bloomzy /

Review: Collection Work The Colour Nude Eye Palette

Collection Work The Colour Nude Eye Palette

You may remember this palette from my recent haul post.
Well I’ve had it and have been using it for a couple of weeks now.
I know a lot of people were intrigued by it and wanted a review, so here we go!
Swatches…yeah, I don’t know why I did it that way either.
Pros:
+ Stays put during the day
+ Shadows are fairly pigmented
+ Packaging is handy/good for travelling
+ Shadows apply ok without a primer
+ Removes easily with make-up remover

Cons:
– Shades could be more varied
– Didn’t blend as well as I’d hoped for
– Matte shadows would have been better
– Highlighter is too ‘white’

Notes:
I really had high hopes for this palette, but as you can see, unfortunately the pros and cons have just about levelled out. I really love the concept that Collection came up with for these, but it just doesn’t seem to play out well in person. The shadows aren’t varied enough for my liking – the numbers on the bottom two rows are basically the same as each other (i.e. both 2s are similar, boths 3s etc.), and they’re all glitter shadows. I love a good nude eye and whereas glitter shadows can add a little something, I think it’s important to have a few mattes in there too, but there are none in this palette. The cream highlighter is a good idea and the way it has a little cover to stop shadow falling in is very handy. However it’s a bit too white, and looked odd when I applied it. Maybe because I’m so pale? I don’t know. Anyway, I ended up using the first #1 shadow as it works better as a highlighter for me. These shadows aren’t bad and for only £2.99 I wouldn’t say it’s a waste of money for an eyeshadow palette, I just think it could have been done better.
You can buy Collection’s Work The Colour Nude Eye Palette at Superdrug.

bloomzy /

Coming Soon: Diptyque Beauty Range

Diptyque beauty range

Everyone’s favourite high-end candle maker has gone all beauty on us.
Yes, Diptyque will be releasing their own range of beauty products this month.
The range is called ‘L’Art du Soin’ – The Art of Care (looks like those French lessons weren’t wasted on me, ey?). The collection is small with only 5 facial products, with prices ranging from £35 to £44. Featured in the range are: Protective Moisturising lotion, Nourishing Cleansing Balm, Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay, Infused Facial Water, and a Radiance Boosting Powder. Keeping in with several French skincare brands they will be using a selection of natural ingredients, with key elements such as rice powder & clay. As for the packaging, it will be in the usual Diptyque fashion; simple yet recognisable. 
The collection will be available from late February at Diptyque.
Source: 1
bloomzy /

Review: Essential Nuance Airy Japanese Hair Mask

The Essential hair masks are a product I’ve been wanting to try out for a while.
When I say a while, I mean I’ve had this on my list for several years now. Crazy, right?
Even when I was living in Japan I never got round to actually trying the hair masks out.
Well I finally decided to buy one of these from Alpha Beauty Store a few weeks ago.
There are a couple of hair masks in the collection, and I went for Nuance Airy.
It claims to give damaged and limp hair a new lease of life, with a light and bouncy feel.
Naunce Airy is specifically aimed at helping those with coloured/heat styled hair.
It aims to repair the last 15cm of your hair, but you can use it over all of your hair.
After washing your hair and towel drying it, pop this on for 5mins and then wash off.
You can use this 2 to 3 times a week, when washing your hair.
Pros:
+ Smells amazing
+ Left my hair soft & silky
+ Adorable packaging 
+ Good for coloured/damaged hair
+ Lots of product

Cons:
– Won’t smooth out frizzy hair

Notes:
The Essential hair mask lived up to all of my expectations. First off, can we please talk about how gorgeous the packaging is? I’m not a fan of pink but this is adorable and definitely lives up to the high standard set by Japanese packaging. The product itself has a rather buttery, thick texture to it. It’s not unpleasant and actually makes it a lot easier to handle. The shea butter and honey in this means that it smells amazing whilst you’re wearing it, and the smells lasts long after you’ve washed it off too. I thought it might weigh my fine hair down slightly, but that wasn’t a problem at all. It left my hair soft and silky feeling, although it didn’t stop my hair from frizzing…but then not much does. It’s also worth mentioning that I had my tips bleached a couple of weeks ago, so they were a bit dry but this At £9.58 this isn’t cheap, but there is plenty of product to go around. It’s definitely something I’ll be buying again. 
You can purchase Essential’s Nuance Airy Hair Mask at Alpha Beauty Store.
The store may be closed for the first week or so of February due to Chinese New Year.
bloomzy /

Review: Hair Styling & Nail Art at Cheeky Parlour, Shoreditch

 Manicure & Nail Art, and Up-do created by the lovely people at The Cheeky Parlour
For my birthday celebrations I knew I wanted something a little special. I didn’t want to go over the top but I wanted to be pampered, and look good too. For me, that meant someone styling my hair for me, as I find it such a task myself. So Anna & I returned to our new favourite haunt – The Cheeky Parlour.

Cheeky Fix Me Up

Last time we went we both had a manicure and nail art – remember? The parlour has been renovated since then and looks even better. This time we went for the ‘CHEEKY fix me up’ hair & nail combo. This entitled us to a file & paint manicure, a blow dry/up-do and a free drink. Anna went for a blow dry, with big luscious curls, which looked amazing on her. I went for an up-do partly due to the weather, and partly because I just wanted to…ok? My stylist asked me what kind of up-do I would like and I told her “Anything with plaits.” Since my hair is so short I didn’t expect anything amazing but it turned out wonderfully.  She did French Plaits down both sides and secured the rest in a big fluffy bun – impressive! Then it was time for our manicures – I had given my nails a fortnight rest from polish in preparation. Anna decided on a gorgeous mocha nail polish, and went matte. Yes you get to decide matte or shiny! I went for black, because black goes with everything duh. I also added some gold polka dot nail art. I went for shiny, of course, to accentuate the sparkly gold of the polka dots even more. All during this time we sipped on cocktails, and laughed about all kinds of nonsense.

Final thoughts?

For only £25 the CHEEKY fix me up combo is definitely worth the money! I can’t say I’d do it every Friday night, but I’ll definitely be going back again, for sure. The combo is perfect for a night out, and I love treating myself every now and again to a manicure. If you’re looking for something a bit more special, they now offer make-up and pedicures as well.
Visit The Cheeky Parlour for more info and a list of beauty treatments.
bloomzy /

Beauty Haul: Collection and Bobbi Brown

I’m a bit of a sucker for nude eye palettes, so I bought two last week…obviously.
I also bought the Collection Pressed Powder in Ivory, as it’s my go-to face powder.
Both the palettes are quite different to each other though so I don’t feel too bad about it.
They’re also two palettes that I had been wanting for a while, since hearing about their launch.
The first is the Collection ‘Work The Colour’ Nude Eye Palette – £2.99 from Superdrug.
They also do a smokey, blue and purple eye palette in the same range, and all are the same price.
When I originally tweeted about the palette it seemed like a lot of you were in love with it too.
The second palette is the Bobbi Brown Crystal Eye Palette – £35 from Bobbi Brown.
I fell in love with it after seeing it in-store, and the campaign featuring Katie Holmes.
This isn’t a matte palette like Collection’s and features more pinks and golds.
The palette itself is also gorgeous, so I can’t wait to show you all!
bloomzy /

Review: DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX Pen

Liquid eye liner is one of my must-have beauty products.
I use it in my everyday make-up so it’s important I have a good one.
Recently I was recommended a liquid eyeliner pen by Japanese brand DHC.
I love Japanese beauty products, and DHC, so of course I had to try it out.
Pros:
+ Applies easily
+ Love the packaging
+ Good staying power

Cons:
– Smudges during wear
– Needs to be used with a primer

Notes:
I really wanted to like this and to start with I did. I noticed that some of the liner had smudged (transferred) from my upper lid but I thought that may have just been because I didn’t use primer on the first wear. I prefer not to have to use a primer but I understand that some products just need it. Yet when I wore it using primer it still smudged. I really don’t know how to work this liner, as the person who recommended it uses it everyday and had no problem with it. I guess I’ll have to just try another primer. On the plus side, this applies well and seems to stay, despite the smudging. On top of that the packaging is simple and cute, and the pen itself is great for carrying in your handbag. I’m on the fence about this one. Price wise it’s on the higher end of what I would usually pay at £16, so I’ll definitely be giving it another try before I give up entirely.
You can buy DHC’s Liquid Eyeliner EX at Beauty Mart.
bloomzy /

Giveaway: Valentine’s Day Nude Eye Look

I hate to get involved in the Valentine’s Day hype, but I love any excuse to get dolled up! I wanted to share that fun a little bit and so I thought it might be nice to do a giveaway. The MUA Ever After Matte Eyeshadow Palette is great because you can create a simple nude eye, or a sultry smokey eye. Of course you have to have long luscious lashes to complete the look so I’ve also included Elf’s wonderful 3-in-1 Mascara. I hope everyone can feel good about themselves, and look good this Valentine’s Day whether you’ll be spending it with your partner, friends or with a yummy tub of ice cream!
What can you win?
MUA Matte Nude Palette & ELF 3-in-1 Mascara
 
How to enter:
+ Be a follower of ‘Bloomzy’ via Bloglovin
+ Earn extra entries on Twitter, Facebook etc.
– This giveaway is open to UK participants only!
– Entrants who do not follow the rules will be disqualified.
– Twitter accounts created purely for giveaways will be disqualified.
The giveaway is open for 11 days (ending 8th Feb at 12am).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!