H&M Arrives in Melbourne!

I'm sorry this isn't relevant to people who don't live in Melbourne or even Australia, but my excitement proves too much for me to hold back on writing this blog post...so please bear with me!

After watching YouTubers in the UK and other various places around the world go on and on about the purchases they've made at H&M, I can finally take your advice on board and have a look at the store myself...yes that's right, there's at long last an H&M in Melbourne (on Bourke St to be precise)!

Naturally as I was in the city the other day I had a visit to the store and let me tell you, it is extremely packed with customers (as you can see I'm not the only over-excicted Melbournian)! There are three huge levels in H&M and my friend and I only made it around the first as there were just far too many people crowding around, making a very difficult shopping trip. There was even a line that bent around the block to get in and another long line to reach the fitting room...I remember it being a similar scenario when Topshop came to Melbourne.

A word of advice, if you plan on going to the H&M store in Melbourne and aren't keen on spending hours pushing through crowds to look at clothes or waiting in massive queues to try clothes on, don't even bother going in the afternoon. Pick either the earliest time they open or later at night and preferably not on the weekend.

Aside from the crowds and from what I saw in my very short visit to H&M, it is exactly what people say: cheap, affordable, loads of selection (there's definitely something there for everyone) and nice designs. I thought that because everything was so cheap the quality and style of clothing would be rubbish but was pleasantly surprised as I found so many things I liked. Obviously there are a few items such as coats etc. where the fabric didn't feel so fabulous but I mean, that's to be expected at such a low price.

All in all I would highly recommend you pay a visit to this splendiferous store, it's a shopaholics dream. Cheap as chips and caters for everyone's needs. Now we just need a Primark.

Have you been to H&M  and enjoy shopping there often? What are your tips to surviving the jam packed space? 

xx

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May Favourites

Hey guys!

Another month, another favourites. This month has been a rather slow moving one and I'm so excited for the holidays coming up! A few more assignments at Uni to get done and I'm a free person...for a little while...squeeeeeee.

1. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

A cult favourite and actually the first Real Techniques brush I bought. I've broken the pattern of constantly using Sigma makeup brushes and I'm glad I have as this buffing brush is amazing. It's relatively cheap, dense and small in size which makes it extremely easy to work foundation into the skin. I find my foundation looks a lot more natural and seamless when using this brush and my makeup also lasts for longer...don't ask how but it does.

2. Toni&Guy Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged Hair

I have very dry, frizzy, easily damaged hair and am constantly on the look out for products that claim to de-frizz and replenish. Aside from the conditioner "Retread" by Lush, the Toni&Guy shampoo and conditioners are the only hair washing products (that are relatively affordable) I'm thoroughly impressed with and actually make a difference to my frizzy hair situation. Not to mention they smell a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

3. Nude 'tude Eyeshadow Palette by theBalm

I've done a review on this palette HERE.

4. Treacle Moon Bath and Shower Gel in Vanilla

Basically I was in the supermarket looking for a new shower gel as I'd run out of my last one and came across this product by Treacle Moon. It's packaging is gorgeous and the perfect size as I won't run out of it in two seconds, it lathers extremely well and smells of sweet vanilla (I went on a smelling rampage of all the shower gels haha..am I the only one who does this?). I actually sat in the car smelling this all the way home because I'm a weirdo like that. But honestly, if this shower gel was edible...

5. Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in "Ivory"

I've really been loving this concealer in the month of May and have used it every time I do my makeup. It's creamy formula is very easily blendible and works great under the eyes if you're looking for a more radiant look. The shade Ivory is perfect for my natural skin tone and even more perfect for when I've tanned as it works great as a highlighter. Would highly recommend this concealer to anyone.

6. Harry Potter

I had to choose a picture from the first movie because they're all SO CUTE! 

As aforementioned in my previous blog post I've gone on a little Harry Potter frenzy this month. It was sparked by a very boring evening watching YouTuber's vlogs touring the Harry Potter set and I had this sudden urge to watch every single movie in order from start to finish...and I can tell you I succeeded this ambition...in a week (yikes). Followed was that 'post-tv show/movie saga sad feeling' when there isn't any left to watch and you wish it was all real life. Or does that just happen to me?

7. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Oreos

I wish I never found these in the supermarket...I'm hooked! Honestly, if you're a peanut butter fan you will absolutely love these. Just like your normal oreo except with a half peanut butter, half chocolate cream filling. *Hashtag foodgasm*

So that's it for this month, I hope you enjoyed. Hopefully next month I'll have some more exciting things to include because I feel as though these products weren't all that thrilling.

What are your May favourites? 

xx

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Naturally Beautiful

Being the terrific procrastinator that I am, this past week I've sat at my desk and gone through not only every Harry Potter movie, but also THREE of the Twilight movies. Yeah good one Issy, you're going to do really well in Uni.

Anyway, one thing that was really brought to my attention in both of these magical sagas was how naturally beautiful the characters Hermoine Granger and Bella Swan looked. Perfect skin, soft wavy hair and tinted lips. I think this look is so simple yet so gorgeous and it's inspired me to have a go at it myself. 

It reminded me that although I love getting fancy and applying a tonne of makeup (let's be honest here), sometimes less is more. And I'm not so naive as to think these actresses just get out of bed in the morning looking as they do in these movies, obviously they've had their hair and makeup done, but it's applied in such a way that as a viewer you can hardly tell at all...the 'no makeup' makeup look. I love it.

I found a few photos of me around the age of 14/15 that reminds me a lot of how these characters are made to look. I didn't cover my face in products and I left my hair natural and wavy. At the time I didn't appreciate having nice skin which is sad because I could only wish to still look like I did in these pictures (which I've provided below).

I think it's time for me to hit the skincare hardcore and the eyebrow waxing/tinting pronto. Haha. 

What do you guys think of this look and would/do you wear it often? 

xx

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My name is Isobel and I'm a shopaholic

Yes, it's true. And the fact I'm a poor college student doesn't help my situation in the slightest, so to keep my longing for all things materialistic and beauty related at bay, I've decided to make a list of the items I currently want to buy.

This might give you some ideas and inspirations for things you want, and if you're a shopaholic trying not to spend money like me..well..I'm sorry for tempting you. *Hashtag first world problems*

1. Bobbi Brown Face Blender Brush - Thanks to YouTuber Tanya Burr mentioning this brush in her video, I now have to try it. You can find the video HERE.

2. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in "Creme cup" - Cremesheen lipsticks by MAC are my favourite and this shade is a beautiful light pink, perfect for a natural everyday look or to accompany bold eye makeup.

3. Elizabeth Arden Fragrance in "Mediterranean" - I remember having a sample of this yonks ago and absolutely fricken loving it so I've decided it's about time I go back and repurchase in a larger bottle...when I have the money of course. Sad face.

4. Doc Martin Shoes in Black - I think these shoes are a fashion staple as they can pretty much be teamed with any casual outfit, are comfy and look really cool.

5. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - I don't own a bottom lash mascara and I think it's about time I did as I'm constantly having the struggle of trying to make my bottom lashes not too heavy looking and getting rid of any bits that have smudged below my eyes. I've heard good things about this one.

6. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream- This cream claims to do a lot of great things and it's been raved about constantly so clearly I need one for myself...

7. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in "Peach Blossom" - Again, I love MAC cremesheen lipsticks and this is a beautiful peachy, pink colour. Would be a gorgeous everyday wear.

8. NARS Blush in "Orgasm" - Such a cult favourite and I'm a little ashamed I'm so far behind on the band wagon. I'm on the hunt for a new, natural looking blush and this seems to fit the bill perfectly...plus a little shimmer never hurt anybody.

9. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation - This foundation, although very much on the pricey side, has been talked up about massively and would be great for special occasions. It's got such a gorgeous texture and finish from the pictures that I've seen.

10. OPI Brazil Minis Collection - I saw this the other day in the chemist and I now absolutely have to have it. I've been collecting OPI for some time now and to say I have an obsession is an understatement. I love the minis as you can buy more for less and I highly doubt I'll ever get through one of those massive bottles. The colours in this collection are very summery, exotic and predominately opaque. The shade that stands out most for me is "AmazON...AmazOFF"; a deep jungle green colour.

11. Lorac Pro Palette - Once again, this is such a cult favourite that I feel as though my makeup collection isn't complete without it...but then again, will it ever be complete? Probably not.

12. St Tropez Classic Tanning Mouse - I fake tan a lot of the time and from reviews, this seems to be one of the best. A lot of professional salons use St Tropez, as do a lot of my friends and the results look flawless.

13. Clarins Lip Balm Crayon in "Pink Me" - This seems to me like such a staple lip product and one that I would wear a lot. Not only is it a gorgeous, sheer pink colour but it's also moisturising on the lips and the fact that Clarins have now spiced things up a bit from the regular crayon lipsticks, intrigues me.

14. Nars Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base - My current MAC eye primer isn't satisfying me (for reasons I may explain in a review later on) and so I thought I'd give this one ago.

So that's my very long list of things I really want to buy, I hope you enjoyed it. It's relieved me a little of my desire to go and spend more money!!

Have you tried any of these products/items? What things are you hanging out to buy? 

xx

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A Trip Down Memory Lane...

Hey guys!

You know when you have one of those days where nothing seems to go right and all you want to do is hop in a time machine and travel back to better times? Well, today is one of those days. I miss the old me and I appreciate everything that I've been lucky enough to do. At this point you're probably very confused as to what I'm talking about so I'll fill you in...

I used to be an elite gymnast. Gymnastics to me wasn't just a couple hours a week of giggly fun, it was a full time job. It was my life. I was sat at home the other day scrolling through old pictures of me doing gymnastics and I had one of those 'damn, what happened?' kind of moments. Does this often happen to you?

I used to travel overseas to places like South Africa, Hawaii, Canada etc. to compete, I'd travel interstate for week long training camps and at home I would train 32 hours a week. We had an ongoing support team too: masseur, physiotherapist, ballet coach, palates instructor.. you name it. Along side this crew were my fellow team mates, we had an amazing home away from home and they felt like family. I'm not for a second trying to blow my own trumpet, sorry if it seems that way, I've just had an overwhelming onset of nostalgia.

I know that this isn't the end, I've got many more great experiences to come but sometimes it's just nice to sit back and appreciate all the fond memories and goals you've achieved from the past.

I've included some photos below just for a little trip down memory lane. I hope you enjoy :)

My very first competition at 6 yrs old

State Level after I'd moved to MLC (a new gym, I wanted to become more serious)

2007 when I joined the International team!

Victorian Championships 2008

My Bestfriend and I at National Clubs, Canberra in 2008 with our coaches 

The team, 2008 

Competing in Montreal, 2009

The fabulous team, including Megan the masseur, in Montreal 2009 (I'm on the far left)

I love this shot and had to include it haha. The team trying to pass tedious travelling hours as we headed off for America.

National Clubs, Canberra 2009

National Clubs, Canberra 2009

Making a cubby house from foam between training sessions on the holidays...the things you do to pass up time! Haha.

Line up in training camp, Canberra (I'm the girl with brown hair and pink leotard)

Coming first place on Bars at the 2011 Australian Nationals in Perth :)

The gorgeous Victorian team competing at Nationals in Perth, 2011

Competing in South Africa, 2011

Big smiles after doing well in South Africa

I love this picture so I had to include it...having fun on the beautiful beaches of Cape Town, South Africa!

Looking out over the water in South Africa. The water was super cold!

Competing in Hawaii, 2012 (sorry, bum shot!)

More photos on the beach in Hawaii. We had loads of time off to chill out and explore after this competition...such fun!

National Clubs in Canberra, 2012

My coaches and I at National Clubs in Canberra, 2012

Last but not least, I thought I'd finish on this funny picture of me pulling a face in Hawaii. Nice disco ball head Issy...there should be a limit to the amount of sparkle hairspray that is legal haha!

Alright so I will stop there. I picked a few out of the hundreds of pictures that I have as I don't want to bombard you anymore!

Do you often find yourself reminiscing fond memories?

xx

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Product Review - theBalm Nude 'tude Eyeshadow Palette

Hey guys!

It's been awhile since I've done a product review and what better review to do than this a-m-a-z-i-n-g eyeshadow palette by theBalm. My best friend gave this palette to me as a part of my 18th Birthday present and I'm already loving it (thanks Kristina)!

I find a lot of eyeshadow palettes to come in quite boring packaging, however the packaging on this one is so cute. It's also very light and compact so ideal for travelling.

A two-sided brush is provided alongside the eyeshadows which I actually haven't used but intend on doing so soon. I have enough brushes as it is, however if you're just starting out with makeup then it looks like a pretty handy and good quality brush to me.

The palette comes with 12 highly pigmented shades; 4 matte and 8 shimmery. When I first used the shade 'Sleek' I was shocked at actually how pigmented these shadows are and how creamy the texture is. I think aside from colours, this is my favourite part about them. I didn't have any trouble blending, in fact I find them much easier to blend than my many MAC eyeshadows.

Being more of a neutrals gal when it comes to eyeshadows, these shades are perfect. I love that it comes with some matte shades also as I don't always want to use shimmer. I've also found their dense texture and high pigmentation to be a very nice eyeliner on days I get a little 'eye lazy' or just want something a little more natural and subtle.

Although Nude 'tude isn't the cheapest of eyeshadows, I'd highly recommend it to anyone. It's such a cute, fun and versatile palette, the shades are simply too gorgeous to pass up...a great addition to anyone's makeup bag :)

Have you tried this palette? 

xx

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When in doubt, wear red

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick." 

- Gwenyth Paltrow

A lot of people are very intimidated by wearing red lip colours which I think is a real shame. There are so many gorgeous red lipsticks out there and I think more people should be wearing them! I thought I'd show you my favourite way to wear a red lip, and that is with a bronze smokey eye. I love this combination because it's classy, versatile and not too tricky to achieve with a bit of practice.

It's all about choosing the right shade for you and I think that's something many people forget to do. Not every red lip will look fabulous on everybody...here's a quick guide to picking the right one.

In these pictures I am wearing the 'Brownluxe' MAC palette (my favourite pallete ever which I've almost run out of!) for the smokey eye and then 'Ruby Woo' by MAC on my lips. I would wear this on a night out or even during the daytime if I really felt like it.

I hope this gives you some inspiration and always remember, as a makeup artist once told me, pulling off a bold red lip is all about your attitude and how you wear it rather than letting it wear you!

What's your favourite way to wear a red lip? 

xx

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Face of the day

Hey guys!

Here's my second face of the day. As opposed to my previous FOTD which was more of a glamorous look (which you can read about HERE), this is one of the ways I like to do my everyday makeup; simple, natural looking and most importantly...not time consuming.

I like wearing this type of makeup around Uni and just on days I feel like my skin needs a lot of brightening up. On these kinds of days I focus on using a lot of illuminating products so my face looks fresh and awake but not drowning in foundation. I find that when you apply makeup in it's correct place and using the correct technique, you don't need to use a whole lot...so minimal foundation etc. was used.

I was also a little naughty today and didn't use any primers, not even an eye primer! Instead I just dabbed a little concealer over my eyelids, moisturised well beforehand and my makeup lasted all day. I think I might do this more often :) 

Before & After (claps for being brave and going facially naked on the internet!)  

What's on my face:

- Nars sheer glow foundation in 'Mont Blanc'
- Rimmel wake me up concealer in 'Ivory'
- MAC liquid prep+prime highlighter in 'Radient Rose'
- MAC eyeshadow in 'Mystery' for the eyebrows
- MAC clear eyebrow gel
- Loreal 'Very Violiet, Violet Intense' eyeshadow palette #514, using just the shimmery pink shade, to highlight the brow, tear ducts and to sweep across the eye lid
- MAC eyeshadow in 'Mystery' for the crease and under the eye
- Rimmel scandaleyes waterproof kohl eyeliner in 'Taupe' for the lash line
- MAC eyeshadow in 'Mystery' over the top of the taupe eyeliner
- Maybelline the falsies mascara in 'Blackest Black'
- MAC skin finish powder in 'Medium Plus' for t-zone
- Benefit hoola bronzer
- MAC blush in 'Pinch Me'
- Revlon lipstick in 'Coralberry' #674

Let me know how you found this FOTD and what makeup you like to wear during the day in the comments below. Love you lots. 

Ps. As you might have noticed I'm blogging a lot more regularly as of late and am really enjoying it! It's such a nice way to unwind and ramble about all my beauty obsessions with like-minded people. I hope you're enjoying my posts, for those that do read them. xx

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Beauty & Cosmetics Haul

Sooo...ummm...I took a trip to Priceline and lets just say I got a little carried away. I went in for a lipstick and came out with a whole lot more. But who can say no to a 40% off sale on all hair care products? Not me!

This is what I bought:

 1. TONI&GUY nourish shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair. I love Toni&Guy and have heard great things about this.

2. TONI&GUY prep leave in conditioner. I don't currently have a leave in conditioner and I'm on a hunt for a really good de-frizz hair product so here's hoping!

3. TRESemmé keratin smooth heat protect spray. I've run out of my Toni&Guy heat protect spray so I decided to try something new and go for the TRESemmé version. Keratin is meant to be really good for de-frizzing and replenishing the hair and a heat protect spray is a must when using hot styling tools.

4. Real Techniques expert face brush. Once again, I've heard great things about this buffing brush and I need a new one as I'm not enjoying my current foundation brush. Plus it's always good to expand your collection and try something new.

5. Revitanail base coat. I'm obsessed with painting my nails except they always chip within two seconds so I've bought a base coat in order to lengthen the life of my nail polish, and also do some good for my nails as it contains avocado oil and vitamin E.

6. Maybelline baby lips pink glow in the colour 'Pink Blast'. I needed a new lip balm and just thought the idea of having my lips tinted and smelling delicious at the same time of being moisturised was ideal (it's also a little sad that I haven't cottoned on to the baby lips trend, so it's about time).

7. Rimmel wake me up concealer in the shade 'Ivory'. Lately I've been having a lot of really good skin days where I don't actually need/want to wear foundation but just a little bit of concealer and powder, however my current concealers just aren't cutting it. I bought this product because the coverage is quite good and as my skin has been also looking a little dull, I'm hoping that it does what is claims and makes me look a little more awake!

8. Rimmel scandaleyes waterproof kohl eyeliner in the shade 'Taupe'. Holy mackerel, I swatched this eyeliner and instantly fell in love with it. It's texture is unbelievably soft, pigmented and the shade taupe is just beautiful. I think this eyeliner will come in handy when I want to have subtle, natural eye makeup in which case I can replace a black liner for this shade.

9. Revlon balm stain in #010 'Darling Chérie'. Funny story about this one actually. Mum and I were swatching the amazing Revlon balm stains and she came across this light purple, glossy shade. We both really liked it and thought it would be a fun colour to wear, however just couldn't find another one in the store. After searching high and low, the shop assistant told us this was the last one and most likely not on sale anymore. I'm not sure if it sells anywhere else but we bought it for a very cheap price anyway (she gave us a massive discount as it was a tester), and then I cleaned it up, cut off the used bits and there you have it!

10. Revlon colourburst lip butter in the shade 'Wild Watermelon' #063. Plain and simple really, I love this watermelon colour it's the sheer, moisturising texture. Watermelon lipstick colours really suit my skin tone and people often rave about the Revlon lip butters, so I'm going to give it a go!

So there you have it, my little (big?) splurge at Priceline. I always have so much fun shopping at drugstores and swatching as many products as I possibly can.

What's your current favourite drugstore product? 

Much Love 

xx

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