Yes, that’s right. Conscious Beauty has moved and now has a new home at (drumroll, please)

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Please visit me there and stay tuned for new adventures in the world of natural hair and all that good stuff!

The Manly 120 Palette. I finally broke down and bought one.

Anyone who frequents YouTube make up tutorials or reviews knows exactly what I’m talking about. For those who don’t, basically, it is a make up palette consisting of 120 dime sized pots of eye shadow. I’ve had mine for about a month, and haven’t really used it much yet (minimal make up in this heat is my philosophy), but I have experimented enough to know that I like it. A lot.

I purchased my palette from Ebay (where else?!) and for about $25, I had a pristine product in my hands quickly. The prices vary on Ebay, as is usually the case, but I went with a top seller who offered free shipping and had great reviews.

The palette features just about every colour you can think of. I get the same excited feeling looking at it, as I used to get when I’d open a giant box of new Crayolas. The possibilities are endless. There are shimmer and matte varieties and although the quality of the shadow isn’t as good as MAC, it isn’t bad either. To me, it’s a no-brainer because even if I were to buy a drug store brand of eyeshadow, it’s going to cost about $9 for something like a pot of L’oreal HIP.
I really don’t mind mixing some of the expensive stuff (ie. a couple of MAC of eye shadows and brushes) with some of the inexpensive (ie. this palette and some E.L.F brushes that run $1-$3 and work as good as the $20-$30 MAC ones). As long as a product performs well, I’m happy.

The title of my post is pretty self-explanatory.  For those who read my review on Curl Junkie, you will remember me saying that I had two pieces missing which were needed to complete my picture of great hair.  The Curl Junkie review addressed the first problem, which was that I needed styling products that worked for me.  The other missing piece to the picture boiled down to one very basic item: shampoo.  For quite some time now, I’ve been using whatever suited my fancy to wash my hair.  It’s been a rotation between a SLS-free shampoo, a cheap bottle of Suave, and Dr. Bronner’s.  Did my hair like this regimen?  Not really.  It wasn’t too fussy about it (ie. it wasn’t stripped or damaged as a result) but I believe that one of the reasons it was able to tolerate this madness was because it didn’t have the extra stress of having to contend with heat.  I really wanted something gentle that would work, and so I set out looking for that special shampoo by reading reviews galore.

Enter Chagrin Valley Soaps.

I put in my order and received it in 2 days.  I had heard about how good the shipping was, and I was nothing less than impressed.  Ida has quite a selection on the website, and I was very tempted to order the full-size bars.  I ordered the samples (which are generously portioned) and am happy that I did because I was able to give everything a decent try and really find out what worked for me.  I ordered the following shampoo bars: The Ayurvedic Bar, Olive & Babassu, Babassu & Marshmallow, Neem & Tea Tree and the Nettle bar.  I also ordered a couple of soaps (the honey butter bar and the Chamomile & Calendula bar).  A little information about the products: They are ALL NATURAL.  I have to stress that Ida’s products are as far from commercial as one could possibly get.  Everything is unscented, or smells herbal because of (obviously) the use of herbs and essential oils.  I have no problem with this, in fact, I love it.  However, if you’re one of those people who doesn’t care for a strong herbal scent while showering or you want to smell like cotton candy, this may not be for you.

The first shampoo I tried was the Ayurvedic Bar.  I was most excited about trying this one because of its ingredients.  It is full of things that I know my hair likes: Amla, Hibiscus, Castor bean oil and a few things I had never heard of like Bhringraj, which is supposed to act like a ‘multi-vitamin’ for hair (according to the website).  Using the shampoo bar was a different experience, I have to admit.  It didn’t produce a big lather for me, but I washed my hair with it 3 times and took my time rubbing and working my hair and scalp anyway.  After I rinsed my hair of the 3rd wash, it felt a bit waxy, but I was prepared and had my Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water and proceeded to use it as a rinse to restore my hair’s acid mantle.  It worked well.  My hair and scalp did feel clean, but also different.  It wasn’t waxy or stripped or anything like that, so I have to assume that my hair probably needed to acclimate to the product.

The results of the Ayurvedic Bar were okay as far as my hair look and feel.  I really didn’t give the shampoo bar much thought until three or four days later.  I had left my hair out with its curls the day that I washed it, and had forgotten to oil my scalp that night and onward.  A few nights later, I had parted my hair expecting to see the flakes that were always present when I didn’t baby my scalp but found nothing.  I really didn’t want to get excited, so I kept on parting my hair and looking for flakes but my entire scalp was clean.  The Ayurvedic Bar is a definite keeper for me because of this.

The second bar I tried was the Olive & Babassu.  I wasn’t going to order this sample at first, but quite a few people recommended it when I was watching and reading reviews.  I liked it.  It has a creamy lather and is very mild.  Perfect to use on a child since it is unscented and moisturizing.

The Babassu & Marshmallow shampoo bar is my favorite, hands down.  I had read from some one that marshmallow root helps define the curl pattern and I have to say that it definitely did.  This shampoo bar is moisturizing and creamy.  My hair felt silky and my curls popped before even applying any product to them.  I found that this shampoo bar produced the same result when I used it on the kids’ hair. I’m going to be ordering a big bar of this.

Neem & Tea Tree is a shampoo/face/body bar.  One can use it where ever it is needed.  Neem and Tea Tree are great for skin conditions such as dandruff, acne and eczema.  I cut the sample in half and gave piece to my husband while I kept the other part to add to my black soap for my problem skin.  My husband really likes it.  He’s been using his bar as a shampoo and body bar.   It has helped clear my skin in a few problem areas, and so I do like it.

The Nettle bar was the last shampoo bar that I sampled.  By the time I got around to using this bar, I knew how to manipulate the shampoo bar properly to make it sud the way I expected it to.  This bar is supposed to be good for dry scalp and minimizing hair loss.  I found it was mildly clarifying, which I like.  I would invest in a big bar of this shampoo as I really enjoyed using it.

THE HONEY BUTTER BAR

I’m making space to address, specifically, my experience with the infamous Honey Butter Bar.  The Honey Butter Bar has a cult following among we Naturalistas.  The HB Bar is actually a soap bar, but because of its content (think lots of good butters and oils) it is also used in the place of a conditioner by quite a few women.  It didn’t work for me.  Not at all.  I did my best to give it a few chances, but I didn’t like how it made my hair feel.  I guess if it works then it works darn good, cause it has some stellar reviews as a conditioner.  I advise buying this bar as a sample if interested.  I will say that I’ve been using the piece I have left as a regular soap to bathe with and it leaves my skin incredibly smooth.

THINGS TO KNOW AND TROUBLESHOOTING

Okay, so getting a review on how well something works is all fine and good, but I think it’s even more helpful to let you know what to expect if you want to make the change to a shampoo bar.  First off, it isn’t like using a liquid shampoo. There is a slight learning curve involved with learning how to lather up the bar and to get it to sud properly for your hair.  Like anything else, the more you use it, the better you get with your technique. Keep in mind though that it will never give you the kind of lather you get with a commercial, liquid shampoo.  The shampoo bar is made of things that a beneficial to the hair and scalp with no preservatives.  Although it is very effective, it is also gentle, and so you do have to manually massage and rub your hair and scalp really good to get it clean.  It’s kind of scary that regular shampoos don’t require a lot of agitation to get your hair to feel ‘squeaky’ clean  (take that as a sign of how harsh they can be).

When using a shampoo bar, it is a good idea to give your hair and scalp a chance to make the adjustment.  If your scalp’s balance is out of whack with how much oil it produces or such, then the shampoo bar (if you’re using the right one) will most likely address and solve the problem.  There are people who have used shampoo bars and found their scalp over producing oil (because they used to use a harsh shampoo).  Sticking with it, the scalp will soon realize its oils are not being stripped and it will stop over producing.  Also, using a shampoo bar in a hard water zone will produce a waxy feel on the hair.  A good solution to this is the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse which will get rid of the waxiness.  Also, the rinse is good because it brings the hair’s acid mantle back to what it should be.  I like how my hair feels after the ACV rinse, but hate the fact that even after rinsing the rinse, I can still smell the vinegar (not sexy).  I use my regular conditioner instead since it does the same thing as an ACV rinse in regards to restoring the proper PH to the hair (and I don’t have hard water).

Finally, with the Chagrin Valley soaps, it is important to store them out of the shower/bath when you finish using them.  They are made of butters and oils, and they will melt away in a warm, humid bathroom.  Ideally, you want to keep them on a soap deck (where the water can drain) instead of a soap dish.  I recommend her soaps also, as I’ve used a couple and really like how they make our skin feel. If you’re prone to itchy, dry skin, you would be doing yourself a huge favour.

visit

www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com

Lately, I’ve been cruising the hair boards, blogs and vlogs, much to my own detriment (money wise).  My hair is doing great but I noticed that there were two pieces missing from the puzzle: I really, really long for curls that are bouncy, silky, full of body and low on frizz.  I can achieve it using Qhemet, but it’s not easy, nor do the results last.  QB products nourish and condition my hair (and strengthen it, too) but I’ve realized that I need actual styling products.

Well, I found out about Curl Junkie.  I watched review, after review, and I came away impressed.  I also felt a feeling that I recognized.  It was the feeling of certainty that I felt when I had made my first QB purchase.  Some where in my bones I knew this stuff was going to work for me.  I went to the website and read recommendations, but ultimately ordered the products from a different online retailer because the shipping was better.

What I ordered: I ordered the Curl Assurance Smoothing Gellie, Aloe Fix Hair Styling Gel, and Curls in a Bottle.

Curl Assurance Smoothing Gellie: I bought this because it seemed suited for my hair type, which appears to defy the hair chart cause it’s a thorough blend of 3 -4 a,b & c, thanks to my many ancestors.  It looks like a cream (or think jelly) and smells delightful.  I used it on damp hair and scrunched and it held well. Tamed the frizz just fine.  I really like this Gellie because it is kinda lightweight, but does it’s job.

Aloe Fix Hair Styling Gel: This gel will have to get its own spotlight because I really haven’t used it properly.  I used it once to smooth my hair down for my ponytail.  It worked like a charm. No build up, flakes or frizzies.  It smells good and it non-drying.  I have high hopes for this baby.

Curls in a Bottle: I wasn’t going to buy this product.  I’m glad that I did.  I’ve used curls in a bottle a few times since I got it last week.  It is very lightweight.  I can’t use this by itself.  It helps make curls pop, which is a good starting point, I think.  Two nights ago, I washed my hair and after putting my Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm in, I added the Curls in a Bottle.  My hair was still damp and my curls really developed with it in.  I decided to do bantu knots, so I combed through and added the Smoothing Gellie.  The next day I undid my twists and separated them.  They looked amazing.  I had no frizz and my hair was soft while the curl held.  It held through a romp with the hubby in the afternoon and through 26 degree weather (Celsius, cause I’m Canadian).  It held.  It wasn’t hard or tacky at all.  I’ve found my styling winners.

I also have to add that the CIAB and CASG work wonderfully in my littlest one’s hair.  Hair hair is a wild, silky, curly riot.  With these two products, her curls stay defined and frizz free without drying or damaging her hair. It’s exciting for me to see her hairstyle last and not end up the big, puff-ball it usually is at the end of the day.

I really like Curl Junkie so far and recommend visiting the website.

Karkady Tea Replenishing Mist-  I’m starting with the mist because it was my biggest surprise.  By now, any one who follows this blog knows that I am a HUGE QB fan.  Everything I have tried has worked well with my hair, but I just never gave the mist much thought.  I still can’t say why I bought it, but I did and boy am I hooked.  Many of us natural ladies know (or should know) that water is our friend.  Unfortunately, tap water (with all its chemicals and chlorine) is not. I don’t have to use water to dampen my hair anymore for styling.  My first time using the mist produced fabulous (yes, fabulous) results.  I washed my hair and put in my regular mix of Biologics products; however, I also spritzed my hair with the mist and worked it in really good before twisting.  The next morning, I took out my twists and found my hair so soft, silky and shiny, with gorgeous waves. I couldn’t stop touching it!  Several co-workers asked what I did to my hair.  KTRM is now a staple.

Tea Tree & Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade- Winter isn’t only harsh on my hair and skin, it’s  hard on my scalp.  My scalp needs only half a reason to start flaking, so I really have to be diligent with how I care for it.  I started using this pomade because I was seeing those few tell-tale flakes as the weather became colder.  So far, so good.  I have to say, it isn’t my only line of defense in preventing dry scalp, but it works well and it’s light.  I would buy it again, no problem.

Castor & Moringa Softening Serum- Great, great stuff!  Castor oil, in my opinion, is one of those oils that works wonders.  If you consider that the castor bean itself is toxic and a hazard even to reap, it is amazing that the oil from such a bean is so beneficial to us.  I bought the serum to protect my hair (especially my ends) and to stop them from getting brittle.  I have to say, I got more than I bargained for. The oil  has become something I use on my children daily.  My daughter’s hands became frost-bitten (a painful condition as anyone who has experienced it knows) a short while ago due to her refusal to wear her gloves.  I began treating her hands with the serum, followed by A&D ointment twice a day.  Her hands have healed beautifully without me having to put prescription creams or the like on them.  The serum has also become what I use to protect my kids’ faces before they go out in the cold each morning.  My mother used to use Vaseline or A&D on us.  I find the serum works terrific, and protects their skin  from getting chapped without having the ‘shiny face’ my friends and I had as children.

There are, of course, other products that I still support and enjoy using.  They are currently awaiting warmer days when I can style my hair and not have to don a toque.

I rang in 2010 pretty much the same way I brought in 2000: at home with a glass of champagne. It’s crazy to think that ten years has flown by so quickly. January 1st, 2000: I was still in university (in England), single and as free as a bird. Ten years later, I’m in New York, married, hanging with my folks and my three rug rats. I can’t help but think that the old adage rings true for me: you can have it all, but not at the same time. I always wanted to start a family young, and I did. Now I need to fulfill my own aspirations and get my career where I want it to be.
It has been a year since I started this blog, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. So wishing you all a blessed, fulfilling year. Now is the time to make your dreams a reality. The only sad thing would be not trying at all, so go for it!

Like I said, soap (the real stuff) does not remove oil and dirt; it dissolves it.  For a body wash to work, it has to remove everything from the epidermis (including the natural good oils) and try to put some kind of moisture back in so your skin doesn’t feel stripped.  Soap doesn’t have to strip your skin because is breaks down impurities and dissolves them.  Your skin feels clean without feeling chapped and dry when you step out the shower.

Liquid Castile soap has become a staple in my home.  It lathers beautifully, cleanses without stripping, and a little goes a long way.  My favorite liquid Castile soap is Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Pure Castile soap.  I particularly like the Lavender and the Rose liquid soaps.  Dr. Bronner’s is made with organic ingredients and has been ever since the beginning.  The soap was organic even before it was the ‘in’ thing to do.  Recently, I started using Dr. Bronner’s soap to wash my hair instead of shampoo.  I’ve been pleased with the results.  My hair and scalp feel clean without the use of an SLS shampoo, and I get the lather I crave when washing my locks.  There are loads of uses for this soap, as any one who has ever read reviews for the product can tell you.  People use it in their dishwashers, to clean the house (it cleans the bath tub with incredible ease) and even as tooth paste, although I can’t say I’m interested in using it for that purpose.

The whole story behind the soap maker and the company (now run by his son) is an interesting read.  A lot of people say Dr. Bronner brings his own particular brand of crazy to the world, but I’m more focused on the actual product, which is great.  I will say this, it takes guts to stamp your life’s philosophy on the label of your product.

Let me start at the beginning.

What seems like many years ago, Dolce & Gabbana released their first fragrance for women.  It was simple known as Dolce & Gabbana with the red top (aka pour femme).  The perfume was a love it or loathe it creation.  With its citrus and herbal top notes, heady floral heart and vanilla-musk base, there was nothing shy about it.  The jus had tons of sillage and could easily wear the wearer instead of the other way around.

I was just out of high school when I discovered this heavenly creation.  It was love at first sniff, and it was the first fragrance that was powerful enough to affect my mood.  All I had to do was wear it and I felt like a confident, sexy, bombshell instantly. It was brash and brazen, yet somehow still sophisticated.  It was my mother who treated me to my 3.4 oz bottle, and whenever I wore it, the compliments came all day long.  I was careful with my bottle of treasured perfume, so I only wore it on special occasions.  Recently, I took a good, long look at what was left of it and decided to retire it.  Here’s why: My bottle of D&G was purchased in 1998 and I was pretty certain that the jus had been altered since then.  I resolved that I would buy myself a new bottle and keep what was left of the vintage elixir for any super special moments.

When Your Nose Knows:

I received my new bottle of D&G pour femme and tested it on my arm.  Instantly, I knew that something was wrong. Very wrong.  The top notes seemed thin and not rich as they should.  As they developed into the heart of the fragrance my nose couldn’t get past a particular synthetic note that overwhelmed and altered the entire composition of the jus.  The dry down was the ‘politically correct’ version of what it used to be.  The fragrance itself had changed drastically.  It was an imposter!

To further convince myself of what I knew to be true, I asked my hubby to smell the new version of the perfume.  He has always loved the ’98 version on me.  He smelled the new stuff (not knowing what perfume it was) and declared that he didn’t care for it.

So am I crazy? No, not at all.  There is a great explanation as to why a perfume that is the same brand can (and often does) smell different that a previously purchased bottle.  Companies and Perfume Houses (especially the big ones, ie. brands found in a dept. store) often substitute or swap ingredients or change the composition of a fragrance for several reasons.  The raw ingredients needed may become scarce, the powers that be may issue the order to make the jus more cost efficient, etc.  The most troubling reason of late has come from the IFRA who are set to ban a host of natural ingredients that have been at the heart of great perfume making for the last hundred or so years. Classics will soon become ghosts of themselves without ingredients such as oak moss and jasmine.  Instead, fragrances will become synthetic in nature (which they already are, sorry to say).  Out with real ingredients, in with man-made formulas made to smell like the genuine article.  Needless to say, there are many people (myself included) that see this as the death of the art of perfumery. Good-bye Chanel No. 5, Farewell Joy.  I can’t help but wonder why the perfume houses are essentially agreeing to these restrictions and thereby, actively contributing to their own downfall.  As I type this post, I am sitting here, wearing the imposter fragrance sold to me as D&G.  I will have no choice but to stockpile certain favorites of mine before they are altered.  I wish I could say that this has been my first encounter with a fragrance that has been drastically reformulated; unfortunately, it has not.  Lucky for me, I have my original, beloved D&G tucked away for safe keeping (what is left of it, anyway), and the perfume I wore when I married.

One final note.  It truly does peeve me that these perfume houses are substituting real, quality ingredients for poor substitutes without admitting it or lowering the price to reflect their now inferior product.  Perfumistas, we must find a way to make our voice heard.

I’m so glad I didn’t buy it at the full price.  I should have known that Diorshow wouldn’t work for me.  Why? Well, simply put, the brush.  The mascara brush, wand, whatever term you would like to use, is very big, very thick.  My lashes are very puny, very thin.  I have to say, I was sorely disappointed in the performance of this product.  I’m sure it works wonders on other lashes, but it doesn’t work for me.  It was somewhat clumpy, goopy (is that a word) and dry, all at the same time.

My lashes would've looked like this if I didn't know any better!

I can’t go into detail because it really didn’t do anything but clump and flake for me.

Fiberwig, I’m so sorry I betrayed you, and vow not to stray so easily again…