bloomzy /

5 Nail Art Instagrams You Should Be Following

Do you remember the ‘Instagram 5 Series‘ I started last year. Well it’s back and I thought we’d start with one of my favourite topics – nail art. I’ve picked out 5 of my favourite Instagram accounts where you can find amazing nail art inspiration.
Who? @nancy_mc
Why? Before we became friends and worked together I loved Nancy’s nail art. I followed her on Tumblr & Instagram, so it seemed only fitting that she should be part of this line up. She is an amazing nail artist who is always coming up with fun, cute and sassy designs – they’re honestly some of the best I’ve seen. I think she has a real signature design to her work too. You know when you spot some Nancy Mc nails!
 
Who? @nailyuu
Why? Luna-che is a Japanese nail salon that really stands out to me. In a country where nail art is so good, it takes a lot for a particular salon, or in this case salon’s Instagram to stand out! I think the more personal aspect to this account is why I like it. Not only do you see the designs created for customers, but you see what Luna Che’s nail artist Yuu (et al) is up to – and it’s always something fabulous. It’s nice to have that personality.
 
Who? @glossin
Why? I’ve been lucky enough to have my nails done by Jessica and she is a great nail artist. Her designs are absolutely gorgeous and always on-trend. She has a lot of experience and has now started her own company – it’s great to see her share her designs and creations through her Instagram. I always end up pressing ‘like’ when I see one of her photos pop up on my feed.
 
Why? DIY Nails is a nail art Instagram with a difference. The brand, started by the lovely Tammy, is all about making nail art easier and more accessible for everyone. It features Tammy’s designs and the DIY Nails products, namely their nail transfers (which are now stocked in Urban Outfitters). The account is full of fun designs, customer photos and the gorgeous Betty (Tammy’s French Bulldog).
 
Why? Of course it wouldn’t be fitting not to include The Illustrated Nail in my line up. Fans of nail art and nail artists alike will have seen or heard of The Illustrated Nail somewhere down the line, and if you haven’t, then what have you been doing all this time? I love that she includes mini-tutorials from time to time, so you can diy it. From creating original designs for celebrities, to designs for Dior, this is one nail artists who has earnt her stripes.
I often post photos of my nails, and you can follow me @bloomzy

Source: Please see individual Instagram accounts listed above.
bloomzy /

The Blogger Made Me Buy It Tag

A few days ago Danniella of Famous in Japan started the ‘The Blogger Made Me Buy It’ tag. This is all about those pesky (we love you really) bloggers who convince you to buy products etc. It could be beauty products (my weakness), clothing or even lifestyle items that you’ve read about. This tag lets you air all your dirty secrets and share your favourite blogger loves. I don’t usually ‘do tags’ but this is right down my street! So let’s get started then shall we?

1) Who are your most influential bloggers? 
Who are the ones that you really rely on for reviews and swatches? 
My most influential bloggers have to be Ghostparties & The Sunday Girl.
These two lovely ladies are my go-to for beauty product reviews and swatches.
Their content and personalities shine way above the rest!
 
 2) Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review from your favourite bloggers, 
or do you look for more reviews from others? 
It depends but it’s usually a bit of both. I might buy something I was interested in because it’s had a glowing review from one blogger, or I might end up buying something I wasn’t too sure about thanks to several good reviews.
 
 3) What is your most favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs? 
Evian facial spray – it started my massive on-going love affair with facial sprays.
 
 4) What is your least favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs? 
Hands down Baby Lips, a not so great product with a ridiculous amount of hype.
…and Glossybox, not really a product but it’s still overhyped.
 
 5) Name 5 products you have bought recently as a result of blogs. 
1. La Roche Posay Serozinc
2. MUA Velvet Lip Laquer
3. Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lipbalm
4. New Look Cut-out Boots
5. Ciate Advent Calendar
 
 6) Have you ever given into blogger hype? If so, which hype? 
As I mentioned above – Baby Lips!
I loved the idea, and the hype surrounding them was amazing.
I literally spent weeks trying to find them in stores across London.
 
 7) Have you ever avoided blogger hype? If so, which hype? 
Urban Decay Naked Palette 2 & 3.
I loved the first one but the follow ups were basically the same thing.
There is very little difference between the palettes for such massive hype.
 
 8) Is everything you buy based on blogger reviews, 
or are there some items you buy without checking out a review?
If I don’t have time to look up a review for a product I will buy it without reading one.
That said, most of my purchases are made by looking up reviews or coming across them.

Leave your links in the comments below if you decide to do this tag, and link back to Danniella.

bloomzy /

Review: Topshop Nails Polish in Mardi Gras

Topshop Nails Polish in Mardi Gras

Two Topshop nail polish posts in two days?! Yes I am spoiling you I know.
This one is an effect polish though so it’s again it’s a different type of polish.
Mardi Gras is made up of small, colourful foil pieces to give a confetti-like effect.
Swatched on my nails, over Topshop’s Drink Pink Matte Polish

Pros:
+ Feather/Confetti-like effect
+ Great effect top coat
+ Foils are colourful and noticeable 
+ Fast drying

Cons:
– Difficult to apply evenly
–  Too sheer to wear by itself

Notes:
This is a great feather/confetti-like effect top coat that I will be sporting on my nails this New Years Eve. The small foil pieces are colourful and apply onto the nails well. Unfortunately it is quite difficult to get an even application, something that happens often with this kind of effect polish. I love how it looks on top of a base coat, but wouldn’t wear it alone as it would be too sheer. Of course it is perfect for the Christmas season, with blues, reds and greens, but this is a polish you could wear anytime. I’d like to try this with a darker colour next time to see the outcome. At £6 it’s not too pricey for an effect polish, and I can’t say I’ve seen a similar polish that I like as much as this one. 
You can purchase ‘Mardi Gras’ at Topshop for £6.
bloomzy /

Review: Topshop Matte Nails Polish in Drink Pink

Topshop Matte Nails Polish in Drink Pink

I don’t own many matte nail polishes so I was happy to receive this for Christmas.
This is a dark pink, magenta shade from Topshop’s Matte Nails collection.
So what did I think of ‘Drink Pink’?

Swatched on my nails

Pros:
+ Easy application
+ Dried quickly
+ Colour in bottle is same on application
+ Opaque in one coat

Cons:
– Brush could be bigger

Notes:
Topshop have created a highly pigmented matte nail polish with a great finish. I’m not a fan of most of their polishes – they’re too sheer and don’t come out the same as they look in the bottle – but this one is different. Topshop recommend you use a base coat and two coats, but I actually didn’t have any base coat handy (forgetful traveller) and only did one coat. Yet the polish applied easily – although I felt the brush could have been slightly bigger – and was opaque in only one coat. The colour looked the same as the one in the bottle and dried quickly – like most matte polishes. During the drying process it gets to a point where you think it isn’t going to dry matte and may just stay shiny, but the final outcome is a wonderful matte finish with a slight sheen. I was very impressed. For £6 I will definitely be thinking about purchasing one of the other shades in the collection. Even better when they currently have a ‘2 for £9’ offer on their polishes.
You can purchase ‘Drink Pink’ at Topshop for £6.
View the other shades in the Matte Nails collection here.
bloomzy /

My Visit To The Cheeky Parlour

Just before Christmas I treated my friend Anna to a trip to the Cheeky parlour. I had heard of the mini beauty salon in Shoreditch and was dying to visit with a friend. Located on Redchurch St, above Aubin & Wills, the salon fits into Shoreditch perfectly. The idea behind the parlour is brilliant, offering walk-in manicures, blow outs and food. You’re handed a small paper card when you enter, and this is filled in throughout your visit. Whether you have a manicure & coffee, or a hair style & cake, it is jotted down onto your card. Now this may seem dangerous to a beauty addict, but with such great prices it’s not scary at all.

We had a manicure (only £10!), with nail art (£1.50 per nail). Now the amazing thing is, every manicure comes with a free polish! Yep, you get a 10ml pot of nail polish, in the shade you choose for your manicure. If that isn’t a bargain then I don’t know what is. So my whole manicure, with nail art, cost only £13. We ordered a couple of coffees and they were brought to us as we chatted and relaxed at the nail bar. Afterwards we retired to a comfy sofa and waited for our nails to dry, whilst we browsed the menu. I was pretty impressed with the food on offer, all of it sounded delicious and reasonably priced. We had mini red velvet cakes and chilled out, whilst drinking in our surroundings. Finally we checked out all the Cheeky products on offer, before paying.

The concept behind the Cheeky Parlour is any beauty lovers fantasy. Prices are reasonable, and the treatments offered are perfectly executed. The parlour is perfectly Shoreditch, on-trend and great for visiting with friends. All-in-all I will definitely be going again, and taking friends & family with me. I may even go for a hairstyle next time, if I have the occasion to.

You can find Cheeky Parlour on Redchurch St, Shoreditch.

bloomzy /

Photo Diary: It’s Christmas Time…

I know I’ve been a bit quiet the last
few weeks, and I do apologise.
The few weeks leading up to Christmas
were pretty hectic for me.
I spent most of my time working, whilst
trying to hold onto a social life.
Still it was Christmas, and everything
feels better at that time of the year.
I went home and spent the holiday with
my family, and managed to see some friends.
So it was spent mainly relaxing, eating
a lot and generally just having a good time.
I’ve now made the trip across to Wales
and will be relaxing until the New Year arrives.
That means I should have more time to
blog thankfully, so you should see more posts soon.
You can follow me on Instagram: @bloomzy

bloomzy /

When Nail Art Becomes…Art

Nail art has only become popular in recent years and it’s still evolving. Still, you’re more likely to see polka dots, leopard print or hearts than Pablo Picasso. Nail technicians like Disco Nail & Britney Tokyo are blurring the lines between the two though. There’s one lady in particular who is the perfect example of this trend.

Susi Kenna is an art enthusiast who just so happens to also love nail art. Thankfully she also likes to share the mini works of art with others via Instagram. She has had nail artists adorn her fingers with various well known artists works, such as: Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bridget Riley and many more.

As someone with a false set of nails depicting Frida Kahlo, I love it! I’ve always been an art lover, and so it’s only natural I’d love nail art. At the end of the day it’s all about expressing yourself isn’t it?

Would you wear a mini piece of art on your nails?
 
Source; 1