Eco Voyage

while cool weather is settling upon some parts of the world, summer is blooming in other parts like australia + new zealand. i'm devising a way to eventually make my way to all the exotic, warm-weather destinations across the globe, in the meantime, this little nomad is over the moon to be heading to the lush + verdant city of portland, oregon {along the pacific coast of the united states}.

and while paris + chicago are cooling down, my best friend who lives in oregon happily reports that the weather is mild + temperate: perfect hiking + mountain climbing weather. as we hit the trails, nature will offer all the beauty + majesty that i so love, but it will also offer something else: mosquitoes, ticks + other biting insects. so what are we going to do about it? read on insect warriors:

we're going to find a natural solution, of course! there are important reasons to eschew conventional products used to repel insects, specifically chemical ingredients known to be harmful to health including deet. deet is a registered pesticide; it is absorbed through the skin and passes into the blood. research shows deet affects the central nervous system, and when combined with other chemicals, can lead to learning + memory dysfunction.

here are four healthy options for all the hiking, biking, beach-going + nature-loving folks who just want to enjoy the sunshine + the great outdoors sans all those toxic chemicals:

1/ meow meow tweet: made with witch hazel, lavender water, apple cider vinegar + lemongrass essential oil

3/ intelligent nutrients: made with cedarwood bark oil, rosemary leaf oil, peppermint oil + geranium flower oil

4/ naked botanicals: made with witch hazel, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, citronella oil + lavender oil

5/ butterbean organics: made with neem oil, citranolla oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil + peppermint oil all-natural, small-batch sprays made with ingredients that will protect you from pesky critters, that's the way to enjoy nature! for full ingredient lists, click on links.

until next time, stay green dear hearts!

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