bloomzy /

Japanese hair dye review; Beautylabo & Palty

Whilst in Japan I came across the problem of which hair dye to use – in the UK I was using the same brand and colour each time. Of course I knew and had heard of potential problems with Japanese hair dye, such as it not staying in Caucasian hair due to it being made for the Asian market. Even so, I thought I would give it a try…so here are two reviews for you.
Beautylabo Whip

Beautylabo whip is a relatively new item in the Beautylabo line with 15 colours in the range, 4 of which are new and were featured in the April issue of Popteen in a special fold-out. The novelty behind the ‘whip’ products is a new innovation that has also been hitting foreign markets lately – a foam (mousse) hair dye, rather than liquid (cream?!).

So why is it so great? The mousse application is supposedly easier and more manageable. The mousse doesn’t drip, so there are no worries about accidently dripping it on the work suface etc. *cough*

Also you don’t need to section your hair like you would with a regular hair dye – some brands have even gone as far to claim that you don’t need a mirror, but that’s just silly in my opinion as I’d probably poke myself in the eye – I never claimed I had amazing hand-eye coordination haha. You just massage the mousse in and away you go~

Gloves, powder and mix, conditioner, instructions etc.
And what it looks like when you put it all in the container.
Yep, you mix it in the container it all comes in (great use of packaging) and shake it up…
What you get is a stiff, non-drip foam (mousse).
My friend and I had fun holding it upside down and seeing if it would drip…it didn’t! 
After application…
It lathers on like a shampoo and then just sits like a regular dye. 
The final result: I felt that the end result wasn’t as bright as I had hoped for. Nicola of Graphic Noise also tried out the same colour; Caramel Custard, and said that it turned her hair a very yellow-y shade…which I was kinda hoping for, but unfortunately it just gave me a very light brown…and that was from an orange-y blonde beforehand. The application and dye itself was great and I would certainly use a similar product with the foam ‘technology’ again, but Beautylabo just didn’t cut it for me with colouring.
I would like to mention that it did stick better than a lot of Japanese hair dyes though, which usually wash out. Which brings me to…
Palty Bleach

Ok, so bleach isn’t really a hair DYE but I had tried Palty hair dyes previously and they just didn’t stick at all – as in they would wash out after a couple of shampoos…not good. That’s why I choose to use the Palty Bleach instead. I was a bit cautious to bleach my hair as I know it can be very damaging but I hadn’t done it for almost 6 years so I decided to give it another go.

I had a friend help me with the application after sectioning my hair and he did a very good job, but unfortunately there had not been enough of the bleach for a full coverage so that meant I had to use two lots.

First try, with the bleached hair and un-bleached. 

The final result: I was really happy with the colour, it was a lovely bright blonde for Spring , which I had been hoping for. My hair was a little more coarse and wirey afterwards (see pic) however my hair wasn’t in a much better state before that so I wasn’t really bothered by it.

Well that was back in Japan, and now I am in the UK and my roots were pretty bad (black roots with blonde hair, ewww) so I had a haircut and grabbed some dye from the brand I previously used. I decided to go back to being a brunette (less maintenance) but I also kept the blonde on my under layers after seeing some lovely two tone in the latest issue of Popteen.

So here is a small preview…

Have you used Japanese hair dye before? If so, what were the results like? 

Would you use it now if you hadn’t before?
bloomzy /

Model Update; Tsubasa @ Dennys


Some of you may be wondering what Tsubasa has been up to lately, especially after she closed her blog. It’s definitely hard to keep up with her, and since her tweets tend to take up my feed I stopped following her.

So you can imagine my surprise when I went to Dennys (24/7 family restaurant) and found her plastered all over their special edition Christmas menu!


Tsubasa has collaborated with Dennys restaurants nationwide for a limited period (2nd Dec ~ 26 Dec) and created a special menu. It includes;

‘Mothers salad’ – 1,080円 (around £8/$13)
Salad with an apple and vegetable dressing.
Tsubasa created this ‘mothers salad’ with a homey feeling in mind.
She choose it from memories and love, as her mother used to often make something similar.

‘Roasted rib steak with fried oysters’ – 1,280円 (around £10/$15)
Comes with sweetcorn, spinach, potato wedges and onions.
Featuring a new steak sauce, made with fresh vegetables.
– Nothing else was written about this in the press release so I imagine it was just Denny’s trying to sell their steak (which is very popular and featured on most seasonal menus) with a new sauce.

I haven’t tried either of the meals as neither really appeal to me, but they seem reasonably priced. So if you happen to be in Japan and want a taste of Tsubasa then maybe this is the set for you!

…there are actually more pictures of Tsubasa on various menus but I took them on my boyfriend’s iPhone and he is currently at uni whilst I lay in bed with the flu, again D:

Edit: Added the pictures I took of the menu/s.

bloomzy /

Mini-update….

Candydoll
Candydoll x Tsubasa are releasing a new product.
This time it is Lamè Glitter, in two shades: Champagne & Rainbow – the glitter isn’t only for your face either. Candydoll says that you can use it for body, hair and nails.
I like the concept behind the advertising for the glitter, but am I the only one who thinks that Tsu-chan looks a little off in the Rainbow photoshoot?
Anyways, if you order before 6pm on the 23rd April you can get free shipping – This is of course only for Japan, but it’s still a good offer even if you’re using a shopping service.
Tsu is wearing Dollywink #1 top lashes, #5 bottom lashes
Well Tsubasa has updated her blog again, showing it off.
I’ll let you make your own decisions, but I personally think it would better suit someone who isn’t as pale.
Tsubasa also gives out instructions on how to use Candydoll blushers/highlighters for that perfect Spring look:
  1. Use a large brush and quickly apply a sweep of Peach Pink (top left).
  2. Then use a small brush and apply Strawberry Pink (centre).
  3. Use the purple highlighter (top right) gently against the inside of the cheek.
  4. Then use the Cream Beige (bottom left) to sweep a thin line down the centre of the nose.
Also, if you’re a fan of collection everything Tsubasa/Candydoll – there is a limited release orange and white stripe cased powder…just incase you didn’t like the original black and white ;D
Source; 1, 2
bloomzy /

Coordinates and Model Updates….

First off I’d just like to apologise for my absence. I’ve had a rather busy weekend, which was full of Birthday Parties and stress (you’ll know all about the latter if you have me on facebook, lol). But things have calmed down at the moment, so hopefully I can start posting regularly again.
Coordinates

I thought I would post a few of my recent coordinates.
The first is a lovely floral Spring dress that I bought a couple of weeks ago. As soon as I tried it on, I had to have it. The colours are so bright and the print is gorgeous. I also love how it fits, which means it looks equally as nice without a belt – although next time I’m going to belt-up haha.
The second is a coordinate I wore to a friends party. I wore my ‘Glad News’ inspired fast-fashion onpiece from Donki (see the Sakurina reference below). I paired it with lace leggings for a different look this time.
Lastly, todays coordinate. I wore a coordinate that I haven’t done for a while. I was re-inspired when Samispo0n posted a picture from last months NUTS that reminded her of my coordinate. I also paired it with my black studded hat and a blazer.
Model Updates
I just wanted to post a couple of pictures that caught my eye whilst browsing some Gal blogs recently….I really wish they would update more, with new products/ventures etc.
Sakurina has dyed her hair again. It’s cute and it suits her but the close-up of black and red makes it look a little dirty, sorry Sakurina – I love youuuu haha. Also, check out her ‘Glad News’ onepiece – I’m so pleased I got that now, much cheaper and the new prints they’re coming out with are gorgeous and mean it will last into Spring hopefully.
I also wanted to post these pics of Tsubasa, when she was in Okinawa. Such a simple coordinate but it gives off such a Spring vibe. Motherhood is doing wonders for her, she looks gorgeous. Also, do I see an Eiffel Tower on her nails?! Maybe to celebrate her new photobook – CUTE!!
I’m also crushing on Chinatsu’s make-up atm. That gurl sure knows what to do , and she has such variety, love it. I especially like her use of all the different eyelashes she has, and the nude lip – which I’m far too pale to try but do adore when done properly.
Finally, a big thank you…
To Samispo0n, who gave me a belated Birthday present this weekend. She’s too good to me.
I looked everywhere in Tokyo for the Dollywink eyelash case, but never had the luck of finding one. Now I have somewhere to store my eyelashes, which I have started wearing more often – you might be pleased to know ;D
Source; 1, 2, 3
bloomzy /

Love Nation, Momoeri Girl Shop & Visalia…

Love Nation
The popular ‘LOVE NATION…’ CD is back this month. Entitled ‘Love Nation…gift for the children’ it will be released on the 10th. This is the second time for Tsubasa to collaborate on the album, and this time round she wants to thank all of the subscribers to her blog, so she choose songs that were memorable to her.
You can find artists such as M-flo, Boa and Koda Kumi on the tracklist.
For fans living outside of Japan, you can order a copy here.
Momoeri Girl Shop
Momoeri has revealed her next business venture – The Momoeri Girl Shop.
All of the original items on the webstore feature Momoeri’s cartoon persona who is just as cute as Momoeri herself. You can buy accessories, stationary, interior items and much more…although the site is still new so there isn’t much up right now. But keep checking back because the prices are great, and everything is super cute…even the cigarette lighters, and I am a non-smoker haha.
V.V.P.Visalia
You will be able to get your hands on some cute Momoeri Girl t-shirts from 109’s V.V.P.Visalia, as modelled by the adorable Staff-chan above. Both of the t-shirts are priced at a very decent 2,940円. You can buy them from the Visalia webstore.
V.V.P.Visalia are also collaborating with well-known model Megumi Ikeda (Ikemegu). Two special photo t-shirts are being released, both are priced at 3,990円. Buy both of the t-shirts and you will receive a present; a special Visalia eco bag.

Which t-shirts do you prefer?
Momoeri’s cutesy cartoon, or Ikemegu’s sexy photos?

Source; 1, 2
bloomzy /

What were they thinking?

「What were they thinking?」
Business woman Tsubasa Masuwaka has a new collaboration under her belt this month.
She already has a long list of collab’s including; make-up, hair accessories, eyelashes, clothing…so what’s the next step for this busy lady?!
Sanitary towels, of course!!
Now, this may be something that every girl needs so correct me if I’m wrong, but does there really need to be a brand specifically aimed at Gals?! Surely we’re all the same when it comes down to something like this.
Tsubasa comments on her blog about how cute they are, and the different sizes and types. Elis (womens hygiene care company) are very smart, they know that Tsubasa will draw in the crowds but it does seem a little odd to have someone collaborating on such a thing, right? I know that I really couldn’t care less if my favourite model is collaborating on feminine hygiene products and making sure they’re ‘really cute’. In fact it kinda weirds me out.
Whether you like them or hate them…if you happen to be caught in Japan and it’s ‘that time’ why not visit your local store and pick up some Tsubasa endorsed sanitary towels. Be quick though, they’re only on sale until the stock is cleared!! haha
Source; 1
bloomzy /

Tsubasa Masuwaka news….



A new photobook

Tsubasa recently blogged about another new photobook she has coming out. Entitled ‘Les Aisles’ it is based in Paris, with familiar landmarks and Parisian streets used as backdrops. Apparently there will also be a Q&A section.
The first 1000 people to buy the photobook will also receive a special edition ‘Les Aisles’ Dolly Wink eyelash case.
It costs 1575円 (with tax) and is released on the 26th February.
Candydoll
In other Tsubasa related news, the Candydoll website has a new layout celebrating the February 23rd release of the new highlighter and blusher colours. This includes new pictures of Tsu-chan showing off the ‘Carrot Orange Blush’ – which I think looks cute. Let’s hope it looks this lovely on everyone.
I admit I may have judged it too harshly before, but can you really blame me when it has carrot in the name ;D
Source; 1, 2