In light of the fact that we at Sparkle*Shelf are giving away a fab Sugar Cosmetics giftpack, I thought I'd give you the insider's scoop on some of the products. I've been using Sugar consistently for the past year now, and have even been privy to using some of the products way before they were even released! Oh the perks of makeup artistry ;) Anyhow, read on to learn more about the products one lucky gal will win come October 12th!

'Round the Clock Beauty

Sugar's 'Round the Clock Eye Palette offers you two choices: Punch Out (Night), eight intense and vibrant brights to add sparkle to your look, or DayJob (Day), a mix-and-match of eight shimmery and matte neutral shades. These are mineral eyeshadows brickpressed into the palette, so they are very soft (use a light hand to avoid crumbling, and avoid dropping the palette for fear of breakage!). They're also richly pigmented, so these shadows can be worn alone or mixed to create your own shade. They may be used wet for deeper color or an eyeliner effect or you can use them dry for a sheerer wash of color. Personally, I love mixing the green from the Punch Out palette with the black for a great emerald smoky eye, especially when applied over the Limeade Cream Color Stick.
 

Color Outside the Lines

Color Stick Cream Eyeshadows, touted as "crayons for the eyes," are travel-friendly and idiot proof. Available in 5 shades, the Apple Cider and Pink Fizz (champagne and pink shades) double as highlighters, and all the colors work great as eyeshadow primers. All apply with a very sheer wash of color, and a little goes a long way. Mix Blue Pop with a black powder shadow for a very modern shimmery blue-tinged smoky eye, or use Apple Cider in your inner eye corners to open up your face. And all the color sticks contain Kaolin, an absorbing clay to prevent creasing. So good.

Wink, Wink

Sugar's DoubleWink Mascara is amazing. I've been using it since it since January, and haven't found a better one yet. A dual-ended mascara made for layering (or you can use either formula alone), the volumizing formula contains vitamin E for moisturizing and cellulose for easy removal. It also contains growth hormone to make your lashes fuller over time. The lengthening formula is loaded with antioxidants to protect your lashes, and it's super flexible. I layer this over the volumizing for maximum bat-your-lashes effect. By the way, it's water resistant, not water proof, meaning it's safe for a few tears but not for a midnight swim.

Getcha Shine On

Tropic Tan Illuminating Liquid Bronzer is great for a shimmery glow that's waterproof - and yes, I've tested it. Its magnolia scent is a great twist on tropical without having to resort to boring coconut or played-out pineapple, and its vitamin E-infused formula helps keep your skin oh-so-soft. Meant for your body but safe for your face (non-comodogenic!), use it for contouring your cleavage or upping the glam factor for your gams. Its airless pump does tend to stick, though, so just screw off the top and pour it directly on your hands. My personal tip: mix it with lotion for a more sheer color, perfect for winter (or if you find the shimmer a bit too much, as I did).