• TULA | My Hits & Misses

    May 21, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m back with another Hits & Misses post for TULA.

    Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

    MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Powders | Concealers | Brows | Mascara

    SKINCARE || Eye Creams

    BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | Volition Beauty

    Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.

    I’ve put each of the products I’ve tried into three different categories: Hits, Misses and Likes (not my faves, but would consider repurchasing).

    I’ve tried quite a few different products from TULA. I purchased all products myself and am not affiliated with them in anyway. So, when I first tried the brand, I decided to buy the Discovery Kit and then when I finished that, I tried the other kit and also purchased some of the full-sized versions of the products I enjoyed in the Discovery Kit.

    HITS

    Illuminating Face Serum – I think this has to be my favourite from TULA. I bought the full size of this after trying it in the discovery kit. It targets dark spots and I had a spot on my cheek from a blemish that just wouldn’t go away. I thought I would have the dark spot for years, but I think this has helped it slowly disappear.

    Kefir Replenishing Cleansing Oil – I liked this cleansing oil a lot and it lasted a long time for me.

    Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel – I used to use this twice a day and it was drying my skin out. Now I use it as more of a spot treatment when I see some blemishes emerging.

    LIKES

    A lot of the products are in between for me. While I enjoyed using them, I wouldn’t say I NEED them in my life.

    Exfoliating Treatment Mask – While I like this mask, but it is pretty expensive for a mask that you wash off. I would rather spend more on a sleeping mask or serum.

    Dual-Phase Skin Reviving Treatment Pads – The exfoliating pads came in one of the kits I tried and while they were interesting and made my face feel smooth, they are so expensive (16 pads for $75 CAD).

    Purifying Cleanser – This is a nice cleanser that makes your face feel clean, but not stripped of its oils, but there are cleansers that are cheaper that work the same.

    Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Gel – This resurfacing toner gel is great. It’s nice and gentle and doesn’t irritate my skin, but it’s so expensive compared to other toners.

    Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream – I would use in combination with the illuminating face serum. As someone with dry skin, I don’t think it was hydrating enough to use on its own, but it was a very nice and light gel cream if that’s what you’re looking for.

    Hydrating Day & Night Cream – I liked this cream, but I didn’t love that it came in a pot. I prefer the illuminating serum because it comes in a bottle with a pump.

    Have you tried TULA products? What were your faves?

    MISSES

    There’s only one product that was a miss for me and that was the eye cream.

    Multi-Spectrum Eye Renewal Serum – Both my mom and I tried this and it made our under eyes itchy.

    Have you tried TULA? What are your faves?

    Love,

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  • January 2019 Product Empties

    January 29, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Here are this month’s empties! Can’t believe it’s already the end of the month. I probably say that each month, but January really went by so quickly!

    Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel – I really liked this toner, it didn’t cause any irritation or additional redness to the areas of my face (nose and chin) that are already red.

    Repurchase? Yes! I want to use up my Pixi Glow Tonic before I repurchase this though.

    Tula Illuminating Face Serum – LOOOVE THIS! It was light and it helped lighten some dark spots on my face!

    Repurchase? Already did!

    Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream – Although this is fairly light in texture, it’s a bit too heavy for my personal liking. Also, I prefer a tube or bottle instead of a pot for hygienic reasons. I’m going to try the gel products from Tula to see if I prefer those.

    Repurchase? Maybe. If I find a gel product I like better, I would prefer to buy that instead.

    Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil – I don’t know why, but the smell of this oil reminded me of a fruit roll up? I have no idea why. I decided not to use this on my face because I love the Tarte Maracuja Oil so much and it’s been working. I didn’t really want to try a new product and possibly have a reaction. I used it on my hands and feet since they’re so dry from the winter air.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    The Body Shop Aloe Vera Gentle Foaming Wash – This is exactly what it says in the title: gentle, foamy and aloe.

    Repurchase? Yes, on sale.

    Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (mini) – Love this.

    Repurchase? Would definitely purchase a full-size pot.

    Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay (mini) – I liked this, but I wouldn’t say I loved it (probably because I don’t love rose-scented products). It did make my skin feel very soft after using it.

    Repurchase? Probably not, but I would try other Origins masks.

    Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder – This powder was great at mattifying the t-zone, but it did make my undereyes looks quite dry when I set my concealer.

    Repurchase? No. I wasn’t a huge fan of the minty-herbal scent of it.

    NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black – On a whim, I decided to try this brow pencil and ended up loving it. This was my second time purchasing it and I will definitely pick it up again.

    Repurchase? Eventually. I think I will try the second darkest shade since the Black can be a bit too dark (even on my dark brows). I want to try other brow products before circling back to it though.

    Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base – I barely used this because I don’t really wear colourful eyeshadows to begin with. Although I did test this and it did make shadows more vibrant; I’m not sure about longevity though. You would probably need to use this with a primer if you wanted to extend the wear time of your shadows.

    Repurchase? No. I don’t need it.

    Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (mini) – I have no idea when I got this, so it’s good I finished it :/

    Repurchase? I think so.

    The Estée Edit The Edgiest Kohl ShadowStick in 03 Guilt – This was okay, it wasn’t the best shadow stick I’ve ever used. I still have an extra that I bought in the same shade. 

    Repurchase? Brand is no longer available in stores.

    Flower Beauty On Your Mark Liquid Eye Liner in Black – I don’t know why I bought this because I don’t really wear liquid liner. I just saw Flower Beauty at Winners and got excited to try something from the line.

    Repurchase? No.

    Clio Kill Black Calligraphy Liner in 01 Black – Again, I made an impulse purchase at Winners because I wanted to try a brand that I’d never used before. I had also heard a few YouTubers talk about the Kill Black Liner, but this wasn’t the one. The Clio Kill Black Waterproof Pen Liner is the that people like.

    Repurchase? No.

    What did you finish this month?

    Love,

    jen

     

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  • tula skincare purifying face cleanser illuminating face serum pro-glycolic resurfacing gel

    First Impressions with TULA Skincare

    January 22, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing products that I ordered from TULA skincare. I had been seeing TULA products all over Instagram and wanted to give them a try. The products are cruelty-free and they are formulated with probiotics. Now, I’m not a scientist and all I really know about probiotics is that it’s sometimes in yogurt and cheese. I know that it provides health benefits and help with digestive problems.

    Pictures taken from TULA website

    I purchased the Discovery Kit to start out. The products are all travel-sized and meant to last about a month. I also decided to buy the Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel as well.

    Since I had 5 new products, I wanted to ease into using it just in case I had a reaction. I started with the Purifying Cleanser, two weeks later, I started the Illuminating Face Serum, Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel. A few days later, I started the Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel and then a week after that, I started the Hydrating Day & Night Cream.

    Originally, I was using just the Tula products, but since I started using the Hydrating Day & Night Cream last, my face still felt fairly dry. So, I incorporated a few drops of the Tarte Maracuja Oil to the routine.

    For the Face Serum, Acne Gel and Resurfacing Gel, I use 1 pump for each application and just a dab of the Day & Night Cream. I used all products every day (AM & PM) until I finished them. They all lasted a little over a month.

    When I started using the products, I had a cluster of dark spots from clogged pores on my cheek. After I finished 3/5 of the products, the dark spots were almost gone. My NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer used to be unable to cover them, but now, my foundation can conceal what’s left. I don’t know if it was a result of the serum or the acne gel, but I was very impressed. I expected that I’d have the dark spots for months until they faded.

    Purifying Face Cleanser $35

    This refreshing probiotic gel cleanser goes deep into pores to remove impurities and helps condition skin, without stripping or over-drying.

    RATING: 4.5/5

    Hydrating Day & Night Cream $65

    Delivers deep hydration to help revive dull skin. This nourishing cream, full of naturally derived probiotics and superfoods, reveals an even, glowing, youthful-looking complexion. 

    RATING: 4.5/5

    Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel $42

    This alcohol-free toner uses probiotics, glycolic acid, and beetroot extract to gently exfoliate the skin, leaving it looking smooth, hydrated and more even.

    RATING: 5/5

    Illuminating Face Serum $98

    This lightweight serum expertly targets the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation and dull skin, revealing a youthful glow and brightened complexion.

    RATING: 5/5

    Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel $36

    Clear skin, zero irritation. Our acne gel contains 2% salicylic acid to clear up acne, prevent breakouts & brighten marks left by past acne.

    RATING: 5/5

    I think out of all the products, the Hydrating Day & Night Cream is my least fave. Even though the texture is actually quite light, I think it’s a bit heavy for my skin. I also don’t love creams that come in pots; I would prefer a tube or bottle with a pump. I am going to try their gel creams to replace it.

    I’ve finished all of the products from the Discovery Kit. I’ve reordered the Illuminating Face Serum and I also bought the Kefir Replenishing Cleansing Oil, Anti-Aging Discovery Kit. I want to slowly try all of the products that interest me. I didn’t repurchase the Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Gel because I still have 2/3 of my Pixi Glow Tonic left. Once I finish that, I will buy the Resurfacing Gel.

    Once I’ve tried out the new products, I will write a new review.

    Have you tried TULA yet?

    Love,

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