Naturalla Beauty

Have you ever used a product and deemed it just okay, only to be completely wowed by it later on?  That's pretty much how my experience with Acure's Moroccan Argan + Argan Stem Cell shampoo and conditioner has gone.  When I first reviewed these, although I liked them, I found them too heavily moisturizing to use as my regular shampoo and conditioner, but after about six months of use, I've come full circle and have come to love them as just that.  They're the main shampoo and conditioner I've been using for the last several months, so I figure I'm past due for an updated review.

Yes, they're supremely hydrating, but once I worked out the right balance for my curly, frizz-prone hair, it's not too much.  I use roughly a loonie-sized amount of shampoo (that's about one and a half quarters for you non-Canucks) but only a dime-sized amount of conditioner. I generally use more conditioner than shampoo, which I think is why it took me so long to puzzle this ratio out, but these amounts definitely works best here.  This way, the shampoo and conditioner help define my curls and minimize frizz but they don't weigh my hair down or leave it feeling heavy or greasy.  The result: soft hair and bouncy, shiny curls.  I like to use a more clarifying shampoo every 2-3 weeks, just to make sure I'm getting rid of any product build up, but Acure is what I reach for on an everyday basis.   I've even come to really like the almond smell, which initially wasn't a favorite.  

If you've got dry, wavy, curly, or frizzy hair, Acure's Moroccan Argan + Argan Stem Cell products are for you!  And if not, Acure also makes two other shampoos/conditioners for different hair types.  I'm curious how the other varieties compare, but since these have been working so well, I'm sticking with them for now.  In fact, I just bought my second bottles, which goes to show how much I like them!

Have you tried Acure's shampoos and conditioners?

Where to Buy: $9.49 from Vitacost, $8.62 from iherb, $9.99 from Acure

I mentioned Intelligent Nutrients' Organic Styling Gel in my haircare routine, but I decided it deserved its own post too.  This isn't something I use daily, or even necessarily weekly, but it's a great product to have on hand for those times when I need a hair gel that I know I can count on to keep my 'mind of its own' hair in place.
At $12 for 2 fluid ounces or $29 for 5 fluid ounces, the price might seem a little steep, but no more so than a lot of other natural haircare brands.  I'm pretty frugal about most things, but hair styling products are one area where I'm willing to pay a little more.  I don't go through them super fast and based off experience, natural hair styling products often seem like a case of getting what you pay for. 

All things considered, I'd say this is a great hair gel.  And, since it can be used for either a light or firmer hold, it functions almost as a two-in-one product.  I might not use it every day, but nonetheless, it's something I'm really glad to have it in my cabinet!


Ingredients: Certified organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, certified organic ethyl palmate, certified organic cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, certified organic acacia senegal gum, certified organic ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, certified organic alcohol denat., certified organic citrus medica limã³n (lemon) peel oil, certified organic cyamopsis tetragonoloba (guar) gum, certified organic ceratonia siliqua (locust bean) gum, certified organic nigella sativa (black cumin) seed oil, certified organic cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil, certified organic rubus idaeus (red raspberry) seed oil, certified organic vitis vinifera (red grape) seed oil, certified organic vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil, certified organic mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil, certified organic cinnamomum camphora (ravintsara) leaf oil, certified organic rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, certified organic menthol, certified organic elettaria cardamomum seed oil, certified organic cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) bark oil, certified organic vanilla planifolia fruit (natural flavor), certified organic rubus idaeus (red raspberry natural flavor type), certified organic chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower oil, certified organic citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, certified organic citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, certified organic limonene, certified organic linalool, certified organic citric acid, tocopherol (vitamin e).

I've been trying out a bunch of new hair products over the last few months and since my skincare routine was so well received, I figured I'd do a similar post on my current haircare routine!  My hair falls somewhere between wavy and curly and is prone to frizz pretty much all year round.  I've also had issues with hair falling out the last several years, strictly in the fall (apparently losing more hair that time of year is pretty common!), so I also look for products that strengthen hair and encourage hair growth.  


"Everyday" Shampoo/Conditioner: Acure Organics Moroccan Argan + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo/Conditioner
I don't actually wash my hair everyday - more like every two or three days - but when I do, these are generally what I use.  When I first reviewed them, I said they were too moisturizing for me for regular use, but with more testing, I discovered they work fantastically, as long as I scale back on how much conditioner I use.  The shampoo itself is pretty hydrating, so my hair really only needs a tiny bit of the conditioner.  Used this way, my curls get enough moisture without being weighed down and my scalp doesn't end up feeling greasy either.


"Treatment" Shampoo/Conditioner: Intelligent Nutrients PureLuxe Shampoo/Conditioner
I'm a big fan of Intelligent Nutrients, but their shampoos and conditioners cost a bit more than I want to spend on products that get used up so quickly.  Luckily my hair responds better to only using these occasionally anyways!  The PureLuxe line was formulated for color-treated, damaged, and dry hair and is intensely moisturizing.  I use them once every couple weeks (or more often if my hair starts to feel dry) and they leave my hair feeling extra soft and healthy. 





Hair Oil: Aura Cacia Organic Argan Oil
After I wash my hair, while it's still damp, I take one pump of Aura Cacia's argan oil and distribute it mainly on the ends, but working it up the hair a little too.  I've noticed a big difference in the health of my hair since I started using this regularly, and it also works to control frizz.  In fact, as long as it's fairly dry outside, I can get away with just using argan oil, without any other hair products, and my hair will stay virtually frizz-free all day long.







 
Hair Mousse: Yarok Feed Your Roots Mousse
This is a pretty new product in my routine, but it's become a fast favourite!  After washing my hair and using the argan oil, most days I'll scrunch my hair with this mousse and let it air dry.  It defines my curls and keeps them in place throughout the day, but doesn't leave them feeling crunchy or sticky.  I'll also use it on second-day hair if my curls need perking up.





Hair Gel: Intelligent Nutrients Organic Styling Gel
This is a more occasional product for me.  It's what I use on days when I want a little more hold than what the Yarok provides.  It's a good all purpose gel and it smells lovely and fresh too, like a mix of peppermint and spearmint - the scent reminds me of gum, but in a good way!






Shine Spray: Intelligent Nutrients Organic Hair Shine
This is what I reach for on those occasional times when I straighten my hair.  I don't notice a big difference on curly hair, but when my hair is straight, it does a great job controlling any flyaways and leaves my hair with a beautiful, healthy shine.  It's oil-based, so you only want to use a little or else it will take you past shiny and straight to looking greasy.  On an only slightly related note, one of the lovely things about Intelligent Nutrients is that they periodically ask for testers for new products and give out samples before they are released, in exchange for feedback.  And I'm not talking about just to bloggers either - they'll post on Facebook and Twitter for all their fans/followers.  That's how I was introduced to this product, and since I don't use it all that often, I'm actually still working through the generous sample they provided! 


Hair Mask: DIY Egg/Yogurt Mask
This mask literally takes less than five minutes to mix up the recipe and another five to ten to apply it, but the combination of working (almost) full time and job hunting for something new means that I've been skipping it more often than not lately.  Ideally I like to use this once every 2-3 weeks and I really need to get back in the habit of doing so.  Seriously, my hair never looks as healthy as the first few days after I use it.


I feel like I'm pretty low maintenance about my hair, so it's funny how many products ended up in this post!  On a day-to-day basis, I just use the Acure shampoo and conditioner, argan oil, and Yarok mousse and I really don't spend much time doing my hair.  Everything else is stuff I use much more irregularly, though they're all things I enjoy on occasion and that I'm glad to have in my cupboard.  I've definitely been on a bit of a haircare kick lately, so I'd love to know: what are your favorite hair products? 

Usually I can't be bothered with heat styling my hair, so I end up air drying it most days.  Luckily my hair isn't too fussy, so the only thing I have to worry about is controlling frizz.  Argan oil does a good job on the ends, but I'm reluctant to bring it up too high, since it can make my hair feel dirty faster.  This led me to Yarok Feed Your Roots, which I first learned about from The Glamorganic Goddess.  I've been wanting to try it ever since her review, but for whatever reason, I held off.  I recently picked up the trial/travel size and let me just say, I'm sorry I waited so long! 

Product Description
Nourishing vitamin water, organic aloe vera, organic non-GMO corn extract, vegetable glycerin, organic extract of black currant, beet root, kham Thai, blueberry, vitamin A, vitamins B1, B2, B3, vitamin C, organic shea butter, organic avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, jojoba oil, vegetable castor oil, grapeseed oil, apricot oil, evening primrose oil, organic African black soap, wheat protein, extract of organic peppermint, wildcrafted yucca, wildcrafted horsetail, organic nettle, organic melissa, plant-source Kosher vegan xanthan gum/potassium sorbate, vitamin E, organic essential oils of rosemary and litsea cubeba. 

I've already written about how much I love using straight argan oil on my hair, and now I want to talk about a new shampoo I've been trying out.  Acure Organics started out making skincare products, but they've quickly branched out into body and haircare as well.  What remains consistent across all their lines is fantastic ingredients and affordable pricing.  A few months ago, I won $50 to spend at iherb, courtesy of the extremely generous Vivi of Eco Beauty Secrets, and Acure's shampoo and conditioner was the first thing I knew I wanted to choose!  I decided on the Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Moisture Repairing shampoo and conditioner, since they are recommended for dry, damaged, and curly hair.
 

Product Description
Provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, manageable and ready to rock. Organic Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cells, CoQ10, and Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil--high in Omega 7, make up our patent-pending Triple Moisture System. Pumpkin Seed Oil --high in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, adds shine. Hair repair with serious flair. Safe for color treated hair.   Locks in moisture, repairs damage, strengthens follicles, and vacuums your house. Okay, maybe it doesn’t vacuum your house. But it does repair your hair!  

Ingredients
Shampoo: Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Rooibos, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (from Coconut), 100% Naturally-derived Betaine (from Sugar Beets), Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Sugar Conditioner), Sodium Levulinate (from Corn), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Guar gum conditioner), Potassium Sorbate (food grade preservative), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Organic Fair-Trade Certified™ Olea Europea (Olive) Oil, D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (vitamin E), Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) seed oil, Organic Curcubita pepo (Pumpkin) seed oil, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Argania spinosa (Argan) Stem Cells,  glycerophosphoinositol lysine (from sunflower), Almond Extract, Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia Bark) Oil 

Conditioner: Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Rooibos, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearylkonium Chloride, Vegetable Glycerin, Glucono Delta Lactone (fermented sugar), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside (from corn and glucose), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (guar gum conditioner), Glyceryl Stearate (vegetable-derived), L-Arginine (amino acid), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Sorbitan Olivate (from olives + sugar), Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cellulose (plant derived), D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (vitamin. E), Lactic Acid (vegetable derived),  Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) seed oil, Organic Curcubita pepo (Pumpkin) seed oil, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Argania spinosa (Argan) Stem Cells,  glycerophosphoinositol lysine (from sunflower), Prunus dulcis (Almond) Extract, Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia Bark) Oil

Price
$10.99 for 12 ounces from Acure Organics.   $9.49 from iherb. 

My Thoughts
I really like this shampoo and conditioner.  The shampoo lathers up very well and the conditioner is rich and creamy.  They both rinse out easily and don't leave any residue or buildup on my scalp.  And, they certainly live up to Acure's promise of being moisturizing!  In fact, I find them just a little too heavy to use every single time I wash my hair.  My hair looks fantastic for the first two or three consecutive washes, but on continued use, it starts getting weighed down.  Instead, I've been mixing it up with my old standby, Organic Excellence.  Rotating between the two leaves my hair soft and shiny and gives it the perfect amount of moisture without overdoing things.

My one initial concern about these products was how they were going to smell.  I chose the Argan + Argan Stem Cell based on hair type, since it's recommended for curly hair.  It's scented mainly with almond extract and almond scents don't tend to be favorites of mine.  That said, the smell is fine.  I wouldn't say I love it, but it's not offensive and it's also not incredibly strong.  I can smell it while my hair is still wet, but once it dries, the smell is pretty much gone. 

The Bottom Line
I would recommend both these products, especially if you have dry or damaged hair.  Even if you don't, I think they'd work well as occasional, treatment-type products.  Next time, I think I'll try their Lemongrass line, which is recommended for all hair types, as I'm curious if I could use that one more regularly with better results.  Either way, I can definitely see myself keeping Acure's shampoo and conditioner in my shower for a long time to come!

ETA: Please check out my updated review on these after longer use too.