With the colder months here, a whole new set of lip colours is required to go with the change of attire. My pinks and corals are retiring for now, and I'm bringing out deeper, more autumn/winter-appropriate shades.
Topshops's Matte Lip Bullet in Get Me Bodied is the perfect maroon shade, complete with a not-overwhelmingly-dry matte formula.
VDL's Expert Colour Lip Cube in 502 Hello Stranger is a nice bright red that's an alternative to the traditional scarlet. It's such a Christmassy shade and it gets me excited for the festive season.
When I first swatched VDL's Festival Lipstick in 501 Bordeaux, it immediately reminded me of Lorde; the name of the shade suits it very well! The shine of this product is fantastic, making it less Halloween and more vampy-glam.
Probably my favourite out of the set is Mac's Whirl. Dubbed as one of Kylie Jenner's 90s lip colours, I am absolutely in love with this neutral shade, along with Velvet Teddy. Whirl is slightly darker than Velvet Teddy, and Autumn and Winter are great times to rock those darker shades.
Rimmel's Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 008 is a smooth blue-toned pink. The formula applies very well and the product is quite moisturising.
First off, getting sick after a trip straight up sucks. My eyes are drooping as I write this and my nose is sore from being blown into tissues. Not a great way to spend half-term break, I have to say!
Sickness aside, I'm here today to share this absolutely gorgeous gem of a nail polish I found a few months ago. Usual Suspects is a matte metallic polish, as the title suggests, and the colour is hard to explain and capture. The multi-chrome polish is a metallic silver at first glance, but in different lights reveals shades of green and magenta.
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On my index finger you'll see a slight green tone, while on my ring finger is a hint of purple.
I was quite impressed with the formula of this polish as it dries quickly. Also, streaking is minimal. I was a bit careless with my middle finger so there is a teeny bit of streaking, but other than that the polish was absolutely fine.
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Usual Suspects reminds me of Essie's For The Twill of It and OPI's Peace & Love & OPI; it also has that multi-chrome look that is stunning on the nails. It looks great as a matte polish or with a shiny topcoat on top.
This polish can be bought in most Topshop stores around HK, so have a look around when you pass one. A '2 polishes for $99' offer was going on when I bought this so I shared it with a friend. I have a feeling I'll be wearing this polish a lot during the coming months; it's a nice cold-weather alternative to the normal black and navy.
I don't know what it is about the colder months of the year, but everything gets better (ok, maybe not everything but a lot of things). It's hard to describe, but music, fashion, and life in general gains a certain appeal. I think it's due to that cold weather and that feeling of, "I'm free and I can achieve anything!" It's like a New Year during the year that allows you to Be Productive and Make Changes before the year ends. Admittedly I'm much more sluggish during Spring and Summer, so I've compiled a to-do list of things I hope to do in the coming months!
1. Go for hotpot
Hotpot is pretty big in Hong Kong and though you can go for it any time during the year, what screams "winter" more than gathering a group of friends or your family for a hearty, stomach-bursting meal?
2. Bake something
My sister's the chef of out family but I am determined to produce a nice cake, pie, cupcakes, or brownies for us to share. I may not have all the skills required to do so, but it's all in the learning process!
3. Stick to my posting and uploading schedule
Recently I've been quite sucky, frankly put, with my upload and posting schedule. Life has gotten busy and the coming months will get even busier, but do come and check the blog every week. I've got two Autumn/Winter posts planned so keep an eye out for those. Hopefully I can iron everything out and get more consistent with posting and uploading.
4. Continue working out
This Summer I actually stuck to a workout routine, surprising my self. Now that the school year has started, I have been slacking a little bit, which is a bit disappointing. Time to pick it back up!
5. Get into the habit of burning candles
Besides blankets, candles epitomise coziness. My mum bought me a few candles back from the UK, and they smell divine! I can just imagine it: candles in the background while I'm on my laptop binge-watching 'Mr Robot' :)
So you've probably heard me moan countless times about the icky humidity of Hong Kong weather and how we get no Autumn (Summers merge into Winters around here). Surprisingly, as we meld into September the weather has been glorious. Mind you, I've got considerably low expectations of what Autumn should feel like, but the past few days have just been really nice.
Appropriately, Caitlin from Blogging Through The Mirror recently released a '20 Reasons I Love Autumn' post. I thought I'd do one as well, so make sure you check out hers here!
1. Those lovely days when it's sunny, but you feel a breeze
2. Candles seem much more appropriate, so abundantly burning them will not be frowned upon
3. Iced Starbucks drinks with autumnal flavours
4. Cozying up with a good book
5. Nail colours
6. All sorts of boots you can wear
7. All the sweaters
8. The general mood and atmosphere
9. Chillier nights
10. TV shows come back from Summer hiatuses (hello 'The Flash', 'iZombie', and 'The Big Bang Theory'!)
11. Humidity levels lower
12. Major school house events tend to clump around this time of year
13. Exercising outdoors will be more comfortable
14. Horrendous bugs and insects come out less
15. Fairy lights look more magical
16. Lots of Autumn decor revolves around rose gold (or as I associate it with)
17. Salted caramel seems to be a prominent flavour during Autumn and it is absolutely delish!
18. Listening to Christmas carols doesn't seem like a too far-fetched idea (... in my book it isnt!)
19. Everything Pinterest-y and Tumblr-y associated with Autumn
20. Knowing that Winter and Christmas are a mere few months away :)
Last week I went to Osaka with my family for term break and I went shopping there. We visited a few cool places like Tokyu Hands (up till the trip I had been calling it Tokyo Hands) and Shinsaibashi. The shopping bug struck me and I couldn't help myself because I, like most others, am a hard-core shopper and consumer of... things.
Before I start I would like to say I am in no way showing off about what I have purchased. Just wanted to clear that up!
Starting off with the most exciting purchase: a polaroid printer. I decided to purchase this because the day we went the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the exposure went crazy on all my polaroid pictures due to the sun. With the printer, you can use your phone to take and pick the photos to print. The outcome is a high-def polaroid that maintains the vintage quality of polaroid cameras.
Another exciting purchase: an iPod nano. I really needed an iPod to store my growing music collection and my phone was running out of storage (curse you mysterious Other storage that I can't get rid of!). Space grey seemed like a nice colour for the iPod so I went with that. It's such a funny little electronic, so different to the iPod nanos of the past. Truthfully I prefer the 4th or 5th generation nanos but unfortunately they don't sell that anymore.
'Midnight Kiss' on repeat!
Japan is basically Stationery Wonderland. In Y5 I was seriously obsessed with stationery. I hauled 3-4 pencil cases to school everyday, filled with gel pens, glitter pens, felt tips and other unnecessary bits and bobs. I do like stationery now but I'm not as crazy about it as I was back then. Still, in Japan I had to fight off the urges to buy pens, lead pencils and notebooks. Japan takes stationery to a whole other level. In Hong Kong you get the basics with a few gems. In Japan you are exposed to the whole treasure chest. I luckily managed to restrain myself and did not buy fifteen pens.
L-R: Pilot Acroball, Zebra Colour Flight, Bic ballpoint pen
The same happens with pencil cases. I found this one in Tokyu Hands, and it was slightly less expensive in HK so I justified buying it.
You all know I am a lip balm hoarder. The selection in Japan was incredible but I narrowed it down to two; of course one of them had to be a Baby Lips lip balm (the berry flavoured one with a limited edition Fashion Week tube), the other a mint-scented Shiseido lip balm. The packaging of these two are one point!
A crystal nail file
In Monki I picked up this set of coloured bobby pins. Coloured bobby pins are in right now, and I really like the rose gold ones.
missglamorazzi recently came out with a video on how to style coloured bobby pins so check it out!
Near our hotel was a ginormous Forever 21. My brain nearly shut down with excitement when I got there because it really was a shopper's paradise; it was huge. The decor was also really nice and everything was set up well. I picked up several accessories there because they have a wide range for not that expensive.
These ear cuffs are slightly different to the normal ear cuff. These ones have a part for your standard piercing but than goes up the cartilage. I'm always up for trying new accessory trends because you never know when you'll find one that suits your style. Speaking of accessory trends, I keep seeing the hand band on the internet. Seems pretty cool!
Aside from simple chain necklaces, I have recently started wearing crystal point necklaces. They are so fun and tumblr-y.
I also purchased two sweaters; one a nice, warm rust colour and another one in a grey-tinted mint.
That is all for today's haul! I stayed up late last night to watch 'The First Time' for the first time (heh) so I'm preettyy tired. I'm going to end it here but I'll see you guys next week xx
It's time for my October favourites! October was a pretty chill month; the weather got colder (as I keep mentioning), I made a ukelele during CAS week and my family and I went to Japan during half-term break.
Again, like last month, I'm starting with the biggest favourite of October: a TV show. It's called 'In The Flesh' and it's a BBC Three show. A friend introduced it to me a few weeks back and I've lost my head over it. The show is about zombies (Partially Deceased Syndrome sufferers) but it doesn't contain the typical gory element. It has a very original plot with a realistic insight on problems that people face today (depression, suicide etc).
There are a whole range of characters; you have your tormented individuals, a few bad guys, the supportive ones, the not-so supportive ones. I really do think Luke Newberry is a good actor, and he portrays Kieren Walker well. I don't want to spoil anymore because I want you guys to watch it for yourselves :)
But I just have to say Simon and Kieren have been aded to my ongoing list of OTPs, alongside April and Andy, and Captain Swan.
ITF only has two seasons and it's on the verge of cancellation, which would suck since they left season 2 off with a cliffhanger. If you watch the show already, continue to spread round #saveintheflesh, and if you're new to it go watch it and go give it some love and support.
I would also like to add 'American Horror Story' to this months favourites. I'm usually not that into the horror genre but I guess the Halloween spirit has gotten to me! 'Asylum' was a particularly good season, and I'm excited for what 'Freak Show' has to bring. So far Twisty has a very deranged sense of fun, with all the kid-kidnapping and whatnot.
I remember last Winter when I obsessed over Union J. I supported them through their X-Factor journey and when their album came out I immediately purchased the deluxe edition. As the year went on my passion for the boyband died down. For some reason watching ITF got me back into them. Possibly because Luke Newberry looks a bit like George Shelley, and ITF and Union J are both English... They came out with a new single 'You Got It All' last week but my favourite track has to be 'Where Are You Now' from their first album. I feel like it reflects the whole Siren OTP right now because it's on that 50/50 line. Anything that connects to my OTPs is good!
2. 'Midnight Kiss' - Propellers
I found this gem hidden in one of the 8tracks playlists I was listening to a while back. It's one of those songs that you can't help bobbing your head along to. Finding this song to download was a problem because I couldn't find the band on iTunes - it's possible they don't have one. But back to the point: really good song with both thumbs up from me.
3. 'Thinking Out Loud' - Ed Sheeran
Wow. If you've seen the music video for this track, you'll know what I mean. The dancing is flawless and Ed Sheeran surprised me; all this time I thought he was just a guy with a guitar. Apparently not! Great song with a beautiful music video to accompany it.
4. Gabrielle Aplin
'English Rain' has been on constant shuffle while I've been studying or sleeping. It has a nice, relaxing vibe to it with soothing tunes and poetic lyrics. My favourites out of the album are 'Please Don't Say You Love Me', 'November' and 'Panic Cord'.
Other favourites
1. This necklace
I found this rose gold A necklace online and bought it because a. A for Andy and April and b. I'm still into simple chain necklaces! The rose gold makes it very dainty and it stands out from the typical gold and silver.
2. Barley tea
Months ago I discovered barley tea in City Super and it immediately became my favourite drink. They stopped selling it a while after and I was like aw. In Japan, however, it was available everywhere. It has a rice-like flavour to it with a sweet aftertaste, slightly similar brown rice tea.
3. This purse
I purchased this Rip Curl Pharaoh purse from Zalora after my old one broke and I'm quite impressed with it. It's roomy enough to fit all my things but isn't bulky at all. I really like the design that's pressed onto the front; it's decorative and simple. Zalora shipping only took a couple of days and the quality of the purse is good. I would recommend Zalora because they sell brands that are not easily accessible in HK, they have a wide range of products and shipping is free over $150!
4. Maybelline Baby Lips Electro in 'Oh! Orange!'
Two of the Electro Baby Lips are now available in Hong Kong. The Maybelline stalls have started selling 'Pink Shock' and 'Oh! Orange!'. Being an avid consumer of Baby Lips, I was eager to get my hands on 'Oh! Orange!'. The colour of it may seem overwhelming but on the lips it is a nice coral-y tint. It's a perfect product for someone who can't commit to bold colours and needs a moisturising product (aka yours truly), and for $29 this tinted lip balm can't be beat.
I love writing these posts so much, I've already started thinking about next months favourites! Anyways, have a good day and I'll see you next week xx
Earlier this month I purchased Essie's 'After School Boy Blazer'. I've been wanting a colour like that ever since I watched TFIOS, because the polish Hazel was wearing was described as an 'almost black dark blue'. I scoured the net to find the colour and stumbled across ASBB. It matched the description perfectly!
Essie describes it as an 'academy blue-black'. Quite fitting, but really you can't go wrong with this! In the bottle the navy-ness of it is see-able. On the nail it's a black with a tinge of blue; in sunlight it is as it looks in the bottle.
The application was amazing. The consistency is nice and thin and the polish is very pigmented. I could almost get away with a single coat of polish, but being myself I naturally messed up the first coat and had to fix it up with a second. Still, I'm impressed.
Dry time didn't take too long; I'll even say that it was quick. But of course, the weather can effect the dry time because if it's colder outside (which it finally is :)) then dry time can change.
I am very happy that I purchased this polish as it is a wonderful colour that captures that quote from TFIOS. As a bonus, it is perfect for the Autumn and Winter season. It's a unique colour because it looks like it's a basic black, but actually there's another hue to it. I definitely will purchase this again when I'm out.
Book-Hazel has her blue-black polish and now real-Hazel has hers too :)
That's all from me today, hope you had a lovely Sunday!
September has been a pretty good month for me. I found out about a bunch of cool things and I can't wait to share them with you all!
The first favourite is Parks and Recreation. Ahhhhhhh. When I fall for a TV show, I fall for it hard and Parks and Rec was just one of those shows. I love everything about it, from the characters and mockumentary style, to the fact that each episode is twenty minutes long so I can watch more episodes in less time. Initially I started watching it because Chris Pratt is in it, and you all know how much I loved GOTG. After the first few episodes I was hooked; I finished all six seasons in three weeks. That's five years worth of a TV show in twenty one days. My record of obsession reached new heights.
1. 'Be My Forever' - Christina Perri and Ed Sheeran
Christina Perri and Ed Sheeran sound so good together on this track! The harmonies are on point and even though the song is super simple, it's so catchy It's a really happy song and it always cheers me up when I'm down. As a bonus, it reminded me of the love between April and Andy :) Gotta keep the ship support strong!
1/5. April and Andy mini playlist
Through watching Andy and April's relationship, a few songs stuck in my head, such as 'Be My Forever', 'Boom Clap' by Charli XCX and 'A Certain Romance' by Arctic Monkeys. 'A Certain Romance' is so quirky, just like the two.
2. 'Greetings From California' - The Madden Brothers
As most of my friends know, last year I had the BIGGEST obsession with Good Charlotte. I found their pop punk vibe really cool and I was desperate to learn all their songs on guitar (I once asked my teacher to teach me the solo from 'The River' and it didn't go so well :/). When they disappeared a while back I was totally distraught. But anyways, flash-forward to earlier this month: I discovered that the Madden Brothers, Joel and Benji, had come out with a new album. It reminds me a lot of the Good Charlotte vibe, but in a way it's changed. My two favourite songs are 'We Are Done' and 'Out of My Mind'.
3. 'La La Latch' - Pentatonix
This song became a fast favourite of mine as I only first listened to it last week. I kept hearing people (aka my sisters) about 'Latch' but I had never listened to it. Last week I decided to give the Pentatonix mashup a go, and I am so glad I did. 'Latch' is actually a really good song on its own but paired with 'La La La' makes it the best mashup. Pentatonix never fails to impress and 'La La Latch' is a huge hit in my book. Honestly not enough people know about Pentatonix and they need to hear their songs!
Other favourites
1. This bag
I love this bag because it's an everything bag. It fits whatever I need: a jacket, an umbrella, even a nice hefty paperback. I would never be able to survive with a small crossbody because it can only fit the bare minimals. This bag was purchased from H&M earlier this month.
2. 'The Night Circus' - Erin Morgenstern
This is my second time reading this book but it is definitely my all time favourite book. The storyline is thrilling and mystical, the characters unique, and overall reading it is an experience. As you can see from the worn edges, it is a well-loved copy and I'm contemplating buying a hardcover version so I can preserve it in the best condition.
3. Warm Vanilla Sugar body mist
Yum is all I can say about this scent! True to its name, it does indeed smell like vanilla sugar. It's a very sweet, comforting scent that's appropriate for Autumn. I really like how the new packaging of the bottle captures the essence and (with lack of a better word) style of the scent. And look at Bethany Mota owning the cover of Seventeen!
4. This necklace
I have to admit, H&M has really stepped up their game in terms of accessories. This season they launched a whole range of really nice accessories for relatively affordable prices. I found this adorable little necklace at the back of the store and it has become one of my most worn pieces. It's so simple yet beautiful, especially when it catches the light.
I apologise for my previous posts this month as I feel like they aren't really up to the standard that I would like my posts to be. The coming posts will definitely be a bit more exciting!
As I am writing this post, I am curled up in a blanket... with the AC on. It might be 'Autumn' now but in Hong Kong it feels nothing like it, which is a bit disappointing since I prefer cooler weather. Nonetheless, I've decided to do the I Love Fall tag created by missglamorazzi on YouTube, just to get myself prepared to buy sweaters and drink salted caramel lattes :)
1. Favourite Fall lip product?
A good lip balm is essential for Autumn and I am still loving The Body Shop Foundation's Dragon Fruit Lip Butter, which I did a review on HERE.
2. Favourite Fall nail polish?
This one is a Autumn/Winter favourite: OPI's Black Cherry Chutney. It's this really pretty purple-toned burgundy with some shimmer that's more visible in the bottle than on the nail. Whatever the season, I prefer darker colours because my nails are difficult to paint and light colours can sometime look flat.
3. Favourite Fall drink?
Easily the salted caramel latte from Starbucks, as mentioned above. I tried it last year and let's just say I am dying for it to return this year.
4. Favourite Fall candle?
I'm not a huge candle gal, mainly because festive candles are hard to grab hold of in Hong Kong :/
5. Favourite Fall accessory?
I find infinity scarves the comfiest type of scarf because when it's cold out you can just stuff your face into it, and it's just like ahhhhh. I bought one black and white striped one from Forever 21 last year and it is my favourite scarf ever.
6. Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?
I'm going to cheat a little here by saying neither, because I've never really had the chance to experience any of these activities in Hong Kong. I guess I would rather curl up with a blanket and a good book.
7. Favourite Halloween movie?
Again, going to cheat here. I've never watched a proper Halloween movie because I can't stand scary movies.
8. Favourite Halloween candy?
Anything chocolate, or those hilarious gummy eyeballs. TBH I've never been trick-or-treating, which is something I am upset about and vow to do one year.
9. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?
I honestly have no clue, but this year I want to actually put in effort and find a cool, unique costume. I was thinking of doing a group dress-up with a group of friends, but eh, we'll see.
last year's getup
10. What is your favourite thing about Fall?
Feeling the cold cooler air. It's a huge step-up from the gross humidity of Summer, and I love wearing boots, sweaters and scarves.
That is it for the tag! Hope you've had a nice Sunday and I'll see you next week xx
