Oily Skin Part 2: Skincare Must-Haves!

After starting off with my top 5 makeup essentials for oily skin, I decided to continue the series with my top 5 skincare must haves. There are so many amazing skincare options out there that it was incredibly difficult to choose just 5, but I feel confident that the products I've picked will make an awesome routine for anyone out there with oily/combo skin. Once you have a great core routine, you can always add in products whenever you need them. 

Stila CC Cream Review + Swatches!

Today I'll be reviewing Stila's CC Cream, an all-in-one makeup and skincare product that's designed to colour correct and even out skin tone.

When I posted this photo on Instagram, I told you guys that I'd be reviewing and talking about some of the products from my recent Sephora haul.

Well, I'm not going back on my promise! I'm going to start with Stila's CC Cream, and you'll see reviews on the Origins skincare set, the Boscia set, and the Josie Maran products very soon, as well as more.

Winter Lip Care Routine + Best Balms For Dry Lips!

Everyone knows how annoying it can be to have dry, cracked, and chapped lips in the winter. For me, it means avoiding lip colour to make sure I'm not calling attention to the flaky skin. But what if you didn't have to put away all of your lipsticks during the colder months? Today, I'm going to be talking about my lip care routine - and how to banish cracks and dryness for good!

Bioderma Sebium Skincare Review!

I'm excited to talk about the Bioderma Sebium skincare range, designed for those with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin. I'll be reviewing the 4 products I've picked up from the collection, all of which I've been using for some time. I hope this helps anyone who's looking for new skincare items, or has been wondering if Bioderma products are the right way to go. Let's get started!

Top Tips + Routine for Long, Healthy, Shiny Hair!

I decided to start growing out my hair a little over a year ago, around Thanksgiving 2012. Since then, I've learned a lot. Although it can take a lot of time and effort to grow out your hair, I think it's totally worth it if it's something you're interested in. And no, you don't have to have perfect genes and take tons of vitamins to transform rough, damaged hair into long, healthy hair. It's all about your hair care routine and the steps you take to keep your hair in the best condition possible. I'm going to show you the products I use in and out of the shower, as well as give you my top tips for gorgeous hair!

Oily Skin Part 1: Makeup Essentials!

I have combination skin. I have some really oily areas around my nose and in my t-zone, and then some drier patches on my cheeks and forehead. So while I can definitely relate to both people with dry and oily skin, one of my least favourite feelings is when my makeup starts to slip and slide off throughout the day. That's where these products come in! I have 5 simple oily skin essentials to help out those of you who are noticing that your makeup is fading, your skin is getting shiny, and you're touching up with powder all the time throughout the day. These products have certainly helped me, and I've used them on days when my skin is a sensitive, broken out, oil-producing powerhouse, as well as on days when my skin is calmer and more combination than oily. Hope these help you guys out!

1. Let's start with the basics - primer!

These two primers are my absolute favourite for keeping oil at bay. Both the NYX Pore Filler and the Benefit Porefessional (I have the little baby deluxe size) have a similar function. They fill in any large pores that are often caused by excess oil, they make your skin feel amazingly smooth, they provide an awesome base for foundation and concealer, and they keep you shine-free for a long time. Adding one of these under your makeup in the morning will prolong the wear of it, meaning less fading and less touchups.

Welcome to Inner Sparkle!

I'm so excited about starting this blog!

My name is Allie, and I'm from Canada.
I have a passion for everything beauty related: makeup, skincare, hair products, nail products, and so much more. But I also believe that beauty isn't just about what's on the surface; it's about feeling good, standing tall, and being confident in your own skin.

That's why I decided to create a beauty blog; I wanted to share my love of makeup with others, while passing along my favourite tips and products. If I can use my experiences to save someone the time & money it takes to find the right beauty products and techniques, this blog is fulfilling it's purpose! I also wanted to use my beauty knowledge to help other people feel good about themselves. Sometimes, something as simple as finding the right foundation or discovering a gorgeous new eyeshadow is all you need for a major confidence boost.