Shampoo Review!

My first blog post was about an amazing sea-salt based shampoo called "Big" by Lush soaps. It's only downfall is the price; $24.95 a tub, and the fact that it totals over $30 with shipping costs included.

So, I went in search of a product that could match the power of Lush's sea-salt mixture. Though I haven't found anything comparable, and I'm seriously considering making shampoo by hand, "Nude - Volumizing Shampoo" by Down Under Naturals is a decent replacement for now!

"Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo" - J/A/S/O/N

The first Lush replacement that I tried was "Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo"  (~$8 for 473ml) by the brand J/A/S/O/N. A few months ago, I reviewed their hairspray, which worked well for an all-natural product. Their shampoo is, "free of parabens, harsh chemicals, dyes...perfect for all hair types." But, not perfect for my hair. Imagine putting laundry detergent on your hair. It didn't lather well, and left a greasy residue. Yet, this product may be beneficial to those with dry hair (if any of you dry-haired people want the rest of my bottle, let me know).

On the plus side, this is the ingredient list:

Water, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Bentaine, Sodium Laurel Sulfoacetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Leaf Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Guar Hydropropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Provitamin B5, Lauryl Glucoside, Stearyl Citrate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

"Nude Volumizing Shampoo" - Down Under Naturals

The "Nude" line of hair care products by Down Under Naturals is impressive, cheap ($4 for 325ml), and 98% plant-derived. The volumizing shampoo is, "Free from parabens, sulfates, phosphates, DEA, Phthalates." The website describes WHY it is important to be free of these potentially harmful ingredients in the "Get the Facts" section.

"Nude" uses, "certified organic botanicals..and biodegradeable ingredients." As a consumer, it is necessary to read this carefully - these terms don't necessarily mean that EVERY botanical/ingredient fits these descriptions, only that some do. Yet, compared with J/A/S/O/N's alternative, "Nude" successfully cleans my hair without coating it in grease.

Ingredients

Water, Certified Organic Botanicals/Extracts: Soybean Protein, Black Tea Extract, Nettle Extract

Bamboo Extract, Sodium Methyl 2 Sulfolaurate, Disodium 2 Sulfolaurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Kaolin, Glycerin, Provitamin B5, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polyquaternium 10, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid

Many other ingredients are similar to those in J/A/S/O/N's product, and though they appear slightly-less-natural, it does work better!

Chemists, provide feedback, why does "Nude" work better than "Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo"?

J/A/S/O/N Pure Natural & Organic Hair Spray

Having thin hair, I've usually relied on aerosol sprays because they typically work better than non-aerosals. I know, not good for the environment, right? Not to mention they are comprised of synthetic chemicals and are highly flammable. Probably not a good thing to accidentally breathe in, or get on my skin... So, I went in search of healthier options.

First, I tried Herbal Essences' non-aerosal spray in the "Lily Bliss" fragrance. Though it is cheap, contains fewer chemical ingredients, and includes"cactus flower extract," it did not work very well and actually flattened my hair.

Next, I purchased "Thin to Thick," an all natural and organic hair spray produced by J/A/S/O/N Natural Products. Surprisingly, it does give my hair a bit more volume and succeeds in holding it in place. Though it does not quite work as well as an aerosol spray, it is a less toxic option, as all ingredients are naturally occurring.

Ingredients: Purified water, SD Alcohol 40-B, Methacryloyl ethyl betaine/acrylates copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Acetamide MEA, Glycoproteins, Biotin (vitamin H), Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), Panthenol (vitamin B5), Green Tea leaf extract, Aloe vera leaf juice, Matricaria flower extract, Glycerin, Silicone quaternium-8, Sodium benzonate, Potassium sorbate, Fragrance oil blend (product appears to be gluten free)

As stated on their website, J/A/S/O/N avoids using, "animal by-products, synthetic colors or fragrance, and harmful chemicals." Thin to Thick hair spray retails for roughly $8.99 CDN and can be found in various supermarkets and health stores.