Pout About It

This is honestly one of the BEST kept secrets of the Aussie beauty scene. And I'm about to tell you.

Come closer
closer
lil bit more...
ok, the secret is.......

                        SPORTSGIRL AUSTRALIA HAVE THE BEST LIPSTICKS

Lemme break it down for you;

They're $9.99 each (see http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/beauty/lips/pout-about-it-bombshell-red-all)
They come in both matte and shiny varieties
The colours offer GREAT variety and tones, with a high pigment that lasts
And
well
they're ten bucks!

Below are FOUR of my favourite Sportsgirl lipsticks that I HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking for
a) a great colour
b) a beautiful red
c) a lipstick that can double as a blush, and
d) a long lasting bargain
BOMBSHELL

I can't even begin to tell you how many compliments I get when I rip this red lippy out. It can be a little drying so I always pop a lip balm or a tiny bit of Vaseline or pawpaw underneath (this also helps the colour last). It has a slightly blue base to it, so if you're looking for a more coral or orange red this isn't the one for you! BUT if you want a show stopper, retro-esque, Marilyn worthy red, this is it!
( http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/beauty/lips/pout-about-it-bombshell-red-all)

POWDER PUFF

This pastel pink has the right balance of pigment and pale - if you're looking for a more purple toned pink, I recommend Pink Ladies, and if you're after a more pale, candy tone pink, Beauty Queen is the way to go! I also LOVE to dab a tiny bit of this across my cheek bones for days when I'm not feeling a powder blush, or I want a more dewy look. This pink also looks quite a bit paler in proper light, I'm sorry my camera was doing something weird!
(http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/beauty/lips/pout-about-it-powder-puff-soft-pink-all)

WANDERLUST

I feel like I need to rush to the defence of this lippy after a My Kitchen Rules contestant wore something similar and got SLAMMED for it - I'm not going to deny that this is a hard shade to pull off, and it's one of few candy pastels I can pull off without looking like I'm about to be violently ill. For the brave and the bold, this purple-unicorn-pastel colour is incredible. Matte without drying, this lilac is beautiful when teamed with a simple eye and floaty floral prints. It's not my daily choice, but when I'm in the mood, or when the outfit calls for it, I can be daring enough to (attempt to!) rock it - now the photo looks VERY purple, but it does have a touch more pink in real life
(http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/beauty/lips/pout-about-it-wanderlust-lilac-all)

BERRYLICIOUS

THIS is my go to lipstick of the moment - berry tones (or radiant orchid according to Pantone) are highly in at the moment and I was looking for this colour - exactly this colour! - and there it was, sitting in Sportsgirl waiting for me! The photos above show it as it truly is, a touch more pink than anything else really, but a statement colour that I adore and  I will most definitely go through more than one tube of this baby!
(http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/beauty/lips/pout-about-it-berrylicious-purple-all)

Here's a few swatches of the colours on my skin tone (which is quite pale, we could even call it beige?) to give you a better idea of how these work for me:

That's it for now! Tune in, more beauty updates soon!

Tweet tweet xx

http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/beauty/lips

Meet My Fab Five

For April I've been focusing on taking care of my skin - since upping my time at the gym I've noticed how dry and sensitive my skin has gotten, but also how glowing and full it looks after a great work out!

Trying to keep up this healthy, glowing look has lead me to these five products which I adore, and I hope you'll love them too!

1. Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defence 50+ Daily Moisturiser 50mL
If you're an Aussie girl I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to use UVA/UVB protection, especially on your face! The intensity of the sun ages our faces prematurely, so anything above 15 in SPF is perfect.
Available from Priceline, RRP $19.99
http://www.priceline.com.au/index.php/skincare/sun-and-tanning/sun-protection/uva-uvb-defence-spf-50-50.0-ml

2. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E (Fragrance Free) 250mL
Whilst I love a good smelling moisturiser, I find Palmers' can be a tad overpowering, so I stick with the fragrance free when I can. I love this product, it feels like it lasts all day and my skin doesn't feel dry or tight - plus it's great for helping to fade stretch marks, as well as looking after sun damaged skin.
Available from most leading outlets, available from Priceline RRP $5.99
http://www.priceline.com.au/skincare/hand-and-body/skin-moisturisers/cocoa-butter-formula-fragrance-free-body-lotion-250.0-ml

3. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 50mL
I've been using this cleanser for over a year, and nothing has been better for my face - whilst I still suffer from breakouts (don't we all!), I find this really is gentle, and removes excess make-up and oil without irritating my skin. I've also found it's been gentle for my arms and chest too.
Available from Chemist Warehouse and Priceline, RRP $9.95
http://www.priceline.com.au/health/medicines/medicated-skin/gentle-skin-cleanser-250.0-ml

4. St. Ive's Blemish Control Apricot Scrub 150mL
Oh my gosh. I love this almost as much as I love their green tea scrub. It leaves my skin tingling and feeling so fresh and clean - I use this mostly in the mornings, or in the evenings if I've worn a particularly heavy face of make up and just don't feel like my usual wipes and cleanser can get everything off. Also great for minimising blackheads and whiteheads!
Available from most leading outlets, Priceline RRP $9.99
http://www.priceline.com.au/skincare/face-care/facial-cleansers-and-scrubs/facial-blemish-control-scrub-150.0-g

5. Glow Girl Buttery Salt Scrub 300mL
I used this scrub for the first time last night and I am addicted. Oh my God! My skin felt incredible afterwards and so, so, so soft. I started to use this after seeing the lovely substance for belle (http://www.substanceforbelle.blogspot.com.au/) review this and love it - picked it up on sale from Coles and it will definitely become a constant in my cupboard!
Available exclusively from Coles, RRP $9.77

Welcome!

Hello everyone!
I know I'm not the first beauty blogger, nor will I be the last, but I promise to try and bring you as many unique and wonderful beauty tips, tricks and reviews as I can, and keep an eye out for tutorials - coming soon!

I'm a Melbourne girl and that means a certain thing when it comes to beauty, friends: 

BE PREPARED.

Melbourne is a city that can throw anything and everything at you in a day, humidity to rain, university classes to dinners and cocktails! 
That means versatility, compromise and pack everything. Even if you don't think you'll need it, pack it. 

I'm also a retail girl, so when it comes to long wear make-up and being on trend, I'm always on my toes - fire all your questions at me and I'll do my best to answer

You can call me Sparrow, I'm twenty, and this is Beauty by a Sparrow xx






(image credit to PiP Studios http://www.pipstudio.com/en/bed/duvet-covers/duvetcovers/pip-birds-in-paradise-grey)