Biotin Supplements for Healthier Hair and Nails

My nails have been terrible lately.  In addition,my skin has been more sensitive than usual.  As such, I have decided to try Biotin supplementation.  Biotin is a B vitamin that is involved in the metabolism of sugars, fats, and proteins.  It is also recommended for improving the overall health of skin, hair, and nails.  In order to be effective at improving hair, skin and nails, a large dose of biotin is required.  So I am taking 5,000mcg/day.

I will keep you updated on how well/or not well this is working.

Has anyone tried taking Biotin for hair and nail health? How long did you take it before you saw any improvements? What dose did you take?

Lush Big Shampoo - When My Hair Needs a Little Pep

When I my hair has the 'blahs' several days in a row, and I want to give it a little pep, I turn to Lush's Big Shampoo.  This shampoo looks like a salt scrub and smells like a margarita.  For the longest time, I didn't believe it would EVER lather when I picked some out of the pot.  In my world, salt scrubs don't lather.  But with plenty of water in my hair, Big shampoo gives me BIG lather, and it gives my hair BIG life.

Big shampoo is too harsh for everyday use.  But as a clarifying shampoo, it's a miracle.  I'm sure I've used more than 10 pots of this stuff over the years, and it's the first product that reached HOLY GRAIL status for me.  More on that later.

So here's a margarita toast to a week of good hair days!

Cheers!

Oldies but Goodies: The Body Shop's 'The Originals'

It has been AGES since I went into a Body Shop.  I have been using Lush for years now.  However, as Lush got more and more expensive, I started to seek alternatives for my bath and body needs.  Then, walking through the mall one day, I spied a huge poster for 'THE ORIGINALS'.  And the best part?  They were 3 for $20.  Good luck coming out of Lush with much for that kind of money!

So I picked out three of my favorites from back in the day.

Banana Shampoo and Conditioner
This was a winning duo for me in high school.  As a competitive swimmer and lifeguard, I was a pool rat.  As a result of all of that sun and chlorine, my hair typically felt like straw.  The banana line was the only thing that tamed the beast and allowed me to run any sort of combing device through my hair.

That was then.  What about now?  I had been faithful to silicone free hair care from Lush for over 6 years, so th first thing I did was check to mke sure that there were no silicones in the banana line.  Since there were none, I picked up a bottle of both the shampoo and conditioner.  From the very first time I used these, I was in LOVE.  My hair seemed more moisturized, less frizzy and softer. And the smell...oh the smell...it definitely brought back memories.  I have been using the banana shampoo and conditioner for almost 2 months now, and the love has not faded!  I have not reached for my beloved Veganese (Lush) at all.  My hair is just as soft and manageable as it was after the first time I used this duo, and there doesn't seem to be any problems with build up.

Ice Blue Shampoo
This was another favorite of mine when I was younger.  I love that it's blue, and so minty.  I love that it's pepperming and not spearmint.  And there is also a bit of vanilla mixed in there.  YUM!  I have used it a couple of times since I got it, and it's just as nice as I remember it.  I can already tell that this will be a summer favorite for now.

As for the history of this product...it was apparently developed by Mark Constantine, who now owns Lush.  He and the Body Shop did not part well, and he was not allowed to take any poduct/ formula that he developed for the Body Shop when he left.  Mark has since developed a soap with the same scent as Ice Blue Shampoo.  His soap, also called Ice Blue (which was supposedly going to be called 'Ice Blue F**k You') is not as nice as this shampoo.  Though the smell of the soap is identical in the store, when I used it in the shower, it had definite pee undertones.  So the Lush soap version went in the bin after only two uses.  On the other hand, the Body Shop's Ice Blue Shampoo smells just as magnificent in the shower as it does in the bottle.  Not to mention that it does lovely things to my hair.  Sorry Mark, this round definitely goes to the Body Shop!

Check out the rest of the originals line on the Body Shop web page.  And vote for your favorites HERE so that they stick around for many years to come!

Favorite Things - Lush Hair Care

When it comes to my finicky tresses, Lush (www.lush.com) hair care is king. I was originally attracted to this line of hair products because they are silicone free. Since my hair is super straight (read: flat) and very fine (read: fly-aways), I was excited at the possibility of hair products that decrease build-up.
New Shampoo ($9.25/bar)
I absolutely love solid shampoo. It is the most portable wonderful product ever invented. Use it like a soap: lather in your hands, and then rub into your hair. Just remember to let it drain and dry in between uses, so that it doesn't turn into a slimy mess in a similar fashion to that abandoned soap in a pool of water in your soap dish. New shampoo leaves my hair beautifully clean and manageable without being drying. It smells lovely of cinnamon, but the scent does not last past the rinse, which is good news to perfume wearers and those who are not fans of cinnamon.
Veganese Conditioner ($8.75/3.3 fl.oz.; $17.45/8.4 fl.oz.; $25.75/16.9 fl.oz.)
I must admit that when I first contemplated silicone free hair care I was terrified that my hair would regress back to the consistency it was when I swam competitively. Veganese conditioner ensured that my hair not only maintained a straw-free consistency, but also left it softer and shinier than it has ever been. And the best part is that there are much fewer fly-aways! This conditioner smells slightly citrusy and works best for me when I mix it 50:50 with water. When diluted this conditioner spreads more evenly in my hair, and I end up using less to get an even coat.
Jungle Solid Conditioner ($9.95/3.5 oz)
Solid conditioner? Yep I know, it's weird. But this stuff works once you get the hang of it. The easiest way to use it is just to take a chunk and rub your hair with it. This takes a while longer than if the conditioner was a liquid, but the results are well worth it. If the idea of rubbing a hunk of solid conditioner does not sound appealing, then take a piece, cut it into small chunks, add water and melt in the microwave (in 30s increments, with stirring in between). This will form a paste that makes use easier. Also, this makes a great leave-in conditioner. Just rub a little into your hands and then spread on your wet hair. The smell of Jungle is very unique. It's a relic scent from Lush days gone by, and the best way to describe it is - it smells like the outdoors. Fresh cut grass, wild flowers, and a fresh breeze. It reminds me of laundry that was hung outside on a fresh summer day. Either way I use it, this conditioner makes my straight hair glossy, but not greasy...shiny, but not greasy...manageable, but not greasy. Wonderful.

The cons of Lush hair care is that it is not cheap. It seems like you're not getting much for the ding your wallet takes. But you get more than you think, as this stuff lasts for ages.

Now I must admit, silicone free hair care is not for every hair type. I have certainly read many accounts of night mare experiences with this haircare. However, there are even more accounts of people who started using silicone free hair care and have never looked back. Just remember, if you are going to give up silicones, you will have anywhere from a day to a week of yuckiness while you're stripping all the silicone off your hair. Call this a 'cleansing' or 'adjustment' period. And once you get through it, you will be rewarded by incredibly healthy hair!