SPOTLIGHT: Favourite February 2020 LOTD's...

I hope all of you are coping ok with this virus nightmare, and pray there will be an end to it soon. In these troubled times of health and economic uncertainty, I am SO fortunate to be able to work from home, and only venture out to pick up essentials at the supermarket (masked and gloved) or for a neighbourhood power walk in the fresh air. I'm certainly grateful for the extra hour's sleep because I don't have to travel or get all dolled-up, but I have to remind myself to take regular breaks, to get up and move around, and hit the treadmill in the evenings - it's so easy to stay glued to the computer all day and half the night, and that's not good for anyone. But unlike so many others, I'm counting my blessings that I still have a job, and while the usual routine is out the window (believe it or not I didn't wear ANY makeup last week) I'm determined to keep up with the usual blog posts for as long as I can...

Let's start with some uplifting reds hey...

1. PUR Cosmetics Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick - Key Red. Such a beautiful cream, such a sensational shade, and I give it a 9.5/10 comfort factor. There are so few matte liquid lipsticks that I can heap praise on, but this is one of them! It was actually gifted to me by a beautyheaven member as part of a Christmas 2017 Secret Santa ♥...

2. Maybelline Colorsensational Made For All - Red For Me. Lots of appearances in the Faves, and there'll be lots more - I reviewed the whole range HERE ♥...

3. Seraphine Botanicals Vegan Berry Tint - Cherry Cream. Another gorgeous cream that first appeared in July 2017 - it just keeps on keeping on, and how lustrous and lush is that red?! Still knocks me for six how well this covers all my freckly spots ♥...

4. David Jones Moisture Cream Lipstick - Honey Gold. I don't know if DJ's make their own lipsticks any more - they're not listed on their website, so maybe not. All the same, they knew what they were doing - this actually came in a Deluxe Sampler Tote in February 2016, which makes it at least 4 years old, yet that divine burnt orange hue still packs a punch and keeps my lips soft and supple all day ♥...

5. Colour Theory - Love Me Coral. Still crushing on this $5 range - there are two more of the shades down below, and 10 in the set - I've written up and swatched five of them (HERE) and the post of the other five is coming soon ♥...

6. Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - In With Coral.  Still in love with these gems - reviewed most of the set back in 2015 when they first came out (HERE). I hope the MNY design team member who came up with these was given a huge bonus for creating a brilliant formula in a wide range of colours for such a low price - they've certainly stood the test of time, and the odd shade or two is still available from Priceline ♥...

7. Maybelline Colorsensational - Mauve For Me. Sigh. I've said it all before, and many times over - one of my all-time favourite shades, and formulas ♥...

8. Maybelline Colorsensational Matte - Touch of Spice. Crikey here's another oldie but a goodie - I've just done a search and this one appeared for the first time in August 2016. Lipsticks are supposed to be binned after two years, but I can't bear to part with anything past that when it still looks fabulous on, smells perfectly normal, and keeps my lips hydrated - Roger that ♥...

9. Colour Theory - Vintage Crop. It was a very good year for this shade, credit to the vintner for creating a hue that's halfway between a rosé and a grenache ♥...

10. Nutrimetics NC Hydra Brilliance - Marshmallow. A Limited Edition (50th Anniversary) - why oh WHY did I not buy a few of these? One word - divine! ♥...

11. Maybelline Smoked Roses - Dusk Rose.  Reviewed three from the range HERE, and then went back for this stunner. Can't for the life of me figure out why I ummed and ahhed over this slayer as they were half price at the time. I guess it was because the hand swatch wasn't a patch on how it turned out on my lips. Anyways, I adore it so much I don't give a hoot that I had to pay a bit more for it ♥...

12. Colour Theory - Boyz-N Berry. Yes, another of the $5 lip smackers, fruity fresh and berry bright ♥...

Would love to know if there's one here you like more than the others ♥...

Take care of you, and keep your loved ones safe,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 4th Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 2...

It's pretty obvious that I love and wear a wide range of lipstick colours, and it's incredibly difficult for me to pick one all-time fave. But I might just stick my neck out and say that there's one on this page that hits the mark every time I slick it on, so let's get on with the big reveal lol ♥...

Categorising colours is a matter of personal interpretation, and it's clear from the names that brands give their lippies that not everyone sees the same thing! Often I'm torn between one classification and another, but I'll start with what I call plums, although there's only a couple...

This first one is a good example of "what colour do you call it?" In this photo, it's close to being a bricky red, but in reality it has too much pink in it to appear in Part 1 - it's a mini Matte Lipgloss from SAVVY by DB and it's called Flame. The middle one was another gift from my (darling!) beautyheaven Secret Santa - Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick by PUR Cosmetics in the shade Addiction. Fabulously pigmented and long-lasting. On the right is NYX Metallic Matte Liquid Suede in Pure Society. Crikey I fell hook line and sinker for this lippie store-swatch, that was until an hour after I applied it and it started flaking off. So saddening as it's the most gorgeous GORGEOUS colour, but the lip shrivelling formula sucks big time...

In case you hadn't noticed we're into the berries now, and this Rouge Laque Purpledelique by Bourjois is a star - lasts for ages, it has just the right amount of gloss, plus it's non-drying. The second pic is the same lippie, but with another layer added so you can see that this baby is also buildable to really bring out the berry. The third pic is (drum roll please)... "The One". Oh my gosh, have you ever seen a more brilliant pink? NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Fuchsia Fusion. I've mentioned before how much I love this whole range for intensity and comfort, and of all the colours, this is my favourite (yes even above the purples!). If you wear this, I can guarantee you will receive numerous compliments, and lots of gals will want to know what it is. Simply stunning! ♥...

You can probably tell I'm a big fan of bold and bright pinks - for me they're 100% smile-inducing, and this mini Matte Lipgloss in Flicker from SAVVY by DB is a hottie. In the middle is Pink Macaroon NYX Intense Butter Gloss - one that will always be in my kit, well as long as they keep making it. NYX glosses are the bomb. And on the right is another lovely pink, a warmer one this time, and yet another of the SAVVY by DB mini Matte Lipglosses - Fire. Can't get over how wonderful these are for $1! ♥...

For those wanting something a little less out-there, here is Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Amethyst Shimmer - another babe I've had for a while, and a regular throughout Spring. Such a flattering hue, and totally lip-friendly. I included the next one because it's such an unusual shade - it's by Trifle Cosmetics, and came in a Lip Monthly bag. Called Matte Decadence Multipurpose Matte Crayon for Lips & Cheeks. It's a little drying, but the colour is so unique. The last one is Lily Lake Natural Lipstick by Burt's Bees - beautifully moist formula, this could easily be classed as a nude, but alongside my others, it's definitely a pink ♥...

And for the purple lovers, we have a borderline pink/purple by BYS - Diamond Lipstick in Sparkle Baby. Would prefer something a little more hydrating, but the shade is ever so pretty. If you''re not sure if you're a purple gal, then this is a beaut introduction. In the centre is W7 Liptember Lipstick in Neon Purple - quite sheer, but a few extra slicks will give you this amazing colour pay-off. On the right is another NYX Intense Butter Gloss, this time in Berry Strudel. It looks a little blue around the edges, but that's because I used an eyeliner as my lipliner, and it was the closest one I had to the colour - I've since bought a matching one from NYX. Again, LOVE NYX glosses! ♥...

And now we get to the REAL purples. On the left is Colourpop Satin Lip in So Wavy. I'm a satin or gloss gal at heart - I find so many of the mattes to be too drying, and this one works exceptionally well. Centre stage is what I classify as the ultimate purple - only recently added some JeffreeStar lip products to my collection, thanks to a blog sale by Sarah from More Than Adored. This one is called I'm Royalty, and there was never a more appropriate name hey. One of the best matte lip products in the marketplace, and possibly the only one that I can wear comfortably all day long. And I'm finishing up with more JeffreeStar - this is a blend of Blue Velvet (100% blue, which I doubt I'll ever wear on its own) and Blow Pony (a pale pinky purple). I mixed the two to match my outfit, and they blend together amazingly well with no streaking ♥...

So that's it for 2017! Thanks for stopping by lovelies - anything here you fancy?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 4th Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

Time to recap the LOTD's for the final three months of 2017! These are the nudes, oranges and reds - no browns this time around, it's just not a colour I usually wear in Spring/Summer, but no doubt I'll get back into it once the weather cools down a bit ♥...

As usual, there are some repeaters here - I have lots of lippies, but some I adore so much they deserve to get trotted out a little more frequently. So let's get started with the nudes...

First up is a soft beige from SAVVY by DB - Rich Coffee. Have had this one a while, but it's still moist and slick, and goes on nice and evenly. In the middle is one that keeps appearing on these pages, and will for a long time to come - NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Speed of Light. The Cosmic Metals are my favourite glossy metallic lip products of all time, fabulous formula, awesome colours, and the most comfortable to wear. LOVE! On the right is a surprise find from MUD - Full Colour Lip Lacquer in Vintage Pink. I'd be more inclined to name it Vintage Coral, but what do I know haha. Absolute bargain for $6 from Woolies ♥...

These next three are heading into pink territory, but I still classify them as nudes. On the left is a mini lipstick from SAVVY by DB - if I could find this in a full size I would, just love it, it's called Raspberry. The second one is another firm favourite - Covergirl Katy Kat Matte in Catore. Moist and not entirely matte, my kind of matte.  No. 3 is another one that's up near the top of my list - Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in the shade Kisses - love this whole range actually ♥...

Such a challenge to find a pretty and intense orange that isn't patchy or streaky, but these are all winners in my book of this sunny colour. First one is by BOE Beauty, called Primped, and it's $2 from Big W - yessssss! Astounding formula, long lasting, amazing colour, what's not to love hey. The middle one is by Ulta3, called Sweet Passion. It's almost a metallic, and a rare and pure unadulterated orange. The third one is SO close to a red - it's one of the ModelsPrefer Artist Collection crayons - Carnation, and 3 for $5. You can count on me to let you know about lippie bargains! ♥...

Ooh ooh, we're getting into the REDS! Tip of the Day - if you're ever feeling blue, put on a red lipstick. It's a sure bet this colour will give me a boost and an instant dose of sass, not to mention a bucketload of don't-mess-with-me 'tude! On the left is a bricky red, but still a red, and great if you're not feeling quite so daring. This is Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Brun Boheme. Exquisite formula, I'm a late starter with Bourjois, but I'm making up for lost time lol. Centre stage is another Bourjois - from their Rouge Edition Aqua Laque range, Brun'croyable. Ooh la la! And on the right is SAVVY by DB Matte Lipgloss in the shade Glow. Came in a box of 10 for $10, what a $1 stunner ♥...

On the left is the same SAVVY by DB Matte Lipgloss in the shade Glow, but with a slightly pinker lipliner underneath - it's bold but sheer enough to be versatile so I can get away with a few subtle adjustments. In the middle is probably my ultimate red - JeffreeStar Velour Liquid Lipstick in Redrum. This fella sure knows how to make a lip product that's non-drying, long lasting and intensely pigmented, whoa! The last one in this row is something that came in one of my Lip Monthly bags - Appeal Cosmetics Ultra Shine Liquid Lipstick, and it's (very appropriately) called Vixen. Freaking awesome colour and super moist - unfortunately it bleeds severely, and I haven't found a way to stop that as yet...

This first glorious red was a gift from my beautyheaven Secret Santa, and I will be eternally grateful ♥ PUR Cosmetics Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in Key Red. She couldn't have chosen anything more wonderful for moi hey ♥  Centre one is another $1 Matte Lipgloss from SAVVY by DB - this one is called Warmth. Has a wee bit of blue in it for those of you who go for cooler reds. And on the right is one more Lip Monthly winner - Seraphine Botanicals Long Lasting Velvet Lip/Cheek Crayon in Quince & Crimson. These are definitely worth investigating further - the formula is vegan, smooth as silk, and non-drying ♥...

Well looky here, another Matte Lipgloss from SAVVY by DB - Heat. You may have gathered I'm quite taken with these ridiculously cheap lippies. Piggy in the middle is an Ulta3 Lipstick in the shade Prom Night. I find Ulta3 lipsticks to be a bit hit and miss as far as density is concerned, but the ones I've mentioned here are perfect. Lucky last is Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Fuchsia Ecstasy. Crazy about this range too - has everything I could want in a liquid lipstick. I probably should have included this shade in the pinks (post up soon!), but I always have this dilemma with fuchsias - are they pinky reds, or reddish pinks?

Hope you've enjoyed this review -  Part 2 will be up later this week, and that'll be pinks, plums, berries and purples ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx