February 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

Hi everyone and welcome to Autumn, which officially began with the equinox on Friday at 2:49pm. Just like our recent Summer, this Autumn is shaping up to be like no other - wherever you live, our world is changing and with it, our lifestyles and habits must change too. I plan to keep posting on my blog through these challenging times, so I hope you'll continue to join me here for reviews, empties and my usual monthly giveaway, which this time around is a special one for Mother's Day - it's not till May, but given the current global circumstances, I thought it best to get in early ♥... 

Body

Glow Lab Blackberry & Bay Body Wash (400ml, RRP $9)

Mmmm, can't decide whether I like this one more than the Coconut & Sandalwood one - let's just say they are equally delicious, but this scent is probably the one I'll go for just that little bit more in the cooler weather. I've tried quite a few products from their range, and have been pleasantly surprised by all of them - love that they're cruelty-free and even the pump is recyclable ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
New one in the shower, one in reserve ♥♥♥...

Schmidt's Charcoal + Magnesium Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant (75g/92g, RRP $13.99/$19.95)

In my not-so-long-ago series on aluminium-free deodorants, I rated this second to Fresca roll-on, but I've done a switcheroo, and made this my numero uno. They are equally effective at controlling odour, but I reckon the Schmidt's wins by a butterfly's eyelash as far as keeping me dry, PLUS (and this is a biggie) the 75g size is available from my local Priceline store - not having to pay shipping is a bonus ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Even though I'm working my way through the other locally available scents in the range, yes ♥♥♥...

Sensodyne Rapid Relief Original Toothpaste (100g, RRP $11.49)

My dentist gave me a sample size after I had some work done on a molar, and it sure helped reduce sensitivity after I had the crown fitted. Tasted good too, and there was enough in the tube for a week's use. He also gave me another brand which made my lips go numb (binned) so this would be my choice if I ever need something like this again ♥♥...

Repurchase?
Sure would ♥♥...

Regulars

Compeed Blister Plasters (Box of 5, RRP $12.95)
Johnson & Johnson Advanced Healing Hydro Seal Band-Aid  (box of 10, RRP $8.47)
Oral-B 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste (96g, RRP $9.49)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)
White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, RRP $6.99)


Face

Freezeframe Wrinkle Block Age Prevention Multi Stick (30ml, RRP $69)

I wrote quite an extensive review of this product last month (link HERE). This was my second stick and while I haven't quite finished the third, I don't think I'll be continuing on this path. Yes, it has made a difference to my fine lines, and my neck looks less craggy, but the deeper lines haven't budged since stick number 1, and there's still no impact whatsoever on my eye bags. The price is somewhat prohibitive, and at the end of the day, the benefits aren't sufficient for me to continue on for $70 a month. I've also decided that in my particular case, smooth texture, plumpness and radiance are more important than reducing wrinkles, so I just use it on my neck now ♥♥...

Repurchase?
If it's half price, maybe ♥♥...

Proactiv Amazonian Clay Mask (28g, RRP $?)

Interesting! This was sent to me to trial by beautyheaven over the Christmas period - I loved it, and even made a 3-minute video as part of my review. The text was published on 4th January, but no longer appears on the site, in fact, Proactiv is no longer listed full stop, so I guess they pulled the plug on the funding. Anyways, a beaut mask - quite thin, earthy scent that isn't overpowering, didn't make my face feel like it was going to crack up, and sent my blackheads packing ♥♥...

Repurchase?
Would if I could find it through an Aussie supplier, no luck so far ♥♥...

Regulars

Ecopure Bath Bamboo Fibre Face Cloths (pack of 2, RRP $12.99)
Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 
Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Detoxifying Pore Scrub (150ml, RRP $14.99)


Face Masks

BLAQ Charcoal Hydrogel Eye Mask (pack of 5, RRP $29.99)

Love these and first wrote about them back in March 2018, but I can no longer find them at Priceline and they only seem to be available from the Blaq website. Pity as they're really something special. They do have a tendency to slip down if you walk around in them, but I've been wearing them to bed, and they seem to stay on long enough when I'm horizontal ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

If I can find them locally, yes ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)

Fragrance

Estee Lauder Pleasures EDP (50ml, RRP $105)

Still one of my favourite Spring-Summer scents - my 2014 review of it is HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Absolutely, but not till later in the year ♥♥♥...

Hair

Creative Image Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Colour - Platinum (118ml, RRP $16.45)

Well now, this was a bonus find at Price Attack - vegan and cruelty-free, I add this to my fortnightly colouring concoction, and mix a little into my conditioner to keep my tresses as ashy and yellow-free as possible. There are heaps of other colours in the range, but this platinum one works best for me. It's a mauvey mushroomy colour, and while I would prefer something more silvery, it'll do for now ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
You bet, another one and a spare ♥♥♥...

Hi Lift True Colour Hair Colour Creme - Light Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $6.95)

Brief review of this last month, but it won't be a regular - the shade doesn't turn out as ash or intense as the Salon Professional Supplies brand, and I only bought it because they were out of stock of my fave... 

Repurchase?

No...

Regulars

Goldwell Kerasilk Control Conditioner (250ml, RRP $34.95)

Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Light Ash Blonde (100ml, RRP $14.95)
Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey, Metallic - Lilac Chrome & Denim Steel (RRP $5.49)

Makeup

Australis Stayput Long Lasting Retractable Lipliner - Romance (discontinued)

Boo to discontinued products! Great bricky-nude shade and lasted almost the whole day ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Sadly it's no longer available ♥♥♥...

Mirenesse Smooth Nude CC Hydra Makeup Mousse (40g, RRP $50)

Raved about this last January and I still love it, but with Mirenesse products, you need to be a VIP member to get special discounts and free shipping ♥♥♥... 

Repurchase?

Probably not - I cancelled my membership when I was retrenched, and can't see myself rejoining any time soon ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder (RRP $13.95)

Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer (RRP $17.95)

Giveaway

With Mothers Day coming up soon, I decided to put together a special pack for a special Mum, rather than the same old favourites from the Empties collection. This bundle is made up of...

• Sweet Little Things Floral Scented Soap Petals
• Nutrimetics Fragrance Discovery Collection - 3 rollerball EDTs, Love & Courage, Fleurever & Breathtaking (personal fave reviewed HERE)
• Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Hydration Celebration Pack - Rose Quench Lip Rescue Balm, Quench Hydrating Primer, Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturiser & 4-in1 Setting Mist

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $110.  The 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 (please note: if you don't leave a comment on this page, you won't be included in the draw!) If you're unable to leave a comment for technical reasons, please email your answer to katshepsutt(at)gmail.com.
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 tonight to find out who won!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Tracy, please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight

Wednesday 1st April to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Tracy has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Keep safe lovelies, and take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: November Empties!...

Wasn't expecting my Christmas Eve post to be the empties from two months ago lol! But that's how it happened with all that's been going on in December. Still I'm giving myself a pat on back for having a successful November finishing off quite a few products - a good mix of body, teeth and face goodies, some of which were first timers, while others were long time favourites that have taken forever to get through. So let's get on with it...

Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste (100g, RRP $9.99)

Found this at the back of the drawer during a clean out - it was opened but the use by date was somewhere far off in 2017, so I finished it off. I had a sensitive tooth after it was crowned, and while this did the trick with helping to settle it down, I know why it was in the drawer - not the most inspiring taste (a bit meh actually), I much prefer the refreshing Sensodyne one below...

Repurchase?
No - there are other brands whose taste is more to my liking...

Sensodyne Whitening, Repair & Protect Toothpaste (100g, RRP $10.99)

Excellent product - tooth is no longer sensitive in the slightest, actually that happened long before I finished the tube but I kept going as it tasted so nice and minty ♥...

Repurchase?
Yes, next time I have a peg that shrieks when I eat icecream, this will be the one I go for ♥...

nspa Fresh Sweet Raspberry Shower & Bath Gel (500ml, RRP $7.15)

Love this brand of body wash in general, this one is particularly refreshing - definitely raspberries, but Coles has stopped stocking it - bah humbug!

Repurchase?
Absolutely, if I can find another stockist ♥...

nspa Exotically Creamy Coconut Shower & Bath Gel (500ml, RRP $7.15)

I actually prefer coconut scented products in Winter - I find this quite warming, and so I was just finishing it off to make space for something fruity. If you like coconut though you'll love it. The nspa formula of all their gels has lots of creamy bubbles, and it's non-drying...

Repurchase?
Not till the weather cools down...and I can find it again ♥...

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle EDP (4ml sample, 30ml RRP $97)

This beautifully gourmand fragrance leaked in my handbag a month ago (stopper dislodged) so technically I didn't finish it, but the bottle is empty so it qualifies for this post ha ha, and my bag is only just now returning to it's unscented state. Exceptionally potent, I did a little rave about it a couple of years ago HERE...

Repurchase?
I haven't actually purchased this ever - I have several tiny bottles that all came in GWP's, so no, I have enough to keep me going for a while yet ♥...

MBA Cosmetics Petite Lipstick - Paranormal (3.5g no longer available, 5g, RRP USD7.50)

ADORE this lipstick - MBA make the most fabulous purple lip products, and you'll find a piccie of this on my lips at the bottom of the page HERE. It's just so vibrant, the formula is dense and hydrating, and I'm shattered that I'll be without this beauty until I place my next order ♥...

Repurchase?

There was never a surer bet - the petites are no longer available, but it comes in a standard lippie so I'll breathe again as soon as the next sale is on ♥...

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara Black (8ml, RRP $26.95)

This was a pretty good mascara, but nothing exceptional - I bought it because it seemed pretty close to my fave (False Lash Telescopic Waterproof, which was out of stock), and while it worked ok as a first coat (for separation) under my HG Maybelline The Falsies, it just didn't do the job as well as the other one I love...

Repurchase?
No...

NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder (6g, RRP $18.95)

Being a NYX product I had high hopes, but to be honest, it isn't as good as my HG Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder. The main issue I have with this product is that it has a sheen - that might be what you're looking for, but I need my finishing powder to be matte, well at least at the start of the day. So while it ticked almost every other box (it's $6 more than Australis), I'll stick with the one that does precisely what I need it to do...

Repurchase?
Not unless they change the formula...

Dr. Lewinn's Eternal Youth Day & Night Eye Cream (15g, RRP $69.95)

Hmmm interesting. This is a lovely LOVELY eye cream, but I can't get past the weird applicator. It's hard to describe, but it's like a slightly curved metal disc - you squeeze the tube and the product oozes from the middle onto the metal, and then you swipe that around your eye. Doesn't feel sharp, but the sensation is not all that comfortable, and for that reason I'll give it a miss. The formula itself is very moisturising, just wish it was either a roller ball, or a plain old squeeze tube ♥...

Repurchase?
If they change the delivery system, yes...

Original Source Hibiscus & Pomegranate Tea Shower Gel (Limited Edition) (250ml, RRP $4.40)

Oh boy, this was a lesson in the fickle nature of my nose. Sniffed it when it first came out, and wasn't impressed. Then, being a limited edition, Coles were getting rid of it for $2, so I relented, and that's when I lapsed into TOTAL dismay because I absolutely LOVED it in the shower! Raced back the next day to buy whatever was left, and it was all gone. Sob...that'll teach me to always give a product a second sniff ♥...

Repurchase?
If anyone has seen this ANYWHERE, please let me know - I'd buy 10 bottles if I could...

botanicES Hand Creme (15ml, RRP $?)

Oh yeah baby, this is the ultimate hydrating, enriching, non-greasy hand cream. Rave review HERE, however it has two major flaws - 1) currently only purchasable with the complete skin care package, and 2) it comes in pump bottle that's way too small. The lovelies at botanicES have advised that they're working on both of these issues, and so I wait ♥...

Repurchase?
Without a doubt, just hanging till they sort out the packaging and availability ♥...

Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil Amethyst Jewel (12g, RRP $30)

These goddess pencils are my current HG eye liners - I use them as bases for my eye shadows because they're so incredibly pigmented and long lasting, but also on my waterline as they don't irritate, and last a good four or five hours. This particular purple is gorgeous - has some sparkles in it which look amazing on the lids, but it's a tad uncomfortable on the waterline if any of the bits find their way into my eye. Doesn't sting or cause any redness or watering, it's just not all that comfortable...

Repurchase?

Not for now - I have almost the complete set, but I'll keep looking elsewhere for a purple waterliner that doesn't have any glittery inclusions...

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil (7ml sample, 30ml, RRP $54.95)

Wasn't quite as enamored with this oil as I was with the Sleeping Cream in the same range (adore!), but it sure is a lovely oil. I would highly recommend it if you have dry skin and are after a more natural product - my skin is normal with oily parts, and while it didn't give me any problems, it also didn't really show me any benefits that I would want to pursue with a larger quantity...

Repurchase?

Probably not - with the range of products available these days, I would need an oil at this price to really blow my skirt up, plus I'd rather spend my moolah on something that is specific for my pigmentation...

Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases - stay well and happy, and keep your loved ones close and safe ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx