Coconut Love, Polaris!

It looks like Coconut fever is spreading! Check out Polaris Supernova's blog response to my post at her face-a-holic inspired blog holicblox.blogspot.com about Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo.

Find out if it's worth the splurge, and if coconut is as good in your hair as it is on your skin.

;O

love,

iCandy

Jonathon Create Volume Thickening Foam

$24- Sephora.com

First of all, let me tell you what I love about this product: It's vegan (just like me!), it's tested on celelbrities (as opposed to helpless bunnies), and most of the ingredients are natural and healthy for your hair.

It also makes good on its promises! I have very fine curly hair that tends to succumb to "triangle head" with flat roots and frizzy ends so I worship a product that can give my roots some lift and bounce. This product does exactly what it promises, it thickens the strands of my hair and gives it much-needed lift, and that's without any blow-drying or heat styling!

The one thing that disappointed me about the product (aside from the fact that it contains parabens, which I knew and accepted when I bought it) was that it made my hair a little stiff, for lack of a better word. My hair wasn't hard or hair-spray stiff by any means, but it lacked the fresh softness and flexibility that it usually has after a shower. Not a deal-breaker, but just something to think about.

I would use this product if I'm looking for a style with a little extra hold, maybe for a night out or a daytime up-do or sophisticated pony, but not for a soft, sexy "hair-tossable" style.

So, just to wrap up, overall this product is good. It's natural, vegan, and it delivers on the volume front and thickens fine strands. Not so good is the residual stiffness once your hair has air-dried (which could probably be combatted by a blow dryer). Overall I highly recommend Jonathon products, love the natural ingredients and that there is no animal testing! If you've tried any let me know your experience!

Has anyone tired "Dirt", I'm dying to try it but I'll admit I'm a little intimidated, is there such a product that can really give you that perfect, sexy, "second day" hair?

love,

iCandy

My two favorite moisturizing ingredients

Jojoba Oil- I first bought this at Trader Joe's aftere I read that jojoba oil can help with dandruff and is good at taming frizz and moisturizing the scalp. Although it is more greasy in my hair than I'd like, a quick shampoo takes care of that, and all of its other uses quickly make up for it.

I use it on my elbows, on my feet, on the ends of my hair, on my knees, and once a week, on my entire body. What makes it so great is the chemical structure is easy for your skin to absorb and instead of sitting on top of it, it melts into your skin and makes it super smooth and supple.

Jojoba oil is included in a lot of products, everything from lotion to hair conditioner. If a product has jojoba oil, it is sometimes an indicator of a higher quality product, as is shea butter and avocado, so if you are spending a few extra bucks on something, make sure it's worth it.

Find Desert Essence Jojoba Oil at your local Trader Joe's or online HERE.

I'm sure there are hundreds of other things it can do (make your own body scrub, anyone?) and as soon as I figure them out I will definitely keep you posted.

Coconut Butter- A few years ago at Trader

Joe's (it always comes back to you Trader Joe) they carried a coconut butter lotion. It was the most natural, luxurious, most amazingly scented lotion I have ever used.

Although the lotion was discontinued and I still haven't found a suitable replacement, I now know how great coconut butter is as a moisturizing ingredient. So, if you're ever in need of a moisturizer, now you have two amazing, natural ingredients to choose from, so put that chemical filled drugstore brand lotion down and get back to the basics!

100% Pure makes a coconut body cream that is vegetarian, isn't tested on animals, and has coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut extract. If that doesn't satisfy my coconut craving, I don't know what will.

Have any dry skin secrets? Let me know!

love,

iCandy

Josie Maran Cosmetics Wishlist!

For every beauty products that I have tried, there are hundreds that are just waiting to be tried, tested, and either treasured or tossed out!

Launched in 2007, Josie Maran's line of cosmetics are eco-friendly (packaging is recyclable and bio-degradable) and free of parabens (can't decide if I should boycott them or not but I'd rather be safe than sorry!), and aren't tested on animals. Despite seeing the line everywhere and being more than mildly intrigued, I still haven't tried any of the products, But I have compiled a wishlist for fall of the products from the line I'd like to try most, check it out!

Bronzing Argan Oil- $52 A nourishing, simple moisturizer with Vitamin E and bronzers? Sounds like a perfect combination of ingredients to keep your skin hydrated through the fall and help you hold onto that beachy summer glow!

Tinted Moisturizer- $38 A triple-action moisturizer with SPF 30 and a sheer foundation built in, looks like a win-win-win for your skin. Never having used any sort of foundation before, I've always been curious about tinted moisturizer as an alternative to full on coverage, and what could be better than one with a high SPF and natural ingredients to even out your complexion and nourish and protect your skin?

Eye Shadow in Chianti (shimmery red plum)- $20 A feisty shade of plum to go with your fall peacoat, somewhere between blue, pink, red and brown, this shade pops any eye color! Use it as a sparkly daytime shade, or layer it for an intense nighttime look with eyeliner.

And as an added bonus, courtesy of the go-to rag of shopaholics everywhere, Lucky Magazine, enter the code "luckybreaks9" at checkout to receive 30% off your purchase (every month Lucky is filled with codes like this to help you save at some amazing online retailers)!

Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Shampoo

Wandering the aisles at Target (always unnervingly well-stocked with the latest and greatest in beauty products- they just added origins!), I was trying to stay away, I really was, but I just couldn't pass up $2.99 for Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Gel and a sample size of Wonder Waves Shampoo.

Overall, I have to say the shaping gel was just ok. I used about 10 sprays on my whole head, and then used my fingers to scrunch and spiral my curls into place. My curls were nicely shaped, very bouncy and ringlet-y but not well defined. I'd say it is nice if your hair isn't prone to frizz or you live in an area with low humidity. My hair is thin and fine and frizz is second nature, so I have to say that it was a little disappointing for me.

On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised with the wonder waves shampoo. It didn't dry out my hair like some shampoos do, and it left my hair really soft before conditioning.

I've never tried any of the Garnier products before, and I think they could work well for certain hair types and textures, but for me it just didn't cut it. Life is too short to have bad hair days, right?

In a rut?

I'm sure my loyal readers have noticed I have been strangely AWOL lately (all 3 of you, love you ladies). I guess I just haven't been 100% myself. In honor of feeling like crap, I've made a list (it's short, but useful nonetheless) of things to help you get out of that hole you're in and back into the sunshine with the regular folks!

1. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner-great for rejuvenating tired, depressed hair, think of it as Valium for your locks! It may be cheap but it is also great at its job! You don't need to spend a million bucks to look it.

2. Take a Bath!- It's ok to wallow sometimes, as long as you do it in a luscious, perfumed bubble bath. Target's Soap & Glory line has amazing smelling bubble baths and body scrubs ( and tons of other great, fun beauty products) to turn you from dud to diva in no time, or as much time as you want!

3. Break a Sweat- whether you prefer good old fashioned exercise or like to bellydance in the privacy of your bedroom, a little endorphin buzz can turn anyone's moody blues into cheerleader enthusiasm!

4. Laugh!- look up babies eating lemons on youtube or Tivo America's Funniest Home Videos (it really doesn't get any less funny as you get older) to help you see the lighter side of things. Laughter and happiness are contagious so help spread the joy!

5. Treat yourself to a Mani Pedi- I don't know about you ladies, but there is nothing that makes me feel more masculine than messy, unkempt toes. A pretty shade of pink or sweet summery orange (I'm lusting after Dior's Sweet Orange from Sephora.)

What keeps you out of the doldroms? All tips are welcome and appreciated!!