EOTDs: Catch up time!...

Didn't get around to uploading any EOTD's last month, but I have a pretty big stash put aside, and in various colours of the rainbow. So without further ado...

Was quite chuffed with how this turned out - I normally apply the lightest shadow shade on the inner corner of my eye, but decided this time to pat down the darker blue (from the Annabelle Haute Mer quad) on both ends, with MBA Cosmetics Silk FX Babybaby in the middle and underneath. I thought it would make my eyes look smaller, but I actually love the extra definition. Waterline was Eye of Horus Scarab Sapphire Goddess Pencil...

For my face I used Mirenesse Liquid Silk Foundation, Ulta3 Pretty Plum Blush, and Face of Australia Lip Quench lipstick in Ruby Delight (added bonus of SPF30)...

My pastel blue jewellery collection is the smallest of the lot, but I'll work on it this Spring lol...

A very special friend sent me a whole stack of her Colourpop eye shadows (eternally grateful hon ♥) - this is Tink (matte charcoal) & Liberty (the most fabulous metallic silver in my kit!)...

These shadows are amazing - the pigmentation and buttery texture is almost impossible to beat, and they blend with just a few strokes of a fluffy brush. Waterline is Eye of Horus Charcoal Obsidian Goddess Pencil... 

Mirenesse Liquid Silk foundation again (trying to actually finish a foundation - who me?), cheeks were Real Purity Frosted Orchid Powder Blush, and lips were Maybelline Matte Lipstick in Lust For Blush...

Dug through my retro jewellery box and was thrilled to find the acrylic "humbug" striped ring, and some earrings and a bracelet that I made over 10 years ago - confirmed my suspicion that I should never throw anything out lol...

For this look I decided to use ONLY Eye of Horus Goddess Pencils - Emerald Tabula & Scarab Sapphire. All these pencils are beautiful on their own, but I usually don't have enough time in the morning to let them set completely, and invariably cover them up with a matching shadow so the cream doesn't transfer to my hoods...

The green is such a good match for my eye colour, and the smudger on the end is excellent for blending before they dry...

Same foundation, cheeks were Laura Geller Blush 'n' Brighten in Berry, and that stunning red lippy is Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick in One-Of-A-Kind...

Was lucky enough to find the matching emerald crystal earrings at Lovisa for a ridiculously low price...

And this last look is from way back in June, but too spesh to neglect - Too Faced Chocolate Bar Black Forest Truffle, with a dusting of Champagne Truffle over the top...

Still in awe of how much I'm loving browns and taupes and caramels! All to do with my lighter hair colour I reckon. Eye of Horus Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil on the waterline...

Maybelline Super Stay 24hr Foundation, Ulta3 Pretty Plum Blush, and Maybelline Colorblur Cream Matte Pencil in Plum Please...

And a massive thank you shout-out to neurotichellfem for the change-it-yourself battery tip. This watch has been languishing in a box for months, but I managed to get it working again for less than $2. I also replaced the batteries in three other watches - hon, you've just saved me a FORTUNE! ♥♥♥

Will post another four looks before the end of the month - and keep an eye out for my September giveaway. It'll be a special one as it's my 3rd year Bloggiversary!

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

EOTD: Kat Von D Black Milk & Lunar Lights...

I love surprises, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than writing off something as bleah, only to fall in love with it later on. And that's what's happened with silvers & greys. I've hardly even worn these hues throughout my life - always considered them to be somewhat dull and dreary, and my beauty book always told me that silver was only meant for highlighting. But since lightening my hair, I've been having a play and re-testing all my combos, and these "colourless" shades are now appearing on my bench almost every week...

They're actually quite flattering, and like the colours of the rainbows, I'm discovering there are many variations, and these two from the Kat Von D Chrysalis palette are becoming firm favourites. For this look I stroked on essence White Kajal close to the lashline, and then patted down Lunar Lights, which is almost white, but it turns out quite silvery when it hits my skin. For the rest of the lid, I used Max Factor Kohl Pencil in the shade Charcoal Grey as the base, and then blended Black Milk (matte) over the top. Of course I had to add SOME colour somewhere, so Eye of Horus Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencil was what I chose for the waterline...

Foundation was DB Longwear 24 Hour, cheeks were Lacura Cream Blush in Soft Coral, and the I added a light dusting of Maybelline Master High-Light Blush in Pink Rose. It's the first time I've used this blush, and I'm crazy about both the colour and the slightly shimmery finish. I used Crop Natural Mineral Pressed Bronzer in Solaire for a hint of contouring, and my lips were David Jones Moisture Cream Lipstick in Terracotta...

And here's the jewellery I put together to complete the outfit...

I reckon terracotta and grey are a beaut team for Autumn, and I've no doubt you'll be seeing these two together a lot more often up here, in one form or another.,,

What's your feeling about silvers and greys - do you think they're boring?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Multicoloured Bling!

A quickie post to share another of my passions - bling-rings! And the sparklier the better ha ha. I used to buy cheapie ones from places like Lovisa or Colette, but found the gold or silver finish always came off after a few wears and they looked tatty, so these days I only go for Sterling Silver settings - my budget unfortunately doesn't stretch to anything gold. I also have a self-imposed limit of $50 per item so that I can maintain my makeup addiction (whoops!), but fortunately there are a few stores where I can indulge my love of finger ornaments, and stay within my budget. All the rings below were purchased from Goldmark sales over the last 12 months, and all were under $40...

I'm crazy in love with them - the stones are Swarovski crystals, they're so colourful and bright, and you know how I love to match my outfits ♥ I keep hoping they'll release a purple or emerald green variety (hint hint Goldmark!). They glimmer and gleam like mad, and so far none of the stones have fallen out - mind you I always remove them when washing my hands, so that helps keep them intact...

The RRP of these is $69.95, and the trick with Goldmark is to regularly check their displays - there's usually one corner of the front window where they put their "specials", and I just wait till they appear there on sale, and then pounce!

Sizes are limited, and I'm lucky all these fit on my middle finger, but sometimes they have a few to choose from. My local store always puts them into a pretty purple velvet pouch too - such a girlie treat, and makes me feel like a princess ♥

Happy Spring everyone!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTD: MUA Platinum & Charcoal...

MOST unusual for me to upload two posts in one day - but I'm making an exception as it's the last day of the month, and work has overtaken my blogging life this week (boo!). However I was determined to not let it get the better of me, so here's #8 EOTD for July ♥

Haven't done a silvery black look in yonks, and this MUA Platinum is undoubtedly the most stunning silver in my collection. Crikey you could almost read by the light it throws off lol! I've had this for several months and it's been laying forgotten and unused in one of my drawers as I've been distracted of late by quite a few palette purchases (ahem). Anyways it's ahh-mazing, and you'll be seeing it far more often in future ♥

My base was essence White Kajal, and for the crease I added MUA matte shade #20, a pan I've had (and used regularly) for over two years, and which barely has a dent in it. Along the top lashline, I added some definition with the new Maybelline Hyper Sharp Wing Liner (love it!), and on the waterline is Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Black is Black. These liners are the BEST ones in my kit for the waterline - they stay put for at least 4 or 5 hours...

Hope July was kind and generous to you ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx