Beauty by a Sparrow

actual footage of yours truly in summer

SKINCARE

Now you long-time sparrows will notice a couple of old favourites in this photo, and some newbies. My faithful Cetaphil SPF 50+ Daily Moisturiser took a back seat during Autumn/Winter this year, but as the mercury creeps up and the days grow longer, I'll definitely be reaching for my 50+. I'm going to attempt to NOT get sunburnt this summer, and whilst I know the likelihood of that succeeding is low, I'm hoping with a little help from some wonderful SPF+ friends I can make it!

Speaking of SPF, my current moisturising duo tick that little box too. The two Clinique jars with green lids are from the Youth Surge range, designed for dry/combination skin. Whilst my skin has behaved fairly well these last few months, exposure to artificial air and heating has dried it out something shocking. I picked these babies out of Mumma Sparrow's stash (sorry Mum) and I've found them to be really effective. The day cream contains SPF 15+, perfect for overcast, wintry days, and the night cream is buttery and feels luxurious on the skin. I don't know if I'll repurchase this duo in future, simply because there are so many products I'm wanting to try and experiment with. I think around this time next year though, if my skin is again feeling damaged and dried out, I'll definitely come back to them. 

The Garnier Gentle Cleansing Milk has also become a fast friend of my poor, dried out skin. I often use this as my 'second step' following a trusty Johnson's make-up wipe. Whilst wipes aren't the best thing in the world for your skin, I find they remove a majority of that 'top layer' make-up that usually comes off quite easily. The Cleansing Milk, with cotton pads, is great for getting rid of the stuff you maybe can't see. I also find it really gentle to use on the eye area, and very effective at removing waterproof/eye make-up. Whilst the idea is that you can leave your skin after using the milk (as it's also a moisturiser on its own), I'll often follow this with my Swisse Cream Cleanser, because as nourishing and luxurious as the milk is, it can feel a little heavy if I leave it on my face. 

Lately when I feel like I need a good, deep cleanse, or I want to do something a little more relaxing and ritualistic at the end of the day, I've been turning to the Eve Lom cleanser. THIS STUFF IS AMAZING. Eve Lom is a facialist, honing her craft in L.A., and created the balm for clients who wanted the same effective cleanse and treatment at home, between facial appointments. The balm is a cleanser, an exfoliant (when used with the accompanying muslin cloth), and a moisturiser, if you choose. For starters it smells incredible, so right off the bat you receive aroma therapeutic benefits. Following the instructions included with the pack, I found it easy to give myself a facial massage, which felt incredible. Even more exciting, it removes make-up so, so easily and quickly, including eye make-up. Unlike the Garnier milk, the balm doesn't feel heavy on the face. Out of habit I'll still rinse after cleansing, but I could leave the balm and just not moisturise, if I wanted to. A really, really beautiful product that I highly recommend for anyone looking for a more pampering, relaxing way to effectively cleanse x

Last but not least, primers! Yay! I recently re-purchased the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, with SPF 15+ and I've fallen in love with it all over again. It feels like silk on the skin, and causes make-up to become water resistant, something that I know I'll really appreciate when those sticky, hot summer days come around. I've also been using the Too Faced Shadow Insurance eye make-up primer, and again, it feels so silky and wonderful on my eyelids, as well as preventing my shadows from creasing or fading. and evens out skin tones as well. 

COLOUR

First things first (I'm the realest), I know there's a lot of Nars happening in the above image. After having such amazing success with Sheer Glow, however, I felt I should give a few more products a try, and it's been terrible because now I love them and I'm never going to be able to NOT have them in my kit because I love them infinite amounts!

Above I've included my Soft Velvet Loose powder in Eden, the Eye shadow Duo in Portobello, and the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysterious Red (swatches below). I find the powder perfectly compliments my Sheer Glow shade, Mont Blanc, as well as perfectly setting my T-zone for a full day's wear; it mattifyes without adding pigment, which is so wonderful because I adore my colour match. 

The Portobello duo contains a mushroom-like brown, and an almost-nude taupe shade, which are wonderful for creating a basic day look, but can be blended and smoked out for something a little more intense when going out. 

Finally, the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysterious Red has toppled my favourite red lipstick of all time (Bombshell by Sportsgirl). It creates the perfect red lip, every time, without fail, and is long-wearing without flaking. An incredible red, and something I'd recommend to anyone wanting to attempt a red lip, but feeling unsure. 

Now my Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face should technically be in with my skincare, but the amount of time, care and thought put into the Mecca Cosmetica range means I'll count it in with my colour. Containing SPF 30+, I find this moisturiser a happy medium between my Clinique Youth Surge, and my Cetaphil 50+. Whilst it provides a higher level of protection than Clinique, it feels less sunscreen-like, and far less heavy than my Cetaphil. Also, as I use this as a base under my primer and foundation, I feel like it counts as make-up... sort of... not really... but I think we agree it looks good in the photo...? Hehe

 Two new picks from Stila have made their way into my collection, the CC Cream and the Convertible Colour in Gerbra. 

The CC cream is colour correcting, as well as providing hydration and brightening effects to the skin. It does come out of the tube green, but quickly adjusts to your skin tone, providing a more natural colour-match, with a radiant finish. A new go-to for days off, this stuff is foolproof, and definitely worth a try if you're looking for something user friendly!

The Convertible Colours have long been a Stila fave and staple for many the beauty junkie, and for good reason, In that little compact is your lip and cheek colour, and they're super blendable, so it's easy to achieve a hint of colour, or a full-blown natural glow. My chosen shade, Gerbra, is what Nina wears in Offspring (for any of you fellow fans out there!). Again, so user-friendly and foolproof it's not funny, this convertible cream is perfect for day-off chill, and work-day madness! 

Now, as promised... swatches!

NARS Portobello - L is the nude/taupe, R is the mushroom brown

Stila CC Cream - goes on green, blends and adapts effortlessly to the skin! Easy as!

To the right - Gerbra, so beautiful and peachy!

NARS Mysterious Red - mysterious because it's a mystery why this doesn't have its own cult following, seriously guys, GET ON IT

That's all for now my little birds, stay tuned for how NOT to contour and strobe! 

Until next time,

Tweet tweet xx

 

And so far, so good! What I love about Bondi Sands is their tan is red based, rather than brown or orange. This means, for me, having a pinker skin tone, the tan looks that touch more natural. Unlike the Palmers' Cocoa Butter Gradual Tanner, which starts depositing colour almost immediately, the Bondi Sands takes 1-2 days to start clearly showing up. That being said, it's a really nice, warm, natural looking tan, however I've found the Palmers' tanner to be more moisturising. What I've been doing is alternating each day, one with Bondi Sands, the other with Palmers' Cocoa Butter, just to keep my skin nice and moisturised.
Worth the hype? I'd say so!
8/10

WINTER IS HERE LITTLE BIRDS
AND 

IT
IS

FREEZING

Melbourne has been outdoing herself lately, bringing in sleeting rain, cutting winds and mornings so cold that breath comes in cloud puff or smog options. Frost, ice, and even snow in some of the outer suburbs. So, naturally, I've found myself drawn to warmer options beauty-wise and wardrobe-wise too.

Today I had a mini-spree at Priceline and Chemist Warehouse, and honestly, I shouldn't be allowed in their beauty aisles unsupervised. 

Pictured above are my favourite buys, and newer picks, from July so far. Ripped denim is an easy way to look casual and fresh, without compromising on warmth or style. Ribbed knitwear has been a key trend this Autumn/Winter, and I love the creamy colour of this piece from Cotton On. It works with both blue and black denim, and I love it with tan ankle boots. My navy Converse chucks are an awesome wardrobe staple - so, so comfy, and they're perfect for pairing back dark denim, and they'll work beautifully with summer dresses and skirts. Rose gold is my favourite metal, and this watch from Forever New adds a hint of glam to even the most casual of outfits, and I'm in love with my Samantha Wills Bardot Bohemian Ring!

Before bed, when I want to unwind from a busy day at work, I've been burning my Glasshouse Esperance triple scented candle. It's amazing, it smells of apples and mimosas, and it's just the most relaxing scent. 

Finally today I managed to re-purchase the Maybelline New York Age Rewind concealer. This stuff is amazing, and I can't wait to start using it again. I've had to grab the medium-dark shade this time around, but the Goji berry extract won't be any less effective on these big black circles! Another very necessary repurchase was my Face of Australia matte eye primer. Don't let the 'matte' fool you, shimmer shadows and whites look phenomenal over this cream. 

 

Another very necessary repurchase earlier this week, was the Sportsgirl lipstick in Bombshell. I've worn this shade of red for the last five years and each time I whip her out, I get compliments left, right and centre. 

I LOVE this lipstick. Like the Sportsgirl brow pencil, I'm considering buying about, like, maybe fifty of them, just so I never ever run out of my perfect red lipstick. I'll actually die on the inside if this red ever goes out of production!
The perfect red lipstick means nothing if it isn't perfected on the face, so I took advantage of the Priceline 3 for 2 on Australis eyes and lips, and bought myself a lip liner in 'Lady in Red'. 

Australis claim their lipliners are a 'Emollient and vitamin rich formula that won't dry lips out' - I'll report back if that's true!

Making the most of the 3 for 2 promotion, I grabbed another of their Velour Lips Matte Creams. I adore the shade N-Y-Cee, and I've seen a lot of gorgeous blogger selfies with the 'Hono-Loo-Loo' tone. I was a little nervous, simply because nude-based shades don't always work that well against my pale skin, but I was pleasantly surprised!

I felt like Lana Del Ray with this on

I honestly respect Australis so much as a brand and company. Their products are such a high quality, and I'm so glad to know they're completely cruelty free and still at such a decent price. Even without the 3 for 2, $9.95 is an amazing price for lipstick. 

And the last little Australis goodie I picked up is another that I've been seeing splashed all over Instagram. Last month Australis launched their Metalix eye shadow collection. I was a little unsure, simply because they seemed to be very highly pigmented and better suited to going out/event make-up, something I hardly get to do anymore (social life? Oh social life, where are you?!). I popped a little of the tester on my hand of the shade 'Pearl Jammin' and my rose gold obsession struck. The ROSE GOLD MAN. IT WON'T LEAVE ME BE!

In all seriousness, the shimmer and pigment caught my eye, and I figured, for $8.95, could I really go wrong? 

Look at that shimmer! 

I reaaaalllly want to try this shadow with a bold eyeliner and big, false lashes. I feel like this colour will make my blue eyes pop that little bit more, and I can't wait to have a little more fun experimenting. Believe it or not, I've never used a cream eye shadow before, so this will give me a chance to use new techniques and tools. 

And finally, I bought myself my own little jar of Coconut Oil. I've been borrowing from Mumma Sparrow's cooking cupboard lately and I figured it was time I got my own. Aside from its dandruff fighting properties, and its incredible smell, you can use coconut oil to make exfoliants, face masks, hair masks, and hand moisturiser.

And that's it!

I promise my next post isn't too far away little birds!
Until next time,

Tweet tweet xx

FIRST BRUSH IN
washing out AAAAAALLLL of the make-up and seeing how much there is... ew

SECOND BRUSH IN
Aaaaand that's my lower back that's hurting 

ya' know, from bending over the sink and squeezing all the soap and goop from the bristles

HALF WAY!
Why did I start this? Why why why?

Internet/Fellow Beauty Bloggers/Experts/By the Book People:
"Because your dirty brushes gather bacteria and it's important you clean them!"
Me:

Parents walk past bathroom twenty minutes in and ask what you're doing... And you tell them... And they respond accordingly

When you're finally up to cleaning your shadow brushes and realise it's nearly finished

Finally being finished! And they're all clean and drying and done!

..... but you realise you have to do it all over again in 1-2 weeks' time...

And that's how I wash my make-up brushes!

Tweet tweet xx

whatta babe!

so nice, you see her twice x

Josh Goot 2015

not everyone can make me ugly laugh like this