Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Organic, Schmorganic

Hi girls,
The fact that I live in crunchy Park Slope and don't subscribe to the whole organic movement makes me something of an outcast at the local market. I'm sorry, but organic stuff just seems totally overpriced...and it never tastes as good as the bad-for-you alternatives!! But, in a totally predictable move, I recently abandoned my "yeah whatever" beliefs when I discovered a GORGEOUS new crop of organic hair products (leave it to me to get crunchy only when it involves my hair). The great thing is, these products contain amazingly good-for-you ingredients without skimping on the glamour! What's not to love? Here are my two favorite additions to the organic hair movement:


1.) ORIGINS 98% ORGANIC CONDITIONING HAIR OIL ($22.50): Origins' new organic line is sick, sick, sick...it smells incredible, feels incredible, and the apothecary-chic bottles look oh-so-dashing on my vanity! But my absolute favorite product in the new line is this brilliant hair oil. It's chock full of 98% organic ingredients like Sesame Seed, Sunflower and Olive Oils--each of which nourish and moisturize your hair like you wouldn't believe, leaving it shiny and glossy and totally stunning. Just rub a couple drops between your palms and apply it to your ends. I like to use it before flatironing. Oh, and FYI? I poured a little bit into one of those travel-size Container Store bottles and carry it in my purse...it's wonderful for smoothing out unpredictable frizzy moments.


2.) CREME OF NATURE NOURISHING RELAXER WITH ORGANIC COCONUT & SUNFLOWER OILS ($9.29): An organic relaxer? Who knew?! Leave it to the Creme of Nature hair geniuses to whip up a deeply hydrating relaxer spiked with only the most nourishing organic ingredients, including Coconut and Sunflower Oil. I had my Dominican hairstylist slap this in my hair, and I don't think I've ever had a better relaxer. My hair came out so silky-soft and straight, even I wondered if it was a wig. The best part, though, is the Organic Lemongrass & Rosemary Leave-In Conditioner that comes in the box. Swoon! It smells like heaven! They really need to sell that stuff separately. Maybe I'll write a letter.

xoxo,
Tia

24 Comments:

Blogger Calming Corners said...

I totally agree regarding organic products in your hair, it is amazing. There are some great body products called Resting in the River that are all organic. There is this salve that is amazing. I tend to rest on my left elbow a lot so it wasn't smooth. The salve cleared it up in no time it is so smooth. The body butter is great as well. Never tried the organic relaxer, if I ever take the plunge and get a relaxer again I will try it.

11:03 AM  
Blogger Schanina said...

Perfect Post!!! I just decided this weekend that my hair is going green. Yeah, no more relaxer. With that said, does anyone know the best way to grow out a relaxer without cutting your hair off? I know its more maintenance that way, but I’m not afraid.

12:53 PM  
Blogger Calming Corners said...

Schania,
Very carefully. I grew my relaxer out in 04. The transition was a bit difficult but now my hair is so healthy. I did get my hair trimmed on a regular basis. My hair is curly and very thick. In the warmer months I would massage oil on my scalp when my hair was wet deep condition 2x a month and slick it back placed a wrap cap on my head to lay down the frizzies and then I was good for the rest of the day.

When I wanted to dry my hair out I would deep condition and rinse. let it air dry as much as possible and then dry and hot comb as usual. Putting as little heat as possible on the section of my hair that was still relaxed. Then I would wear it up to protect my ends, they tend to get fragile and break off b/c your natural hair is strong compared to the relaxed hair. My hair dresser told me that whey you are growing out a relaxer 10 months you will see your true hair b/c depending on how often you relaxed your hair it is chemical layered on top of chemical. I went every 6 months for a touch up when I was relaxing. I was work but I am happy I did it. Good luck and let me know your progress.

2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've only tried the Origin's Organic Massage Oil, not the hair oil. I will be buying it this week. I might have to buy the relaxer just for the leave-in :) Write the letter, because if it's as good as you say it is, I will be writing one too.

2:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ooh, ooh, ooh! Me wanty! I want to try both!

4:33 PM  
Blogger Yannize said...

I will be trying the hair oil out on this wavy mane of mine!

4:34 PM  
Blogger Schanina said...

Thanks for the tips Calming Corners!

6:04 PM  
Blogger SHADOW said...

I'm transitioning also, and so far it's very easy. Thanks to my Denman brush and my favorite conditioner (Joico Moisture Recovery Balm). This post is so on time because a lot of women are 'going green' with hair care, including me. So far I have nixed sulphate shampoos and hand soaps. The Origins oil sounds great to put in my hair before a shampoo. Although at the moment I have YET to find an all natural conditioner that I like. My hair HATED Aubrey Organics.

Hey Tia have you ever thought about going natural? You have such beautiful natural hair, I would do a back flip if you decided to rock those curls one day!!

2:52 AM  
Blogger 1969 said...

That hair oils sounds heavenly. Thanks for the tip.

10:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I’m sorry-did you type “Schmorganic?” Ha-ha!
I second/third/fourth everything these ladies have been saying about transitioning. Deep, deep condition, ladies! Especially in these dry winter months! I couldn't live without my Infusium at that time! Try to keep the heat off, if you can, since your hair is at its most fragile. Since I have super-curly hair, a relaxer didn’t really do anything but turn my curls to waves, so I had curls coming out of my scalp and waves at the bottom. Needless to say, I did a LOT of roller sets to make it all appear the same texture. Shadow, I don’t know what your hair type is, but I will personally swear by ABBA’s True Curls shampoo and conditioner. It smells great, is sulfate-free and leaves my curls sooooo shiny and soft. It’s super moisturizing! It’s too bad we can’t post pics on here, or I would post one.

Hope everyone is holiday partying it up!!

12:13 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

i went to look at the organic hair oil. the bottle is toooooo tiny!!!! I would demolish that bottle in two weeks. granted i have dread locs but they need to supersize that bottle asap

1:26 PM  
Blogger Abina said...

Thanx for putting us onto these products. My hair soaks up oil like there's no tomorrow, so I'm excited to see how it'll work on my hair.

11:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm in love with washing my hair now. It's been 7 weeks and I don't want to get a touch up cos I'm loving the way my hair looks. I've been doing conditioning, hot oil treatments,washing my hair once a week, using heat protects, using mimosa hair honey and my hair just looks so much better than when the hair dresser does it.

But I need my touch up because I don't know any other way to wear my hair. My younger sister has natural hair, super curly and cut low and it's to die for!!!!

Maybe I'll try the organic relaxer. I'll bring it to my hairdresser.

But relaxers just make my hair so straight. Boy, I'm debating on if I should go the the hairdresser this week or not.

Well thanks for the tips Tia!

11:02 AM  
Blogger beautylogicblog said...

I'm addicted to organic products for the hair. I believe they work a lot better than chemicals. Plain organic coconut oil from Wholefoods for the hair works wonders too.

11:36 AM  
Blogger Benae Mosby said...

I agree, coconut oil is great for the hair (natural or relaxed) and the skin too. You can get a huge jar for less than $10.

12:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tia -
I need to admit that I have been reading your blog every day for the past couple of months and even though some of the posts don't apply to me, I love it. Why don't they apply? Well, I'm white and from CA - so the NYC references and discussion of products that particularly work for my darker sisters are things I read with an interested but "gosh, if I put that on my hair it would all be so greasy and flat" eye. Anyway, this white girl just wanted to confess that she loves your funny, helpful blog!!

3:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OH NO Tia! You can't put oil in your ends and then flat iron. Overtime it literally fries your hair. Next time try a serum. Biosilk, FHI Hot Sauce, and CHI Silk Infusion are all good ones.

12:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lol at my fellow Nikos Cousin. I see you've learned a lot from the boards. haha. But yeah I used to use oil on my hair when I flat ironed and ever since reading about it on the boards, I have stopped.

For some reason though, I don't like box relaxers. I received ONE awhile back and it did nothing for my hair but make it hard and break off. Oh well, different strokes for different folks.

3:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My friend turned me on to the Lemongrass & Rosemary leave-in conditioner a few weeks ago. I must admit that I've never really been that impressed with organic products, but I really like this conditioner. The Lemongrass & Rosemary leave-in does come in a larger bottle by itself which is great for me because I don't ever think I'll part from my Motions relaxer.

I bought mine from Target and it only cost $3.50. If you go to www.cremeofnature.com you can do a search and it will list retailers in your area that sell the product. Or you can be a discount diva like my friend and request samples from the website.

10:46 PM  
Blogger Schanina said...

Tabitha,
Can you please e-mail me off board at schanina@att.net. I'll explain later.

9:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They do sell the conditioner separately, and I found it at my Rite Aid! I pretty much bought the entire collection, including the relaxer, today, and got two of everything! (I'm not due for another relaxer for awhile, but couldn't wait to purchase) I can't wait to try everything! I haven't been this enthusiastic about a product in awhile!

8:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love hair oils, ever since I started using them, I started saving tons of money on hair products. My hair is no longer dry and brittle especially since I started using them before I shampoo.

7:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@Shanina --- I also decided to go green. I discovered a product called Diva Smooth (after cutting off my long permed hair, mind you). It contains natural ingredients like vinegar, honey and a variety of oils that work together to smooth out the hair, making it easier to style. I've told all my friends about it and the love it! It's made me consider giving up my organic hair relaxer to go curly! You can find it @ janellebeauty.com

I'm also a big fan of Oyin Handmade 100% organic hair products. Check out Oyinhandmade.com

12:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@Schanina --- I also decided to go green(after cutting off my long permed hair, mind you) and found a salon close by that offers an organic relaxer made of plant acids (been going there for years now but she still won't tell me the name of it, darnit!). I also discovered a product called Diva Smooth that keeps my hair manageable in the months between touch-ups. It contains natural ingredients like vinegar, honey and a variety of oils that work together to smooth out the hair, making it easier to style. And it works so well that I only relax my hair 4x a year. I've told all my friends about it and the love it! It's made me consider giving up my organic hair relaxer to go curly! You can find it @ janellebeauty.com

I'm also a big fan of Oyin Handmade 100% organic hair products, especially their honey hemp conditioner. It smells like something you can eat...check out Oyinhandmade.com

1:02 PM  

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