Isobel Rose

Holiday Shimmer with Sienna X

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

If there's one time of year where it is totally acceptable to quite literally glow, sparkle and shine, New Years Eve would be it. Luckily for both shimmer novices and enthusiasts alike, the Sienna X Instant Glitz Cracker in Gold* provides you with a surprisingly wearable and non-sticky Shimmer Spray that can be used on not only your body but also your clothes, which makes for a rather festive look indeed. In the cracker, you also get a generous sample of the Sienna X Gradual Glowing Self Tan which has been the receiver of countless good reviews and praise all round.

Sienna X Instant Glitz Cracker in Gold - £4.95

As a self-confessed fake tan virgin (apart from a brief and highly disastrous dabble with some Dove gradual tan many moons ago) I was a tad apprehensive about giving this product a go, but luckily it turned out to be a fairly successful venture. My first worry was about my naturally pale complexion - I didn't want to come out with legs like an oompa loompa whilst my upper half remained a stark, porcelain white. Luckily, due to the gradual nature of the tan, this wasn't the case - although the result was still fairly noticeable to someone who isn't used to having a tan. My second concern came in the form of my horrendously dry, reptilian-like legs, which I was certain were going to leave me with great patchiness and streaks alike. However, this formulas is actually incredibly moisturising, meaning that giving my legs a good ol' scrubbing beforehand kept the patchy nightmares at bay.

As for the colour and smell, the shade of tan looked pretty natural (no tango here!) and could very well be convincing when trying to keep a tan topped up. As I'm obviously a complete novice, I didn't get a perfect application, but the result wasn't half bad either - I'd almost go as far as to say that I was quite proud of myself! The smell is fairly inoffensive too - none of that digestive biscuit smell that fake tan is so well known for.

So, take a nice and fairly natural fake tan and add some sparkle and I'd say you're NYE ready! Of course, this won't appeal to everyone out there, but it's definitely a set worth mentioning to those who love a bit of winter glitz and glam.

Although it hasn't convinced me to start self-tanning, I will say that I was fairly impressed with Sienna X's offering, and if the day ever comes where I might turn to the tanned side, this would be at the top of my list.

Have you tried anything from Sienna X before? Let me know what you thought!

I x

comments: 0

What I got for Christmas 2015: Beauty

Monday, December 28, 2015

As the above photo proves, I was incredibly spoiled this Christmas by my family and friends, and the above are the beauty bits that were waiting under the tree for me! The main present that I asked my parents for this year is the incredible Charlotte Tilbury The Golden Goddess Set which includes an eye palette, a blush, a lipstick, a lip pencil, a lipgloss, an eyeliner, and a mascara (a more indepth review to come!) I actually let my Mum take her pick of which set to get, I just wanted one of them! Needless to say, she made an excellent choice, because everything I'd tried thus far is amazing. Then from my little sister, I got the stunning Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow in Cleopatra which I had hinted at because that peacock colour is so beautiful - I can't wait to do a look with it! She also very kindly got me this lovely looking Skin & Tonic London Coco Mask which is from one of her favourite skincare brands. Moving swiftly on, I also found some very lovely nail polishes under the tree - the OPI Nail Polish in OPI Ink from my older sister's boyfriend, the Nails Inc. Snowglobe Polish in New Globe Walk from my parents, the OPI Little Northies Nail Polish Set from some family friends, and the Ciaté Sequined Manicure Set in Harlequin from my uncle! I was also treated to a ginormous bottle of the amazing LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel from my brother that is likely to last to next Christmas (he did good!!) and a gorgeous set - the Bare Minerals A Tale of Two Palettes - from my other Uncle and Aunt! I love the lipglosses from Bare Minerals, so I'm so excited to have a couple more of those!

I am so, so grateful for everything I recieved and have been playing around nonstop since I unwrapped everything! I shouldn't really have to say this, but I know problems will arise if I don't, but this post is not for bragging/boasting purposes, but simply to feed the curiousity of people just like me who have been scouring Google and Bloglovin' over the last few days to see what others found under their Christmas trees! This post also serves to let you know what I've now got in my collection, so you can request reviews/looks with certain products!

I hope you have all had a very jolly time with your family and friends (I know I did!) and look out for a review of a Sienna X product, as well as a 2015 favourites post before we welcome in 2016!

I x

SHOP THE POST:

comments: 0

WIBL #46

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Escada Ocean Lounge (50ml):

I've had this scent for ages; seriously, it must be at least 6 years old and I'm still a huge fan. It isn't really an everyday scent for me anymore like it was when I was in my teens, but it's sweet, fruity notes make this perfect for when you want to jazz things up a bit. It's probably considered to be more of a summer scent, but when have I ever followed the rules? They're more like guidelines in my eyes...

MAC Lipstick in RiRi Woo (LE):

A classic red for the festive season is always a must have, and MAC's RiRi Woo (which is identical to the permanent shade Ruby Woo) ticks all the boxes. It's neither too orange nor too pink, and despite its matte finish, it isn't too drying on the lips but still stays put for a good long while.

M&S English Mint and Strawberry Infusion Teabags:

I've never really been a tea or coffee person, except for a good ol' caramel or toffee nut latte (but that's not a great drink to get in the habit of buying every day) so I am forever looking for a suitable alternative to meet my hot beverage needs during the colder months. Enter M&S's Mint and Strawberry teabags - something that definitely sounds a bit posh and unnecessary, but are honestly really yummy. You may feel put off by the idea of fake strawberry flavouring, but the slight strawberry infusion honestly tastes like you've stepped into a strawberry field in mid-summer. Basically, they're yum, so if you're already a fan of mint tea, maybe try picking these bad boys up next time you're in M&S!

Make Up Forever Aqua Matic in S-60:

Everything I've ever tried from MUFE's Aqua ranges have been sensational, and this is certainly no exception. These are basically twist up stick versions of their amazing Aqua Creams, and are both incredibly long lasting, waterproof, and very easy to reply. I've got a really nice metallic brown shade which works both all over the lid for a sultry eye, or applied directly to the crease to add definition. A big thumbs up from me!

What are some of your favourite products at the moment?

I x

comments: 0

Seasonal Lips and Tips

Sunday, December 20, 2015

There once was a time when donning the same lipstick and nail polish shade was considered a fashion faux pas, but the taboo that once overshadowed the idea of matching lips and tips has long been lifted, and now it's time to get all matchy-matchy for the festive season. I personally love a bit of coordination, especially when paired with a monochromatic wardrobe, so today I've laid out some of my favouite pairings to get you ready for the next wave of festivities coming your way this season. The range of shades is quite great to ensure that everyone, wearing any outfit can rock this look. Let's begin, shall we?

PAIR 1: Barry M Matte Nail Paint Burgundy Crush • £3.99 & MAC Lipstick in Rebel • £15.50

PAIR 2: Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel African Tea Rose • Revlon • £6.49 & MAC Lipstick in Snow Orchid • £15.50

PAIR 3: Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish 14ml - Covent Garden • £14.99 & Sleek Matte Me Lipstick Party Pink • £4.99

PAIR 4: Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet - Hot Pepper • £12.99 & OPI Nail Lacquer - Coca-Cola Collection 15ml • £12.50

PAIR 5: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres • £26 & Models Own HyperGel Sundress • £4.99

PAIR 6: Bourjois Colour Boost Lipstick Plum Russian • £9.99 & Essie Nail Lacquer 44 Bahama Mama 13.5ml • £7.99

PAIR 7: Kiko Nail Polish - 239 Vermillion Red • £2.50 & MAC Lipstick in Riri Woo/Ruby Woo • £15.50

Have you guys ever rocked the matching lips and tips look? Which of the above pairs would you go for? Let me know!

I x

SHOP THE LOOK:

comments: 0

A Kikki K Haul

Friday, December 18, 2015

Whilst in Covent Garden in London the other day, waiting for a friend to meet me for lunch, I spotted a new shop out of the corner of my eye that rang a bell - it was Kikki K, a brand spankin' new addition to the UK market and a shop that I could very easily spend hours wandering around. This shop is quite frankly a blogger's dream - I could easily see myself buying pretty much every single thing in there if I had the funds - honestly it's a stationery lovers heaven! Journals, diaries, and anything a girl could possibly need are all crammed into such a neat little store, and if I hadn't been with my friends I could've been in there a hell of a lot longer than I was! So, now I've introduced you to the shop a bit, let's take a look at what I smuggled into my shopping basket...

Daily notes pad: Be Brave - £7.50

First off we have one of these lovely little daily 'to-do' lists. I am a sucker for these things - when I can actually get my arse into gear, I find them really helpful to help me productive. Weirdly, ticking things off of a to-do list gives me such a thrill that it's often worth doing some of the more tedious tasks! What's nice about this pad is that it is more than a simple 'to-do', it also has room for notes, water intake, priorities for tomorrow, amongst other things. The simple, watercolour design is also really lovely - definitely one to keep out on your desk!

Bucket List Journal - £15

Next we have a bucket list book - something that won't appeal to everyone, but something that I'm looking forward to starting. I'm a huge fan of documenting exciting and fun experiences, so I couldn't be more excited about my new purchase! This book is set out so you can write a bucket list and tick it off when you've done it, but the guy at the shop told me that he uses his to document what he's done once he's done it, and I think that's the approach I'm going to take it. I'm so excited to do something to document in my new book - but what to do first??

2016 A6 Weekly Leather Diary: Blue - £18

Last, but certainly not least we have my new 2016 diary! I'm so picky when it comes to diaries that this is actually the second one I've bought for 2016 (a waste, I know!) but I'm glad to say that this is definitely the one. Kikki K has some amazing diaries - some of the full on filofax-esque pieces are amazing - but I wanted to keep my diary small this year because I still don't know what I'm going to be doing/where I'm going to be going. I love the colour of it, I love the weekly layout and the month view at the beginning of each month, I love that it has wishlist, books and movies pages, and I love that it has a pocket at the back with a sheet of cute stickers in it. Basically, it's the bomb, and if you haven't yet secured yourself a diary for next year, then I'd seriously consider checking out what Kikki K has on offer!

So, there you go - a quick look at some of the stuff that you can get your hands on if you pop into Kikki K! At the moment they only have two stores in the UK, both in Covent Garden (a permanent one and a pop-up), but if you don't live near the capital then you can visit their online shop and take a browse there! As a hardcore stationery lover, I couldn't be happier with my purchases, so I can't recommend visiting the store enough if you're in the market for something to keep you organised or get you inspired!

Have you tried anything from Kikki K? What do you think of the brand? Let me know!

I x

comments: 0

Home for the holidays

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

After many fruitless attempts to escape the boredom of unemployment, I have found myself trundelling back to my family home for Christmas a week or so earlier than planned. My home is particularly special at this time of year; not only because it hold so many wonderful memories spanning over two decades, but also because, in my eyes, my parents have the most amazing design aestetic when it comes to our humble abode. Once the decorations have been put out and the winter candles have been lit, I often find myself spending great amounts of time wandering around, trying to capture some of the Christmas magic on my camera to preserve forever. This year I've really been having trouble getting into the festive mood; all of the red cups and Christmas jingles have yet to spark that joy. If there is one thing that can excite me, though, it's the sight of my home at this time of year when it's all decked out.

True to the colour theme that I spoke about in this post, our gorgeous christmas tree is dressed up with sparkling purple and gold decorations that give a sence of instant nostalgia the second that they're unwrapped. The smell of pine that you can only ever get from a real tree fills the air, exciting even the least festive amongst us. The fridge is stuffed to the brims with food and booze, and around every corner you can find a bowl of festive treats that you enevitably end up stealing from every time you pass by. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, my immediate family will all be at home (which only really happens at this time of year!) gathering around the fire and singing Christmas carols, ready for a day full of festiveness and family fun.

I hope you all have a jolly festive season with the ones you love (whatever you celebrate!) and start off 2016 feeling fresh and ready to take on the world! To keep you feeling festive, I've taken some of my favourite pictures of my home at Christmas for you all to enjoy!

What does your family get up to at this time of year? What are oyur favourite traditions?

Isobel x

comments: 0

Olaplex @ The Strand, HK

Monday, December 14, 2015

Location: Cochrane St, Central, Hong Kong

So, remeber when I popped over to Hong Kong back in October and got a lovely hair treatment done? Well, today is the day that we take a closer look at the products that were used and how they worked for my hair - so, let me introduce you to Olaplex*, a great new treatment which actually helps to repair hair at the whilst colouring!

So what exactly is Olaplex? Olaplex is a three step treatment which includes a bond multiplyer which you mix in with the hair colour (I got my blonde roots topped up), a bond perfector which you use as a hair mask after washing out the colour, and a hair perfector which is used as a hair treatment over a week or two after the initial treatment. Long story short, Olaplex is designed to repair disulphate sulfur bonds in hair strands which often suffer due to colouring, heat, and other chemical treatments that are often used. It is used to keep your hair as conditioned and healthy as possible whilst still being able to create and maintain amazing styles. So, not only does your hair look amazing as you step out of the salon, but it also remains hydrated, soft and shiny once you go home and wash it yourself!

Before // After

Despite the fact that my hair was nicely washed and blow dried, I definitely felt a noticable difference in how healthy my hair felt even after being coloured, which you can see in the picture above. Using chemicals on your hair is always going to slightly damage it, but it's nice knowing that that can be dramatically reduced by using a product like the Olaplex set!

Before I finish I want to say a big thank you to Beverly and the entire team as The Strand HK for letting me try out this amazing new treatment! If you're ever in Hong Kong, then I seriously reccommend popping in and indulging in one of their great treatments!

Isobel x

*This treatment was provided for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

comments: 0

Late night musings: Vol. 1.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Whilst trying to plan for my future, I've found myself planning to plan more than anything else, which has left me with the bitter taste of unfulfillment and disappointment in my mouth. My whole life has been about making important choices, which seem to only gather in weight as I age, and I'm so scared of making the wrong choice that I've been putting off a decision altogether - simply 'being' without living.

Months have flown by without anything noteworthy happening - I’ve been set to auto pilot and although I’ve managed to stay in the air, it’s only just been by the thread of my teeth. I feel like I have no purpose, no reason to get up, no motivation to make anything of myself because I seem to have forgotten how it feels to make progress. I have been standing still for 6 months.

The sad thing is, that throughout every second of this idleness I’ve been fully aware of my position. I haven’t simply been getting on with things and not noticing my lack of direction - it’s a fact that I am painfully aware of every minute of every day. I’m not denying it, that’s not what is keeping me from moving forward, but the longer I stay stationary the more I question the point of even trying to make something happen, because I’ve lost all confidence in my ability to make things better for myself - I’ve lost hope for a better, more normal life.

It feels like in this modern world, you really have to excel at something to make it, and that’s where I’m lacking. I’m fairly average, and ‘fairly average’ isn’t special at all, ‘fairly average’ doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. Yeah, I’m decent at some things, but I don’t excel - I don’t stand out. The only thing I seem to be good at at this point is complaining about things on the internet. No one ever made a name for themselves by blending in, so maybe that’s why I’m so scared to jump into anything - my lifelong search for perfection means that I’m petrified at being average at everything I do, when all I yearn for in life it to find something I am good at, and more importantly, love doing and run with it. Being mediocre just won’t cut it for me, so the longer I put off trying anything new, the longer I can remain blissfully unaware as to how I would perform in certain situations/environments. If I constantly hide away, though, how will I ever find my true calling? Do I even have a calling? Is it something everyone has?

I just don’t want to be someone that just gets on with life - I want to make something of myself and find real joy in my daily life. How will I ever find that joy if I’m too scared to ever adventure out of my comfort zone to start looking for it…?

♥︎

comments: 0

Made Up: A Purple Christmas

Sunday, December 6, 2015

After moving to Hong Kong, we realised as December rolled around that we had to buy all new Christmas decorations for our house, and for some reason or other we decided on a theme of purple and gold, a colour palette that has stuck with my family even to this day. Rather than go for the usual red-lip, gold-eye look like a million other bloggers will attempt this season, I decided to go back to my family's traditional love of purple around Christmas time, and came up with this alternative look for you all to try out! It still has rich tones and a touch of glitter, so it definitely won't look out of place, but it's just that little bit different! So, I hope you enjoy the look, and if you have any requests for January's Made Up, let me know!

1. Prep your face - cleanse, moisturise, apply lip balm and put on your foundation/concealer/powder.

2. Add a baby pink eyeshadow all over your lid.

3. Start adding a slightly darker pink/plum shade to your crease and blend it out with a clean, fluffy brush.

4. Grab an even darker shade and deepen the colour in your outer corner.

5. Pack on some baby pink/lavender pigment in your inner corner - this is Kitchmas from MAC.

6. Line your upper waterline with a black kohl liner, then line your upper lash line with a liquid liner.

7. Do your brows!

8. Add a pinch of cool-toned pink blush to your cheeks.

9. Dust some highligher on the top of your cheekbones..

10. Add a final bit of concealer under your eyes to clean them up.

11. Add a good coat of mascara, and feel free to add some fake lashes if you want (I tried to but they wouldn't cooperate!)

12. Add a nude pink lip gloss and make sure everything's looking good!

Let me know if you like the idea/format of this feature, and if you do, please feel free to leave any requests!

I x

comments: 0

A Christmas wish list you say...?

Friday, December 4, 2015

I know, I know, a Christmas wish list post - how original! I promised myself that I wouldn't write one of these this year, but here we are with just under a month left to the big day and I've found myself on Photoshop making a collage out of all of the pretty things I long to find under the Christmas tree this year. A girl can dream, and this season my dreams have been particularly full of Charlotte Tilbury bits, LE NARS sets, as well as a few nerdy additions like a wireless media drive and an Xbox game or two!

1. Charlotte Tilbury The Vintage Vamp Set (£165)

2. Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox One (£44.99)

3. SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive 64GB (£76.99)

4. Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Cleopatra (£22)

5. NARS One Shocking Moment Cheek Studio Palette (£45)

6. Charlotte Tilbury The Ingénue Set (£145)

So that's what's on my Christmas list this year, do you have any of these on yours?

I x

comments: 0