Nelson J Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 in 1 Non-Foaming Shampoo / 8oz. / $20.00*

The Argan Oil 7 shampoo is a natural, all in one type of product meant to simplify hair care routines without the use of chemicals that strip the hair, including sulfates and parabens. This healthy alternative to regular shampoo is meant to be gentle enough to cleanse the hair while still retaining some of the natural moisture that keeps the hair and scalp balanced.

Formula
The unique formula claims to be a replacement for shampoo, conditioner, detangler, shine spray, smoothing serum, color protector and pre-styling lotion. It is non-foaming which typically means it will be less harsh on the hair unlike other shampoos containing foaming agents that leave the hair frizzy, dry, and undefined. There is a whole 'no poo' movement that believes using a natural product as an alternative to traditional shampoo is the way to fulfill great hair health.

The ingredient list for the Argail Oil 7 shampoo lacks chemicals and is packed full of nourishing oils such as coconut, orange, and peppermint. The citrus and Argan oils effectively clean the hair without damaging the cuticle or stripping out moisture and hair dye. The peppermint energizes the scalp and gives a gentle exfoliation. The product itself is a white, thin liquid with blue beads throughout. It has a strong peppermint scent with a bit of sweetness that lingers in the hair a few hours after washing.

Use
The lack of lather from a non-foaming shampoo is probably the most difficult part about making the switch from regular shampoo. The directions say to take a palm sized amount and massage the scalp vigorously, working downward towards the ends. The motion is suppose to be like pushing the product into your hair to ensure it properly reaches any oil or dirt. Adding a splash of water helps to distribute the product around even more, as well as running a wide tooth comb through the hair. After those steps the shampoo can either be rinsed out with warm water or left on the hair for about three minutes as with a conditioner.

Results
The first time I tried the shampoo, I followed all the instructions just as they were stated on the bottle. It felt a bit strange to not get any lather and I questioned whether or not the product was actually cleaning my hair. I used a wide tooth comb while still in the shower and I noticed an unusual amount of hair left tangled around the teeth. From there on out I decided to comb my hair out after the shower while it had been towel dried for about ten minutes which decreased the amount of hair that came out.

I immediately noticed that my hair felt soft and looked smooth, clean, and weightless. As it dried I noticed how it was less frizzy and had much more shine to it. I did initially miss my conditioner, however the formula does sufficiently clean the scalp while leaving the rest of my curls silky and defined. I now use the Argan Oil 7 every other day or less and my roots are noticeably less oily after more time passes in comparison to using a regular shampoo.

Conclusion
After using this shampoo for almost one month now, I am impressed with how much it has changed my hair. As someone with curly hair who hasn't dabbled in the 'no poo' world as of yet, I believe that using more natural ingredients without a lather is not only healthier for your hair but leaves it looking better than ever. My only suggestion would be to use caution when combing out hair when it it soaking wet as too much of my hair came out when doing so. Overall. I really like this product and was left with conditioned, less frizzy, shiny hair that didn't look as oily between washes.


Have you ever tried a non-foaming shampoo?

Like with many things in life, I hop the bandwagon a bit late and my wallet struggles to keep up with evolving trends. I find myself consulting my sister with questions like, "So what are the kids into these days?", despite my efforts to stay current. Times like this are when I am especially happy that I can take the opportunity to engage with my lovely followers and friends and ask you to fill me in on what's 'hip' in the world of technology.

So as a humble new owner of an smartphone, I am sort of clueless when it comes to finding good apps. I already have Instagram and as well as some photo editing apps I like which are Afterglow, Pic Stitch, KitCam (my favorite so far) and Picfx.

I have all the social media apps such as Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Facebook. 

For miscellaneous ones, I found RetailMeNot, Etsy, a fitness tracker, and also the Blogger app.

So am I missing out on anything? I'd love to know what your favorites are, so please share with me.

What are your must have apps?

Popular singer Fergie teamed up with Wet N Wild Beauty to launch 24 nail polish colors inspired by her music and funky sense of style. In comparison to the permanent line of Wet n Wild nail polishes, the bigger Fergie bottles hold relatively the same amount of polish, are more expensive, and have a thicker, wider brush. My lovely boyfriend gave me these five shades for Christmas, and I've finally had the chance to test them all out and share my review.

Shades

Formula

Although the appearance of each polish differs, they all had a very similar formula. I found the texture to be heavy, 'goopy', and difficult to evenly apply. The brush is abnormally wide and didn't efficiently apply the polish neatly or without some fussing. None of the shades were completely opaque even with three coats. The finish of each was frosty and dull, but a shiny top coat instantly brought them to life. The wear wasn't excellent either as I saw some chipping and flaking in about four days continuing to worsen each day thereafter.

Find

These polishes are available at participating drugstores. I know they've been spotted at Family Dollar, Walgreens and Rite Aid and also on Drugstore.com. They also may be purchased on the Wet N Wild website.

Conclusion

Although both the formula and finish are lacking, I still would not deem this line as the worst nail colors out there. The three glitters I tried are unique to my collection and were fun to mix and match on top of different shades. As for the other two, the frosted finish and lack of opacity is disappointing even with a clear topcoat to add some shine. Other Wet n Wild nail polishes I have tried were all great, so I'm not exactly sure what didn't translate to this collection.

Have you tried any of the Fergie nail colors?

Commonly referred to as 'liquid gold', organic Argan oil is produced from the nuts of Argan trees in the semi-desserts of Morocco. The pure oil is a concentrated source of Vitamin E as well as essential fatty acids that yield many positive effects on the skin, body, and hair. The Josie Maran oil in particular is fragrance free, created with natural and organic ingredients, cruelty free, paraben free, recyclable, vegan, and "made with love".

The Josie Maran Cosmetics brand takes a holistic stance and offers truly wholesome products in a crowded market.  Due to the popularity of the oil in recent years, it's demand has had a positive impact socially and environmentally in addition to it's cosmetic properties. The oil is "purchased from women's cooperatives that support their social and economical welfare" that also "work within a UNESCO biosphere reserve that ensures the protection and reforestation of Argan trees" (Sephora.com). When purchasing this oil, you can feel good about indirectly helping out the women of Morocco as well as supporting environmental projects.

Benefits 

The medium viscosity of this oil absorbs well into the skin while also providing sufficient moisturization. It is cold pressed which means it is exposed to a minimal amount of processing, thus allowing the retainment of nutrients. On the skin, the oil improves hydration and elasticity, nourishes, treats, and softens. The result is glowing, dewy skin that is being conditioned and revitalized with each application. Argan oil can be used any where else on the body that is dry, including split ends and cuticles. 

My Experience

From the first time I used this oil, I instantly fell in love. Initially, the thought of putting oil on your skin sounds a bit frightening,  however this one will not clog pores or give a greasy appearance even on combination or oily skin types. It absorbs so well into my skin and leaves the most beautiful, natural looking glow. The fact that it's an all natural, organic, and fair trade product makes my inner hippie explode with joy. I press it into my skin at night after using a toner, and in the morning my skin is completely hydrated, calmed, and baby smooth. I also use a small drop of oil to run through the ends of my hair and they looked and felt healthier than ever.

There is speculation that plant based oils like this can heal acne, fade stretch marks and cure eczema. I suffer from hormonal cystic acne, and I did notice a significantly less amount of blemishes appearing on my skin during a cycle. When I did use a drying lotion to clear up breakouts, applying the Argan oil underneath helped my skin stay moisturized under the harsh ingredients.

Conclusion

Now that I have Argan oil incorporated into my skincare routine, I would be unfortunate to live without it as nothing I've tried is comparable. It truly does intensely hydrate without feeling heavy or looking oily. The one drawback is the price, however such a small amount is needed that I see it as an investment in your skin. If you are looking for an all natural, high quality oil I would recommend Josie Maran's to anyone I know.

Do you use oils in your skincare?

Which hairstyle is your favorite?

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Following the trend of makeup brand BB cream debuts, Urban Decay recently released their own version in the Naked line. The 'all in one' type of face product comes in one universal shade that will blend into any skintone with an array of claims to improve the skin in eight weeks.

Benefits

Hydrates without looking greasy and improves hydration over time.

Primes as blendable formula creates a smooth finish so makeup goes on beautifully and stays put.

Protects with a broad spectrum SPF 20 that shields skin from sun damage and inhibits DNA damage.

Perfects with optical blurring pigments to even out skintone, minimize pores, lines, wrinkles, and redness.

Treats improve elasticity, firmness, and provide anti-aging benefits.

Claims
In a clinical study, immediately after use:
65% of participants' complexion looked significantly improved
59% of participants' skin looked significantly lifted
68% of participants' skin hydration improved significantly

After eight weeks of use:
94% of participants had significantly firmer, more lifted skin
90% had significantly more radiant skin
84% had a significant improvement in fine lines
Over 84% had significantly smoother and more hydrated skin

The texture of the creamy product feels velvet soft and lightweight. It initially comes out of the tube as a warm orange tone, however with blending it smooths out to a translucent, demi-matte finish with a sheer tint. The SPF added protects your skin when you are wearing makeup without looking and feeling greasy like when using some other types of sunscreen. It absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn't transfer even when applying makeup on top.

Wear
When wearing the balm on it's own, my skin looks almost too 'naked'. It does blur my pores very well and lightly evens out hyperpigmentation, however it doesn't conceal blemishes or provide a significant amount of coverage for my taste. As you can see in the before and after photograph, the balm clings to dry patches and spots even after I had exfoliated and applied a moisturizer beforehand. My skin was a bit irritated from testing out new skincare products, however I have the same issues regardless. On my bare oily skin the balm starts to look more dewy after a few hours of wear, but it doesn't actually wear off until I cleanse.

My favorite and the most efficient way to use this product (in my opinion) is underneath makeup. When I apply it underneath Revlon Colorstay foundation, my skin looks more flawless and even than if I used a typical clear primer. The liquid foundation lasted longer on my face and looked more fresh at the end of the day. Overall, since using the beauty balm I haven't noticed any difference in the appearance of my skin except for possibly a slight increase in elasticity.

Hello blogettes! I decided to do another post sharing a few blogs that I've been especially loving lately and deserve more recognition! All these women work hard and have a true passion for blogging as well as really sweet and friendly personalities. Give them a visit and I'm sure you will become as fond of them as I am.

My most recent favorite, I discovered Coco's blog The Beauty Milk right as her name started to pop up all over my feeds. I know why she is becoming so popular, her reviews are so thorough and her makeup photographs are high quality. I wish her much success and I know her hard work will get her really far!

I love Brandi from Cupcakes and Curves! Her posts are so fun to read, and she has such a spirit about her that makes you want to be her best friend. If you are looking for a fresh and unique beauty and lifestyle blogger, check her out.

My friend and design client Marija from Rose Horse Shoe is a style blogger whom I've been following for ages now. She is such a classic beauty and is seriously one of the most kind-hearted bloggers I know.




I've known of Marvelle for awhile from Blog Of Shadows, but I've only recently officially followed her. Not only is she gorgeous but she is so skilled at doing makeup! I envy her gorgeous skin and love to look at her big, clear photographs.

The fabulous Jasmine from Oh So Flawless was a follower of mine who left a sweet comment on one of my posts. I checked out her blog to return the favor and I loved what I saw! She does short and sweet reviews and has a true passion that shines through. 

Who are your favorite bloggers who deserve more followers?