SPOTLIGHT: June Empties!...

Very late with my Empties post for last month, but as you can see it's a bumper issue. Includes items that last for absolutely yonks, most of which are kats-can't-live-withouts, and only one that I wouldn't repurchase. Come to think of it I may have to rename this series Monthly Faves! ♥...

Crop Natural Concealer Pencil ( RRP $16)

LOVE this little stick of wonders - I use it primarily for reverse outlining my lips, and throughout the day to counteract lipstick bleed. It's made a massive difference to the quality of my LOTD pics because it's dense enough to cover the freckles that abound around (what used to be) my lipline. It's creamy and blends immaculately, and I also use it to help disguise my huge under eye bags. Doesn't crease and after 3 months, there's still almost an inch of the pencil left, but it's too small to sharpen ♥...

Repurchase?

I have three backups in my drawer - Coles regularly has it on special, which is when I stock up ♥...

Dermalogica AGE Smart Skinperfect Primer (22ml RRP $72.50)

Until recently, this was my numero uno primer, and with an SPF30 content, my go-to skin protector. I've found something even more potent now (IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream with SPF50), but this beauty ticks all the boxes as far as mattifying and preparing my complexion for makeup is concerned. A darling friend sent me a tube years ago, and I've been in love with it ever since. This magical product has earned five stars on beautyheaven, and it's no wonder - on good face days, this is all I need to minimize pores and refine my complexion to a point where I can almost get away with no foundation (it has a slight tint). Well almost ♥...

Repurchase?

For hot humid Summer days, absolutely ♥...

Lanvin Eclat d’Arpège EDP (30ml RRP $81.50)

In the last 2 years I've considerably expanded my perfume collection, but prior to the blow out, this was my signature Summer scent - raved about it back in 2013, and it's still very close to the top of my list of all time favourite fragrances. Fresh and light, the combination of lilacs and lemons is simply beautiful, elegant and timeless. I usually only wear it in the warmer weather, but there was only a few spritzes left, so I finished up the bottle instead of putting it away for the Winter. Still have never EVER smelt it on any other gal ♥...

Repurchase?

I scored the 100ml bottle for $49.99 (woo hoo!) from Chemist Warehouse in April, so I'm set for Spring ♥...

Oral-B 3D White LUXE Toothpaste - Glamorous White (95g RRP $8.99)

My new choice for keeping my choppers in tip top condition. The minty taste is a nice change from my usual Colgate Optic White - it costs $1 more, but well worth it for the crisp freshness it brings to my mouth. Too early to tell if it works any better in the whitening department (my teeth are naturally creamy-coloured), but it's sure keeping the stains and cavities away ♥...

Repurchase?

Several tubes already stashed away in the bathroom cupboard, bought on special of course ♥...

True Essentials Micellar Water (125ml RRP $4)

Already covered in my Micellar Magic series, it's not the best of the bunch I've experienced so far, but excellent for what it is, and the price ♥...

Repurchase?

Yes - as mentioned in my review, it's worth it for the refillable travel size bottle alone ♥...

Reference of Sweden Repair Treatment Mask REF.550 (250ml RRP $38)

Check out my review HERE. This is a can't-live-without ♥...

Repurchase?

I don't muck around when it comes to what works for me - have already bought the 750ml bottle ♥...

Imperial Leather Madagascan Vanilla & Cacao Anti-bacterial Handwash (250ml RRP $3.99)

Totally bummed that I can't find this any more, but I'm hanging onto the empty bottle in case I spot the refill somewhere. Another gem that gets five beautyheaven stars. The fragrance is stunning, and washing my hands with this moisturising cream is the first thing I do when I arrive home ♥...

Repurchase?

I wish. Come on Coles, bring it back! ♥...

Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Daily Wash (150ml RRP $10.49)

My second favourite cleanser - been using this for years, and look forward to every session. The avocado and pomegranate scent combo blisses me out, and I especially love the fact that I can leave its pale green creaminess on my face for a few minutes as a mask, and have instantly becalmed and refined skin ♥...

Repurchase?

Never without this ♥...

Nude by Nature Nude Face Scrub (150ml RRP $17.95)

Featured this in my December Empties post last year, but I'm including it again because it's simply the BEST! Pricey but unsurpassed. Review HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

Can't live without it ♥...

Reference of Sweden REF.050 Shine Spray (200ml RRP $34)

In all my years I've not come across anything else like this for giving my hair instant shine and gleam without any build up of goop. You spray it on like hairspray, and I swear anyone around you will need sunnies to counteract the glare. Review HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

Can't live without this either ♥...

The Body Collection Mimosa & Lily Hand & Body Wash (200ml RRP $16.99)

This was in my birthday bag from Mama last year, bless her ♥. Beautiful fragrance, floral with a tinge of sour. Australian made, no SLS, parabens or animal derived products, but not enough moisturising power for me to add it to my list of must-haves...

Repurchase?

Probably not - there are so many other body washes that I adore, and I didn't love this one quite enough to seek out a stockist (independent chemists I believe)...

Imperial Leather Pomegranate & Wild Rose Triple Moisturising Bodywash - Flirtatious (500ml RRP $6.49)

Another one I'm crazy about - Imperial Leather products appear in just about every one of my Empties posts, so you could say I'm a bit of a fan lol! Having trouble finding this too, although I spotted it in Priceline a few months back so will try my luck next weekend. Raved about it almost two years ago HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

Definitely - this is a must for me for the comfort it brings on cold winter mornings ♥...

Imperial Leather Exotic Guava & Champaca Triple Moisturising Bodywash - Blue Lagoon (500ml RRP $6.49)

What is it with Coles and Woolworths? They're stocking barely any of this range any more, or in the case of Coles, not at all. I'm sending the biggest BOO to whoever decides what goes on the shelves. I'm totally hooked on the uniqueness of this fragrance, and I don't think I can survive without its fabulous colour in my shower stall. Mind you it's labelled a "Limited Edition", so maybe it's not even made any more. Still pictured on the IL website though. I miss you No.48 - are you out there? Sob... Rave HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

If only I could ♥...

Urban Rituelle Fragrance Diffuser Set - Comfort (Sandalwood & Tangerine) (190ml RRP $39.95)

Have had this reed diffuser radiating love and lusciousness in my blogging HQ for seven months - seven months! I'm a Sandalwood nutbag, and pairing it with tangerine can only be described as an inspired flash of pure genius. Warm and spicy, I adore this all year round ♥...

Repurchase?

Done deal - I'm sitting here basking in its warm embrace as I type ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Phew - if you're still here, congrats! And why not kick off the new week by visiting Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - starts on the dot of 6:30am ♥...

SPOTLIGHT: Micellar Magic Part 4...

Well here we are at the end of the series - well it's not quite the end 'cos I'm having way too much fun, and besides, I've found a couple more micellar waters to try! So I suspect there will be a continuation of this theme ♥, but for now, I'll wrap up this particular set (let's call it "Season 1") with the last two as promised, as well as the mother of all micellar waters, Bioderma...

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water 200ml (RRP $12.95)

So this was the second one I tried after the pink Garnier, and it's a beauty - no alcohol, hypoallergenic and fragrance free. I don't know which of the ingredients listed below is the toner component, but it does offer a little something extra over the others as far as texture refining is concerned. Not the least bit drying, good slip factor, and I find this quite soothing and smoothing. I used to use the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Toning Lotion, but this does the job just as well, despite feeling gentler. I prefer this rectangular bottle shape as it takes up far less room on my bench than the fat round ones. Overall I really like this version - will repurchase once I've finished the contents, and alternate it with my #1 fave (to be revealed below) ♥...

true micellar water make up remover 125ml (RRP $4)

This is one of the new cheap-and-cheerful range from Coles - just about everything is $4, so I figured it was well worth a place in my experiment. While it is a relatively small quantity, the baby sized (yet sturdy) bottle is super handy for weekends away, and the cap unscrews so you can refill it with another brand if you prefer, or anything else for that matter. No alcohol content, not tested on animals and Australian made, so there's three bonuses already. Like some of the others, it sort of foams if you rub the cotton pad on the skin, and while it's fragrance-free, it does have a faint scent when it hits the makeup remover pad. Although non drying, it's not my fave, but I'll buy this again just to have a few of the empty containers in my drawer ♥

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Make-up removing micelle solution 250ml (RRP 100 ml - $20.99, 250ml - $31.99, 500ml - $42.99)

So here's the darling that started it all. It's made in France, and consequently, has an ooh-la-la price tag, but you get what you pay for - a 100% irritant-free, fragrance-free dermalogically and opthalmologically tested formula that whisks away makeup and grime in seconds. Ever so slight foaming characteristics (actually more slip than foam) and again, it has a faint what I call "towel left on the clothesline" scent once it comes in contact with the cotton pad. BUT it does leave my skin feeling the silkiest and softest of all the ones I've tried. I've found that all micellar waters have a cooling effect, but this one even more so - possibly the cucumber extract content, and I would go for this big time in the hot weather for an extra refreshment boost. Like the Sukin one, I really appreciate that it has an expiry date on the back of the bottle. Nice one Bioderma ♥

Ok before I reveal my numero uno, I thought I'd do one last test - as mentioned in Part 1, I use micellar water as my second cleanser, and instead of a toner. But there are many of you who might choose to use this magical elixir as your one and only cleanser. So in the (sucky - boo!) swatch piccie below, I've drawn on a stripe of Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner, and let it set for a few minutes before swatching with each of the products - one single same-pressure swipe with a soaked cotton bud paddle, so you can see how effective they all are...

So now for the big reveal - valuewise, and for my particular purposes, Garnier Sensitive gets my vote, and it's the one I'll continue to purchase over and over again, well at least until I find something better. BUT if I ever decide to ditch my traditional cleansers and use ONLY a micellar water, I would go for the original but pricey Bioderma Sensibio ♥

Till Series 2...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Added to Ingrid's BRILLIANT Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party ♥