REVIEW: SLS-Free Body Washes...

It's been an age since I did a multi-body-wash post, and given I've decided to NOT buy any more that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), I figured it was a good time to let you know which ones I've found and loved (so far) that are SLS-free. There are heaps of others out there of course and I've barely scratched the surface of shower products that are minus this dodgy ingredient, but below are nine that are currently in my caddy(s) which I can highly recommend, and would most definitely repurchase as they are non-drying, pleasantly fragranced, reasonably readily available, and don't break the bank ♥...

I've already raved about the majority of these in earlier (either dedicated or Empties) posts, but there's a couple of newbies which I'm excited about too, so here we go, from left to right ♥...

Sukin For Men Body Wash - (500ml, $13.95)

I scored this for free from the beautyheaven Rewards Room, and it's delish! The scent is a combination of mandarin, lime & cinnamon oils which is fabulously refreshing, and also in the mix is aloe, jojoba, baobab, pepper & sesame oils. I really like the chubby squat bottle, and the bubbles are creamy, super concentrated, and even put a little moisture back into my skin ♥...

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Soothing Body Wash - (384ml, $24.95)

Reviewed last month (and more from the range) HERE. Absolutely crazy about this body wash - available from Priceline or the SheaMoisture website (HERE), and a reminder that there's a 30% discount code if you enter KATS at the checkout ♥...

Dove Deep Moisture Shower Foam - (400ml, $9.00)

Oh yay, at last, Dove has created a body wash that's sulfate-free! This shower foam has the classic Dove fragrance which I find so refreshing and zingy-clean, the suds are amazingly thick and rich, and two pumps will deliver a hefty hit of skin softening lather to deep clean your entire bod ♥...

Natures Commonscents Natural Goats Milk Body Wash - (500ml, $8.00)

Another beauty that's awesome value - there's a $4 discount voucher HERE for Woolworths which makes it half price! VERY subtle baby powderish fragrance, also contains vitamin E, and it's an Aussie brand that doesn't test on animals. This and their oatmeal scrub are ALWAYS in my shower - it's such a massive bottle with an indestructible pump, and so skin-loving and hydrating ♥...

Grahams Natural Body Wash with Cucumber & Aloe Vera - (250ml, $15.95)

Huge fan of the brand (which is now available from Chemist Warehouse), and I did a full review of this fabulous body wash back in February (HERE). Bliss if you have dry, sensitive or troubled skin and an absolute pleasure in the warmer months when the herbal green tea fragrance will give you an uplifting shower experience. Incidentally, it's on special at the moment (until 26th November) from their website for the ridiculous price of $4.95 - I've ordered several! ♥...

OGX Extra Hydrating Radiant Glow Argan Oil of Morocco Body Wash - (577ml, $17.99)

I had no idea that OGX made body washes & lotions as well as hair products, but I discovered this tucked away on a side wall in Priceline a few months ago. The most expensive body wash in this bunch, but well worth it for the moisture it feeds into your skin while it cleanses. There are a few other varieties in the range, and I'll be reviewing the Tsubaki Blossom (divine!) one in my November Empties post. This one is delightfully (and delicately) fragranced, and the bubbles are endless - currently half price at Priceline, but who knows for how long ♥...

Ecostore Vanilla & Coconut Body Wash - (400ml, $8.99)

I think this is my 5th bottle of this wonderful body wash. The best (all natural) vanilla & coconut scented product my nose has had the pleasure to detect. Totally non-drying, ingredients include harakeke, a medicinal plant that's used to treat boils and burns. Love that this range is available from Woolworths, and it's cruelty-free. I also use their hand wash, which smells just as yummy ♥...

Thankyou Botanical Lemon Myrtle & Goat's Milk Body Wash - (500ml, $7.99)

Another one that I've bought numerous times from the supermarket, and raved about in several  Empties posts - my favourite scent from this brand, it's SO lusciously lemony I could just sniff it all day long, and it comes in a hand wash too! The soothing and softening formula also contains aloe & chamomile, and this company is doing wonderful things for people in need ♥...

Marc Anthony Renewing Macadamia Oil Body Wash - (500ml, $12.99)

Another gem I spotted in Priceline, there are four flavours in this range, and I chose this one because it was labelled "extra nourishing", and it sure is. There's Tahitian vanilla, hibiscus & green tea along with macadamia oil & Vitamin E, and while the packaging is meh, what's inside is a subtle delight for the senses, as well as a treat for dry skin - definitely a keeper ♥...

Well lovelies, that's a wrap for the time being - hope this information is helpful to those of you whose skin objects to SLS ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray...

Feeling extra good about this fragrance review catch-up - with so many choices available, I for one get SO lost in perfume-land, and even with regular sampling, it's a challenge to maintain a discovery pace. So when I find one I adore, I like to get a post up here asap hoping it might help one of you lovelies decide what to target in your searches. And here's another that I've only discovered recently, although it's been around for almost 20 years - Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray ♥... 

First off I should clarify that this is neither an EDP nor an EDT, but rather a very light body spray. Consequently, it has very poor longevity, and very little potency, but that's by design, and precisely what makes it perfect for a hot summer's day when you just want an overall freshen up without swamping either yourself or the surrounding area in a strong scent ♥...

Officially, the ingredients are bergamot, caraway, rhubarb, lemon, orange zest, green tea, peppermint, jasmine, carnation, fennel, celery spice, amber, oakmoss & musk - whoa! What I smell when I generously spritz it on is a delicious yet delicate lemony-herbal scent with a splash of mint and a sprinkling of spice. If you are fragrance sensitive, then this might be just the ticket for you - it fades within a few minutes, and for an hour or so, leaves behind that just-stepped-out-of-the-shower tang, without being the slightest bit soapy. Can't imagine this offending a living soul ♥...

I'm absolutely loving it, and this huge 100ml bottle is currently on special at Chemist Warehouse for $12.99, which is less than half the usual RRP of $29. I think it would make a gorgeous and totally "safe" gift for any gal as it's so soft, uplifting and refreshing ♥...

Have you tried this pretty scent?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

REVIEW: Lacura Beauty Photo-Fit Lipstick + Giveaway!...

Looking back, I can't remember buying a Lacura Beauty lipstick that didn't impress me. The formula of any Aldi lipstick in my kit has always been creamy, super pigmented and moist, and they wear pretty well too, which is why every time there's a new range on special, I buy the lot - that, and the fact that they are as cheap as chips ♥ This most recent release of Photo-Fit Lipsticks were $4.99 each, amazing value as usual, and I have to hand it to Aldi - the packaging just keeps getting better, and you can really appreciate what I mean when you compare them to the first set I reviewed back in 2014 HERE (there's been a dramatic improvement in my photography and lip swatching skills too, thankfully!)...

I don't review every variety they sell as they are often "specials" and therefore gone within days (sometimes hours) and what's the point of writing a rave about something that no-one can get their hands on. But I made an exception with this lot as I was able to still find them five days after the release (mind you I had to go to four stores!) and picked up an extra set for the giveaway. Sadly, only four shades in the range, but surprise surprise, for me they are actually ALL wearable ♥...

This first one is New York and the lightest of the set. I was fully expecting to swatch and then bin it immediately as being too pale for my complexion, but it's really quite pretty and doesn't look half bad on me, which is a major achievement for a barely-there pastel pink ♥...

This is London, and I reckon it's the standout because it's such an interesting nude+/mauve, and I don't have many lipsticks in my kit that are a similar hue, plus it's so amazingly flattering ♥...

This pretty bold pink is Milan, and only one layer - another couple of swipes gives an impressively dense and intense fuchsia that will take you through spring and summer with some attitude lol ♥...

The last one is Paris, a sensational orange-red - ooh la la, it's so vibrant it may even glow in the dark ha ha! ♥...

So so comfortable, all of these kept my lips supple and moist for hours - they don't survive a meal, but that's pretty standard for such a hydrating formula. They have a very very faint caramellish fragrance and taste, but honestly, it's barely detectable. If you're looking for them in-store, the packaging is red and black, which brings me to the giveaway!...

If you missed these, then here's your chance to pick up all four shades, and because the parcel will be so lightweight, I'm opening this giveaway...

Internationally!

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page that answers the question inside the Rafflecopter (please note: if you don't leave a comment on this page, you won't be included in the draw!)
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow me one way or another from the many choices listed
4. Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This giveaway is now closed

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Bilqees as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Bilqees please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight

Thursday 15th November to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Bilqees as claimed her prize ♥

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite September 2018 LOTD's...

Gee, tough decisions for the selection of my fave September LOTD's. The gorgeous Barbe from Fashionista In Suburbia had an Instagram #7Lippies7days Challenge, and I couldn't resist entering multiple times ♥ The requirement was for different colour families or textures every day, and I took the opportunity to rediscover some beauties that I haven't touched in almost 2 years...

Of course, there are some all-time loves and repeaters here too, but I selected 18 from the BIG bunch which I hope you'll like, so here we go ♥...

1. Hikari Matte Lip Gloss - Metro. How's this for a pretty nude? One that I can actually wear successfully, and without looking anaemic. The formula is amazing - long wearing and supremely comfortable. Came in a LipMonthly bag ♥...

2. L'Oreal Color Riche - Cristal Cappuccino. Gorgeous reddish brown, THE shade for autumn, I've had this for yonks and it's still keeping my lips lush and supple ♥... 

3. Nude by Nature Moisture Shine - Garnet. The first of three lipsticks called "Garnet" on this page, and they're all vastly different colours! I swatched this one again just the other day as it's actually more intense than it appears here - I used a pale nude lipliner underneath for this pic, but have since found another one that's closer to the shade and supports the colour rather than watering it down. It's really quite beautiful, and the formula of these NBN lippies is magical, hope they bring out HEAPS more colours (hint, hint) ♥...

4. Ulta3 - Sweet Passion. Absolutely adore this lippie - one of very few in my kit that's leaning more to yellow/orange than red/orange, and a far better match for some of my wardrobe oranges. It's rich and dense and has a slightly frosted finish, which I think is ever so flattering for us older chooks ♥...

5. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid - Orange Shot. A blast from the past and I'm bamboozled as to why I've neglected these for so long - fabulous formula, fabulous pigment, so comfortable to wear all day without flaking or becoming scruffy-looking ♥...

6. Maybelline Color Sensational - Fatal Red.  Always a favourite, so vivid and creamy, a true fire engine red - phwoarrrrr ♥...

7. Bourjois Rouge Edition 12 Hours - Red-Belle. This was a gift from a darling colleague on my last day at work ♥ It doesn't actually last 12 hours, but pretty close, and despite being a long-wear, it's entirely lip-friendly. Love you Bourjois ♥...

8. L'Oreal Color Riche Moisture Matte - Bloody Mary. This is her fifth appearance in my LOTD posts, which pretty much says it all. Pass me the vodka ♥...

9. Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer - Carnelian. We're gonna go back, WAY back...to 2015 when I bought these! Oh my, doesn't time fly when you have too many lip products? Still as gorgeous as ever, smells delish, slicks on like a dream - unbelievable ♥...

10. Nutrimetics nc Hydra Brilliance - Garnet. Another one that gets featured regularly in these posts -  review HERE, love everything about it, and this to me is "garnet"! ♥...

11. Nude by Nature Moisture Shine - Deep Plum.  The second fave from the new releases by NBN, and a shade that's right up my alley - more please! ♥...

12. Covergirl Colorlicious - Ravish Raspberry. Had this one a while too, but it's still available from Priceline. The shade and texture is as delicious as the name ♥...

13. Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer - Garnet. Yep, I sure dug deep into my collection, but I'm so glad because I've fallen in love with these all over again - such a beaut shade for spring, and hooray that gloss is making a comeback ♥...

14. W7 Liptember Lipstick - Raspberry Ripple. What would September be without a Liptember lippie hey? Quite possibly my favourite from the range, there's that slightly frosty shimmer again that I love, but not so much that it's dated ♥...

15. NYX Cosmic Metals Liquid - Fuchsia Fusion. You've heard me go on about this range many times, and my passion for this electric pink will never ever fade ♥...

16. Dirty Little Secret - Vengeance. Oh my, what a divinely soft yet statement pink. I've discovered some gems via LipMonthly, and this is one that's dear to my heart. I have a couple from this brand - the formula is lovely and moist, needs to be reapplied fairly regularly, but it does leave a decent stain to keep you going ♥...

17. City Color Creamy Lips - Blackberry Mojito. What an utterly stunning purple - massive applause as they totally nailed this berry shade. It sure is creamy, needs only a very thin swipe to look this intense, and even the name gets my mouth watering ♥...

18. Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Creator. Pretty much the ultimate purple liquid lippie - lasts all day ♥...

Any here you like, or you think might suit you?

Take care of you,
kats xxx