Sweet Sparkle is a monthly beauty subscription box. Each box includes five full-sized, curated products to create an entire makeup look.
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This month's box is being reviewed thanks to an MSA reader request!
About Sweet Sparkle
The Subscription Box: Sweet Sparkle
The Cost: $24.50 monthly + free shipping worldwide. Discounts are available for longer commitments.
The Products: Five full-size, curated products to help you achieve a full look for the month’s theme.
Ships to: Worldwide with free shipping. You can check out the list of countries they ship to here.
Sweet Sparkle January 2018 Review
This month is all about rosy cheeks and lips. Let’s see what there is!
Each month, an info card is included with an intro to the theme and the product names, descriptions, and retail values. This month’s theme is “Color Me Rosy.”
Appeal Cosmetics Ultra Shine Liquid Lipstick in Nude, 2g - Retail Value $21
This liquid lipstick goes on smooth and opaque and feels light and non-tacky on my lips. I love the pinky nude shade. I wouldn’t say this was super shiny, more like a satin finish. When it dried down after a few hours it left a matte stain even after eating and sipping coffee. I’m happy with how it never made my lips feel dry and cracky and stayed inside of my lip line for the most part.
Starlooks Cream Blush in Abstract, 2.5g - Retail Value $12, Listed Value $5.50
I believe this blush stick is exclusive to Starlooks’ “Perfect Size” collection which offers cosmetics with about 70% of the volume of a full-size item. I don’t know why that would be worth a whole separate line of product but I won’t complain because this is a great cream blush. The color is a matte dusty pink (no shimmer) and is the only shade offered (I guess it is supposed to be universal?). It blends well and is able to be layered to achieve whatever level of flush you want. I have no issues applying it layered over powder or liquid foundation. It lasts all day too!
Glam21 One Shot!!! Sniper Gel Eye Liner in Shot Cappuccino, .5g - Retail Value $15.03
I love bronzy colored liners for days that I want a more subdued look. They give just the right amount of definition. This shade has a slight metallic finish that catches a little bit of light but is still subtle. It is fairly smudge proof, which means it lasts, but that also makes it tough to blend when you put it on.
Sorme HD Chubby Eyeshadow Pencil with Sharpener in Wide Eyed, 4.59g - Retail Value $17
This eyeshadow stick is hard to work with. It applies very sheer and kind of chalky and just doesn’t blend well onto the lid. At most I think I would use this as a highlight in the corners of my eyes, but I have products that work much better for that already.
Manna Kadar Glo Illuminator, 20ml - Retail Value $29
Oh, this guy again! This illuminator has been included in several boxes I’ve received lately. It’s not bad but I really enjoy trying new brands and products so I’m not crazy about repeats from a brand we all know. Anyway, this liquid highlighter can be mixed in with a foundation to make it dewy or dabbed on to the high points of the face for a subtle highlight. I usually use powder foundation or tinted moisturizer so I don’t mix anything in, but it makes for an ok highlighter.
All of the items swatched from top to bottom: liquid lipstick, cream blush, eyeliner, shadow stick, and illuminator.
Here I’ve done my version of “Color Me Rosy”. I started by highlighting my cheekbones with the Manna illuminator which left a super subtle glow. Then, I dabbed on some of the Starlooks cream blush onto the apples of my cheeks and blended with my fingertips. My eyes got a thick line of the Glam21 eyeliner on the top lid and a thin smudge on the bottom lid. I applied the Sorme eyeshadow stick, but as you can see, it kind of just looked chunky and dry. Lastly, I applied a layer of the Appeal liquid lipstick over my bare lips.
Overall, I really enjoy this look for days when I want to look bright and, well, rosy.
The Verdict: Sweet Sparkle’s “Color Me Rosy” box has a value of $94.03 plus free shipping. The values have increased over the past couple of months and it’s been reflected in the product quality in terms of better formulas and brands. I can't pick my favorite between the blush, eyeliner, and lipstick! I did get one dud in this box, the eyeshadow, but the rest will certainly be used. All of the items, as always, are full-sized and coordinated to create an entire look. I like that Sweet Sparkle makes a point to provide subscribers with everything needed for the themed look and even give some inspiration on the info card. I hope next month includes a brand I haven’t had a chance to try yet.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Subscribe now to get next month's box!
Value Breakdown: At $24.50 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Appeal Cosmetics Ultra Shine Liquid Lipstick in Nude: $5.47
- Starlooks Cream Blush in Abstract: $3.13
- Glam21 One Shot!!! Sniper Gel Eye Liner in Shot Cappuccino: $3.92
- Sorme HD Chubby Eyeshadow Pencil with Sharpener in Wide Eyed: $4.43
- Manna Kadar Glo Illuminator: $7.56
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What do you think of the this month’s Sweet Sparkle box?
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