REVIEW: Urban Rituelle Fragrance Diffusers...

I'm relatively new to "natural" fragrance diffusers - I used to have one of those plugin types in every room in the house, until I read a few articles about the potentially toxic contents of some brands. So I ditched the electric supermarket variety, and started using fragrant candles. While I adore these for creating a relaxing atmosphere and specific mood, I really wanted something that would release a continuous fragrance even when I wasn't at home, and that didn't require monitoring. So I turned to a company that makes superb quality products infused with the gifts of nature, and that's also very dear to my heart - Urban Rituelle...

They currently have around 12 unique fragrances in their diffuser range, and I found it quite torturous trying to decide which one to choose for my first experience. In the end I went for Romance, an exquisite blend of Amber & Musk, two of my favourite scents of all time ♥ I included this as part of the voucher prize I won last December, and it was the perfect choice, not only because the scent is truly magical, but also because it teams so decoratively with my charcoal, grey & white bathroom decor (see pic below). I have this jar of delight sitting on the edge of the spa, and the warming and calming notes of musk, amber and a hint of jasmine gently permeate the whole room. I actually wish they'd release this particular blend in their perfume oil range (hint hint UR!) - I'd be the first to line up to buy it, boy oh boy it's ever so sensuous...

My second choice (during their recent sale) was something for my blogging headquarters, and I went for an enlivening fruity tang - Creativity, the most refreshing and zingy blend of Pink Grapefruit & Lime Zest. When I walk into the office, it's as if someone has just cut some of these citrus gems for a fruit salad - very stimulating, and it's no wonder they gave it the name they did. Not as subtle as the Amber & Musk, but not in the least bit overdone either - just perfect in fact, crisp and tantalising, and if I get too close, my mouth waters ha ha!

The UR fragrance diffusers are all handmade in Australia, they're a very generous 190ml size, non-flammable, and the reeds are made of natural fibre. Life expectancy is from 4-6 months depending on the room air flow, and how often you turn the reeds. I'm always wanting maximum output so I flip mine over twice a week - I SO look forward to this little ritual as I end up with some of the gorgeous smelling oil on my fingers, which is always a fragrant treat ♥. 

UR does not test on animals and all their product packaging is recyclable, although I still have these boxes on my shelf because they're way too pretty to throw away. RRP is $37.50, but they're forever having sales - I don't think I've ever paid full price for anything! What fragrance will I choose next? Gaaaahhhh! What a dilemma, with names like Euphoria (Guava & Lychee), Balance (Fresh Fig & Melon) and Country Garden (Pear & Vanilla), but I can feel Comfort calling me - Sandalwood & Tangerine, mmmmm...yes please ♥

What's your favourite fragrance for your home?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Illamasqua Fatal & Colourpop Dare...

On Monday I promised more purple EOTD's using some new palettes, but that was before I received a parcel from my gorgeous friend Kristine containing a whole heap of goodies, including two fabulous purple shadows - Illamasqua Fatal (my first EVER Illamasqua product!) and Colourpop Cosmetics Dare Super Shock Shadow (also a first from this company). Well I'm afraid I fell so deeply in love with the colours, the palettes got pushed to the back of the bench, and I just HAD to create a look using these gorgeous pans... 

I didn't want anything to interfere with the hues, so I used essence White Kajal for my base (and on the waterline), and then applied the (matte) Illamasqua purple over the whole lid and into the crease. Stunning pigmentation, silky texture, no fallout - in short, an eye shadow lovers dream come true!...

I then stroked the Colourpop shadow from the inner corner to just past the half-way mark, and took it underneath as well. Such a beautiful duochrome with tiny particles of pink and blue glitter. It's quite a loose powder, and a tiny amount goes a long way - makes my eyes look like they were kissed by a fairy! I'm totally in love, and even my camera loves it ♥ 

For my face I used L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Stay Fresh Foundation, cheeks were a base of Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Make a Mauve with a light dusting of the purple pan from the bhcosmetics Glamorous Blush palette. Lips were Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Violet Frenzy, and I added a slick of sparkly Chi Chi Chandelier Lips gloss in The Privileged...

This combination of shadows will definitely be going down in my book of personal faves - hope you like it too ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate...

Eye creams - can't live without them! How many have I repurchased over the years because they were so effective? Very few, but I'm on my second bottle of this Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate. Don't be put off by the long name, although if it does impress you, you'll be equally impressed by the product...

As with SO many other brilliant skin care and makeup discoveries, I have beautyheaven to thank ♥. I trialled this for them back in March (review about half way down the page), and while I only gave it 4 out of 5 stars at the time, that was because I'd only be using it for a week! It's now 3 months down the track, and I'd give it 10 stars if I could. Initial results were mainly a freshening and subtle firming up of the eye area, but I've seen quite a bit more than that now...

The fine lines at the outer corners of my eyes have reduced in depth, and the skin on my lids and hoods is nowhere near as crinkled as it used to be - this is a MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT for a gal my age! Sagging and creased skin is the bane of my life, and taking close-up photos of my eyes almost every day means I have a limited career in the EOTD world. But I honestly believe this cream has extended the time that I'll be able to continue with my passion for eye makeup, and sharing what I do here on my blog and on Instagram...

But let's get on with the product itself! Stunning packaging and as you can see from the below pic, if you hold it up to the light, you can even see how much is left - score! (Left pic is empty, right is my new one). The pump is one of the best - you can control the amount dispensed precisely, so no waste or over-application. I use a quantity of about the size of a grain of rice to each eye, gently patting it onto the entire lid area, underneath as well, and it's so silky there's enough slip to take it right out to the temples and the deep creases between my brows. The finer wrinkles on the outside corners are now barely visible, and as mentioned before, the texture of the hooded area and actual lids is most definitely smoother. I can see the difference in the photos I take - overall my eyes look firmer and more youthful. The cream is white but instantly becomes invisible on the skin, and has a very faint floral fragrance. There's also a feeling of coolness as it's absorbed (almost completely) which is a welcome relief after a long day staring at a computer screen. The bottle is made of high quality plastic and barely weighs anything, which is a bonus for travellers...

I think this is "the" eye cream for me. Only time will tell if the improvements continue, but for now, I'm reworking my budget to ensure I have $90 available every 3 months to repurchase this beautiful product - my eyes are too precious to even blink about spending $30 a month to keep them looking fresh and vital ♥

What's  your Holy Grail eye cream?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. I've just added this Review to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness #11 Link Up Party - there's some brilliant contributions from other bloggers, do take a look ♥

EOTD: L.A.Colors Purple...

I create an EOTD every work day of the week and usually post the pics on Instagram, but I only upload my particular favourites here. And before posting, I check that I'm not going to bore you with the repeaters (my never-fail standbys for rushed mornings that I haven't had time to plan), but I noticed I didn't post a purple look last month, so here's one from last week...

Try as I might, there are just some palettes I simply can't let go of, and this L.A.Colors Venus Baked Eye Shadow Quad is one of them. Must be at least three years old and the lid is no longer attached, but the pigment is just as potent as the day I bought it, and I haven't found anything else that has such a gorgeous mix of purpley pink hues ♥ 

I laid down a base of Mirenesse Superlong Wear Gel Face Colour in Virgin Violet, and added this to my waterline as well. Didn't pat anything into to my crease except my usual NYX matte taupe that I use on the whole hooded area...

Despite finding some brilliant bargain foundations lately (by bargain I mean under $20), my Lancôme Teint Visionnaire remains my numero uno for finish and coverage. On the cheeks I'm wearing a purply pink from the bhcosmetics Glamorous Blush palette (I'll be hitting pan on this LONG before any of the others), and lips are Revlon Super Lustrous Seduction with a teeny bit of Maybelline Color Elixir Gloss in Petal Plush...

I've recently acquired some new palettes that are loaded with fabulous purples, so expect to see a few more looks using this shade family in the coming weeks ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx