GREEN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE Hair Heaven

I’ve been keeping a hair diary for a super-exciting project I've got in the works (stay tuned, details to come), which has me thinking about how to green-ify my hair routine. I’m a pretty low maintenance, wash-and-air-dry type of girl, but recently I've had a chance to try some new styles. Here are some tricks I’ve learned from doing my hair diary and playing around with a few of my favorite products.

(Still) Say no to Aerosol

You might remember the controversy about aerosol hair products that came up in the '80s. It turned out the propellant used to force the product out of the can was depleting the ozone layer. These chemical propellants, called CFCs, are now banned in the US. But according to Scientific American, CFC-free aerosols still contain compressed gasses, which contribute to global warming. They also emit volatile organic compounds, which increase air pollution and smog. So if you can’t get enough of your hair spray, look for one in a spray bottle instead of a aerosol can. Mama Earth will thank you (and so will Mama Josie).

Masque it Up

Chances are, you have something in your house right now that will make a great hair masque. I like to use one at least once a month to give my hair a boost of softness and moisture. Lately, I’ve been using my Argan Balm as a masque—it really clings to the hair. I got the idea from my husband, Ali, who uses Argan Balm as a pomade. His hair is always so soft! I just slather some Argan Balm on my hair, wait 1-2 hours, then rinse. Virgin coconut oil and mashed avocado also make great masques. I even have friends who swear by putting mayonnaise on their hair!

Reuse your Accessories

I’ve been trying a lot of new things with my hair lately, including putting  different ornaments in it. I looked at my box of vintage jewelry in a whole new light after realizing that an old brooch makes a great accent piece for a messy bun. I used a beaded necklace as a headband, and a stretchy bracelet as a scrunchie. Because so many flowers are blooming all around our property, I even wove a few blooms into my bun. So many fun looks for summer! 

With love,

Josie

Images Via: Killete Tumblr The Girl Who Keeps Dreaming

GREEN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE skin savers

1. Look for Multi-taskers. There are so many cosmetics to choose from that many of us have cabinets full of stuff we never use. To avoid that kind of wastefulness, look for products that multitask: a lip color that doubles as a cheek color, or a bronzer that makes a great nude eye shadow. The ultimate multi-tasker is my 100% Pure Argan Oil. I put it on my face and body to moisturize, on my hair to tame frizzies, and on my nails to repair rough cuticles.

2. Try a Homemade Toner

Green tea makes a great skin toner. It’s loaded with antioxidants like vitamins C & E and helps counteract irritation caused by dryness. Some people with oily skin swear by Apple Cider Vinegar as a great way to combat shine.

3. Stay hydrated.

Drink lots of water, and you really will see a huge improvement in your skin. If you’re not a fan of water, mix slices of lemon and cucumber into a big pitcher of water. It will lightly flavor the water and give it that all-day-at-the-spa taste.

GREEN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE De-Stress

I loved getting to read all of your homemade uses for my 100% Pure Argan Oil, and it inspired me to go out and search for new and interesting ways to green your beauty routine.  Here are a few of my latest discoveries!

1.  Want to de-stress? Take a bath!
Baths get a very bad rap among us greenies. However, sometimes when we’re looking for a stress-reducing bathing experience, a bath is the way to go. Standing under the showerhead for five to ten minutes letting the hot water de-stress you can actually waste far more water than just running a small bath and soaking for a bit.  I recommend putting a few drops of Argan Oil and 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil into the bath for a soothing, aromatherapy experience. Not a bath kind of gal? Try a heat-safe neck pillow. Pop it in a warm oven for a few minutes to melt away tension in your neck and shoulders.

2. Beautify your garden!
Your garden isn’t just a place to grow lettuce and tomatoes; it’s also a great place to grow natural beautifiers. One of my favorite beauty wonders to grow in my garden is Aloe Vera. It has a beautiful, vibrant green color and because it’s a succulent, it’s relatively low maintenance if you live in a dry area. You can even grow it inside. There’s really nothing better if you accidentally get a sunburn. Just pop open an aloe leaf and use the gel-like pulp to soothe the burn. Other great beauty plants to try in your garden? Avocado to hydrate skin and hair, and chamomile to soothe irritated skin!

3.  Get physical!
As summer is quickly approaching (I can’t wait for barbeques and watermelon!), we should all be slathering on the sunscreen to protect ourselves from the harmful rays that can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. A lot of controversial research has recently been released about the safety of some chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone. That’s why we’re going physical! Look for sunscreens that contain physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Many non-chemical sunscreens will contain both of these ingredients, but if you’re faced with the choice, go for zinc. It blocks UV rays slightly better than titanium dioxide. Sensitive skin? You might find physical sunscreens less irritating than their chemical counterparts. But don’t forget a hat and sunglasses for added protection on super sunny days.