J.R. LIGGETT Shampoo Bar Review and Haircare Update!

In my post about using apple cider vinegar as conditioner, I had mentioned the no 'poo challenge as the ultimate natural way of hair cleansing without using shampoo. I aspired to make this switch. I diluted 1 tbs of baking soda in 1 cup of water and added a few drops of tea tree oil, which I have heard combats dandruff, and kept this solution in an empty shampoo bottle. In place of shampoo, I generously poured some of this hair wash over the top of my head and massaged my scalp as one would with a good lathering formula, followed by using the diluted ACV as a conditioner rinse. For over a month, I stuck to this routine hoping that my hair would eventually make it out of the notorious purging phase during which the hair around my face and close to the scalp would look greasy. This stage is allegedly when the scalp readjusts from the stripping routine of conventional shampoo and eventually produces less oil. Unfortunately, I did not have the patience for this process and I could not stand looking like my hair was never dry (or clean). 

My return to the world of shampoo was bittersweet. Instead of repurchasing anything I've used before, however, I made a new discovery - shampoo bars! And of all places one would find these things, I never imagined that the furniture store West Elm would carry personal care items. Their selection of hand creams, lip balms, soaps, candles (and more) reflects a health/social conscious vision. At the time the entire store was having an extra 20% off their sale items, so the bar of J.R. Liggett's Old-Fashioned Original Formula shampoo (retail price $6.99) checked out at $3 and change. 

Read on for my review of this shampoo bar... 

Belated W3ll People Haul & Review

This is a long overdue post on my W3ll People haul from earlier in the year. Exactly how overdue, you ask? Well, apparently in the last few months W3ll People has reformulated their Universalist Colorstick, Narcissist Foundation Stick, and Nudist Lipshine (now called Nudist ColorBalm). Their products are now infused with organic aloe vera, have greater range of shades, and come in white eco-friendly packaging. 

I'm curious how the new formulas will compare with the original products which are already pretty amazing. The Narcissist Foundation Stick has been my go-to since I started using it over six months ago, and I repurchased it in shade #3. In order to take advantage of the free shipping on orders over $50 on the W3ll People website, I picked out a few other goodies - of course. I purchased...

Nudist Lipshine Duo Set, coral and nude - a special offer for $19.50 

Hypnotist Eyeliner - $16.50

A sample of Universalist Matte Multi-Use Colorstick in #7 (Cream Peony) - $1.50

Read on for my thoughts on these products! 

Hair Care Resolutions - Apple Cider Vinegar

One of my resolutions for this year is to explore natural hair care alternatives, namely the no 'poo regiment, which involves breaking up with commercial shampoos & conditioners and instead using baking soda and apple cider vinegar. The idea of replacing lovely-scented lathers and creamy conditioners is a bit sad, but there are reasons and costs for their being enticing to consumers. On my journey back to basics, I have been weaning myself off by taking it one step at a time. When my supply of Whole Food's 365 Shampoo & Conditioner in Lavender Blend (read my review) ran out, I decided to repurchase only shampoo (in Herbal Mint - this natural scent is quite faint). 

For conditioner, I purchased a bottle of apple cider vinegar, part of which is poured into a jar that's stored in my bathroom. Each time before I wash my hair, I pour about a tablespoon of ACV into an old, clean yogurt cup and set it by my shower. When I'm ready for conditioner, I run hot water from my shower directly into it - roughly 1 cup. (I learned from trial and error that using cold, or even lukewarm water is not pleasant when pouring it over my head.) Pouring the diluted ACV cup over my hair also takes some practice - make sure to tilt your head so it covers your hair and does not get into your eyes! I try to hold my hair out of the way of the showerhead so the conditioner can really seep into the hair. Then rinse thoroughly! 

So far my complaints have been that it stings when it gets into eyes, and the smell - it is after all vinegar. I think once I master the technique of the rinse, perhaps by using a squeezable water bottle, it will become less of a hassle. Also, I have experimented with reducing the vinegar smell by adding a couple of drops of lavender essential oil into the rinse. This helped slightly, but my essential oils are highly coveted resources. In combination with rinsing thoroughly with water, I think I will be able to avoid the ACV smell, which I get whiffs of when I blowdry my hair. Not sure if this scent would be noticed by others, I asked my boyfriend, whom I briefly mentioned that I was switching up my hair routine, if my hair smelled different. He replied saying that it smelled "like a Halloween mask"... !?! 

All of these things are tolerable when I consider that my hair has been feeling noticeably softer, shinier, and less oily (on day two post wash). And even though I'm still hesitant about rubbing baking soda into my scalp, I'm ready to move onto the next phase of this no 'poo experiment. Since my overriding motto is "no waste," I will wait until I use up my Whole Foods Herbal Mint shampoo. At least I'll get a reusable shampoo container out of it. 

2012 Holiday Moments

The holidays came and went, and I can't believe we're already well into the new year! I hope  the end of 2012 was a joyous, peaceful and restful time for everyone. My aunt came to visit from the UK so my household was filled with even more cooking, eating, and holiday cheer than usual. Here are some moments from the month of December. 

 Anyone fancy a horse-drawn carriage ride in the city? 

The tree in Faneuil Hall, Boston. Every night there was a spectacular light show accompanied by music by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, I believe. 

Gift for my aunt: a cowl scarf that I knit. It's made of Cascade 128 yarn in the color Doeskin Twist, and it's 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. The lilac scented soap was one I picked up from the flower market on my trip to Nice this past summer. Scrap yarn for tying up the gift and a hand-written note add an additional DIY touch! 

Gingerbread cookies from a KinCommunity recipe - great for gifts or Santa! I decorated them with raisins (which turned out looking like aliens) and chocolate chips.  

Crunchy Decadent Granola Bars

As one of America's favorite snack categories, granola bars are widely available in many varieties from different brands. They are also some of the easiest to make at home and keep well for future snacking. I especially love that I can customize the ingredient list to my personal taste. So of course, this recipe only serves as a template for your own creative concoctions. 

W3LL People Narcissist Stick Foundation Review

Ever since taking a class in college on the effects of endocrine disruptors, I have vowed to make conscious choices based on more research of the brand and ingredients in the everyday products I use. Ubiquitous chemicals including parabens and phthalates are found in many cosmetics, and avoiding them is no easy task. As I've mentioned in my Whole Foods Shampoo & Conditioner review, Skin Deep is a cosmetics database I refer to that is created by EWG to inform the public of potential hazards in a product. It's not the most comprehensive database, however, and often times the products I'm looking for are not listed. On one hand, I find myself giving in to a cosmetic product that received an unequivocal rating of 4-5 on the hazardous scale; and other times, I just want to give up buying makeup altogether and whip up a concoction of my own a la Crunchy Betty. In a perfect world, I wouldn't need to use anything to cover up blemishes, even out skin tone, or add color to my sickly winter complexion, because my skin would be perfect. 

In reality, there are brands out there that have created products that answered the prayers of neurotic, conscious consumers like me. I had been eye-ing the products of W3LL People for a few months before buckling down to purchase their popular, Narcissist Stick Foundation. The brand was founded by a trio of a makeup-guru, an environmentalist, and a dermatologist, who came together to make products that are effective, natural and organic, and sustainable/environmentally-friendly. Talk about a triple threat! Replacing all the potentially harmful chemicals with all natural ingredients, their line of products include foundations, mineral powders, brushes, multi-use cheek and lip sticks, eye shadows and even an eyeliner. Since I was running out of foundation (I was trying to tide myself over with what I thought would be a drugstore dupe - Almay's Clear Complexion Concealer), I ordered the Narcissist Stick Foundation on beauty.com during their 20% off Friends and Family sale.

Keep reading for my thoughts on this product...

Threads for Thought - Kami Tank review

**Currently there's a sale on all sale items (enter T4TSALE at checkout) - ends Oct. 1st! 

My search for affordable, organic and sustainable clothing ended when I discovered Threads 4 Thought a few months ago. This brand of sustainable apparel that epitomizes West Coast laid-back fashion has been a go-to for all my basic wardrobe essentials. For conscious consumers, now there's no need to feel guilty about a little online shopping because... 

The threads are sustainable, 

Fabrics are made of organically grown cotton or derived from plastic water bottles (through a really cool process!) 

Support great causes, 

Organizations include International Rescue Committee, the Natural Resource Defense Council, Rock the Vote, Girl 2 Girl, among others. On the website, they have a section of clothing called "shop the cause" with different t-shirt designs for specific causes. 

Created through fair practices 

When I first noticed the tags on my garments stating "made in Pakistan", I assumed that this company relied on sweatshops overseas for production. Then, I read on their website that they "only work with factories that respect their employees and treat them humanely and fairly." This statement made me feel more at ease about their practices even if they are outsourcing. 

Affordable and free domestic shipping & return 

Need I say more? 

As for the fashion, T4T is all about comfort and laid-back style for both men and women. Basics come in a multitude of colors and more recently this summer, there were new lines of interesting printed dresses and silk tops, which did come slightly more expensive. 

Most of the items that I have purchased from Threads 4 Thought in the past are basic wardrobe essentials - cotton dresses (2 for $30), Lisa Leggings in Charcoal ($24), and these  Kami Tanks (3 for $15, or $10 each). 

Kami Tank in Black (XS), Pearl (S), and Seashell (S) 

60% organic cotton

40% modal 

These neutral tanks are great for layering underneath sheer tops, for example. For something partially made of recycled plastic water bottles, they're surprisingly soft! My only complaint about these simple tanks is the variation in size/length. I typically wear a size xs or s, so I thought I would purchase both of these sizes in different colors. For me, the pearl and seashell colors, both of which I bought in size small, were significantly looser than the extra small black tank (which is my favorite). Even between the two size small tanks, I found that the pearl tank is shorter in length and wider in the torso than the seashell. The inconsistency in sizing is something to keep in mind. I would recommend sizing down for a fitted yet still comfortable look, especially since the tanks can stretch out from wear. 

For only 3/$15, it's hard to go wrong with these soft basic tanks from a socially-conscious brand.