Myra Aso 100% Pure Marula Oil Review + Giveaway

Towards the last half of 2013, I attended the Whole Life Expo in Toronto. Shows like that are great for discovering new brands that are eager to get their products seen, tried, and loved. Myra Aso instantly grabbed by attention. Her beautiful smile and knowledge of marula oil intrigued me. She was in no way pushy, which I liked. After walking around the entire show, I knew I had to go back and pick up a bottle.

Marula oil actually comes from a fruit, which I didn't know. Correction: The oil is extracted from the nut of the seed of the fruit. The marula fruit is edible and inside is a seed. When the seed is cracked open, there is a nut. The oil is then extracted (cold pressed) from that nut. It grows on a tree that is Native to Africa and considered a miracle oil for it's ability to moisturize dry skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, reduce stretch marks, reduce facial redness, and much more. It's high in antioxidants like Vitamin C, and minerals like zinc and magnesium.

Myra Aso is a natural hair and skin care company, founded in 2012 by Myra Moyo and based in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. The company specializes in marula oil and the formulation of marula body and hair care products.  

The company educates women in the importance of natural beauty, through private consultations, workshops and seminars held at various community health organisations. 

As a young woman, Myra maintained a natural approach to her beauty, preferring short cropped hair and natural styles even in the face of opposition from accepted social standards, often finding herself forced to use products with synthetic ingredients which never solved any problems but created new ones.

As a wife and mother of four, the need for good products with clean and healthy ingredients is a passion. She has spent many years studying natural health and beauty alternatives and has decided to share her research with other women, who often are left with little option but to use products and services offered by people unqualified to address their, more natural, needs in managing beauty.

All product formulations are created by Myra, based upon the success of her hand-made formulations for family and friends. Myra is dedicated to using natural, earth-derived ingredients that take the health of the user into consideration. She is also dedicated to the empowerment of women through education, providing alternatives they seek as they become more aware of the options that are available to them, as they take their beauty and self esteem into their own hands. Naturally.

Read more about Myra Aso here.

Description: Organic Marula oil can be used for dry, chapped skin, stretch marks, redness, scars, as a facial moisturizer, around the eyes, for babies and small children and as a massage oil for the whole family.

Although I have used this a few times on my face and initially bought it for that sole purpose, I've quickly come to love it as a hair oil. My hair is fine, straight, and gets easily weighed down. That's why I only use a shampoo (all over) and oil (on my ends), no conditioner or styling products. Ever. This clear, light oil works like a charm to smooth frizz and makes my ends shine without weighing it down. I just apply one drop (yes, just one) between my hands and work it into my ends after my hair has already dried. I even apply it after using a sea salt spray to get beachy waves without looking like I need a deep conditioning mask. As for the scent, it's really hard to describe. I will say that it's not strong and doesn't linger, anyone sensitive to scents will not be bothered by it. Marula oil is hands down my new favourite hair oil and a must try for all of you who have yet to do so.

Myra Aso can only be found in Ontario, Canada at these retailers. She has told me that she's working on an online store. Fingers crossed that happens soon! If you live in the GTA and will be attending the Green Living Show, go visit her at booth #429!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Myra Aso was kind enough to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to try the magical oil that I just raved about, as well as some additional goodies. How exciting is that!? The winner will receive:

• Pure Organic Marula Oil
• Marula Jojoba Facial Serum
• Marula Coconut Hair & Scalp Oil
• Marula Argan Body Cream - scented and unscented

To enter, you must subscribe to my blog and complete Rafflecopter below. Winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize. After 24 hours, I will pick another winner. Myra Aso will ship the products to the winner, however, you are also welcome to pick them up at the show. Just let me know which option you prefer. Open to Canadian Residents only.

Good luck :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Faves Friday!

Hello Friday and lovelies! Bet you're surprised that this is actually up on a Friday instead of the usual Saturday or Sunday. Be proud of me! I have a bunch of new things, and a couple old, that I have been loving over the past couple of weeks.

Deep Steep Body Mist in Honeydew Spearmint - I am beyond obsessed with this scent in the Deep Steep range. It's sweet and fresh and delicious. The mist doesn't last very long on the skin/clothes but, I don't mind reapplying and my clients probably appreciate that I don't smell like a fragrance counter. Sea Salt Spray (in the silver bottle) - When I went to Jamaica, I filled up this Aura Cacia bottle with sea water. Since we were going into Winter at the time and beachy hair wasn't all the rage, I kinda just kept it in a drawer. Now that the sun is finally shining and beachy hair is back in style, I've been using it regularly to give my fine, flat hair some texture and volume. Myra Aso 100% Marula Oil - Have I mentioned my love for marula oil yet? It works wonders for my hair. Since my hair is short and fine, I literally use one little drop and work it into my ends after drying/styling. It completely eliminates frizz and leaves my hair smooth, shiny, and glam. Never tried it? Don't worry, I got a special giveaway coming your way. Sante Eyebrow Pencil in No. 2 Brown - When my brows are full and luscious, I use Zuzu, but when they get a little sparse, it just doesn't do the job. I knew I needed something new and after swatching several brow pencils, Sante was the clear winner. It's not a warm brown so it works great for very dark brown/black brows like mine. I freakin love it. Living Libations Neem Enamelizer Toothpaste - I won't lie, this stuff tastes horrible and often times makes me gag a little. Why's it in your faves then Nicole? Because since I've started using it, my teeth are noticeably whiter and less sensitive. *Lyck Lip Butter in Crushed Berries - This lip butter smells, tastes, and feels divine on my lips. It leaves my lips super soft, makes my lipstick look better and last longer, and crushes candy cravings with each lick of my lips.  Hope you all have an amazing Friday :) *PR SAMPLE

#NoBuyJanuary Update + Faves Friday

#NoBuyJanuary has been very interesting thus far. There have been many bloggers writing about their experiences and why they decided to take part in this "event", which has lead me to many good reads. Everyone has their own reasons, but it seems like waste is one of the biggest. I don't believe in wasting money and under the umbrella of money comes food, skin care, electricity, etc. It's important to realize that not everyone can afford certain luxuries and we must not take what we have for granted. I've gone from a well paying corporate job to not even making 1/4 of that as an aesthetician. While I am fortunate to still live at home, I do have expenses and would like to eventually own a home. Using up products is not an issue for me, usually, and this month has been no exception. I have purchased a few items though and in honor of full disclosure, this is what I've picked up: Osmia Spot Treatment (why did it take me so long to get this?!?), 100% Pure Coconut Conditioner, coconut oil, Hurraw lip balm, and CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face.  And now, my faves of the week! It's been all about hair care, surprisingly.

Lisa, from Serenity on the Humber Spa, has been telling me to try Alaffia Scalp Recovery Shampoo for like a year now and gave me what was left in her bottle to try. I've previously tried shampoos with tea tree in them and have ended up with a severely itchy scalp...which I've scratched..until it bled. Nice eh? My fear of tea tree oil is real people! Having used this shampoo twice already, and having one more use left, my scalp is almost clear! I can't even believe it. My mom was even shocked and asked what I've been using. I'm singing Lisa's praises right now, and this shampoo of course. I do find my hair looks a little oily the next day, but I think my scalp and scalp just need a little adjusting period. I may have to pick up a bottle of my own and use the other shampoos for something else or give them away. Having suffered with dermatitis and dandruff for years, it's such a relief to find something that works. Fingers crossed that it continues to work this well!

Myra Aso 100% Pure Marula Oil - review to come - I purchased this at a show a couple of months ago with the intention of using it on my face. Since I ran out of all my hair oils, I decided to try this on the ends of my hair. AH-MAZING! I can honestly say that I prefer it to argan oil and I literally use just 1 small drop. It doesn't smell the best, but the scent isn't too strong nor does it linger. Leaves my ends looking silky smooth and healthy.

What have you been reaching for most this week?

Rave Review: Pure Anada African Gold

Pure Anada is a Canadian based company that was created by Candace Grenier. She started her career as a hairstylist, and after developing such severe sensitivities to the chemicals she used on a daily basis, decided to green her life. After switching all of her household products, she realized her makeup was the only thing left that wasn't green. Her dissatisfaction with natural makeup encouraged her to start making her own (lovely) creations. The brand quickly blossomed and now carries a variety of products for all to enjoy!

The lovely Candace. Picture courtesy of Pure Anada.

I've come across Pure Anada many times while roaming the aisles of The Big Carrot, but for some reason never tried anything. Then I met Lisa, owner of Serenity on the Humber, who constantly raved and still raves about the brand. She intensified my need (obviously need) to try the brand out for myself. Luckily, Candace contacted me and asked if I was interested in trying out some products. I didn't even think twice and *African Gold was one product I knew I definitely needed to try.

Description: Unrefined, fair-trade, organic Shea Butter, blended with  African Marula Oil, makes this product a must-have in every household! Shea Butter is extracted from the kernel of the Karite tree, and has been used in Africa for hundreds of years!   There are many beneficial effects of the compounds found in raw, unrefined shea butter. Vitamins A & E and F all work to soften and revitalize dry skin.  Some of the properties are anti-bacterial which help in healing wounds.  Raw shea butter is wonderful for people with sensitive skin and has been known to help those with psoriasis and eczema.  Many people claim it also brings instant relief to insect bites! Marula Oil is known as Africa’s miracle oil!  It is rich in antioxidants, oleic acid, vitamins A & C which are essential components for the maintenance of healthy skin.  It is fast absorbing, and helps to nourish and soften skin.

I've never, in my life, used any form of pure shea butter and I'm pretty sure that makes me the last one on earth to give this wonderful butter a go. We all know how good shea butter is for our skin, it's stated in the description portion above, but what makes it even better is that it is non-comedogenic! As a hormonal acne sufferer with dehydrated and reactive skin, this is glorious news. Then you mix it with an anti-aging miracle oil, like marula, and you got yourself a night time superhero night cream. Have I rambled on enough yet? Ugh. Let me start the actual review by saying that it smells semi awful. No clue if it's the shea butter or the marula oil, but know that it's strong and lingers. That being said, it won't stop this gal from getting her nightly dose! It comes in a plastic container, which makes it ideal for travelling, and the product itself is super affordable if you're lazy like me and don't want to DIY. Plus, why mess with perfection? It's texture is a butter (duh), but it's softer than what I expected and easily scoops out of the container, melts between the hands and applies with ease. I started off using this on my body, until I tried it on my face. A-FREAKIN-MAZING! I alternate between this and my tamanu/SBT sea buckthorn fruit oil mix and when I use this, my skin is noticeably softer, smoother and more radiant in the morning. It hasn't irritated my skin or broken it out at all. With Fall/Winter coming, I'm pretty sure this is going to be a staple in my skin care routine. 

Retails for $12 CAN for 4oz. Can be purchased through Pure Anada or some of their other retailers.

Have you ever used shea butter as a facial moisturizer?

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