SPOTLIGHT: Favourite May & June 2020 LOTD's...

If you follow my Instagram account, you would have noticed that instead of the regular five-days-a-week appearances, my LOTD uploads are somewhat sporadic and erratic. Due to COVID, I'm only heading into the office every second week, and while I'm still wearing makeup just about every day, I'm saving my dress-ups (and consequently my LOTD pics) for those days when I go to the workplace. Consequently, I've not had many lip love photos to choose from, but below are what I put together from the May & June limited assortment...

What's been interesting is that my lipstick application skills soon deteriorate if I don't keep up the practice, so some of these are a bit lopsided - anyways the colours and textures are what count, right?

1. Colourpop Ultra Metallic Lip - DM. A regular, I trot this out when I'm wearing golden browns from my wardrobe. In July last year, I said it was too drying and was going to toss it, but in the end, I couldn't bear to do it as I've nothing else quite like it, and I solved the problem by applying a thin layer of balm underneath ♥...

2. NYX SlipTease Lip Lacquer - Shady. You'll see these fairly often as they are totally fabulous - full review of the majority of the shades is HERE. Still can't believe I picked these up for $7 each from Priceline ♥...

3. Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm - Coy. I've had this for ages and I'm bamboozled as to why I've never worn it. Lost in a sea of lip products, I'm delighted I singled it out. It's gorgeous - creamy, moist, wears pretty well, super convenient being in crayon form, and I just adore the colour ♥...

4. Antipodes - South Pacific Coral. Received this in a surprise gift from the brand, and I wear it fairly regularly. It's actually a lot brighter in the tube but I'm experimenting with different lip liners underneath to see if I can get it to really pop. Fabulous formula, sooooo comfortable ♥...

5. Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bloom - Rose Rush. Seems to be only available on eBay now - such an unusual and pretty orangey-pinky-red. I'll keep wearing it though in the hope that MNY changes their mind and brings it back - LOVE IT! ♥...

6. Seraphine Botanicals Vegan Berry Tint - Cherry Cream.  Three years old and still going strong. Supremely comfortable with brilliant coverage and wears well. Although it does get a little dry after a few hours, reapplication is smooth and makes it all creamy again ♥...

7. Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Pioneer. How about that red hey? These liquid lippies are astonishingly good - methinks I need a few more in my kit. Their lasting power is amazing, and the comfort-factor is way up there ♥...

8. Avon Mark Lipstick - Berry Cute.  Love the name, the colour, the formula - I think this is appearance #4 in my faves posts, will definitely be a fifth ♥...

9. IBY Beauty High Intensity Lipstick - Mardi Gras. I keep this for the shade - it has a very high blue content which makes it just the right colour for several outfits. It's a little drier than other formulas, but my obsession with matching is stronger than my desire for comfort lol ♥...

Would any of these suit you?

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

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite March & April 2020 LOTD's...

Sadly I missed the upload boat for the fave March LOTD's. To be honest, when I started working from home, I didn't wear any makeup for the first 10 days (until it hit me how much I missed it!) so there weren't a lot of photos to choose from, soooo...I decided to combine the March and April posts to have as wide a colour and texture range as possible to choose from, so here we go ♥...

With the start of Autumn, I trotted out some of my precious browns...

1. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Shady. These were March's Find Of The Month. For $7 each at Priceline, I couldn't possibly resist - dense, creamy, rich and deliciously moist, my full review of the first six I bought is HERE ♥...

2. Maybelline Color Sensational - Bean There. Probably one of the last few times you'll see this in a post as I've almost hit pan, and as is often the case with my loves, it's no longer available. Still on the hunt for a replacement - I have quite a few browns in my collection, but they all have a lot of red content, whereas this darling is golden all the way ♥...

3. Colour by TBN - Mocha-Chino. This range was last year's big discovery at Price Attack. For $3.95 they can't be beat for intensity, packaging, range and comfort. This is such a pretty and soft latte ♥There are two dedicated posts for these babies, HERE & HERE ♥...
4. L'Oreal Le Rouge Lumiere - Brilliant Brown. This was one I bought from Priceline recently (online) and which I was hoping would be a replacement for the MNY Bean There above. Of course, the trap with buying lipsticks online is that rarely are the website colours accurate, and this one is leaning more towards orange. But I'm glad I indulged as it's totally gorgeous and perfect for this time of year ♥...

5. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Modern Soul. Possibly my most favourite orange of all time. I mean how unusual is it, and so different than anything else I have. I'm totally in love with these lacquers, and because they were (and are still) $7 from Priceline, I figured the range was being discontinued, but they are still listed on the NYX Aussie site, just not these shades, so perhaps they're just doing a colour revamp? Fingers crossed ♥...

6. Colour by TBN - Why So Orange.  Another amazing orange, and one that will brighten many a dull day in the coming winter - SO vibrant ♥...

7. Colour by TBN - Roses Are Red. Well now, I could just keep on raving about these lipsticks forever, but how about this red? I reckon it would almost glow in the dark! ♥...

8. Nutrimetics Silk Creme - Chilli.  Still loving all my Nutrimetics lippies, and Chilli red is another one that will punch a massive hole in the dreary ♥...

9. Maybelline Vivid Hot Lacquer - Classic. Sometimes I just need a super-duper glossy OTT out-there red, and when I do, this is the one I reach for. Bought it mid-2018 and there's been no deterioration in the formula or wham-factor ♥...

10. Colour by TBN- Milkshake. One of the most gorgeous rosy coral pinks ever! ♥...

11. Antipodes Natural Lipstick - South Pacific Coral.  This was in a gift pack that was sent to me recently, for which I will be eternally grateful ♥ Antipodes lipsticks are so full of goodness, and they never disappoint in comfort, density and moisturising power ♥...

12. Karen Murrell Natural Lipstick - Blushing Rose. Don't you just love it when companies put out a freebie with a magazine? This was one of three colours that came with the April issue of Marie Claire. I'd been wanting to try at least one from the range for ages, but hadn't gotten around to it. At $29.95 they're not cheap, but who cares when they're riddled with nourishing ingredients that make them so good for girl ♥...

13. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Rosy Outlook. Absolutely nuts about this shade. Have been going through a discovery phase with rose coloured lip products, and delighted with the results, given that I'd always classified this colour family as "doesn't suit me". But this darling has changed all that ♥...

14. Karen Murrell Natural Lipstick - Bordeaux Rouge. Another from the Marie Claire GWP - perfect winter red, like mulled wine, and my lips drink in all the goodness ♥...

15. Maybelline Colordrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil - Berry Much.  These lip crayons just keep on keeping on - this baby has had many many outings, and more to come. The formula is so comfortable, and these also work brilliantly as lip liners ♥...

16. NYX Slip Tease Lip Lacquer - Negotiator. Oh oh oh. Haven't lusted after a new purple for ages, but this one has my heart ♥...

Which ones do you like?

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

kats xxx

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: Favourite January 2020 LOTD's...

Time for another round of lip products that rang my bell a little bit louder last month. Just when I think I've found my ultimate favourite shade, I'm reminded that it's pointless because I adore so many, plus I reckon colour preference is very much related to mood, and that changes hourly for me. I've even tried choosing my top pink or red or purple of all time, but that's also a waste of brain cells as there'll always be another I've forgotten about...and another...and another. So let's just say here are my top 12 from last month lol ♥...

1. Revlon Super Lustrous - Mink. Sadly discontinued - a pity as this is such a pretty one. Still smells good and keep my lips lush and moist, so I'll hang onto it for another season ♥...

2. Maybelline Colorsensational Rebel Bloom - Rose Rush. This vibrant orange beauty has appeared many times and I'm still bamboozled as to the name. But who cares hey, and anyway MNY is saying it's going to be phased out. The story of my lip life sob ♥...

3. Colour by TBN - Teak-Alicious. Such a pretty deep nude,  with benefits - it's actually verging on a bricky red, but either way, I'm loving it and will continue to love it into Autumn when it will be even more perfect, particularly gorgeous with navy and olive. I'm literally hanging out till my local Price Attack store restocks this range so I can try some of the other shades ♥...

4. Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance - Coral Silk. Still making regular appearances in my fave LOTD's for colour and comfort, I'll probably retire this after March, but only to the "save for Spring" box - it's just a wee bit too pale to make it through the seasonal wardrobe changeover ♥...

5. Maybelline Smoked Roses - Blushed Rose. My latest passion, and lovingly reviewed just a few weeks ago HERE. There are seven in the set, and I've bought one more (Dusk Rose) to add to my three, and that will UNDOUBTEDLY appear in the Feb LOTD collage - so in love with this range ♥...

6. Australis Colour Inject Moisturising Mineral Lipstick - Bolero.  Picked this up in one of the "everything $3" sales they had last year. Of course, now they only have the GRLBOSS range which I've yet to try. To be honest, when I'm in front of the stand I go into overload because there's just too many to look at, plus they all seem to be such similar shades. Oh well, I'll be wearing this tomato-ey red stunner for a few years yet - the mineral formula is a sure bet to keep my lips from drying out ♥...

7. Covergirl - Succulent Cherry. This one's good enough to eat hey? I just searched for this on my blog and found it first appeared in (wait for it) December 2015! Yes hard to believe this is still viable, but it is I can assure you, and kudos to Covergirl's manufacturing technique & formula that it has lasted for over 4 years. Still sweet and moisture-rich with shea butter to keep my pucker well greased - it's the lippie that keeps on keeping on ♥...

8. DB Cosmetics Moisturising Lipstick - Red Hot Red. Another blast from the past. New range, new packaging, but no red as hot and sassy as this one so I'll hang onto it for now. Great value lipsticks ($11.99) that are certified vegan and cruelty-free, super moist and wear very well ♥...

9. Maybelline Smoked Roses - Steamy Rose. I think I've already expressed my deep and profound sentiments for this luscious baby ♥...

10. Ulta3 - Lilac Glow. Another one with a confusing name, but it's certainly a straight-talking yummy pink. In general, I find Ulta3 lippies pretty awesome value - some are sheerer than others, but choose the right formulation for your needs and you'll be happy as a clam ♥...

11. Maybelline Smoked Roses - Frozen Rose.  Absolutely adore this greigey purple-pink, and who would have thought it would be so flattering. To me, it's the colour of a genuine (well, genetically modified) blue rose, not one that's been dyed. So beautiful...sigh ♥...

12. Sash Cosmetics Luminous Lipstick - Gypsy Child. The company disappeared around Christmas 2018, but the lipsticks are still fab. I search every few months in the hope they'll come back ♥...

Which ones do you like? Would they suit your skin tone?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Aluminium-free Deodorants, Part 4...

Delighted to be back with you for Part 4 of my Aluminium-free Deodorant series. Having already covered those available from Supermarkets, the success rate has sky-rocketed, with four out of the six below scoring 9/10 or better, which means that performance-wise, they're up to the task of replacing my regular Dove deodorant that does contain aluminium. Except that it's no longer my regular deodorant - instead, I now have a selection of way more natural (and healthy) ones to choose from that I trust 100%, so read on ♥...

Dr.Organic Hemp Oil Deodorant with Vetiver & Patchouli Oil (50ml, Health food stores & some pharmacies, RRP $12.95)

Another one recommended by one of you lovelies ♥ I found this in my local health food store. There were a few different scents available, but the Hemp Oil one was the most appealing on the day, with an almost herbal freshness to it. LOVE that it's a roll-on, and because it was so highly recommended, I did the unthinkable and wore it to work without testing it beforehand. Gaaaaahhhhhh! Well, after cleaning my new workspace, setting up two computers, three monitors and organising my desk drawers, I was quite damp under the arms, and it was only 10am. So, armed with a backup deo in my makeup bag, I headed to the loo for a quick stink check, and there was...nothing. I did regular checks throughout the day because my pits stayed quite wet, but there continued to be no odour whatsoever. I mean. I couldn't even detect the scent of the deo. WTF? Prior to this, underarm wetness for me automatically meant underarm stench, so I've always sought a formula with anti-perspirant properties. I have to admit that I'm not all that comfortable with drippy pits, but I'm TOTALLY at ease with the deodorising effectiveness of this baby. The final test was to not shower before bed, and then see what developed overnight. I swear, even the next morning, my pits were pong-free. Holey guacemoley, the Doctor sure knows what he's doing...

The formula is vegan, the ingredients list goes on for days (mostly natural oils - I counted 13), and it's free from aluminium, parabens, SLS and mineral oils. Rating-wise I'm giving it a 9/10 - it probably deserves higher because it is 100% effective in preventing odour, but the underarm wetness will take me quite a bit of getting used to, so for now, the Fresca is still my fave ♥♥♥...

A'kin Geranium & Cedarwood Natural Deodorant (65ml,  Priceline/Chemist Warehouse etc., RRP $10.99)

With a label declaring "24hr Clinical Protection Absorbs Wetness", 100% vegan, not tested on animals, Australian made & owned, this was another one I had high hopes for. Absolutely adore the fragrance - it's definitely woody, but the geranium adds a sweetness and softness to it, making it a tad more girl-friendly. Worked well for six hours, and then the wheels fell off. I tried reapplying, but in the end, I had to go with something else or spend the next 12 hours alone in my room. Mind you it was a very hot and humid day, so I will keep this one aside for the cooler weather. 5/10 ♥...

Schmidt's Cedarwood + Juniper Natural Deodorant (92g, Priceline, RRP $13.99)

Was ecstatic to find this at Priceline a few weeks back, and way cheaper than Nourished Life ($19.95). Because of this research series, I now have quite a few deos in the stash, but I was curious to find out whether this would work as well as their Charcoal & Magnesium formula that I fell in love with in Part 1 - the answer is a resounding YES!. This one is super smooth and less messy, but it's also heaps more masculine in the scent department. Wood, wood and more wood. Like if you got down on your hands and knees and sniffed your deck ha ha. I don't have a deck but the fragrance reminds me of timber outdoor furniture that's just been painted with the stuff that protects it from the weather. Not unpleasant, but quite strong, and it's always there in the background all day. Definitely a great one for the fellas, and I'm also giving it a 9/10 because it works brilliantly and absorbs 90% of wetness - very comfortable ♥♥♥...

P.S. Thanks to Fawn for letting me know that this range is currently on special at Priceline (in-store only) for $9.79!

Noosa Basics Organic Deodorant - Sandalwood (60g, Nourished Life, RRP $16.95)

I chose this based on the user reviews at Nourished Life - they were a bit mixed but predominantly positive, which is what I've found for just about all these natural deodorants. Some folks swear by them and others say don't even bother, so I can't stress enough that it's a matter of finding what works for you. Having said that I'm pretty fussy with my personal hygiene - I don't do heavy-duty workouts at the gym, but I do get a glow-up just being me (lol!), so if something doesn't work on my bod, I wonder how far more active people cope. This one is a slightly grainy paste with a quite delicate sandalwood scent (there are more fragrances to choose from), but as with several others I've tested in this series, once I hit the 6-hour mark, I needed more support. I had planned on trying out their Charcoal activated flavour, but considering the results I've had from some of my earlier research, plus the next two stunners below, I'll give it a miss. Ok for Winter, 5.5/10 ♥... 

No Pong All Natural Anti Odourant (35g, RRP $8.95)

One word - awesome! Smooth creamy paste with a fabulous (predominantly lemongrass) fragrance, I was not expecting this to work as well as it did, but there you go - you just never know till you try. I like that it's in a tin instead of plastic, but that's also my one and only beef. All my life I've failed tin-opening, even the old shoe polish kind with the little metal lever on the side. If this had a screw cap, I'd be fine - I just don't seem to manage ones where I have to use a fingernail to prise the top off. That annoyance aside, this is another one that seems to last all day and all night. Mind you yesterday wasn't quite as hot as some others during this process, but it sure was sticky-as, so I'm confident my results are accurate. The ingredients are coconut oil, baking soda, corn starch, beeswax and a blend of the following oils for the scent - orange, vanilla, lemongrass, cedarwood, bergamot, lime, frankincense, ylang-ylang & geranium. No wonder it smells so good! The instructions say "apply a pea sized amount to each armpit" - I used a little more, but not much. 9/10 - would have been more but getting the lid off is a total pain ♥♥♥... 

Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant Paste (15g mini, RRP $7.95, 75g, RRP $18.50)

The Black Chicken Axilla paste is the only one that I'd actually heard about (rave reviews actually), which is why I left it to last. I knew that if I started with this gem, I probably wouldn't have explored all the other possibilities that are out there. For those of you who already use this product, yep it's a legend. If you've not heard of it before you're probably wondering why it has such a weird name. Well, it turns out that axilla is the anatomical name for the armpit, and the company founder (Chey Birch) began her journey back in 2000 (in Bondi) mixing natural ingredients in a small bowl that was decorated with a black chicken ♥ So this is Aussie owned and made, vegan, and comes in a plastic recyclable container with a screw-top lid (score!). The paste is smooth but has teeny little granules (possibly bi-carb soda, tapioca or kaolin clay?) that dissolve into the skin. The delicate fragrance comes from a blend of essential oils - lime, clove, lavender, cedarwood, cajeput (melaleuca), mandarin, peppermint and rose geranium. It's a lovely organic mix which to my nose smells mostly of peppermint and clove. You rub in a pea-sized amount until it's absorbed and then forget about BO & wetness for the next 24 hours - dinks!...

There are 675 customer reviews on their website, 632 of which give it 5 stars, and 39 awarded 4 stars. If you do the math, that leaves only 4 reviews which aren't so positive. But those stats pretty much sum up this product (they're not paying me to write this by the way). I'm giving it a 9.4, but only 'cos I have to use my fingers ♥♥♥...

Part 5?

Having found six relatively "natural" deodorants that work either brilliantly or well enough for me to trust them on a busy workday, I've decided to put this series on hold until next Summer - if I buy any more now, I'll never get through them, and with most being organic, I don't want them to go off or lose their effectiveness. But there are still a lot more to try - Body Shop, Lavera, Lush, Ethique, Woohoo!, LaVanila. It goes on and on and on, so I'll resume probably around October ♥...

So to summarise, here's my Top Six Aluminium-free Deodorants, in order of my preference based on how well they work for me and the convenience of the presentation. Cost is a factor of course, but when it comes to body odour, price is way low on my list of purchase criteria ♥♥♥...

1. Fresca Natural Deodorant - Wooden Spice with Sandalwood & Carrot Seed (Part 2)

2. Schmidt's Charcoal + Magnesium Mineral Enriched Natural Deodorant (Part 1)

3. Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant Paste (Part 4)
4. No Pong All Natural Anti Odourant  (Part 4)

5. Dr.Organic Hemp Oil Deodorant with Vetiver & Patchouli Oil (Part 4)

6. Earth Purities Natural Deodorant - Nero For Him (Part 3)

Hope this series has been helpful to you - it's sure sorted out my underarms!

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite December 2019 LOTD's...

Something for everyone here in these December faves, although silly me created this collage before I posted my ho ho ho Christmas red lippie, so I'll include it in the January collection. That'll teach me to prepare too far in advance lol ♥...

1.  Revlon Super Lustrous - Naughty Plum. I don't seem to have included this one before - no idea why 'cos it's absolutely gorgeous hey. I think it's just that I have too many in my kit, so a few are bound to miss out. Anyways I'm thrilled this one has made the spotlight at last - these Revlon lippies are literally unbeatable for performance, pigment and comfort factor ♥...

2.  Maybelline Made For All - Pink For Me. Adore - full review of this whole range HERE ♥...

3.  Covergirl Katy Kat Matte - Catoure. Lost count of how many times this darling has appeared - one of my fave nude-with-benefits of all time. Full review of some of the range HERE ♥...

4.  BYS - Dangerous Diva. Another one that has emerged from the shadows, she's such an interesting one with her slightly pearlised finish, and very comfortable to wear. BYS make some terrific and amazingly affordable products ♥...

5.  NYX High Voltage - Free Spirit. Such a pity this range was discontinued - orange lipsticks that aren't patchy and streaky are a rare find. This is old but I won't be tossing it any time soon - the colour is so fab, so summery ♥...

6.  BOE Beauty Matte - Primped. This $2 lippie is exceptional value. Had this one a long long time and it still has the same colour and smell, and it doesn't dry out my pout. $2! ♥...

7.  Nude by Nature Moisture Shine - Garnet. At least two previous appearances, this lipstick is so creamy and so full of goodness it's a wonder I don't wear it every week. Such a flattering bricky red, and of course the rose gold packaging is stunning ♥...

8.  Nutrimetics NC Hydra Brilliance - Garnet. Not sure why but I have a tendency to wear multiple "garnets" in the same month! Always fascinates me how different the interpretations are by various brands. This to me is true garnet - a deep pinky red that's wearable with just about anything, and I love how soft this leaves my lips ♥...

9.  NARS - Audacious. I'm still in two minds as to whether to classify this as a pinky red, or a reddish pink. Either way, I should trot it out heaps more often as it's simply divine n'est-ce pas? The black case makes it hard to spot in the collection, so I've moved it into the "revisit regularly" section I've created for forgotten gems such as this ♥...

10.  Maybelline Made For All - Fuchsia For Me.  Definitely made for me - talk about a success story for MNY, still waiting for an orange and a purple, please ♥... 

11.  NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream - Fuchsia Fusion. The last hurrah for this irreplaceable stunner. Nothing else in my kit that can match it and I've had to let it go after using the last molecule for this outing. I still have a couple of purples, a bronze and an orange from the (discontinued) range, but my heart aches for this gorgeous galactic gal ♥♥♥...

12.  Rimmel The Only 1 Matte - Run The Show. Such a pretty purple - the ones like this with more pink than blue definitely suit me better. And this formula is one of the few matte ones that I can wear all day and not get flakey lips ♥... 

What's your current fave lipstick?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Aluminium-free Deodorants, Part 3...

Well now, what an interesting exercise this is turning out to be. Quite frankly I'm staggered at the uselessness of some of the aluminium-free deodorants I've been putting to the test, so much so that I wonder why they're even on the market. I guess it's just that everybody's needs are so different, and the ones I'm classifying as duds must actually perform ok for some folks. Anyways, let's get on with Part 3, which will essentially complete my supermarket coverage ♥...

Weleda 24h Roll-On Deodorant - Sea Buckthorn (50ml, Website, RRP $16.95)

After giving this a go on both a 20 degree and 30+ day, the results are pretty much the same. Maximum four hours of worry-free protection, and about 1 hour before the sticky-pits scenario sets in, and that's without any exercise or exertion. Today was the lower temp day - it's now 7pm, and while I'm not exactly tainting the environment, I'm keeping my arms close to my sides as my pits are sour. Disappointing as I love some of their other products, but it might be ok in winter. The orangey fragrance is pleasant, the bottle is 70% recycled plastic, and it's made in Switzerland. I'll give it a 6.5/10 ♥...

Earth Purities Natural Deodorant - Nero For Him (50ml,  Nourished Life, RRP $12.95)

I mentioned in one of my other posts that I often prefer deos targetted for males because of the woody or musky scents they have, but I also go for them because I figure that they'll be a tad more potent, given that fellas often need a bit more help in the underarm department. Well this one is a treat for citrus lovers as it's scented with bergamot and lemon, and it worked well for me for 12 hours on a very humid day - it didn't keep me all that dry but I can live with that. Vegan, not tested on animals, Aussie made and owned, the container is recyclable glass, and it has a "best before" sticker on the base (June 2021). 8/10 ♥♥♥...

Redwin Sensitive Skin Anti-perspirant Deodorant (150ml,  Supermarket, RRP $5)

As promised this is a pump spray and a generous one for the price. To me, it smells like a generic men's aftershave or cologne, so it might not appeal to some of you gals. On the other hand, I'm not sure if anyone would benefit from this - I needed to reapply it every two hours, and squirting it on while dressed is not my idea of practical, especially as I had to wait 5 minutes for the spray to dry enough to put my top back on. While I didn't feel the need to re-shower, I ended up slicking on one of my success stories after the third respray. Sorry, no - 2/10...

Simple Pure Deodorant - Aerosol (200ml, Supermarket, RRP $7)

This started out really well, and then sadly faded after four hours, just like the roll-on variety with the same name. Same deliciously fresh scent, I enjoyed the sensation of the cooling, dry almost powdery spray, and it was much easier to reapply, so I'm giving it one point extra over the roll-on. However, that still doesn't give it enough of an anti-BO oomph factor to pass my test - I'll use it up on my feet. 5/10 ♥...

Sukin Signature Natural Deodorant (125ml, Supermarket RRP $6.95)

Another one that was recommended by one of you gals (♥). Sukin is such a terrific brand, and this is the best of the pump sprays so far (it comes with a protective cap on the nozzle, but I can't find where I put it lol). A fairly confident 10 hours without having to reapply, I love the scent of this one - a mix of mandarin, lavender and vanilla. Doesn't do much for wetness but the formula does a great job of neutralising odour.  It's a close call as to whether I would wear it on a work-day as I do quite a bit of running around and attend a lot of meetings in very small rooms. I think I'll keep it for the cooler weather, and give it a 7.5 ♥♥... 

Norsca Anti-perspirant Deodorant - Rosewater & Lotus Scent (50ml, Supermarket, RRP $4.99)

Quite a pleasant fragrance, but I hit the stink wall after two hours.  Maybe in the next life - 1/10.

Overall it's looking like 8/10 is about my threshold for what I would wear to the office - I'm confident with anything rated that or above. Between 5 & 8 I'll keep for the chilly season or around the house, and if it's less than 5, I'm giving it to the garbos (once emptied wherever possible of course). I would say that apart from the Sukin one, I wouldn't bother with those from the supermarket - they just don't cut it performance-wise. Having said that, perhaps I'm an overly stinky sweaty gal and they may, in fact, work for you - as always, it's best to try for yourself, deodorant is even more personal than perfume ♥...

Unfortunately, my research will slow down from now on as I'm back at work next week, and will only be testing new discoveries on the weekends. But Part 4 is in the pipeline, and already there are a few winners to bring to light, so hope you'll be back for a read soon ♥...

And if you missed them, here is Part 1 & Part 2.

Take care of you,
kats xxx