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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 /

Discuss: Can make-up represent a clothing brand?

Today I want to get discussion going about something that is popular in Japan.
I will be featuring one of my favourite Japanese brands, Murua, to help explain.

In Japan, clothing brands spend a lot of time representing themselves and their staff.
The presentation of the staff reflects on the store and brand, which makes a lot of sense.
This is done through not only their clothing and accessories, but make-up and hair too.

So with every new season some of the brands and stores send their shop staff (usually the store manager) off to a special meeting. Here, they are taught the key make-up and hair looks for that season, for the brand. The looks compliment that season’s collection, and make the brand and staff stand out. The manager then goes back and passes on this information to the shop staff, who are then expected to use these key looks in their everyday make-up & hair routine, whilst at work.

The shop staff are not forced to re-create the looks step-by-step and are allowed to add their own personal flair.
This means that they can retain their own personal style within the brand, much like those who work for clothing stores are expected to wear clothing from that store, or make-up counter staff are expected to wear make-up from that brand.

I personally would love to see something similar in stores like Topshop that have their own make-up line. I know a lot of clothing and department stores have rules on what kind of make-up to wear (subtle etc) in the UK, and are asked to be on-trend, but it’s not usually like this. I think it would inspire the customer more and help represent the brand too, whilst adding a little something extra. I do fear that it restricts people’s personal tastes a bit, but I think there’s always room to be inventive. However I think this works so well in Japan because of customer loyalty, so I’m not sure if it would catch on.
What do you think of this idea?
Do you think it would work in the UK, or Europe?

Source; 1
bloomzy /

Inspiration: Elli-Rose

Model and DJ Elli-Rose

Elli-Rose is a half English, half Japanese model, who works primarily in Japan.
She models for a Japanese magazine called Vivi magazine, as well as other publications. 
Recently she did a shoot for the British magazine iD for the Chanel, Tokyo issue.
She also DJs in her spare time and is known on the international circuit as Van Cliffe D.
So why do I love her?
I love her carefree, fun approach to modelling and her own personal style.
I also love her outlook on fashion. She says it’s very much like her music taste – varied.
She’s a big lover of vintage fashion, and mixing various styles together.
That spoke to me, as I love experimenting and wearing whatever I like. I don’t have one style.
She interacts with her fans through her Twitter and Instagram, and is incredibly sweet.
She’s even tweeted me a few times, and follows me. I think it’s nice that she is so personal.
You can watch the video she did for H&M Life here – it’s in English.

Source; 1

bloomzy /

Current Inspiration

Please excuse the mess that is me piling a bunch of photos together.
I just wanted to visualise some of my current inspirations, which are:
Girly mixed with boyish, patterned tights, flowers, bright colours, gradients, feminine lingerie,
monochrome, black on black, gold, pearls and studs, polka dots, orange & white,
stiletto nails, comfy t-shirts, petals, purple, brightly coloured food and pastels.
As you can see my inspirations don’t just come from fashion or beauty. Of course when I say inspiration it doesn’t necessarily mean fashion-wise. I love surrounding myself with things that inspire me, and I think that does ultimately translate into my personal style, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t take inspiration for other aspects of my life.
These images are not mine, and were taken from my Tumblr, Style Saint & Pinterest.
Feel free to add me on any or all.
bloomzy /

Discuss: ‘Snaggletooth’ Trend

Japanese ‘Snaggletooth’ Girl Group – TYB48
We all know that Japan loves their trends and fads, nothing new there. The most recent ‘trend’ that seems to be the in-topic of discussion lately, is the ‘snaggletooth’ trend. Snaggletooth is an American term, which refers to pointing out or crooked teeth (prominent canines). In Japan it is called Tsuke Yaeba. This isn’t a new trend, but it has become so popular that a new girl group has been created around the term – check out TYB48 (see what they did there?) in the above photo. They were chosen through a dental clinic that specializes in the trend.
Dental care isn’t that amazing in Japan, and wonky teeth are quite common, although braces are becoming more popular with younger generations. So whereas the term has negative connotations in the West, a lot of Japanese people find it cute and endearing. Why?! Well apparently a more ‘homely’ look attracts more suitors.
Kirsten Dunst & Japanese Idol Tomomi Itano
The trend has become so popular in Japan that a dental surgery in Tokyo’s luxurious Ginza district has started offering it as a service. Women have been spending around $400 on treatments that will allow them to achieve the look. Don’t worry though their teeth aren’t pulled around and moved about! Plastic caps are placed over the teeth to create the effect.
I personally think it’s sweet that ‘wonky teeth’ aren’t seen as unattractive in Japan, and there isn’t as much pressure on having perfect whites. However I am someone who went through having braces etc. to improve my teeth. I also don’t like the idea of altering this kind of part of my body, just to be seen as attractive, so I personally wouldn’t do it. 

What do you think of the trend?
Would you be willing to alter your body just to stay fashionable, or find a partner?

Source; 1, 2, 3
bloomzy /

OOTD: Mode Foremost

Dress: Juriano Jurrie | Shorts: H&M | Wedges: Internacionale | Earrings: Topshop
 
Oh my gosh, she’s wearing white!!
Yes, I have outdone myself by using white in this outfit, although I did have to add some black. I’m not a fan of white dresses actually. I think they look nice, but I’m always scared of getting them dirty. Amazingly, I managed to overcome that fear today so I could wear this. It’s one of my favourite items. The shape is very flattering and I always feel comfortable and stylish in it, even though it’s a pretty simple piece. Of course that also means that it’s always in season – lucky me!
I wasn’t sure whether to post a full body pic today, as my cheeks are a little swollen & puffy. Yesterday I had an horrendous tooth ache all day, even after visiting the emergency dentist. He managed to fix things temporarily, but the anaesthetic & medicine wore off straight away (a problem I’ve had since I was little) so I was in pain for most of the day. Hence the lack of posts. It’s feeling a bit better today, let’s hope it lasts!

bloomzy /

Food and Architecture in Tokyo, Japan | Photo Diary

Food and Architecture in Tokyo, Japan

Looking through my photos from my times in Japan you will see a lot of food & architecture. Those are the two main things that I go a little crazy about when visiting another country, especially when it’s for the first time. Well these pictures were taken on my second trip to Tokyo (before I moved there), when the fiancé and I went wandering around Tokyo Tower, through back streets and temples. The food pictured above is a ‘traditional’ Japanese breakfast, with rice, miso soup, bacon, egg, salad and natto. If you ever get the chance to try natto, then do, because Japanese people love to know whether you’re a fan or not – it’s basically the Marmite of Japan. The second photo is of a bowl of ramen and gyoza, if I remember it was from a cheap-ish chain restaurant. Japanese ‘fast-food’ is similarly priced to the UK kind but doesn’t feel anywhere near as bad when you’re eating it – ramen, rice & meat and noodles are probably the most popular. I’d recommend Yoshinoya, Ichiran Ramen & Coco Ichiban Curry (my favourite!).

All these photos are making me crave Japanese food.
I think I will have to start cooking it more often…or head back soon!