EOTM Bloggiversary Giveaway!...

They say time flies when you're having fun, so I must be having an absolute BALL because this month my little blog is three years old, and it only seems like last week that I took my first tentative steps into the blogosphere! I kinda knew I'd love this gig, but I wasn't expecting it to be the ONE THING that's kept me from losing the plot in my day job, nor did I realise what precious friendships would come my way. I'm so grateful to all you lovelies for your support and encouragement, so I'm giving one lucky follower the chance to win this mega pack of goodies. Most of the items are personal favourites of mine, and who knows, they might end up being yours too ♥

The prize consists of...

• Boxed set of 3 Maybelline Colordrama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils - Minimalist, In With Coral & Red Essential
• Nude by Nature Face Scrub
• Nude by Nature Daily Cleanser
• Nude by Nature Miracle Serum
• Katy Perry Killer Queen EDP - 50ml
• CROP Intense Moisture Hand Cream
• Mirenesse 24hr Brow Lift & Shape Mascara
• Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm (Showy) & Colorburst Lacquer Balm (Vivacious) (boxed)
• BotanicES Natural Caffeine Skincare Travel Pack - Body Creme, Face Creme & Eye Creme - all 15ml (boxed)
• Grace Cole White Nectarine & Pear Bath Soak, Bath & Shower Gel & Body Lotion - all 50ml (boxed)
• DB Cosmetics Colour Kisses Limited Edition Lipstick Collection (boxed) - 5 mini lipsticks in Nude, Blush, Hibiscus, Hot Pink & Deep Red 
• Hair & Me Hair Rejuventation Treatment
• Australis Take Me On Tour Contouring & Highlighting Kit (boxed) - no shade name, but it looks Light to Medium

I've reviewed most of the products in the above list, and included links to the posts. All items were purchased by me, are brand new and sealed - total prize value is approximately $330!

Please note this giveaway is open to Australian Residents Only.

Here's another pic of the loot...

So...is this appealing at all? If so, here's how to enter...

1. Nominate which of the August EOTD's is your favourite from the eight pictured below, and let me know in the comments section why you like it the most
2. Inside the Rafflecopter, guess which of the EOTD's is my personal favourite
3. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
4. Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed

Please note: if you don't leave a comment on this page, or enter in the Rafflecopter which EOTD you think is my favourite, you will NOT be included in the draw. The first entry that the 'copter pulls up with the correct answer will win the prize pack, one entry per person...

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This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you ALL so much for your kind words, and for entering ♥

My personal favourite for last month was...#5 ♥

Out of the 6 entrants who guessed correctly, random.org has chosen

 Kate W.

as the winner!

Congratulations beautiful! 

Please respond to the email I've sent you

by Thursday 29th September to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Kate has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. I'm linking this post to Ingrid's fun and informative Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - online at 6:30am ♥♥♥

SPOTLIGHT: 2nd Quarter Fave LOTD's, Berries & Purples...

I make no secret of the fact that I'm not a Winter fan. There's no denying it does have some benefits though, like covering up all my bumps under layers of clothing, boots (LOVE boots!), and of course I get to (officially) indulge my passion for deeper hued lip products. Berries, plums and purples probably suit my skin tone best of all, and consequently I have absolutely no intention of restricting my adoration of these rich shades to the chilly season - some of these are just so darn gorgeous, I'll be wearing them all year round ♥ Below are just a few of the ones that have earned a forever place in my heart over the last three months...

The Max Factor Intense Plum has an almost metallic finish - I love it so much I already have two spares tucked away. And Chi Chi Lady Bump will always be in my kit ♥

The Maybelline Color Blur pencils are (in my opinion) one of the best lip products that MNY has ever released (rave review HERE) - SO easy to work with, super comfortable formula, the perfect (not completely) matte finish for me, and the stain lasts for ages. This is the only repeater from the first quarter lineup. Adore the Milani Chilled Brandy - I only discovered how brilliant Milani lipsticks are earlier this year. Lovely and moist, amazing pigment, and the packaging is classy ♥ 

These two a very similar, but sufficiently different to warrant their individual purchases right? I think I have almost the entire set of MNY Velvet Lip Pencils (yet another rave review HERE) - cheap as chips, and I also use them as a lip liner for other lipsticks. The BOE Primped has just a wee bit more pink, and of course I need every possible shade variation ♥ These lippies are absolute bargains, must buy some more lol ♥...

Ahh Revlon - I'm not even sure they make these shades any more. From memory I picked these up from a bargain table in Myer - unusual from this brand as they don't make too many purpley ones. Actually I've just checked their website, and Violet Frenzy is still listed - yay! ♥

Here's Revlon Seduction again - I included this extra LOTD to show you what happens when I use a brighter and more pink lip liner underneath. It's quite sheer and I find it needs some support or else it turns out a bit blotchy - maybe that's why it's been discontinued? The Australis Velourlips formula is a tad drying for my wrinkled lips, but I find it so easy to apply, it lasts well, and this particular shade is a stunner ♥

And last but not least are the MBA purples - all their lipsticks are beautifully bold and sassy, moist, long lasting, and I reckon they do purples better than anyone else ♥...

I can't possibly pick a #1 fave out of this selection - love 'em all for different reasons!

The final installment in this series (Oranges) will be up before the end of next week - regrettably only six. I tend to wear orange more in Spring and Summer, and I haven't added very many to my collection of late, mainly because none of the ones I tested were up to scratch finish-wise - does anyone else struggle to find orange lippies that apply evenly?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTDs: Catch up time! (Part 2)...

Crikey, it's the last day of August, which means it's Spring tomorrow - yay!  And I'm just scraping in with the remaining four EOTD's for the month. I was determined to get these up so that there's eight to choose from for the next giveaway, which is closer than you think, and it'll be a SUPER DUPER special one to celebrate my little blog's third anniversary, so pop back in again soon won't you ♥

I haven't done a really colourful eye look for yonks, but I reckon this one might make up for it lol - used essence white kajal as my base on the inner corner, and Eye of Horus Amethyst Jewel Goddess Pencil for the rest, and on the waterline. The pink is the boldest magenta from the bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil Palette, and that gorgeous sparkly purple/blue/pink multichrome is the one and only  Colourpop Dare...

My outfit was a purply pink top with navy pants, a combo I often put together, and I was thrilled to find the multi-bead bracelets in the pic below at Millers to add to my collection - they were a steal at $5, and helped tie everything together...

For this one I used Max Factor Charcoal Grey Kohl Pencil for my base and waterline, and patted down the grey from the Annabelle Haute Mer palette. For fun I added a smear of Eye of Horus Alchemy Gold Liquid Metals in the centre of the top lid, and swiped a wee bit under the lower lashline...

On the dial was Mirenesse Liquid Silk Foundation (yes I've FINALLY used it all up!), cheeks were the purple pink from the bhcosmetics Glamorous Blush palette, lips were MBA Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lip Color in the shade Immortal...

And the gold/grey accessories...

This one looks a bit weird because you can't really see my top eyelashes very well against the deep green, but I adore the shadow - it's from the Chi Chi Oasis palette, and it went over the top of Models Prefer Infinite Colour Eye Pencil in the shade Lime Tart. Also used this for my waterline blended with Eye of Horus Serpentine Sultry Goddess Pencil...

Foundation was Mirenesse Liquid Silk again, cheeks were Ulta3 Pretty Plum Blush, and on the lips was L'Oreal Color Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick in Bloody Mary...

I need to expand my olivey green jewellery collection, but there's been very little available in that shade this Winter, so will have to see what I can rustle up for next season...

And lucky last is Who's There from the Makeup Revolution Give Them Nightmares palette over the top of essence white kajal.  For the waterline, I stroked on Eye of Horus Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencil...

Foundation was the same Mirenesse one, cheeks were the brightest red pan from the bhcosmetics Glamorous Blush palette, and lips were Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss #30, over-slicked with Maybelline ColourSensational Gloss in Signature Scarlet - had to blend these two to make just the right shade to go with the pinky red in the striped top...

And of course, the jewels. I bought the triangle pendant more than 10 years ago at Vinnies, and was excited when I spotted the (almost matching) earrings a few months ago at Lovisa...

And so lovelies, I can't say I'm sorry to say bye bye to the cold weather, although I will miss my boots. Wishing you all a sensational Spring ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: July Empties!...

I was beginning to despair that I would never get this empties post up - but where there's a will (and a new PC & modem), there's a way lol. Somewhat disappointing turnover volume - same as the previous month actually, however some of these have been in the works for quite some time, like, almost a year! So starting from the left...

Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser (200ml RRP $10.99)

Before I start I just want to say I really REALLY like Bioré products, and I believe there are marvellous benefits of having charcoal as an ingredient. However...there's something in every item in the Bioré range that makes my eyes water. It's not that I let the stuff get anywhere near my eyes, it's more like there are fumes that billow up permeating the space around me (even when I'm in the shower), and make my eyes feel really weird - I think it's the menthol, I have the same reaction when I use one of those creams for an athletic injury. SO annoying because I really enjoy the effectiveness of this cleanser and how it makes my skin feel, same goes for the scrub and the masks...sigh...

Repurchase?

Umm, not unless they change the formula...

Imperial Leather Forbidden Fruit - Blackberry Blossom & Wild Fig Triple Moisturising Bodywash (1 litre RRP $8.99)

I've had this massive bottle since forever - note to self, don't by the giant size as you have to decant the contents 'cos it won't fit in the shower rack, and by the time you get to the end of it, you might just have had enough of it. Having said that I did enjoy this gorgeous purple fruit concoction, but I'm now totally bored with the fragrance...

Repurchase?

Negative - hey I found the Blue Lagoon one at The Reject Shop for $2!

Alpha-H Liquid Gold (200ml On special $69.95)

My precious - love this SO much I bought a year's supply. Way way overdue for it's own dedicated review post, and I already featured it in my December Empties post, but it's just TOO GOOD to not mention again ♥...

Repurchase?

There's another 200ml bottle waiting in the wings - Adore Beauty had it on special, bless 'em ♥...

Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate (15ml RRP $90)

Yeah well, I guess I have to say this is my HG eye cream. I've been trying some other ones (NeoStrata Intensive Eye Therapy, freezeframe REVITALEYES) in an attempt to find something to match it performance-wise at a fraction of the cost, but it's not happening for me. I reviewed this beauty back in June last year (HERE) and for my particular issues, it's a standout. Doesn't do anything for the under-eye baggies, but nothing does. And it's too early to tell if the SK-II R.N.A. Eye Cream is any better, but in a way I'm kinda hoping it's not as it's even MORE expensive lol! The Clarins has the ability to make my eyes look refreshed, and with the limited amount of sleep I get on a regular basis, it's the one that works best ♥...
Repurchase?

Not yet, but it's inevitable ♥...

Nature's Way Vitamin C 500mg Chewable Tablets (500 RRP $15.95)

This massive container has lasted me the best part of a year - well almost. Let's see - 2 tablets a day and there's 500 in the pack, so that's 250 days, which is roughly 8 months. Awesome value - can't say this brand is any better than the rest, but it's a good deal, and I tend to go for whatever is on special. What I can say is that I can't survive without my daily dose of Vitamin C ♥...

Repurchase?

I couldn't find the giant jar, so I went for Cenovis (300) this time around, but will snap one up next time I see it...

Natralus Natural Paw Paw Lip Butter - Strawberry (10g RRP $5.75)

Lovingly reviewed HERE -  the jury is still out as to whether this is my fave or the Coconut one, but I'll always have a spare of both ♥...

Repurchase?

Already have ♥...

Garnier Anti-Shine Cleansing Gel (150ml RRP $9.95)

Been using this gel on and off over the last 12 months - quite a pleasant little cleanser. Haven't found it particularly effective for mattifying my face or tightening my pores, but it does cleanse thoroughly and smells delish - like grapefruit, green tea and blossoms. I do prefer something a little less foamy...

Repurchase?

Might buy another for Summer because it's super refreshing, but it's not on my list of essentials...

Palmolive Peach Indulgence Body Butter Moisturising Body Wash (400ml RRP $6.79)

Love this peach-a-licious body wash, my current fave - reviewed in detail HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

That would be a yes - I have three in the cupboard...although one is for my Mum ♥...


Given that my new computer is not blue-screening every half an hour like the old one, and the overall electronic setup is now faster than the speed of light, you can rest assured that my August Empties post will be up in a far more timely manner ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's magical Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party - online at 6:30am (if not before) ♥♥♥