Our top spring products for holistic health

There’s so many seemingly healthy products out there that can easily fool us, the consumer. Ingredients can be confusing, even labels claiming “natural” can get you thinking you’re buying something that’s good for you when in fact it’s not. Not all companies are out to scam us however, and the good one’s are worth spending the extra coins on. In life you get what you pay for, so better quality products which have been made with care are going to cost more than mass-produced generic brands, that’s just how it is. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the spring products we’ve tried and tested ready for you to enjoy:

Hair Care:

Hotter days mean more activity, more sweating and a higher probability you’ll be washing your hair more often. I usually wash my hair 3-4 times a week in winter and everyday during summer time. That’s quite a lot of washing and not recommended by hair-gurus. My theory is, if you’re using the right products, there’s nothing to worry about. To the gurus I say: I like to be clean, shoot me! The key is not to over-do it, so I don’t stand there sudsing for 3 minutes using a whole lot of harsh chemicals, I use a small amount of good quality stuff and gently massage it in for a few seconds before washing off and applying conditioner to the length and ends. I’ve only ever gotten compliments on my hair, and have never needed to style it. Maybe it’s genetics, but it’s certainly not Maybelline.

When I found a company called Calia through an associate and holistic-lifestyle enthusiast, I had to give it a try. Two words: Just wonderful! The company is a small, independent beauty care company based in Vancouver, Canada. (Don’t worry, they ship worldwide.) Being the purveyors of natural organic hair care which they are, they can really be depended on to deliver what they promise:

Mildly scented with natural Essential Oils (or unscented, if you prefer that, or want to create your own scents.)

• Hypo allergenic
• Environmentally Friendly
• No Sulfates
• No DEA (toxic skin irritant)
• No Sodium
• No Propylene Glycol
• No Animal testing

They cater to all hair types whether you’re oily, dry, combination or normal. They even have products suitable for children and are happy to answer any enquiries you may have. Basically, they are lovely people running a lovely company that makes good-for-you products. What more can you ask for? To check out their line of hair care products, essential oils and skin care visit their website.

Speaking of Skin Care: Makeup that matters

Buying the right makeup is important for many reasons. Most makeup brands test on animals, and looking pretty is simply not a good enough excuse for animal abuse. Not only do most makeup brands test on animals, they’re also full of ingredients that you don’t want seeping into your skin on a regular basis. People tend to forget that their skin is their largest and most exposed organ, which in a sense, eats whatever you put onto it. That’s right, our skin absorbs on average, 60% of what we put on it. More than 10.000 various ingredients are permitted in our personal-use products, many of which are hazardous to our health, yet they are permitted in products we use daily.

The Alima Pure makeup line is the first brand that comes to mind. Not only for their mindful ingredients, but because their makeup actually works well! They’ve got all the makeup you would need, and you can order everything online which simplifies the shopping experience. The company offers minimal ingredients for maximum impact using only the purest of ingredients. Most importantly, and without compromise, the products are never tested on animals. Their beautiful promise includes:

• No parabens
• No sulfates
• No phthalates
• No dimethicone
• No petroleum
• No talc
• No bismuth oxychloride
• No nanoparticles
• No synthetic dyes
• Absolutely never tested on animals

The Alima Pure website states:

“All natural, pure minerals from nature. That’s all you’re going to find in Alima Pure cosmetics. No toxins, no irritants, no preservatives, just pure beauty. How can we offer something so pure and rich in colour when others can’t? Because our minerals are not only the finest grade, they’re specially processed to provide rich, deep pigment, opacity and shimmer – just as they are. The result is a wonderful light, silky feeling and long-lasting wear that lets your true beauty shine through.”

Air Freshener

I don’t know what it is, but people are crazy about air fresheners. If you’re house really smells bad, you should probably fix the cause of the problem rather than masking the smell. If you just like the touch of perfume in the ambiance, or that whiff of extra-fresh smelling air, then there are a lot more healthier ways to go about it. I think this huge craze for air fresheners has a lot to do with advertising. Glade, Air Wick, Fe-breeze. You know them. God help us. Not only do most of them only work to cover the smell up instead of removing the odours, they’re also terrible for your health. Particularly your nasal passage and lungs.

For a pleasant and therapeutic aroma, essential oils are definitely the perfect alternative. Use a diffuser like this one on Amazon. Or a traditional oil burner like this one, also on Amazon.

If you’re really keen on odour-scrubbing, a Moso Bag might be a great addition to your home. The Moso Bag is filled with non-toxic, chemical free and fragrance free moso bamboo charcoal. The charcoal acts as a continuos odour-scrubber by removing allergens, harmful pollutants and excess moisture from the air. This prevents mould and bacteria from forming, giving the air a fresh, crisp quality.

The product is free of formaldehyde, petroleum and carcinogens which are all ingredients you can usually find in popular air-fresheners. All of which can lead to numerous health problems.

To discover more on the Moso Bag, visit their website.

Sources: Gimmie The Good Stuff, Holistic Habits, Calia Natural, Alima Pure, Moso Natural, Visually