AGENT NATEUR HOLI(TRINITY) THOUGHTS + IMPRESSIONS

A few months back, I decided to splurge on the Agent Nateur HOLI(TRINITY) Travel Set. If you're unfamiliar with Agent Nateur, it's a luxurious skincare and wellness brand that focuses on creating effective formulas made of non-toxic, natural ingredients. I discovered both the line and founder of Agent Nateur, Jena Covello on Instagram last year. Jena has incredible knowledge and insight when it comes to holistic health and wellness. She also has a very captivating presence-- I admire her glamorous, intelligent and authentic personality!

Seeking out clean, non-toxic alternatives is something that I have been working to incorporate into my life. Within the past several years, I've noticed some minor skin issues arise on my face and scalp that I can never seem to get rid of! While I can't confirm they've been caused from toxic products, I made the decision that it can't hurt to transition to as many clean, natural products as possible. This is where Agent Nateur comes in! I became obsessed with the idea of trying out their products. Not only are they clean and non-toxic, the customer reviews are outstanding. I finally bit the bullet and purchased the Holi(Trinity) Travel Set to try-- here's what I think so far! 

AGENT NATUER HOLI(TRINITY) 

The Holi(Trinity) Collection includes three of Agent Nateur's best selling products: Holi(Water) Pearl and Rose Hyaluronic Essence, the Holi(C) The C Duo Calcium & Vitamin C and Holi(Oil) Refining Ageless Face Serum. The three products have been created to use together in order to achieve a radiant complexion. Here's how each product works:

Holi(Water) Pearl and Rose Hyaluronic Essence

"Restore your skin’s brilliance with holi (water). This lush serum uses organic plant extracts, precious minerals, and natural acid to improve the skin’s elasticity, tighten pores, and gently remove expired cells to reveal a hydrated, dewy glow." 

Holi(C) The C Duo Calcium & Vitamin C

"holi (c) is calcium and vitamin C in their most stable, potent state. Our unique dry powder formula won’t oxidize, ensuring that you receive all of its regenerative benefits. Blend with our holi (water) to improve the texture of acne-prone skin, restore firmness, and reveal an ageless radiance."

Holi(Oil) Refining Ageless Face Serum

"Revive your complexion with holi (oil). This youth-illuminating serum contains natural ingredients rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and hydrating oils that reduce the appearance of aging, leaving skin supple, lifted, and luminous."

THOUGHTS + IMPRESSIONS

Rather than giving an official review, I wanted to share some general thoughts + "first impressions" on these products. I'll be honest with you guys-- the products are VERY pricey. So much so that I haven't wanted to use them every single day and run out! Because I purchased the travel size, I knew that if I used them every single day and loved them, they would run out quickly and I'd want to purchase them in the full-size. This is the first time I've ever purchased skincare in this price range so it's new + definitely a splurge to me! 😉

I follow the application steps listed on the box: first spray and apply Holi(Water), mix more Holi(Water) + Holi(C) and apply, then finish with Holi(oil). I believe you can use them day + night, however I've mostly used during the daytime. 

Holi(Water) - The first thing I notice after applying the Holi(Water) Pearl and Rose Hyaluronic Essence is a slight tightening of my skin. The effect is instant, giving a more firmed and toned complexion. I absolutely love this! It doesn't feel irritating or aggravating at all, it's similar in feeling to when you wash your skin with cold water + your pores close up. Odd to describe but amazing-- it's a very unique product!

Holi(C) - Because I mix the Holi(C) Calcium and Vitamin Duo with the Holi(Water), I still feel the same tightening effect after applying the two together. The Holi(C) is a powdered formula which is also very unique- most Vitamin C products are already in a serum or liquid form. You have to mix this one with the Holi(Water) or some form of liquid to activate the ingredients. It mixes up very easily + absorbs into the skin well. After applying these two products, I can notice a subtle radiance to my skin! It doesn't look greasy, just a subtle shine. 

Holi(Oil) - Applying the Holi(Oil) Refining Ageless Face Serum overtop the other products gives a healthy glow and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and supple. The first few times I tried this, it left my skin feeling greasy and it seemed to take forever to absorb. I kept hearing Jena share that it doesn't leave your skin with a greasy residue so I assumed I was using too much. Now I just apply 4-5 drops to my whole face and it absorbs a lot faster and doesn't look greasy or shiny. Once it completely absorbs, my skin feels baby soft and very hydrated.

Here are some un-filtered photos I took after using for the first time. 

     

My consensus is- so far, I love! I've really enjoyed using the products and I think it does make my skin more radiant and refined. I haven't used it long enough consistently to see whether it affects any lines or how the long-term effects are, however I'm very happy with the Holi (Trinity) together. Each product also has a very unique, floral scent that is nice. It isn't overpowering or bothersome to me-- some fragrance can be too intense but this one is subtle once applied. 

The packaging + brand also feels very luxe and high-quality. Each product (even the travel sized ones in my set) are in glass bottles which I appreciate. The process of applying the products is nice too-- it makes me feel a little special and a little fancy! 

While expensive, I do think the quality + ingredients are definitely worth the price of each product. The results show and the peace of mind that the ingredients are safe and non-toxic is important. With anything in life-- whether it be beauty, food, etc., the healthier or "good for you" the product is, the more it usually costs. I'm still trying to hype myself up to splurge on the full-sizes, though ;) My problem is I also want to try everything else! 

Have you tried out anything from Agent Nateur? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I love sharing reviews with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

EASY YOGURT BOWL RECIPE | HEALTHY + DELICIOUS

Yogurt parfaits + bowls are one of the easiest options to make for a healthy breakfast or snack. For me, one of the biggest roadblocks to eating healthier is time and convenience. It's so much easier to run through the drive-thru or heat up a frozen pizza when you're in a hurry. I also happen to LOVE doing both of those things-- when I'm busy or feeling tired, nothing hits quite like a spicy chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-a. That being said, I can easily find myself falling into periods where those are the only things I'm eating. My solution for this is looking for easy ways I can incorporate healthier options and make better decisions!

Yogurt bowls have become an easy breakfast for me that's healthy and delicious. They're super simple to make- you really don't even need a recipe! I'll share how I've been making mine, however you can customize them anyway you want. They only take about five minutes to whip up which is less time than it takes to get through the drive-thru these days! 

HOW TO MAKE EASY YOGURT BOWLS

The ingredients are listed below but assembling is SUPER easy. 

I start by putting vanilla greek yogurt into a bowl first. I like to use greek yogurt because it has more protein, live active cultures (good gut bacteria) and less sugar than regular yogurt. I really like this one from Oikos! 

Next, I just start layering everything on top! Sometimes I will mix chia seeds directly into my yogurt, sometimes I will sprinkle them over everything. 

I then add my fruit, followed by my granola. I recently tried the Good & Gather Honey Almond Granola and it's my new fave! It's so good, I've been snacking on it too. Last, I drizzle some honey on top for extra sweetness. Because greek yogurt isn't super sweet, this really takes it to the next level and is a must-do for me.   

**I always clean my fruit with this Veggie Wash. It's a great, non-toxic way to clean your fruit and get rid of any dirt, etc. Highly recommend!** 

That's it and voilà! Super simple, yummy and good for you. What fruit and toppings would you put in yours? I love the strawberries + blueberries but want to do a banana + peanut butter next! Or maybe something with chocolate chips... mmm. If you make one, I want to see! Feel free to share a photo on here or tag me on Instagram @TheKristenDiary :) 

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF QUIZ!

We are switching things up today! I've been having what I'll call "content block" recently. I haven't been as inspired or motivated with a lot of my blog post ideas so I'm going a little outside of the box today. I'm constantly sharing things about myself and what I enjoy on here, however the best thing is getting to know and chat with you! 

A recent trend on Instagram that I really like are the "this or that" story polls. No matter what is asked or who's asking, I always find myself voting on them. Do you do them too?? Sometimes I get five slides in  before I realize I'm actually voting on whether JT and Biebs is better. LOL! I think those ones are silly but I do love the ones on fashion trends, etc. 

Anywho- I hate how other than through comments, blogs aren't as engaging as IG/social media in general. I was trying to think of ways to change that and ended up creating a fun little quiz for this post! I came up with ten basic questions that are super random and I *hope* fun! Nothing too crazy but I'd love for you to answer-- it's also anonymous so I won't know what you picked unless you want to come tell me on IG (@TheKristenDiary)!

Let me know your thoughts on this-- should we do more quizzes/polls? Growing up, that was one of my favorite things in all of the teeniest bopper magazines, lol. Nothing like J-Mag telling you who your celebrity crush is! Hope you are having a great week! 

WEEKLY TO-DO LIST | MAY 10 - 16

I can't believe that it's already been three months since posting my first "Weekly To-Do List" here on the blog. In that post, I shared a round-up of the top five goals (outside of work) that I wanted to accomplish that week! I'm big on making lists-- I love writing down everything I want or need to do and crossing them off once they're done. I like to make bullet points in the notes app on my phone! It helps keep me organized and prioritize the things that are very important or that may not be part of my normal routine. With a busy week ahead, I wrote out the top tasks I want to get done this week. Some are important and time sensitive, others are very simple! 

MY WEEKLY TO-DO LIST 

• BUY A BIRTHDAY GIFT - My sister has a birthday this week! I've already started buying for her birthday, however I still need to find her a main present and put everything together. 

• LAUNDRY + CHANGE SHEETS - Three months later and I still hate changing my sheets, lol. The washing part isn't actually too bad, it's the folding or putting them on the bed for me! My mom still tells me all the time that "you're suppose to change them every week" so I'm penciling it in! Maybe one day it will become second nature for me! I also need to catch up on washing some clothes too.

• TARGET ORDER PICKUP - I probably didn't have to include this but I figured it's an exciting one, hehe!! Target enticed me to place a pickup order online today with a $15 off $50 coupon! If you're a Target shopper-- those are few and far between! You really just can't say no. 🤓 I ended up ordering a few new beauty items, a cat toy and some snackies/groceries. I bought Gold Fish pretzels which I've never tried! 

• PLAN + SHOOT BLOG POSTS - I'm still putting up new blog posts on here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! I always aim to put up one outfit post a week so shooting some blog photos for that is on the agenda for Tuesday. 

• UPDATE BUDGET + FINANCES - I'm a little bit behind on updating my spending + budget in my Budget by Paycheck Workbook. Hoping to get caught up on those this week and take care of a few more financial things as well. 

• WASH MY HAIR - I feel silly including this because obviously I was my hair every week! For years I've only washed it about once a week (normally the less you do the better), however I've been dealing with a lot of dry + itchy scalp issues. Washing more frequently can help so I'm going to give two or three times a week a shot. Washing/styling my hair "from scratch" is pretty time consuming so I think this one will be a little tricky for me. 

• ROTH IRA CONTRIBUTION - This is the final week to make any last minute contributions to a ROTH IRA/Traditional IRA for the 2020 year. I tend to spread my contributions out so I have one last little bit to add in this week! For more info on this, check out this post on Why You Need to Open a ROTH IRA Now.

Excited for what I hope will be a productive and calm week! I miss chatting with you all so I'm going to try to pop on IG more this week-- you can find me @TheKristenDiary. Also share what is on your to-do list for the week! I'd love to know what you are up to :) 

WHAT I WANT: MAY BEAUTY

I've been in the shopping mood this week! If you missed Wednesday's post, it was this mini Healthy & Beauty Haul. That one is a little more health/wellness so I still have my eye on a few more products! PS-- I said this last week but #TGIF!!! I've been in such a mood this week (hello, PMS). I've definitely had a lot less patience with everyone and I've been super snacky too. I think my sister knew I needed a little pick me up because she gave me a mini bundt cake today from Nothing Bundt Cakes. LOL, the struggle. Have you tried them before? Ours recently opened so I've only had the Confetti + a bite of my boyfriend's Pecan Praline! So yummy 😋

WHAT I WANT: MAY BEAUTY

1. L'oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation (Normal/Dry Skin) - This looks like it could be a great summer foundation! I'm always down to try something new and I need to explore more drugstore options. The L'oreal Prow-Glow is made to be long-wearing, give a glowy finish and has SPF 15. All of these sound great for hot weather! If your skin tends to be more oily, they also have a Pro-Matte Foundation from the same line. 

2. Pixi by Petra Correction Concentrate - I also love using an under eye brightener whenever I wear makeup. They are great to cover + correct dark circles and shadows around the eye area. My holy-grail has always been the MAC Radiant Rose but I've been wanting to try this one out! The Pixi Correction Concentrate looks like the perfect salmony peach shade and is a lot more affordable than the one from MAC.

3. Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo - Alright, I'm still trying to figure out the deal with my hair. I've been trying some products to help with the dryness but it seems to be never-ending. I've also noticed a lot more flyaways and frizziness! I'm going to try washing it more frequently (right now I do about once a week). I thought incorporating a clarifying shampoo to help get rid of any buildup could help so I found this Aveeno Shampoo. It has apple cider vinegar andcolloidal oat to balance, soothe and add shine. 

4. Wet Brush Detangler Hair Brush - I figure I may as well get a new hairbrush too, right?? The Wet Brush is my absolute favorite- it's the only brush I've used for the last several years! You can use it on wet or dry hair which is both easy and a no-brainer to me. I haven't replaced mine in a LONG TIME... ya'll Google says to get a new one EVERY SIX MONTHS. That might be a little aggressive but I figure it's probably time. If not, it'll turn into six years with the rate I'm going at! Jokes aside, you need one of these ASAP. 

5. scunci Basics Extra Large Jaw Clip - Anyone else struggle with hair ties not keeping your hair up/in a bun? Ya'll I LOVE my hair but she really is trying me right now. I find myself re-doing/fixing my hair a million times a day because it starts to fall out of my ponytail holders. I borrowed one of my sister's clips and it seemed to hold well so I'm gonna snag this scunci Extra Large Jaw Clip! It looks large enough to hold my hair so for $5 we'll give it a shot! 

6. Beekeepers B.Immune Propolis Throat Spray - I have been dying to order and try this! I have to credit Laura Beverlin because I found this from her! It's the Beekeepers B.Immune Throat Spray to help build immune support, soothe a scratchy throat and kill germs. It has Bee Propolis which has a lot of great health benefits from fighting bacteria, cancer and more. I also like that it's a natural product and you just spritz a few sprays in your throat daily. I found it here so I'm adding it to my next online order. 

7. e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer - The e.l.f. Camo Concealer is the last thing on my list! I need a new concealer and this one has been said to rival the Tarte Shape Tape! That one is a holy-grail but it's around $30 and this e.l.f. one is under $6! Have you tried it? 

That's the list for today! I'm sure there will be another one soon, LOL. A girl's gotta shop, right? Hope you all have the best weekend. I can't wait to watch the next Fast & The Furious on Saturday, we should be watching #4! Also excited to spend time with my mom on Mother's Day. Talk to you next week! :) 

I love sharing what I want with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

STOCKING UP ON ESSENTIALS! MAY HEALTH + BEAUTY HAUL

Do you ever get excited to buy/restock everyday necessities like tooth paste or deodorant?? I use to hate spending money on them but honestly I love it now. I feel so accomplished using something up and it just feels like you're taking care of biz, ya know?? Adulthood is a willllldddddd ride. Real talk though-- should we be alarmed by this? Do we think this is normal? Are we OK? LOL... 😬

Target had a promo going on this week so I decided to stock up on a few things. Every once in awhile you can find coupons or sales on a lot of household essentials! I usually try to take advantage of these + pick up things I'm out of or know I'll need later. Today's haul is mix of repurchases and some new things I'm excited to try! 

St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Plant-Based Natural Body Wash Soap 

This one is a newbie for me! I don't have a go-to body wash so I picked the St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter one to try. I'm still doing my best to purchase products with better ingredients and the St. Ives looks cleaner than a lot of other drugstore options. It is natural, plant-based and paraben free. All sound like a plus, no? Smells yummy too!

hello Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste

Alright this is my first time purchasing what I will call "a healthier toothpaste." My ride or die is this Colgate Optic White. I have no complaints (works great!) but have always thought about trying a fluoride free alternative. I'll be honest-- the whole idea makes me a little nervous/skeptical? I feel like it's in the same grouping with natural deodorants. You hear mixed reviews on how effective they actually are but I'm curious enough to give it a shot! I researched a few and decided to try the hello Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste. It has great ratings (4.7 out of 5 on Target!) and is clean (no parabens, phthalates or sulfates). I always like a whitening option too so that sealed the deal. I'll let you know what I think! 

Steripod Clip-on Toothbrush Cover 

Do you have one of these Steripod Toothbrush Covers? They are an all-time favorite of mine! You just clip it right over your toothbrush head! It helps keep it fresh + protects from dirt, germs, etc. Just think about keeping your toothbrush uncovered in the same room that you use the toilet.... no brainer for me, haha! They're also super affordable. You can buy a single one here or grab the two-pack for another $1. It's a better value to buy the two-pack so that's what I do!

Orabrush by DenTek Tongue Cleaner 

We're really going all out with the dental hygiene today, lol. I recently read an article about how helpful tongue scrapers are on removing germs so I grabbed this one from DenTek. I've always just brushed my tongue but since I use a Sonicare, I thought it might be good to have a separate cleaner. If you use a regular toothbrush-- a lot of the rubber ones have a scraper on the backside! Hoping it won't make me gag!

Nature Made Vitamin C 250mg Gummies 

I saved the best for last! I'm obsessed with these Vitamin C Gummies-- they are SO good, haha. They're an easy way to get some extra Vitamin C in everyday + taste like candy. I'm sure there are some healthier versions out there but they keep me motivated enough to take everyday. Win in my book! I'll link them here. 

Do you like little random hauls like this? Not sure if you all enjoy this kind of stuff too or if it's just me? Let me know! :) 

I love sharing beauty hauls with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

APRIL 2021 INSTAGRAM RECAP

Oh emm gee, it's officially May! It never ceases to amaze me how time flies. Let's kick this week off with a little April Instagram Recap! If you're not following me on IG, you can find me @TheKristenDiary. I post almost daily on my feed and story... come chat with me :) April's posts were a mix of fashion, food + beauty!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Free People Shorts | Birkenstocks | Quay Sunglasses | Forever 21 Earrings (similar) | Kendra Scott Necklace

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

TATCHA DEWY SKIN UNBOXING! SKIN CREAM, SERUM + LIP BALM

*FULL UNBOXING POST HERE*

SLIP SILK PILLOWCASE, MASK + SCRUNCHIES FIRST IMPRESSIONS 

*FULL FIRST IMPRESSIONS POST HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Forever 21 Bodysuit (similar) | Free People Dress (new version here) | Converse | Gucci Sunglasses (similar) | Target Earrings (similar) | LuluDK Necklace (similar) 

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

REVIEWING YASSO GREEK YOGURT BARS

*FULL YASSO REVIEW POST HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Target Tee | Free People Shorts | Rainbows | Prive Revaux Sunglasses |Target Earrings (similar) | Kendra Scott Necklace | LuluDK Necklace (similar)

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

WHY YOU NEED TO OPEN A ROTH IRA NOW

*FULL BLOG POST HERE*

FLAWLESS FOUNDATION ROUTINE

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

SPRING & SUMMER SHOE STAPLES!

*FULL POST ON THESE HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Topshop Jeans (new version here) | Rainbows | Gucci Sunglasses | Nordstrom Earrings | Kendra Scott Necklace | LuluDK Necklace (similar)

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

10 THROWBACK MOVIES TO WATCH ON NETFLIX AND DISNEY+ 

*FULL BLOG POST ON THIS HERE*

Hope you all enjoyed seeing a little recap of April's posts! If you want to keep up with posts as they go live + see my stories, you can find me on IG @TheKristenDiary! Let's all have a great week :) 

I love sharing all things beauty + fashion with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)