Have previous attempts to find a nature-based hair color left you with little or no choice in color or formula?  Advanced Cosmetics Technologies – ACT Naturals -  makes an all-natural permanent hair color that is a 100% plant-based color. It is free of Para-Phenylene Diamine, which is both an allergen and suspected carcinogen. The formula contains conditioning botanical extracts, it’s vegan, and uses “renewable and sustainable plant dyes,” that tint hair by bonding to it. It’s gentle and does not alter the natural pH balance in your hair. 
Traditional haircolor contains ingredients like ammonia or PPD, which can damage hair (or …read more

John Masters Organics carries a full line of organic products for hair, skin, body, and pets. Yes, pets. His Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Dogpoo is endorsed by PETA and contains natural ingredients that help your dog to have a beautiful, healthy, shiny coat, without irritating dog’s sensitive skin.  It naturally wards off both fleas and ticks with fragrant Citronella and Eucaplytus.
The dog shampoo is cruelty-free and  John Masters will donate a $1 from the sale of each bottle to the Animal Haven  no-kill sanctuary in New York City.
Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Dogpoo
$20 for 16 ounces
Below is a list of some …read more

I used to be a hairdresser. I loved the job, but I quit it when I became a stay-at-home mom.  I still cut the hair of family and friends (and myself, it’s tricky, but I rarely trust anyone else), but I only do it for fun now. Hair is usually the first thing that I notice when I meet a person. I’m not a style-snob, but I’m no fan of dirty hair, no matter what the excuse. Dirty hair does not look attractive, it smells bad, and can lead to breakouts. Yuck.
I read some advice in a magazine the other …read more

I picked up the November 2009 issue of InStyle magazine.  I found a lot of great styles and beauty tips. One section talked about 10 ways To Look 5 Years Younger.  Here are a few of the tips that I found especially useful:
*Don’t over-highlight blond hair. The golden tones are what you want. Jennifer Aniston is the perfect example. Only Gwen Stefani call truly pull off platinum.
*When choosing jeans, look for a pair with at least 2 percent Lycra. The stretch will help to support your figure and it makes your butt look better.
*See a fitting expert to help you …read more

ULTA salons recently introduced “a ground-breaking collection of one-of-a-kind hairstyles.”  These styles are inspired by high fashion and recent looks seen on the runway. Runway Your Way focuses on three style personalities.
*Uptown Chic: This look was inspired by the Miu Miu runway and features a short layered do. It’s sophisticated, but sassy.
*Modern Rock: A mid-length classic cut with a modern twist, like those seen on the runway of Marc Jacobs.
*Urban Luxe: Long, feminine, and wavy. This look was seen recently on the Louis Vuitton runway.
ULTA salons are allowing me to run this printable coupon that is good for $10 off …read more

I’ve talked about EO products before. I’ve tried bath and shower gels, moisturizer, hand cream, and anti-bacterial hand spray. The products are made with good-for-you ingredients and are scented with essential oils. I’ve loved everything that I’ve tried and I use a number of the products daily. EO products are made without Parabens, Polysorbate, Disodium EDTA, or Sudium Laureth/Luaryl Sulfate. 
EO has a line of hair products and they sent me some things to try. I used to be a hairdresser, so haircare is something that I take seriously. I have color-treated hair, so they sent me the shampoo and conditioner …read more

If you live in or around the Minneapolis area, you are in luck. Horst Rechelbacher and Brad Schlaeger of Intelligent Hair and Skin by Accolades recently announced the opening of the first USDA Certified organic salon. 
What: Intelligent Nutrients Headquarters in Minneapolis
Where: 983 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55414
The salon offers traditional services like hair cuts, waxing, color, corrective color, foiling, glazing, perms, updos, and blow-outs.
For more information or to book an appointment contact 612-617-2011 or take a look at the Intelligent Hair and Skin website.
If you can’t get to the salon, the Intelligent Nutrients hair care line is available online.
70% …read more

Aveda.com has quite a few sample-size starter sets of their skin and hair care lines available. These sets are good for a couple of reasons. First, they are a great way to try different products in the Aveda arsenal and second, they are travel-size, so perfect for stowing in a bag. The sets range in price from $17.50-$31.00.
Here are a couple that I’m interested in…….

Oily/Normal Skin Care Starter Set
$31
The set contains everything you need for a basic cleansing and hydrating routine, including a Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser 1.7 fl oz/50 ml, Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant 1.7 fl oz/50 ml, Botanical …read more

Intelligent Nutrients has a line of hair products that are certified organic by the USDA. They are calling it “100% Nontoxic Plant Chemistry.”  I’ve been holding out and using my old stand-by shampoo and conditioner, but after the research I did on dangerous ingredients, I realize that the suds on my head could really be harming my health. 
Here are a few of the products that are carried at Beauty.com….
Intelligent Nutrients
Certified Organic Total Body Cleanser
$29 – 6.7 fl oz (200 ml)
This “cleanser” is for the body, as well as the head. It contains an Antioxidant Intellimune™ Seed Oil Complex, Saponified …read more

When I was a hairdresser, various vendors would visit the salon. Sometimes they were salespeople with no real experience in hair design, but many were very knowledgeable and sometimes we were treated to demonstrations. I loved that part of working in a salon – learning about new products, new techniques. It was exciting.
One of my favorite demonstrations was given by a rep from Aveda.  The focus of their demo was aromatherapy. I was the demo model and I remember that my skin responded to the products  we used incredibly fast. Another thing I remember, Shampure with was and still is …read more