HYBRID BEAUTY SUPPLY

[youtube width=”260″ height=”210″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWmKwRhDUCo[/youtube]There’s really no such thing as a Beauty Supply Store in the UK, so when I came to live in the US well over a decade ago and asked someone where I could purchase a hairdryer, I was directed to what I could only describe as a Candy Store for women! I couldn’t believe my eyes – that here was a boutique that was dedicated to one thing and one thing only – BEAUTY!!! Trudging the green path as I have for the past 8 years, I’ve pretty much stayed away from most regular Beauty Supply stores because it’s hard to find products that are Gorgeously Green.

The first thing that hits me when I walk in is the smell OMG – often a cloying mixture of mainly synthetic chemicals, which I now know to be full of phthalates – chemicals that I strongly suggest you try to avoid. The tide, however, is beginning to turn and I’m seeing a handful of beauty supplies attempting to carry a good range of cleaner products.

I couldn’t be more thrilled that my local Wilshire Beauty supply has become the hybrid that I was looking for. I still get my fix of wondering around looking at all the myriad of new lines and fabulous beauty gimmicks, but I can also do some serious damage wallet-in-hand.  Shawanna Davis, the vibrant & lovely manager of this beauty supply is a mine of information  – I realized this when I first met her 4 years ago. I was researching all kinds of different lines for Gorgeously Green and after nattering with Shawanna, I realized that she was ahead of the game. She’s a product queen extraordinaire and knows where to guide green girls like myself.

Four years ago, there were very few products that got the G.G. seal of approval – now Wilshire Beauty has an entire “Go Green” section. Not all the products meet my rather strict criteria, but Gorgeously Green does try to walk the middle path too! We can’t all be eco-beauty zealots – cost, availability and just plain product performance often guides our choices, however, it’s fantastic to see that “hybrid” stores are cropping up, which means the message is getting out there – always remember you vote with your dollars, so keep on putting your money where your mouth, is and treat your body like the temple it is.

If you want to purchase any of the products featured in my vlog, visit Wilshire Beauty Online and you’ll find it all there.

Here are the products that are featured in my vlog:

Alterna
alternahaircare.com <http://alternahaircare.com/>

BAMBOO shampoo (Anti Frizz or Luminous Shine) $22
* eco-certified
* No SLS, Sodium Chloride, Phthalates, Mineral Oil,Petrolatum & PABA

Carols Daughter
Carolsdaughter.com

Body Jelly -$15
100% Natural 0% Petroleum
*Fragrance Free
*No Mineral Oil

Jao Brand-
jaoltd.com <http://jaoltd.com/>

Goe Oil – (Multi Use from hands to hair) $28
*100% Natural
* No Parabens, sulphates, PEG’s, Propylene Glycol, TEA, DEAMineral oil, silicones

Bio Elements
bioelements.com <http://bioelements.com/>

All Things Pure (Moisturizer and Cleanser) $32./ $43
*Made with Organic ingredients
*Chinese Herbs
*Mixed Sources

DermOrganic
DermOrganic.com

Conditioning Shampoo and Leave In Treatment (Made with certified Argan oil)
*sulfate free and color safe
*vegan haircare  no animal testing
*gluten free
*No sodium chloride, Parabens , MEA, DEA or Dyes

Kinky- Curly
kinky-curly.com <http://kinky-curly.com/>

Curling Custard and Knot Today $12/$30
*organic