bloomzy /

Say hello to GLiA!

ハロー！
My copy of GLiA arrived today from my lovely Japanese friend (thank you~), so I thought I would do a little write up about it…
So what is GLiA? It’s the lastest Gal magazine to hit the shelves and it comes from the makers of EGG to which it is the ‘older sister‘. That may sound a bit odd, I mean how can a magazine be an ‘older sister’?! 
Well it’s quite simple actually. It’s a more mature version of what you would usually find featured in Egg, and is aimed at 20+ rather than the ‘teen’ crowd Egg usually goes for – like PopSister is to Popteen.

Click on pictures to enlarge!

Who are the models? The makers didn’t want to stray too far from their roots, so they picked a handful of well-known models from Egg and a few other gorgeous Gals. Like PopSister, they carried over one of their most successful models to be the spokeswoman, and that was…ろみひ, of course!
She has been with the magazine for years and has always been a fan favourite. Recently her style has matured, along with herself and so she was the perfect choice for GLiA.

Yumachi and Aina join in along with other models such as; Anna Fujita, Yenah Hirano, Iena Hirai, Reina Kizu and more.


And the content…the content is great!!

FASHION



I thought ‘night snaps’ was a nice idea.
I wanna know what people are partyin’ in!

 Plenty of street snaps (9 pages!), categorised in ways such as;
shop staff, outer, hair pieces etc.

MAKE-UP

HAIR 

How to wear this seasons hair accessories.

With 14 pages worth of hair and make-up tutorials, I was sold!!
I don’t think many Gal mags offer enough tutorials, and even though some of the make-up in GLiA did look a little similar there was still plenty to choose from and practise with. The hair tutorials were great and had a range of styles for long and short hair.

– final thoughts? – 

As it’s a new magazine on the scene it has been compared to other more well-known ones, which is a little unfair. Even so I felt that GLiA holds it own against the other rivals. Slight warning though, don’t expect the content to be like EGG because it really isn’t…apart from the models. It’s more along the lines of Jelly and Happie Nuts. Although I think it has a more refreshing and appealing layout to some similar magazines that like to cram in as much as possible.

If it manages to keep up with the same layout and content it brought out in this issue I think it will soon become a firm favourite~♥

And with a slogan such as; 「Glia is… no rule woman’s style bible」 I think it’s certainly going to try it’s best!!


Disclaimer: I didn’t upload the whole magazine as there were so many great pieces that it’s definitely worth investing in for yourself. I also apologise for the photos – I don’t have a scanner here in Paris.

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 /

Get the ‘Retro’ look!!

Everyone knows ‘Retro Girly’ is one of the biggest trends in Gal this Spring/Summer…

So how do you get the look? For those who don’t have access to gal brands or are thinking of trying out this kind of style for the first time (it’s not just for girly-girls or people in their teens!), it might seem difficult. Therefore I thought I would compile a list of the key items for this trend [image heavy]

  • Blouses – Airy, lace, chiffon, frills and pale colours.
Dazzlin’ & Rojita
  • High Waist Bottoms – tuck in tops/blouses
Ank Rouge

  • Small Polka Dots
Min Plume & Titty&Co
  • Apron & Denim Onepieces
Rojita & Dazzlin’
  • Collared Tops – onepieces & tops (cardigans too), plain and lace, with ribbons and accents

Miel Crishunant & Pinky Girls
  • Red Gingham Check – think pin-up girl style
Ank Rouge & BACKS

  • Flower Print – bright florals, great for an ‘otona’ retro look
Spiral Girl & Cecil McBee
  • Scarves – neck, head or on bags
Rose Fan Fan & Duras
  • Ribbon/thin belts – red being very popular
  • Small Socks – think; lace, frills, floral and ribbons, wear with pumps or boots

Pinky Girls & tutuanna
  • ‘Vintage’ style accessories & shoes – vintage-looking, brown & camel (colours) are big
MILSQUR, Liz Lisa & R&E

  • Marine styles can also be worked in, but be careful not to go ott.
  • Bell bottom jeans are also great for the ‘retro’ trend, although they tend to suit a more ‘adult’ style – but they can still work!
  • The Gal brands really representing ‘retro girly’ right now?! Liz Lisa, Rojita, Dazzlin’, Ank Rouge, Minir Dees, Titty & Co and Pinky Girls.

Source; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
bloomzy /

Review: Eyeshadow & Blush Palette

This post is sponsored by KKcenterhk
Recently I was sent the ‘10 Shimmer Eyeshadow-Blush Palette‘ to review, by kkcenterhk. And here it is…

Shimmery, no? The colours range from neutral to almost neon and it all comes in a handy black case – like this. The first thing I thought when I opened the package and saw the case was DECO PROJECT! It sounds a little strange but all I could see was a brilliant blank canvas…so I’ll keep you updated on that.
As for the colours…

[ignore my arm hairs haha] 

As you can see the colours are very vibrant, which I was really pleased with. I hate palettes that offer pale shadows, because I always end up trying to apply more and more with no real result. However these went on easily, cleanly and left a great colour!

I played around with a few of the colours and I was able to create a ‘pink’ look, inspired by Popteen’s love of pink make-up from last months issue. The 4 colours I used in these pictures were these ones. I also used the lightest shade as a highlighter and the darkest to shade underneath my lower lashes (that didn’t show up well on camera, unfortunately).

 [No lashes/Mascara] 
[Accent lashes & Mascara]

Overall I thought the colours were brilliant and shimmery (without being too glittery), with the shadows being easy to apply. The shadows are a good quality and texture, whilst still managing to keep the colours vivid – I can’t wait to try the rest out soon. I also want to test out the pink as a blush and combine it with the light cream as a highlighter. When I do I’ll make sure to link back to this post so you will all know!

The only downside is that the palette is rather large, however that also means you get a decent amount of shadow too, so there’s a silver lining. 

Want to order this palette for yourself? –


They ship worldwide and delivery is super fast~

KKcenterhk also sell cosmetics, wigs, hosiery etc. so be sure to check them out!!

Mie has also done a review of a similar palette from the same sponsor on her blog.
bloomzy /

Manba Returns?!

I think by now, most of you have seen this from EGG’s May issue;

I was intrigued to see it, and read it – especially with a title such as ‘Manba Returns!!‘ We all know Manba is a hit-or-miss topic when it comes to Gal – some say it is out, others say it isn’t. Well I decided that I was going to translate this for those who can’t read Japanese – and as far as I know there isn’t an English source for it at the moment.

So what does it say?

When I/You say ‘Manba’ it’s probably this person.
[meaning this person comes to mind]

“Ka~tan is a charisma Manba who began the 2nd Manba movement.
Now she is a reader model on one magazine and has started a work clothes brand ‘kon-burenda’.“

Manba Transformation~

“The finished look, all 5 of them applied too much foundation.
They clearly have a border between their face and neck (lol)”
“Mami having her foundation applied by Ka~tan. 
Mami was really nervous in front of her.”

“She couldn’t apply concealer straight onto the face as the foundation was so dark. Therefore she applied it with a brush.”

“I liked that person (referring to Ka~tan), Manya said.”
[showing an old issue of EGG with a feature on Ka~tan]

“The last weapon is FACE STICKER DECO!
[They emphasis how great and cute it is for creating a winning look]

“Their hair didn’t have much power with their normal style.
Therefore hair extensions/decorations from CARRY were put on.”
The desired Manba project finally started!
Going to change to the strongest Manba!


” ‘Let’s do Manba project!’
Word started of this project through E.GIRLS. To tell you the truth they were inspired by issues of EGG that they had read when Manba was popular – these 5 girls wanted to try Manba (lol).
In fact, they were so eager to do the project that they even made a proposal (project paper) and handed it in directly (lol).
Anyway, let’s be Manba~☆

So they met up, but they weren’t sure how to be Manba as they weren’t around during that time (Kanako was around in that generation?? lol).
To know the special secret (essence) of Manba they invited a girl who is Manba.
Founder of Manba religion: Ka~tan sama ☆☆

She graduated from Manba 6 years ago and [today] there are no signs of Manba on her. [you can’t notice she used to be Manba]. However her sense of Manba may be revived [she may became excited with the ex-soul of Manba when she remembered].

She picked up a CANMAKE white concealer (for eyes) and black foundation and began her lecture. 

The 5 girls were confused about using [very] black foundation and massive eye make-up, but they also introduced their own way by themselves and created a new generation of Manba (Neo-Manba), which was a combination of old and new styles.” 

Finally, from left to right:
Gugun, Pink Manya, Kawabatan, Mamin, Mira (Daiso?)
[The kanji on the end of some of their names means old woman/hag/bitch]

There you have it! Unfortunately this is more of a special interest piece (likely due to EGG’s recent anniversary) and not a proper revival of Manba. But who knows? Maybe people will be inspired by these girls and will feel the call of Manba once again ;D

Special thanks go to my Japanese friend who helped me with the parts I got stuck on! This is not a literal translation, otherwise it wouldn’t make much sense. I translated it into English that made more sense but still kept the original meaning.

bloomzy /

Life in Japan; Streetsnaps & Traditional Japan

I’m currently working on the ‘favourite gal blogs’ post but since I have so many pictures from when I was in Japan I figured a small post wouldn’t hurt. I’m also going to be editing a few old posts and some tags today, in a bid to make things easier to access.

This picture post includes: 
– Gal streetsnaps
– OPA Kyoto
– People watching
– Traditional Japan meets Modern
Location: Kyoto
Click on pictures to enlarge.


This cute girl was decked out in W♥C.
She wore the black tutu over jeans due to the cold, I imagine.
Her boyfriend was in ‘Of the Neige Style’ a predominantly Ora Ora brand.
This girl was so effortlessly gal, even in such a simple coord.
Wish I had taken a better pic, sorry.
OPA, ready for Spring!
The mall has mainly Gyaru/Gyaru-o brands but there are also non-gal brands.
People waiting for OPA to open.
It’s not just the young people who do their make-up in public ;D
 A young girl in a kimono sits by the pond in the park behind Yasaka shrine.
A young couple both in traditional dress.
Happy baby Buddha XD
Mini-geta in a store front window.
My favourite of the bunch!
Deco’d Manekineko♥
bloomzy /

EMODA meets Lindsay Lohan

After posting about the new EMODA collection only a few days ago, a new spread has popped up in JJ magazine featuring the brand. So why am I blogging about a photoshoot in a magazine?

Well that’s because it is a special feature on Ena Matsumoto and…Lindsay Lohan o.O

It’s nothing new for Japanese magazines to do collaboration pieces with Hollywood stars, although this one interested me mainly for the subject of a Gal brand doing a piece with someone as infamous as Lindsay. I think it’s always interesting and holds a slight fascination for us Western fans of Gyaru when something like this pops up. It kind of reminds me of that terrible song Koda Kumi collaborated with Fergie on.


Even though Lindsay isn’t Gal and EMODA is prominently a ‘Gal Brand’ I think they matched her style well for the shoot. I could actually see Lindsay wearing these pieces…which probably rings bells for some of you who commented in the last post about EMODA being a duplicate of Western fashion, right now.

I think it also backs up the idea that just wearing Gal brands doesn’t make someone Gal…but that’s another long and complicated story for another time.

So what do you think of the spread?
Do you like the idea? Is Lindsay working the clothes or falling flat?