SPOTLIGHT: 3rd Quarter 2016 Fave LOTD's, Reds...

What IS it about red lipstick that can turn your mood, and your day, around? Sure there are lots of brightly coloured lippies out there - hot pinks, fluoro oranges and even electric purples...but none of them brings the va va voom punch of a red pout hey. To think I didn't even START slicking on this hottie shade till I was in my 50's is almost beyond my comprehension, but if I can manage to cast my fears aside so late in life, well I reckon anything's possible as far as makeup is concerned. So here are some of my favourite fiery lip products - hopefully there's one here that'll tempt you to indulge, even if you haven't before ♥...

I usually save the best till last, but I'm breaking with tradition here and launching straight into my #1 pick - L'Oreal Bloody Mary, a precious gift from an equally precious pal. Have you ever seen a more rich and luscious red? Amazingly comfortable formula too, absolutely adore it ♥  The Ulta 3 Radiant was an unexpected surprise for $5.95 - in the past I've found the lip products from this brand to be either too sheer, or not  moist enough for my dry old lips, but this glossy babe is a winner - stunning pigment, non sticky and lasts well if you apply it over a matching liner...

Love this DB Cosmetics Deep Red for when I want a splash of colour that's not quite as loud as some others - there's a softness to this shade which makes it totally wearable. And the Kat Von D Adora was a gift from my darling friend Amy - it's disappointingly drying, but such a pretty shade, quite different to my other reds, and the only KVD lip product in my kit...

The Face of Australia Ruby Delight is another one that surprised me with the pigmentation quality and comfort - I simply must buy more of these lol! And the Rubi Shoes Ruby Red is one of my most frequently worn lipsticks. Sadly my local store has stopped stocking them, and I can't even find them at Cotton:On any more, so I guess they've been discontinued - boo!

And finally some deep broody wintery reds, which I've now put away till next Autumn - both beautiful shades although the formula is a wee bit drying, and let's face it, buda-pash is definitely not for the faint hearted. Whoa!  Ha ha...

Next round will be Berries & Purples followed by Oranges, and they'll be up very soon - blimey it's almost time for the last quarter faves!

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

EOTD's: Kat Von D Blacks & Greys...

As much as I complain about the cold weather (I'm truly a Summer gal at heart) I do love playing around with greys and charcoals during the chilly season, and Kat Von D does the BEST shadows for smokey eye looks. In the pics below, I've used both the Chrysalis & Monarch palettes - the pigmentation is astounding and the powders are so easy to blend, even I don't have trouble getting rid of the join ha ha...

So this is Summerfly (gold) and Deadhead from the Monarch palette - can't believe she's discontinued this fabulous collection of Autumn shades! For the waterline, I used Eye Of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil - this is such an interesting deep olivey green, and perfect for when I don't want the starkness of black. I also used their Alchemy Gold Liquid Metals eye liner on the lower lashline...

Face was Mirenesse Velvet Maxi Lift foundation, Maybelline Master Highlighting Blush in Pink Rose, and lips were Rubi Shoes Ruby Red...

I am so in love with this mix of gold and grey - so very different, and I normally wouldn't put anything with grey except silver, but thankfully someone else figured out the combo was a winner, and now I'm in search of other grey/gold pieces...

For look number two, I switched to the Chrysalis palette, and chose Graphic Nature (shimmery charcoal) and Lunar Lights (silvery white). My base was essence White Kajal on the inner half, and Max Factor Charcoal Grey Kohl Pencil on the outside, as well as the waterline...

Even I'm amazed at my seemingly seamless blending, but I swear it's just SO EASY with these shadows...

Foundation was Maybelline Super Stay 24 hour, cheeks were Laura Geller Blush "N" Brighten in Berry, and lips were Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lady Bump...

And here's the jewellery - I'm crazy about black, white and silver together, it's so simple and yet so elegant...

For look #3, I cheated a bit because I was trying to match the leopardy top in the pic below. The fabric is a mix of black, grey and a sort of lichen green, so I used Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil in Emerald Tabular as a base underneath Chrysalis Black Milk (dove grey) and Lunar Lights...

And because the end result was a bit dreary, I added the same Emerald Tabular on my waterline...

Same Maybelline Super Stay foundation, cheeks were Savvy Cheek & Lip Colour in Cozy Coral with a dusting of pan #3 from the BYS Endless Summer Trio, and lips were Maybelline ColorDrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Fab Orange, which is more like Fab Red...

Was looking for something to go with the pendant, and scored the bangle and earrings from Target for half price ♥ Not a perfect match, but it'll do...

What's your go-to palette for a smokey eye?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: First Quarter Fave LOTD's, Reds...

Ahhh red lipstick - so many fabulous variations in the market, and here's just a few of my treasures, both warm and cool tones. Hard to believe I hardly EVER wore red lipstick in my younger days (before I turned 50 lol) - thought it was too much, too flashy, and yet I didn't hesitate to slick on some purple or hot pink. Weird huh? It just goes to show how one's tastes (and perceptions) can change, as well as one's wardrobe - these days mine is probably 20% red, and I put together an outfit in this sassy hue almost every week...

David Jones Moisture Cream Lipstick - Teracotta

Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipstick - Countess

Milani Lipstick - Cherry Crave

DB Colour Kisses Lipstick - Deep Red

Maybelline ColourBlur Pencil - Partner in Crimson

MBA Lipstick - Red Hot! 

Rubi Lipstick - Ruby Red

Maybelline Bold Matte Lipstick - MAT6

It never ceases to amaze me how a slick of red lippy can transform my mood, as well as my appearance - mind you I rarely wear it unless I've also slapped on the full monty face as well, but there's been days when I've left the house with only a fiery pout plus my sunnies, and I didn't have a care in the world. I reckon with red lips, you can get away with almost anything lol ♥

In case you missed them, you'll find nudes, bricks and bronzes HERE, and  corals, mauves & pinks HERE. 

Do you have a red lipstick in your kit that always makes you feel glam and confident?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Come see some beaut blogs over at Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party at 6:30am ♥

EOTD: Illamasqua Stalk and bhcosmetics Pink...

Absolutely dee-lighted to introduce you to Illamasqua Stalk, the most fabulously stunning matte green shadow that was gifted to me by my dear (and ever so generous) friend Hissycat Krissy, who is acutely aware of my passion for green eye makeup ♥ This arrived on my doorstep bundled in with a whole heap of goodies (a couple you've already seen, and others are yet to be revealed), and I'm ecstatic - while I have a multitude of green pigments rattling around in my drawers, I have nothing that's as pure and bold and intense as this hue ♥

I'm COMPLETELY sold on Illamasqua shadows now. They are such a pleasure to use - so finely milled like compressed silk, zero fallout, stunningly packaged, holey cow I could rave for days about how wonderful they are, but I'd better get on with the details of this particularly colourful look...

I used essence White Kajal under the Stalk, and Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Hopelessly Devoted under the bhcosmetics pink from the Take Me To Brazil palette. The purple appeared magically when I blended the two together - love it when that happens ha ha! Waterline is...yes, you guessed it, Chi Chi Caribbean Queen - undoubtedly my most used waterline product of late ♥

On my face I used L'Oreal Infallible 24Hr foundation, cheeks were a base of Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Pink Fever, and I brushed a wee bit of the bright pink from the BYS On the Brightside blush trio for some extra oomph. Lips were Rubi Shoes (yes they make lipsticks as well as shoes!) Raspberry...

Thank you again darling Kris for this beautiful addition to my collection ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx