Review: Lancome Hypnose (waterproof) Mascara

Today's review comes to you thanks to the daily sales at Strawberrynet. Picked this up at 50% off because I've loved Lancome mascaras for a few years now (especially Virtuose) but heard great things about Hypnose so thought I'd give this a go. Review after the jump! 

Manicure Monday: Blooming into Spring!

It's the second day of September and that means I start clearing out all the depressing dark colours and make way for the pastels and brights of spring!

First up for testing was this new China Glaze Polish that I picked up on my holiday to the Philippines (the markup on nail polish in Australia is ridiculous) in the shade 77004. It's a beautiful creamy pink and it's already making me crave for the warmer weather!

Happy Spring Everyone!

x Alina/Sparkle

Review: Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer

Hello beauty lovers,

Today I'm reviewing a product that isn't actually available in Australia (as far as I know) but has been raved about in online blogging/vlogging beauty circles which prompted me to purchase it on ASOS (also because it's far cheaper). The Bourjois Delice de Poudre "Chocolate bronzer" in Shade 52.

Full review after the jump! 

Review: Philosophy Hope In A Jar Moisturiser

Hey everyone,

Here's a review on my new favourite night moisturiser from philosophy: hope in a jar.

Click the jump for more detail!

Beauty Haul Post!

Quick update post as I didn't do my nails over the weekend (OH MY GOD what has my life become?!).

Manicure Monday: Sequins Part II

Hello lovelies!

This mani monday is to show off the second of my new limited edition Maybelline Sequins polishes in 825 Rose Bling. I absolutely love this colour and decided to pair it up with a black undercoat inspired by Sab/Rose's new interest in Pastel Goth! Unfortunately I'm still me and therefore have to incorporate sparkles, so predictable!

Thoughts?

x Sparkle/Alina

Manicure Monday - Sea-quins

This mani-monday is brought to you by a new limited edition Maybelline Color Show in the shade Sea-Quins 820.

It's a gorgeous super sparkly glitter turquoise polish. It achieved almost opacity with 2 thick coats and I love the effect...I can tell that it's going to be a total bitch to remove as with all glitter polishes. But fun for now!

Have a wonderful week!

x Sparkle/Alina

Update: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stains

Hello! In the coming weeks I've got a bunch of lip reviews I've been saving up so here comes the first in the series!!

So as it turns out I was an unintentional big fan of this product that I first tried in december of last year...so much so that I now have 5! Thought I'd do an updated swatch and review. See below!

Manicure Mondays - Geometric Colours

Today's Manicure Monday was the result of a very uneventful night where I watched endless bad romcoms and painted my nails different colours and then drew geometric prints on them. That's totally normal right?! 

If you want the tutorial, click below!

Review: Taylor Swift - Wonderstruck Enchanted Perfume

This post is following on from earlier this year when I mentioned how much I like Taylor Swift. Now although I may love dancing around to her music and enjoy her style, I'm not one to generally get caught in the fandom enough to want to buy every product she (or any other celebrity) endorses. This perfume was raved about on the blogosphere for the last year since it was released in 2012 in the US. It was officially released in Australia around Christmas of last year and I've been holding out until now to buy it. Why? I wanted to be 100% sure I wasn't just into the scent because it was connected to Taylor Swift. Thank god I wasn't, this has quickly become my go to scent, find out why after the jump! 

Manicure Monday - Living up to my Blogger Name "Sparkle"

Today's Mani Monday Nail Art Tutorial is based on Covergirl's new Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Midnight Magic and Golden Opportunity.

To get this effect:
- 2-3 coats of the sheer sparkly dark blue - Covergirl Midnight Magic
- 1 light coat of Covergirl Golden Opportunity to the ends of the nails to make the slight ombre/gradient effect
- 1 coat of chunky golden glitter polish such as Essence My Sparkling Acrobat to the ends of the nails.
- 1 coat of clear top coat such as Revlon Fast Dry Top Coat

This creates a nice subtle gradient and super sparkly nail effect that is slightly more exciting than a plain 1 colour coat of polish.

Hope you enjoyed this nail art post

x Sparkle/Alina

FOTD Friday - 2 ways to do Engagement Parties!

Hey everyone,

So I've got a treat for you, over the weekend I was very excited to celebrate the engagement of 2 lovely couples that I met at university (including T of LeFanciulle) and I thought I'd show you my makeup for both occasions, using the same basic face and eye products, only changing a couple things from day to night.

I'm still adjusting to taking selfies but I hope you enjoy, pics after the jump!

Makeup Haul - 40% Off at Priceline

If it wasn't already obvious, I'm addicted to buying makeup. Unfortunately I've also been a student for 8 years and thus am generally very low on cash. The solution to my shopping addiction needs? PRICELINE! (or in the US/UK - drug store/high street/Boots). Not only does Priceline stock my favourite cheap makeup brands (as well as some cheeky skincare/pharmacy/feminine hygiene necessities) but it frequently has 20-50% off many of my favourite products and brands.

I was lucky enough to check my email today to find out that they were having a 2 day only 40% off all makeup sale. How to say no to that?? You simply CAN'T is the answer. In fact I'm amazed I made it out of there without buying everything in the store. But in case you're interested in what I did pick up, here's a pic of my stash.
Note: most of these products I bought because I've read good reviews from other bloggers/vloggers in recent months and wanted to try them myself...or the nail polishes I just can't seem to say no to new colours!

Products and RRP in AUD
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in 061 Wine $8.50
Rimmel ScandalEyes in 001 Black and 004 Taupe $9.95
Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss Lipstick in 107 $12.95
L'oreal Paris Shine Caresse in 102 Romy $23.95
L'oreal Paris Color Riche Nail Polish in 305 Dating Coral $6.95
MaxFactor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in 38 Purple Haze $5.95

Look forward to reviews in the coming weeks and a few new nail art posts!

If you're in Australia, get to it ladies! Run in fact, get your makeup fix while it's still going for 1 more day!

x Sparkle/Alina

Review: L'oreal Paris Shine Caresse Lip Stain/Gloss (YSL Glossy Stain Dupe)

Introducing the hottest new thing to hit the beauty market that has been raved about overseas for quite some months as the closest dupe to YSL's famous Glossy Stains. Recently I went into Priceline after finding out that the L'oreal Paris Shine Caresse Lip Stain/Gloss had hit the Aussie shores. Feeling a bit povo lately, I only picked up the one colour, in the shade 200 Princess (note that Australia seems to have it's own unique shades which are different to the UK/US). I'm super excited to try this product as I was just discussing with a friend a few weeks ago about how no one really wears lip glosses anymore, we've moved into the lipstick phases of our lives. Well...maybe not!

UPDATE: Bought another colour 102 "Romy" so added my thoughts and some pics

Review after the jump!