Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo Review

I'm really excited to share this review with you so let's jump right into it!

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo is my new all time favorite must have. This stuff is seriously heaven in a bottle. Everything you want in a clean shampoo is right here. Intelligent Nutrients sums it up perfectly on their website: "anti-aging, antioxidant rich, volumizing, super smooth, non-frizzy and nourishing to the scalp, hair, body and mind." Formulated for all hair types, including color treated, this cleanser is a one-size-fits-all miracle without any sulfates, parabens, silicones, ethoxylates, PEG, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.

Clean shampoo has honestly been one of the hardest things for me to find. Traditional shampoos are one of the most toxic products on the market (check this out to learn more). They strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it frizzy, dry, and dull. They're specifically designed to make you buy more products (conditioners, frizz serums, etc.) in order to fix the problem. No thanks.

For the longest time, I was happy with my Burt's Bees Volumizing Shampoo. Not the cleanest option on the market, but it was certainly a better alternative. It gave life to my fine hair and didn't leave me oily the next day. But recently, Burt's Bees decided to change their formula     a decision that has upset many longtime users. This "new and improved" version is actually pretty horrible which led me to try something new.

IN's Harmonic Shampoo is similar to a cleansing conditioner, very creamy and moisturizing. It has a wonderful minty aroma that feels refreshing, especially during these hot summer days.  Surprisingly, it  does suds up a bit as you work it into your scalp, something that's usually absent in clean shampoos due to the lack of sulfates. After you rinse it out, you can immediately feel the difference. My hair felt silky soft, a feeling that lasted until my next wash. Best of all, it passed the greasy test, even with my extra fine hair. IN also makes a Harmonic Conditioner, but I don't feel the need to try it since I'm ecstatic with the shampoo by itself. Perhaps those very dry, coarse hair would find it helpful.

All in all, I believe I've found my perfect shampoo. I'm assuming many others feel the same way since it's sold out on most of the popular clean beauty websites. Spirit Beauty Lounge still has samples available, while Amazon seems like one of the few to have the full bottles in stock. Definitely worth it!



Have you ever tried any of Intelligent Nutrients' products? What's your favorite clean shampoo? Leave some comments! :)

Behind The Blog: Spirit Beauty Lounge Shopping Spree!

Hello there, strangers! Just stopping by to let you know that yes, I am still alive! Just been working my little butt off lately. And since I've been working so damn hard, I decided that I deserved a little self-indulging. Most girls splurge at Sephora, but Spirit Beauty Lounge is where it's at. This fabulous online store has all the best beauty goodies a girl could want     all au natural, of course.

So, hopefully sometime next week I will be receiving a box full of lovely things. I ordered some Chocolate Sun tanning cream (first time trying it!), a leave-in conditioner by Intelligent Nutrients, a bath bar by Whole Truth Solutions, and a customized sample kit with a bunch of things I've been meaning to try. I promise to do a ton of reviews! :)

Anyone else do a little self-indulging lately? Hope you're all enjoying your summer!

Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty

Despite all the negative press surrounding Alicia Silverstone and her baby feeding methods, I still respect the crap out of this woman. She's extremely passionate about animal rights, clean beauty, and saving the planet. She's written a vegan guide, The Kind Diet, and also keeps up with her website, The Kind Life. So who cares if she's a little weird? Her activism is super inspiring.

Next up on Alicia's list of eco-friendly projects is her collaboration with Juice Beauty. After teaming up with EcoTools, Alicia is definitely no stranger to working with popular green companies. Just in time for Earth Day, the collection for Juice Beauty has debuted with five items ranging from nourishing skincare to quick application color that will keep you glowing and gorgeous.

Currently, I use two Juice Beauty products that I absolutely love: the blemish clearing serum and green apple peel. The combination of these two keeps breakouts at bay and helps fade post acne marks. As a brand that's both effective and natural, I'm eager to try more. Alicia's Irresistible Glow Facial Highlighter is totally up my alley.

Check out the rest of the collection here. Happy Earth Day, everyone! :)

Affordable Eco: Natural Beauty Finds Under $10 + Money Saving Tips

Whether you're on a budget or not, I'm pretty sure every girl out there loves to find beauty products on the cheap. Seriously, there's nothing better than a great steal. And when it comes to adopting an eco beauty lifestyle, money is definitely a hot topic. So many of my readers have expressed concern about the high cost of natural and organic beauty items. While this is definitely true in a lot of cases, I assure you, there are affordable options out there! I've dedicated this post to helping you ladies stick to both your budgets and a clean beauty routine :)

First, I would like to defend the natural/organic products that do sport high price tags because most of them have every right to charge more. Clean beauty brands generally use high quality ingredients that are both effective and safe. Obviously, high quality = more money. We live in a society where if something's cheap, we ignore questions like what's in it? or where did it come from? I try my very best to shop responsibly and support companies that are honest. When it comes to my personal care routine, I would much rather splurge on something that's full of nourishing ingredients than save money on a bottle of harmful chemicals that make my skin and hair look like crap. What's really silly is the fact that many women splurge on "luxury" brands like Chanel or Nars that contain the very same garbage as their cheap counterparts! I understand that not everyone can afford top notch organic beauty (I know I can't!). But if you do choose to splurge, just make sure your money is going to something that's truly worth it.

Okay! Now that I got that out of the way, here are some natural picks that are all under ten bucks. See, I wasn't lying. They do exist!

Jane Iredale Lip Crayon - $10.00
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer - $8.79
Whole Truth Solutions Bath Bar Raw - $6.50
Acure Calming Body Lotion - $9.99
Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara - $10.00 (originally $18.00)
Everyday Minerals Blush in Like Lady Bird Lake - $5.99
Sula Natural Eye Shadow in I'm In Heaven - $8.00
Love&Toast Daily Shampoo - $9.99

Before you go, I also want to leave you with a few money saving tips. My goal is to help you realize that it's definitely possible to be an eco beauty without breaking the bank.

Tip #1: Sample, sample, sample! Nothing's worse than spending money on a truly awful product. Most natural beauty brands are happy to give out samples so you can find your right shade or formula. Spirit Beauty Lounge is amazing for this. You can order a custom package of trial sizes for $25 and as always, they send you free samples with every purchase. Want to test out stuff in person? Go to your local Whole Foods Body to sample in store. They also have sample packets to take home and try out. Another good idea: be familiar with return policies to ensure extra safe shopping.

Tip #2: Invest in a multi-purpose plant oil. Argan, coconut, and jojoba are all really great options. You can use these to moisturize your face and body, remove make-up, soften cuticles, tame frizzy hair     the possibilities are endless! Try to shop for multi-purpose products in general. Lip to cheek colors, shower & shaves, 2-in-1 shampoos, etc. Less items = less money spent.

Tip #3: The ladies at No More Dirty Looks really opened my eyes to this concept: don't splurge on things that you wash right off. Why spend money on powerful active ingredients and then watch them go right down the drain? Save your money for the stuff that stays on your skin. That way, the ingredients will actually have a chance to sink in and do their job. Examples: I use a cheap Burt's Bees shampoo but then treat my locks with a great leave-in conditioner by Intelligent Nutrients. I wash my body with a simple $3 bar of soap but use the best natural deodorant out there.

Tip #4: Don't you dare buy a sugar scrub. Easiest thing in the world to make! 2 parts raw sugar to 1 part plant oil. Done. Other easy items to make? Lip balm, facial toner, sea salt spray for hair. You don't have to be a chemist to make these things at home. Plus, they make great gifts and it's a neat little hobby to get into.

Tip #5: With natural beauty, less is always more. The cosmetic industry has brainwashed us into thinking that we need a product for every little flaw and that's just bogus. Stick to the necessities, don't slather on every cream and lotion on the planet. Heck, go a day without make-up and let your skin breathe! And if you're feeling extra brave, maybe experiment with movements like no-poo (aka not shampooing). Our bodies are very capable of balancing things out and keeping everything in check     we just need to give it a chance! Once again, less items = money saved.

Tip #6: I know this is cliche and you're probably sick of hearing it but there's no product that can do the job of a healthy diet. If you approach issues such as acne or dull hair from the inside out, you'll discover that you won't need as many products. Drink tons of water, take omega supplements and vitamins, eat your veggies, exercise and I swear you'll feel gorgeous.

Acure Organics Dry Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner Review

Good morning everyone! After a busy (and fun) weekend, I'm ready to continue with my reviews. Next up are some hair products from the very affordable Acure Organics. I gave their leave in conditioner and dry shampoo a whirl. This is my first experience with Acure Organics so read on to see how it turned out!

First off, I am cursed with horribly thin hair so I'm always at war with greasiness. Dry shampoo is a god send for me. This powdered miracle helps me tame the greasies and keeps me looking fresh in between washes. For the longest time, I used Oscar Blandi's dry shampoo from Sephora    not very clean girl friendly. This stuff worked well, but smelt like lemon furniture polish. Gross. On the other hand, Acure's version smells wonderful. Made with organic corn starch and french white clay, Acure's dry shampoo soaks up oil and dirt in mere seconds. The texture is similar to baby powder, but blends well into hair without leaving behind any residue. Overall, it works just as well as Blandi's, minus the aluminum starch. And for $11, you can't beat it.

Next up, is the leave-in conditioner. Made with argan oil, this lightweight spray softens and protects your hair with natural nourishing ingredients. Like the dry shampoo, it smells great, thanks to the acai berry, pomegranate, and blackberry. Leave-in conditioner is a must for me because of all the flat-ironing that I do. My all time favorite leave-in is by Intelligent Nutrients, but it's pricey and requires an online order. For around 9 bucks, Acure's leave-in is an affordable alternative. However, it can be a tad bit heavy. At first, I sprayed it on like I would with Intelligent Nutrients', but woke up to oily hair the next day. Now I just spritz some on my hands and apply it only to my ends. My hair is left shiny, soft, and gorgeous. Love it.

Both of these products were found at Whole Foods in Madison, New Jersey. Currently, neither product is available on Acure Organics' website, but can be found on Amazon and other stores online.

Evan Healy Rose Cleansing Milk Review

Alrighty, here's review number two!

I've always been an exfoliating addict. If I'm not scrubbing off the top layer of my skin, then it doesn't feel clean. Trouble is, this isn't exactly so great for your face. Despite all the hype about exfoliation being the key to a great complexion, scrubbing excessively can do some serious damage. The top layer of your skin, called the epidermis, essentially acts as a shield, protecting your skin from the elements. Now, I'm not entirely opposed to the occasional sugar scrub, but moderation is key! Once a week, at most, is enough to get your clean fix.

Anyway, in my quest to exfoliate less, I decided to invest in a gentle cleanser. Evan Healy's Rose Cleansing Milk seemed to be a good fit. I have bipolar skin: one minute it's oily and I'm breaking out, the next I'm dry and flakey. It can't make up it's mind. This cleanser is designed to remove make-up and impurities without disturbing the skin's natural pH balance. Full of plant oils and floral water, this cleanser is chock full of good things for your skin.

So how does it measure up? Well, so far so good. I've been using it for the past few days and my skin feels super soft and balanced. The consistency takes a little getting used to. It basically feels like you're washing your face with lotion. But I have to admit, it feels rather luxurious. The rose scent is a little on the strong side. My mom, who detests the smell of roses, gave it a try anyway. Both of us enjoyed the cleansing, but still felt we needed to moisturize afterwards. I figured with such a creamy cleanser, I wouldn't feel the need to moisturize. Regardless, I was happy with the product and will continue to practice gentle cleansing :)

John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Body Lotion Review

Good morning everyone! Yesterday, I made a trip to Whole Foods to restock some beauty goods and decided to give a few new ones a try. Obviously, I haven't been able to give them all a whirl yet so all this week, I'll be blogging reviews about them and other products that have yet to be shared with you lovely readers :)

To get started with my Review Week, I'm going to start with John Masters Organic Bare Unscented Body Lotion. I absolutely adore this stuff! I've only had it for less than 24 hours and I already know that it's gonna be a staple in my bath and body routine. I'm a tad bit obsessed with keeping my skin super soft, especially during the harsh winter. And if I'm gonna slather stuff on my entire body, I really prefer for it to be unscented. But sometimes, unscented smells...well, kinda gross. But not this one. This is what unscented should smell like. It's so light and non-greasy     it literally disappears into my skin without any residue. And this morning, I woke up to baby smooth skin. Everything I want in a body lotion.

Okay, so $16.50 may be rather pricey for a body lotion, but I swear to you, it's a luxury that's totally worth it. Made with 9 certified-organic extracts and oils such as sunflower, coconut, and lavender, this body lotion is equipped to handle the driest of skin types.

So there you have it, the first of many reviews. So far so good. I hope all of my other purchases are just as good as this one. Stay tuned for more reviews from brands such as Tarte, Acure, Josie Maran, and Evan Healy.

Quarterly Delivery From No More Dirty Looks

Okay, so this post is long overdue. Back in October, I signed up for an auto-delivery service called Quarterly Co. So what exactly is it? Well, in simple terms, "Quarterly Co. is a subscription service that lets you receive awesome things in the mail." Here's how it works: you choose a contributor that interests you. Contributors consist of all types of influential people: writers, designers, food gurus, entrepreneurs, etc. What they do is, every three months, they send you a package of items of their choosing. "Each product should reflect on the person who selected it, and help inform your understanding of them." The goal is to reconnect with the tangible in a world obsessed with digital.

I chose to subscribe to the lovely ladies of No More Dirty Looks, Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt. For those of you who've never heard of them (you're totally missing out, btw), Siobhan and Alexandra wrote the clean beauty bible, No More Dirty Looks. They also have a blog that goes by the same name (definitely subscribe, it's wonderful).

Anyway, I received my first package in January and I was absolutely delighted with the products. They included a dry body brush by Hydrea London, a Leap Organics lavender bar soap, and a sample of Soapwalla Deodorant Cream. All three have been introduced into my daily routine and I'm so happy, especially with the deodorant. I really admire the Soapwalla company (on Etsy). Made in Brooklyn, all of the products are handmade with organic, vegan ingredients. Best of all, the deodorant cream rocks. I swear it works better than traditional antiperspirants.

My only complaint was the delay on the first shipment. Because Quarerly Co. is a new company, it took them a little while to get organized. Hopefully, my future shipments will be more on schedule. Stay tuned for a post about the next batch of goodies :)

If you want to subscribe to No More Dirty Looks on Quarterly Co. click here! For $25, it's a great way to sample some eco-friendly beauty products.

Going Undercover: A Guide to Natural Foundations/Concealers

Whether you're going the natural route or searching for a conventional one, a good foundation is always tough to come by. One size does not fit all and the hassle of finding your perfect color is enough to drive anyone crazy. And when you're hunting for a natural one, the search gets even harder. But trust me, it's worth the hassle. Natural foundations can do wonders for your skin. You'll have yourself wondering why the hell you ever thought of putting that other crap onto your face.

I've had acne for years and it's been a mission of mine to find a good, eco-friendly foundation to help fake the skin I wasn't born with. Over time, I've sampled a bunch--- everything from tinted moisturizers and concealers to mineral and liquid foundations. Here's a little guide to help you sift through the cover-up jungle.

1. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Loose Powder - $13.95

This has become a mainstay in my routine. I use it to set my foundation and get rid of shine. The coverage is too translucent to be used alone, at least in my opinion. But it gets the job done for a great price. The kabuki brush included is pretty much worthless. I use one from Eco Tools that is far better.

2. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer - $9.95

This was one of the first natural cover-ups that I tried, simply because you can find it in most drugstores and it has a price tag of under ten bucks. Provides light coverage and leaves my skin looking fresh. However, this would probably be more suitable for dry skin, considering all the lovely moisturizers that it contains.

3. Alima Pure Matte Foundation - $22
I was originally a Bare Minerals kind of gal, but after learning that bismuth oxychloride, an ingredient in the popular foundation, may be linked to breakouts, I decided to ditch it. As an alternative, I came across Alima Pure to satisfy my mineral foundation needs. It provides awesome, light coverage without irritating my skin or being too chalky. Finding my color was pretty easy, thanks to their awesome shade selection.

*Alima Pure is currently having a 20% off sale on their matte foundation through February 13th*

4. RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up - $38

Sampled from Spirit Beauty Lounge, this concealer is absolutely fabulous. It's made with only the best ingredients, providing superb nourishment for skin. The coverage is really great, too. Just a little dab on top of a blemish does the trick. Best of all, my tiny little sample lasted forever. A little definitely goes a long way. Hopefully, more shades will be added in the future--- only four shades exist at the moment.

5. Dr. Hauschka Pure Care Cover Stick - $21.95

As the newest addition to my make-up routine, this little stick covers up those pesky pimples that peek through your foundation. Not only does it hide them, but it also treats the blemish with tea tree and manuca oils. I'm slowly starting to realize that I can't live without this product. Definitely worth the money.

6. Dr. Hauschka Translucent Make-Up - $31.95

Currently a staple in my make-up routine, this foundation has a similar texture to Nvey Eco's: light, water-like, and very blendable. Dr. Hauschka is known for infusing soothing plant extracts and oils into their cosmetics, making it a great choice for sensitive skin types. Covers my breakouts nicely while evening out my skin tone. Although the tube is a bit small for the price, it lasts a long time. Just a small dot of foundation goes a long way.

7. Nvey Eco Moisturizing Fluid - $42

This foundation has been hailed as one of the best natural foundations out there. It's used by many professionals which means that it comes with a professional pricetag. I sampled some shades from Spirit Beauty Lounge and was pretty impressed. Despite having a light, water-like texture, this product provided some great, natural looking coverage. Choosing a shade was a bit difficult. Definitely sample some shades before committing to this purchase.

8. Vapour Soft Focus Foundation - $48

After being hailed as the best foundation by Fig & Sage's beauty awards, I had to give this one a try. I ordered some samples directly from their website. The shade selection was very nice. They certainly try to provide products for the very pale, the very dark, and everyone in between. I was satisfied with the medium to heavy coverage; it never looked cakey. However, the texture was a bit odd. It had almost an oily feel to it that was a little hard to blend.

Hope these helped!

What's your favorite natural foundation? Have you ever tried any of these?

Why I Heart Suki: My Quest For Clear Skin

Okay, this isn't exactly breaking news. I've been loving Suki for quite sometime now, but I've never actually blogged about it. Absolute madness!

Made with nothing but the best ingredients, Suki Kramer's natural cosmetic line delivers some serious results. The company is extremely passionate about clean cosmetics. They support fair trade, local sourcing, and organics. Everything is 100% cruelty free and made fresh by hand (goodbye carbon output!). Their formulas are housed in beautiful glass jars to avoid icky plastics. Recycled stock is used for packaging while everything is printed with vegetable based inks. Their suppliers are carefully chosen based on environmental practices. They seriously cover it all.

So what has Suki done for me?

Well, everyone has their skin woes. Mine was acne. Stubborn, self-esteem-robbing acne. I used everything, both chemicals and naturals. You name it, I used it. It was the most frustrating thing ever. There were days that I would just cry simply because I hated my skin. It was that bad.

Then I came across Suki after reading about oil therapy for acne in The Green Beauty Guide. Essentially, the theory suggests combating acne with healthy, non-clogging oils, like jojoba. It sounded crazy to me, considering us acne sufferers have been taught that oil causes acne. But I gave it a go. The book recommended Suki's Balancing Pure Facial Moisture. I also ended up buying Suki's Foaming Cleanser (their most popular item) and Balancing Toner.

After using Suki for a month or so, I saw a huge change. My skin was radiant. I still had some breakouts, but not as severe. I continued to use Suki, in addition to adopting other healthy skin practices. Today, my skin is better than ever, something I'm truly proud of. I've even gone to work without wearing make-up, a huge step for me. Suki really changed my life. It showed me the power of naturals and what they can really do for your skin.

Interested in Suki? Check out their website. They've got solutions for dry/mature skin, rosacea, cystic acne, and more!

What products have solved your skin problems? Have you ever tried Suki? What did you think?

Scotch Naturals Review

After hearing a bunch of hype about Scotch Naturals nail polish, I decided to give it a whirl. I purchased the cocktail trio which includes three polishes, a base/top coat called 'On the Rocks', and a nail buffer for a grand total of $48.99. A bit pricey for my liking, but hey, it was a birthday gift to myself :)

Pictured colors: Lochness Mystery, Morning Glory Fizz, and Leprechaun Lynch

When it comes to nails, I'm not really a traditional color kind of girl. I stay far away from reds and pinks. Luckily, Scotch has some fun colors to choose from (they currently have 17 total). Pictured above are the shades I ended up choosing.

Perhaps it was my screen's resolution, but I was kind of disappointed by the 'real-life' color. Lochness Mystery was darker than expected while Morning Glory Fizz and Leprechaun Lynch were much paler in person. They were still pretty, just not what I expected. But I guess that's what you get when you shop online.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Scotch's polish, they're completely non-toxic and composed of only a few ingredients: water, acrylic polymer emulsion, butoxy diglycol and non-toxic colorants. Pretty impressive, right? Best of all, they barely have a scent at all.

So how does Scotch measure up? Well, I have mixed feelings. The consistency is great, much thinner than traditional polishes, making it easier to apply (at least for me). It also dries wickedly fast, another great perk. However, the pigment is where my problem lies. 

Morning Glory and Leprechaun were very transparent, even after three coats. Granted, my painting skills are pretty crummy so perhaps a professional could do a better job. But check out Leprechaun on my hands. Not so cute.

Maybe I'll give it another shot with thicker coats. On the bright side, I really enjoyed Lochness Mystery. Fabulous color after two thin coats. Look at how awesome it looks on my toes (with my favorite Sanuk sandals, of course).

Overall review:

Pros: smooth consistency, dries quickly, decent staying power

Cons: a bit pricey, pale shades are too transparent

Recommended? Yes, but only for the darker shades :)

Has anyone else tried Scotch Naturals? What did you think of them?

Eco Beach Essentials

This past week has been a wonderful vacation here at my parent's shore house in Manahawkin, New Jersey (near Long Beach Island). It's my favorite place to be, hands down. As a kid, I could never get enough of the beach and I don't think I ever will.

So as a full-blown beach bum, I decided to feature my favorite shore-worthy goods (all eco-friendly, of course). So here they are, collage style :)

Bobble Bottle - $9.99: You can't go to the beach without a water bottle! And if it's not re-useable, you will be getting death stares. This one has a cool replaceable filter for a cheap price tag.

Sanuk Rasta Nectar Sandals - $42.00: These super stylish sandals are made of hemp, recycled rubber, and coconut shells (as buttons!). I absolutely adore them.

Loomstate for Target Shorts: These comfy organic cotton shorts are my fave. Sadly, they're not in stores anymore so I really hope Loomstate does another collection for Target *fingers crossed*

LAVANILLA The Healthy Lip Screen - $16.00: My lips always get burnt at the beach. This stuff protects them like no other and has a sweet minty scent. Perfection.

No More Dirty Looks - $12.00: Best eco-beauty handbook ever. Perfect beach read.

Yarok 'Feed Your Volume' Conditioner - $26.00: Yarok is my new obsession. This conditioner transforms my salty hair into luscious locks. No effort required.

What are some of your favorite vacation essentials?

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

What I'm Loving: Yarok Hair Care

I am happy to report that I have found my hair's new best friend. Meet Yarok.

Yarok means 'green' in Hebrew and they certainly live up to the name. The brand is completely vegan and made with sustainably harvested botanicals and essential oils. No icky chemicals in sight.

I first found Yarok on Spirit Beauty Lounge, where I sampled their 'Feed Your Volume' collection. While the shampoo is very nice, their conditioner is what won me over. It's like magic in a bottle, I swear. It made my hair super soft without ever being greasy. Best conditioner ever, hands down.

Yarok really makes switching to safe hair products a no-brainer. They have everything you need, from mousse and hairspray to shine serum and scalp treatments. They work the same, if not better, than conventional products. Point in case: their 'Feed Your Hold' hairspray holds my Snooki poof better than freaking Aqua Net. Jersey Girl approved ;)

Products range from $13-$49 and they are so worth it.

Check out Yarok's website or sample products at Spirit Beauty Lounge.