5 Things You Should Do:

As summer is approaching here down under (Australia), people are getting ready for that summer body or even for those who are planning to escape winter during the months of December- February. 

Here is my top 5 tips that I do to stay in shape and get ready to kick in for summer:

1) Sleeping 6-8 hours: 

This is perhaps the most difficult aspect for everyone to achieve. Poor sleeping patterns can cause late night eating which eventually leads to weight gain. It is best to achieve 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, interrupted sleep includes tv and computer stimulation, a bedroom that is not sufficiently dark enough and noise. One of the main reason as to why it is important to have a bedroom completely dark is because our skin repairs itself while we are asleep, any light in the room whilst we are asleep will interrupt the repairing process. 

The health benefits of adequate sleep includes weight control, great wellbeing and capable mental functions. 

2) Fitness as a priority:

If you have achieved your own bikini body then congratulations! But if you haven't, fitness is a priority in the lead up to summer. Early mornings are the best time to get a workout in as you feel fresh and ready to kick start the day. 

Often, we sit for prolonged hours at work and work long hours which is why fitness is very important. 

Exercising for at leat 20 minutes daily is better than no exercise. 

3) Do not shower after eating: 

I was told as a child that I was not allowed to take a shower right after eating. Funny enough, I found out that the main reason was weight gain. Studies show that digestion requires a lot of energy and a good amount of blood flow towards the stomach. 

Showering after eating will disrupt and slow down the process. When you take a bath or shower after eating, it causes a slight decrease in body temperature. 

It is advisable to wait at least 30minutes to an hour after any meal before bathing. 

4) Drink Lemon Water: 

This is a simple and effective method to get ready for a summer body. Drinking room temperature glass of lemon water has tonnes of benefits. Not only does it hydrate your body but it will help you shed a few pounds. Lemon is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, the Vitamin C boosts your metabolism and mood. To achieve glowing skin, drink some lemon water now! 

5) Eat healthy: 

This may be the hardest amongst the 5. Eating healthy will help you achieve your goals but keep you in shape. Remember to avoid any fast food or soft drinks, eating foods that are high in vitamins and nutrients will boost your metabolism therefore allowing you to lose weight faster. Some of the food that I recommend having are: 

- Black Beans (beans in general)

- Nuts (Almond, Walnut, Pistachio etc)

- Oats 

- Avocados

- Salmon

- Blueberries (Berries in general)

- Broccoli

- Eggs

- Brown Rice 

- Grapefruit

- Green Tea

- Fruits (Bananas, Mangoes, Watermelon etc) 

- Quinoa

- Chia Seeds

- Pumpkin

- Vegetables 

Hope this post was helpful and good luck in achieving your summer body! 

xx Nicholle 

Nicholle.hon@gmail.com (business enquiries)

Nichollezoe (Twitter) 

@Zzoeyla (Instagram)

My Beauty Essentials!

Spring has sprung here down under and it's time to break out my beauty essentials to create the effortless and natural look. During spring days, I prefer to use minimal makeup to compliment the freshness of spring. 

So here are some of my beauty essentials: 

1) Chanel Concealer in 10 

2) Naked Urban Decay Flushed 

3) Chifure Nude Lipstick 

4) Maybelline Rocket Volum' Mascara 

5) Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil (Hard Formula) 

I have used various different concealers but I find myself coming back to my Chanel Concealer all the time. 

The formula is super creamy and easy to apply, it's very smooth on the skin that gives off the effortless look. I have very oily skin and the concealer does not slip and slide on the skin, it stays put with/without powder on the top. 

I would definitely recommend this concealer to any of my friends who are searching for a high street concealer. Although, it is on the expensive price range but one tube can last me for about 6-8 months - such value for money! 

I purchase my concealer at Singapore Changi Airport. 

Buy Now! 

Price- SGD$35-$45

Urban Decay Naked Flushed

This product was a gift from my aunt for my birthday and I have been using it ever since. I absolutely adore this product and it has been very loved by me. 

This blusher, bronzer and highlighter trio has been a staple and I would bring just this palette on the go as it is compact and lightweight. 

As you can see, I have been using the bronzer on a daily basis and it is running out. The bronzer has a very natural finish that gives off a slight sun kissed glow to the skin without over doing it. 

The texture is similar to powder, it is not a creamy formula so it is very easy to blend on the cheeks. 

The highlighter is very subtle with a little shimmer, a little goes a long way! You wouldn't want to end up like a disco ball.. 

I apply the highlighter on the apple of my cheeks, and it gives me that glow when the sun hits my face. I also double the highlighter as an eyeshadow and to highlight my cupids bow. 

I am not a huge fan of blushers but this blusher is a soft pink with shimmer. It is super pigmented so a little goes a long way. Same as the bronzer, the formula is a powdery finish instead of a cream finish. 

I like this blusher and would only use it on days that I need a little flush to my cheeks. 

Naked Flushed- SGD$48

Buy Now!

Chifure Nude Lipstick 

This has become my absolute favourite lipstick of all time! I picked this lipstick up from a drugstore in Japan, Osaka and instantly fell in love with it. I was searching for a nude brown lipstick and I picked this up hoping it'll be a good product - it is! 

I have never heard of the brand Chifure but it's from Japan so it must be good, hey? 

The colour is a matte soft brown nude, it isn't very pigmented so I would need to apply at least 2 coats - I have very pink lips so that could be why too. It's easy to apply and its very creamy, it stays put all day through drinking and eating without having to reapply/touch-up. One thing I like about this product is that it does not dry out my lips at all. 

The packaging is small and easy to carry around - perfect for those who have a small bag. 

Chifure Link  - Price Unavailable. 

Maybelline Rocket Volum' Express 

In my previous blog post I have mentioned this product and praised it to its high ends. Check it out here for more information! CLICK HERE

 Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil 

Last but not least, eyebrow pencil! I have never left the house without drawing/filling in my brows. I've been filling in my brows since I was 16 and it took me quite a while to get the shape right (I'll be doing a blog post on filling in brows - especially if you have thin/sparse brows). 

I was introduced this eyebrow pencil by my mom, and I've been using it ever since! 

Shu Uemura's eyebrow pencil has a very creamy formula that is easy to use for those who are trying out for the first time. The colour begins to transfer on your brows once it touches your skin. 

You can get your pencil sharpened at any Shu Uemura store/counter for free! The pencil can last for about a year and half, I sharpen my pencils once every 4-6 months. 

Shu Uemura - SGD$33 

Buy Now

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and hope to see some of my favourite staples to be in your makeup bag! 

Prices are in SGD (Singapore Dollars) as I purchased majority of them in Singapore. 

Love, 

Nicholle 

Instagram: @Zzoeyla 

Snapchat: @NicholleZoe 

Contact: nicholle.hon@gmail.com 

Products are not sponsored. 

Maybelline Rocket Volume Express Mascara Review

Hello readers!

I've been on a 2.5 months hiatus away from the blogging lifestyle as I've been preoccupied with various issues. But nonetheless, I hope that would be the last hiatus and that I am able to dedicate some time to blogging! 

Today's blog post is about beauty, something that I have never done before but I felt like writing a beauty blog post today and here it goes. 

Maybelline Rocket Volume Express Mascara is my new favourite mascara, I pair this mascara with the Benefit "They're Real"; another favourite of mine. I've been using the Maybelline Rocket Volume Express mascara for about 6 months now and I figured that it would be best to write a review about it.

The mascara comes in a dark blue tube shaped like a rocket with bold pink wordings. It's really hard to miss in your makeup bag. 

The wand is not flimsy like other brands that I have used, it gives you the exact precision needed to navigate through your lashes. The formula is very smooth and it does not make my lashes look clumpy at all. 

When I first purchase the product, I tend to wipe away the first coat to remove any excess therefore I won't have clumpy lashes. 

Personally, I do not like clumpy lashes but my lashes are pretty non-existent so I needed a mascara that was definitely going to give my lashes volume but also make them super pretty. 

The brush was absolutely fantastic, the wand had a tapered end and I was able to coat my lashes without any clumps and minimal mess on the lids too. I use a windshield wiper motion to coat my lashes. 

Please bare with me as I do not have the perfect skills to take the perfect eye shot. But here you can see that i barely have any lashes, it's very sparse and thin. 

After applying the mascara, you can see a huge difference in my lashes. I HAVE LASHES!! Woo-hoo!! 

The formula stays on for a good 6-8 hours on my lashes, I do have oily eye lids but it never affects the mascara and it does not transfer to my bottom lashes at all. The mascara stays put well and it does not flake. 

Here's some reasons as to why you may not like it: 

1) The bristles aren't long enough: If you have thin and short lashes, the application might be a little tricky as the bristles are quite short on this wand. There are different mascaras from Maybelline with longer bristles. 

2) Volume: If you are blessed with having long luscious lashes, then this is probably not the mascara for you. Why? Simple; this mascara gives you a lot of volume and if you are looking for a subtle and natural look then I would say skip this one and try other mascaras from the brand. 

My Thoughts: 

This mascara won't work for everyone but for us who are not so lucky with thin and non existent lashes then this is the one that I would highly recommend. I am definitely happy with the product and its formula. It is an easy mascara to apply and remove; I use Bioderma to remove it. 

It last all day through the heat and rain and two coats is enough for me. 

Maybelline's Website (AU) - Maybelline

This is not a sponsored post. Comments are based on my own experience. 

Love, 

Nicholle 

Contact: nicholle.hon@gmail.com

Instagram: @Zzoeyla 

Snapchat: @NicholleZoe 

H&M Face Mask Review.

Hi Everyone, 

So today's is all about face mask review. Nothing new right here, if you are an avid reader on my blog you would totally understand my love for face mask (both homemade or store bought). 

A little background on how I found this amazing face mask that I totally swear by at this point in my life. In December I was in Europe for christmas and I had some trouble with my skin due to cold weather that dried my skin out majorly. As a person with very oily skin on a daily basis, this was truly my worst nightmare. Breaking out my staple products, they did not help my skin as much as I hoped it would. In the midst of my not-so-panic attack, I stumbled upon H&M face mask. Out of curiosity, I decided to give it a go! I bought the clay mask and coconut water mask. 

To my surprise, they helped my skin dramatically! 

My skin cleared up drastically the next day and it was hydrated throughout my trip (I did use it on alternative days). 

Today I thought I would review my favorite face mask among all the ones that I currently own; Coconut Water Mask (with Shea and cocoa butter). 

With only 10ML, this is a great product that you can easily bring on the plane especially if you are flying for more than 8 hours. Recycled air can dry our skin out. 

I began to open the container and it is a lumpy white colour somewhat like harden coconut oil. 

I began to apply this all over my face. I applied it for 10 minutes as recommended on the packaging, and whilst it was on my face it began to have the cooling effect. 

If you are new to these face mask, it is natural to have a cooling effect to most hydrating mask. 

I rinsed it off and to my surprise, it hydrated my skin like no other! My skin was soft and smooth to the touch. 

This product cost me $2.95, it can be used for 4 times (depending on the size of your face). I highly recommend this product to all my readers! 

I hope this helps you x 

Snapchat- @nichollezoe (I post up recipes here as well!) 

Facebook: Nicholle Zoe Hon 

Twitter: @nichollezoe 

Instagram: @Zzoeyla 

Till next time! 

Nicholle. 

How to control your cravings.

It's true that we all crave for a certain type of food particularly the ones that causes your sugar level to spike up. But here a few tips and tricks I found helpful and I would like to share them with you! 

What is causing it? 

At 2-3pm, this is when your sugar level tend to spike up regardless of how much food you had prior. Usually at this hour, you tend to crave for food that are particularly sweet such as Ice Cream, cookies, cake or even soft drinks. It's normal to have such cravings but finding what is the cause of it will help you solve that problem. 

Here are 4 tips to control that evil craving that you have! 

Eat more fruits: 

The consumption of fruits in the afternoon (2-3pm) is a good way to control your food cravings. Fruits that are naturally high in sugar content such as mangoes, apples or even watermelon can assist in those sugar cravings. But don't get confused with artificial sugar and natural sugar, your body needs natural sugar in order to function, so don't skip out on your fruits! 

Exercise: 

Another useful tip is to exercise during this period of time when your cravings are kicking in. Some useful exercises such as light jog or even weights can help with your cravings. Exercises releases endorphins which can help with your mood and suppress these cravings.

Learn to say NO!: 

It is important to teach yourself to say NO! Majority of the time, we give in to our cravings because we believe that it is what the body needs, but this is incorrect. Teaching yourself to say NO will help control these cravings. Find alternatives such as reading a book or finishing up your chores during this period of time. Sugar level tend to decrease after 3:30pm. 

Portion control: 

If you are feeling sluggish or lethargic, that can sometimes mean that your body is lacking in sugar as well. It is okay to give in to your craving every once in awhile provided that it has been portion controlled. If one scoop of ice cream will satisfy that craving you have, then go for it!

I hope these tips are useful and helpful for you to combat your cravings! It is okay to give in once in awhile as long as majority of the time you are taking care of yourself! 

New recipe will be up sometime this week! Don't forget to follow me on all my social media to keep updated! 

Snapchat- @nichollezoe (I post up recipes here as well!) 

Facebook: Nicholle Zoe Hon 

Twitter: @nichollezoe 

Instagram: @Zzoeyla 

Till next time! 

Nicholle. 

Tips on saving money.

University is the time when freedom arrives, whether its food or even on shopping. Many students would not be able to resist the temptation of having macca's or even other fast food chains, and junk food when they are in universities. 

here are a few tips to help you save your money but allowing you to eat healthy as well. 

1) Spend more money on farmers market. 

Farmers market are the best way, if you are trying to save money. When consumers buy in bulk, most farmers are willing to sell to you for a cheaper price - in comparison to one broccoli in the supermarket which costs around $6 per kg, however in farmers market it would only cost $1.50- $3 ea (depending on the season) . This will help you save a lot of money compared to supermarkets and the produce are fresher as it is harvested on the day of sale. 

2) Ignore the junk food aisle. 

Ignoring the junk food aisle can be rather difficult. To slowly cut out junk food, limit your budget of $2 a week to spend on junk food -  In Australia, that would only get you a bar of chocolate (if they are on sale). 

3) Pre packed lunch. 

Pre pack your lunch meals (more to come on the next few blog post), this way when you are having long days in uni, you would be able to have your own lunch. Some good lunch ideas are salads with herb crusted chicken and roasted tomatoes (more recipes coming soon!). 

Avoid going to the cafeteria if you have bad habits of resisting temptation. Pre packed lunches are going to be your money saver. 

4) Sign up for the loyalty cards at your local supermarket. 

Although farmer markets are going to save you tons of money, you would still need to spend money on foods at the supermarket. Signing up to be a member will help you save money, as most supermarket does point reward system or discount on items. 

5) Grow your own vegetables and herbs. 

If you are like me then you would know herbs are a life saver when it comes to flavor, I love chives and basil. They are my absolute go to herb when needed for most recipes. Growing your own would not only save you money from purchasing them but you would get fresh herbs every time you are in need of them. They are only usually a range between $2-$4 a pot! Pluck them and they will grow right out in the weeks to come! They are relatively easy to grow and handle. 

6) Buying superfood's 

I purchase super foods - eg chia seeds, spirulina, raw cacao, coconut oil and so on from my local super food store. If super foods are an essential in your dietary requirement - for example if you were vegan and you need the extra protein. This can be quite costly - however some of the easiest way to have these super foods without costing a bomb is by buying in bulk. 

Most company would be able to give a discount when you buy in bulk, but as well as give you their membership card, that entitles you to 10% off (in most shops in Australia). 

As much as I enjoyed writing this article, I hope you have too! These are my tips and tricks to having a healthy lifestyle yet maintaining those cash in your pocket! 

Thank you for reading, and Ill see you next time for my recipe

*Dont forget to follow my social medias*
Snapchat: @nichollezoe
Instagram: @Zzoeyla
Twitter: @nichollezoe 

Benefits of consuming MANGOES!

There are many different health benefits in consuming mangoes! Mangoes are popular during the summer where mangoes are in high demands. I do suggest on stocking up on mangoes when summer arrives, but though it provides health benefits, consumption of mangoes should be in moderation. 

Some of the health benefits include:

1) Age – Related Macular Degeneration

2) Cancer

3) Asthma Prevention

4) Bone Health

5) Skin and Hair

6) Heart Disease

7) Digestion

1) Age- Related macular degeneration

An antioxidant is present in mangoes that filter out harmful blue light rays where it plays a vital role to the eyes therefore are able to ward off damage from macular degeneration. This antioxidant is called zeaxanthin.

2) Cancer

Mangoes are high in Beta Carotene, which plays a protective role against prostate cancer.

3) Asthma Prevention

To those who suffer from asthma, mangoes will benefit you greatly. The risk for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients which are beta carotene that are mostly found in papaya, apricots, broccoli, pumpkin, carrots and the list goes on.

4) Bone Health

Mangoes contains Vitamin K. Low intakes of Vitamin K has been associated with a higher risk of bone fracture. The consumption of Vitamin K is vital as it is important for bone health.

5) Skin and Hair

Mangoes contain Vitamin A which is a nutrient required for sebum production that keeps the hair moisturized. Vitamin A is vital for the growth of bodily tissues, which includes the hair and skin.

Mangoes contain Vitamin C as well, where one cup of mangoes can build and maintain collagen in your skin and hair and to provide structure.

6) Heart Disease

Mangoes contain high doses of fiber, potassium and vitamin to help ward off heart disease. With the increase of potassium and decrease in salt intae, this can reduce the chances of one’s risk to cardiovascular disease.

7) Digestion

Mangoes contain mainly fiber and water, which can help prevent constipation and therefore promote healthy digestive tract, which decreases the chances of hemorrhoids

Moving on to the nutritional breakdown of mangoes, aside from the health benefits, it is shown that mangoes are low in calories with only 100 calories, 1g of protein, 0.5g of fats and 25g of carbs.

They are high in vitamins such as A, B-6, C, K and potassium.

                  I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it! 

              Happy Eating !