REVIEW: Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipsticks & Chandelier Lips Gloss...

More from my recent lipstick refresh - these Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipsticks and Chandelier Lips glosses are just so prettily packaged, it almost doesn't matter what's inside ha ha! I'm joking of course - moisture, colour, finish and longevity are the critical factors when it comes to choosing a lip product, so let's see how these ones rate on my pout...

First up I just HAD to choose this fabulous purple now didn't I? This one's called Husband Shopping, a creamy pinky violet with the texture and performance of a matte, but with a delicious sheen. Adore it ♥ I find this lasts well, not quite as hydrating as other brands in the market, but topped with a wee bit of gloss (see below), it goes the distance and keeps my lips soft and supple. Has a very very faint waxy smell, RRP $18.95...

And here's the Chandelier Lips gloss I chose to go with it - The Privileged, a fabulous berry shade with a stunning pearly and sparkly content which unfortunately my camera refuses to pick up. Such a pity as the light-play on the shimmering glassy finish is ever so pretty. One of my essential criteria for a lip gloss is it has to have a decent sized applicator, and pick up a generous amount of product - this one certainly delivers, and it's not too sticky either. It can be worn alone, but my lips are way to freckled and patchy to not have a lippy layer underneath - boo! Super-hydrating, this is well worth the $12.95 price tag...

I wanted a bright clear orange, but not a fleuro or anything too loud, and I sure found what I wanted in Burn Baby Burn - such a pretty shade with a miniscule tinge of pink in it. Similar creamy formulation, but not quite as long-lasting, and without a lipliner underneath, I spent a bit of time getting it nice and even for the photo. Actually I find this is the case with most orangey lipsticks, whatever the brand - maybe it's the dye? Anyways, I do love this hue, and suspect I'll have to replace this before the end of Summer ♥...

I chose Money Bags to go with the lippie, and it's the perfect complement. Stunning colour that I wish I could wear all by itself - still the two go together so well, it doesn't really matter. These glosses also have a waxy fragrance, a bit stronger than the lipsticks, but not enough to offend the scent-sensitive...

In summary, I love both these product ranges - the packaging is ultra-glam, and while I think $18.95 is a tad steep for a lipstick, Chi Chi have up-to-30%-off specials at Myer almost every month, so for $13.27, they're a great buy, and the colour range is brilliant.

Are you a Chi Chi lipstick/gloss fan?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. I highly recommend checking out the other articles listed on Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥

REVIEW: Hair & Me Rejuvenation Treatment...

I was one of the recent batch of exceptionally fortunate bloggers to receive this Hair&Me Hair Rejuvenation Treatment to trial, and boy am I thanking my lucky stars - it's amazing! I'd even go so far as to say it's the best treatment for damaged hair that I've ever had the pleasure to experience ♥...

Mind you my hair was in pretty good condition to start with because I look after it with quality salon products - I have to because I home colour every fortnight, and the chemical damage takes its toll unless I'm scrupulous with my maintenance routine. In my book, expensive skin care, expertly applied make up and fancy threads are a waste of time if my hair isn't gleaming with health and vitality, and I reckon nothing is more ageing than dull, lifeless tresses. Well I'm delighted to report that the contents of this bold pink pouch have taken my locks to another level of softness, manageability and gloss...

The formula is pretty much pure oil - coconut, sweet almond, macadamia and jojoba. The recommendation is to put it in the fridge for 15 minutes prior to use in order to make the consistency more paste-like, but it's been so cold in my house this Winter I had no trouble using it at room temperature (the above pic was taken in my cosy office with the heater going). Love the squishy packaging - the screw-top sachet makes dispensing super easy, and I know I'll be able to extricate the very last drop from the sachet (although it's a challenge to take a decent photo of it lol). So far I've done three treatments, and there's enough product left for one more - having said that my hair is very short and I've been slathering on a very generous amount, but other folk may well use far less than me. Considering the ingredients, and the fact that I've been leaving it on overnight (I wear a cotton turban to protect my pillow), my hair and scalp haven't been even the remotest bit oilier than usual...

Interestingly, the effects are not obvious until I dry my hair - by that I mean after applying the product, my wet hair doesn't feel silky or smooth like it does with conditioner. But after shampooing and blow drying, my tresses are soft and frizz-free, I have movement and bounce, and the shine is nothing short of dazzling...

The clincher came the day after the first treatment - I went to the hairdresser for my usual 5-week trim, and she commented on what great condition my hair was in, plus the brush kept losing it's grip when she was blow-drying (usually she has to pull and pull to get it smooth and silky).

Thank you SO much Hair&Me for the opportunity to try this brilliant product - I'm definitely a convert, and have just placed an order ♥

Have you tried this hair treatment?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Maybelline Emerald Hyper Diamonds + Lacura Lime Cream...

Well with less than a month till Spring, thought I'd better start practising some lighter brighter looks so I'm ready to welcome our beloved lady in style. Plus I know that my gorgeous gal pal over at Lovethatlippie Blog has just recently bought this Maybelline Emerald Hyper Diamonds palette, so it was the perfect excuse to dig mine out from the depths of my eye shadow drawers - must be getting onto 3 years old now, and it's still got what it takes...

As you can see mine is sure showing it's age and the effects of the many times I've used it, but the fact that you can still buy this baby speaks volumes about both it's excellence, and it's popularity...

I partnered it with another fairly recent Aldi discovery, Lacura Beauty Dual End Cream Eyeshadow. There are three colour combos in the range - I bought all of them, but this is the one that first caught my eye on the table - such a pretty and soft olivey lime green, and the copper shade is amazing, but I'm saving that for another time...

I used Chi Chi Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Caribbean Queen as my base on the outer two thirds, and pressed the left pan from the palette in the middle section, and the dark sparkly green on the outer corner and underneath. Inner one third is all Lacura lime, with no base. This cream is brilliant, dries in about 5 seconds, and then doesn't budge unless you manage to get it wet, so not recommended if you're planning on watching a tear-jerker movie. I was wearing a tealy green top so I lined the waterline with a shade that was halfway between lime and teal to tie it all together - bhcosmetics Waterproof Eyeliner Crayon in the shade Huntress...

On my face is Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous foundation, cheeks are Maybelline Master Glaze blush Stick in Coral Sheen with a dusting of the middle pan from the BYS Endless Summer Blush trio. Lips are Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipstick in Burn Baby Burn with a slick of essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss in the shade Coral Delight...

If you're wondering how I remember what I've used, well I can assure you I don't! I actually leave all my makeup items scattered around the room when I bolt out the door at 6am, and then take a photo of everything when I get home after work ha ha... 

Are you gearing up for Spring already?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

REVIEW: Lacura Minerals Cream Blush...

Recently Lacura has been churning out a fairly wide range of mineral makeup items that are good quality and excellent value. Like the majority of beauty product manufacturers, they've had some misses with their releases (usually the limited colour range), but they're also capable of coming up with a raging hit, and these Minerals Cream Blushes are absolute winners in my book. Yes there's only two shades available, but both of them are simply gorgeous ♥ The formula is richly moisturising and creamy, the pigmentation is brilliant, and they blend effortlessly without disturbing the foundation layer underneath. Plus they come in the cutest little pots, and they only cost $6.99!...

So this is Pink Rose, a divine hue, and the one I've been wearing the most often. I normally use cream blushes as a base, and then dust a similarly tinted powder blush over the top so that the glow lasts the whole day. But this pretty pink is long-lasting and potent enough for me to wear on it's own, and yet it can be blended to a sheer pastel if you only want a touch of colour...

And this is Soft Coral - the name is spot on, a pale brownish pink base with the merest hint of orange, making it supremely flattering for gals with warm skin tones...

The swatches below are over a BB cream base - they both have a delicate sheen with a smidgin of sparkle, which I love because they don't look flat and unnatural, but there's not enough glare to draw attention to the creases and crinkles in my mature skin...

For label lovers, here's what's on the back of the box - like all Aldi products, there's a money-back guarantee if you're not entirely satisfied...

Just LOVE them to bits! I'm wearing these now, but aren't they just the prettiest colours for Spring?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. You'll find lots more great reviews at Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♡