Product Review : L'Oréal Preference in Very Light Pearl Blonde + Hair Bleaching Story

In this blog post I will give an overview of my hair bleaching experience and a review on L'Oreal's Preference hair dye in Very Light Pearl Blonde (PC30).

Overall, I went from Dark Brown to Extra Light Beige Blonde.

                                 

                                          

Now here are the steps that I've followed to achieve this result :

STEP 1 : Clairol Born Blonde Bleaching Kit in Ultra Blue + Peroxide 50.

(Initial hair color) My initial hair color was very dark brown with few reddish brown strands.

(a) I first mixed all the products in the box together, then applied the mixture over my hair except for the roots and waited for 20 minutes.

(b) After 20 minutes the color didn't seem to lift at all, so I decided to add a little bit of Peroxide 50 (which is very strong, so you got to be careful !) to the mixture's leftovers and reapplied it all over my hair, including the roots and I waited for an extra 30 minutes. By adding the Peroxide 50 it may sting and leave red marks on your scalp which is normal, but keep in mind that not everyone has the same tolerance, so if you see hair falling off or other abnormal reactions, I would suggest to rinse it off right away !

(c) After 30 minutes (for a total of 50 minutes), it finally started to lighten up and that's when I rinsed the product.

(Final Result) My hair color turned out strawberry blonde, which is what I was expecting ! First step accomplished !


STEP 2 : L'Oréal Excellence Blonde Supreme Brass-Controlling Hair Dye in Extra Light Ash Blonde.

After STEP 1, I thought that maybe it wouldn't be necessary to re bleach my hair to get rid of the brassiness and lighten it up more. That's why I decided to use L'Oréal's Excellence Hair Dye in Extra Light Ash Blonde, which claims to lighten up the hair and help with the brassy undertones.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the results I was expecting, although it did lift the color a little bit at the roots and gave my hair an overall cooler tone.

You can still see on the picture that there isn't a big difference between the before and after picture so that's when I realised that I needed to bleach it more to get a nice bright Platinum blonde !


STEP 3 : Garnier Nutrisse Bleaching Kit in Extra Bleach.

Once again, I went for a prepaked bleaching kit ! At the time, I thought that it was safer and more efficient to use this rather than some random bleaching powder mixed with whatever volume peroxide.

Therefore, I used the Garnier Nutrisse bleaching kit in the Extra Bleach formula. It did lighten up the color pretty well, but it still wasn't blonde enough and it also got extremely brassy, so I decided to bleach my hair one more time.

STEP 4 : Bleaching Powder + 30 Peroxide.

At that point, I realised that prepaked bleaching kits wouln't give me the results that I was expecting. Therefore, I used a 30 volume peroxide with one pack of bleaching powder. I applied it all over my hair and waited for 45 minutes. My hair finally turned out bleached blonde !

There was still a little bit of brassiness left, but that's when the L'Oreal's Preference hair dye in Very Light Pearl Blonde came into play.


STEP 5 : L'Oreal Preference in Very Light Pearl Blonde (PC30).

         

(Initial hair color) On the picture you can see that there's a lot of yellow undertones.

(Packaging) Here's what's written on the box : "8 weeks of fade-defying color", "Brilliant lustrous hair", "100% Grey Coverage". It also shows the results you'll get, depending on your initial hair color.

(What's inside) Inside of the box, there was :
- 1 bottle of Color Optimizing [#1] (71 ml).
- 1 bottle of Color Gel [#2] (71 ml).
- 1 tube of Care Supreme Conditioner [#3] (71 ml).
- 1 instruction sheet (with one pair of gloves inside).

(a) Before touching the products, I read the instructions and put the gloves on.

(b) Next, I poured the Color Gel [#2] inside of the bottle of the Color Optimizing [#1].

(c) Then I shook the bottle until I couldn't feel the product moving.

(d) I poured the mixture in a plastic bowl to make the application easier.

(e) I separated the first layer of hair from the rest.

(f) I applied the hair dye all over that first layer (even the roots) with a brush.

(g) I repeated the last two steps : I applied the mixture on the next layer of hair and did the same for the rest of my hair until it was all covered with the product.

(h) Once I finished applying the mixture, I put my hair up with a clip.

(i) Next, I let the product sit for 25 minutes.

(j) After 25 minutes, the color didn't seem to have changed.

(k) Therefore, I let it sit for an extra 20 minutes.

(l) This is the final picture after I rinsed and let my hair dry.

(Before And After) The first thing that I noticed, when I saw the final result, was that my hair was extremely shiny. It almost had a translucent finish to it. As for the hair color, I was a little bit disappointed at first, because I didn't notice a difference in the brassiness and didn't see a big change overall. However, after looking at the Before and After pictures, I can definitely say that the yellow undertones were way much more visible on the Before picture than the After one.

The color looks more vibrant and healthier after using this hair dye.

(Overall rate) 6.5/10


CONCLUSION 

Overall, after all these steps I was satisfied with the results that I obtained, but it still wasn't the Platinum blonde color that I wanted.

Therefore, I am still bleaching few strands (with Bleaching Powder and Peroxide 30) once in while and when I touch up my roots. It's always better to lighten the color slowly but surely to avoid over damaging the hair.

As for maintenance, I use purple shampoo to help with the brassiness and it works amazingly ! I also make sure I leave my conditioner and deep conditioner for 5 minutes every time I wash my hair to keep it healthy and shiny.

Here's an update after 3 months  :

Favorite Products Of The Month : July 2014

It's time to reveal my favorite products for the month of July !

 

1- Bioderma Sebium H2O Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution (6.99 $/ 100 ml).

With this micelle solution, you don't need to worry about going to bed with a dirty face. It completely takes your makeup off while cleansing your skin and all of this without the need to be rinsed out. As a final result, there's no residue left on your skin and it really feels like you actually washed your face.
They also have a formula for sensitive skin, but personally I adore the Sebium version, since it perfectly suits my combination skin.

2- Studio Makeup Soft Blend Pressed Powder in Bisque (21 $).
I love this powder for its light, smooth and velvety texture. It also has a very buildable coverage which means that you can go from a natural to completely matte finish. The good thing about this product is that no matter how many layers you apply, it will never end up looking cakey. I also like how this color perfectly blends with my skin tone.

3- Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter (36 $).
What I like the most about the Benefit Soft Focus Highlighter is the color. It's very hard for me to find a good highlighter that's not too ashy or too pinkish for my skin tone. This one is of a nice beige peachy color, even though it still could have been a little bit more yellow based. I also really love the final look on my skin and the texture, which is not too creamy or too powdery. I have been using the pocket format of this highlighter a lot during this past month, especially when I was on the go. The stick format makes it very easy to apply and the size allows me to bring it everywhere. I love it !

4- Lush Black Stocking Body Tint (7.45 $).
The amount of coverage you can get with this body tint is amazing. With this bar format, you have no choice but to apply the product directly on the skin which is genius, since it will give you a lot of coverage and a very opaque finish ! I love the color because it's not orange at all. It's actually a really dark brown color, which makes it look more like an authentic tan. The texture is not too creamy, which prevents it from sliding on the skin during the application. However, it does transfer to clothing and other fabrics if you rub your skin too hard against them. The shimmery finish gives a beautiful glow without looking too artificial. A must for the summer !

5- Organix Penetrating Moroccan Argan Oil (8.99 $).
Among all of the drugstore Argan Oils I have tried, this one is the closest one to the original Moroccan Oil, in terms of texture and result. The other ones are too liquidy and seem to just sit on my hair without being absorbed. With the Organix Penetrating Moroccan Argan Oil, my hair feels softer and rejuvenated a day after I apply it. It doesn't get absorbed instantly like the Original Moroccan Oil, which makes my hair immediately soft an silky, but it still gives my hair a similar effect. In conclusion, this product is perfect for extremely dry and damaged hair. You will get results, unlike other oils !

6- Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in N9 Copper Pink (23 $).
This Make Up For Ever lipstick is my go to lip product. The shade is the same as my natural lip color but a bit more red, which gives me a perfect flush and an overall healthy look. The texture and the opacity are amazing. It's not too matte and not too glossy, with a nice creamy finish. The mini sample format is also very convenient and super cute !

7- Quo Mini Smokey Eye Eyeshadow Palette in Brown (5 $).
I actually have been using this eyeshadow palette for the past 7 months, at least once a week. It's the ultimate eye makeup look for me. Every single color works well with one another, the quality is amazing, the texture is very creamy and it lasts all day long ! The mini and super compact packaging makes it very easy to carry everywhere, and all of this at an exceptional price. What not to love about this mini palette !

Favorite Products Of The Month : June 2014

There's only 5 items in this month's favorites, but they surely have been useful !

1- Avon Glimmer Stick Diamonds in Twilight Sparkle (7.99 $).

The rich blue color is perfect to start off the summer. These eyeliners are also of an amazing quality, since they glide easily, are very opaque and truly glittery. They do last for a good amount of time but they are not waterproof, so they will smudge a little bit at the end of the day.

2- Essence Eye Liner Pen in Black (2.99 $).
I have been using this eyeliner pen a lot, because it's very convenient when I am on the go. It allows me to draw a very clean and precise line because of the pointy felt tip. The finish of the product is a real matte black. I have been using it almost everyday for more than 8 months and there's still a lot of product left !

3- Yves Rocher Rouge Dragée Lipstick in No 68 (4.95 $).
This nude color goes with almost every makeup look. It's not too pale or too brown. It also has a little bit of shimmer, which adds a summery glow to the lips. Oh ! And it's also very hydrating ! My go to lipstick for the month of June !

4- Gillette Satin Care Alluring Avocado Shaving Cream (3 $).
I love this shaving cream because, it deeply hydrates my skin without clogging the razor's blades. It prevents against cuts and it also smells very good !

5- La Roche Posay Effaclar Matte Moisturizer (33 $).
The Effaclar Matte Moisturiser was a life savor for my skin during the month of June. It went from normal to excessively oily, my pores looked huge and my skin had a waxy finish. I didn't want to cake on the setting powder, so I started using this cream to help reducing the oil production on my face. It works amazingly ! Unlike other mattifying creams, this one will actually reduce the shine for a good amount of time and is perfectly suitable for sensitive skin.

Favorite Products Of The Month : April 2014

Here is an overview of the products that I have been using a lot during the month of April.

 















1- Sephora Bronzer in the color Los Cabos (21 $).
I have used this bronzer during the entire winter. It looks natural, blends beautifully and is completely matte.

2- Lise Watier Portfolio Professional Corrector in the color Beiges (32 $).
I bring this concealer palette everywhere with me. It has many colors that I can blend together to get the perfect shade. I also love the matte texture of it, since it makes the concealer stay in place for a long time. Plus, it's full coverage !

3- Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush in the color Santal (19 $).
I love Bourjois blushes for their high pigmentation and unique colors. I especially like the shade Santal, which is a perfect mix of a blush and a bronzer. It's a very shimmery reddish brown color that gives me an instant glow. My only concern with this blush (at least for the Santal shade) is that it gets very streaky if it's not properly applied.

4- Almay Powder Blush in the color Wine (10.29 $).
This blush is quite pigmented for a drugstore product. The texture is so velvety and it lasts for a long time. This wine color is perfect for my skin tone and it blends very well, which gives me a natural flush.

5- M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot in the color Soft Ochre (24 $).
This is my favorite eye shadow base. It really makes your eye makeup stay for a long time and it neutralizes any darkness or redness on the lid. However, if you apply too much product, it can make your skin very dry and cakey looking. I personally only put it on my lid and avoid the brow bone.

6- Luxury Toileterie Tropical Fruit Scrub in the scent Grapefruit & Orange (9.99 $).
I really enjoy this scrub for its hydrating qualities. When applied in the shower, the sugar melts on your skin to give it a very soft texture. The hydrating effect stays even after you get dried.

7 -Maybelline Great Lash Big in the color Very Black (4.99 $).
I can't believe how inexpensive the Great Lash mascaras are, because they're some of the best out there ! I particularly love the Big Lash one, because it never makes my lashes look clumpy, while lengthening them to the max and giving them a lot of volume.

8- Maybelline Great Lash Lots Of Lahes in the color Very Black (4.99 $). The Lots Of Lashes is also one of my favorites. The brush that comes with it applies a lot of product on the roots of the lashes to make them look very thick. It's also very lengthening, more than the Big Lash one.

9- Bonne Belle Lip Smacker in the flavor Dr Pepper (1.99 $).
I have been using Lip Smackers since I was a kid ! Although I have tried other brands (Aveeno, Yves Rocher, Sally Hansen, Nivea and many more), I always come back to this one, for its instant hydrating qualities, the way it feels on my lips, the smell and its simplicity.

10- Essence Lip Liner in the color Honey Bun (1.49 $).
I just can't believe how inexpensive this brand is while carrying great quality products ! Their lip liners are very soft on the lips and don't easily smudge. I love the Honey Bun color. It's the perfect neutral brown for me and it gives me the perfect sexy pout.

11- Yves Rocher Nutrition Shampoo (4.99 $).
This shampoo has been a life saver for my overly bleached and damaged hair. It's not as softening and hydrating as a high end shampoo, but it's definitely better than a drugstore one. It's very hydrating and it makes my hair feel so soft and silky every time I use it.

Product Review : Essence Volumizing Lash Powder

                                                       

 

This blog post will be about one of my favorite lash products : the Essence Volumizing Lash Powder. It works the same way as a mascara with synthetic fibers, expect in this case, you can control the amount you want to put on your lashes.

The way it works :

 

1- Apply one first coat of your favorite regular mascara.

 

2- Add the Volumizing Lash Powder directly on top of the mascara you've just applied. You can use the brush that comes with it or directly apply the product with your fingers. 

 

 

3- Add a second coat of your favorite mascara to seal the fibers to the lashes.

4 - Repeat Step 1 and 2 until you achieve the desired amount of volume.

* I recommend adding one layer at a time, so the lashes won't clump.

 

Before and after :

 

  

Where to buy and pricing :

 

In Canada you can buy it at Shoppers Drug Mart for 3.49 $.

 

Overall review:

 

Altogether, I find it very surprising that other makeup brands don't carry lash powders. It's so convenient and it gives the thickness of falsies while looking completely natural. It retails for a very good price, especially compared to some mascaras that contain synthetic fibers (8.46 $). Plus, you get to add as much product as needed. The only downside is that it easily clumps, but with practice it becomes easier to get an even application.

 

Final rate :

 

Application : 4/5

Price : 5/5

Final result : 4/5