bloomzy /

MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection

A selection of items from the MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection
Recently I don’t find myself posting too often about new beauty product releases.
I think it’s mainly because I don’t get too excited about products that often, and I don’t want to post something that a ton of other beauty bloggers have done – or at least I try not to. So you know I am excited about a collection if I blog about it.
MAC is a great beauty brand, but I’m never really wowed by their collections.
That has changed though with their new Marilyn Monroe Collection, which is released this month.
You can probably guess what it was that drew me to this one in particular – yep, the red lipstick!
I also love the selection of products in this collection, not three or four products but a wide variety – in various shades.
I can see myself dropping a lot of money on this collection – I pretty much want everything!
The collection includes:
Beauty powder, blushers, brow finishers/markers, kohl pencils, mascara, eye shadows, 
eyelashes, lip liners, lipsticks, dazzleglass and nail polishes.
The Collection is released in October 2012 and will be available in-store and online.
Source; 1
bloomzy /

Introducing: Kanebo Sensai 38°C Mascara

Kanebo Sensai 38°C Mascara & 38°C Separating & Lengthening Mascara
Kanebo’s latest mascara to hit Harrod’s beauty department is the Sensai 38°C.
Coming in both a regular and a separating & lengthening version, the mascaras feature Koishimaru silk extract and Phyto-Squalane for a soft texture. Both are fragrance-free and use a traditional spiral brush, to help separate the lashes, and avoid clumping whilst offering the right amount of coverage.

Kanebo Sensai 38°C Mascara
The 38°C mascara is a new addition to the world of waterproof mascaras.
The name may seem a bit odd, but actually it’s pretty self-explanatory. The unique formula means that it is only removable with water at 38°C (or higher). Even so, this is an essential mascara for those who live in, or are planning on holidaying in a hot climate. Resistant against sweat, tears and high humidity means that you’ll have no worries at all.

Kanebo Sensai 38°C Mascara Separating & Lengthening
Joining the 38°C mascara is the Separating & Lengthening mascara, which separates, conditions and lengthens the lashes whilst still managing to live up to its namesake. If water and humidity resistant wasn’t good enough for you, then maybe big and beautiful eyes will help seal the deal.

You can purchase both mascaras from the Kanebo Sensai 38°C range here.
Or browse the rest of Kanebo’s collection at Harrods here.

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This post is in collaboration with Harrods but all views, photos and words are my own.
bloomzy /

Sugarpill Cosmetics

A selection of Sugarpill eyeshadows and false eyelashes
Today I want to introduce my new affiliate, the American brand Sugarpill Cosmetics.
I’ve been a fan of the brand since their small beginnings, which have now lead to a very big hype.
I remember following the founder Amy (Shrinkle) on her blog and eBay, where she first started selling her creations. The brand itself was only born though in 2010 when Amy decided to take more control, and things expanded from there. 
If you’ve followed IMATS in the last couple of years and managed to miss Sugarpill…shame on you!
Sugarpill sell amazingly pigmented pressed and loose shadows (in matte & glitter) along with crazy dramatic false lashes.
I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to bright shadows, but I am absolutely in love with their loose shadows!
So even if you’re not a fan of bright, dramatic eye make-up there is a colour and shadow for everyone.
As a long time fan, I’m very happy to be a part of the Sugarpill affiliate team.
You can find their banner (featuring the gorgeous Amelia Arsenic) on the sidebar.
You can browse the website here.
Sugarpill ship worldwide!
bloomzy /

Review: Glossybox 1 Year Anniversary Box

Glossybox 1 Year Anniversary Box
This month saw Glossybox have their 1 year anniversary…birthday? 
I’m not sure which is more fitting, but they celebrated anyway and sent out a ‘special’ box.
I received:
+ Noble Isle – Summer Rising Bath & Shower
+ Lolita Lempicka – Eau de Parfum & Si Lolita
+ Apivita – Cucumber Express Beauty Masks
+ Osmo Berber Oil Hair Treatment
+ Eldora False Eyelashes
+ Glossybox Mirror & Balloon
What were my thoughts on the box?
Honestly I was underwhelmed. I’m sorry to say it.
I thought this was supposed to be a celebratory box, but it just seemed like any other.
I suppose the balloon and mirror added a little something extra, but it didn’t win me over.
I just bought myself a new mirror, which wasn’t cheap, so I have no use for this one unfortunately.
I always love perfume samples, so I was happy to receive a couple in this box.
I also liked the addition of the cucumber facial mask and hair treatment oil.
I already have a full bottle of Argan Oil which will easily last me, but it’s difficult to take when I travel. 
So that was very welcome.
As for the eyelashes, they’re not my style, but if they’re yours I’m selling them here.
And finally another shower gel?! There has been a shower gel in the last 3 boxes I’ve received – last month’s box even included a full size one. I’m not sure if the Glossybox team are worried about our hygiene now it’s getting hotter but really? Overall I was unimpressed, and felt that the 3 items I liked weren’t worth the money. As I’m moving back home now and also need to save up for the future I have cancelled my subscription.

However, if you would like to sign up to Glossybox, you can do so here.
Glossybox has also just hit the States! Sign up here.

UPDATE 1
After reading some of the comments on the Glossybox Facebook page about the perfume samples (some people were claiming that theirs were only half full) I decided to double check mine. Well mine weren’t half full…they’re only 1/3rd full!! Utterly ridiculous and very annoying. For samples that I could have received free from a perfume counter, I would at least expect them to be full in a box that I am paying good money for.
UPDATE 2
I want to thank Glossybox for replying to my email about my perfume problem.
They were kind enough to explain the situation to me:
“These are 08.ml samples in a 2.0ml container…these are the full samples we were provided.
It was due to them being that way that we provided two”

I understand Glossybox’s situation here, and I think it’s nice that they included two because they weren’t completely full. However I think the company were bad to send samples that are less full than those that you would receive free from a perfume counter, and I think Glossybox should not have included them – these are not the kind of samples I would expect to receive in a beauty box that includes ‘luxury product miniatures‘.
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 /

Review: Toujours False Eyelashes & Skin79 Lip Gloss



The lovely people over at Shoppingholics sent me a wonderful package recently.
Here is a mini review of both items:

Eyemazing Toujours False Eyelashes #2 (honey grape) 
When I saw these I was so happy that they had sent me some ‘natural’ lashes. It’s been a while since I last wore false eyelashes as I’ve become so picky about the ones I choose, mainly because I prefer a more ‘natural’ look now.
Pros:
+ Cute, efficient packaging (stands up by itself) 
+ Lightweight & nice feel to the lashes, not plastic-y at all
+ Gorgeous, natural, cat-eye look that I could easily wear everyday 
+ 3 pairs, so if you lose/accidentally break them you’ve got back-ups
Cons:
– Doesn’t come with eyelash glue
– Rather fragile, but should last if you’re careful
– Too long for my eye, so I had to cut them down
Notes:
In my opinion, Japanese false eyelashes are some of the best you can buy.
These were produced by Japanese model Marimo (Popteen) for Eyemazing (a well known false eyelash brand in Japan) and the series contains 3 different sets of lashes, all of which are fruit themed…no idea why though.
You can find the whole series here.

Skin79 Mini Lip Gloss
I had previously heard of this brand thanks to their BB Cream, which is very popular in Asia.
I’m not a big lip gloss fan, I’ve recently converted to lipstick, so I was interested in trying this out.
Pros:
+ Didn’t dry out my lips
+ Cute, Anna Sui style packaging
+ Natural colour that would suit most people
+ Small and light, so you can attach it to your keys/purse
Cons:
– Not as ‘glossy’ as I had hoped for
– Slightly sticky when applied and when worn
+The mirror is a little too small to be practical, but it’s a nice touch
Notes:
When I swatched this it was incredibly pale, so much so that it barely showed in photos.
However when applied a few times it came out a nice shade of red. So unless you want more gloss than colour this probably isn’t right for those with pigmented lips.
Find this and more Skin79 products here.
Finally, a picture of me wearing both the eyelashes and lip gloss.
bloomzy /

Discuss; Katy Perry Eyelashes

Oh, My! Lightweight, but full of texture for a dramatic eye.

Oh, Honey! Fuller, slightly more natural lashes, for day or night.

Cool Kitty Fuller lash for more dramatic eyes.

Sweetie Pie Sweet, subtle and feminine for everyday use.

Katy worked with Eylure (she wore their lashes all throughout her tour) to create 4 sets of eyelashes (cost; $6.99) that she felt were gorgeous and great quality. 

We’re all used to celebrities bringing out their own perfumes by this point, but we don’t get to see too many false eyelashes being endorsed by celebrities, maybe because they’d like us to believe they’re all natural? 
Anyway, I think Katy Perry has made a good choice; previously we saw Girls Aloud bring out several ranges with Eylure, which sold out in-store and online. We already know Katy wears falsies, and her make-up is always flawless, so I think fans of Katy and false eyelashes alike will want to snap these up!


As I said before, I like the idea and I think it will work well for Katy. However, I’m not too impressed with the looks of the lashes myself; I was expecting something a bit more elegant, or unique. Still, I will leave my full judgement until I can see them in person.

Will you be grabbing a pair?
The Katy Perry range by Eylure will be available in ULTA stores and online from February 14th, Valentines day. For those outside of the USA keep your eyes peeled, hopefully they will be coming to a store near you soon!

Source; 1, 2