No Poo Hair Routine (Not What it Sounds!!!)

It's come to my attention lately that maybe shampoo isn't all it's cracked up to be. "Say Whaaaaa," you might respond in a slightly disgruntled manner. Well I will tell you.

Many shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments are stuffed full of chemicals and silicones. Silicone? Really? Isn't that the same stuff that is spilling out of Pamela's Anderson's barely-there "outfits?" Well, yes and no. I wont get in to the nitty gritty of it, but suffice it to say that I really don't want the contents of Pamela Anderson's fake pair smothered all over my head. Weird image. Moving on.

Silicones serve a purpose in shampoo, I suppose. They can act as "smoothers" to give your hair that frizz-free look that many of us naturally wavy-haired gals strive to achieve. But lately information has been revealed that suggests that silicones may actually be doing more harm than good to our precious locks. Silicones coat the hair preventing oxygen from entering the hair shaft, and, supposedly, leading to hair thinning, breakage, and balding later in life.

Balding? Damn son. I don't know about you, but I'm not too keen to invest in a toupe any time soon. This is why I've researched, and implemented a new ALL NATURAL method of washing, and conditioning my hair which will hopefully keep any George Costanza comparisons restricted to the subject of nightmares.


The Breakdown:

3 simple ingredients to achieving hair nirvana.

1. Baking soda. Mix 1.5 T of baking soda with about half a cup of water. Massage on to scalp as you would shampoo. Rinse thoroughly.

2. Combine 1/3 cup of white vinegar, 1/8 t of Vanilla extract, and 1 cup of water. Pour mixture on to freshly *washed* hair and let soak for 5 minutes. Rinse VERY well.

The Experience:

Well, washing with baking soda was kind of weird. It doesn't lather, obviously, so essentially you're just massaging this watery paste in to your scalp. I could immediately feel a sort of slippery feeling once I began massaging this in, and came to the realization that slipperiness must be all the built up product in my hair! Yuck! Good riddance.

Upon rinsing the baking soda concoction out of my hair, my hair felt a little dry, but not altogether unpleasant. Time to move on to the vinegar! I poured about half the vinegar mixture throughout my hair, and then used the rest in a cup and soaked my hair in it for about 5 minutes. For those worried about the vinegar smell, do not fear! The vanilla extract actually masks it really well! I made sure to rinse out the vinegar reeeeeaaaally well once I had soaked for about 5 minutes, and I couldn't really discern any salad-head smell at all! My hair felt smooth and well conditioned!

The Effect

I LOVE the way this made my hair! I allowed my hair to air dry, and the natural conditioning properties of the vinegar left it shiney and very very soft. It air dried to a lovely natural wave which was not at all the normal frizz ball I was left with after using drug store shampoos. The texture of my hair feels much more refined, and altogether healthier than when I use my JohnFrieda Frizz-Ease shampoo. All in all this was an awesome experience, and a method I will continue to use as it is good for my hair, and the environment!

Review: Marie Veronique Organics Moisturizing Face Screen +

I have been on the search for what seems like a lifetime to find a daily sunscreen which does not irritate my hyper-sensitive skin. With all the information being published lately about the NEED to wear a sunscreen daily, I have been scrambling to find some quality spf that will help me ward off the wrinkles and fine lines characteristic of premature aging!

Background:

My skin is incredibly sensitive and acne-prone. After years of struggling through the burning sensation upon applying drugstore sunscreens, I have realized that chemicals(such as avobenzone) simply don't agree with my skin. Enter the minerals.

Some might cringe at the mention of mineral sunscreens....but visions of white-nosed lifeguards are a thing of the past. Contemporary mineral sunscreens such as Marie's Moisturizing Face Screen + provide wide spectrum protection, and are cosmetically elegant to boot!

I stumbled upon Marie Veronique Organics after a google search for decent mineral sunscreens which would not leave me with a Casper-"the not so friendly ghost"-face....and I must say, Marie delivers!

Company with a Consience:

First off, the company pledges to be as sustainable as possible- a big big big plus in my books. Their packaging is made from 100% recyclable materials, and Marie makes every effort to source materials as close to her Berkeley lab as possible (so as to maintain a small eco-footprint). Secondly, the ingredients used in MVO are of the highest quality; Their mission is to utilize as many "natural, organic and fair-trade" ingredients as possible, and the quality of these ingredients is evident in the first application of this sunscreen! Marie's Moisturizing Face Screen Plus is chock full of lovely oils, extracts, and antioxidants to create a truly moisture-rich sunscreen.

Review:

Marie's sunscreen (which took an agonizing 10 days to be delivered to Canada) is truly worth the wait. Upon first opening the box, I noticed the elegant packaging of this face screen. It comes in a dark brown bottle (so as to preserve the quality of the ingredients) and is fitted with a nice, hygenic pump for easy-application. This sunscreen comes in 3 shades (no tint, light tint, and medium tint) so it is perfect for any skin tone! I ordered in the light tint (and though I am very pale) found this to be quite a nice match to my colouring.

Marie's face screen applies easily (although it dries quite quickly) and imparts absolutely NO greasey, sticky feeling that I have encountered with most other sunscreens. The light tint offers my skin a nice moderate coverage which masks my redness and makes makeup completely unnecessary. I have used this product now daily for about 2 weeks, and despite my extremely acneic skin, have experienced NO BREAKOUTS with this product. What a miracle! It feels absolutely lush to apply, and though I have to use another moisturizer underneath due to extremely dry skin, does a nice job of keeping my skin supple and hydrated.

Marie's Moisturizing Face Screen + boasts an SPF of 30, which is great for an everyday sunscreen! I have even been hiking several times in the hot mid-day sun, and when wearing this, have experience NO BURNING on my pale skin. In fact, since using this sunscreen, I have noticed my skin looking much much healthier and even, *gasp* luminous!

Conclusion:

At $40 USD a bottle plus shipping, this sunscreen is not cheap.... But I am completely willing to invest in a quality sunscreen which I know will protect my skin from the sun's harmful rays, and help to ward off the signs of premature aging. The company also seems to be very generous with their samples, as I recieved a small sample of their popular anti-aging oil without even requesting it! All in all, I have had an excellent experience with this company.

I will continue to purchase this product for as long as they make it! Needless to say, I have finally found my holy grail of sunscreens. I look forward to ordering from this company again, and exploring the rest of their skincare range.

5/5 Stars.

Interested? Pick up your own bottle of MVO Moisturizing Face Screen Plus HERE


Ingredients:

No harmful chemicals, nanoparticles, parabens, fillers, waxes or fragrances.

Active ingredient: zinc oxide, 24%

Camellia sinensis (green& white tea), zinc oxide, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba oil), Prunus armeniaca (apricot kernel oil), Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam seed oil), Helianthus annuus (sunflower oil), emu oil, Rubus idaeus (red raspberry seed oil), Elaesis guineensis (red palm oil), potassium sorbate, vegetable glycerin, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), allantoin, Cosmocil CQ*, lecithin, Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn oil), Calodendrum Capense (yangu oil), Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle), Rosemary oleoresin, xantham gum, Daucus carota (carrot seed) essential oil, Cistus incanus (cistus) essential oil, Lavendula angustfolia (lavender) essential oil, Curcuma longa Rhizome (curcuma) essential oil, iron oxides

*Paraben-free anti-microbial agent

DIY; Face Masks for that Healthy Glow!

Time to raid your cupboards, Ladies! (and gents).

While I'm sure most of us have experienced the feeling of sheer panic at the discovery of a not-so-subtlely raging pimple on the morning of a big event, I'll bet you didn't know that the answer to all your pimple-y woes lies right in your very own kitchen!

Whether its a throbbing pimple, an itchy rash, or simply a dull complexion which has you in the dumps, fear not, I've listed a few little "recipes" which will have you glowing in no time!

For those pesky pimples:

No one's skin is perfect, in fact, mine is often acne-prone. This mask uses simple, natural ingredients which work to soothe inflamed skin, and dry up those acne spots for good!

1 T plain (preferrably organic) yoghurt (soothes and refreshes tired skin)
1/2 t organic lemon juice (helps to dry up those pesky blemishes)
1 T organic honey (nature's greatest healer)
1/8 t Turmeric (for fading scars)

Mix ingredients together, leave on for 30 minutes, and wipe off with a clean flannel, or soft sea sponge for extra exfoliation!

For irritated skin:

I often get little rashes, or allergic reactions on my skin which can not only be UGGGGLY, but also itchy and annoying. This mask always seems to help me out!

1 T plain yoghurt
1 t manuka honey
1 t aloe vera gel
1 T rolled oats

Mix ingredients together, leave on for 15-25 minutes, and wipe off with a clean. soft flannel and luke warm water (hot water can irritate skin further!)

For a Dull Complexion:

So we can't all wake up looking like Glow-y McGlowerson everyday. Somedays, our skin just does NOT want to cooperate. Heres a revitalizing mask with fruit enzymes which will help to exfoliate away dead skin, and leave you with a clear, glowing complexion!

1 T smashed, smushed, or blended papaya (can substitute apple pulp)
1 Capsule Vitamin E oil
1/2 t manuka honey

Mix ingredients together, leave on for 5-12 minutes, and wipe off with a clean flannel, or soft sea sponge for extra exfoliation!

5 Simple Ways to Decrease Your Eco-Footprint....While Looking Pretty

As any other girl (or boy, I don't judge;) I work hard to maintain a physical appearance from which I will feel confident and beautiful. Makeup, hair gel, bath bombs, and moisturizers are products which we use every day without really considering their impact on anything other than the image they help us create in the mirror. But look a little closer, and we might find that our favourite beauty products, routines and treatments might be adding more to our Eco-footprint than we may have ever imagined!

Here are a few simple tips and steps to help make your morning beauty routine more sustainable for the environment!

1.) Turn off that tap!

To be honest, we all do it without even thinking. While brushing your teeth in the morning, you might (in your only semi-sentient "I need to get to work in 23 minutes" haze) not always realize that during that minute you spend brushing your teeth, you are wasting tons of precious water! Not only does leaving the tap on rack up your own hydro bill (oops) but it means wasting a possible 8 (THAT'S RIGHT -8) gallons of water a day!

Easy fix: While brushing your teeth, washing your hands, doing the dishes, lathering up your hair- Just turn off the tap! You'll be doing a world of good, both for the environment, and your wallet!

2.) Go Natural!

There are TONS (and I mean tons) of up-and-coming natural cosmetic lines popping up all over the world. Companies (and consumers alike) are realizing that "natural" and "organic" are not only words used to describe your crazy "I indulged a little too much in the 60's" Aunt Mildred anymore, and are beginning to create products which tailor to customers who want to "green" up their beauty routine. Everything from face cleansers to toothpaste comes with a "natural" or "organic" alternative, so do your research and invest in a couple natural products.

A few suggestions- Burt's Bees, Marie Veronique Organics, LUSH, Weleda, Dr Hauschka, and JASON Natural Cosmetics are a few reliable companies which put sustainable beauty in the forefront!

3.) Raid your Cupboards!

Many of us might have rather horrific memories of our mothers', and grandmothers' "natural remedies" for common ailments. I for one remember a particularily traumatic oatmeal bath which, to a itchy, chicken-pox ridden 8 year old was hard to justify. But as much as we hate to admit it, our mother's are often right. Home-made beauty products are not only easy on the wallet, but generally much more sustainable for the environment, and can provide just as much of a "healthy-glow" as anything bought in a store! Oatmeal, brown sugar, and olive oil can be combined for an awesome body scrub! While plain yoghurt, honey, and lemon juice can make for an excellent toning and soothing face mask.

Here is a great website which lists some awesome recipes for homemade face scrubs on a budget!


4.) Unplug that Blow-Dryer.

Okay okay, so mornings when your hair is looking a bit more "Russel Brand woke up on the wrong side of a 6 day coke bender" than Kim Kardashian's luscious locks are total justification for using a little bit of heat-styling, blow-drying your hair EVERY DAY is not only bad for your hair, but also for the environment. Making the switch to "no-heat" hairstyling is an easy way to lessen your eco-footprint, and even improve the texture and quality of your hair!

Easy fix: cut down your heat-styling to once a week, or better yet, stop entirely!

Try: Spraying your hair with a mixture of water and sea salt for a low-maintinence, beach-y look that is much more environmentally sustainable!

5.) Ditch the Deoderant.

I can imagine upon first reading that sentence many of you might have raised an eyebrow, while others perhaps jumped out of their chairs with a cry of "DEAR GOD, THE INSANITY." For the 5 or so percent who didn't experience heart attack-like symptoms upon reading my statement, please keep in mind that I offer a good alternative to conventional deoderant which does not require smelling like a 13 year old after a particularly rousing game of dodgeball in High School P.E.

Crystal Deoderants, also known as salt deoderants, are just that. SALT. A big ol' stick o' salt that you rub under dampened armpits to protect against that nasty mid-day stank. I'm sure the mechanics of crystal deoderants are much more advanced than I outlined, but the nitty-gritty of it is that salt stick deoderants are a great natural way to protect against B.O.

Recently many studies have revealed to us that the Aluminum in conventional deoderants may contribute to an increase in possibility of breast cancer amongst women. Not only this, but chemical deoderants are harmful for the environment, and can be irritating for our own skin. Crystal deoderant is dirt cheap (or should I say "salt-cheap" bahaha) and last literally forever. They can be bought in almost any drugstore, chemist, or health food store, and are sold universally around the world.

....and hey, I hear they're big in Europe. ;)

Lush; Fresh Cosmetics with Substance

Over the past year I have been making a solid effort to overhaul my ever-expanding collection of skin, body, and hair-care products. For myself, this means a total change from potentially-harmful, chemical-laden beauty products, to those natural, organic products which serve both my body, and the environment in a healthier manner.

Enter LUSH. A self-proclaimed natural, environmentally-conscious company which strives to create natural, handmade cosmetics from "fresh, organic fruits and vegetables."

What attracts me most to LUSH is their commitment to sustaining the planet (and your health) through the use of minimalist packaging, vegetarian ingredients, and little to no preservatives. As a strict vegetarian and (sometimes) Vegan, LUSH's choice to use ingredients bought only from companies which do not test on animals appeals greatly to me. LUSH offers products ranging from bath, body, fragrance, haircare and skincare (tailored to both men and women's needs!).

Now having been an avid LUSHie myself for years, I have probably spent a small fortune (goodbye student loans) on different LUSH products. Here are some of my favourites which will help you achieve that healthy glow, without blowing the bank!

EAU ROMA WATER - A gentle toner from LUSH made with Rose and Lavendar waters for a calming, soothing toner ideal for almost any skin type!

EACH PEACH - A Peachy-keen massage bar which promises to moisturize your skin, while relaxing tired and achey muscles. Smells amazing- Just try to resist the urge to eat your arm!

SEX BOMB - A beautiful Jasmine-scented bath bombs for those steamy moments! Best paired with a glass of red wine, and your naughtiest smile!


Like what you've heard? Check out LUSH cosmetics for yourself, HERE!