trudiannracquel

Author: herlifenotyours

  • 6 Spring/Summer Fragrances You Need to Try!

    6 Spring Fragrances to try!

    Hello! Hi!

    I hope you’re having a better day than you were yesterday 🙂

    I’ve been allowing myself to try more new fragrances recently, especially with the transitioning seasons. I stepped into an expensive habit of purchasing perfumes about 6 months ago, and I haven’t looked back since. It’s a simple way to treat yourself and smell how you feel at the same time.

    Fragrances say a lot about a person, I think. When you take the time to pick out a perfume, it gives you a chance in the morning (if you’re not rushing) to peruse your collection. If you’re anything like me, it gives you the opportunity to think about which ones you want to purchase next.

    With Spring quickly melting into Summer, here are some of my recommendations for fragrances to match the seasons. They mostly fall into the sweet, fresh or floral families.

    1. Jo Malone // Peony and Blush Suede
    @herlifenotyours
    Jo Malone // Peony and Blush Suede

    This fragrance is my everyday go-to. It smells clean and fresh, kind of like you just stepped out of the shower. I sometimes spray this on my (fake) hair so people can catch a whiff of it as I walk past them!

    @herlifenotyours

    2. Burberry // Her

    @herlifenotyours
    Burberry // Her

    The sweet notes in this perfume make it something I would wear specifically in the daytime. It’s very fruity-floral but doesn’t last very long one me. To make it one last, I have to pair it with a jasmine oil as a layer.

    @herlifenotyours

    3. Dior // Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet

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    Dior // Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet

    This fragrance reminds me of the previous one, Burberry Her, except with more hints of freshness. Think of, a warm beach day mixed with a sweet (preferably alcoholic beverage), and this is your scent. This was one I bought for a trip, so every time I wear it I’m reminded of heat and sweets.

    @herlifenotyours

    4. Marc Jacobs // Perfect

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    Marc Jacobs // Perfect

    words

    @herlifenotyours

    5. Hermes // Twilly eau Ginger

    @herlifenotyours
    Hermes // Twilly Eau Ginger

    My newest addition to my collection, this one is powdery and spicy and a little bit musky at the same time. I love putting it on when I’m freshly out of the shower and a little goes along way with this one.

    @herlifenotyours

    6. Ariana Grande // Cloud

    @herlifenotyours
    Ariana Grande // Cloud

    This one is the most affordable of the list. I use this mostly at night because the fragrance doesn’t last very long on me. It’s super sweet and is a perfect fragrance for those who like something lighter and not very overpowering.

    @herlifenotyours

    Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @herlifenotyours for more content, including what new fragrances I pick up!

     

  • $500 Sephora Haul!

     

    Ep 9: $500 Sephora Haul! – YouTube

    Hey Guys! Here’s the accompanying blog post to the above Sephora Haul. Let me know if there’s anything you’ve tried or any item you want a specific review on. Also, any video recommendations!

    Have a lovely day 🙂

    Twilly D’Hermes Eau Ginger Eau De Parfum

    Sephora Best Skin Ever Foundation

    Drunk Elephant Mini A-Passioni Retionol Cream 

    Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter

    Philosophy Amazing Grace Whipped Body Creme

    Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Hydrating Cream

    Lancome Idole Aura Eau De Parfum

    Ole Henriksen 3 Mega Wonders

    Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser

    First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads

    Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer and Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum

     

     

  • A Sneaky Reason Your Hair Isn’t Growing

    Hello! Hi!

    I hope you’re having a better day than you were yesterday.

    I’ve been trying to grow my hair out for years. It was mid-back length when I was a teenager, and one day I decided, “I look cuter with short hair.” And, in fact, I do! Short hair makes me look more mature and, in my opinion, older.

    Unfortunately, I decided I wanted back the length I so dismissively cut off.

    And I did everything.

    I used the oils and serums. I went natural. I avoided heat and chemicals. I moisturized it daily. I washed weekly. But for some reason, nothing worked. Finally, I was able to get some growth and retention using a hair growth supplement, but it made my stomach upset so I had to give that up.

    I know all the fundamental reasons my hair wouldn’t be growing: my hair is dry, not enough protective styling, heat or chemical damage or even me unconsciously picking at it.

    However, one morning, I was sitting and staring at my reflection and wondering what I could be doing wrong or should be doing more of. My hair used to be super long and healthy, shiny and strong. Here’s a surprising reason that prevented my hair from growing!

    Hangnails

    Maybe not just hangnails. Even your bonnet or head scarf could be tugging on your hair.

    For me, my nails are prone to splitting. I always have a clear coat to keep the edges semi-smooth, but I wash my hands so often that it’s gone within a few days. And I am a bit too lazy to re-do it. However, I noticed that every time I scratched my head, a strand of hair kept coming out with it. Hangnails were ripping my hair out from the root! I thought hangnails were just a sign of me not taking care of my hands as I should be. But it turns out, besides being annoying and ugly, they were hindering my hair goals.

    So before you start stressing (which could lead to even more hair fallout), check your nails out to make sure they aren’t the sneaky thing keeping you from your hair goals.

    If you have any tips and tricks to increase hair retention, drop a comment and let me know!

  • 5 Affordable Ways to Treat Yourself

    Hello! Hi!

    I hope you have a better day than you were yesterday.

    Emotionally treating myself is something I never used to think was necessary. I used to feed into the hustle hard, team no sleep, nobody cares work harder, culture. I used to believe that working all-nighters was the way to go.

    I was very wrong.

    I’ve learned through trial by fire that it is of the utmost importance that I take care of myself first. If my mental health isn’t at least 80%, I can’t function. I can’t be a version of the woman I want to be in the future.

    Bonus (sarcasm): I work at a fast-food restaurant as a manager, so it’s not like I can shower myself in luxury regularly. And I am also trying to save to move out of my parents’ house. ‘Trying’ is the operative word. (If you watch my YouTube channel, you’ll see why I say that).

    Here are a few ways I’ve treated myself recently! Most are free, and some are cheap (depending on your tastes).

    1. Cry. It sounds weird, but a good cry can help you release some frustrations you have. Crying can release pent-up tension in your chest. If you live in a place where you can scream, screaming is a much better option. But if you live in suburbia, crying is a good alternative.
    2. Exercise. Movement is key to maintaining a healthy life, especially when you don’t feel like peeling your body from your bed. Exercise is an excellent way to distract yourself, even with thoughts of wanting to run back into your bed.
    3. Picnic. Okay, this is more of a date idea. But putting together a smorgasbord of your favourite finger foods and getting dressed up is a great way to spend time with yourself and feel special (in theory).
    4. Dance Session. Okay, this one I started doing about two years ago when I would get overwhelmed with school. I give myself 10-15 minutes, put on Queen Bey, and dance like no one is watching. It’s an energy rush because I know all the words to the songs I choose, and I get to lose myself in good music and happy lyrics.
    5. Read. Reading is a great way to escape your reality. I get immersed in many books, especially fantasy and rom coms. I’ve been avoiding romance books recently, but I recently read Monday’s Not Coming and They Both Die at The End and completely forgot where I was for a good three days. Reading could even be free if you borrow books from the library instead of buying books!

    I hope these ideas help, even a little bit. I know it isn’t easy even to choose to take care of yourself. But there’s a little sunshine since you decided to read this post, right?

  • $500 Book Haul!

    Hello! Hi!

    https://youtu.be/EZ2ImWfS-6U

    The Soul Study Self Love Journal

    They Both Die at the End 

    You Truly Assumed

    Blood Scion

    One of The Good Ones

    The Lost Dreamer

    The Cost of Knowing

    Witches Steeped in Gold

    People We Meet on Vacation

    Where the Crawdads Sing

    Yinka, where is your Huzband?

    Black Cake

    Blood Like Magic

    Ace of Spades

    It Ends With Us

    Malibu Rising

    We Are Not Like Them

    Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From

    Black Girls Must Be Magic

     

  • 16 Small (ish) Black Youtubers to Follow

    Hello! Hi!

    I hope you’re having a better day today than you were yesterday.

    In trying to expand my interests and add some colour to my YouTube algorithm, I have been intentionally seeking out Black content creators. On YouTube and Instagram, I’ve made it a point to subscribe to primarily Black women or people of colour (POC).

    While not everyone I come across is interesting, by actively only subscribing to Black creators, more pop up each day. And it’s comforting to see that here’s a list of the few that I’ve gotten to know over the past few weeks and a few that I’ve known for a few years:

    1. Tajah Ferjuste
    2. From Head to Curve
    3. Brooke Kennedy
    4. Mena Adubea
    5. Peyton Maree Charles 
    6. Chi Udeaja
    7. Alexis Barber
    8. Dimmah Umeh
    9. JstDej
    10. Lexi J Poole
    11. Leandra Yomo
    12. Octavia B
    13. Hannah Olivia
    14. Geranika Mycia
    15. A little taeste
    16. Jasmine Airdelle