Detoxing Your Hair And Beauty Regime

Today I have a guest post for you from Evelyn Barnard. Evelyn is a freelance writer and is going to share with you her wisdom on toxins in your beauty routine.

Detoxing Your Hair And Beauty Regime

There’s much talk within the beauty world about the safety of many products. It seems that hardly a month goes by without some kind of worry about a certain ingredient that’s within every day cosmetics, hair care and skin preparations that we use all the time and without a second thought.

Some people want to look for natural or organic alternatives in many of the different things they use in their beauty routines to not only help their skin and hair and stop them from absorbing potential “unknowns” but also to help the environment too.

The SLS Debate

One of the hottest topics for debate is on the issue of SLS in shampoos and bathing products. SLS, or to give it its full name Sodium Laureth Sulphate, is a foaming agent that is put into many skincare preparations (including toothpaste) to make them lather up quickly and efficiently. Many people believe that the more lather they can put onto their hair and skin, the cleaner of impurities it will be. This isn’t always the case at all and there are many people who report skin and scalp sensitivities due to harsh cleansing agents.

In fact, SLS is an ingredient that has been widely in use since the 1930s when it was first introduced into places like car garages to clean engine parts, or used on roads to clean up oil spills! Therefore, this gives you an idea of how strong an ingredient it is and puts forward the question “Do we really want to be putting that onto our skin?”

It’s something that divides many people and many companies have raced forward to try and discover alternatives to SLS that provide foaming qualities without the harshness. Alternatives to SLS are:

Ammonium Laureth Sulphate: A slightly more costly ingredient to use in cosmetics, but one that, depending on where it is derived from can be gentler. Some brands with use Ammonium Laureth Sulphate that is derived from coconut. The ingredient label should state this.

Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate: A gentler cleanser that is derived from coconut and produces lighter, yet still thoroughly cleansing foam.

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isothionate: Again, another ingredient derived from coconut that is seen to be probably one of the safest bets for the gentlest cleanse. It is recognised as so because it cannot be detected or traced in human tissue or urine even after repeated use.

Natural branding myths

Besides the issues of SLS, within the beauty industry there is a lot of controversy over what does actually constitute “natural”. As consumers we have to be really savvy and carefully check the ingredient labels to make sure that what we’re buying is indeed what it says it is.

Many products may say they are organic or natural, but if you turn to read the labels you will see they contain only minute traces of natural extracts or essential oils that are used perhaps more for fragrance than any real cosmetic benefit.

When trying to choose natural beauty products look to see when and where things like essential oils appear on the ingredient label. The higher up they appear, the more concentrated they may be and likely to have an effect.

Probably one of the better brands to make leaps forward into organic cosmetics is the Australian company A’kin, who have been in business for around fifteen years now. They have a whole product range that encompasses skin care, hair care and male grooming cosmetics that are genuinely mineral oil, SLS, DEA and Paraben free. Alongside this is a distinct lack of artificial colors and perfumes.

The products are by no means cheap, for instance, a litre of their Ylang Ylang Colour Care Shampoo comes in at just under $27, but they are richly concentrated, meaning you can halve the amount you would use with a standard shampoo or conditioner to get the same effect.

The products offer a sounds alternative to anyone who wants to try and dip their toe into the world of natural cosmetics but know they’re getting the right thing. The ingredient lists on the back of the packaging certainly make for interesting reading as most of what goes into them is recognisable as a natural extract, essential oil or gentle cleansing agent.

Detoxing

It really is that time of year when we’re probably all thinking about trying to eat well and sort our diets out, to get fitter and to take control of our health just that little bit more. It’s just as important to consider what we put into our bodies as well as what we use topically and detoxing the skin and hair can also be just as good a tonic as detoxing the body can too, so thinking about updating your beauty routine alongside your diet can be a really good way to go.

When we switch from products that contain things like SLS to brands that don’t, one thing that consumers may notice is that their hair or skin initially feels a little drier or in the case of their hair becomes tangled. This is generally caused by the gentler cleansing agents removing the build up of silicones and SLS which have caused dulling over time. If you continue to use the products consistently you should begin to find that your hair and skin get more used and start to look and feel healthier.

However, as with many things, it is entirely personal. There are many women out there who can have reactions to natural and organic brands as there are ones who react to standard chemist products. Patch testing with any new beauty product is essential whether it be organic or not.


Thanks Evelyn!


So, what are your thoughts on natural beauty - is it the only way to go or do you not mind a few 'toxins' in your routine. I have to confess that I am not super concerned about toxins; though I don't have sensitive skin so that might be why. However, I am totally different when it comes to my kids skin, trying to use as natural products as possible.

Alexami Colour Analysis results

I was recently invited to participate in the Alexami Colour Analysis. Alexami is an Australian-owned natural cosmetics company. Alexami's products address the growing need for truly natural and safe cosmetics made from quality ingredients that are kind to your skin and the planet, but without overlooking fashion-forward colour palettes. To participate in the challenge I was asked to answer the following questions then I was sent makeup to create a look based on my responses:

• Hair colour - dark brown (with a subtle red dye through it)
• Eye brows - black
• Eye colour - green/blue
• Lips - pink
• Preferred makeup focus - eyes

Herbal - Mineral Mascara - NATURAL EFFECT LASHES RRP $39.95

 

 

What they say: Some mascara can contribute to eye irritation. Our mascara has been specially formulated with mild, naturally derived ingredients so that you’re less likely to have tears

 

What I say: About 8 years ago I had a massive allergic reaction to my contact lenses. It was hell. The whites of my eyes were pure red. Not veiny red, but pure - no white in sight - red. I could also only open each eye about 2mm. I had been wearing contacts for 8 years at that stage and I still have absolutely no idea what caused the reaction. Ever since then, though, I have had really sensitive eyes. Often when I have been wearing a new mascara, my eyes will end up feeling a bit gunky and when I check them out in the mirror they are usually also bloodshot. I am pleased to say that I had no such reaction to the Alexami mascara. My eyes felt completely comfortable all day. The mascara also didn't clump. I can't stand clumpy mascaras that leave your lashes looking like spider legs. This left my lashes looking very natural. I did notice at the end of the day that it had smudged slightly but that might have been because I was wearing L'oreal Paris Revitalift Total Repair 10 BB Cream and I had not set it with powder. 

 

Mineral – Vegan Lip Gloss - NATURAL EFFECT LIPS RRP $34.95

What they say: Alexami mineral-vegan creamy lip gloss is the perfect choice for women seeking to avoid the harmful toxins and lead in conventional lipstick.

 What I say: This really is a deliciously creamy lip gloss. It left my lips feeling so soft and moisturised. It is not at all sticky but has more of a buttery texture. It also has no taste which is very important to me. There is nothing worse than a lip gloss that has that awful taste that gets caught in the back of your throat.


Mineral Eye Shadows - DRAMATIC EFECT EYES RRP $24.95

Left: Deep Blue, Right: Grey Blue

Left: Deep Blue, Right: Grey Blue



Left: Deep Blue, Right: Grey Blue

What they say: Not all mineral eye shadows are created equal. Alexami Cosmetics uses intense and pure natural pigments of highest quality.  

 

What I say:  The colours I received were perfect - they are exactly the type of colours I wear. I found them to be very easy to apply, highly pigmented and the colour was long lasting and didn't crease (I applied it over Urban Decay Primer Potion).  

 

 

My Look

I decided to be efficient and get two reviews done at once - my Alexami reviews plus L'oreal Paris Revitalift Total Repair 10 BB Cream review. Unfortunately, this turned out a bit orange on my skin so it hasn't been the most ideal foundation to use. I also manage to leave a shadow smudge on my right eye that I didn't notice until I photographed myself. So, that gave me three options 1) I could photoshop it out...but I don't believe in photoshopping - that's for magazines, not beauty blogs 2) I could redo my makeup - Kiki decided that, by waking up from her nap, that wasn't going to be an option (she also insisted on being in a photo as you'll see below!) 3) I leave the smudge and apologise to my readers. I choose option 3! Sorry guys!

 

The look I went with was dramatic eyes and understated lips.

 

 

Kiki wanted to be part of my look...she is my cutest
accessory, after all!

 

I was very happy with how the look turned out. Alexami did advise to use the eyeshadow as an eyeliner by tipping it onto the back of your hand, wetting an eyeliner brush then blending it below the eye line, but I am no very good at eyeliner so shied away from that step.

So, apart from my orange skin and smudged eye, what do you think of my look?

Alexami makeup can be purchased online.


All opinions are my own and I received no remuneration for this post. The Alexami products were provided for consideration.