Best conditioners for co-washing


I have posted before about co-washing, and have debated whether it really worked for me.

 After two years of off and on and several months of  serious trial I believe co washing is the way to go. Fact is I have been co-washing faithfully for 4 months now (with an occasional shampoo to clarify) and when I recently tried to go back to a traditional shampoo and then condition my hair was awful.

There any many, many post on co-washing on "curly- girl" and ethnic hair care sites but I have found that many  of those recommended conditioners do not work well for straighter, less dry hair and scalp types.

 I have found the key to a good cowash conditioner is one that has little to no silicones or heavy conditioning agents. Avoid ones with any silicones high on the ingredient list and avoid dimethicone completely, as it tends to the the "strongest" silicone and can cause buildup quicker, requiring some form of surfactant to remove.  Silicones aren't bad but if you want to co -wash a conditioner with alot of silicones will not leave your hair feeling clean. It will be greasy and heavy feeling.


Look for conditoners that contain one or more the following :

    cetrimonium chloride
    stearyalkonium chloride
    stearamidopropyl dimethylamine
    dicetyldimonium chloride
    behentrimonium methosulfate

These are what cleanses your hair .

 Go cheap!! Really, hit the dollar store. Some of the no name $1.00 conditioners are great options for co -washing.

If you want a bit more moisture in your cleansing conditioner look for ones that have glycerin or even oils lower on the ingredient list. Oils are what I consider a natural alternative to silicones.


 After testing lots of conditoners (All the vo5's, White Rain and Suave Naturals plus a handful of no name brands) here is what I have found from my experience.

 The best conditioners for co- washing are-

Suave Daily Clarifying conditioner- best overall performance period.

Suave Everlasting Sunshine conditioner - best scent.  Most of the Suave naturals have almost identical  ingredients just different scents so if you prefer a different scent go for it. However, I say avoid the insanely popular Suave Coconut it contains ammonium xylenesulfonate which can dry out hair.

Silkience spa haus salon conditoner- only sold at Dollar Tree- best for moisturizing without being heavy

  Vo5 and White rain are also really popular,  but didn't make my best of list simply because I really think these others out perform them. I did review Vo5 conditioners in the past but again I feel the ones listed above are better. However, I will give Vo5 Chamomile Tea Therapy honorable mention.  White Rain is good, its just getting harder to find.

  I tend to alternate my conditioners, mostly out of bordom and the fact that I am a product junkie and like to try new things. Then once every two weeks or so I shampoo with a non conditioning shampoo- such as Suave Daily Clarifying or even a cheap generic baby shampoo. ( I prefer shampoos that only contain sodium laureth sulfate- not LAURYL its to strong) My hair has never felt softer or been more manageable. Now if it would just grow super long, but thats another story.

                 Baby Powder as Face powder

 Yes, baby powder is a fantastic, dirt cheap setting powder for your foundation, especially if you have oily skin.

Think about it, one of the major ingredients in many loose and pressed powders is talc. What is baby powder? - talc. Unless of course you get the cornstatch version (which is NOT recommended for oily skin as cornstarch can lead to breakouts when it mixes with the oil on skin.)

  When I used to purchase pressed or loose powders I always look for the main ingredient to be talc as I know it holds up best on my uber oily skin. Covergirl, Maybelline, N.Y.C., Coty Airspun and many others all use talc in their powder formulations.

 I know there is alot of hype out ther about talc being bad and being linked to cancer, however, that has been debunked (for more info. on that go to cosmeticcop.com and start your own research there)  Still there is alot of misinformation running around out there making talc "evil" as well as many other well know, widely used ingredients, such as silicone, mineral oil and petroleum jelly. Obviously if you have a talc allery, avoid it, but other than that I cannot see the harm in using it.

  When using baby power for your setting powder it is a bit different than traditional  powders. First off baby powder is much, much more finely milled than any other powder I have ever used. Second, a little goes a long, long way.

Baby powder can make a huge mess. I have an old loose powder container with a sifter lid that I transfer mine into so I can shake some into the lid. If you don't have that you can always sprinkle some baby powder into a small dish, or a plastic lid off of most any jar and go from there.


 Baby powder is best applied with a fluffy brush, so you can lightly dust your face. Going to heavy will, without a doubt, leave you WHITE. Now if thats the look you need or want, go for it.  However, since most people want to look natural, go light and add more if need be until you reach your desired look.

Baby powder does not really give added coverage like some traditional makeup powders do. So make sure your foundation gives the coverage you need. Baby powder is strictly for setting and oil absorbtion. Also, make sure your foundation is the right shade for you. If its to light the baby powder will make you look to pale. However, if your foundation is to dark, a healthy layer of baby powder can help lighten it up.

 If you think baby powder is way to light for you anyway you can always cut it with your favorite loose powder to bump up its oil absorbing properties, or you can give yourself a super light dusting over top your already powdered face.

 My favorite way to use baby powder is to use up all the old loose powders I have around ) I am a product junkie

I used to  mainly use Coty Airspun loose powder or N.Y.C (which are both owned by Coty), however I wanted a truly untinted face powder so I mixed baby powder with my Coty since I hate to waste product. I mix it 3/4 baby powder to 1/4 Airspun. Its probably going to take me a year to use it all but thats okay.  I also perfer a matte face so I pat on the baby powder mix with a fluffy puff then I buff it with a small kabuki brush.  I am light and this can leave me a bit pale, but not ghostly, and I fix that with bronzer and a nice pop of peachy blush. 

 I donot think I will ever go back to traditional powders, as baby powder works so well for me. I use it over Revlon Colorstay and I may touch up my face once or twice a day, even in 100 degree weather. Thats huge for me. Also it never cakes or looks heavy.

 Give it a try, I get mine at the dollar store for yes, a dollar. I only buy the ones that contain talc and fragrance- no other ingredients. As for the baby powder scent, it does dissapate and you do get used to it after a while.

  Pantene - the myth, the lies, and the truth

 Now, for years and years I have heard all the glamour and horror stories about Pantene and I personally have used Pantene off and on for years and years and I am willing to say
that I never had any issues. However, I am a product junkie and can never seem to commmit to one product for more than a few months (Oh hell, who am I kidding, weeks). Pantene is the only shampoo and conditioner that my husband and daughter will use.  I have done alot of researchin the past 10 years and read countless reviews. It seems people either love or hate Pantene and even have some pretty strange beliefs about the product.


Some of the things I have read are "Pantene is the devil"- whatever, "Pantene kills your hair"- hair is dead anyway nothing can "kill" it, "Never use Pantene, it is so bad for your hair"- myth, "Pantene makes your hair fall out"- myth- although alot of people take this as fact, "Pantene contains bad chemicles"-myth, "Pantene contains wax"-lie, better yet "floor wax- lie" "Pantene worked great at first then stopped working and dried my hair out"-  myth- it doesn't stop working, however, there is some truth to this- explained later. I have even read the most outrageous lie that "Pantene contains animal urine" this one supposedly came from a hairdresser.

  On the other hand I have also read claims that "Pantene saved my hair", "Nothing makes my hair prettier than Pantene.," "Pantene is the best ever". "I have used Pantene for 20 plus years and will never use anything else". "I only get compliments on my hair when I use Pantene."

 Now, how can one product have such rave reviews and horrible stories about it at the same time. Lets break it down.


 First off Pantene is not a magical potion. It contains ingredients found in virtually every other shampoo and conditioner on the market today. Yes, even some "all natural" and sulfate free shampoos contain ingredients found in Pantene. I mean, really, there are only so many ingredients out there that can clean or condition hair.


What Pantene does contain in both its shampoos and conditioners are silicones. Now, silicones have thier own set of myths and lies regarding them but what it boils down to is this. Silicones are great hair conditioners-fact. However, silicones can cause buildup-fact. Pantene is not the only shampoo/conditioner system to use silicones-fact. Most shampoos (especially conditioning shampoos) and conditioners on the market use silicones-fact. Pantene does however, use alot of silicones in its products.

  Silicones are responsible for making hair smooth, soft and shiny but when they build up hair will look dry, dull, feel almost like straw and can possibly cause eventual breakage. Those with thinner, healthier hair will notice build up quicker than those with very dry, damaged ,overprocessed and coarse hair. Dry/damaged/coarse hair needs more conditioning which is why it takes longer for buildup to be noticed.  Silicones are not the only conditioning product to cause build up.  ALMOST EVERY CONDITIONING PRODUCT WILL CAUSE BUILDUP EVENTUALLY, including oils, which are a big  natural conditioning agent. Therefore, a weekly or bi-weekly "deep cleaning" using a "clarifying" or silicone free shampoo will remove this build up. I think a weekly deep clean is needed no matter what shampoo/conditioner you use, unless it is truly silicone/oil free. Or, you can just simply "rotate" different shampoos and conditioners, as the different formulations can assist in removing  old build-up but then the cycle starts again. Build up is why many people claim thier shampoo and conditioner "stops working".

Pantene shampoos (the most current formulation as of early 2012) use sodium lauryl sulfate as their main cleansing agent. Again, much like silicone, sulfates have their own myths and lies surrounding them. We could go on all day about sulfates but here is the bottom line.

  Sodium Lauryl sulfate is a strong detergent cleanser. IT IS NOT HARMFUL.IT DOES NOT CAUSE CANCER OR ANYTHING ELSE!!!! However, it can cause scalp and hair dryness in SOME people. One way to tell if you are sensitive to sodium lauryl sulfate is if your head starts to itch a few day after continued use. I have this issue so I have learned to avoid ALL shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate as it is NOT only used in Pantene. I only use shampoos that contain sodium laureth sulfate and few to no conditioning agents in conjunction with co-washing (another post). Pantene does try to buffer the effects of sodium lauryl sulfate with alot of conditioning agents in many of its it shampoos, so the shampoos themselves also can cause eventual build-up.

 Here's the lowdown. If you want to give Pantene a try go for it. They are, after all, the biggest name in hair care. Pantene conditoners are some of the best on the grocery store shelves for giving you shiny, silky hair. If you really liked Pantene but changed brands because you think it "stopped working" go ahead and use it just use a non-conditoning shampoo once a week or so ( Suave naturals are great for this)  to remove build up. If you are sensitive to strong cleansers don't use Pantene shampoo, (or any other shampoo using sodium lauryl sulfate and even TEA-lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and ammonium xylenesulfonate for that matter). 

 The best advice I can say it do some research on shampoo/conditioner ingredients, and read the back of the shampoo/conditioner bottle.

  For more in depth information on sulfates and silicones visit the beautybrains.com or cosmeticcop.com ingredient list. They are very helpful websites based on science and not myths or personal beliefs about ingredients or scaremongering like some "all natural" websites promote.

     Some popular co-washing conditioner reviews.

 I have what I would consider long, normal to thinner hair that is color treated ( It's been every shade of brown,  and many years ago blonde, and now black). Its slightly wavy to wavy (in high humidity). I have hair with dry/damaged/fragile length and oily roots, otherwise known as "combination hair". If you have this hair type you know what I mean and what a bear it is to work with. Needless to say, co-washing has been a problem for me. However, I have been able to make it work and the following conditioners are ones I have used (so far, as I am always looking for the perfect conditioners) , along with there reviews (and know I am hard to please when it comes to hair care).


 Please keep in mind these reviews are for co-washing purposes only as I have found there are different results for these as used as a regular wash out conditioner following a shampoo.


  The cult favorite- 


Suave Tropical coconut conditioner-

 Smells great as we all know, slightly thicker than some and seems to somehow feel "rich" yet light and cleansing at the same time. Detangles well. My hair was left "fluffy" light, yet moisturized, maybe slightly "coated" but it loooked great. No leave in needed.  No wonder everyone loves this stuff. However, the next morning my hair felt really greasy/dirty I considered a shampoo but instead used a different co. The jury is still out on this one.



    VO5 conditioners-
 

 Strawberries and Cream-

  I love this smell! So yummy and creamy but may be cloying to some.
Light and creamy but feels "rich" like the Sauve coconut. Unfortunately, I needed to use 1/3 of the bottle for my hair to feel clean. Needed no leave-in. Left my hair nice but felt a little filmy. Don't think this will make the final cut.


 Vanilla Mint Tea Therapy-  light and cleans well. Loved the scent in the shower. Needed alot on my length to detangle. My hair was left feeling clean and light but my ends were a bit dry so I needed a leave-in while using this. I did like the performance but the scent lingers and it does not smell as good hours later as it did in the shower. Won't use this again, only because I don't like the scent.


Chamomile Tea Therapy- Performs just like the Vanilla Mint without the scent. The scent is light and calming. Hair was clean, but needed leave-in. This one is staying in rotation.


Extra Body formula-  WOW! This one was the closest to my Salon Grafix or L'oreal Evercreme cleansing conditioners. I don't care for the scent of this but it does leave hair fresh and clean.  Hair is moisturized from root to tip with no film. I'd keep this but due to the scent the Chamomile Tea wins.

Split Ends Formula- This is so, so hard to find in my area, fact is I have only found it at my Family Dollar. Not worth the hunt for it. Performs almost like Extra Body formula but leaves the slightest film , the scent is fresh but almost masculine and I don't care for it.

Blackberry Tea Therapy- Perfomers just like the other tea therapy conditioners (I mean they are basically all the same) . Has a soft berry scent that doesn't really linger. However, for me, the Chamomile Tea is my first choice.


Kiwi Lime- Another cult favorite. Performs well, for me pretty much identical to the strawberries and cream. I tire of the scent quickly. Again out off all the vo5 choices the Chamomile Tea is my choice

Making co-washing work for normal/thin hair types with oilier roots.                                      

Now, I have done a previous post about weather or not co-washing is worth the hype. I had conclude it wasn't for me. However, I believe my thoughts have changed.

 I had a bout of colitis that wrecked havoc upon my hair and skin. My hair went nuts. It seemed to beome thinner and just about every shampoo I used (except for a generic baby shampoo or baby body wash- both containing the milder sodium laureth sulfate and little to no conditioning agents) made my scalp itch and just about every conditioner left my hair feeling greasy, heavy or coated. (there was a few exceptions to that namely Sauve Naturals coconut which I did another post on.)

 I have been fasinated with WEN but am way to cheap to pay that amount for a hair product. My daughter had a cleansing conditioner by Salon Grafix which I tried on a whim, and was seriously impressed by (that is a future post) and I began researching again.

I have found that in all of these cleansing conditioners there is nothing special. They are basically just conditioners with little to no silicones, very mild, non-surfactant "cleansers" found in most conditioners anyway, and a bunch of herbal extracts. The process of how you wash your hair is much different than a traditional shampoo and condition, and there in lies the key to getting co-washing to work, especially if you have "normal" to thinner, straight to wavy hair with dry ends and an oilier scalp.


 First, I went out a bought a bunch of vo5 conditioners to try. In the past, I have used the ever popular Kiwi and Lime and Strawberries and Cream without much success so I bought the Extra Body, Split Ends formula, Blackberry Tea Therapy, Chamomile Tea Therapy, and Vanilla Mint Tea Therapy "flavors".  I also had Suaves Tropical Coconut on hand. ( I will do a future post and review each of these based on strictly a co-washing standpoint) I am cheap and  got each of these  (vo5) for less than a dollar (.66 to .75 cents) a piece on sale. Even at full price off $1.00 for 15 oz. it is much cheaper than the $8.00 for 12 oz. of Salon Grafix cleansing conditioner or $6.00 L'oreal Evercreme.

 Process:

   1. wet hair completely- not just a quick rinse- make sure it is soaking wet.

   2. Apply a palm full off the conditioner to your roots

   3. Massage it in very, very, very well.  I'm talking a few minutes. I actually turn my shower off during this process as it is lengthy and do not want to waste water.

  4. Add a tad more water if need be to make the conditioner "foam", it won't really foam per say but the water seems to help it "shampoo" better

 5. Add another palmful to the length of your hair, if your hair is longer than shoulder length

 6. Comb through with a wide tooth comb, starting at ends and working up to remove tangles, then comb root to tip.

 7. Do other shower duties, wash, scrub, shave etc.

 8. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE - I can't sress this enough you really do need a  long thorough rinsing, especially at the roots.


    Viola!!  you have just co-washed.

 Now, while this seems like a pain, and it does take longer, it is actually much, much easier than a seperate shampooo and condition once you have it down.

  I am still in the perfection process, but I have went 8 days till a shampoo, which is unheard of for me. Once I find the perfect combo of conditioners ( I still cannot use the same conditioner more than 2-3 days in a row as I feel its "building up") I may be able to go a month shampoo free which will be amazing.

            Homemade Laundry Powder

                       Ok, this post goes along with my homemade fabric softener post.

 I have made this before but sometimes get lazy and just go to the dollar store and buy SUN powdered laundry detergent which is a 1lb. box for $1.00 but honestly this, though a little time consuming, is better in my opinion.  While using this recipe my clothes just seemed cleaner and smelled fresher. There are many recipes floating around the net for laundry detergent and most call for 3 or more ingredients, usually including borax and washing soda. I do not have hard water so I donot think these ingredients are a must. Besides, for me, after buying all the stuff most recipies want its just as economical and easier to get SUN at the Dollar Tree. So, again, I have tweeked my recipe to make it super easy.



 Simple-


1 bar soap

2 cups baking soda

cheese grater  ( I got one at the dollar store for, yes, a dollar and it works fine for this)



Grate one bar of soap into a container with a lid, add the 2 cups of baking soda and mix well.  Use 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) to 1/4 cup for heavily soiled loads


Grating the soap is the most difficult part of this whole thing. My cheese grater tends to get clogged up and my arm hurts after a while, especially if I'm making big batches (which I tend to do) I think if my grater didn't grate as fine as it does I wouldn't have an issue but then I'm afraid I might have little soap particals left on my clothes as I only wash in cold water. This little inconvience is not enough to stop me from making the laundry detergent but it is a head's up.

 I prefer Jergens soap. Many people use Fels Naptha, which is a laundry soap. It can be hard to find and runs about $1.00 a bar. Some people use Ivory but I am allergic to Ivory soap. I don't know what in it but whatever it is makes me itch terrible. I have heard Cashmere Bouquet works well but that is another hard to find soap but its only $1.00 for a 2 or 3 pack if you can find it. I like Jergens because its 3 bars for $1.00 at Dollar Tree or sometimes $2.69 for a 8 pack at Walgreens or Rite-aid. Plus I love the clean soapy smell to it and  I can also use it on my body with no problems. I do not recommend using "luxury" soap for this. Keep away from Dove and Caress and those types of moisturizing bars. They will not clean as well, plus they are way more expensive than the others which negates the whole reason to make your own laundry powder.


 My husband is a mechanic and can get very dirty.  This removes heavy dirt just fine, I just add a little extra. For my whites I add the dollar store version on Oxy clean- they are just a white as when I used bleach but don't have the bleach smell.

 Try it. If you don't like it use the remaining soap up in the shower and use the baking soda in your bath or as an occasional face scrub.

          HOMEMADE FABRIC SOFTENER



Now, I know this is a beauty blog,  and you may think fabric softener has nothing to do with beauty. However, this truly does deal with beauty products, so, here me out.


I went on a co-washing binge with cheap-o vo5 and suave conditioners and bought just about evry "flavor" but, I soon realized co-washing wasn't really cutting it for me (I found Salon Grafix cleansing conditioner which is like a miracle, but thats another post). Anyway, I had literally about a dozen bottles of conditioner that no one in my household was going to use up. So, what do I do with it all. I'm to cheap to throw it out and besides thats just wasteful. I don't use shaving cream, just my regular soap/bodywash so I wasn't going to use it for that. I use it to wash the dogs but at the rate they are bathed it'll take forever to use up and I hate to have unused stuff laying around cluttering up the linen closet.

 So why not make fabric softener?  Fabric softener is basically conditioner for your clothes right? So, I fished around the web and came across a few recipies. Now, all that I came across call for vinegar, and I 100% hate the smell of vinegar. I know it fades but I cannot bear the smell for even a little bit so I tweeked the recipe.

Simple:

     2 cups of  cheap hair conditoner

     6 cups of hot water


 Really thats it! Don't want to measure- fine

 To make it even simpler you can break it down like this-


 1- 15 0z. bottle of v05 conditioner, any scent you prefe,r to 6 cups of  hot water

 1- 22.5 oz. (family size ) bottle of Suave naturals conditioner, any scent you prefe,r to 11 cups of hot water.


 I dump the conditioner into a big pot on the stove and add the water. I generally make a huge (gallon or 2) batch at a time, its easier for me and I do alot of laundry. I heat the mixture a bit , stirring till the conditioner and water are completely mixed. Then I pour  it into old gallon milk jugs.

 You can then add this to your rinse cycle like regular fabric softener, put it in a downy ball or soak an old washcloth or microfiber cloth with it and throw it in the dryer. It works just as well as expensive fabric softener and you can customize your own scent!

  One gallon of farbric softener costs me $2.00 or less to make!!  You can't even get it that cheap a the dollar store.

 In my area the large Suave Naturals is only $1.50 at Walmart and Vo5 is sometimes as low as .69 cents on sale. Even after I use up my ton of conditioner I will never go back to store bought fabric softener! It gives me more money to spend on makeup or rationalize spending the $8.00 on my cleansing conditioner!!

                   Product review-- Covergirl Lipslick in

   "EDGY"

 When it comes to makeup, especially lipcolor, I am a junkie and very fickle. I am always looking for the perfect lipcolor, and usually tend to lean torward bright red or pink colors but this little purple baby in the lilac tube has changed my mind.

  Covergirl Lipslicks have been around for as long as I can remember and I can still pick them up just about everywhere, including my local grocery store for around three bucks or so.


  Lipslicks are what I consider a lipstick/balm cross. Covergirl markets them as a  gloss but they really have more of a balm texture with sheer lipstick color.   I have tried lipslicks in the past but always passed over this shade. Edgy is a deep plum, almost a blackened purple looking color in the tube. On my lips it comes out a sheer grape/ blackberry hue with a hint of brown. I think its neutral. I cannot see any orange tones nor can I see any true purple/ fushia tones. To much of either of these shades for me and this would have went to straight to the trash.  I have read posts comparing Edgy to Cliniques Almost Lipstick in "Black Honey", most posts say it's a great cheap dupe for Clinique.  

I have never tried "Black Honey" , which is  generally considered one of those universally flattering go-with-everything hues and I think Edgy would fit into that catagory. I think Edgy would work with most skin tones. On my fair/light skin ( that I think is really hard to find a great lipcolor) it works well, giving me a punch of color. Its dark yet sheer and dare I say "edgy".  Being dark it will not throw you into goth territory but it still has a bit of a rocker edge when paired with darker smokier eyes. It can also give a classic fresh faced look when paired with minimal eye makeup. No matter what your style I think you can pull of this shade. It would look good weather you were wearing a formal gown or sweats or jeans and a T. Plus its a shade that would work year round. Deep enough for fall winter, sheer enough for spring summer.

  Edgy feels light and smooth. Not heavy and waxy like chapstick. Also, I found it has no taste or scent. I have read many, many reviews saying it has an "old" lipstick type scent and taste but my tube does not. I do not know if Covergirl has updated the formula but my tube is scent free and tasteless. I found that the wear time is typical of a balm or gloss. It won't make it through a heavy meal  or a few drinks and you won't get more than a few hours wear out of it period, but its so user friendly you can apply it without a mirror. It leaves my lips feeling moist and does not dry them out like a typical lipstick can and it is not one bit sticky like glosses can be.

   I am truly impressed with this $3.00 lippy and think its worth giving it a try even if you think its out of your comfort zone.

                             


        Aloe Vera Gel as a face primer

While surfing the web I came across quite a few posts about using Aloe Vera gel as a makeup primer. Well, being bored and since I knew I had a tube of Aloe Vera gel in my medicine cabinet from last summer I decided to put it to the test.

 Now, many people recommend Fruit of the Earth 100% pure Aloe Vera Gel (which isn't truly 100% aloe vera, it does have other ingredients).  Fruit of the Earth is cheap enough and can be found at most Walmart's.  However, what I had in my cabinet was a generic green Aloe Vera gel from CVS drug store. Regardless, I think most cheapy aloe vera gels will work as long as the ingredient list is short, contains no alcohol, and aloe vera is listed close to the top.  I donot think clear or green tinted aloe vera gel makes a difference as the green does not show up on your face.  Pure Aloe Vera is way to sticky for this purpose, so save it for your scrapes and burns.

After cleansing and moisturizing (if you so choose. I have very, very oily skin so I do not moisturize in the am.) Apply a thin layer of Aloe Vera gel over your face avoiding your eye area. Let it dry completely before applying foundation.


 Performance-

 Upon initial application the aloe vera gel felt slightly sticky but dry, an odd combination to me. However, when it dried completely all I could feel was a slight tightness to my skin which was actually kind of pleasing. My skin felt firm.

 After applying my foundation and powder I was seriously impressed. My skin looked perfect. Poreless and fresh. I usually use Milk of Magnesia as a primer and while it keeps oil at bay for a long time, it can tend to make my skin look a bit dry until my makeup "sets up". I loved how I looked.

 However, after a few hours I started to look shiny. I have never had this when using Milk of Magnesia as a primer. I needed to do a powder touch up to regain that perfect look. I do not want to have to touch up ever few hours. I am a fix- it- and -forget- it kind of girl when it comes to makeup. I know I cannot go touch up free but I can easily go 6 to 8 hours without a touch up with my normal routine.



   So, based on personal performance Aloe Vera is a no go for me. My skin is just to oily for this. I need to stick with Milk of Magnesia as my primer. But if you have normal, normal/combination to even dry skin it may be worth your while to give aloe vera gel a try before investing in pricer primers. It may just work beautifully for you.

               Cat eye look- made easy

  The cat eye look seems to be a hot trend the last few years, but really its a classic makeup style that anyone can wear everyday.  Its probably one of the easiest looks to create, even though it seems everyone tries to complicate it. I particulary love the cat eye because its an eye look that goes with every single makeup look, be it any bold lip shade from reds, pinks, fushia, plums, browns, corals,  to bare lips with clear gloss/ balm and brighter rosy/ peachy cheeks, or  shiny nude lips and bronzed skin.

  To create your cat eye you need to first decide what your eyeliner preference is and use black.

 1. Pencil and/or eyeshadow- pencil is easy and the most user friendly. I still use pencil set with eyeshadow everyday. It gives me a thick, soft cat eye look that looks less harsh than liquid and its my personal preference.  I do think if you use pencil you really need to set it with shadow to give it enough intensity.  Try- Wet n Wild kohl eyeliner in black .99 cents it's creamy and won't tug. Top with Cover Girl eyeshadow single in shimmmering onxy around $3.00 - a rich black with slight shimmer and not much fallout, or, you can also just apply the eyeshadow wet with a brush to get a nice look.

 2. Gel/cream- This maybe the best of both worlds. You can get a more presise , rich line with gel vs. pencil, though still not as crisp or thin as liquid. Gel is a bit easier to work with than liquid but almost as intense and is generally long lasting. Try- Wet -n-wild cream eyeshadow around $3.00 creamy, rich color that sets quick and won't budge use a different brush than the one it comes with to apply. E.L.F essentials concealer brush $1.00 actually works great.

 3. Liquid- the go to for a true cat eye. Liquid liner produces the thinnest, cleanest,  most presise and intense line. However, liquid can be difficult to work with if you haven't practiced and its very easy to screw up your perfect cat eye with liquid. Try- E.L.F essential liquid eyeliner $1.00 liquid or pen form is great for experimenting. The pen is easier to use but dries out quick. Jordanna, N.Y.C and Wet-n-Wild also make a cheap pen type liquid eyeliner if your curious. When your an expert at the cat eye try Wet-n-Wild H2o liquid eyeliner $3.00 its  intense, truly water proof and will not budge when set.


    Regardless of what  type liner you choose to use the application is the same.

 Prep eyelids. If you don't normally wear true foundation fine, but the key to any good makeup look is its base. So, either coat your lids and undereye area with concealer or foundation (or both) and then set with a face powder. Some people swear by eyelid primer, personally I think a foundation/concealer/powder base is far better plus it gives you a totally even and clean canvas.

 Second, apply your eyeliner from inner to outer corner, following the contour of your eye, slightly thickening the line torward the outer corner of your eye. At the outer corner extend the eyeliner line slightly out and up at an angle (like your going to draw the line to meet the far end of your eyebrow.) How far you take your little "wing" is up to you. The farther you go the more dramatic the look. I never really go more than a 1/4 of an inch, which seems to be the "classic" length.

 Curl and coat top lashes only with a ton of mascara.

 Truly, that is all the cat eye look calls for. Thats it very simple.

 Many makeup artists will say use a neutral eyeshadow on the lid or a highlighter on the brow bone but I do not use any eyeshadow with this look as I think it looks cripser, cleaner and fresher that way.

Coconut oil - beauty master?

                            

It seems that coconut oil has reached a god-like status in the world of beauty, it is a seemingly go- to product that promises everything from long, gorgeous hair to super smooth, silky skin but is it really worth the hype?

 Yes and no.


 Now, I have read hundreds of reviews on coconut oil, dozens of articles on its benefits, and I have used it personally for every use mentioned, and here is my two cents on the subject.

 First of all, in my experience, you don't need the "special" coconut oil that is everything from cold- pressed, to super xtra- virgin, to organic, to only purchased at health food stores,  etc. etc. etc. I have bought a ten dollar platic tub of coconut oil in Wal- Marts vitamin section ( which I can't seem to find anymore) and a ten dollar glass jar at my local grocery store's so called "organic" section  (which is the only place that I can seem to find it) and they both have performed just as well. I will not pay more than ten dollars for a jar of coconut oil as there is truly no reason to (unless maybe its a gallon jug)

  Coconut oil does have some pretty outstanding uses. It is very healthy to cook with and has all kinds of health benefits when taken internally but, we are talking beauty.  It excells there also.

Coconut oil can be used as:

 a makeup remover- melt a bit between hands, work into skin, wash off with regular cleanser
 a facial cleanser- use a large amount, work into skin, tissue off or remove with hot wash cloth
 a facial moisturizer-  use a pea sized amount, smooth all over face after cleansing
 an eye cream- very small amount, smooth under eyes and on eyelids, after cleansing
 an eye lash treatment (have heard claims it helps lashes grow , haven't validated that though but probably couldn't hurt) apply a teeny-tiny amount to bases of top lashes
 a  pre- shampoo treatment - warm in hands, slather on dry hair from mid shaft to ends, and leave it in 20 min. before shampooing
 a hot-oil treatment- melt in microwave, apply to hair while warm (not scorching hot ), again mid shaft to ends unless your scalp is dry also, leave on  5-10 min., shampoo out.
 a hair conditioner- use in place of your regular conditioner (honestly, while some swear to this I say don't even bother- regular conditioner works better and is easier to rinse)
an  overnight hair treatment-  melt generous amount in hands, slather on dry hair before bed, work through mid shaft to ends again, unless scalp is dry, shampoo out in am.
 a leave- in hair treament- use a pea sized amount, melted between palms, worked through wet hair,  mid shaft to ends.
 a hair styler- as in frizz treatment and split end mender- less than pea size amount, warmed on finger tips, applied to dry ends.
  full body moisturizer- super good for dry legs- apply generously on dry skin, will take a few minutes to sink in and can feel greasy, I find its best used at night when wearing old pj's because it can transfer. Also is lovely on legs in the summer time when wearing sun dresses and shorts- gives a nice sheen.


 Impressive right?,  Now, lets get down to the nitty gritty. Coconut oil is much like any other natural plant oil. It is considered a "natural moisturizing factor". Guess what, so is olive oil , sunflower oil , corn oil , safflower oil, vegetable oil , almond oil, grapeseed oil , apricot kernal oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, palm kernal oil, soybean oil  and every other plant based oil found on your plain old local grocery store shelves for pennies per ounce.

 I am not saying coconut oil is not woth much of the hype. Some reports claim coconut oil is the only oil that can penetrate the hair shaft and prevent protein loss. I am inclined to agree.  In my experiences coconut oil is the best for hair and if I wasn't as frugal as I am coconut oil would be my go to for that purpose, with the cavet that it does pull the color from my hair ( but so does olive oil, go figure.)

 Coconut oil is a white semi- solid  (no matter what brand you buy or how much it costs) that seems to melt effortlessly into a thin liquid that "spreads" beautifully when any kind of heat is applied, it feels much lighter than many of the oils I have tried (especially when to compared to olive oil )and it rinses out of hair easier than most.   Depending on what brand you buy coconut oil barely has a scent, and if it does its a sweet, pleasing coconutty smell (some  other oils really do have an "oily", un-pleasant or "foody" smell)

   Coconut oil is much more luxurious feeling than many of the cheaper palnt oils but, in my opinion, they all perform pretty much the same. However, I too would rather cover myself with coconut oil than corn oil.


All in all, if you curious about oil as a beauty product, want to simplify your life,  replace a bunch of different products , or just go more "natural"  and if you have the funds, pick up a jar of coconut oil to try out. Coconut oil will not hurt you (unless maybe you have a coconut alllegy). If your on a much more limited budget try a $4.00 bottle of safflower or olive oil, in the end it will still do the same thing, be it less elegant.

              

A full makeup look from foundation to finger tips for $25.00 or less

I love makeup but can't afford to spend alot  anymore and I have found great products that will make a complete look for $25.00 or less.

    Foundation - N.Y.C. Smooth Skin makeup- $2.99 at Target, Kmart, Rite aid, Some Walmarts and some Cvs's
     Love this stuff. It is harder then hell to get out of the bottle so store it upside down or be prepared to dig it out with a q-tip. Applys wonderfully, giving light to medium, natural looking coverage that can be built up if needed. Drys to a soft matte finish. Oily skin girls (like myself) may need to prep skin with a primer- Milk of Magnesia $1.00 at the Dollar Tree- to provide longer lasting finish.

Powder - N.Y.C loose or pressed powder $2.99  in translucent is awesome, however it only works for fair to light skin. The darker shade works well for medium/tanned skin. Another option is L.A. Colors pressed powder $1.00 at Dollar Tree, also found at Dollar General and Family Dollar for $1.50 Both powders apply beautifully leaving a matte, but still soft looking, finish.


Eyeshadow - nothing bets E.L.F (eyes, lips, face) cosmetics mini eyeshadow quads $1.00 at Kmart, Target, Dollar Tree and now some Walmarts, or buy online at E.L.F. 's website
     Theres a huge range of shades, my personal favorites are Day 2 Night (golden and burgundy-ish brownish shades) Drama, ( black and greyish shades) and Butternut (warmer brownish shades) yes they are small, and yes they can give some fallout but seriously, for a dollar, you shouldn't complain.
  Another option if you have a few extra bucks is Wet-n-Wilds  Color Icon eyeshadow  pallettes-  $5.00 for the large ones $3.00 for the trios,  at Kmart, Rite aid, Walgreens, Giant grocery store, Some Cvs's and some Walmarts. My favorite Petal Pusher (various pinkish and purplish shades) These are very pigmented and buttery although they do have some fallout also. Still no complaints here.

Eyeliner- Prefer liquid?  Try e.l.f essentail liquid $1.00, although it takes a little while to dry and can smear if you have "leaky" eyes, the little brush provides  presise, perfect application. For $3.00 try Wet-n-Wilds H2O liquid eyeliner (my favorite) this stuff is hard core and does not budge, so if your only a novice to liquid eyeliner this is not easy to fix mistakes.
   Prefer pencil ?- Wet-n-Wilds Color Icon Kohl pencil is a whole $1.00. Its soft, has a great color selection, and is easy to use although it can smear, and it needs sharpening, but still for a dollar this is my go to pencil.


Mascara -  I love N.Y.C mascara.  Instant Lash (blue tube) $1.00 is my all time favorite to build long seperated lashes, however I have only found this at one Walmart in my area and its not listed on the N.Y.C. website. City Curls (pink tube)$ 2.99 is another supurb mascara that can be found at most places N.Y.C. is sold. Really Broke? E.L.F.'s earth and water double ended mascara for $1.00 can work just fine in a pinch but be prepared to use multiple layers to get good results.


Blush/ Bronzer- I love Covergirl Cheekers blush- $3.00 at most retailers any you can find Covergirl almost anywhere. Wet-n-Wilds color icon blushes are the same price and even though they have a very limited selection are great.
 I also love L.A. Colors bronzer $1.00 at Dollar Tree  it only comes in one shade and as long as you don't use the crappy brush it comes with you'll get good color payoff and easy application. N.Y.C Sunny bronzer $2.99 is also a safe bet and its matte.


Lips - Like lipstick? Try either N.Y.C. 's or Wet-n-Wild's $1.00 lipsticks, both have a good color selection ( N.Y.C has better reds while Wet-n-Wild has better pinls)), a nice satin finish and are fairly long lasting although N.Y.C's version tends to fade slighty quicker and be slightly moister than Wet-n-Wild's.  

Lipliner - Wet-n-Wild's color icon $1.00  #666 brandywine  is a cult favorite


Lipgloss- E.L.F. super glossy gloss $1.00 beats everyone for full coverage, long lasting color,  plus it has a great  (grapish) taste even if it is a little thick.   Or you can rummage around Dollar Tree  for L.A Colors lipglosses, always $1.00 tube or wand style.

 Lipbalm-  Can't go wrong with Bonne Belle lipsmackers $1.99 Walmart, Giant Grocery, Target.  Dr Pepper and Vanilla are cult favorites. So much better than plain old chapstick. Taste great and leave a soft, shiny,  non-waxy finish.


Nails- Wet-n-wild, N.Y.C.and L.A. colors all have $1.00 nail polishes which work just as good as any. It may take 3 coats to build full color and they may chip sooner than some others but for me, whose nail polish chips within 24 hours regardless if its a $1.00 polish or a $10.00 polish, I stick with these.



 Being beautiful doesn't have to be expensive, sure there is higher quality stuff out there and if I had a larger beauty budget there are other products I'd rather purchase, but for the prices these products really do perform better than what they are worth.

Homemade leave-in conditioner

I have never really been a fan of leave in conditioners until the past few months. I have created a "concoction" that leaves my hair perfect every single day- I am amazed.
 
  First some history- I have long (bra strap length hair that I so wish was waist length but it never seems to grow) that is normal/thin and slightly wavy verging on very wavy in high humidity.

 Normally I would use big- brand- yet- still- grocery -store shampoos and conditioners such as Pantene, L'oreal(a favorite) Herbal Essences, Dove (another favorite) and Garnier Fructis with decent results, however I had a long term  gastro-intestinal illness back around the holidays (and I am still dealing with it)  that made my hair freak out. Every shampoo I used made my head itch  like crazy and every conditioner left my hair greasy, like I hadn't rinsed it greasy- weird. Desperate I turned to the basics- a "cheapy" shampoo and silicone free conditioner, first baby shampoo and vo5 conditioner then to Suave Coconut Tropical Coconut shampoo and conditioner which seems to be almost perfect, however, this duo still left my color-treated (black) hair a little dry at the ends. In comes my "concoction".


 After a ton of research  on ingredients and reading reviews I have found the perfect leave-in recipe with drugstore products.

  Needed-

   1.   V05 silky experiences conditioner in cashmere and shea (very new -and god I hope they never discontinue it) only found it a my local Giant grocery and Walmart, .99 cents for 15 oz.  

                                and

 2.   Johnson and Johnson cocoa and shea baby oil ( it needs to be this specifically-regular baby oil works ok but not as well a this stuff)  It is slightly more expensive than plain old baby oil but sooo worth it. Also Found at my local grocery and Walmart.



  Simply place a pea sized amount of the conditioner on your palm and then add 2- 3 drops of the baby oil.  Rub your hands together to mix and distribute the ingredients. Work into towel dried damp hair- this is key its does not perform as well on dry hair, - apply from ends up then comb through .

 I air dry my hair and using this leave-in my hair is soft, silky and shiny but never weighed down. Plus the  conditioner has a wonderful vanilla scent and the baby oil has a great scent that remind me of something tropical, unlike a traditional baby oil powdery scent. the scent will fade if you are afraid of it overpowering your perfume.

  Honestly for around 5 bucks I have more than enough enough stuff to make a leave in that lasts more than a year.

 NOTE-  I have also made this leave in using Suaves new Keratin leave-in conditioner. Speciffically 1/2 pea sized drop vo5 to 1/2 peas sized suave to 3 drops baby oil. Works slightly better- more shine but not as economical and not really sure if extra step is worth it. I had the Sauve Keratin leave-in on hand so wanted to use it up. This however is worth consideration and maybe be better for those with very coarse dry hair  (use slightly more accordingly).  Suave's Keratin leave-in runs around $4.00 also at Walmart and local grocery. 


 In case your are wondering,  I also have used this recipe with Suaves coconut conditioner in place of the Vo5 but it did not perform as well and I have also used Vo5's srawberries and cream conditioner in place of the Cashmere and Shea and it did not perform as well, I am convinced the Cashmere and Shea conditioner and the cocoa and shea baby oil are the true keys to the performance of this leave-in.


 Just because this recipe is perfection for me doesn't mean you can't tweek it for you. If your hair is thinner try using less baby oil, Thicker hair more baby oil. Either way this is so much cheaper than buying a "regular" leave-in and in my experience better.

     Crisco as a beauty product? - Yes, yes indeed

Believe it or not, Crisco is a great product, not for baking , but for beauty. Now before you think I'm crazy lets think about it.

 What is Crisco? and NO it is NOT lard (true lard is animal fat). Crisco is simply soybean and palm oil in a solid form. Thats it, nothing else, thats all she wrote. Now, we all know the benefits of oils for skin now don't we?

 Really any form of plant oil can be considered a natural moisturizer- that includes the famous, even elite, - apricot kernal, jojoba, morrocan, argan, almond, avacado, grapeseed and olive oil. No one really considers the cheaper and less elegant  "grocery store" oils such as soybean oil, safflower oil (my personal favorite), corn oil, canola oil or just plain old vegetable oil. Any of these oils will perform the same as the more expensive version, be it not as elegant. Really, it much more chic to say we use virgin coconut on our hair or body than when asked  to say "Oh, I just use veggie oil for everything."

 I personally have used coconut, argan, olive, sunflower, safflower, canola, vegetable oil and crisco, and out of all of them for price, ease of use, performance and versatility Crisco wins every single time. This is not to say that these other oils don't have their place (coconut, olive, argan and jojoba oil are consisered by far the best for hair) but Crisco should not be overlooked.

 Crisco can be used as -

  Body lotion- it really doesn't have a scent (  as long as you don't buy the butter flavored version and please, please!, don't buy the butter flavored version). Crisco has a luxurious texture, even if it is somewhat greasy. When using Crisco less really is more. Slather it lightly on dry spots, everywhere, and let it soak in. I have heard it does wonders for dry, itchy, eczema prone skin and I can attest to that. In the winter my legs get so dry, itchy and flaky I will scratch them till they bleed. Nothing truly helps- except Crisco. I have read that Dr.'s call it "Cream C" and use it on burn patients and for wound healing, especially after plastic surgury or chemical peels to the face.
  You can even use it as a base for custom body lotion creations. Mix it with weaker, heavily scented lotions to beef them up, Mix it with baby lotion and vaseline for a hand cream. Whip it up with other essentail oils (like lavender, lemongrass or Rosehip) if thats your thing.

 Hair Care-  Melt it to use as a hot oil treatment. Slather it on thickly as an overnight treatment. ( It will take a clarifying shampoo or multiple shampooings with your regular shampoo to remove it much like any other oiling or deep treatment). Use a miniscule amount, ( less than a pea sized amount) on ends of hair as a split end sealer and frizz reducer.

 Facial care- Use as makeup remover- slather it on just like you would cold cream. Remove with a hot (as you can stand) wet wash cloth. Wash face with  your prefered cleanser. I have oily skin and have not had any issue using Crisco as a makeup remover and its less messy than using oil removers.
     Use as moisturizer- works lovely around eyes and on lips, dry skin could use it as full face moisturizer but its too emmoilient for oily skin used this way.


All in all, if your strapped on cash or just curious give Crisco a shot (the store brands are even cheaper and contain the same ingredients) If you don't care for it  you can always use it in your cake, cookies or for fried chicken!

Product review- Suave coconut shampoo and conditioner

 I am a fan of being cheap, however, hair care was one thing I was willing to spend a little more than a dollar or two on. Therefore, Suave was one brand I more or less overlooked unless I was picking up the green apple or strawberry shampoo as a clarifyier. With that said I have recently had a lengthy illness and my hair and skin have seemed to go berserk. Every "big name" shampoo and conditioner I would normally use ( Dove, Pantene, Herbal Essences or their store brand equivalent)  seemed to leave my hair a greasy mess and gave me an itchy scalp. Desperate I went to searching the internet and found that Suave coconut shampoo and conditioner seems to have this cult following. Bought a bottle of each a few months ago and have not looked back.

  Sauve coconut shampoo and conditoner can be purchased mostly anywhere and its dirt cheap- $1.50 for the large 22.5 oz size at my local Walmart. Have seen the smaller 15 oz. size for .94 cents at Target.

 The shampoo itself is a pearly white gel like shampoo thats actually pretty thick. It lathers well and rinses clean. It has a nice soft warm coconut scent that isn't overwhelming and since I use it daily I hardly notice the scent at all. Suave reformulated their Naturals line not to long ago making all the shampoos gentler by using sodium laureth sulfate (not to be confused with the much harsher sodium lauryl sulfate- for a good ingredient dictionary visit the "cosmetic cop") and supposedly making all the conditoners more moisturizing. Suave coconut shampoo is the only naturals shampoo that has slightly different ingredients than all the others. It has slightly more moisturizing ingredients and contains  more cleansers -ammonium lauryl and ammonium laureth sulfate - both of which are considered not overly harsh. It also contains ammonium xyelensulfonate which can be drying however since it is far down on the ingredient list it does not seem to cause any issues (for me at least).


 The conditioner is the real gem of this duo. I was surprized because there isn't much in this stuff- no silicones (which could be good or bad depending on your views) just detanglers, thickeners, preservatives and mild moisturizing ingredients with token amounts honey and coconut extract thrown in. It is not nearly as watery as I has assumed. Its white and creamy and coats hair very well. I have bra strap length slightly wavy hair that is color treated and is normal in thickness. I use gobs of this stuff and really work it in. It seems to saturate my hair instead of sitting on top like heavier conditioners do. I can finger comb it through my hair easily. It rinses clean but leaves wet hair feeling silky and has that same soft, warm, coconut scent that will linger but doesn't overpower.
  If you are a co-washer this conditoner is outstanding for that. I haven't had much luck with co-washing- probably beacause my hair is not curly and dry, rather very oily at the roots, but I can  alternate co-washing with this and shampooing daily and my hair is great.
  This can also be used as a leave in, apply a small amount to your ends or put in a large spray bottle with water and use it as a detangling spritz. I make my own leave in using a pea sized amount of conditioner and a few drops of Johnson and Johnson cocoa and shea baby oil. I feel I need to use a daily leave in as my hair tends to be breakage prone and I am always trying to get it to grow longer. You can make Suave coconut conditioner a more moisturizing conditioner by simply adding a few drops of safflower oil (lighter and less smelly than olive oil) to it in the shower. You can use it to shave your legs too!!

 All in all, Suave coconut shampoo and conditoner has really helped me get my hair back to "normal" and I have had consistantly good hair days with it, very little build up (still clarify once a week or so) and no itchy scalp or greasy flat hair. My new staple!

     co- washing- is it really all that?

  For the last few years there has been a huge wave of people going "sulfate-free" in their hair care regime. Sulfate free shampoos, sometimes dubbed cleansing conditioners, tend to be pricey ( WEN) and are  harder to come buy than your regular old shampoo (although there seems to be more and more poping up on grocery store shelves- (Hello! L'oreal!).  Many have went to the co-method of washing their hair. The co-method, or conditioner only method, also know as the no-poo method or CG  (curly girl) method has tons of loyal followers who swear their hair has never been better, but really is it for you?

 The co-method is quite simple, buy a cheapy conditioner , one that has a runnier texture and few to no silicones and little heavy conditioning agents (Suave, White rain and Vo5 seem to be the hands down favorites and Suave coconut conditoner seems to have a cult following) slather a large handful or two on, massage it in your hair and scalp, let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse. You can follow up with a heavier regular conditioner if need be.

 Generally, this method was used by those with kinky, curly, coarse and/ or parched hair and dry scalps but it seems like everyone has hopped on the bandwagon, including myself. However, in the end ,co-washing does not seem to work for me.

 I am an everyday shampooer, have always been and probaby always will be. I am on a never ending journey to have super long hair and figured co- washing would force me to shampoo less (which supposedly is better for hair but for me the jury is out on that one) and therefore leave my hair and scalp healthier, in theory.


 I have used both Vo5 kiwi and lime clarifying conditioner and vo5 strawberries and cream conditioner as "shampoo". I will say that these are very easy to spread and massage into hair, although you need much more conditioner than shampoo to feel like your hair is actually washed. They rinse very easily and both smell great.

   I was pleased with my hair on the first day, there really wasn't much difference than when I use real shampoo except my hair felt thicker. Day two-  my hair was nice but my scalp didn't really feel clean and by the end of the day my head was a little itchy. Day three- forget it, had to shampoo. I have tried co-washing a few times in the past few years, shampooing on the third day, shampooing on the second day, shampooing every other day but in the end I go back to my daily shampoo. I have long thinner hair that has a slight wave, my roots are oily and the length is dry/damaged. I had high hopes for co-washing but my scalp and hair and me, for now, are much happier with a daily shampoo, daily conditioner and a daily leave in.


 I can see why co-washing can be benefical for some, many shampooos do contain harsh sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate is  the big one to avoid) which can cause scalp irratation and dryness. Co- washing is gentler on the hair and scalp and for those who only shampoo a few times a week co- washing can help stretch your shampooing while leaving your hair still feeling clean for the most part.

 However, ONLY using conditioner on your scalp can cause build up, eventually leaving hair greasy and lank and causing scalp itch. For those with thinner straight hair the effect may be felt sooner than others. I donot see how you can go completely shampoo free, your scalp and hair still need a cleaning. For some maybe a weekly or monthy shampooing may be all they need to still have co-washing work. I have also read posts wear some just do a baking soda wash (dissolve baking soda in warm water and use it just like a shampoo) or vinegar rinse to rid their scalp and hair of buildup.

If your curious about co-washing- go for it, it won't hurt your hair in any way shape or form and if worse come to worse you can always shampoo.





 

  Baby products - why should babies have all the fun?



  Who says that baby products are just for babies? Not me for sure, my bathroom is stocked with baby products and I don't have itty bitty babies.


BABY OIL - one of my favorites and so many uses.

-  mix with sugar for body scrub
- use as eye makeup remover or  pre-cleanser - I do this every night since I use full face makeup every single day
- use instead of shave gel
- use in shower, as a body moisturizer. Apply at the very end of your shower, do a quick rinse and gentle pat yourself dry with a towel. I think this works so much better than applying after you get out of the shower.
- use in your hair- yes, in your hair. I take a pea sized amount of a thin conditioner ( I love vo5 conditioners) mix it with 2-3 drops of baby oil, smear it around in my hands and apply to my ends when wet. Best cheap leave- in ever.
- use in summer on legs to add a soft shine
- use in bubble bath- gives same effect as in shower moisturizer


BABY SHAMPOO

- use as face wash
- use as makeup brush cleanser
- use as shampoo (duh) However, most baby shampoos have much gentler cleansers than regular shampoos and no conditioning agents. Therefore if you use alot of product baby shampoo may not clean well enough without multiple washings and since there no conditioning agents your hair may be tangly. Baby shampoo can be wonderful options for those with thinner hair or sensitive scalps.
- out of bubble bath, use baby shampoo makes nice bubbles and soft scent
- out of body wash, use baby shampoo


BABY LOTION

makes a great grown up lotion too. Johnson and Johnson has many great  baby lotion scents and formulas. Most stores have their own knockoff brands in the "classic" pink baby lotion and "nightime" scent thats just as good. Again great for those who have sensitive skin. I personally use baby lotion daily, I have issues (mostly in the winter) with horribly dry, itchy legs. Most "adult" lotions or highly scented ones will cause my legs to burn or itch even more, I don't care for totally unscented products and baby lotion does not cause me to have any issues- if I need extra moisturization I mix my baby lotion with a bit of vaseline.


HEAD TO TOE WASH- may be the best multipurpose product ever.

- use as shampoo- cleans better than regular baby shampoo but just as gentle
-  use as body wash- good for even girly parts
-  makes great bubble bath
-  makes great facial cleanser
-  great makeup brush cleanser

Basically head to toe wash does everything baby shampoo does but its  generally cheaper and I find it works better than baby shampoo, especially for hair. I also think it has a lighter scent and produces better bubbles. This is my go to product,  one bottle - 5 products. A ton less clutter in my bathroom, and when traveling its alot less to pack.

  Between just two baby products- baby oil and head to toe wash you can replace a multitude of products and still have beautiful, clean soft skin and save some money. Plus all of these products can be picked up at your local dollar store if you just want to try them out instead of investing in the larger bottles of the name brand stuff.