Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Skincare...

Well hi lovelies - yeah, I know, long time no post! Everything is fine and good here, well as good as can be in an extended COVID lockdown hey. But I can assure you the only reason I've been off the social media grid is work-related - as boring as that sounds, my job commitments started exploding in May and are showing no signs of returning to normal until closer to Christmas - yikes! While I'm thanking my lucky stars to have a steady income (and to be able to work from home), 12-hour non-stop stressful days are the norm and to be honest, by the time I disconnect from the office network I'm mentally drained and not fit for much at all. Impact? Apart from missing you all terribly (and even more grey hairs), I'm literally up to my neck in empty containers and have a ton of stuff to review. I can't bear to be away from you any longer, so will do my utmost to resume my weekly upload, although it will be a couple more months before I'm back to posting on Instagram. For now, I desperately wanted to share with you my new skincare regime - the Skin Physics Dragon's Blood range, which I'm crazy-in-love with ♥...

It all started back in May last year when the generous team at Theory Crew sent me the Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel to trial. I absolutely loved it AND the firming effect it had on my jawline, and have been using it every night since then. I'd also read fab reviews by some of my blogging gal-pals about the Ultra Plumping Night Cream and Retinol Sleep Serum, and filed that info away for future reference. Then, earlier this year, my skincare stars aligned - by that I mean my usual collection of lotions and potions was getting low and I noticed that Priceline (the only place where this range is sold) were having a Skin Physics sale, and I thought "perfect timing, why not?". It was a rare opportunity for me to shift to a whole new set of products (which is something I rarely ever do), and I'm so happy I took the plunge because this stuff is awesome! ♥...

I'll be reviewing each of them, including the Daily Radiance Moisturiser and Deep Wrinkle Filler over the coming weeks.  Interestingly there's no Eye Cream in the range, but they have an Advance Superlift Eye Contouring Serum which I've been powering through, and will post some notes on that as well. The cleanser in the range is the only product I wasn't crazy about, but I'll let you know why in one of my upcoming Empties posts - remember those? Ha ha yes, that's the next challenge (lol!) but I've already worked out how I can catch up, as well as return to sharing the love with my usual giveaways ♥...

Gee willikers, I've SO missed keeping in touch with you all!

Until next time, take care of you, and keep safe,
Hugs from kats xxx

P.S. In amongst all this I've had to change my blog subscription system, so hopefully, some of you will receive a post notification email from a system called Follow-It ♥...

REVIEW: Urban Rituelle Hydrating Face Cleanser & Hydrating Face Balm...

My skin's love affair (skomance?) with the new Natural Remedy range from Urban Rituelle continues. I've been using their Hydrating Face Cleanser and Hydrating Face Balm for a few weeks now, and my skin doesn't want me to stop any time soon! Jam-packed with naturally derived and organic ingredients, they're not only keeping my skin clean, supple and hydrated but also delivering a delight for the senses throughout my evening ritual - when something smells as fantastic as it looks and feels, it's a winner in my beauty book...

Mandarin, Lime & Neroli Hydrating Face Cleanser (100ml, RRP $25.95)

Oh wow - I think I just found my new summer cleanser! This is a clear golden gel that lightly foams and gently (but thoroughly) removes all traces of makeup (including long-wear foundation), while at the same time providing an instantaneous aromatherapy session ♥ Fruit gel cleansers are my favourite in the warmer weather and as soon as this hits my face I can smell the zing of freshly squeezed limes and mandarins - I swear it's the real deal! SO refreshing at the end of any day, but especially a hot and sticky one. The ingredients list reads like a who's who of the botanical world - Aloe Vera, Camellia Seed Oil, Hibiscus Flower, Ginkgo Biloba, Seaweed Extract and Kakadu Plum. Not the slightest bit irritating or drying, this cleanser is an absolute delight, and one I will definitely continue to use ♥...

Incidentally, when I opened the parcel, I thought the Body Wash or the Face Scrub were sure bets to be my pick of the bunch from this range - it turns out that all three of the ones I've reviewed so far score equal passion points. But wait...there's more ♥...

Mandarin, Lime & Neroli Hydrating Face Balm (200ml, RRP $34.95)

Well now, this is an interesting one. I don't believe I've ever tried a face balm before, and so I wasn't quite sure how this would pan out - I mean it's not a day cream or a night cream, which is what I'm used to. Anyways, because it doesn't contain sunscreen I thought I'd start by trying it at night - I can assure you that any doubts I might have had about its potency or suitability for my mature skin went out the window on morning one. My skin felt incredibly soft, plump, supple yet firm, and not a hint of dryness or any skerrick of excess oil either. This is a BEAUTIFUL moisturiser, surprisingly enriching, yet light and rapidly absorbed. Whoever develops these products at Urban Rituelle has done their homework and come up with a brilliantly balanced formula that seems to provide everything my skin needs to feed on overnight. Two tiny pumps of this thickish white cream are all I need to massage an instant glow into my face, neck and decolletage, and I'm still glowing when I wake up ♥...

I'm delighted that the fragrance is similar to the cleanser - that fabulously uplifting lime/mandarin combo, I swear it makes me feel energised and happy. Some of the ingredients are common too - Kakadu Plum, Aloe Vera & Hibiscus Flower, and there's also Shea Butter, Sweeet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil and Avocado Oil. Actually, according to the box, 84% of the ingredients are organic, which is possibly why this feels so soothing. Calling it a Hydrating Face Balm was genius - what lip balm does for my pucker, this formula works the same wonder for my face ♥...

So lovelies, another two winners from this range - there are two more products from the parcel for me to review (soon), and the Mandarin Lip Balm and Hand Cream are absolute dead certs to be in my next UR order ♥... 

Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx

Christmas Giveaway #3 - L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3...

I swear I'm up to my neck in skincare! With all the products I've been gifted recently, plus the specials I've picked up over the last few months,  I have WAY more than I can use before it expires, so here is Christmas Giveaway #3 starring a selection of L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 moisturisers ♥...

This red themed giveaway consists of...

• 1 x L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Complete Care Moisturiser
• 1 x L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Anti-Ageing Power Serum
• 1 x L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Dual Action Total Rejuvenation Moisturiser (personal fave!)
• 1 x Colette rose-gold metal & red crystal drop earrings
• 1 x Red & Black patterned 100% Silk Scarf

All products were purchased by me, total prize value is approx $175, and this giveaway is open...

INTERNATIONALLY!

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, 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 - check back later today to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Suzanne G. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Friday 29th December to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Suzanne has claimed her prize

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,
kats xxx

Bloggiversary Giveaway - Sukin Skincare!...

At the risk of boring everyone with another Bloggiversary Giveaway, here's Number 3! I've been exploring the Sukin Australian Natural Skincare range lately, and am super impressed with what I've tried so far (cleanser, scrub, mask & hydrating mist toner). Their products are vegan, minus the usual bunch of yucky chemicals, they're cruelty-free, and all ingredients are naturally derived - they're also biodegradable and 100% carbon neutral! And so when I recently spotted the range on the supermarket shelves for a fraction of the price, I took the hint from the Universe that one of you gals might enjoy these products too ♥ There's pretty much a whole skincare set in this prize, just waiting for a face to nurture... 

Total prize value is around $100, and up for grabs is...

• Foaming Facial Cleanser (125ml)
• Hydrating Mist Toner (125ml)
• Super Greens Nutrient Rich Facial Moisturiser (125ml)
• Moisture Restoring Night Cream (120ml)
• Antioxidant Eye Serum (30ml)
• Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub (125ml)
• Anti-Pollution Facial Masque (100ml)

Because of the sheet weight of all these goodies, 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
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 to see who won

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Tuesday 3rd October to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Faiza has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: Of a Body Washaholic (part 20) - Dove...

For many reasons I'm so glad I attended the Bloggers United AU Event last November. One big one was being reminded just how skin-loving Dove Body Washes are ♥ I was a fan of their Go Fresh Nectarine variety years ago, but they stopped making that particular flavour (well I couldn't/can't find it any more), and I moved on to explore the offerings from other brands. But at the event, we were gifted with a bottle of both the Aqua Moisture and Triple Moisturising varieties, and I loved them so much, I went out and bought the Cucumber & Green Tea one so I'd have a trio of hydrating heavyweights to look after my skin now that the cooler weather has arrived ♥...

Dove Go Fresh Fresh Touch Body Wash - Cucumber & Green Tea Scent

What a lovely fragrance this has - there's a delightful freshness to it, and despite cucumber always conjuring up a "cooling" mental image, this blend with the Green Tea will work beautifully for me all year round.  Whatever this Nutrium stuff is, it works a treat on dry skin. I haven't been able to figure out why it is that as soon as the temperature starts dropping below 20 degrees celsius, my bod starts demanding extra hydration - I wondered if it's because I start wearing long sleeved tops and camisoles, and there's some sort of friction thing happening, but more likely the pores shrink a bit and therefore don't produce as much natural oil (wish they'd shrink on my face lol!). Whatever the reason it's a fact that I have to switch my products once we get past March, and this pastel green body cleanser delivers the right amount of enriching juice to keep my skin supple and soft ♥...

Dove Aqua Moisture Nourishing Body Wash 

Love this one too - an unidentifiable florally scent that's refreshing without being overpowering, and it's such a pretty pale pearly aqua colour. I much prefer a body wash to produce a soft lather rather than lots of soapy bubbles, and this Aqua Moisture is creamy, calming and soothing.  Incidentally, all of these containers are easily manageable with wet hands, and the flip top cap snaps shut without leaking - when the contents are down to about one third, I always up-end the bottle in the shower caddy for quicker dispensing (the liquid is very thick), and none of these have ever leaked ♥...

Dove Triple Moisturising Nourishing Body Wash

I my beauty book, this Triple Moisturising variety is the jewel in Dove's crown of body washes. The clean powdery fragrance is an absolute delight, and the formula is so incredibly lush that I don't need a body moisturiser after showering with this gem. What I find particularly interesting is that while my skin feels like satin, it doesn't leave the floor of the shower feeling slippery or slimy. The plan was to hang onto this until the really cold weather when I need that extra boost of nourishment, but after trying it once, there was no hope of it going back into the cupboard for later. It's also terrific for when I'm shaving my legs, after which I ALWAYS need to moisturise, but not with this body wash. Now that's a time-saver as well as a skin-saver. It's actually no wonder this luscious shower treat gets a 5-star rating on beautyheaven, and has won two Best in Beauty Awards ♥...

The recommended retail price of these 375ml bottles is $7.36, but they're often on special at supermarkets, chemists and Priceline, plus they're also available in the giant 1 litre size (with pump) for $12.99. There's also an exfoliating one in the range which I'm keen to try...

So delighted to have discovered these three - this might just be the first Winter where I don't experience my usual snakeskin crack and peel, especially on my legs. Thank you again Dove and Bloggers United AU ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx