trudiannracquel

Category: beauty

  • Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream

    This is one of two eye creams I’ve ever used. I have been using it religiously since the beginning of October. As of writing this blog post on the last day of February I have just started to see the bottom of the container.

    The Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream also has vitamin C, which, if you’ve read my previous blog post about the Sephora Vitamin C Serum, you know I credit Vitamin C to helping fade my dark acne marks. It also contains collagen, which according to this article is suitable for maintaining elasticity. At 0.5 ounces, it’s probably the most expensive part of my morning skincare. It costs $56, but I guess it’s worth it if you only purchase it two or three times per year.

    It doesn’t have a smell. And the texture is like Jergens Lotion (which is a weird comparison). It’s not thick and it spreads super easily. Immediately after applying, it leaves my under eyes illuminated and moisturized. And if I tap under my eyes after about 30 minutes, it feels very soft and smooth. I haven’t paid attention to its behaviour under concealer because I haven’t worn concealer in months.

    According to the Sephora website, it’s good for anti-aging (I’m 30, but I’m also Black, so…), dryness, dark circles and dullness/uneven texture.

    As you saw in the video, I applied it with my index finger and rubbed it with my ring finger. I heard that this was the most gentle pressure you can apply, and the skin under your eyes is very sensitive to pressure. I also bring it above my eyelids and to my brow bone. According to this random skincare post, I made a mistake by applying it to my eyelids.

    If you want to check out a post that’s supposed to be dermatologist-approved on how to correctly apply eye cream, check this out.

    Overall, I give this a 2.5/5. It’s expensive, and there are probably other ones that will give me the same results (or even) better for cheaper. I’ve seen countless ones on the Sephora website, at the drugstore and even in Walmart. I will probably try another one when this is done. If you have any recommendations, let me know in a comment!

  • SEPHORA Glow Serum: Glow + Strengthen Vitamin C Serum

    This serum has been a skincare staple since I discovered it last year. It has helped to lighten the dark marks on my cheeks, and I have been struggling with those for several years. I used to have acne all along my jawline and anything with Vitamin C has helped tremendously.

    The SEPHORA Vitamin C Serum costs $ 27 CAD for 1 ounce and as you can see in the demo below, you don’t need much to cover your entire face. A little goes a long way. I use about three drops each morning for my entire face and it’s an excellent base for any moisturizers you layer on top. It’s one of the more affordable options for skincare on the Sephora site.

    According to the website, it’s great for dryness, which I can confirm since the lower half of my face is dry. It also contains Vitamin E and claims to help increase radiance and even skin tone. Suitable for all skin types, it boasts a vegan and clean tag on Sephora, an added bonus if you have sensitive skin. It has no weird smells and leaves your skin slightly sticky (which I believe is what most serums do). I use it after face wash but before any moisturizers.

    Overall, I give it a 5/5. Affordable and efficient. If you have any other vitamin c serums that you use religiously that’s helped darkness, let me know in a comment below.

  • TULA – The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser

    I got this as a sample from one of my many Sephora orders sometime last year. I decided to try it because I ran out of my regular face cleanser and didn’t feel like purchasing anything yet. I’m also trying to finish all my skincare samples before committing to new ones because…they expire, and I didn’t know!

    The TULA Cult Classic Face Cleanser has a very…clean smell. The first time I used it, I thought to myself, “this smells like a chemical.” It smells like regular bar soap, but eventually you get used to it.

    It’s lasted me about three weeks so far, and this tiny sample is one fluid ounce. The smallest size you can purchase is 1.67 fluid ounces, which is not too bad. I think it lasts such a short time because I use it morning and night. I’m guessing that the smallest size and only using it as your morning cleanser would stretch it to about 3 months worth of product. At $16CAD, that’s not too bad, in my opinion. That is like the price of something you get at Walmart.

    I have combination, acne-prone skin. Everything from my cheekbones up is super oily everything below is dry in the wonter and normal in the summer. It’s advertised as suitable for oily, dry, combo and normal skin, and I would agree. After about 30 minutes without moisturizer though, it does get a bit drying.

    Overall, I give it 3.75/5 stars. I think it’s great for those just starting to dip their toes in the skincare game. I think it kept my acne at bay, it didn’t dry me out too much and it worked well with the rest of my skincare routine.

    In a comment, let me know if you’ve tried this before and your experience! If you hated it, which simple face cleanser has been your saviour? I’m always looking for good recommendations.

  • 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

    @herlifenotyours
    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

    @herlifenotyours
    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!