Oh Very

I love the organic, local food movement. I do. I love it. But how much time do you spend thinking about what you put on your body as you do in your body?

Before we even leave the house in the morning, most of us have slathered so much junk on our skin. Toxic, chemical-filled junk. I honestly didn’t think much about it – What’s that ingredient? Who cares! It claims to help acne! – until a few months ago.

Earlier this year, my very good friend Jenna Street launched a Toronto-based all natural skin care company called Karmalicious. Don’t you love the name?

She makes – by hand – everything from soaps and toners to anti-aging skin care, using natural ingredients. My favourite, the Linden soap, is made with honey, oats and peony flowers. Also, I dare you not to love her cleansing grains. They exfoliate and leave your skin super soft and smooth.

A few of us were also lucky to be a part of one of her natural spa workshops. We learned how to make our own exfoliating scrubs, toners, bath bombs and lip balm! You’d laugh at how easy it is to make this stuff at home.

To be honest, it was this workshop that made me switch from chemical-laden products to all natural.  Jenna’s extremely passionate about living as chemical free as possible, and her enthusiasm is contagious. I check everything now for a list of toxic beauty ingredients and did a proper cleanse of my medicine cabinet.

I’m so thrilled that Karmalicious is a success, and I encourage you all to try out her products via Etsy. Also, you can chit chat with Jenna directly on Twitter @BeKarmalicious. I love her, I love Karmalicious, and I love how good it feels knowing I’m doing something good for my skin and body.

xo

Hey all,

I don’t think I’ve discussed this on here before, but I don’t have any hair (duh) because I have alopecia areata universalis. I was diagnosed when I was 1.5 years old, so it’s all I’ve ever known. I’ve always gone au natural since wigs are hot and itchy and make me feel like I’m hiding myself. I own a few – all but one bought for Halloween – and, once in a blue moon, I put one on. Last night was one of those times.

I went to the Against Me! show with @EmilyLMcKenna, and wore my blonde wig (shown above) under a cap (the hairline isn’t great on this wig, and I didn’t have any wig tape). I was clearly more confident and bold than usual, all because of the anonymity, and I don’t mean in a “disguise” way. I mean that bald girls are memorable; everyone remembers me, so it’s like I have to be on my best behavior all the time. It’s a subtle pressure, I realized today. Wearing a wig made me feel like I can be the person I want to be because no one will remember me, just like I don’t remember them.

The wig was freeing, and people noticed. I got a lot more attention from guys. Staff we knew said they’d never seen us have so much fun before. Emily had a blast. She said it wasn’t weird to see me in a wig; it was weird that it didn’t look weird, lol.

That being said, people did ask me why I was wearing a hat indoors (I’d ask, too), and one guy tried to take it off. I felt like I couldn’t give my number to anyone even if I wanted to. As freeing as wearing a wig is, it almost makes it harder to meet people. I mean, what would you think if you thought someone was super cute only to find out they were actually bald? I’m sure a some people would be cool with it, but the “Surprise!” conversation isn’t one I want to have. Then again, I “have the talk” with people about my lack of hair now, and it’s not bad… hmm.

It’s a real toss up. I want to feel that freedom all of the time and be that confident and bold because that felt like me, but I don’t want to wig anyone out, if you will. I’ve talked a lot to my mom and friends today, and they all say that I shouldn’t feel a pressure either way. Other people wear extensions or even wigs and don’ t think anything of it, so why should I? Why shouldn’t I just wear one if I feel like it and not if I don’t? I could wear it out to dinner but keep it at home when I go to the gym. I could wear headbands!! (My fav hair accessory.)

Anyway, here’s me, and here’s me with two of the wigs I own.

• Do you like me as a blonde or as a brunette?
• Any recommendations for how I should cut/thin/style the brown wig when I take it in?

LAST THING – If you live in Toronto, do you know anyone who cuts/styles wigs? They’re specialists, but I don’t know who to go to. Time for Yelp!

Thanks for any feedback, guys. If you have any questions, ask! I’m completely comfortable talking about my alopecia, so don’t be shy. :)

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to win the Plaid Magazine (@plaidmagazine) giveaway for a GreenBeauty.ca prize pack.

I received the gift today. It’s an incredible-smelling collection of organic lavender-scented products — and they came in a wooden CLUTCH! The Tashodi Clutch, to be specific.

How cool is that?

I honestly struggled between keeping it or re-gifting it. So many friends would love this gift. Then I opened it and realized it was filled with lavender-scented goodies.

I’ve been in love with lavender for years, having used it growing up to help me relax before bed if I was having trouble sleeping. I can smell a bit of lavender wafting from the clutch now. Deliciously soothing. Too bad there isn’t a scratch ‘n sniff plug-in.

Inside the clutch is:

• Tashodi Pure Lavender Organic Soap
• Tashodi Mini Pure Lavender Bath Soak
• Tashodi Mini Pure Lavender Body Scrub (mmm)
• Tashodi Mini Pure Lavender Body Lotion
• Tashodi Mini Pure Lavender Shower Cream
• Tashodi Mini Pure Lavender Hand Cream
• Tashodi Mini Pure Lavender Hand Wash

(My only complaint is that the bottles are on the hard side, so it’s tough to squeeze them. I needed to use two hands and a leg on which to squeeze the lotion in order to get anything out.)

For those of you who don’t know GreenBeauty.ca, they sell eco-friendly makeup and bath and beauty products — many of which, including the ones I received, are organic, fair trade and manufactured with renewable energy.

Kudos to Donna for sending a handwritten Congratulations! note. You’re right — the products are lovely.

So, how green is your beauty regime? Do you prefer to purchase eco-friendly products or have any brands to recommend?

This soon-to-be fabulous blog is officially under construction.

Bookmark us now and check back soon for a dose of girl power for women.

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