Organic Product Review
Friday, January 21, 2011
Josh and I went on a little field trip the other day to my new favorite store: Whole Foods Market! I have been researching all-organic cosmetics and beauty products because I know that the chemicals that are in the products that I am currently using are not good for me. I have been checking my beauty products for quite some time and seeing things like propylparabens, methylparabens, urea, perfumes, etc and have tried my hardest to just dust it off; I knew they weren't good but I was too used to those products that I wanted to ignore it. Also with me working at a hair salon and using expensive, name-brand hair products (at a discounted price), I was treating my hair so well and did not want to sacrifice healthy hair for those bad chemicals (I know, it sounds bad!).
The last piece of makeup that I purchased was made by Urban Decay; it was a loose powder that worked fabulously! The catch: the only 2 ingredients listed were methylparabens and propylparabens, both chemicals linked to breast cancer and infertility issues. Not something that I should have put near my face, but it worked so well and I spent nearly $40 on it so I had better finish it. Every time I used it, I felt so very guilty and was hoping that I would accidentally drop it and lose all of those nasty parabens. Finally though, my Urban Decay powder is finally on it's last leg and I will be out of it probably by next week.
For those that are wondering, I will share what I am replacing my beauty products with. I'm going to say now that if you somehow stumbled across my blog through a search engine looking for reviews or whatever else, I am not the person to ask about organic products nor do I claim to be some kind of organic, all-natural guru; I am still new to the scene and hope to gain more knowledge about harmful ingredients, etc. My list is not a list of the "good and bad," it is simply a list of my personal preferences . . . and fears! :)
I have traded . . .
-Secret deodorant for Crystal Deodorant stick. From what I have used so far, I can say it works. At first I was a little skeptical because it literally is a rock-hard, dry stick. To use, you must wet the "rock" and use. There are no perfumes, so there is obviously no smell. I have not noticed any musty smell or moistness. So far, I would say that I recommend this deodorant.
-Cetaphil and Dermalogica Facewash for Avalon Organics Lavendar Cleansing Gel. I have only used this facewash a couple times (since I have purchased it) and it works fabulously. I love the smell and that it actually "suds" up. Prior to this facewash, I was using two washes that were either mild or a clay wash so there were no bubbles. This smells great and leaves my face feeling clean. BUT, it does leave my face feeling rather "tight" when I leave the shower. Would I recommend this product? Not exactly sure yet, but so far, so good.
-Dermalogica Active Moist facial moisturizer for Dr. Hauschka's Normalizing Day Oil. This. Stuff. Is. Amazing. This brand's philosophy is that "likes treat likes;" I have an oily face, so it is apparently better to moisturize with an oil. Sure, it seems counterintuitive, but trust me on this one. After my tight feeling face (from the facewash), I put half a dime size of this oil on and it immediately gives me relief and gives my skin a glow. Oh, and I go through the whole day without any nasty shine. Recommend? Absolutely!! It is a little on the pricey side but worth every penny.
-Redken Shampoo and Conditioner for Neuma products. This was a hair product line that we just launched at Omni and I was thrilled to use something totally organic that smells delicious and leaves my hair feeling better than it ever has before. They currently have 3 now 4 sets to choose from and although I have only tried 2 of them, I can guarantee you will never switch from it! My hair feels and smells great and I know that I'm treating it with one of the best products out there so it makes me feel more confident! Recommend? Definitely, definitely!
-Moroccan Oil to Argan Treatment (from Neuma). I am still using the sample packet (now on week 3!), so that alone says that a little goes a long way. I was in love with my Moroccan Oil; the smell was great, I felt like it reduced my drying time, made my hair extra soft. But, because I could try the sample Argan, I did. I like this stuff because it is colorless and has no perfumes. I feel that it also does everything that the Moroccan did. Which do I like better? Moroccan. Which am I going to use? Argan . . . it is better for my hair so I will stick to that mentality. Would I recommend this product? Yes, but only because it is an organic alternative.
-Vaseline hand/body lotion for Avalon Organics Lavendar Hand and Body Moisturizer. I love, love, love this lotion! It is to rich and creamy and makes me smell like I just left a spa. Not to mention I got a huge 32oz. bottle for about $12! :) This brand does not claim to be 100% oragnic (only 70%), but it does not have parabens, sulfates, fake perfumes, or pthalates. I would highly recommend this product because it is organic, cheap, and works amazingly.
-Covergirl, Urban Decay, Bare Minerals make up for Afterglow Cosmetics. I do not know whether or not I will be completely in love with it, but I sure hope so because I have replaced my entire makeup regimen. The most important thing to me in my makeup is the foundation and since my foundation only lists parabens and was way too expensive, I was ready to try something new. I will let you all know what I think of it after I use it all.
-Spearmint Chapstick for Whole Foods brand Peppermint "chapstick." Anyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to Chapstick in the same way that people are addicted to nicotine. No joke. Let me explain why I am so picky with Chapstick. I loved my Chapstick brand because: 1) it tasted, smelled, and felt like spearmint, 2) my lips never, ever felt chapped, 3) my lips never got red from irritation, 4) it was light enough for me to layer it on the 75 times a day like I did. Now, while standing in line at Whole Foods, I thought I'm going to replace it. No, I'm not. Yes, I am, No . . . OKAY! Fine! And honestly, I haven't used a lick of Chapstick (brand) in more than 24 hours. I have not done that in more than 5 years (and I'm not exaggerating!). This new stuff does not taste like peppermint, but it definitely smells like it and leaves a cool feeling on my lips. It is also a little thicker so I use it less often. I also notice than when it "rubs" off, my lips still feel conditioned as though the new stuff actually settles in my lips and is not only surface like my Chapstick brand was. Would I recommend it? Sure, but I have a feeling that there has to be something better out there. But for now, it is by far good enough to get me off of that other bad "drug."
I am still researching and would love to replace my toothpaste, bodywash, shaving cream and face lotion (for night time). As of right now, I don't really find it a necessity to change my perfume or hand sanitizers. Those two things will come in due time. Plus, would you have really wanted to read 2 more of my boring reviews? ;)
Posted byAshley C. at 2:42 PM
