June 2020 Empties & Giveaway!...

Well COVID-19 is not affecting my Empties, that's for sure! The usual mega selection of regulars, but there's a handful of new ones reviewed. I'm always excited when I finish a fragrance, and last month I spritzed the last of two bottles, both of which I've reviewed in detail in past posts, so I've included the links. June was also the month when I experimented with wearing the Skin Republic Eye Patches almost every night (both Collagen & Retinol) - I went through eight packs (all half-price specials), which equates to 24 pairs/nights, and can report that they made a difference to the puffiness of my eye bags, but not much change to my wrinkles. I'll probably go back to a couple of times a week as it was a bit of an indulgence and at full price, not one my budget can maintain. For the Giveaway, I have a super-duper special one - let's call it Christmas In July, so read on! ♥♥♥...

Body

The Body Shop British Rose Shower Gel (60ml, RRP $4)

This was part of a gift set sent to me at Christmas by one of my regular readers - a gorgeous, kind and generous lady (you know who you are sweetheart). British Rose is just that - pure and natural, the scent is the same as if you leaned over a rose bush in full bloom and took a deep breath, and the formula is non-drying. There was a body butter and hand cream too, and I just adore them all ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I will buy the big bottle for myself this Christmas ♥♥♥...

Schmidt's Lavender + Sage Natural Deodorant (75g, RRP $13.99)
I figure this formula would be just as effective as the charcoal one for completely stopping both odour and wetness, and I was right - what I didn't figure on was falling in love with the scent! I thought it would be a wee bit insipid or girly for winter, but it's fabulous. Definitely lavender, but the sage cuts the floral component in half and makes it herbally enough to be interesting and earthy - my new fave! ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Priceline sells this, so that'll be a yes, and I already have a few spares ♥♥♥...

Regulars
Glow Lab Coconut & Sandalwood Body Wash (400ml, RRP $9)

Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Shower Oil (200ml, RRP $42)
Oral-B 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste (96g, RRP $9.49)
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)
Skin Physics Advance Superlift Caviar Age-Recovery Hand & Nail Renewal Cream SPF15 (75ml, RRP $39.99)
White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, RRP $6.99)

Face

Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser (200ml, RRP $10.99)

As part of my "let's clear the bench" campaign, I finished off this cleanser, which has been hanging around with about 10 pumps left in it for 2 years. It doesn't seem to be available any more, which on the one hand is a shame as I enjoyed it's effectiveness on my combo skin, however, the decision to drop it from the range may have been something to do with the annoyance that I could never seem to remove all the little baking soda granules from my face if I used it at the basin. Who knows, but that was my only beef, and I quite liked the scent ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

No - discontinued ♥♥♥...

L'Oreal Pure Clay Detoxifying Gel Wash (150ml, RRP $14.99)

Love this but it's incredibly messy unless used in the shower. Stains my wash cloth too but I'm prepared to put up with that as it works a treat to deep cleanse my face, and I've a passion for skincare products containing charcoal. It also has a very pleasant fragrance ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?
Yep, but not till the weather warms up ♥♥♥...

Olay Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream (14g, RRP $10)

I seem to have a stash of these trial-size jars of Olay creams from various sources, so I'll work my way through them whenever I finish something else. This one was truly a joy to use, refreshing floral scent and it left my skin lusciously hydrated and soft. Didn't notice any improvement in luminescence or spot fading, but hey, the jar only lasts a week which really is too soon to tell if it's working ♥♥...

Repurchase?

I'm about to start the Regenerist Retinol24 range, so no ♥♥...

Swisse Micellar Makeup Remover + Cucumber Extract (300ml, RRP $10.95)

Very good second cleanser and I always go for micellars that don't drag on my skin - this one has lots of slip and picked up every last trace of makeup left from the first cleanse, but the scent was a bit weird - not sure what it is, kind of earthy, but definitely not cucumber ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Doubt it - there are others that smell much nicer ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (Pack of 25, RRP $7.99) 

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89) 

Swisspers Make-up Pads (Pack of 80, RRP $3.79)

Face Masks

Regulars
Nutrimetics Mineral Clay Masque with Apricot Extract & Soybean Oil (125ml, RRP $40)

Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)
Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)

Fragrance

Britney Spears Believe Eau De Parfum (100ml, RRP $39)
I've had this bottle for six years, and only just finished it. Not one I would purchase on a regular basis, but I'll definitely be replacing this one with a smaller size, just 'cos I need it every now and then. It's very different from all the others from this gal. My ancient review of it is HERE ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Affirmative - the 30ml bottle is available from CW for $19.99 ♥♥♥...

Jennifer Aniston Chapter Two Eau De Parfum (30ml, RRP $19.99)

Love this floral oriental fragrance - my full review of it is HERE ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

Definitely. There is a 50ml bottle but this one is small enough for the handbag, so I don't have to decant it. I'm actually leaning towards smaller bottles in general for the same reason ♥♥♥...

Hair

Regulars

Goldwell Dualsenses Color Revive Color Giving Conditioner - Icy Blonde (s00ml, RRP $32.95)

Makeup

Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Mascara (RRP $19.95)

I actually use two mascaras when I'm going to work or somewhere special. I start with the waterproof variety of The Falsies, then curl my lashes (it holds the curl indefinitely), followed by a coat of this baby, and a waterproof layer over the top. I do this because this non-waterproof variety has heaps more fibres and gives my lashes some much-needed bulk ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

I have a stash ♥♥♥...

Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara (RRP $24.95)

Tried this during the lockdown, and it's good, but nothing special happened as far as lifting was concerned, so I'll stick with the original formulas ♥♥♥...

Repurchase?

No - the combo mentioned above works best for me ♥♥♥...

Regulars

Australis AC On Tour Contouring & Highlighting Kit - Cool Tone Cream (RRP $24.95)
Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)

DB Pore Minimising Primer (25ml, $14.99)

Eye of Horus Emerald Tabula Goddess Pencil (1.2g, RRP $30)

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner (RRP $15.95)

Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer (RRP $17.95)

Christmas In July Giveaway!

I think we could all do with a bit of a boost, so this month at kats colourings, we're having Christmas In July! The pack includes...

• Olay Eyes Retinol24 Night Cream
• Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturiser
• Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum

...but there are also some extra surprises in store for the lucky winner, because Christmas is all about surprises hey?  All items were purchased by me and the approximate value of the pictured products is around $180, but the "surprises" take it a fair whack above that.  The giveaway is open to...

Australian Residents Only! 

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!) If you're unable to leave a comment for technical reasons, please email your answer to katshepsutt(at)gmail.com.
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow my blog 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

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Congratulations gorgeous! 

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

Wednesday 29th July to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Claire has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite May & June 2020 LOTD's...

If you follow my Instagram account, you would have noticed that instead of the regular five-days-a-week appearances, my LOTD uploads are somewhat sporadic and erratic. Due to COVID, I'm only heading into the office every second week, and while I'm still wearing makeup just about every day, I'm saving my dress-ups (and consequently my LOTD pics) for those days when I go to the workplace. Consequently, I've not had many lip love photos to choose from, but below are what I put together from the May & June limited assortment...

What's been interesting is that my lipstick application skills soon deteriorate if I don't keep up the practice, so some of these are a bit lopsided - anyways the colours and textures are what count, right?

1. Colourpop Ultra Metallic Lip - DM. A regular, I trot this out when I'm wearing golden browns from my wardrobe. In July last year, I said it was too drying and was going to toss it, but in the end, I couldn't bear to do it as I've nothing else quite like it, and I solved the problem by applying a thin layer of balm underneath ♥...

2. NYX SlipTease Lip Lacquer - Shady. You'll see these fairly often as they are totally fabulous - full review of the majority of the shades is HERE. Still can't believe I picked these up for $7 each from Priceline ♥...

3. Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm - Coy. I've had this for ages and I'm bamboozled as to why I've never worn it. Lost in a sea of lip products, I'm delighted I singled it out. It's gorgeous - creamy, moist, wears pretty well, super convenient being in crayon form, and I just adore the colour ♥...

4. Antipodes - South Pacific Coral. Received this in a surprise gift from the brand, and I wear it fairly regularly. It's actually a lot brighter in the tube but I'm experimenting with different lip liners underneath to see if I can get it to really pop. Fabulous formula, sooooo comfortable ♥...

5. Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bloom - Rose Rush. Seems to be only available on eBay now - such an unusual and pretty orangey-pinky-red. I'll keep wearing it though in the hope that MNY changes their mind and brings it back - LOVE IT! ♥...

6. Seraphine Botanicals Vegan Berry Tint - Cherry Cream.  Three years old and still going strong. Supremely comfortable with brilliant coverage and wears well. Although it does get a little dry after a few hours, reapplication is smooth and makes it all creamy again ♥...

7. Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Pioneer. How about that red hey? These liquid lippies are astonishingly good - methinks I need a few more in my kit. Their lasting power is amazing, and the comfort-factor is way up there ♥...

8. Avon Mark Lipstick - Berry Cute.  Love the name, the colour, the formula - I think this is appearance #4 in my faves posts, will definitely be a fifth ♥...

9. IBY Beauty High Intensity Lipstick - Mardi Gras. I keep this for the shade - it has a very high blue content which makes it just the right colour for several outfits. It's a little drier than other formulas, but my obsession with matching is stronger than my desire for comfort lol ♥...

Would any of these suit you?

Take care of you, and keep your loved ones safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Sarah Jessica Parker SJP EDP...

As mentioned in a previous post, my collection has expanded (oops!) through various avenues, but I bought Sarah Jessica Parker's Stash myself, and without testing it first. I was actually after the 30ml bottle from Chemist Warehouse as it was only $9.99 (only a few dollars more than a roller-ball, which is how I normally test fragrances) and the reviews were amazing, but my local store was out of stock of that size, so I bit the bullet and took a chance on the 100ml for $29.99 which was all they had on the shelf. Well, as it turned out, fate was guiding me to yet another blissful aromatic experience - it was love at first spritz, and if I'd only been able to get hold of the 30ml, I would have raced back to get my hands on the bigger size anyway. Oh boy, this is a beauty, and for that price, it's my bargain blind-buy of the year! ♥...

My fave scents for the cooler weather are warm spicy orientals, and this one hits the mark - a bullseye in fact. It's vastly different from the other SJP scents I have, and I'm delighted that she has included a winner from this genre in her lineup.  It was released in 2016 but I obviously missed it - still I'm making up for lost time by spraying this every other day, it's that good ♥...

The presentation is a delight. A glossy black box with the name embossed on a diagonal strip that's been made to appear like a fabric label. At first, I thought the box was damaged (it was sealed in cellophane), but it turns out that the attention to detail is astonishing - the edges of the "label" have been made to look slightly frayed, like it really is made of fabric! Inside the box, the bottle is encased in the cutest black grosgrain bag with the name in sparkly gold, and an equally sparkly gold drawstring. The bottle itself is quite simple and solid, with the same diagonal black label (Johnny Walker?) and around the neck is a leathery cord with a little gold "SJP" button attached. I can't believe it was only $30! ♥...

The fragrance is pretty close to being a masterpiece - leaning towards a masculine style, it's aromatic, woody, earthy, leathery and spicy, and the colour of dark rum. One of the most distinctive and standout fragrances I've come across from the celebrity world, this is an absolute gem. Lasts for hours and hours (let's say around 8). I spray it on before bed and I'm still floating on its heavenly cloud the next morning, and yet it isn't what I would call intrusive. The drydown is just as sassy and magnetic as the initial spray, but it mellows into something even more stunning, something that should cost a helluva lot more. There's only one fruit ingredient - grapefruit, but to my nose it's more like fig, which gives it a slight gourmand character. The rest is spice-heaven - black pepper, cedar, ginger lily, pistachio, olibanum (frankincense), vetiver, massoia wood (slightly coconutty) and musk. I'm totally besotted ♥...

Some folks have labelled this "bohemian" or "too hippy for the office" but I beg to differ. It's sensual and a tad provocative, but not enough for me to NOT wear it to work. I'd wear it anywhere, anytime, but probably limit it (if I can) to the cooler weather. Adore! ♥♥♥...

 Have you tried Stash yet? Are spicy orientals your fragrance thing?

Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx

REVIEW: Elizabeth Taylor Passion EDT...

One of my perfume passions is Elizabeth Taylor's Violet Eyes - I've adored it for years but it's a challenge to find it anywhere in stock. So I decided to revisit some others from her collection that I'd dismissed many years ago, and I was both pleasantly surprised & delighted to find that my tastes have changed. And while nothing can replace the one I absolutely adore, her Passion EDT has scored a place up near the top of my list ♥...

I admit than when I first sampled it (probably 20 years ago) my first reaction was "old lady perfume", which is why I've avoided it till now. But senses change over time, as do chemical reactions on the skin, and having scored a miniature in a boxed set, I sprayed a teeny bit on my wrist and was like, wow! It really is SO beautiful - woody and powdery with Liz's trademark gardenia content, and more than a dash of spice and incense. Rich and sensual, it's amazingly potent for an EDT - actually has more lasting power than some of my far more expensive EDP's! ♥...

Not a fragrance if you prefer to blend in, this is a powerhouse oriental for the woman that has no fear of being noticed. There are more than 20 different notes in this elixir - the main ones I can detect are gardenia, bergamot, sandalwood, patchouli, jasmine, cedar, rose, leather, musk, vanilla, incense and sandalwood, and they all blend magically into an elegant and alluring fragrance that is as unforgettable as Elizabeth herself. It's the first one she created and was released in 1988 - now that's what I call staying power ♥...

I'm in two minds about the packaging though - on the one hand, the bottle is a gorgeous deep purple art-deco style with a diamond shape embossed in the middle (no surprises there) however the cap is cheap and tacky looking and doesn't do justice to the rest of the presentation. But, given the beauty of what's inside, all is forgiven ♥...

Being an EDT, I expected it to be relatively weak but the initial spritz is quite strong - while the dry down is far softer, I still recommend caution with the application. I pretty much doused myself in it on the first day and regretted it later as too much of anything (even fabulous fragrance) is just plain waste, and I never want to run out of this stunner ♥...

Passion is a warm and embracing floral oriental EDT that encapsulates all the fire and softness that is womanhood, and I'm staggered that it lasts all day - no kidding lovelies, this puts many other fragrances to shame, it's as enduring as the legend herself. And the price is crazy - at the moment the 74ml bottle is on special at Chemist Warehouse for $30! There's no doubt about it - I'm passionate about Passion ♥♥♥...

Are you a fan of any of Elizabeth Taylor's perfumes? Do you enjoy oriental fragrances?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx