Fabulous Organic Conditioner

I had to go find a virtual version of this product because my own container is mangled, and therefore unsuitable for a photo shoot. The poor thing is already on its way to be recycled, having suffered all manner of extractive tortures.  First, I twisted and wrung the tube to get every last bit. The next morning, I squeezed and cussed and managed to harvest a small daub, hardly enough to do more than my bangs. The day after, I relied upon magical thinking and came up short until I thought to scissor off the top and scoop out the very last bit of John Masters Organics' honey and hibiscus hair reconstructor. A must for kittens of every stripe, except Muffy who naturally grows perfect wig hair and therefore needs neither highlights nor flat irons. Meow!

Three Great Natural Products You Can Get Anywhere

Hello Kittens, and Happy Wednesday! I apologize for the quality of the image; I shot it for you on the fly in my powder room/laboratory. I also realize I should be arrested for the horrible tilework. Haven't had time to jackhammer it away since I moved in, but I am planning to replace it with decorative recycled glass tiles soon. The orchid is my new little dendrobium. I picked it up at Trader Joe's this afternoon.

Today, I bring you three great natural products you can get practically everywhere. I remember when my baby was still a baby, in the last century, when I had to drive all the way across Indianapolis to a health food store that carried Burt's Bees lotion. Then the big box stores picked up lines like Kiss My Face, which I had heretofore only seen in my parents' friends' health food stores back in '83. You can probably pick up the products pictured above from your supermarket, but if you can't find them just go over to drugstore.com for the hook-up (plus free shipping, deals galore, and a heavenly natural products section... I even get my natural household products there - so convenient!)

From the left, Shikai moisturizing shower gel in cucumber melon. On the easily-recycled #2 bottle, it claims to be "rich in aloe and oatmeal to soothe dry skin...gentle and soap free for everyday use." And that it is. An American brand out of California, Shikai doesn't use animal ingredients, nor does it test on animals. The cucumber melon scent is light and natural. I love it.

The center product (which I admit is hard to see, but I had to include the blooms of the orchid, right?) is Kiss My Face "obsessively organic" Big Body Shampoo. It contains no SLS or parabens, works well and smells like natural lavender. It also has other yummy organic herbs like nettle, sage and calendula.  Fabulous stuff at supermarket prices!

Finally, on the right is Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Hand & Body Lotion. Avalon pledges "safe effective, pro-organic body care without artificial colors, synthetic fragrances or parabens." I love the light scent of this totally awesome lotion. I got it at Kroger. Next time you're food shopping, why not practice a little conscious consumerism while treating your skin to the good stuff!

Strengthen Weak & Damaged Hair Naturally

   

"This neem treatment lotion encourages healthy hair growth and normalizes oil production of the scalp. Soothes an itchy, irritated scalp, helps prevent flaking and hair loss, and strengthens fine, thin hair while providing balance. Neem leaf and other plant extracts have an enlivening effect." ~ Spa Look

    I've never met a Dr. Hauschka product I didn't like. Neem Hair Lotion is no exception. I only have one criticism, and that would be the packaging. While this odd little bottle is probably most ecologically sound, I'm not sure how to apply it to my scalp. It's not a lotion per se; it's a runny liquid.

Am I to just turn the bottle upside down and splatter the inch and a half of squirrel fur I always seem to be rocking along my part line, or should I use a cotton ball and daub it into my temples and hope for the best?

I can't help wondering whether it wouldn't be even more fabulous in a pump/spray...

Neem is prized in Ayurvedic medicine as a healing, strengthening, cleaning tonic. This product has been helpful in reconstructing my hairline after the ravages of over-processing, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, slip-shod nutrition on the run, stress-induced hairpulling...You know, life! I like it, and I've used it a few times a week for over a year, and I definitely see a difference!