SPOTLIGHT: Favourite November 2019 LOTD's...

Sneaking in a second LOTD post - I don't want to start the year on the back foot! A couple of new ones in this batch and some old faithfuls that never let me down. And of course, the return of the reds (yay!) that took a breather in October ♥...

1. Color by TBN - Caramello Queen. Only discovered this brand in June at Price Attack - loved what I bought so I went back and rifled through the bowl for more colours, which I couldn't swatch, but for the price ($4.95) I didn't give a hoot. Total bargain - smooth, creamy, moist, and I'm a goner for this soft brown ♥...

2. Covergirl Colourlicious - Ravish Raspberry. Had this a long time - slightly more pink than my-lips-but-better, super comfortable and wears well. I reckon Covergirl lipsticks are underrated in the lipstick world ♥...

3. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance 50th Anniversary - Coral Silk. Isn't this just the softest, prettiest coral? Nutrimetics lipsticks are up near the top of my list of faves for comfort & value (when they're on special), and their colours are just that bit different to what else is out there. Sadly this is a limited edition, full review HERE ♥...

4. NYX Liquid Suede - Life's a Beach. Hard to go past this baby when I want a pinky coral. Not as hydrating as I'd like, but I adore the colour so much, it's a keeper ♥...

5. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance - Russett. Oh, why don't I wear this more often? Such an unusual orange, kinda burnt, and lots of red content - it's very autumnal but looks amazing with navy, black and grey, so that makes it an all-year-rounder for moi ♥...

6. Maybelline Colorsensational Matte - Craving Coral. This little darling is almost luminous! No way is it coral, more like scarlet, and as sassy as that gal in Gone With the Wind. Comfier than I expected from a matte - yep MNY has my heart ♥...

7. NYC - Retro Red. Another one I plucked out during the cull - ain't letting go of this one in a hurry though, that extra bit of glossy sheen gets me every time ♥...

8. Maybelline Colorsensational Made For All - Red For Me. You KNOW I love this range - probably has two more micro-millilitres of blue (or green, not sure) in it than the previous one, but it's easy to tell them apart IRL. LOVE! ♥...

9. Covergirl Katy Kat Matte - Crimson Cat. I swear every single one of my red lippies is different lol! Love this one as it's verging on tomato, and sometimes I need this EXACT slightly softer red shade to match my outfit ♥...

10. Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist - Ella. Another one I forgot about after Winter - kicking myself though as it's a stunner. One of the best formulas around, and looks sensational with pastels like beige, pink & cream ♥... 

11. Color by TBN - Made in Magenta. Yes, one more find from the Price Attack fish bowl - super pretty. I have quite a few magentas in my kit, and each one has unique shade qualities. Love the way this one almost glows ♥...

12. IBY Beauty High Intensity - Mardi Gras. Not as hydrating as some, but with a toe in purple-land that gives it some extra punch, I've moved this to the front of the box - summer is the time for whoa pinks! ♥...

Hope you're having the most wonderful day with your families, and may your 2020 be truly awesome!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite October 2019 LOTD's...

Whoops, December kinda snuck up on me - this post was supposed to go up last week (when it was still November), but the lure of becoming Christmas-ready was too great, and I succumbed. While I'm bummed if I don't manage to upload something every weekend, right now I'm feeling pretty satisfied with myself for finishing off the pressie shopping, and just this afternoon I found a home for the last string of solar lights in the garden. As for the lipstick collection, I'm STILL culling, and boy doesn't it feel good ♥...

1. BYS - The Golden Ticket.  No tube included in the pic because it's looking too battered and worn, but the lipstick itself is still in great shape after at least 2 years. This one turns out different every time I wear it depending on the shade of lipliner I use underneath, and it also goes so well over the top of anything else if I want to add a bit of golden lustre into the mix ♥...

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Matte - Gold Goddess.  Ditto this one although it's relatively young in comparison. More of an orangey gold though and doesn't look half bad on its own, just a bit pale for me so a reasonably pigmented liner is a must. Of course, it has the same usual Revlon formula which is moist and lush ♥...

3. Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl - Sandstorm.  Every time I trot this out I think it will be the last time, but it never turns out that way - just as creamy and shimmery as it was the day it joined the team, which is years ago. Sadly not included in the shade range any more ♥... 

4. Maybelline ColorSensational Made For All - Mauve For Me.  Yes again! Can't not wear this at least once or twice in a month - goes with just about anything, still hanging out for more in this range, like orange or purple, please ♥...

5. Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color - Watermelon. Stunningly vibrant coral shade, one of the most comfortable lipsticks I've ever come across, gorgeous packaging, need more ♥...

6. Maybelline Colordrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - In With Coral. Not quite as bold as the previous BB one, but we're talking under $10 instead of $46, so I can have four of these lol! The best lip crayon around for comfort. colour range and price ♥...

7. NYC Lipstick - Ruby. She's just so pretty and soft - I have three from this brand and they're all lovely, moist and last well ♥...

8. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid - Rebel Red.  MNY lip products seem to have a very long life - this is three years old, and not showing any signs of throwing in the towel. It's not matte, but that's one of the many reasons I love it, and it's just so sassy ♥...

9. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Sloane's Plum. Who said darker lipsticks are for the cooler months? Not me, although I do tend to wear brighter and lighter shades as the temperature climbs. Still, this one has enough colour oomph to look fab with anything, except maybe red or orange, so I'm not packing it away ♥...

10. NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Spice Cake. This one appears regularly here, and why not - it's simply divine, and truly one of my all-time favourite shades ♥...

11. Ulta3 Lipstick - Lilac Glow. Well hello my pretty. Is this peony pink? I think so, and I really MUST pluck this out more often. For $4.95, you can't go wrong with this range, especially with 17 colours to choose from ♥...

12. L'Oreal Color Riche Balmain - Freedom. Last outing for this one. To-die-for purple, but the formula is one of the biggest disappointments I've had in lipstick-land. Totally sucks the juice out of my lips, and it goes on patchy. The presentation is stunning but sadly the contents don't match. So glad I only bought one ♥...

Would any of these suit you?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite December 2018 LOTD's...

Another lipstick love-fest! Somehow or other I'm always a month behind with these LOTD posts so there may be another one before the end of Feb if I can catch up. I was hammering the reds and bricks in December, but there'll be more pinks and softer hues in the next collection ♥... 

In case I don't get to post again before the 14th, Happy Valentines to all the lovers in the world! Although in my book, if you love someone I reckon every day should be Valentines Day ♥♥♥

1. NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Chocolate Crepe. I'm always banging on about these glosses to any gal who will listen - they're just the best! Super pigmented, creamy and very kind to dry lips. An awesome range of colours too ♥...

2. Essence Melted Chrome Liquid Lipstick - Iron Heart. Chrome lip products are hit and miss with me - this one's a hit, stunning red and comfortable to wear ♥...

3. Nutrimetics nc Hydra Brilliance 50th Anniversary Lipstick - Marshmallow. This one keeps appearing here, love everything about this range ♥...

4. L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick - Forever Frappe. One of the best bricky orange-reds around, deliciously moist, love L'Oreal lippies ♥...

5. NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Speed of Light. After featuring this so many times I probably don't need to say too much, other than ADORE ♥...

6. MUD Full Colour Lip Lacquer - Vintage Pink. Another one that keeps coming up in these posts, such a soft and feminine coral ♥...

7. Bourjois Rouge Laque - Selfpeach. Weird name as there's nothing very peachy about this hue, but what a fabulously bold red/orange it is - goes on so smooth and slick ♥...

8. Bourjois Rouge Edition 12 Hours - Red Belle. A lovely formula that lasts for at least 6 hours, whoa! ♥...

9. NYC Lipstick - Ruby. Cheap and cheerful, the pigmentation is exceptional for the price, I should buy more from this brand ♥...

10. NARS Audacious Lipstick - Grace. Can't decide if this is pink or red, but I do know it's gorgeous ♥...

11. Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipstick - Countess. Have had this one for almost four years, and every time I toss it in the bin, I take it back out again. No change to the formula or smell - it's magical! ♥... 

12. Maybelline Colour Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - Berry Much. Here's hoping MNY keeps making these - this is such a divine berry, and I love that I can use it as a lipliner too ♥...

13. Maybelline Colorsensational Lipcolor - Fifth Avenue Fuchsia. Dreamy, creamy, this is what Barbie wears when she wants to be taken seriously ♥...

14. Australis Colour Inject Moisturising Mineral Lipstick - Mash Up. A smidgen more blue takes this over the edge into purple-land, a winning formula from Australis - lush and moist ♥...

15. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolour Metallic - Dazzle. The metallic finish is almost non-existent - actually I don't get how you can have a matte metallic, but I can't get enough of this colour so who cares ♥...

More soon lovelies!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 2nd Quarter Fave LOTD's, Reds...

My love affair with red lipsticks seems to be growing by the day - I find them irresistible in any season, but particularly during the gloomy wet months of Winter, when a splash of vermillion can lift my spirits and transform my mood in a matter of seconds. I'm convinced that the "right" red is out there for every gal, it's just a matter of finding it. Below are eight of the ones that are particularly dear to my heart...

These two are very similar, but the Maybelline Colourblur has the edge - it was a fave in the 1st Quarter collection because it's SO comfortable to wear, and if you're after a true matte lip colour, this range will definitely deliver the goods...

The Maybelline Bold Matte MAT6 also earned a place in the previous set, but how about that NYC Retro Red? It was a gift from my darling friend Amy all the way from Canada - such a fabulously vibrant warm red, and very close to being my HG ♥...

Love both of the above because of their pretty-as pink content - I keep going back to the Rubi Ruby Red because of its truly gorgeous hue and moisturising power. Rubi lipsticks are cheap as chips too ♥...

And I couldn't leave out these last two - both DB Cosmetics and Chi Chi make beautiful lip slickers in a wide range stunning shades, plus they keep my pucker soft and supple...

Next up will be Berries & Purples!

Would love to know what your favourite red lipstick is ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 2nd Quarter Fave LOTD's, Corals, Mauves & Pinks...

You know I never thought I'd say this but lipsticks and lip creams have taken hold of my makeup passion reigns! I still absolutely adore eye shadows and creating eye looks of course (that'll NEVER change), but I have a massive lip product collection now, and to be realistic, a pout is a helluva lot quicker to "do" and photograph in the wee hours. There's also the obvious problem that I'm getting old (am now officially classified as a Senior - gaaahhhhh!), and sadly the deterioration is more rapid than my skincare can restore. I for one don't want to look at pictures of wrinkly old eyes, and I REFUSE to use the "beauty" filter on my camera, so I'm just putting it out there that I've started shifting my makeup blog focus away from eyes to lips - I reckon they're going to hold up a bit longer than my peepers! Anyways, here we go with my favourite Coral, Mauve & Pink lip colours/products from the ones I slicked on last quarter...

CORALS

I'm lucky I can wear most corals, but like any hue, some are defnitely better than others. Hard to choose a #1 from this lot - I reckon it's a tie between the SAX Coral and the Revlon Hydrangea ♥

MAUVES

I don't own nearly enough mauve lippies - it's such a versatile shade range, soft and pretty and doesn't scream for attention. For me the Maybelline Matte Touch of Spice has the edge here ♥

PINKS

Ahhh pink - it's where my lippie love affair started ♥  SO many variations, but I have a particular penchant for blue pinks - from this set, my heart well and truly belongs to Ulta3 Orchid ♥

Hopefully there's one or two here that take your fancy, and would suit your complexion. Here's the link if you missed the Nudes, Bricks & Bronzes, next up will be...REDS!

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