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

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

It's pretty obvious I'm crazy about all lipstick colours (lol!), but it's especially difficult for me to choose my favourite plums, berries, pinks and purples - I mean they're just so gorgeous hey. But here's an attempt at selecting the ones that made my heart skip a beat over the last three months...

...a mix of old and new, matte and glossy, liquids, crayons and standard bullets, and most of them are under $15...

This first one is by Max Factor - it's their Color Elixir Giant Pen Stick in Intense Plum. While they still have these sticks in their range, I can't see this particular shade on their website any more. Darn shame as it's gorgeous, moist, glossy, and has a tinge of gold shimmer - just as well I stocked up before they ditched it (I have 3 stashed away). No. 2 is Milani Chocolate Berries - bummed that this one is not listed any more either. Why oh why do I fall in love with products that get discontinued? Absolutely adore Milani lipsticks, and thrilled to bits that they now have an Aussie website HERE. The third one is by Von Blair Hair Co - Liquid Velvet Lipstick in Anarchy - a Lip Monthly inclusion, this is one of the most comfortable matte liquids I've ever come across. No idea how to purchase it though, their website is quite weird - every time I go there, they only have 1 or 2 shades listed, always different, and never this one...

Next is Ulta3 Ultra Matte Long Wear Lip Cream in the shade Hunter Gatherer - yes this lasts well though it's a bit drying, but this colour - oh my... The middle stunner is one of the new Maybelline Color Sensational Bold lipsticks - Midnight Merlot. Super impressed with this range - they're magnificently pigmented, and the formula is so kind to my lips. No. 3 is Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate - shade 30. Fabulous berry hue, moisturising, just delish...

Onto the brighter hues, this is Mode Majestic Plum - $3 from Coles, impressive for the price, although it needs a bit of help in the hydration department. Middle one is another Maybelline Color Sensational Bold - Fiery Fuchsia. Love! Third one is Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lipstick in Brimming Berry - only just discovering their lippies and I'm in love already, so softening and a blissfully creamy texture...

And now for some purply pinks. NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Toasted Marshmallow - simply deevine, and my numero uno lip gloss formula. Next is Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lip Colour in Twilight - raved about these HERE, this colour speaks to me of love. On the right is another Lip Monthly one - Dirty Little Secrets Lipstick in the shade Vengeance - lovely, non-drying, needs regular reapplication but leaves a nice stain...

I reckon this one might appear in every quarterly selection - NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Fuchsia Fusion. I mean is that a killer pink or what? Can't think of any negative about these glosses other than my local Priceline doesn't stock them any more. What is wrong with you people? I mean get with the program puh-lease! Middle one is years old and still packing a punch - Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Lollipop. Sadly discontinued, this is the only one in the range that ever blew my skirt up, and it's still flapping around my ears ha ha. Last in this row is another NYX Intense Butter Lip Gloss - shade is Pink Macaroon. NYX is slaying the lip products hey...

Soft pinks - sigh...they're spesh. On the left is a gorgeous lip gloss by Be A Bombshell, called First Kiss (via Lip Monthly). Impressively pigmented, not sticky, lasts incredibly well. In the centre is another mini-lipstick by SAVVY - Pomegranate. And last one is my latest pale pink passion - Maybelline Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink. So soft, so flattering, so feminine...

You know I love my purples ♥  Rimmel The Only 1 Matte Lipstick in Run The Show - appeared in the 1st quarter post as well, will no doubt feature again. Second one is NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Asteroid Aura - no words! Third one is NYX High Voltage Lipstick in Twisted - beyond me why they canned this range...

That's it for now lovelies - if  you missed Part 1, you'll find it HERE.

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: 2nd Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

Crikey another three months have rocketed by, and here we are in the second half of the year already! Hasn't been long since I posted the first quarter faves, but I'm not falling into that "oh I'll squeeze them in somewhere" trap again lol...

Ok so these are the browns, oranges, reds and corals/nudes - actually hardly any nudes because I so rarely wear them, although next quarter will see a few more than usual...

The first two above are the same lipstick - Maybelline Color Sensational Chocoholic from the Bold range - love these new intense lippies shades, and the formula is super comfortable. The second pic is the same lipstick but topped with my fave Cosmoholic gold lip gloss - this stuff can inject life into anything! Third one is Chocolate by OXX Cosmetics from Kmart. Not the most moisturising lipstick in my kit, but for $2 I had to try it, and I love this rich dairy milk hue...

Next we have Colourpop Ultra Metallic Lip in the shade DM - a gorgeous gorgeous copper and my camera just doesn't do it justice. Glides on like molten metal and really quite comfy. Next is a David Jones one I've had for a while - Moisture Cream Lipstick in Honey Gold. I dig it out every so often because it's quite a unique shade and the only one in my kit that goes with certain pieces of my wardrobe. Last one in this row is Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Mama - I find these very drying, but I simply adore the colour range, and this one has Autumn written all over it...

First on the left is a liquid lipstick by Laritzy called Lola - came in one of my LipMonthly bags, lovely bright colour, but like a lot of oranges, it has a tendency to go streaky unless I'm careful. Next one is a darling by SAVVY called Watermelon. Came in a pack of 8 minis that I bought late last year - totally bummed that I can't buy this shade in a full size. No. 3 is a Vegan Berry Tint by Seraphine Botanicals called Cherry Cream - another LipMonthly find, blew me away because I wasn't expecting a lip tint to have so much coverage, or such a creamy texture - love it!...

And here we are with my precious reds - first on the left is MUD Make-Up Design Lipstick in the shade Red Roulette, a steal from Woolworths for $5. Next is an old fave, Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Fatal Red - holey cow it's just so red!  Actually I thought it was my reddest red until I discovered  the one on the right, Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Rebel Red - it doesn't get much brighter and bolder than this hot hot hot hue, and the formula is a dream come true for dry lips...

Moving onto the cherry reds, this first one is NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Cherry Custard. I think I've mentioned before that these glosses are my favourites of all time - so rich, so moisturising, so intense, so perfect. Next is another oldie but goodie - Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Red Essential. I've been neglecting these crayons which is a pity as they are a brilliant formula and the colors are all stunners. This last one is by Sugar - Matte as Hell Crayon Lipstick in Poison Ivy - definitely not for the faint hearted...

And lastly we have the less intense corals and one nude. First up is a lippie I've loved for years - SAX Rich Lip Colour Lipstick in Coral. Beautifully moist and I so appreciate the fact that it's a pink coral rather than an orange one. You can still buy SAX cosmetics from their website, or in a local pharmacy if you're lucky enough to find them stocked. The second glossy one is Australis Pout Paste Intense Lip Colour in Make Me Blush. I don't think they make these any more, but I only recently received this sealed one from a friend, and loving it so much I'm really annoyed that I didn't explore them when they were hot off the press - very creamy and of course, super glossy.  And finally the last one in this part - NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Speed of Light. Totally in love with these liquid lipsticks and I'm so pissed off that my local Priceline no longer stocks them - "if there's no slot for them in the stand, then they're dumped" is what the sales assistant told me. Boo and double boo Priceline!

Well lovelies that's a whole lot of lippies hey? Part 2 will be up lickety split, which will be the Plums, Berries, Pinks and Purples ♥...

Any of these take your fancy?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - why not come on over after 6:30am...

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

I'm several months behind with these favourite-for-the-first-three-months-of-the-year LOTD's - whoops! Regular readers will know that I usually do four or five different posts for the various hue families, but as the next quarter is already looming on the horizon, and crazy work commitments are STILL limiting me to one post per week (boo!), so I've shrunk down the photos and condensed them into two posts. So here we go with the Nudes, Bricks, Bronzes, Corals, Mauves & Pinks ♥...

L to R: Crop Mineral Lipstick - Spice, Hola Neon Velvet Liquid Lipstick - DF, Rimmel The Only 1 Matte Lipstick - Look Who's Talking

As you can see, I enjoy a wide variety of formulas and finishes. The Crop Mineral Lipstick is exceptionally comfortable, and keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day. The Hola Liquid Lipstick came in a Lip Monthly bag, and it's amazingly non-drying, smooth as silk, and lasts for hours. The Rimmel Matte Lipstick is a fave, for all the aforementioned reasons ♥...

L to R: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip - Tulle, Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip - Love Bug, Same Colourpop Love Bug with Cosmoholic gloss over the top

You can probably tell I'm a Colourpop fan lol - their colours are stunners for Autumn/Winter, although I wish the formula was a little less drying. Adding the Cosmoholic gold gloss to the Colourpop Love Bug transformed it into a mind blowingly fantabulous shade, and counteracted the shrivelling effect. Absolutely LOVE this gloss (also from a Lip Monthly bag) ♥...

L to R: BYS Matte Lipstick - Espresso, NYX High Voltage Lipstick - Dirty Talk, NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick - Downtown Beauty

Good old BYS - it's a struggle to find a good brown lipstick, let alone one that's comfortable, but this Espresso is both.  The NYX High Voltage lipsticks have been discontinued, and I'm bummed about that as they're such great shades, and very comfy. The NYX Downtown Beauty was an answer to a prayer for a non-red brown liquid lippie - this formula is ok, but I'd prefer a tad more moisture ♥...

L to R: MUD Full Colour Lip Lacquer - Truly Coral, SAVVY Lipstick - Mango, NYX High Voltage Lipstick - Rags to Riches

Love me a good coral lippie - this MUD one is a beauty and lasts quite well, considering it's a gloss and it costs around $5. The SAVVY is a teeny tiny little lipstick that came in a box of 8 or 10, not sure if I can find it again. The NYX Rags to Riches is a very similar shade, but it's more hydrating than the SAVVY one ♥...

L to R: Cougar Mineral Lipstick - Sangria, MUD Full Colour Lip Lacquer - Wild Mauve, Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lip Colour - Dawn

Yet another gem from Lip Monthly, this Cougar Sangria lipstick is gorgeous - creamy and moist, and the colour has quite a punch. A second beaut gloss from MUD, and the Revlon Dawn is dear to my heart because of it's super slim and elegant case, and it keeps my lips moist and supple all day long ♥...

L to R: Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lip Color - Vineyard, Mirenesse Maxi-Tone Lip Bar - Soul, SAVVY Lipstick - Grape

Love this Revlon Vineyard - has a wee bit more blue in it than Dawn, and really flatters my skintone. The Mirenesse one is a pretty colour, but I struggle to get the ombre effect happening (there are two shades in the one stick). The SAVVY one is another from the "sample" box ♥...

L to R: Maybelline 14hr Megawatt Lipstick - Neon Pink, bhcosmetics Creme Luxe Lipstick - Pop Cultured, NYX Intense Butter Gloss - Funnel Delight

And finally the bright pinks. The Maybelline Neon Pink is a blast - very pure and clear, and it lasts for at least half a day, or until I eat something with oil in it.  Have had the bhcosmetics Pop Cultured for over 18 months and keep forgetting about it - don't know why because I adore this pink, and the formula is smooth and buttery. And of course the NYX Butter Gloss - probably my favourite glosses of all time, they're so rich and vibrant, and well, I just loves NYX ha ha ♥...

Part 2 will be up later this week - Oranges, Reds, Berries and Purples ♥...

Would any of these colours suit you?  What's your favourite lip product formula?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Yes it's that time of the week again - time for Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up. Be sure to check it out after 6:30am ♥...

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...

SEASONAL CULL: Concealers...

Haven't talked too much about concealers in the past, nor created a different blog category in years. And given that Spring is the perfect time of year for a clean out, I'm kicking off this brand new series with a reassessment of my concealer collection. I reckon most gals will admit to hanging onto a whole lot of unnecessary clutter, and I am 100% guilty of first degree hoarding, especially when it comes to make up...

I do my best to keep similar items in the one place, but I was a trifle embarrassed when I gathered together all of the above cover-up tubes and sticks for the photo - crikey I don't even remember buying half of these! So where to begin? Well I started by putting aside the ones I'm currently using, swatched the rest to determine which ones were still viable, and then split them into "these colours don't work" and "potentials" - this meant I could toss quite a few upfront, and lessen the headache of what to keep...

Above are the ones I ditched, although I did check the coverage before they landed in the bin just in case the formula was a good one, and all I needed was a different shade. I find that yellow-based concealers work best for me, and these are all quite pinkish, so out they went, which left me with the ones below. Already a major improvement, but now for the acid test - which ones actually do what I need them to do?...

Everyone's concealer needs vary - I don't have dark circles, but I do have pigmentation that I absolutely MUST disguise, particularly around my lipline, plus I find that my foundation (any foundation!) simply doesn't stick to the centre section of my nose. Haven't been able to figure that one out yet. It's not like I touch it throughout the day - even by the time I finish my makeup, somehow or other it's gone! So I need something that will stay put to disguise my freckly flaws in this most central part of my face. I also have spider veins around my nostrils, which always show up as reddish patches in photos, so once again I need 100% coverage. I'm fortunate that I rarely get blemishes - probably once or twice a year a pimple rears its ugly head, so a concealer that's a good skin tone match and is dense enough is all that's required to deal with those pesky eruptions...

And lastly, I have huge under eye bags - I manage to disguise them in photos with the right lighting and using the camera flash, but if you saw me in real life, you'd say "oooh yeah, they're real bad!". So I also need a concealer a few shades lighter, which I then apply to the area beneath the bags that is in shadow in an effort to diminish the bulges (thanks Wayne Goss!). It really makes a difference, but takes a bit of practice because you have to be very precise, and can't blend it out or else the whole effect is lost...

In summary, here is my criteria:

• 100% coverage of dark pigmentation
• Long lasting
• No creasing around the eyes
• Exact skin tone match
• Plus a 2 or 3-shades-lighter skin tone match
• As natural as possible
• Readily available
• Reasonably priced

So here's my assessment of the 14 potentials, from left to right - I've highlighted the best... 

CROP Natural Concealer Pencil - Medium & Light (RRP $16)

Love these - excellent coverage, the pencil format makes these perfect for outlining and dotting onto spots or pigmented areas. I use the light one around my lips and the medium for touch ups on the rest of my face...

Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer - Ivory & Soft Honey (RRP $10.50)

Good coverage, tends to crease a bit in oily areas, not quite the right shades for my colouring...

Maybelline Master CONCEAL Camouflaging Concealer - Light/Medium (RRP $15.95)

My most recent discovery - this stuff is AMAZING! Perfect shade for me, barely any creasing, total coverage. No wonder this is almost always out of stock at Priceline. Only yesterday I managed to find the Light version, which is why it's not in the above photo...

Maybelline FIT Me Concealer - Light & Sand (RRP $14.95)

Very good coverage, however it does crease a little, doesn't seem to last all that long either, but it comes in a wide colour range...

Rimmel Match Perfection Skin Tone Adapting Concealer - Natural Beige (RRP $13.95)

This has a brush applicator which I like, but the coverage isn't enough for my dark spots, and I find it tends to go on a bit streaky and creases after an hour or so, only 3 shades available...

SAVVY Liquid Concealer - Light (RRP $4.99)

The cheapest of the lot, and while it's a good colour match, it's too sheer for my needs...

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer - Light (RRP $38)

Holey guacemoley, this is the bomb! Yep it's $38, but I have never EVER found a concealer that doesn't crease, covers EVERYTHING, and lasts all day, but this is it. I bought Light which is very very light and too pale for anything but my eye bag diminishing trick, but I've just ordered the medium from Sephora. You will not believe the coverage! The tube has the tiniest nozzle I've come across, and at first I thought it was a manufacturing fault because it's a struggle to dispense even the smallest amount. But it's intentional - you only need (literally) a microscopic quantity. I swear if you want full coverage, no creasing and all-day longevity, then this is the concealer for you. I figure the tube will last me 3 times longer than anything else, which makes it totally affordable...

NATIO Natural Cover Concealer - Skin Tone 2 (RRP $14.95)

Sponge applicator, pretty good colour match, but seems to stay shiny even when it dries so you'll need a setting powder. Creases quite a bit, only two shades available...

Rimmel Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue Effect + Radiant Glow Concealer (RRP $14.95)

I can't find the shade name on the tube anywhere, but I'm guessing it's Classic Beige (there's only three to choose from). Reasonable coverage, but not enough for me and doesn't build up evenly, contains teeny little sparkles for "illuminating" the under eye area, but I need to disguise rather than accent...

ModelsPrefer Argan Infusion Liquid Concealer - Light (RRP $9.99)

This is thicker than most of the others of its kind, covers redness very well but creases under the eyes, doesn't last more than a few hours, and there's only two shades in the range - it surprised me though, it's a lot better than some bigger brand names...

Face of Australia Lasting Finish Concealer Stick - Neutral (RRP $9.45)

Again only comes in two shades. I was using this primarily around my lips before I discovered the Crop one that I prefer. Creases when applied under the eyes, medium coverage, blends well though...

So after this major Spring clean, here are my keepers, and my HG's ♥♥♥:

You've no idea how GOOD I feel after doing this! I've reduced 24 products down to five, and freed up a whole bunch of space in my kit. I plan to repeat the process with my foundations, blushes, eye shadows, eye liners and lip products so watch this space - I admit the lippies will be my greatest challenge, but I figure if I do it gradually by shade families, it won't be quite so painful lol...

Do you do a seasonal cull of your makeup, or only your wardrobe?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking this to the always brilliant Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥...