bloomzy /

Review: Bornprettystore Nail tips

This post is sponsored by born pretty 
When Born Pretty contacted me about a sponsorship I was so pleased to receive something from a nail art & nail products store. I really do love doing different things with my nails and since I can’t always afford gels or acrylics I enjoy experimenting with my own. 
Born Pretty offer everything from nail polish to uv lamps and much more! I choose a simple selection of a few different products; false nail tips, wooden stick nail art tool, nail glue, cuticle oil AND Swarovski crystals.

Onto the first product…

These were recommended to me by the store owner – I think they understand my interests pretty well. Chanel is a logo that pops up on a lot of Gal nail art so I was excited to try these out. As you can see I wore a full set at once, however I am already planning on mixing it up and wearing a few tips only with other nail designs.

I think they looked simple but effective. They would work with most outfits and styles, from Murua to Cecil McBee – the Chanel logo and a simple black nail is something that won’t go out of fashion.

The wooden sticks (more commonly used in manicures for cuticles) I choose because I was interested in doing some nail designs – plus they would also be useful in the future when I used the Swarovski crystals to decorate. They may not seem like a big deal but they’re so helpful and a must have for anyone starting out with nail art or needing supplies.

In the picture above you can see that I did a simple polka-dot & stripe design. The wooden tips were simple and easy to use and helped me create an effect I wouldn’t have been able to do with just a brush. I am also planning on doing a Sakura design soon with the same colours and of course, I shall be using the sticks!

Everyone knows it’s important to look after your nails, especially when you’re often getting acrylics, using tips etc. I love products like this so I jumped at the chance to try it. There are also a variety of types to choose from inc: apple, strawberry, rose, aloe vera, peach and more! 
I choose the Jasmine one, although it was difficult as I was so tempted by the full set (beauty products, especially sets, are one of my weaknesses). The pen is very simple to use, you just twist the end until the oil comes out and then you massage it into your cuticles. I am quite forgetful so I haven’t used it the recommended 3-5 times a week, however I have still noticed that my cuticles are a lot softer. I mainly noticed around an hour after I had applied it – they looked and felt a lot better.

I have yet to use the Swarovski crystals, but I have planned some nail designs already which I shall blog about soon, with a link back to this post, once I have done them. The great thing about these crystals is that you can also use them in your deco designs too! I know a lot of my readers and fellow Gal fashion bloggers also love deco and it’s just over $7 for 144 pieces – bargain!

As for the nail glue, I think it’s pretty obvious what that’s for. The store actually offers a variety of nail glues (inc. stickers for tips) but I choose the cheapest and it was pretty effective. I didn’t have any problem with the nail tips falling off. The only problem was it was a little hard to remove the residue from my own nails afterwards but that’s expected.

Want to order some of these items or more?!
Visit born pretty store and quote ‘BloomzyK31’ for a 10% discount!!
Yep, the lovely people at born pretty have offered my readers a special 10% discount which is valid until May 1 – so hurry over to bornpretty and pick up a great deal!!

Worldwide shipping is available!
Born Pretty also offer wholesale prices on all their products and if you spend over $200, EMS shipping is free!! 


Also for all you fans of extravagant nails, these gold electroplated tips are only $0.50 until 30/03!! 

bloomzy /

Picture post; Life in Japan

Thank you to all who replied to the ‘Picture Post; Request‘ post!
It will stay open for all of you who wish to make more requests. 

In other news, the Japan picture posts shall now be known as ‘Life in Japan‘. I may continue to make specific picture posts like the ‘Sweets‘ and ‘Kamakura‘ ones, but all the requests and random pictures shall fall into this new category.

This picture post includes:
– 109
– EGGnam Arcade
– School Girls
– UFO Catchers
– Alpacas
– Host Club & Hosts
– Festival Sweets
Location: Tokyo
Click on pictures to enlarge.

 Kumickey promoting the new 109 branded cellphones on the front of…109
EGG Namco Arcade 

Some schoolgirls going to take purikura.
As so many of you requested it, I shall pluck up the courage to take proper photos soon!
UFO Catcher goodies 
Kaomoji plushies 

 You can even win cheesecake in UFO catchers.
Maybe you fancy another brand?
Or some giant packets of chewy sweets?! 
Some of the goodies I/my boyf won in UFO catchers recently.
Giant Alpaca ♥ ♥ ♥
The giant Alpacas can no longer taunt me! 
Champagne call~ 

Sake, water, apple juice, ginger ale…and carmex.
The glamour of Host Clubs haha 
My Host Riku #2 (right), Toni’s (left) and クリーミーちゃん the Alpaca 
I should have stolen his bow tie/shirt…and the D&G leopard print belt!!
Finally, some sweet treats to tempt you~
Hina Matsuri themed @ Daiso
Don’t forget that the picture request post is always open for your comments and requests~
bloomzy /

EMODA meets Lindsay Lohan

After posting about the new EMODA collection only a few days ago, a new spread has popped up in JJ magazine featuring the brand. So why am I blogging about a photoshoot in a magazine?

Well that’s because it is a special feature on Ena Matsumoto and…Lindsay Lohan o.O

It’s nothing new for Japanese magazines to do collaboration pieces with Hollywood stars, although this one interested me mainly for the subject of a Gal brand doing a piece with someone as infamous as Lindsay. I think it’s always interesting and holds a slight fascination for us Western fans of Gyaru when something like this pops up. It kind of reminds me of that terrible song Koda Kumi collaborated with Fergie on.


Even though Lindsay isn’t Gal and EMODA is prominently a ‘Gal Brand’ I think they matched her style well for the shoot. I could actually see Lindsay wearing these pieces…which probably rings bells for some of you who commented in the last post about EMODA being a duplicate of Western fashion, right now.

I think it also backs up the idea that just wearing Gal brands doesn’t make someone Gal…but that’s another long and complicated story for another time.

So what do you think of the spread?
Do you like the idea? Is Lindsay working the clothes or falling flat?

bloomzy /

EMODA 1st Anniversary items

EMODA are celebrating their 1st anniversary this year, so they are bringing out some special items to say thank you to all their loyal customers.
I picked up a copy of their new catalogue that features all of these items. The special items/offers have been placed into 3 categories; Sets, Limited Edition and Novelty.

So what are these special items all about?
The catalogue mentions 2 types of style;

-MODE GAL-
Emoda is high sense and real clothing bland (oh Engrish) which comply with women who want to have a fun with fashion.

-ROUGH RICH WOMAN-
Who wear classical and loose clothing like an actress. They like to spend high class hotel in NY City during their holiday.

Make of those what you will, at least the English is better than some other attempts I have seen. Even so it looks like EMODA are still going strong with their signature Mode look, but also working in the popular Celeb (‘Rich Woman’) style into the new collection.

SETS

Sukashi border maxi knit onepiece 
x
Bare onepiece
6,980yen
(on sale from 4th March)
~
All lace short long t-shirt
x
Gather bare onepiece
5,980yen
(on sale from 25th March)

Even though it says that the lace t-shirt set will go on sale in March I actually saw it in-store last week for the price quoted in the catalogue.

Maxi knit cardigan
x
Gather tank top onpiece
6,980yen
(on sale from 11th March)
~
All lace high waist skirt
x
Chiffon furil tops
5,980yen
(on sale from 18th March)

LIMITED EDITION

Chiffon Dolman Combi Shirt & Wedge Pumps
3,900yen each
(on sale from 25th February)
Indigo & Light blue Paggings
3,900yen each
(on sale from 25th February) 

NOVELTY

Editors Tassel Bag
Free gift when you spend over 20,000yen
(starts on 11th March)
 ~
Quilting Tassel Bag
Free gift when you spend over 15,000yen
(starts on 4th March)

Chain Tassel Bag
Free gift when you spend over 15,000yen
(starts on 18th March)
~
Carry Case
Free gift when you spend over 30,000yen
(starts on 25th March)

I loved all of the items featured in the catalogue (minus the maxi knits) and I think they’re such great deals. The limited edition items and the sets are totally affordable for EMODA and a great addition to any Mode lovers wardrobe, or a lovely start for anyone who feels like transitioning to the style. The Novelties are particularly tempting, especially that ‘Editors Bag’ and the ‘Carry Case’.

Check out the EMODA webstore – here.

Did anything catch your eye?
Will you be celebrating EMODA’s anniversary by treating yourself to something?

bloomzy /

Review: Neon Series – Pink Circle Lenses

Neon Series Pink colour contact lenses*
Power/Prescription: 0.00 (plano) only
Lens Usage: Up to 12 months (depending on care)
Base Curve Radius: 8.6mm
Diameter: 14.50mm ~ 15.00mm
Water Content: 38%
I have blue-grey eyes, so the effect may differ on those with darker eyes.

The Neon Series (by EOS) features a darker outer rim giving a larger, more defined look. This series is specifically for creating a bold, bright eye.
Now onto the pictures…
These were taken in the morning, in Winter lighting – both were taken without flash.

No make-up.

With make-up.

Purikura featuring the lenses.
Look:
I wasn’t really a big fan of pink lenses, so I was a little hesitant when they sent these out. However I didn’t mind them as much when I put them in. They were certainly dramatic looking and I did get a few compliments on them. I felt that they blended pretty well with my eye colour, but would look even better with a darker eye.
I was a little worried at first as I felt like I had a ‘black swan’ vibe going on – these lenses would be great for a cosplay – but no one said anything and I got used to them the longer I wore them. They really do enlarge your eyes, and are therefore a great pair of circle lenses. The pink is also a nice bright but not in-your-face shade.
Feel:
These were very comfortable for 14.5mm lenses. I don’t usually like wearing over 14mm but the other violet pair I own are so pretty and comfortable that I had no worries. I only needed to apply solution twice during the day and that wasn’t so much because my eyes were dry or itchy but because I worry too much and didn’t want them to.
If it is your first time wearing lenses, take it slowly and wear them for only a few hours each day so your eyes will get used to them. I wouldn’t suggest wearing your lenses for too long unless you know it will be ok, and if they get dry just pop some contact lens-friendly eye solution in – never use water!
Thoughts:
After wearing this pair from the Neon Series I would certainly be interested in trying out other colours from the range as they were so bold, bright and defined. For me that’s what colour contacts should be about. However I am not a big fan of pink lenses for everyday use – they would be great for parties, fancy dress etc – so I don’t think I will be getting as much use out of them as some of my other pairs.

Want to order a pair for yourself? –

Don’t forget to mention ‘bloomzy’ when you purchase them ;D


Right now all 15mm xtra lenses (GEO) are only $22, whilst stocks last!
Plus, if you order 3 pairs you will receive a special lens case, 4 pairs a $5 coupon, and 5 pairs a FREE PAIR!

Their dispatch/shipping time is very fast and they ship worldwide!
For any other questions you might have, check out their FAQ page.

Feel free to leave comments or ask me any questions you might have.
bloomzy /

Japan Post; Picture requests~

In the two previous Japan picture posts I brought you; ‘sweets‘ and ‘a day trip to Kamakura‘. However I realised that maybe the topics were too specific and maybe I was being greedy picking them?! So what I want to know is…
Yep, I am asking you to request pictures of what you would like to see in Tokyo. This way I can bring you photos of exactly what you want. So what can you request?!
Anything from UFO catcher goodies to traditional Japan, or maybe you want to see some of the scenery in Tokyo?! Just leave a comment requesting what you would like to see and I will try my best to capture it.
Ask away and remember, it can be whatever you want, as long as it isn’t something like ‘a picture of a host’s underwear’ because I could get into trouble for that haha