Why You Should Start Using Natural Shampoo and Conditioners

I have not blogged about shampoo and conditioners for such a long time, why? Because I don't tend to find them to be anything special, they will either do the job or make my head itchy. There hasn't been a shampoo/conditioner that's been worthy of a blog until now.

For my entire life I have been using shampoo and conditioners jam packed with silicones, parabens and sulphates. Noughty is the first "natural" shampoo I have used that is free from the following:

•  Silicones (wider brands uses this for its' anti-freeze benefits. Noughty leaves silicone out because long term use can lead to product build up and making hair limp/lifeless).
• Parabens (wider brands uses this because it can be aggressive in destroying bacteria, Noughty leaves parabens out because it may cause skin irritations)
•  Sulphates (wider brands uses Sulphates to allow products to foam. Noughty leaves it out because it can strip your hair and skin of it's natural oils)
•  Petrochemicals (wider brands uses this as a smoothing agent. Noughty leaves it out because it can sit heavily on our skin and hair resulting in lank hair)

Noughty is also 100% cruelty free.

PRICE 
$14.99 - $16.99

MY THOUGHTS

• I was extremely hesitant when I was using this duo for the first time. I have heard and read many disappointing stories around "natural" shampoo and conditioners in general. To my surprise, the shampoo lathered and foamed, not as much as some of my other products with Sulphates but lathered more than I expected. The only time it did not lather well was when my hair was quite dirty with a build up of oil and dirt over 3 days - in this case I would just double wash, I do this with regular shampoos too.
• The conditioner applied with ease and provided the same effect as my other conditioners. It was smooth to touch and easy to spread.
• After just one wash I could not believe how silky, shiny and fluffy my hair was - not to mention my hair smelt great. I was expecting the opposite to be honest... that my hair would look dull and unwashed. On the following day, my hair looked just as good and no itchy scalp effect. 
• I have read a couple of other reviews indicating their hair appeared greasy the next day after using Noughty. I have a pretty healthy scalp so I did not experience this. 
• I personally think I am a good candidate for natural shampoo and reacted very well. However please keep in mind that my hair is naturally healthy and quite shiny... but this duo just made it look healthier and shinier MINUS all the nasties. 
• I highly recommend this duo based on my experience!

WHERE TO BUY?

You can find a nice range of Noughty Products at Priceline

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RELAX WITH IKOU - DESTRESS ECO LUXE RANGE

iKOU is an organic Australian brand from one of the most tranquilising part of NSW, the beautiful Blue Mountains. The mountains have a soft spot in our hearts because we hope to move there one day and call it home. Naomi and Paul Whitfeld are the founders of iKOU, their inspiration began in Ubud, Bali. Naomi and Paul wanted to bring home the beauty of spa treatment closer to home, hence creating iKOU to inspire and re-create the holiday routine at home as a part of our everyday life.

iKOU is cruelty free, environmentally and ethically responsible. Their extensive range includes skin care, body care, aromatherapy, lifestyle and travel. Today I wanted to introduce to you their De-Stress 5 Piece Full Size Collection!

Start off with a iKOU Essentials Large Candle Glass De-Stress two wick candle that was hand poured in the Blue Mountains. I have always been a lover of candles, but when I lived with my parents I was never really allowed to light them because dad had a fear that I might burn the house down! Now that I have my own place I love a gentle fragrant candle for some aromatherapy effect after work.

After a long week it's time soak and scrub away your stressors and grime. iKOU's Organic Body Buff is a little pot of exfoliation that is rich in Macadamia Nut Oil, Organic Italian Orange Oil and Lavender Oil. You will feel relaxed cleansed and hydrated. The Body Buff will give you a beautiful physical cleanse from environmental toxins as well as a mental detox; this is iKOU's #1 seller - if you want to give anything a go, it's this! If you have a bath, try iKOU's De-Stress Aromatherapy Bath Soak, it is infused with essential oils. Ever since I started doing Yoga I have become more appreciative of Aromatherapy and it's calming/relaxing qualities, the use of essential oils makes an enormous difference to my mood. Sometimes the week can become stressful and the last thing I want to do is to carry that stress over to my weekend. So a soak on Friday night is always amazing. 

Once I am out of the shower or the bath the first thing I do is moisturise. iKOU's De Stress Body Souffle is one of their best seller and I can see why! The texture is beautifully whipped using a luxurious blend of natural plant butters and oils. It's fast absorbing and long lasting. If you are a regular spa go-er you may have seen or experienced this magical soufflé! Last but not the least is iKOU's De-Stress Geranium and Lavender Hand Cream, this is a triple butter blend with pure essential oils.

WHERE CAN I BUY THIS?

You can purchase the full set from TVSN for $226

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Pur Cosmetics 4 in 1 Foundation Stick - Golden Light - Review + Swatches

Pur Cosmetics is a skin perfecting mineral based makeup and skincare brand based in the US. Their products are 100% cruelty free, free of animal testing and environmentally responsible. Pur is free from parabens, gluten, BPA, talc and alcohol free. Their products are designed to be good for your skin. I am new to Pur Cosmetics and this is the first time I have tried their products so I thought I'd share my thoughts with you guys.

ABOUT PUR 4-in-1 FOUNDATION STICK

• A creamy 4in1 foundation stick that is formulated with Ceretin Complex and skin nourishing Energy Complex to help with concealing.
• The aim is to provide brightening of uneven skin tone, provide supple hydration, reduction in dullness and pores.
• The foundation stick will also protect your skin against environmental stressors such as skin fatigue and signs of ageing. 
• Medium to full coverage
• Creates a natural look to suite all skin types.
• Available in 24 shades
• Size: 9.9g 

Price: $49.95 from TVSN

MY VERDICT

• Packaging: I love the octagonal design and twist up stick. It is easy to store in my purse and  great for touch ups or on the go. 
• Application: I applied the foundation directly from the stick and drew lines on my face, this is then blended by a dense foundation brush. 
• Coverage: As per claim, coverage is medium to full and definitely buildable. I did notice a little bit of clinging to drier patches around my mouth, just make sure you pay a little bit more attention to moisturise the area before you use the foundation stick. 
• Texture: The foundation stick is indeed creamy, however when applying there was this strange gritty sensation which I have read in other reviews.
• Shade: I am a NC25 in MAC and Golden Light suits my skin perfectly, you can see the foundation drawn on my face in the first photo below, it blends in so well that you can barely see it. There's a great shade range, a good amount of options for darker skin tones.
• Finish: A beautiful dewy finish and will cover most blemishes, gave me a "my skin but better" feel. It did a great job with lifting dull skin and hiding my pores. Some of the slightly darker blemishes required concealing. 
• Wear Time: When I did not powder my face, the foundation sat well for 3 hours, at 4-5 hr mark I noticed a little slip on my nose and between my brows. Those are my oily parts. If you use a good setting powder, the foundation may last longer. 

With Pur 4in1 Foundation stick drawn on my face

Pur 4in1 Foundation stick fully blended

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5 Ways to Unwind

1. SKIN

Whilst I never neglect my skin during the weekday I like to pay extra attention to my skin on the weekend. This means deep cleanse, treatment and hydration! Clinique's Cleansing balm will melt away any makeup residue and clear your pores without leaving your skin feeling dry. Once your skin is clean, mix your daily dose of Clinique Fresh Pressed Vitamin C with your moisture surge to treat and hydrate at the same time.

Links:
Clinique Fresh Pressed
Clinique Moisture Surge
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

2. FOOD 

Food, beauty products and travel are probably my three favourite things. We tend to treat ourselves a little over the weekend, whether it's cake or a brunch out. It's a great way to catch up with loved ones or if you are by yourself, read a book or watch the passerbys (is that weird? I love seeing what shoes people are wearing!)

Link:
The Tiny Giant Petersham

3. FILM

We watch a LOT of movies.
I think movies give perspective and taught me how to be a better thinker. After a long day at work movies can also help me unwind - especially the really mindless slapstick comedy. Whether it's at the cinema, on Netflix or something a little bit fancy - the drive in.  It's a little piece of time to yourself or with your friends/loved ones.

Link:
Skyline Drive in Blacktown

4. FIND INSPO

Our apartment is a bit of a mess. Mainly with my mess - beauty products. I have become quite the hoarder and trying really hard to use things up, give things away and throw things out. I really admire people who are able to maintain a large collection of ANYTHING. For me, minimalism really calms my mind. While I don't think I will be able to achieve it any time soon, it soothes me and inspires me to hopefully one day be able to achieve that goal. I saw something I liked at La Porte Space so I took a snap.

Link:
La Porte Space

5. HAIR
Some of my best ideas come about while I am washing my hair. I guess my sensations are stimulated by the hot water massaging onto my scalp. Looking after our hair is important, this is more real to me than ever as my partner's hair started to thin slightly. So I have given him Aveda's damage Remedy to clean, condition and treat. I went to Aveda's store for a hair consultation a long time ago, and they took a close up of my scalp and hair follicles. I will never forget this experience because I then took my partner there and picked up a couple of items to ease his clogged scalp.

Links
Aveda Damage Remedy Shampoo 
Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
Aveda Damage Remedy Conditioner

Everything You Need to Know About Sisley Paris Hair Rituel Revatilising Fortifying Serum

Another year, another innovation launched by the prestigious French brand that is internationally recognised - Sisley Paris. The range takes a "global" approach to hair care looking after your scalp and hair fibre for both men and women. There are 6 phenomenal products in this range to create a sensorial experience during your hair care routine.

WHY SCALP TREATMENT?

The scalp is often neglected post-wash with oils applied to the ends of our hair only. Beneath the scalp, the hair is born and grows from the hair bulb which is a living part of the hair that is invisible to the naked eye. Small blood vessels provide nutrients to the bulb for hair growth, protection, shine and suppleness. The way we nourish our scalp and hair follicles can potentially impact the condition of our hair. I personally found it interesting that we are constantly feeding nourishment to the shaft of our hair that does not have any biochemical activity - in a harsher term, the dead ends of our hair. The treatment applied to shaft of your hair is to condition against harsh environmental aggressors. In conclusion, there needs to be an equal focus to treated your follicles and the ends of your hair.

WHAT ARE THE KEY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS OF HAIR RITUEL REVATILISING FORTIFYING SERUM?

• Vitalising-fortifying complex (Zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, Pro-vitamin B5, Vitamin E derivative) and Arginine (one of the twenty main natural amino acids that make up proteins, particularly keratin) to promote hair vitality. 
• Rice proteins and a Vitamin Peptide (derived from the combination of a peptide made up of 3 amino acids and Vitamin H, known for its action in treating hair loss) to densify hair fibre.
• An extract of Linseed and Einkorn wheat to protect the hair's natural colour
• Soothing Alpha-Bisabolol of natural origin
• An extract of Sage 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAIR RITUEL REVATILISING FORITYING SERUM?

• Creating stronger and denser hair
• Contributing to healthier and stronger, shinier hair 
• Relieves scalp discomfort
• Energises the hair bulb to help keep your hair anchored making it more resistant and protecting your hair's natural colour. 
• Fresh fragrance to complement the effectiveness of the key ingredients

SO HOW DO I USE IT?

Part you hair and use the drop dispenser and apply the droplets directly onto dry or damp scalp. Focus on any areas of hair loss. Massage the oil with your finger tips and use this treatment as an intensive treatment every 2 days for a month, then twice a week for 2 months for maintenance. Do not make contact with your eyes.  

MY 2CENTS

This serum has been split between two households as my mum is a lover of all things Sisley. Since my hair is quite healthy already and I was blessed in the womb with thick glossy jet black hair. I have been relatively conservative in using this serum.. my partner on the other hand wants to bathe his head in the serum. 

There's a bit of a scab on my head and it kept falling off and re-scabbing I can't see it but I can always feel it and it gets itchy. Since using the scalp serum, the scabby patch actually started to heal and the itchiness had stopped. Also wanted to mention that I like to use the serum after I wash my hair.

I've also started to use the serum on my partner who have terrible scalp issues and reported to experience hair loss. I will report back to you guys!

LET'S TALK PRICE

$240 for a bottle of 60ml, let's be honest here - it's not cheap. Sisley Paris as a brand that is established by it's glowing reputation. They do not splurge on celebrity endorsement and put their money into research and science. Personally speaking, there are several luxe brands I will never purchase (especially skincare, I am more open to makeup though) because new products are pumped out with celebrity endorsement. If you are in two minds about purchasing a luxury scalp oil this is something for you to consider. If you are on a budget but looking for an annual or biannual splurge and wanted to try one product from this range - I recommend this scalp serum. If you are happy with what are you are using at the moment and prefer budget items than you can give this product a miss, just make sure you are looking after your scalp! 

WEBSITE
www.sisley-paris.com

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