review // 100% Pure Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

So if you've been following me for a while then you'll know I'd been trying out the Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Shampoo & Conditioner in Drink it up Coconut Milk since February.  I purchased these after running out of my Carol's Daughter Shampoo & Conditioner (s&c).

Well, in a fit of spring cleaning a few weeks ago, I realized I had bought 100% Pure's Volumizing line in their Cyber Monday deal and stashed it away until I need it.... yeah, I know, that was back in November.  :\  Anyhow, since Brian has been using the Alba Coconut Milk s&c, I've moved on to these 100% Pure ones, using them every time I wash my hair since I (re)found them.

You may also know that I love my other 100% Pure makeup/skincare products, so naturally I was interested in trying their hair products as well.  These were actually only $10 each (originally $18) in that sale, so it was a no-brainer to give them a try.

Well, I am so glad that I did.  These volumizing s&c are all natural, smell fantastic and work great.  All things I [desperately] search for in hair products. 

PACKAGING

All of 100% Pure's shampoos & conditioners come in 8 oz. plastic squeeze tubes.  They seem substantial and sturdy.  I've been using them for weeks (leaving them in the shower) and they've been stowed away for a bit before that and I've noticed no leaking or cracking of the plastic.

 PRODUCT

 The Shampoo has a clear loose gel-like consistency and unlike a lot of other natural shampoos (without sulfates) it actually lathers fairly well, at least compared to a lot of others I've tried.  The conditioner has more of a milky gel-like consistency.  The website lists their key benefits:

+ 100% natural, 100% vegan, gluten free
+ For fortified, thicker hair
+ Gentle enough for color treated hair
+ Kelp helps to thicken and fortify hair and seaweed collagen boosts shine
+ All natural formula does not contain synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, chemical preservatives, sulfates, detergents or any other harsh ingredients  

 I usually lather, rinse and repeat just to get rid of any hair product buildup.  After rinsing, my hair feels clean, but not straw-like or "squeaky".  Especially since using this line, I am able to go three days between washings (I still shower!), unless I vigorously workout, of course.  Then I apply the conditioner just from my ears to my ends.  After rinsing the conditioner out, my hair feels silky but not heavy.  They both smell like fresh mint, and it is wonderful... a great refreshing pick-me-up in the mornings.  I have highlights and have noticed that, so far, this combo does not strip or dull them.  And I don't know if they have made my hair actually thicker, but it definitely has more body and bounce than with other s&c I've used (even salon ones).

PRICING

$$ out of $$$

 I based this off of the original $18 price, which I think is a little high (for any s&c), so getting it at the special $10 price was great!  I hate to say it, but I would probably repurchase at the original price though, because I do love them so much.  And since I don't wash my hair every day they could likely last 5-6 months.  If that's so, it would definitely make it worth the price for me.

PURCHASING

Right now, you can only purchase 100% Pure cosmetics online or in there stores in California.  Ulta stores do carry some of their body products though.

 CONCLUSION

 There isn't anything bad I can say about this shampoo & conditioner.  I really love everything about it.... perhaps I've found a keeper?  ;)

 

review // Pacifica Roll-On Perfume

I originally found Pacifica in my local Target store several months ago, with my first purchase being the Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Take Me There Set. It was on clearance for about $9 (down from about $17!) so I figured, what the heck, I'll see if I like any of the products.  

As you know, I am constantly on the hunt for natural beauty & personal care options, so the main draw for me was Pacifica's claim to offer natural, safe, and sustainable products.  

After coming home with my new goodies, I did a bit more research and found that Pacifica actually makes perfumes, candles, lotions, makeup, skincare, and even nail polish... all natural!

They are also all gluten-free, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free.

"Pacifica skin care and color is formulated with natural ingredients your skin craves. Our skin care and color is formulated without: Animal testing, animal ingredients, FD&C color, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, benzene, mineral oil, petroleum, peanut oil, triclosan, and other ingredients you do not want on your skin. Fragrances Brook Harvey-Taylor personally develops all of our scents using the highest quality ingredients including essential and natural oils from all over the world to create Pacifica’s proprietary perfume blends. Pacifica does not support the use of naturals that are threatened or where the harvesting of the plant endangers biodiversity or causes other environmental issues. Pacifica adheres to strict IFRA standards, a self-governing organization that sets safety standards for all natural and non-natural aroma compounds."

While I have quite a collection of Pacifica products now, I thought I'd focus on their perfumes for my first review...especially since that's how the company started and turned it into what it is today.

PACKAGING 

 The packaging for these roll-on perfumes is really nice... A .33 fl oz glass vial with metal screw on cap. The roller ball is metal and seems very secure in place.  With all of the ones I have, all of the roller balls work properly, roll on smoothly and dispense just the right amount of product.  I haven't yet traveled on a plane with one, so I'm not sure how they fare in that environment, but I have brought them with me to work in my purse for a mid-day application and have had no leakage.  (I once tried another roll-on perfume and it leaked when I took it on a plane ...)  I'll do an update when that time comes around.  

PRODUCT

I received my first perfume (in roll-on form) in the 'Take Me There' Set from target.  It was in the scent Indian Coconut Nectar, which is a blend of coconut & vanilla.  The scent is warm, sultry and sweet, like a delicious tropical drink.  It actually reminds me of the Rum Punch Brian and I had in St. Lucia on our honeymoon (and this Alba Botanica Shampoo & Conditioner!).  This scent turns a bit less sweet on me, which I don't mind, but wish it didn't.  That's just the nature of any perfume really.  They react with each person's natural pheromones, so the same scent can ultimately smell slightly different on everyone.  It does wear off after several hours but honestly I don't mind that either since I can just bring it with me and reapply. :)

The other two perfumes I bought were from Ulta.  They actually had a better selection than Target did (with testers) and were actually buy 2, get one free/50%off (I can't really remember).  I stood in front of the display for over 30 minutes trying to decide which ones I wanted.  I swear, when I walked away I definitely smelled like a heap of fruity, vanilla-y goodness.  Haha.

The two I picked up were the Tuscan Blood Orange and Island Vanilla.  

I chose the Tuscan Blood Orange, well because it smells delicious, and because I heard a Beauty YouTuber mentioning that it was their favorite.  It really smells like ripe, juicy oranges.  This scent actually gets sweeter on my skin, which is amazing!  After I put it on, I seriously can't stop smelling myself, which probably makes me look like a looney, but whatever.  It actually has notes of Strawberry and Raspberry, which I can only smell after it's on and probably what i'm sensing as "sweeter".  The Blood Orange seems to last a bit longer than the Coconut Nectar, but I still having to reapply halfway through the day.

I decided on Island Vanilla because I'm a sucker for anything vanilla scented.  But this one is different.  It's inspired by Tahitian Vanilla, which has a deeper fruity, floral note.  it's unlike any other vanilla fragrance I've smelled.  It gets warmer on my skin and is just the perfect all around perfume.  I cn wear it Summer to Winter, morning to night and it's still appropriate.  It's also the longest lasting.  Because of all of this, it's probably my favorite of the three that I have.  But the Tuscan Blood Orange is a close second.  :)

PRICING

$ out of $$$

In the world of perfume, these babies are a steal. At $12 for .33 fl ounces, it's any easy way to try a scent without breaking the bank.  If you like it, you can also purchase a full size (1 fl oz) perfume for $22.  Which, in my book, is also a great deal!  And appropriate, since these don't seem to last quite a long as some commercial perfumes I've tried. But I really don't mind that since they are non-toxic.

 PURCHASING

You can purchase Pacifica Perfumes many places... PacificaPerfume.com, Target, Ulta, Drugstore.com, Amazon, Beauty.com, and more.

 CONCLUSION

I really love these perfumes and specifically the fact that all of Pacific's roll-on perfumes are just the essential and natural oils and pure grain alcohol.  They are free of phthalates, nitro-musks, benzene, and other icky chemicals that are in a lot of mainstream prefumes.  And again, they also don't have phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, GMO, propylene glycol, and artificial color.  100% vegan and gluten-free.

I would definitely purchase them again and think next I'd like to try Brazilian Mango Grapefruit...doesn't that sound like summer??

I'm planning on reviewing some items from Pacifica's makeup & body care lines in a few weeks.  So make sure to check back for that!