Revving up the reviews...

It's Saturday morning.  I had planned on having a nice sleep-in today. You see, sleeping late is a luxury these days. I am sure you can relate. If you can't relate -  if  you manage to spend your mornings  drifting in and out of sleep whenever you so choose - consider me green with envy.

Why am I not snuggling in bed? My neighbour decided to start vacuuming at 7:30 this morning. I think she has a bit of a vacuuming obsession. Not joking! She vacuums every day. And it's not just once a day, sometimes it's twice or three times a day. During the week, I don't mind her frequent vacuuming. I am usually too busy to stop and notice. But the vacuuming on the weekend is really starting to test my nerves. Now, she used to hold off till about 9 - 9:30. You know what,  I was able to live with that. But lately, it is getting earlier and earlier! To wake-up - just after 7am - to the sound of a vacuum is infuriating. I hate to admit it, but it makes me want to march right over to her house (we live in a semi-detached) and grab that vacuum out of her hand.  Once in my hand, I envision tossing it into the street where a passing bus would drive right over. I know I am being over-the-top but I just want is one quiet Saturday. Is that really too much to ask for?

Anyhow, I didn't act on my angry impulses. Instead of lying in bed fuming, I got up and hit the laptop to write. And today, I thought I would just dive right into some reviews. I just grabbed three products from my bathroom. I have been meaning to write about these for a while. So here goes:

Product Review #5

What: Sweet Almond Oil

Brand: Aura Cacia Organics

Price: Approx. $12.00 - 15.00 (I notice price varies depending on store)

Almond oil - to be honest -  I've never considered putting almond oil on my skin before starting this project. In fact, I don't think I really knew it existed before my natural product pursuit. The first time I heard of its use was in Gillian Deacon's book (There's Lead in Your Lipstick).  Since I first read about it, I've noticed it popping up on different "natural product" websites.

Here is a blurb from one website:
Almond oil is an excellent emollient and moisturizer.  As an emollient it nourishes and softens the skin helping to keep it smooth to the touch.  Almond oil is similar in composition to the oil baby's excrete to keep their skin and hair healthy.  This composition is beneficial to protecting and conditioning your skin no matter your age.  By helping the skin stay healthy it promotes a youthful skin complexion.

Heck, doesn't every gal want to promote a youthful skin complexion? Intrigued, I decided to give it a whirl. I started using this product right after the shower. I simply rubbed the oil all over my skin while I was still damp. I read that this helps lock in water from the shower for natural hydration.

Now I must say that at first, I was worried about feeling greasy. But my skin actually soaked up most of the oil.   I found that if there was residual oil, all I  needed to do was wipe it off with my towel. I really like this product as a moisturizer alternative. I find it really works for me. Now keep in mind that I am currently using this during winter. This is a time when my skin is really dry. I am not sure it would work as well in the hot, humid summer months. We shall have to see.

What about scent you ask? Not much of a smell at all associated with this product. But you can change that if you want. You can actually take your favourite, organise, skin-safe essential oil and add it to the bottle. I tried this with lavender and really liked it. Just think, you can customise your moisturizer! Nice.

As for what I don't like about this product? I don't like that it comes in such a small bottle. I also don't like the price point. It feels hefty for the amount of product you get. I mostly use this as body moisturizer and find I go through it quite fast. I am actually trying to find organic sweet almond oil in bigger bottles. So far the search has been without success.

Other uses aside from body moisturiser? I have also used sweet almond oil as a make-up remover and facial moisturizer. After a couple uses, I eased off on using it on my face. What I do now is mix it with a regular face moisturizer a couple times a week. I apply it before bed. I find it helps during the harsh, dry winter weather.


So what does this product get for a rating?

All in all, I am quite smitten with sweet almond oil. I would recommend it to anyone. I do suggest always using an organic brand. I just figure that is the best option for keeping skin healthy and free of toxins. As for this particular product- I am going to give it four kisses out of five. It is loosing one smooch because it is pricey and comes in a small bottle! I want more! Yes more!

Note and Precautions

• Almond oil is not safe for use on people with nut allergies.
• Even though it is light in colour, almond oil can leave stains on clothing and sheets.
• Bitter almond oil is toxic unlike sweet almond oil and pure almond oil
• Almond oil can go bad.  Store in a dark cool environment and refrigerate after opening

 
Product Review #6

What: Facial Cleanser (Cleansing Milk)

Brand: Weleda Gentle Cleansing Milk

Price: $21.00 (price varies depending on store)

If you have been following my attempt to reduce my chemical burden, then you've likely heard me mention my sensitive skin. No way around it, my skin is screaming sensitive. It always has been and always will be. It's because of my sensitive skin that I found this particular product swap so difficult.

It took me years to find a facial cleanser that did not irritate my skin or make me break-out. Trial and error eventually lead me to Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. I love this product and have no complaints. You know, I would likely still be using it if it wasn't for this project. Turns out,  it gets a  poor score on EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database ( http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/). According to Skin Deep - some of the ingredients can cause endocrine disruption and other such unpleasantness.

So why Weleda? This product is also mentioned in Deacon's book, but that is not why I chose it. I chose it because it is German. My husband is German. We often head to Germany to visit his family. When there I often use his mom's products. Hey, sneaking a little shampoo or cream here or there is no big deal. I like to call it international product exploration. As a result of my sneaky testing, I have discovered that many of her products are fabulous. So I thought I couldn't go wrong with trying this German product for my first cleanser swap. 

According to the company's website, Weleda is the name of  the Celtic goddess of wisdom and healing. The company's mission appears to be the delivery of products that help not only the body but the spirit. I kinda dig that.

Weleda also has an abundance of international accreditation and is recognised as a leader in natural health. It also appears to have clear standards for  products:

• No synthetic preservatives
• No synthetic fragrances
• No synthetic chemicals
• No synthetic anything

The EWG also says Weleda complied with the European Union's Cosmetics Directive, widely considered the current global gold standard of cosmetics safety regulation.

So yes, this product comes with a solid resume. But does it work? Yes, oh yes, it does!
I am going to gush here. I may even giggle. I love this product. I love pretty much everything about it.

The packaging- simple yet sturdy.
The scent - clean, but also relaxing! I love the lavender scent. It is just so inviting and delightful.
The way it works - no break-outs, no irritation, no drying. Just clean, fresh, happy skin!

The only downside at all when it comes to this product is that it is more expensive than Cetaphil. It is also hard to find. Not every natural store sells it. But I am overlooking those two drawbacks. You know you love a product when you actually look forward to using it! In the morning it wakes me up in the most calming and pleasant way. Before bed, it feels like a mini-escape to a spa. Oh, I know, it is just a cleanser. But it is such an enjoyable cleanser! I am sold!

So what rating shall I give my new found favourite cleanser?

 You got it! It's a kiss frenzy. Full gusto product love-fest! This cleanser is smooch-tastic. It's lip-smacking marvellous. You can call me crazy, but yes, I can't wait to wash my face with this healthy little product! 

All the love aside, I have to admit I would like the price point to be a little lower. A girl has to watch her spending in these tough economic times!  But will the price stop me from buying it? Not at all. I shall skip the latte in favour of  clean, healthy skin! And with that, I would like to give this product a fabulous five out five kisses!


But wait, don't leave me! I have one more product review for you! I will try to keep this one short. It is Saturday after all! I should do something other than pound away on a keyboard!


Product Review # 7

What: Face Cream

Brand: Green Beaver (Boreal Face Cream) 

Price: 12.00

Face cream. I love it! I have my favourites, but like everything else I have been  using, they do not  help reduce my chemical burden.  So I am experimenting with alternatives.

I just happened to spot this little product in a health food store I quite like. I decided to give it a try because I recognised the brand and liked the price point.

You might recall that Green Beaver made the shampoo I recently tried. I was not a fan of the shampoo, but I liked the fact that the company is Canadian. So I decided to give this cream a try.

Green Beaver says that this cream is filled with extra rich shea and cocoa butter that will replenish
tight, dry skin caused by cold Canadian winters. Sold! While the winter temperatures this year have been higher than usual, my skin is still taking a beating. Dry, itchy, blotchy skin all thanks to old man winter! Yuck.


I have to say that this cream is non-greasy and quick absorbing. It also feels rich and full of moisture when slathered all over my face. As for my sensitive skin, it didn't make a mess of it at all.

This product has minimalistic packaging. The product is also free of nasty perfumes and overpowering scents. It is just simple and basic. I like that.

So my dear Green Beaver, you totally win with this product. I am not sure how it will stand-up during the summer months, but it is great for harsh winter days! I like it. I like it a lot.


So what shall we give this little pot of cream?

That's right, going to give this face cream a solid four out of five kisses.

Now that was a real review catch-up! Cheers!

O, lather, lather, wherefore art thou lather?

I've said it before - shampoo holds a special place in my heart. If you scroll down to my last post, you'll find  my shampoo lovin' rant. If you don't feel like scrolling down, let me recap:

Sadly, the shampoo I love doesn't love me back. Yes, it makes my hair shine and bounce. Indeed,  it makes my locks feel soft and silky. And yes, I was more than willing to pay a whopping fifty bucks for a small bottle of this liquid bliss. But as it turn's out, it's not good for me at all.

Some of the ingredients it contained:

1. Sodium lauryl sulphate:A detergent, emulsifier, and wetting agent. Health effects:Dry skin, skin irritant, linked to eczema. May damage cornea if it comes in contact with eyes. Can enter the heart, lungs, liver, and brain upon skin contact.

2 Fragrance (parfum):A blend of synthetic substances that impart a desired odor. Blends can often contain more than 100 different chemicals. Health effects:Many of the chemicals used to make fragrances can cause skin irritations and allergic responses.

3 DMDM Hydantoin:A preservative.Health effects:A possible skin irritant. May release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Need I say more?

So, my first attempt at replacing my beloved shampoo did not go so well. The first product I tried just didn't work for me. It made my hair feel limp and lifeless. So, you know what they say:  If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Product Review  #4 

What: Shampoo

Brand: Green Beaver - Cranberry Delight.

Price: Approx. $12 - 14 in the store.  $10.99 on line.

Once again, picking a "safe and healthy" shampoo was difficult for me. But it wasn't because there were so few choices. It was actually quite the opposite. The shampoo section at the Whole Foods  - where I was shopping - was jam-packed.

So why did I choose this product? Well, the name helped. Now before you get any funny ideas or start sharing beaver jokes with me, let me say I was drawn to the name because it honours our national symbol. The good 'ol beaver! Can't get any more Canadian than that.

I also liked this product because it is indeed totally Canadian (from what I can tell). According to the company website, Green Beaver is one of the largest natural, eco-friendly and organic certified (EcoCert) product line in Canada.

From the company website:

"At The Green Beaver Company, we believe in Mother Nature to help us take care of ourselves. For centuries, humans have been living with and safely using natural ingredients. That is why we rely on pure natural ingredients when formulating our products."  http://www.greenbeaver.com/

I should also add, that this company is listed in Gillian Deacon's book "There's Lead in Your Lipstick". As you know, Deacon's book has been a go-to read for me during my product purge.

So, back to the product. Cranberry Delight is designed to help dry, damaged or colour-treated hair. It is supposed to help moisture and rejuvenate lack-lustre locks. A description caught my attention!

As for the ingredients, they looked good enough to eat! Key ingredients : Canadian cranberries, indigenous carrot and organic Prairie seed. Yum! Yum! Talk about ingredients for a happy and healthy scalp.

The product is also supposed to be certified organic, gluten-free, vegan, and biodegradable.

So far, it's sounding like a win-win all around?

But once again, we have to talk about how it actually works.

Let's start with the scent shall we? I can't say I love it. It didn't smell as fresh and as natural as I expected. If I was going to compare it to the last product (Druide Green Tea Shampoo), I would have to say I liked the latter when it comes to smell. Bottom line - the scent just was not all that inviting.

As for cleaning ability? Before I go there, I better remind you that my hair is very unforgiving when it comes to products. Some folks are lucky and can easily use any product. I am not one of those people. With the wrong product, my hair goes limp and greasy. Unfortunately, that's exactly how this shampoo left my hair. It just didn't work for me.

Like the test product before it (Druide), this product left my hair feeling lifeless.

I even tried several applications of the product this time. On more than one occasion, I even lathered-up twice during one shower. But no matter how many times I used it, it just didn't get any better. After every use, my hair just felt sticky and stringy.

Once again, I don't want to trash the company or even the product. Green Beaver appears to be a good Canadian company working to give folks natural product options. I applaud that. But based on my experience, I just can't recommend this shampoo.

So to conclude, I am going to take a pass on this product. I didn't finish using all the product in the bottle. I am once again breaking my rule of not purchasing another product till one is all finished. Tsk-tsk you say! I know, but I just can't keep using this one. I have another confession - I have been using a main stream shampoo for a couple weeks now. It is an Aveda product. I would like to believe it is better for me than some of the drug-store brands. But that might not be the case. There's a whole lot of debate and chatter on-line about just how safe Aveda products are. But let's leave that one for today.

So like my last product review, I want to give Green Beaver a red-licious kiss for being a strong, Canadian company dedicated to producing products that are organic and harvested in a sustainable manner. That alone is enough to prompt me to explore other Green Beaver products.

 

But that's the only smooch this product is going to get. When it comes to effectiveness, it gets only 1 kiss out of 5. Didn't like how it cleaned my hair. Didn't like the scent. Did however like the minimilistic packaging. But other than that, I don't really dig it. Now, I do recognize that this may not have been the right Green Beaver product for my hair-type. I am willing to try other Green Beaver shampoo blends. But not just yet. I am going to try a different brand next. Hence - the hunt for a healthy and chemical free shampoo continues.

Friendly "green" shampoo product reminder:

"Keep in mind that with any truly natural, plant-based shampoo, you will notice a significant reduction in foaming power. It takes petrochemical surfactants to whip up sudsy lather, but extra suds have nothing to do with cleaning power." -Gillian Deacon, There's Lead in Your Lipstick

Little something extra:

I happened to find this link while searching for safe shampoo suggestions. It is from a fellow blogger who appears to be trying to live greener. Full disclosure - don't know this blogger. But I do like her handy shampoo post. Take a look if you like:

http://tryingtobegreener.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/how-safe-is-your-shampoo-conditioner/