The Wonders Of Burleigh Heads

The Wonders Of Burleigh Heads.

Gold Coast should be on your list if you are planning to travel down under during summer time. Summer time is the best when it comes to catching some killer waves down at Surfer's Paradise but there is more to Gold Coast that meets the eye. 

Burleigh Heads sits in between Surfers Paradise to the north and Coolangatta to the south. I visited Burleigh in the midst of summer and the weather was absolutely perfect. Here is a list of "must-do" at Burleigh: 

1: The Beach 

In my opinion, Burleigh Heads is one of the nicest beach that I had visited in the past month of traveling. The north-east facing beach offers one of the best swimming, body boarding and surfing beaches on the Gold Coast. You can expect clear waters, clean sand and seashells on the beach itself with boulders along the coast line. 

As the beach is located on the further end of Gold Coast, you are able to see the skyline of the city from afar which is a bonus if you are into landscape shots. 

Take a moment and enjoy the scenic view. On the right corner of the beach is the national park and on the left is the skyline of the city. 

2. The Burleigh Heads National Park. 

The national park is home to towering fragrant pine trees. The National Park wraps around the headline, offering views of the ocean on the left and a number of walking trails and wildlife to experience. Its clear trail path makes it easy for joggers and tourist to navigate. 

A perfect view from above at Mt Tumgun Lookout. In winter and spring, humpback whales are often seen at the lookout. 

At Burleigh, ancient volcanic columns meets the sea. The park features rainforest, eucalyptus forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, coastal heath and mangroves - perfect for those ready to be more involved with nature. 

How To Get There? 

Easiest Mode of Transport: 

• From Brisbane To Gold Coast: Train from Roma Street Station to Nerang Station (Approximate Travel Time: 1 Hour).   Cost: $16 (Concession) & $24 (Adult). 
• From Gold Coast To Burleigh Heads: Bus. 

What To Bring?

• Sunscreen 
• Hat 
• Swimwear
• Cameras 
• Picnic Basket (Picnic area are available near the beach itself). 
• Shoes that are easy to walk in.

Have you visited Burleigh Heads? Be sure to do so if you are visiting Australia! 

Happy Holidays! New blog post: Top 10 Things To Do In Melbourne (25th December 2016). 

Social Media: 

Contact - Nicholle.hon@gmail.com

Instagram- @Ohzoee 

Moreton Island Adventure

A Guide To Moreton Island 

It is no secret that Australia is well known for its beaches, sunsets and beers. Moreton Island has just about everything that you could ever imagine from shipwrecks to gorgeous sunsets, crystal clear waters and an array of activities on the island itself. This journey can be easily done in a day or spread out for those who prefers a more relaxed trip.

 

The History of Moreton Island 

Moreton Island is an island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay on the coast of South East Queensland, Australia. Situated approximately 75 minute ferry ride from Brisbane, it is the third largest sand island in the world. 

The island was named by Matthew Flinders and at least five lighthouse have been built on the island. One of the most famous wrecks on Moreton Island is the Tangalooma Wrecks. The Tangalooma wrecks came about in 1963 as a result of lobbying by recreational boat owners for a safe anchorage. The wrecks are home to many wonderful marine life such as Wobbegongs, Trevally, Kingfish yellowtail and an array of tropical fish. The wrecks creates an ideal spot for scuba divers and snorkelers. 

How To Get There? 

• Private Tours (Easiest way but expensive). 

Private tours are available for those who are unfamiliar with Queensland however it is more costly. 

• Package Tours (Convenient, cheapest option).

A package tour basically covers all the necessities such as jetty rides, all day hire of equipment at the island. Unfortunately, it does not include a tour guide on the island itself so you would have to do a bit of navigating which is relatively easy (just follow the signboards). I purchased this via viator.com for AUD$89, it was definitely worth it as I had more time to myself and I could explore the island at my own timing. 

The total time of traveling is an hour and half at least, depending on the ferry schedule. So I suggest you book prior to traveling! 

Best Time To Travel

Moreton Island is best visited during early summer when the sun is still scorching. The island is at its finest during summer as all marine life are easily visible - Do a weather check prior and plan accordingly as strong winds may be present which may affect some activities. 

Things to do at the island. 

Apart from sightseeing on the island, Moreton island offers a variety of land and water activities! here are some: 

• Snorkeling & Scuba Diving: Snorkeling and scuba diving at the shipwrecks are a definite must! If you can't swim, don't worry there are guides and lifejackets. 

• Go kayaking on your own or with a friend (obviously waiting for my friend). 

• Discover Marine Life: Starfish and an array of tropical fish can be found near the shore. 

•  Stand up paddle boating 
• Dolphin Watching and Feeding

• Bird Watching: There are different species of birds on the island, some of which are pelicans and seagulls. 

These are some of the activities that I have done, there are more so be sure to check out the activities available at the island! There are hotels located on the island itself so if you are feeling up to it, check yourself in to one of the hotels and stay for the night to see the gorgeous sunrise in the morning.

Things To Bring: 

• Camera 
• Go Pro 
• Sunscreen (Tons of it) 
• Swimwear 
• Hat 
• Water 

Have you visited Moreton Island or planning to visit soon? Let me know! 

Social Media: 

Contact: Nicholle.hon@gmail.com 

Instagram: @Ohzoee 

A Guide To North StradBroke Island

As I have been traveling a fair bit during my summer holidays, I thought it'd be a good idea to write up A To Guide for those visiting Australia fairly soon.

One of my favourite day trips outside Brisbane is visiting North Stradbroke Island. Located an hour and 40 minutes away from the CBD, it is everything you'd expect from crashing waves, fine sand and the most iconic scenery at point lookout - excellent for those good shots. On the island, the view is something you can't miss but there are little cafes that not only serve amazing food, but it comes with a view.

HOW TO GET THERE?

North Stradbroke Island is easily accessible via public transport. It is located outside of Brisbane itself similarly to Moreton Island (next post). The easiest way to get there is by the designated ferry. Tours are very convenient, but you'd need to book it online prior to traveling - it would cost at least AUD$149 per person via Viator.

Begin your journey at Roma Street Station. Hop on the train and relax for an hour before arriving at Cleveland, hop off (Don't forget to touch off your Go Card). There is a free shuttle bus that takes you from Cleveland Station to the designated jetty.

There is a small fee to taking the jetty but it is for both ways and does not cost more than $20 (prices may vary).

TRAVELLING ALONG THE ISLAND.

I recommend using Google Maps for this part, or Translink.com. The first pit stop would definitely be Point Lookout, located at the very end of the Island. This spot is perfect for taking cool scenery shots.

About 100m along Point Lookout, on the left tucked away is a cafe that serves a variety of food that includes options for vegetarian and vegans.

Along the island, there is a path with stairs that leads you down to the beach called Dead Frenchman's beach. The stairs is located on the right approximately 500m away from Point Lookout. After a nice scenic walk, you would have reached the beach itself. Be careful of jellyfish (Blue Bottle and Jelly Blubbers).

Another pitstop is Amity Point, this stop is perfect for those who wants to go for a dip. Amity point is located at the other side of the Island which you can access by the designated bus. This spot is perfect for families with children.

WHAT TO DO?

• Take beautiful scenery shots at Point Lookout 
• Have gelato (Located approximately 50m from Point Lookout) 
• See the different kinds of jellyfish washed ashore. 
• Do jump shots 
• Relaxing walk along the beach 
• Surfing and snorkelling 
• Kayaking 
• Spot wildlife (kangaroos, koalas) 
• explore the island 

Things To Bring: 

• Sunblock (UVA/UVB is on extreme during summer times so be sure to check the weather forecast)
• Hat 
• Sunglasses 
• Loose clothing and swimwear 
• Water 
• Camera
• First Aid Kit (For emergencies). 

So what are your thoughts? Will you be visiting North Stradbroke Island? 

Follow me on my instagram to check out more travel photos! 

@Ohzoee 

General/Business enquiries : Nicholle.hon@Gmail.com (Subject: Hello Nicholle). 

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.