bloomzy /

Review & Nail Art: Mavala

Mavala Spring Trend Nail Polish*
You guys know how obsessed I am with nail polish by now.
So I was very happy to receive these lovely spring shades by Mavala, a Swiss brand.
I’ve not tried the brand before but have heard good things and I completely agree with those views.
The bottles, although small, hold quite a bit of polish.
I prefer to do a couple of coats myself but really only one is needed with these.
I was actually very surprised at how opaque it was, as I thought the shades would make it difficult.
The colour of the polishes themselves are very pastel & spring like, but I still felt they were quite vibrant.
I was inspired by Mavala’s nail art for Holly Fulton’s S/S 13 Collection and tried out my own nail art.
I used:
1. Manicure Stickers
2. Mavala Polish in Lemon Cream
3. Mavala Polish in Lagoon
4. Mavala Polish in Aquamarine
5. Mavala Polish in White
I used the White as a base for my nails, and then once it had dried, placed manicure stickers over top. I did this is several different ways so that no nail was the same. Then I took my polishes and painted over top of the white, making sure to only paint over part of the nail and stay within the border of the manicure stickers. I think the final result wasn’t too bad.
I’ve never been much of a fan of white nail polish but I didn’t mind this one paired with other colours.
I still don’t think I would wear it alone but I would definitely layer it with a glitter polish or other shades.
The polish applied easily, and very well and was opaque with just one coat.
The Mavala Spring Trend Shades will be released later this month.
You can purchase them from various UK stores, find your nearest here.
bloomzy /

Review: Klorane Shampoo & Conditioner

Klorane Pomegranate Shampoo & Conditioner, for coloured hair*
Klorane is one of my favourite beauty brands, who I’ve mentioned several times on the blog.
To me the French brand’s products are natural, but also luxurious, which isn’t always easy to come by.
After attending an event for the brand I was curious to try out their shampoo & conditioner for coloured hair.
“This [shampoo], formulated for colour-treated hair, protects against progressive colour fading and loss of radiance. Hair colour retains its intensity and shine. Its cleansing base is enriched with regenerative agents so that hair remains soft, silky and easy to style.

Used in addition to KLORANE shampoo with pomegranate, this [conditioner] repairs and regenerates the hair fibre deep down to leave it soft and supple. Protected from fading, hair colour remains as intense and glossy as the first day.

Both are hypoallergenic.”


Pros:
+ Leaves my hair soft
+ Conditioning
+ Smells amazing
+ Great price
+ Brought out my colour
Cons:
– Shampoo doesn’t lather easily
Notes:
Certain brands of shampoo dry my hair out, even though I use a conditioner each wash.
So I was very happy to find that Klorane’s shampoo & conditioner didn’t do this to my hair.
Some people might find it slightly pricey at £6 each, but it’s actually cheaper than what I would usually buy. I’ve been looking to change shampoos for a while, but I haven’t found a natural product that looks after coloured hair for a decent price, so that’s a big plus for me. The only downside to the shampoo is that it doesn’t lather easily, but that’s a problem with using natural ingredients in a shampoo, and is not down to Klorane in particular.
You can purchase Klorane’s shampoos & conditioners in John Lewis stores or online, here.
bloomzy /

The Perfect Birthday Wish List

Birthday Wishlist


My Birthday Wishlist


It’s my birthday on the 29th, so I decided it was time to choose all the ridiculously extravagant items I want.
So what is on my ‘perfect birthday’ wishlist?

Every birthday girl needs a cake and I’d pick mine up from Ladurèe.
Then I’d need a birthday outfit. I’d stay fashionable with a Lazy Oaf bodycon, and warm with a Topshop cropped jumper. I’d then apply my new D&G 90s brown lipstick and pop it into my pastel purple satchel for later. Accessories would include a Michael Kors watch (of course), with Tatty Devine ring & earrings and some funky nail wraps. After a long day of wining, dining and partying with the loveliest of people, I’d relax at home with an Earl Grey scented candle, whilst I listened to my favourite music on my new Macbook Air.

Wow, and you thought I didn’t have an imagination!
Don’t worry though, I’m not taking it too seriously. I just decided to create a perfectly wishful wishlist.
I’m always very grateful whatever I happen to receive, but it’s always fun to dream, and dream I shall.


You can view the full set, and where to buy items here.
How would you spend your perfect birthday?

bloomzy /

Review: Colour Restore for Redheads

Colour Restore Deep Red, for Redheads*

Colour restore for redheads uses concentrated red pigment infusions to keep colour.
Most of you will know how difficult red hair is to maintain, so this is a great product to have.
I recently became a redhead again, and even though my colour has maintained well I wanted a pick up.
So I was very thankful to receive this and try it out, and let me just say, I was very pleased with the results.
Colour restore can be used as a wash-in shampoo type product to keep your colour fresh, or for something a bit more vivid, you can leave it in for up to 25 mins. I needed to refresh my hair colour so I choose to leave it in for 25 minutes, on my first use.
Before and after

Pros:
+ 3 different ways to use
+ Vivid colour and great shine
+ Left my hair feeling conditioned
Cons:
– Stains skin easily, but can be removed
Notes:
This is such an amazing product for redheads who want to keep their colour.
It’s also a great money saver for those like me who have their hair dyed at a salon.
The only downside was that it did stain, but it was removed with water and another wash.
It was easy to use, and as only a tiny bit is needed the bottle can be used more than once.
It lasts for 12 months, so I plan to make the most of it and use it as often as needed.
For those who might be worried about using it often, it doesn’t contain any peroxide, harsh chemicals or ammonia.
There are also blonde, shine treatments, colour removers and strippers in the range.
You can view and purchase the whole range here.
bloomzy /

Giveaway: 3 Year Anniversary #1

Wow! Can you believe it, this blog has been running for 3 years.
I also just hit 1700 GFC followers this week too – what a week to celebrate!
It started out as something quite different to what it is now, but a lot of you have stuck by me.
So I just wanted to say a big thank you to you all, in the form of not 1, but 3 giveaways!
Over the next 3 weeks I will be hosting 3 back-to-back giveaways.
The first weeks prizes are make-up themed and include brands and products I have previously featured.
What can you win?
1 x Witch Anti-Blemish Beauty Balm (BB Cream)
1 x 17 Ultimate Volume Lip Gloss
1 x MUA Nail Constellations
1 x Eldora False Eyelashes
1 x MUA Blush

How to enter:
+ Be a follower of ‘Bloomzy’ via GFC or Bloglovin.
+ Earn extra entries via Twitter, Facebook etc.
– Twitter accounts made purely to RT giveaways will be disqualified.
The giveaway is open for 1 week (ending Wed 23 Jan).
Open internationally!
bloomzy /

My 'Everyday Hair' Routine

ghd Style & Protect Gift Set*
Before Christmas I was gifted with this lovely ghd Style & Protect Gift Set.
I was then asked to create a post where I incorporated the products into my routine.
Luckily all the products are items that I would use in my everyday look.
What I use:

1. ghd Paddle Brush*
2. ghd Straight & Smooth Spray – Normal/Fine Hair – £12.95*
3. ghd Final Shine Spray – £9.95*
4. ghd Hair Clips (included in the set)* 
5. ghd Hair Straighteners – £99
6. Hair Dryer
Step One:
I give my hair a spritz with the straight and smooth spray, and work it through my hair.
This helps to straighten & smooth my hair, whilst protecting it from the heat from my dryer & straighteners.
You can also use the spray in between washes to help protect against heat.
Look at that post-shower fresh face!
Step Two:
Grabbing the paddle brush I gently detangle my hair (if needed).
Then using my hair dryer and the brush together I blow dry my hair straight.
This is always a challenge as one side usually comes out straighter than the other.
Step Three:
After drying my hair, I use the clips to separate parts of my hair, ready for straightening.
My hair isn’t particularly thick, but I do have layers so this makes it easier.
I then grab my go-to ghds and start straightening! 
Sometimes I curl the ends under, depending on the look I want.
Step Four:
If I feel like it, I take the ghd Final Shine spray and pop a little on my hair.
It isn’t too heavy and it helps to add a little extra shine, whist keeping away bits of frizz.
Instead of spraying this directly onto my hair (you can!) I spray into my hands and work through my hair.
Step Five:
After a little styling with the brush, I’m done!!
My ‘everyday hair’ routine may not consist of much but it works for me.
I love ghd as a brand and these products make my routine so much easier.
It was so much fun creating this hair tutorial!
I’m currently growing my hair out (again!) so look out for more in the future.
You can purchase all of the products shown at the ghd website – check out hairstyles by ghd for inspiration.
bloomzy /

Christmas Presents from Germany & Japan

Christmas gifts from Rae, in Germany

Christmas gifts from Miyuki, in Japan

Christmas came a little early for me last week.
I was lucky enough to receive not one, but two packages through the post.
One was from the lovely Rae of Love from Berlin who is an amazing person that I met through blogging.
The other package was from one of my best friends in Japan who I studied with a couple of years ago.
Both gifts were amazing, and so very cool in their own ways.
I loved how both seemed to represent a little bit of the culture too.
Rae sent me some German chocolate (we all know it’s the best), magazines and make-up.
I can’t wait to try out the eyeshadow palette, it’s so very seasonal and the colours are gorgeous!
She also knows me very well by including some gorgeous glittery nail polish, which I will have already applied by the time this post goes live. I can’t help it, I’m an addict! 
Miyuki often asks me what I would like and I said I would like to try some new Japanese beauty products.
She also knows that I’ve just moved into my first apartment so sent me a few home items to decorate and relax with.
The nail polish, once again was a delight to receive, especially the Majolica Majorca glass polish – review soon!!
I also loved the Dior products and make-up bag. They’ve already been stashed away in my handbag.
I feel so lucky to know such wonderful people and I am very thankful ♥