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[Nail Week] Review: Glitter Nail Art Brushes

Glitter Nail Art Brushes*

Nail art pens and brushes are some of the easiest ways to create a variety of designs.
I’ve experimented with pens in the past, and I think they’re great but some can be a little awkward to use.
So this time I tried out some glitter nail art brushes, just to see if I could get on any easier with them.
These particular ones come in a set of 9; red-pink, purple, blue, orange, green, 2x gold, 2x silver.
There are two for each silver and gold as one is a thin glitter, and one has bigger pieces.
Please note it is very hard to photograph glitter polish – the effect is much better in person.

Creating a gradient effect with the glitter nail art brushes.

Pros:
+ Easy to use
+ Glitter goes on well
+ Colours are vibrant
+ My favourite colours are orange, blue and gold

Cons:
– Can be slightly gloopy
– Takes time to dry
– Has a VERY strong smell (nail polish chemical smell)

Notes:
I really loved the effect I created with these, but I wonder if I’d be able to create more intricate designs with them.
I think if you want something for simple designs (stripes, gradients, polka dots etc) these are great.
However if you wanted to draw with these then I would say it’s probably going to be difficult, and pens would be a better solution. That said, I thought the glitter went on well and it was easy to apply, especially compared to some of the pens I’ve used. The drying time was slightly longer than a nail polish, which is probably due to the ‘gloopy’ formula. 
You can buy these Glitter Nail Art Brushes here.
Or browse BornPrettyStore for other colours in the range.
10% off with code: BLOOMZYK31
bloomzy /

[Nail Week] Review: Ylin Colour Changing Nail Polish

Ylin Colour Changing Nail Polish*

Here is the next post from ‘Nail Week’, introducing a colour changing nail polish!
This probably sounds like a bit of a gimmick, but I was seriously impressed with it.
I haven’t been a fan of the cracked polish & magnetic polish looks, so this is my fad of the Summer.

 

As you can see from the photos above the nail polish changes colour when exposed to different temperatures.
At room temperature the nail polish has a nice gradient effect to it – this bottle is a blue base with purple gradient tips.
When it’s warm (see circled nail) the polish reverts back to blue and finally when it’s cold the polish changes to purple – I only placed the tips of my fingers in the freezer to quicken the process, that’s why it’s more of a gradient in the photo.
Oh, and don’t worry about the white dot on one of the nails – I caught it when applying the polish.
Pros:
+ I loved the gradient effect
+ Opaque in one coat
+ Fun and a bit of a party trick
Cons:
– Matte finish
– You don’t have much control over how/when the colour changes
Notes:
It is a novelty, but I found it fun to wear a colour changing nail polish.
The fact that you can achieve a simple gradient effect without having to spend hours on your nails, or use various sponges etc. is worth buying this polish alone. Of course depending on the temperature you don’t have much control over the look of your polish, but I didn’t find that too bothersome, actually it was quite fun checking up on my nails during the day to see if they had changed. As for the matte finish, I felt a bit sad about that, but I guess it’s down to the formula.
The price isn’t too bad either at around £5 (with free shipping).
ETA: Yes, a glossy topcoat can be applied and it will still change colour. I did it with a Barry M topcoat.
You can buy the blue/purple Ylin Colour Changing Nail Polish here.
Or browse BornPrettyStore for other colours in the range.
10% off with code: BLOOMZYK31
bloomzy /

Japanese Nail Art | Nail Week

Japanese Nail ArtA selection of Japanese nail art

‘Nail Week’ has just begun and we’re diving into the deep end. Today’s post is all about nail art, of the Japanese variety. Why? Well nail art was one of the first things I fell in love with in the Japanese beauty industry, and with nail art becoming more popular in British fashion and beauty (Company magazine can’t get enough right now) I thought it was quite fitting for me to honour the reigning country of nail art. Fashion magazines in Japan constantly feature nail art in their beauty pages, whilst whole magazines are dedicated to it, such as: Nail Up, Nail Venus and Nail Max. Young girls and Women alike are obsessed with expressing themselves through their nails, and in Japan there are no limits to what you can do with your nails.

Some are simple, feminine and short:
Japanese Nail Art

Whilst others can be intricately decorated, edgy and insanely long:
Japanese Nail Art

Japanese nail art is well known worldwide for its creation of mini 3D artworks, use of various adornments and delicate designs. Nail salons have popped up all over the world trying to re-create the popularity and stylish nails seen on the streets of Japan – London-based Sohotrightnail can offer you some more detailed and embellished designs, whilst WAH NAILS can easily feed your simpler design needs. Of course the originals don’t come cheap. Prices usually start at around 10,000円 for a basic set, that’s about £80! It may seem expensive but when you see the work that goes into them, and the time that it takes, you can forgive them for charging so much. Getting your nails done in Japan is definitely an experience, and the end result is worth the money spent – but if you don’t have the money to spare then you can always make a stop at Donki for some of their press-on nails (photo here), which are just as amazing, for around £15.

Mitsu is a good friend of mine who not only dresses fabulously but styles her nails to match.
You can check out the various Japanese nail art she has had done here.

Source; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

bloomzy /

[Nail Week] Review: Dear Lee Gold Multicoloured Glitter Nail Polish

Dear Lee Gold Multicoloured Glitter Polish*
Those who follow me on Twitter will know that I have dubbed this week on the blog; ‘Nail Week’.
Why? Well this week’s beauty posts will all be related to nails – polishes, art etc.
So here is the first post for ‘Nail Week’, a review of my new favourite Glitter polish, from Dear Lee.
Dear Lee isn’t a well-known nail polish brand, but they’re one of my favourites.
Their polishes have a great consistency, apply well, are long lasting and have great cover.
This polish is no different, and for fans of glitter polishes (like myself), you won’t be disappointed.
Pros:
+ Thick consistency for a glitter polish
+ Good application
+ Glitter showed up well
+ Loved the rainbow sequins used
+ Works well with various base colours
+ Removed easily with nail polish remover

Cons:
– Gold could have been more prominent
– Doesn’t look great with a white base coat

Notes:
If American Apparel’s Galaxy Glitter & Models Own’s Gold Finger had a baby, this would be it.
This is the glitter polish I have been waiting for. I haven’t been able to find a rainbow glitter with a gold glitter base anywhere. I’m sure I’ve seen plenty but not at a price I can justify for a nail polish. The price for this? Around £2.70 ($4.22)! That is a ridiculously good price, especially when shipping is free. As you can see from the photos above, I tried it out with a dark base, a white base and on plain nails. I’m not a massive fan of how it looks on a white base coat but I am in love with it paired with the other two. I can tell that this will be worn A LOT.
You can buy Dear Lee’s Gold Multicoloured Glitter Polish here.
Or browse BornPrettyStore for other colours in the range.
10% off with code: BLOOMZYK31
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 /

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 /

Review: Astalift for Debenhams VIP Beauty Panel

Astalift; Jelly Aquarysta & Replenishing Day Cream

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be chosen to take part in the Debenhams VIP Beauty Panel.
As you can imagine I was very excited to take part, as Debenhams (a British department store) have to be one of the leading beauty suppliers on the high street. This also meant that I would be sent some new luxury products to test and review for their Website and Facebook page.

The brand I applied to review, and was eventually chosen for, was Astalift.
Astalift is a Japanese luxury beauty product brand that has been around in Japan for a while, but is new to the UK – and exclusive to Debenhams! Their products are mostly anti-ageing, so you might be wondering why I applied. Well, they always say you should start young and as I had heard great things about the brand I decided to give it a go.

Below is my review for the Debenhams Beauty Club VIP Panel.
I have added a few photos for you and an update though, so you can find out a bit more about the products.

Astalift Jelly Aquarysta

5 out of 5 stars ★★★★★
I loved the Astalift Jelly Aquarysta, even from the first application I could feel my skin becoming firmer. As I am in my early twenties I didn’t notice much difference in relation to my skin looking younger, but it was certainly more radiant and luminous. The feel of the product on my skin was nice and I noticed that I didn’t need to use lots for it to take effect.
It soaked in pretty quickly too.
After using the Jelly for 8 days, I noticed a significant difference in my skin. It looked a lot brighter and healthier. I have also noticed that the red blemishes I had on my face have lightened slightly, something which I have been battling with for a while. I would definitely recommend this to my friends and family.
Astalift Replenishing Day Cream

4 out of 5 stars ★★★★☆
I liked the Replenishing Day Cream but I didn’t find it as amazing as the jelly. It is a very rich cream and I found that it was a bit too much for my skin. However I believe that it would work better if I used a little less and avoided ‘trouble areas’ on my face. I did find that it moisturised my skin well though. It didn’t soak in as quickly as the jelly, but more so than other facial moisturisers I have used. I also noticed more elasticity in my skin from using the product – my skin feels much more supple after using the jelly and cream together. I would certainly recommend this to be used alongside the jelly, as they both work well together.
Overall
The packaging and colour of the products is lovely, and pertains to the luxury feeling of the brand and product. The fragrance is subtle but very pleasing, definitely something I didn’t mind having on my skin. After using both products together, I am a lot more confident in my own skin, it looks more radiant and smooth, even after only using the products for just over a week, and thanks to this I have taken to not wearing concealer or foundation.

I have been using the products for 2 weeks now, and I don’t want them to run out!
My skin has really shown an amazing difference, and my skin tone has evened itself out a bit too.
I would still suggest that you don’t apply the cream to any troublesome spots if you have a problem with rich creams,
but apart from that I don’t have any complaints.

You can find Astalift products here.
Or purchase the ones I used, here and here.