Graydon Hair Smoothie Review

Conditioner is one of those hair products that I don't really use anymore. Since chopping off my hair (including most of the colour dyed damaged ends), not dying it in almost 2 years, and discovering oils, I really don't have much need for them. With the Yarok shampoo drying out my ends, I decided to give this *Hair Smoothie a go. Keep in mind that I haven't used an actual conditioner in months, my hair is fine but I have lots of it, and I have dermatitis on my scalp. That all impacts how a product works for me, especially this one. I've already reviewed the *All Over Soap and *Sun Cream from Graydon in October and I loved those.

Description: Nourish your lovely locks with nutrient rich ingredients including broccoli seed oil while you infuse your scalp with *healthy hair growth* essential oils of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. We've been able to create a silicone free formulation that will leave your hair super soft and smooth but not weighed down. Great for all hair types!

I want to touch on broccoli seed oil first, which is a powerhouse antioxidant and rich in fatty acids. It has natural UV protection, deeply penetrates to provide lasting hydration, contains Vitamin C which is great for fighting free radicals and adding shine/glow to your skin and hair, and it replaces silicones. Replaces silicones? It basically has that same texture to it. Once you see the pictures below, you'll get it. This hair smoothie has a very interesting herbal scent. I (personally) find it a tad strong, lingers, and it's not all that enjoyable. It coats my hair and makes it feel super soft and sleek, which would be great for those with damaged/thick/coarse/curly/unruly hair. I use the smallest amount, just on my ends, and find my hair can feel greasy or weighed down if I use too much. I have tried using it on my scalp as well, just to reap the benefits of the essential oil blend, and my hair was a greasy mess. Again, the fact that I haven't used conditioner in a long time could be why my hair is reacting this way to it. Nobody else in my house uses conditioner, so I couldn't ask them to try it out to compare results. I think it is a great product with fantastic ingredients, however, it's just not right for my hair. I've started using it for shaving and it's amazing for that!

Retails for $25 CAN for 8 fl oz/240 ml. Can be purchased through Graydon and any one of her retailers.

Do you use conditioner or have you given it up?

Ingredients: purified water (aqua), vegetable glycerin (glycerol), broccoli seed oil (brassica oleracea italica), sunflower oil (helianthis annus), cetyl alcohol (coconut product), stearyl alcohol (mixed plant), cetrimonium chloride, hydrolyzed soy protein (glycine soja), olive oil (plea europaea), coconut oil (cocos nucifera), green tea extract (camellia sinensis), chlorophyll (chlorophyllin), in a blend of pure essential oils, vitamin e (mixed tocopherols) and nothing else!

*Product provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Nature's Gate Pomegranate Sunflower Hair Defense Conditioner Review

In March, I finished up (or they expired) a couple of conditioners. I went a few days without any conditioner and really noticed how tangled my damaged ends were getting. Off I went to my local health food store to buy one. I was literally overwhelmed, I think it was because I wanted to try everything but wasn't sure which to pick at that moment.  I remember Martha, from Quick Cheap and Pretty, mentioning that she really likes the Nature's Gate conditioner. It was on sale, smelled super nice, so I bought it.

Description: Our Pomegranate Sunflower Conditioner defends color-treated hair from the damaging effects of UV rays, the environment and styling. This moisture-laden conditioner is formulated with Pomegranate, Sunflower and Red Tea Leaf for their antioxidant properties and our 7 Healthy Hair Nutrients to strengthen and revitalize hair. With daily use, this conditioner helps extend the vibrancy of your colored tresses.

I so wish this worked for me as well as it works for her. First off, the product is so thick that it's hard to get out of the big bottle with tiny top dispenser. Dear Nature's Gate, a pump would have been fantastic and less annoying. I literally fight with the bottle every shower. Thick conditioner usually means hydrating conditioner, at least to me it does because I think of how thick deep conditioners are. Was this hydrating or moisturizing? Nope. It sits on my hair and rinses off as though it was never there to begin with. Except, I know it was there because it leaves behind a beautiful fruity scent! The scent is divine. The ingredients are pretty good, except fragrance which is at least phthalate free. Since it's not actually doing anything for my hair, I plan on using it in a DIY salt spray and to shave my legs. I won't be repurchasing for sure.

I bought it on sale for $6.99 CAN for 18 fl oz. It can be purchased at most health food stores and through Nature's Gate.

What do you think of Nature's Gate hair care products?

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin (Vegetable Derived), Stearyl Alcohol (Vegetable Derived), Cetyl Alcohol (Vegetable Derived), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Vegetable Derived), Benzyl Alcohol, Punica Granatum(Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Viola Tricolor (Pansy) Extract, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Stearalkonium Chloride (Vegetable Derived), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethylcellulose (Plant Derived), Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid (Vegetable Derived), Fragrance*.
* Phthalate free