splitting the post into only two parts instead of four as it's the only way they'll see the light of day in 2017! So here we go with the lippies that made my personal cut...

These posts are a beaut reminder for me of the stunners that are in my collection, and I even use them as a reference when I'm ferreting around for a particular colour, and can't remember what it's called or who made it. Hope you enjoy these browns, oranges, reds, corals & nudes ♥...

1. BYS Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Hot Cocoa - quite drying but I included it as it's such a fantastic brown for the cooler weather.
2. In the second pic, I added Cosmoholic Gold Gloss over the top of the same BYS lippie to see what would happen, and I wasn't disappointed - instant shimmer and shine,  plus it made the matte product wearable in the comfort department. I love how this gloss makes any lipstick multi-dimensional and vibrant. 
3. The third one is NYX Liquid Suede - Downtown Beauty - an unusual brown with yellow/green tones, goes so well with olivey/khaki outfits ♥...

1. Of course, brown doesn't have to be dark and broody, and this BYS Matte Lipstick in Espresso is the perfect cool weather shade for the not so daring - like most matte lippies it's a little drying, but a beauty for the price. 
2. The middle one is from a range that you'll be seeing a lot more of in this post - ModelsPrefer Artist Collection Crayons in the shade Bare. These little pencils are $5 for 3 from Priceline - whoa! A brilliant range of colours, you can wear them on lips, cheeks or eyes, and although they're not a standard size for a sharpener (grrrrr!) I'm able to keep the point using the large side of a Manicare one. These crayons are also terrific as lip liners - I think I bought the whole set! 
3. This last lippie I've had for ages - Nude by Nature Mineral Lipstick in the shade Sassy. Not the first time this has appeared in one of these posts, gorgeous autumnal shade, and fabulously nourishing formula ♥...

1. Only a couple of oranges this time around - it's a challenge to find one that isn't streaky, but NYX has nailed it with this Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Solar Energy - beautiful colour, beautiful formula. Love this whole range actually ♥ 
2. In the middle is another ModelsPrefer Art Crayon in a shade called Poppy - it's ever so pretty hey? 
3. And the last one is another of these crayons (see I told you there'd be lots!) - this one is Carnation, and just tips over into a red ♥...

1. Oh my, the reds! Can't beat a scarlet hue for giving me a lift on a dull day, or with a monochrome outfit. On the left is Bourjois Rouge Laque in Self Peach - why oh why haven't I tried Bourjois lipsticks before? Who knows, but I'm making up for lost time - fabulous formula, amazing pigmentation, lasts for hours, total winner! 
2. Middle one is a long-time fave - Maybelline Color Sensational Fatal Red, fatally awesome. 
3. And on the right is W7 Liptember Devils Darling - even MORE intense, and a steal at $4.99, plus the proceeds go to a women's mental health initiative. I buy some of these every year ♥...

1. Moving onto the starring red in my kit - L'Oreal Color Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick in Bloody Mary. I already have a spare of this wowser - if you're serious about red lippie, then you MUST get your hands on this classic hottie ♥ 
2. #2 is NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Apple Crisp - so vibrant, so comfortable, I've said before these are my all-time favourite glosses, and that's still the case. 
3. Last one is Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick in Best of the Best - really the only one in this shade family with some blue content, love it ♥...

1. This darker red is ModelCo Lip Crayon in Red Velvet - I wear hardly anything from this brand, their products don't ring my bells at all, but this came in a Lip Monthly bag. It's really quite creamy, and one of the deepest reds in my collection. 
2. The second one is Maybelline Matte Lipstick in Divine Wine - divine by name, divine by nature.  
3. And lucky last is another ModelsPrefer Artist Crayon in the shade Berry. I included it here because to me it's a red rather than a berry ♥...

1. This first one is in a family all its own - gee is it a mauve, a nude, a pink? Can't nail it down but it's a stunning shade - Covergirl Katy Kat Matte in Catoure. Nothing else like it in my kit - ADORE!  
2. Centre one is Hola Neon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Party Pop, another one from Lip Monthly. I included it as it's such a gorgeous corally shade, but it's very very drying, so I may have to toss it. 
3. On the right is Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in Flirtation - such a comfortable formula, love just about all the shades in this release ♥...

1. And the final three! First up is ModelsPrefer Artist Crayon in the shade Coral - pale but ever so flattering on this old chook.  
2. Centre stage goes to So Susan Liquid Matte Long-Wear Liquid Lipstick, shade Pumpkin  - quite a mouthful but the most comfortable long lasting matte liquid I have ever tried. Survived turkish toast wth vegemite & a fried egg - thank you Lip Monthly! 
3. And finally another of the Maybelline Color Sensational Bold range - Gone Greige. I'm not a nude lover, but I'm crazy about this mushroomy beigey beauty ♥...

So that's it for the last quarter, which I don't know about you but it whizzed past me in a blur.  Do any of the above lippies take your fancy? Is there a favourite of yours amongst these?

Next up will be pinks, purples, plums and berries ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SEASONAL CULL: Blushes...

Hmmm, this seasonal cull wasn't quite as productive as the first exercise, but while concealers and blushes are both vital makeup items, they're hardly comparable hey ♥ The spectrum of blush shade families, textures and finishes available is pretty much unlimited, and I for one delight in having lots of choices - hence the collection below ♥ But still I reckon it's worth reassessing every now and then, if for no other reason than to keep a mindful eye on storage space ... 

I started by sorting them into formulas and colours - first separating creams and powders, and then grouping them into pinks/purples, oranges/corals, and mauves/bricks/plums. Below are the creams, which I use when I want a more dewy finish, or as a base to boost the powder topping, and make it last all day. The lidless pots are by Lacura, and the Lip & Cheek Rouges are by DB Cosmetics. That Australis one on the far right is the last of the handful I bought when it was discontinued years ago, and it's STILL viable...

These are the two I decided to dispose of because I hardly ever wear them - the Lacura one because it's so very pale on my skin, and the Maybelline hue, well it just isn't quite right...

And here are the powders sorted into colour families...

I started with the corals and oranges - nothing pricey at all here, and more than enough to cover every need for this autumnal hue. Top left is NYX Ombre, and the bold trio in the middle is by Sleek...

I made up my mind to ditch the BYS Endless Summer palette as I've only ever used the middle pan, plus it's many years old. The two essence blushes are fairly recent additions, but again, the hues aren't quite flattering enough for my complexion, and the matt touch one has very little colour payoff...

Next up were the pinks and purples - without a doubt my passions, especially when wearing black/white outfits. Although I call myself a "warm", I'm actually a neutral, and can therefore wear some of these ever so pretty cooler tones. The purpley one without a label is by Real Purity, and was sent to me by a darling friend (♥), and I'd forgotten all about the Mirenesse one top left - found it in my work room on the "must swatch before reviewing" shelf, so I'll be giving that a go shortly (once I've swatched it lol). Top right beauty is by NYX, and the middle trio is by Sleek...

Couldn't bring myself to toss out very many here as they're all quite different, and equally gorgeous. However the essence blush up has seen better days, and I only ever wear the colour on the left side of the pan. The BYS palette is another ancient one, and well, it was time to say goodbye...

I tend to wear the mauves, plums and bricky reds more often in Autumn and Winter, although the mauves really have a place all year round. The one on the top right (no label, another gift) is the second untouched one I found on my shelf, and bottom left is the only Laura Geller makeup item in my kit, and it's divine - must explore this brand further! Bottom right is by Ulta3, my most treasured plummy cheek enhancer, next to it is a duo by BH Cosmetics, and the patchy looking one in the middle top row is NYX Ombre - seems to be have been moisture affected, but whatever I did wrong, it still lays down magnificently...

Could only give one the flick here - I do love the colours in this Maybelline pan, but it's just too shimmery, and gives me trouble in my EOTD photos because the particles always seem to spread up to my under-eye area, and accentuate my wrinkly bits...

I excluded these two palettes from the cull because they're indispensable - the big one by BH Cosmetics has such a fabulous assortment of shades, and the Hourglass one, well, besides being so beautiful, how could I throw away an Hourglass anything? ♥...

So there you have it - started with 40 in total (13 cream & 27 powder), and reduced them down to 32. Not quite the ruthless result I'd planned, but not a bad effort considering my fickle nature. I can't possibly label any one of these as my HG, but below are my personal faves and the ones I reach for most often - for their stunning colours, impressive pigmentation, and silky formulas ♥...

Haven't decided what I'll cull next - I'm torn between eye liners and foundation. I reckon the liners will be a breeze (thanks to Eye of Horus Cosmetics), but the foundations will be a challenge as there's so many I love ha ha ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Adding this to Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥ - the pick of the bloggers crop...

SPOTLIGHT: Micellar Magic Part 5...

Well the Micellar Water market is bigger than I thought, so time for another round. While there's one in the piccie below that's cheap as chips, I've started delving into more upmarket offerings. We all know that the creme-de-la-creme Bioderma comes with a pretty hefty price tag ($42.99 for 500ml), but I was curious to see if there was any difference in the quality of other brands as the price point increased, so watch this space. Incidentally I'm not even attempting to finish all of the bottles I've acquired so far during this adventure (I guess I could take a bath in it lol?), so I've been distributing some to my fam & friends, and delighted to report that I have totally converted my Mum to this magical invention...

So let's get started. Out of these five, I'm going to cut to the chase and start with the WORST ...

MODELCo Micellar Cleansing Water - All In 1 (240ml, RRP $15)

I so appreciate honesty from the bloggers I follow, and wouldn't DREAM of leading anyone astray with dodgy info here. Regardless of my experience, I endeavour to be fair, and even if a product sucks, will always mention any redeeming qualities, but I'm struggling to find anything positive about this baby, except maybe the packaging. While tall bottles are more likely  to topple over than squatty ones, this takes up very little space on my vanity, and the overall look is quite classy. There - I've said it. As for what's inside, well...I'm puzzled as to how this made it onto the market...

Leaving aside the fact that UREA is listed as an ingredient (eeeeewwwwww!), I haven't been able to get past first base with the application. Regardless of how much I use, this drags on my skin, and after a couple of swipes, the cotton pad scrunches up and starts to tear. I use Swisspers makeup remover pads because they never EVER break up or shred, except when I use this. At first I thought it was because of the cleanser I used, so I tried several from the assortment on my bench, but the result was the same each time. In a nutshell, there is zero slip. If I use a few pads, I can make it down to my neck, but when it dries, my skin feels tight and dehydrated. At my age, I appreciate a bit of firming, but not this much. The label says it's "...a cult-favourite among professional makeup artists and celebrities." I wonder who? One word - no. Let's move on...

essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water (400ml, RRP $12.99)

Ahhh essano - you make such lovely products ♥ Just for the record this sweetie has earned 5-star rave reviews on beautyheaven, and I wholeheartedly concur. Love the slightly milky/pearly finish of the bottle, and for 400ml, it's terrific value for the price. It's a winner all round actually - barely any chemical sounding ingredients that I don't recognise, and lots of natural (and organic) goodies. I actually prefer this to the pink Garnier one - same price, but it has the edge as far as skin comfort and gentleness is concerned. Love that it contains Aloe Vera and Rosehip Seed Oil, but doesn't leave even the remotest hint of oily residue. My skin feels toned, soft and super clean, and not the least bit robbed of moisture. Recommended for all skin types, the formula is pH balanced and dermatologically tested. I also appreciate that the label says "200 uses", which my trusty calculator works out to be 6.5 cents each time. Bargain ♥

Part 6 will be up soon. If you missed the rest of the series, here are the links: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Time for another round up of top blog articles at Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - starts 6:30am ♥...

EOTD: Lime Crime Venus Reds...

Let's talk about red eyeshadow - not every gal's cup of tea, but it's not as scary as you think, and with careful placement and the right shade, it can be stunning. On the other hand, get either of those wrong, and you can end up looking like you've been howling all night and folks will ask "are you ok?". Trust me, I know - I've played with it for several years now, and precision is the key...

Not many companies do red pigments, but the Lime Crime Venus palette is a great place to start. They're not true reds, more like "reddish" than fire engine red, but there's a beaut mix of mattes and subtle shimmers...

I've only experimented with two so far - Venus & Muse. The formula is silky soft, they blend dreamily and the pigmentation is bold and sassy...

For this look I used Muse - a gorgeous deep claret, but I softened it by using Eye of Horus Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil as a base, and brushed a wee bit of MBA Cosmetics Silk FX Pressed Shadow in Sangria over the top. This gave it a slight shimmer and made it not quite so intense. When wearing red eyeshadow, and especially at my age, it sure helps if you line your waterline with anything other than a light shade - I find that the pigment can travel, and if you use white or cream (or nothing) on the waterline, you can end up with a pinky rim, which then makes you look like you haven't slept lol. Here I used Eye of Horus Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencil as a contrast, and to bring out the green in my eyes...

My foundation was Australis Stayput - loving this already, it sits and lasts beautifully, and the colour is a great match for my skin tone. Cheeks were Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in the shade Berry, and lips were Maybelline ColorDrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Berry Much, one of my all-time faves...

And here's the jewellery I wore - the cream fabric is my puffer vest, and the dark red is my jeggings. For what it's worth, when I put outfits together, I try to match the textures as well as the colours ♥

And here's Venus, also over the top of Eye of Horus Bronze Amulet Goddess pencil. I deepened the outer corner with MUA Midnight, and Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire was my choice for the waterline...

When creating both of these looks, I cleaned up the hooded area with a cotton bud coated in concealer, and then patted on Australis Banana Powder to counteract any hint of pink - it works really well ♥

Again this is the Australis Stayput Foundation, cheeks were ModelCo Blush in Peach Bellini, and lips were David Jones Moisture Cream Lipstick in Terracotta...

My accessories featured another of the fantabulous bead necklaces from Lovisa - these are normally around the $30 mark, but they recently had a sale and I picked up several for half price or less ♥

So how do you feel about red eyeshadow - is it part of your repertoire, or do you give it a miss?

Take care of you,

kats xxx