bloomzy /

Photo Diary: Hyper Japan 2013

Here is the first post from Hyper Japan 2013.
This post is very photo heavy, so I’ve hidden it under a cut.

Japanese inspired nail art @ Sanagi Atelier – website

Angelic Pretty, Japanese cosmetics, wigs, toys, accessories and more @ Dreamy Bows – website
This stall was also run in conjunction with Tofu Cute – website
Handmade jewellery and accessories @ Roxie Sweetheart

This is just a small collection of photos I managed to take before my camera died.
I was impressed with the selection of Japanese fashion and cosmetic stalls on show this year.
Of course I love the culture and food sections equally, but I wanted to focus on the fashion/beauty.
I’ve placed a little info and credit under some of the photos, so you can shop online for yourselves.
Keep an eye out for a special Hyper Japan 2013 Youtube video coming soon!
Which stall looked the most interesting to you?
If you went which was your favourite stall this year?
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 /

My Favourite Asian Beauty Products

After being asked over the weekend about my favourite Japanese beauty products,

I thought it might make a change to post about some of my favourite Asian beauty products.
I know I have done it in the past, but I hope this will help my new readers and those who don’t know much about them.
I’ve decided to make it simple and pick my favourite make-up brands, for certain products.
I have chosen items that I use everyday. I don’t use items such as bronzer etc. so they won’t be included. 
It’s also worth mentioning that even though I have used a lot of Asian beauty products I haven’t tried out every single brand, and I do prefer Western brands for certain products so where there are gaps, this is why.
Also, I have not only chosen Asian brands, but brands that are also popular in the Asian beauty market.
A lot of the ‘Western’ beauty brands that are popular often carry lines that are only available in Asia.

I have linked each product to where you can purchase it online.

Face

Concealer: Candydoll / Sana
BB Cream: Skin79 Hot Pink / Skin79 Diamond Collection
Contouring: Diamond Beauty / Canmake
Loose Powder: Diamond Beauty

Blush: Canmake
Highlight: Canmake

Eyes

Primer: Canmake
Eyeshadow: Dollywink / Canmake
Eyeliner: KATE / Dollywink
Eyelashes: Diamond Lash / Eyemazing
Mascara: Dollywink

Lips
Lip Care: Paul & Joe
Lip Gloss: Candydoll / B & C
Lip Balm: Happy Bath Day

Nude Lipsticks: Candydoll / Canmake
Other Lipsticks: Anna Sui
I hope this has helped a few people who want to venture into the Asian beauty market.
I don’t know everything about Asian beauty products but my time living in Japan, and importing products from Asian companies has helped me a lot. My favourite place to shop online is Sasa, the prices are reasonable (not marked up as high as other stores), they offer a very large selection and are reliable. Alpha Beauty Store on eBay also offer a wide variety of Asian Beauty products, including most of those listed above.

Source; 1
bloomzy /

New Dollywink products

As there are several images I have put them under a cut.
As always, please click on the images to enlarge them.
Click ‘read more’ for the full post.

3x upper lash sets – 1260円 each

3x lower lash sets – 1260円 each

2x eyelash glue; clear & black – 945円 each
3x eyebrow mascaras; milk tea, mocha & cocoa – 1050円 each

1x eyelash case – 420円
3x eyebrow pencil; honey brown, chocolate brown & dark chocolate – 735円 each
3x eyebrow powder; honey brown, chocolate brown & dark chocolate – 1260円 each
The new line of Dollywink products by Koji & Tsubasa Masuwaka

When producing this new line Tsubasa said she did it with a cute, but not fake or artificial look in mind. She wanted to create something for an ‘Otona’ (adult) look, that would still allow girls to be stylish.

I know the new eyelashes have not been greeted well, but I personally like them. I think they’re simple, adult and will add that little something extra to a girls make-up, without looking too OTT – which I believe is what Tsubasa had in mind. I don’t really use eyebrow products so those aren’t of interest to me. The only thing I’m a little upset about is the design on the eye lash case, I feel it’s lacking slightly.

Source; 1
bloomzy /

Review: Dollywink Volume Mascara

 This post is sponsored by Artie Beauty Cosmetics
Recently, Artie were kind enough to sponsor me with the Dollywink Volume Mascara…

It came really quickly and was perfectly packaged. I also appreciated the business card, which I always think is a nice touch
I love the packaging of the Dollywink products, they never fail to impress in my opinion – the mascara comes in a plastic case which stands up so you can proudly display it in your collection
So what about the mascara?
 without
with
It’s a little clumpy without a eyelash comb to help separate the lashes but it does definitely make them look thicker (it supposedly separates your lashes and makes them thicker). I was hoping for a different effect on my top lashes to be honest, as I can’t always use a comb on them and clumpy lashes are a big no-no for me. Even so it worked nicely on my lower ones.
It blends a lot better with make-up…
Looks much better once the lashes have been tidied up, no?

Well it boosts that it’s long-lasting and waterproof, both of which are attributes that I can say are true. I never had any trouble with it fading during the day, and I even managed to have a shower without it removing. That said, it does remove easily with make-up remover or wipes so don’t worry.

The mascara wand is nothing extraordinary but I did like that it had an ultra fine tip on the brush so that you can use it on your lower lashes and the outer corners – good thinking!

Want some for yourself?
– then visit artie beauty cosmetics –
…and if you’re a Dollywink fan, check out the rest of their collection!

Shipping is fast and they ship worldwide!
Their FAQ can help answer any shipping/payment questions.

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

bloomzy /

Check out my room!

Thank you to all of those who entered the poll – and for those of you who didn’t, well you still can!

As some of you who follow my twitter may know I was given a very small baggage allowance by my university when travelling to Paris – ONLY 14KG!! I swear my suitcase weighs about 4kg by itself…so I had to pack lightly!
Then when I got to Paris I was placed in a rather awkward accommodation situation…But you have to make the best of things, right?
So anyway, how about taking a peek at my room & some of the stuff I took?!

 

 

 

 

 


bloomzy /

What’s in my make-up bag?

[click images to enlarge] 

Well that’s my make-up bag – It’s from the Japanese brand ‘Swimmer‘, and was a present from my boyfriend who knows I love their items. They’re not a Gal brand but they stock plenty of cute things that appeal to a lot of Japanese girls, regardless of their fashion choices. 
So what’s inside??

Skin
  1. Natural Collection face powder (need more!)
  2. Collection 2000 Concealer
Lip
  1. Carmex
  2. Happy Bath Day lipgloss
  3. MAC ‘Quite Cute’ lip pencil
  4. MAC ‘Lady Gaga’ nude lipstick
  5. Anna Sui ‘Dolly Girl’ lipstick
  6. Jill Stuart lipstick
  7. Chanel lipstick
  8. Chanel lipcare stick
  9. Maxfactor ‘vibrant curve effect’ lipgloss
Eyes
  1. Barry M bronze ‘dazzle dust’
  2. CANMAKE eyeshadow base
  3. Chanel eyeshadow palette
  4. CANMAKE ‘Gradation Wink’ eyeshadow
  5. Dolly Wink grey & pink eyeshadow palette
  6. Dolly Wink eyelash case
  7. Maxfactor gold & silver eyeliner
  8. Benefit highlighter pencil
  9. Maxfactor kohl pencil
  10. Maxfactor ‘xperience volumising’ mascara
  11. KATE liquid liner pencil
  12. Dolly Wink pencil & liquid liner
Cheek
  1. CANMAKE cream cheek
  2. CANMAKE powder cheek

For those of you who remember my original post, you’ll notice that my ‘everyday’ collection (I alternate items, I don’t wear them all at once haha) has expanded.
I have more palettes, lipsticks/glosses etc. that I keep in another case (& my handbag) but these are my usual go-to items!!
I still don’t use foundation because I want to take care of my skin, but lately I have been thinking of going back to it (after 3 years – shock, horror!).

You’ll also notice that I was such a big fan of some of the items that I have continued to buy and use them. That means I really do love them, as I am constantly buying new products and chucking out old ones!