Saturday, 14 December 2013

SPOTLIGHT: Summer Scents Part 2...

Part 1 covered the passionate purples, so let's move on to the pretty pinks, which in general I find a tad more subtle - but that's what makes them perfect for summery days and nights when you don't necessarily want to overwhelm yourself, or anyone else in the vicinity...


Miracle by Lancôme, eau de parfum


My first encounter with this precious fragrance was via a miniature bottle in a set given to me by a thoughtful friend. I couldn't believe that I hadn't experienced it before, but well, better late than never! Such a classy and feminine scent. Love the fresh astringency that accompanies it's gentle floral and slightly oriental heart, and musky powdery base. The only thing that doesn't grab me is the bottle - it's a wee bit plain for my particular preferences, but hey maybe miracles don't need much embellishment after all :-)

L'Air by Nina Ricci, eau de parfum


This addition to my collection is barely two weeks old. My bestie gave it to me as she bought it unsampled, and it didn't suit her. Well thank you very much my dear, I'm thrilled! I must say I was hesitant at first because L'Air du Temps is not my thing at all - I realise this may sound weird, but the fragrance makes my teeth ache :-( Such a peculiar sensation, and  no, I didn't spray it in my mouth lol. Glad to say this more refined version has no such strange effect. Although it's still early days, I doubt it will end up as an intense love of my life, but there's definitely a good deal of potential, and the bottle is heavenly - the most stunning I have actually. To me it's quite woody but there's sufficient floral content to lift it up into the clouds - rich and deep, there's a warming characteristic too, so I'm more inclined to wear it at night.

Pink Sparkle by Kylie Minogue, eau de toilette


This fragrance isn't in the photo at the top of the page because I've only just found it incorrectly "filed" in my my winter perfumes box - well aren't I a happy gal, I didn't realise I had some left from last summer! Not as dear to my heart as Dazzling Darling, but girly and fun all the same. My beauyheaven review of it is here. I have never EVER liked any "celebrity" scents, so much so that I'd even stopped sampling them - they all smelt the same to me, tacky and whiffy. Well thank goodness I relented or I'd have missed this little gem from Kylie (and Violet Eyes from ET). This one needs a good 10 minutes to settle on the skin before it comes into its own, but then I can count on it's beauty to last for a good 6 hours. However as surprisingly elegant as it is, there are no illusions here - it's certainly not going to end up as a classic, but I so enjoy it's happy freshness, and sometimes I just want to wear something lighthearted. This is almost pure floral with a hint of vanilla and musk, comes in a cute-as-a-button bottle, and the perfume is the prettiest peachy pink, almost the colour of blush champagne. I can easily imagine finding this bottle inside I Dream of Jeannie's bottle :-)

Stay tuned for Part 3...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

EOTD: Christmas Green...

Gosh Christmas is almost here, and I'm way overdue for posting some festive eye looks, so I'll start with a glittery green :-)


Mirenesse Superlong Wear Gel Mineral Face Colour in Emerald was my base. Over this I patted down matte emerald green from the Chi Chi Goes To Rio palette, and then added a pale and soft shimmery green from the BYS Diamond Shadow Miami Beats palette along the top and bottom lashlines. 




To add some sparkly cheer, I stroked Chi Chi Glitter Eyeliner in Murder on the Dance Floor close to the lashes on the top lid. Wouldn't be Christmas without a sprinkling of glitter now, would it?


So that's my quick and easy mistletoey look that I reckon I could almost get away with any time of the year lol. 

Are you planning any special party eyes this Christmas?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

Monday, 9 December 2013

EOTD: Radiant Orchid...

Well hello Pantone Colour of the Year 2014 - Radiant Orchid! As you can probably imagine, I'm over the moon that such a gorgeous shade is making the headlines, and taking the spotlight. But I'm also hanging out till the various companies come out with some affordable examples of this delicious hue in their ranges. I actually had quite a time of it trying to create this pretty shade for this particular eye look, and I'm definitely not satisfied with what I came up with - not enough pink content, and nowhere near vibrant enough. Sigh, I'll just have to wait, meanwhile here's what I put together...


For a base I used essence stay all day long lasting eyeshadow in the magic must go on - this had great potential as it's pretty close to the shade in question, but I always struggle when trying to apply this cream. Not sure what the problem is but it never comes out intense enough or sticky enough to enhance and hold the shadow I pat down over the top. Definitely more research required :-)



Over the top I blended a couple of the purply pink shadows from the L.A.Colors Venus palette - I normally have no trouble with these powders, but today they wouldn't stay put, and seemed to fade within hours. Just goes to show how important the right base is :-)


I used a more definite purple on the lower lashline as I have to be careful with pinky hues - in the wrong spot, they make me look like I've been crying boo!...


Not quite the right shade, but it will do till I stock my kit with something closer :-)

What do you think of Radiant Orchid? Do you love it or will you shy away from it?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

Sunday, 8 December 2013

EOTM: "Your favourite November EOTD" Giveaway!

Well it's that time of the month again - time for another giveaway! This month's EOTM booty is one of my personal favourites, the fabulously colourful and magnificently pigmented bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil palette...


The prize palette is shrink-wrap sealed, but there's a pic of what's inside in my spotlight article here...

And cos it's almost Christmas, I'm throwing in a bhcosmetics Waterproof Eye Crayon in the shade Huntress as well :-) This is also sealed, so here's a pic of mine alongside a single swipe swatch (try saying that out loud ha ha)...


All you have to do is choose  your favourite of the seven November EOTD's pictured below, and follow the entry instructions...


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This giveaway is now closed

Delighted to announce the winner of this bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil palette & waterproof eye crayon is...

Arty Girl

Congratulations hon! Please reply to the email I've sent to you before
Tuesday 24th December to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Arty Girl has emailed me and claimed her prize!
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To enter, you must follow me on Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin' or email, tell me in the comments section below which of the seven EOTD's pictured above is your favourite and why you like it, and include in your comment your email address, username (where applicable) and how you are following me (Australian residents only).

Entries close midnight Saturday 21st December 2013, and based on the most interesting answer, I will announce the winner on Sunday 22nd December here on this page of kats colourings. The winner will have till Tuesday 24th December to respond to my email, or I will choose again.

Good luck lovelies!

Take care of you,
kats xxx

Giveaway Terms & Conditions
1. Only one entry per person permitted.
2. To enter, you must follow me on Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin or email, comment on this post which is your favourite EOTD from the seven pictured above, and why you like it, and remember to include your GFC or Bloglovin' user name.
3. Include your email address in the comment.
4. This competition is open to Australian residents only.
5. This competition is hosted by katshepsutt via the kats colourings blog at katscolourings.blogspot.com.au.
6. The total prize consists of one bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil palette RRP US$19.95 & one bhcosmetics Waterproof Eye Crayon RRP US5.95.
7. Competition closes midnight Saturday 21st December 2013 (Sydney time).
8. This competition is a game of skill and the winner will be based on the most interesting comment as judged by me, and notified by email and via a post on this page of kats colouring on Sunday 22nd December 2013.