Eco Voyage

there's an expression i like to use + i use it often: "until kingdom come" - i use it when i know there will be a long wait for something - like my favorite vegan chocolate bar to be restocked or when i'm rushing to meet a friend, but the dryer at the laverie is in super slow mo and won't release my favorite trousers from its jaws. i was happy to discover the eco brand kindom this summer because this is exactly the kind of ethical label that i love to wear.

i'd been searching for a fresh summer dress for my capsule wardrobe, something easy, something singular with a little urban edge: i had to laugh when i found this sustainable frock as it occurred to me that "kindom" has finally come, and the wait is over {yes, you know i love a clever play on words}.

here is a transparent slow fashion label that produces apparel with respect to the environment + its workers and seeks to create employment opportunities for indigenous people to preserve ancient traditions of handicraft as well. how does one fashion brand make this happen? by producing a perfectly willowy column dress for the minimalists of the world; a demure, celestial dress adorned with planets and stars for moon-gazers like me; and boho graphic tees for girls with sustainability + style on the mind.

let's start with the ingredients: sometimes we want a simple garment to do all the work for us, especially on a hot summer day or a sultry night. light, breathable fibers do a happy eco girl make. kindom uses organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and tencel to craft their designs. they also use discarded stock inventory that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

the designs are made with active girls in mind, with comfort clearly a priority. i've strolled the streets of chicago in this fun, cosmic dress; i've investigated new york city's vegan scene in it; and i've explored paris farmers markets while wearing this easy, breezy number and it's quite chameleonic - fitting into any milieu with its modern cut + an unexpected print.

this frock is the kind of design that people stop + ask me about. it's with feverish excitement that i share fashion notes: this dress was made by happy hands from recycled textiles!

those of you that know me here at eco voyage or follow me on instagram know that i like my looks to be fuss-free, but i do love a plucky piece with personality, and a design with a little something special is always welcome in my closet. as i hop from daytime outings to evening soirees, i always look for pieces that can keep up + wear well.

i'll be easing out of summer and into cool-weather months by wearing this dress over a black turtleneck and pairing it with my faux leather moto jacket + vegan booties, because this is one piece that will see many wears on this green gal's slow fashion journey.

check out kindom and their newest line of brilliant bags hand dyed by artisans and hand-embroidered by the t'boli tribal people. this is the future of fashion, boys + girls.

this post was written in collaboration with kindom. all views are honest + my own.

over the years i've tried eco shampoos that are magical {tis true i've actually texted gal pals to say "i'm having a goooood hair day!"}, and other shampoos that prompt less jolly messages {"i can't stop scratching my head"}.

after routing out products that have given me days of country-star hair {think big: so much volume, it was distracting to coworkers whose wandering eyes pointed heavenwards towards my curious new coiffe} or limp hair, so lifeless, well, let's just say they were hair-up days, i've finally found the one. actually, i found six. lucky girl that i am.

here's a roundup of natural + nourishing hair care brands that are truly shine enhancing + gentle enough for everyday use: they're all eco-friendly + all cruelty-free. and this keeps my locks healthy + happy. oh, and if you have sensitive skin like me, look no further:

now let's open up some bubbly {shampoo suds, that is}:

1/ acure organics moroccan argan oil shampoo this is my numero uno. this shampoo is at the top of my list for several reasons: show me an organic + fair trade product and you have my attention. but as the folks at acure like to say, "it also has to work." does it perform? indeed it does. their shampoo + conditioner have earned a permanent place in my bath + beauty routine. acure strengthens follicles + illuminates dull hair, and i can't get enough of this scent. organic + fair trade certified. if you're looking for a dry shampoo or leave-in conditioner, their products are tops. made in the usa.

2/ john masters organics lavender rosemary shampoo: the shampoo is light + super hydrating and the conditioner adds shine without adding weight. this cleanser smells heavenly {actually i think god would let me through the pearly gates just for the aromatic scent of my hair alone}. 17 organic + wild-crafted ingredients, 1 fab mission. a sustainable brand after my own heart. made in the usa.

3/ avalon organics rosemary shampoo: good hair days start here. this cleanser vies for position as numero uno. a plant-derived cleanser with an invigorating scent; it doesn't strip away natural oils, but gets hair good and clean. the conditioner works like a charm, but a light hand is necessary to avoid weighing down your tresses. 70% of ingredients listed are organic. made in the usa.

4/ collective wellbeing citrus orchard shampoo: argan oil, ladies + gents. get some. good for the face, body + hair. this cleanser contains fair trade, organic argan oil + aloe vera, and it smells yummy. this product delivers as promised: it's both a delicate cleanser + a powerful revitalizer, strengthening weakened hair strands. conditioner restores natural luster; a little dab will do ya. made in the usa.

5/ intelligent nutrients harmonic shampoo: i love everything about this brand and what it represents. the antioxidant-rich, lightweight shampoo smells divine {fresh + minty} and adds a little shine before you ever get to the conditioner. founder horst m. rechelbacher, a commited activist + environmentalist believed in using only safe, pure ingredients in bath + beauty products {he was the founder of aveda, but left to create an even purer product. yep, you read that right}. nontoxic + organic. made in the usa.

6/ morocco method int'l sea essence shampoo: this is a special one. a mud mask masquerading as a hair cleanser, it smells like someone packed the whole sea into this bottle, including sand + sun {note: like sand, the scent kind of sticks for a while}. the texture is rare + pudding-like, akin to a mud mask, which really + truly revitalizes limp locks. it is super concentrated {it says so right there on the bottle} so go easy. that's more bang for your buck. everything that could be good for your locks is packed into this little bottle including some snazzy ingredients like kelp, spirulina, algae, and marine proteins. ingredients are not listed as organic. made in the usa.

{bonus} a bar shampoo!

j.r. liggett's bar original formula shampoo: i admit, i was skeptical. i mean, really skeptical of a bar shampoo. there was that camping trip where i'd forgotten my shampoo + decided to use my soap bar instead. the result was disastrous: cotton candy hair for days. but this bar came highly recommended by a fashionista on no more dirty looks, and i admit i was impressed by the idea of a no-bottle shampoo. so i hopped on over to whole foods and picked up a bar. it works. it truly does. natural ingredients, but not organic. made in the usa.

i rotate these hair care products on a regular basis throughout the seasons: a green arsenal of hydrating shampoos that are great for soft, shiny tresses and for all hair types + all seasons.

{don't forget the tip} our skin + scalp are an integral part of our immune system, so it's important to care for it. here's an easy peasy guide of ingredients to avoid in bath + beauty products. steer clear of these personal care culprits, my friends: sulfates, parabens, phthalates + synthetic fragrances