bloomzy /

Review & Giveaway: Skin79 Gold VIP BB Cream

Skin79 Korean Gold VIP BB Cream

If you’ve read the beauty posts on my blog over the years then you will know that I am constantly on the search for a foundation that will match my skin tone. So a few years ago I turned to the Korean bb creams that were slowly becoming more and more popular, across Asia and the rest of the world.

It’s safe to say that apart from a certain colour supplement (that I shall be reviewing shortly), I have had the most luck with BB Creams over Western foundations. After the lovely ‘Smokey Eyes MUA‘ recommended I try Skin79’s Gold VIP BB Cream I rushed off to buy some, in the hopes that it would be the miracle I had been waiting for!

Swatches – straight from bottle, and blended.

Unfortunately this bb cream was too dark for my skin tone. 
It did change tone slightly after I applied it, but it didn’t match my skin enough.
Actually it was quite visible that I was wearing it, even after I had blended it and added powder etc.
The coverage wasn’t bad and it did make my skin look smooth, and didn’t feel cake-y but it was just too dark.
I decided not to do such a lengthly review this time as the product just didn’t suit me or work with my skin, 
so I don’t feel like I could write a proper review on the product.
However I have decided to do a giveaway for the above bottle of Skin79 Gold VIP BB Cream from Korea.
THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!
bloomzy /

OOTD: Peace & Love

Vest: AX Paris* | Shorts: AX Paris* | Bracelets: WC & Marc Jacobs | Necklace: Topshop

Check me out looking all Tumblr cool in my new vest top and shorts. I really do feel like this outfit would be perfect with a pair of Litas, no? Seriously though, I love galaxy print and the subtle use of it on this vest top really drew me in.
I had also been looking for some striped shorts recently and I think the two pair together well.
One thing I noticed was that the vest top is long enough for me to wear as a dress, which is a plus. So I suppose if I really wanted to I could wear the shorts and top combo during the day, then wiggle out of my shorts in the evening for a different look, whilst adding a few different accessories here and there. I love being resourceful!

Note: I’m still in the process of unpacking, which means I have only unpacked some make-up & jewellery. I’ll try to bring you more ootd posts soon though!

You can find the vest top and shorts on the AX Paris website, here.
bloomzy /

My Basic Make-up Must-haves!

I often write reviews on new make-up products I have bought, so I thought I would write about my favourite make-up products – the ones that I rush to buy as soon as I begin to run out. These are just basic items that I use to create a simple, natural look, or use as a base for less ‘natural’ looks. Note: I didn’t include eyeshadows or items that I am constantly experimenting with, or buying in new colours and brands etc.

What are my must-have make-up items?

+ Chanel Lipsticks – Rouge Coco #31 is my favourite.
+ Lipcote – to get the most wear out of my lipsticks.
+ Maxfactor Masterpiece Max Mascara – gives good volume.
+ Sephora Liquid Eyeliner – love the application of this.
+ Sephora White Eye Pencil – great for highlighting my eyes.
+ Dollywink Eyeliner Pen – great for filling in, or using on lower lash line.
+ Canmake Blush #PW20 – amazingly pigmented, gives great colour.
+ Lush’s Jackie Oats Colour Supplement – perfect for my skin tone.
+ Collection 2000 Pressed Powder – the only powder I’ve found that matches my skin tone perfectly.

I’ve been using the Chanel, Lipcote, Dollywink, Canmake and Maxfactor items for a long time.
The others are all relatively new (within a year), but have quickly become firm favourites of mine.
These are items that I would gladly buy again and again…and I do!
They may not work for everyone, but they work perfectly for me.
Do you have any favourite make-up products?
bloomzy /

Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Haul’

Marc Jacobs Necklaces & Compact Mirror

You probably all know by now that I’m a Marc Jacobs fan.
Well whilst I was in London last month I decided to stop by the ‘Marc by Marc Jacobs’ store.
I absolutely love the store. It’s spacious, laid out well and in a gorgeous building, in a lovely part of London.
Whilst I was there I said I would treat myself to a little suttin’ suttin’, kind of like a celebratory gift to me, for finishing university and exams etc. Of course I could have picked tons of items, but I didn’t want to spend too much. I was thinking of an iPhone case as I’ve been wanting one for a while, but I love my Gemma Correll one too much.
I finally decided on the ‘Wishbone Necklace’, ‘Monocle Necklace’ and the ‘Heart Compact Mirror’.
I’ve been eyeing the wishbone necklace and mirror for a while, although I actually hadn’t seen the monocle necklace before, but I have a thing for monocles so I had to add it to my collection. I also loved the idea of a manly monocle mixed with gold and pearls.
I can’t wait to start accessorising with these!!
bloomzy /

Wish List: Best of British

Best of British

 

Best of British by bloomzy Ok so I may not be a Royalist, and I won’t be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee…
However I am proud to be British, and I do like limited edition, special occasion items.
I’ve been gazing through windows at the decorations in stores, and the items they’re offering.
So I thought since it’s the Jubilee weekend, I would do an extra special wishlist!

With all the current hype around the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, tons of brands have been bringing out limited edition items to celebrate the occasion. This means lots of British brands are showing how proud they are, although that hasn’t stopped a lot of non-British brands also having some fun. Hey, it’s a party & everyone is invited!

The items I choose for this wishlist are items I would happily buy/wear any time of the year!
I love the selection of items, from Union Flag cupcake decorations to red, white & blue nail polish.
Although the ‘Markus Lupfer’ Crown Sweater, the ‘Not for Ponies’ Corgi T-shirt & the ‘Nails Inc’ Jubilee Crystal Colour Polish have to be my favourites…Oh who am I kidding? I want everything!! 

bloomzy /

Discuss: Can make-up represent a clothing brand?

Today I want to get discussion going about something that is popular in Japan.
I will be featuring one of my favourite Japanese brands, Murua, to help explain.

In Japan, clothing brands spend a lot of time representing themselves and their staff.
The presentation of the staff reflects on the store and brand, which makes a lot of sense.
This is done through not only their clothing and accessories, but make-up and hair too.

So with every new season some of the brands and stores send their shop staff (usually the store manager) off to a special meeting. Here, they are taught the key make-up and hair looks for that season, for the brand. The looks compliment that season’s collection, and make the brand and staff stand out. The manager then goes back and passes on this information to the shop staff, who are then expected to use these key looks in their everyday make-up & hair routine, whilst at work.

The shop staff are not forced to re-create the looks step-by-step and are allowed to add their own personal flair.
This means that they can retain their own personal style within the brand, much like those who work for clothing stores are expected to wear clothing from that store, or make-up counter staff are expected to wear make-up from that brand.

I personally would love to see something similar in stores like Topshop that have their own make-up line. I know a lot of clothing and department stores have rules on what kind of make-up to wear (subtle etc) in the UK, and are asked to be on-trend, but it’s not usually like this. I think it would inspire the customer more and help represent the brand too, whilst adding a little something extra. I do fear that it restricts people’s personal tastes a bit, but I think there’s always room to be inventive. However I think this works so well in Japan because of customer loyalty, so I’m not sure if it would catch on.
What do you think of this idea?
Do you think it would work in the UK, or Europe?

Source; 1
bloomzy /

News: MUA Undressed Palette Release

MUA Undressed Palette

Over the weekend MUA kept us all in anticipation as they slowly revealed the shades of their new palette.
Well it has all been unveiled, and it even has a name now – Undressed. The palette features 12 nude shades, which are a combination of glitter and matte eyeshadows. Fans of Urban Decay’s Naked palettes will no doubt see a resemblance. 
MUA have remained secretive about the release date saying that it will be sometime in July.
However if you follow them on Twitter you will know that they love to please their fans so they often release new products online, before they appear in stores. This has been hinted at already, and in light of their previous releases I’m guessing it will be in the next few weeks.
I for one am excited about this, even though I already have the UD Naked palette.
Why? Well MUA’s eyeshadow palettes usually start at £4, and this one will be no different – bargain!
Knowing the quality of MUA’s eyeshadows I think this will make a great replacement for anyone who has used up their Naked palette, or for those who have been looking for a cheaper alternative.
Keep an eye out for the release on their Twitter, or their Webstore.
You can also find swatches on their blog, where they are also holding a giveaway – here!
Source; 1