SPOTLIGHT: Urban Rituelle Haul...

Last week I jumped at the chance to take advantage of Urban Rituelle's 15 Year Birthday Sale, and scored this pretty-as-a-picture collection of bargains for just over $70, and the shipping was free!

This was my very first Urban Rituelle order, and I'm thrilled with the items I received, as well as the service - my parcel arrived 2 business days later, lovingly packed in a UR carry bag, and included two complimentary gifts (thank you SO much ♥). The quality of the products is first class, and the presentation, well you can see for yourself, it's just exquisite. I bought items across four different ranges, and they all look so beautiful together... 

My intention was to stash some away in the cupboard for Christmas gifts, but I admit I'm tantalisingly tempted to forget that plan, and keep the whole lot for myself! How indulgently wicked, but hey, I could always place another order right?

Here's a pic of the freebies - is it just a co-incidence that they are from the same ranges as the products I ordered? I think not, in fact I believe they were especially chosen to complement my selection. How refreshing to find a company staffed by folks who obviously adore their products, and care so much about the whole customer experience ♥

And here's what I ordered...

Hibiscus & Cranberry Travel Minis (Hand Therapy, Body Lotion & Bath & Shower Gel)

Mango Milk Body Scrub

Island Citrus Hand & Body Wash

Geranium & Ginger Flower Eau de Parfum

Hibiscus & Cranberry Perfume Oil

Ginger Apple Petit Perfume

All these fragrances are new to me - I've only ever tried the Turkish Rose & Vanilla scented products before (which I reviewed here), and you can expect some detailed descriptions over the next few months as I work my way through these divine delights. As a teaser, the ginger apple perfume has already secured a regular place in my collection going forward - honestly it smells good enough to eat ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTD: Lady Sapphire Green...

Last Monday was one of those days that went from yucko to yippee in the late afternoon. I came home to find an unexpected surprise parcel on my doorstep from my gorgeous gal pal and Blogger Extraordinaire, Gemma. Inside was a huge assortment of beauty products and samples that she thought I might like. Like? Are you kidding? ADORE is more like it - thank you thank you DARLING LADY ♥♥♥ I could hardly sleep that night thinking about all the loot that was spread out on the floor of my blogging headquarters, but with one thing and another (including several trips to the vet with my beloved Natasha, who's fine now btw), I didn't get to PLAY with any of it till the weekend. But I'm making up for lost time, and here's the first of many looks I'll be creating from this magnificent swag...

This lady knows what I love - cream shadows that I can use as bases for my shadows, and aren't these just divine colours? This palette is by Revlon, and has the exceptionally appropriate name of Electric Pop...

You can probably guess I used the lime green on the top lid - smooth and super creamy, with a hint of shimmer and sparkle...

Over this went another of Gemma's gems, Max Factor Wild Shadow Pot in Untamed Green - this is my first Max Factor eye shadow (hard to believe, but it's true!) and it won't be my last because the texture is buttery and smooth, densely packed, had the most awesome shimmer and sparkle, and with very little fallout...

For a wee bit of contrast, I added a shimmery deeper green on the outer corner and underneath from my own bhcosmetics Take Me To Brazil palette, pushed matte charcoal from the same palette into the crease, and lined the waterline with Huntress Waterproof Eye Crayon, also from bhcosmetics...

I am now officially a lime-lover! Isn't it the most brilliant shade for Spring? Thank you again treasure - you're a jewel that's very precious to me ♥ 

Take care of you,
kats xxx

One Year in the Blogosphere Giveaway #2

I gave away a Chi Chi Nudes palette back in January - it seemed to be pretty popular, so here's another one. The collection also includes a Pink Rose blush and four Viva la Diva Lip Glosses. The box is sealed so I'm not sure if the glosses have name labels, but the colours are pearly pastel pink, bright pinky red with hot pink sparkles, slightly deeper pink with pale pink sparkles, and a reddish coral with medium pink sparkles. The blush is a nudey pink and has minimal shimmer. The rrp of this set was $24.95, but it has a sticker on it saying the contents are valued at over $50. At the time I bought two of them, gifted one to my bestie in May, and she loves it ♥

It's always a struggle for me to photograph a pack that has a plastic cover - the reflections drive me bonkers, and I had to take 38 photos to get  this one (lol!)...

Here's what's on the back...

By now you know the drill - the Rafflecopter will decide the winner, so please make sure that you follow the entry instructions, and read the Terms and Conditions inside (Australian residents only). Please note that leaving a comment, providing your email address inside the Rafflecopter, AND following my blog one way or another from the many choices listed are MANDATORY for entry...

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This giveaway is now closed

Check back tonight to see who the lucky winner is!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yay - random.org has chosen the beautiful Ingrid as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Ingrid please respond to the email I've sent you by 

Wednesday 24th September to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Ingrid has claimed her prize ♥

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Good luck gals!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

CONFESSIONS: of a Body Washaholic (Part 7)...

Yikes, up to Part 7 already? My discovery of the fabulous Imperial Leather body washes kinda slowed down the cycling of my collection, but I've caught up a bit now. These are the last of the ones from the Part 5 photo, so Part 8 will have a new "current collection" pic ♥. I reached the conclusion many moons ago that this particular fascination of mine is never EVER going to end, so you can count on this series being a regular feature on my blog...

Grace Cole Passionfruit & Guava Shower Gel...

Yumbo! If you want to kick-start your appetite first thing in the morning, then this is the body wash that'll do it - I find myself craving a platter of fresh fruit whenever I slather on this passion fruit and guava scented cleanser. Non-drying, costs less than $5, and if you want confirmation, the beautiful Hailey O MUA wrote a rave review about it back in November last year. Like Hailey, I'd rather the gel had a thicker consistency, and because it's such a delicate lavender shade, I'd prefer the tube to be clear so I could appreciate the pretty hue before it hits my flannel. Other than that, if you're a fruity fragrance fan, you won't be disappointed. I've only ever seen it at Chemist Warehouse, and they stock a bunch of other fragrance matched body products from Grace Cole too...

LUX Passionate Spell Fragranced Body Wash...

Divine colour, scintillatingly sensuous smell - the base notes are similar to the purple Magical Spell in this range. I waxed lyrical about that particular one back in Part 5, but this one is even more potent, like...wow! Can't say I can actually identify the Passion Fruit or Fiery Orange Rose content, but the combo is a winner. It's spicy and warming, exceptionally intoxicating, and because of that, right up there at the top of my list for the cooler months. More like a pricey oriental from a perfume house, my skin stays fragrant for a good couple of hours. Definitely NOT for anyone with scent sensitivities, my nose picks up some earthy vanilla and sandalwood too, so this might even be a hit with the guys...

Bit of a Soft Touch Jojoba, Peach and Vanilla Bean Extract Moisturising Body Wash...

I fondled this bottle in the supermarket on at least three separate occasions before I actually bought it  - loved the fragrance, and it was excellent value (around $8 for 500ml), but I thought the packaging was terribly ordinary. Yeah I know I'm fussy, but I want to love the look of what I'm reaching for in the shower, and this was all a bit bleah and uninspiring. But it just goes to show that you can never judge a body wash by its container - what's inside turned out to be quite stunning ♥ Can't smell any vanilla at all, but the peach is ultra refreshing, crisp and mouth wateringly fruity - in short it's an absolute delight, a resounding hit with all family members, and has amazing skin hydrating qualities. The label is highly informative and tells me it contains jojoba and antioxidants, and the added bonus is that it's SLS and PBA free. Despite its decidedly unglamorous appearance, I'll be trying more from this all-Australian range - it was voted Product of the Year in the Bodycare Category, based on Nielsen research...

Palmolive Naturals Moisturising Shower Cremes - Pomegranate, Kiwifruit, Mandarin...

Sadly these are no longer in production, but I stumbled across the whole set about a month ago in My Chemist for $5 each, and snapped them up because I have such a soft spot for all three. It was actually my rave review of these body washes that scored me a beautyheaven Glosscars prize way back in 2011! Highly recommended if you ever see them in a discount store...

Pomegranate

All of these shower creams are thick and lovingly moisturising, and squeeze from the bottom of the fat tubby bottles. The pomegranate one is unbelievably sweet, and conjures up a gourmet dessert of meringue with a colourful fruit coulis. The fragrance is 100% girly, and I find myself grinning like a loon while I'm showering - anything that puts me in such a happy mood gets my seal of approval...

Kiwifruit

This one smells exactly like kiwi fruit, and has me salivating whenever I indulge in it. It has a sour zingy edge that instantly flags it as a summertime shower staple - on hot days I'm not interested in flowery or heady exotic fragrances. Instead I want something zesty and crisp that will make me feel refreshed, cool and clean - bingo!

Mandarin

A delightful blend of citrus and baby powder, and the most delicately perfumed of the three. Best summed up as a calming and comforting caress - a fave for lazy Sunday mornings when I want to stave off thinking about Monday. In short, a darn shame they stopped making it...

EDIT: I can't bear leading anyone astray, so I'm adding that after trying these a few times in the shower (they smelt fine from the bottle), they really are past their prime - they've lost the zingy freshness they had when they were first released. Bummer, as I miss them :-( 

And if you missed them, the rest of the series is here...
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6...

Take care of you,
kats xxx