The New Nude

Planning on venturing into neutral territory this winter? Then don't delay in getting Bloom's latest nail polish shade - Kim - on your digits. This modern taupe suits all skin tones and is best suited to chic, short nails...see below Bloom's Mani Tips 101.

File
Remove old nail polish and make sure there is no dirt under your fingernails. Next, file your nails to a uniform length and shape with Bloom’s Long Nail File which is specially designed with a deeper grain side for shaping and filing and a smoother side for finish and detail. Just remember – only file in one direction to avoid weakening the nail.

Push
Soak nails in warm water for a few minutes and pat dry. Apply Bloom’s vitamin-rich Cuticle Quencher to cuticles and massage in. Then use a clean orange stick to gently push your cuticles back.

Smooth
Make sure your nails are completely dry and clean before you apply Bloom’s Ridge Filler. Any hand cream or polish remover residue will prevent it from sticking properly.

Apply a coat of Ridge Filler to smooth over any ridges and level the nail plate. An even surface will mean your polish will glide on evenly and look more professional.

Prime
Apply Bloom’s Base Coat and let it dry for 30 seconds. This will act as an adhesive for the polish and improve its wear.

Polish
To ensure you coat your nails evenly, wipe the front and back of the brush off on the tip of the bottle. Applying nail polish should involve just three strokes – one up the centre and one either side. Begin at the base of your nail and steadily bring the brush over and under the tip of your nails to stop chipping. Let the polish dry for a few minutes before applying a second coat.

Finish
For added shine and protection against chipping, wait five minutes before applying Bloom’s Top Coat. To further extend the life and shine of your manicure, re-apply a thin layer of Top Coat every second day.

If you have gone over the edges and want to tidy up your manicure, wrap a piece of cotton wool around the end of an orange stick, dip it in nail polish remover and use to remove any mistakes.

Click here to the Bloom Nail Polish eboutique.

Sensory Lab

At our Digital Media Party (the Melbourne launch of Bloom Organics) we teamed up with Sensory Lab. These guys are taking Melbourne by storm offering new coffee brewing methods and educating people on the best way to enjoy it. Sensory Lab = amazing in our eyes!

Our aim is simple. To take you on a sensory journey, showcasing some of the worlds most rare and prized varietals and educating you on any number of the 800 different flavour profiles coffee has to offer.
- Sensory Lab

We're such converts that we, together with Sensory Lab, are offering Bloom Blog readers a Annual Coffee Subscription for $280. That's a creamy saving of $200. Simply add the promotional word - BLOOM - at checkout to take advantage of this offer...click here!

Sensory Lab Store Locator 297 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000‎ p 03 9643 2222‎

Olivia from Beautyheaven Talks Bloom

Olivia - Beautyheaven's President of Product - talks Bloom Mineral Plus Sheer Mineral Tint SPF15,...here's what she had to say.

When it comes to beauty bits there aren’t many cases where I’m incredibly loyal - it’s somewhat difficult in this gig you see. All it takes is a pretty palette to cross my path and I’ve forgotten all about that brand new plumper I vowed to love forever.

My newest craze? Well, thanks for asking. It’s mineral make-up – and I thought our environmental issue was the perfect place to fill you in on what I’m currently using. For a flawless base, there’s just no going past my Bloom Mineral Plus Sheer Mineral Tint SPF15, which delivers a dewy glow that lasts. Olivia x

For Bloom's Sheer Mineral Tint and more Mineral products...click here!

DIY Pinboards

Pinboards are our way of reminding us of the journey we have taken. They are simply the most beautiful form of communication without words.

Our pinboards embody many of our memories at a glance: a touchable, tactile album of imagination. They showcase moments in time captured and hung like art from the heart. We collect everything and anything because we have loved it at some point and know that it will always inspire us in some way.

Okay, a couple of things to collect that will get you started; labels, colour swatches, ribbons, buttons, photos, stickers, postcards, business cards, food labels, fabric, origami paper, frames, jewellery, doilies, little cushions, confectionary wrappers, magazine pages, chocolate boxes, hairpins, concert tickets, swing tags, shopping bags or maybe a gallery invitation.

Tools; a canvas, foam core or framed board....whatever you heart desires really! Some pins or tacs - we prefer white thumb tacs, so they all match!

Well that's about it from us so what are you waiting for get your pinboard going!

We Already Have It!

Image: BellaSugar

We’ve noticed that there is a buzz around the baby blue nails, spotted at Chanel’s recent Cruise Collection Showing. You don’t have to wait for this polish to come from runway to reality though - we already have it!

Click here to Bloom's powdery blue Nail Polish - Kate.

Digital Media Party

Earlier this month, Natalie held an intimate soiree at our Flagship Store for some of Melbourne's most exciting digital writers and publishers. She introduced them to our new range, Bloom Organics, and over a glass of wine (organic of course!) got to hear more about the amazing projects they are working on.

Sensory Lab Barista

Check out what the every-lovely Mel: Hot or Not, Lip Print and Style Melbourne have to say about our event and Bloom Organics.

Get Glossy's Maria & Peter with Sarah from Style Melbourne

Natalie Bloom and Sarah Hunwick

Bloom Digital Media Party
May 17 2010
Bloom Flagship Store, 574 Chapel Street. South Yarra

A Chinese Fantasy

Coco Chanel never visited China however her love for Asian antiques has fuelled a Chinese fashion fantasy bought to life by Chanel's creative director - Karl Lagerfeld.

Watch this - Chanel, Paris/Shanghai Prefall 2010 Documentary 1.

The Triple S - Stress, Sleep & Sugar

In a busy world, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat stands apart as a destination to soothe your soul and inspire you to live a healthier life. So when the Bloom girls heard that Gwinganna was bringing a slice of the retreat to Melbourne we jumped at the opportunity to be involved.

The exceptional new health seminar focused around ‘The Triple S - stress, sleep and sugar’.

To learn more about this divine retreat subscribe to the Gwinganna Newsletter, you'll instanly feel inspired - we promise!

Located on Queensland’s Gold Coast, in a hidden region of the Tallebudgera Valley, it is less than 30 minutes from Gold Coast airport, around 60 minutes from Brisbane airport and just 15 minutes from Burleigh Heads Beach.

Women InStyle

Last night was the annual Women InStyle Awards. Winner of the 2009 Beauty Award - Natalie Bloom - was honoured to be one of the annoucers at the stylish and very A-list event, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Del Kathryn Barton, Deborah Mailman, Sarah Wilson, Collette Dinnigan, Terry Biviano, Antonia Kidman, Rachel Taylor, Alexandra & Genevieve Smart, Megan Washington, April Rose Pengilly, Nicole Zimmerman, Natarsha Belling, Leona Edminston, Sarah Jane Clarke & Heidi Middleton, Claudia Karvan, Kylie Gillies, Jessica Rowe, Kylie Kwong and Marnie Skillings.

Here are some snaps straight from the Red Carpet. Oo la la - oh so glam!

I consider being a winner at the inaugural Women of Style awards in the Beauty Category as one of my pinnacle moments from last year.
- Natalie Bloom


Read more about the night on SassySam.com

Lady Melbourne

Hailing from her namesake city, Lady Melbourne (aka Phoebe Montague) is a renowned fashion blogger who showcases ladylike style and glamour in a modern way. Refined. Elegant. Captivating. Lady Melbourne has a refreshing approach to fashion and beauty that is making us look twice.

We recently caught up with Lady Melbourne to find out which beauty trends are currently capturing her attention, here's what she said;

BLOOM: Tell us, what do you find most amazing about Melbourne Fashion and did this spark your Blog - Lady Melbourne?

LM (Lady Melbourne): 'Melbourne fashion is amazing in so many ways, I never seem to be short of content for my blog. You can walk down Flinders Lane any day of the week and see the most innovative but relaxed fashion and that's just the people on the street. I wanted to showcase the unique shops, designers, and people from Melbourne and that's really how Lady Melbourne was born.

BLOOM: We've seen some pretty beaut things happen to you through Lady Melbourne but in your own words, what's your best achievement?
LM: To date one of the biggest achievements would have to be landing on the cover of Peppermint magazine. Being the first Australian blogger to ever land on the cover of a fashion magazine surpassed any dreams I had for the blog when it began 4 years ago.

BLOOM: Lastly, what's your number one beauty tip?
LM: I am often asked if I photoshop my photos because people seem to like the editorial style makeup and hair I present on the blog. I don't (which makes it a nice compliment!) but I do work hard at keeping my skin well looked after, my hair well groomed and my nails done. My number one beauty tip would have to be split in two- get plenty of sleep and drink loads of water!'

- Lady Melbourne

Thanks Lady Melbourne for the chat, it's always a pleasure!

The Dirty Dozen

Image: My Paper Crane

If your budget is biting, and you can't afford to buy organic every time you shop, don’t be disheartened. Just print out this nifty Dirty Dozen Cheat Sheet and take it when you go shopping so you can focus on foods that are likely to have the heaviest pesticide residue.

Download printable file here!

The Good Friday Appeal

This delightful hand-made Marquise Singlet by Natalie Bloom was donated to The Good Friday Appeal.

Click here to bid!