Giovanni Colorflage Conditioner is Late to the Game

November 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm | Posted in Hair | Leave a comment
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Ever since I first saw Giovanni Colorflage pop up in stores—which seems like a lifetime ago, now—I wanted to try it. I love haircare products geared towards specific hair colors. But I couldn’t try it, because only the shampoos were on the shelves.

A lot of time has passed and nothing’s changed. Every store I go to that stocks Giovanni Colorflage only stocks the shampoos. I have never seen the conditioners in the flesh. There are no spots for the conditioners, no price tags; it’s like only the shampoos exist.

This makes no sense to me. If I was going to only buy one half of the two-piece set, I’d buy the conditioner and keep using shikakai paste in place of shampoo. I’d never buy just the shampoo. The conditioner is the one that will deposit the awesome protective ingredients on my hair.

I really want to try Giovanni Colorflage Remarkably Red Shampoo and Conditioner, but not so much that I’m going to go through the hassle of ordering it online.

I considered using Giovanni Colorflage Remarkably Red Shampoo with John Frieda Radiant Red Conditioner, but I haven’t been able to find John Frieda Radiant Red Shampoos and Conditioners in stores lately.

Unable to buy the products I really wanted to try, I bought mirra Daily Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner yesterday.

So, Giovanni lost my business because the Colorflage Daily Color Defense Conditioner isn’t being stocked, and John Frieda lost my business because their Radiant Red Shampoos and Conditioners aren’t being stocked. Meanwhile, Kroger mirra Daily Shampoos and Conditioners are on sale for $4.49 (originally $5.99) each and are actually in Kroger stores so that I can buy them.

Giovanni Colorflage Shampoos and Conditioners may be the best things since canned bread, but I’ll never find out if the conditioners don’t show up at Target.

Hmmm, I wonder how much business Giovanni and John Frieda have lost because some of their products are nowhere to be found…

Save $5 on Kroger mirra Beauty Care Products with This Coupon

October 7, 2009 at 3:42 pm | Posted in Beauty, Hair | Leave a comment
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Kroger is offering $5 off the purchase of any two mirra beauty care products. Just print out their coupon and save!

Purchase any two Kroger mirra beauty care products and save $5

Kroger is proud to introduce mirra, our easy to use, exclusive health and beauty care brand for family-focused women seeking effortless beauty. Mirra combines quality, natural ingredients with the latest science to meet 3 different needs: Daily – routine personal care; Renew – a rejuvenating time out; and Inspire – quick transformations for a night out.

Get the coupon: purchase any two Kroger mirra beauty care products and save $5

Enhance your natural beauty with products inspired by nature.

Discover Quality Ingredients at an Affordable Price: Kroger mirra

September 22, 2009 at 12:30 pm | Posted in Beauty, Hair | Leave a comment
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I was shopping at Kroger today and noticed some new products in eye-catching packaging. They had some great ingredients in them. The Daily Shampoos and Conditioners, for example, are 14 fl oz and cost $5.99 – that’s 1 fl oz more and $1 less than Organix Shampoos and Conditioners.

Here’s the information I found about the products:

Kroger is proud to introduce mirra, our easy to use, exclusive health and beauty care brand for family-focused women seeking effortless beauty. Not just a national brand knock off, mirra combines quality, natural ingredients with the latest science to meet 3 different needs: Daily – routine personal care; Renew – a rejuvenating time out; and Inspire – quick transformations for a night out.

Designed to make hair look and feel it’s best, mirra Daily shampoos and conditioners are professionally formulated to adapt to your hair’s unique needs: Smoothing, Volumizing, and Color Treated. Mirra products contain sunflower extract, soy protein, amino acids, and chicory root, along with other ingredients, to counteract the harsh effects of hard water and restore a healthy PH balance to your hair – allowing your hair to reach its full potential. Styling products provide moisture, shine, and hold.

Mirra Daily makeup brushes are made from quality natural hair and synthetic fibers for flawless application of color cosmetics.

Mirra Renew skincare products feature exfoliating cleanser and as-sorted creams to hydrate, reduce appearance of wrinkles, accelerate skin renewal, firm and lift with ingredients such as aloe, green tea, pro-vitamin A, and apricot seeds.

In body care, mirra Renew offers Bamboo & Honey, Lemongrass & Ginger, Black Tea & Cracked Pepper, and Japanese Yuzu fragrances in foaming bath, body wash, body lotion, and body mist products for customers to layer as they nourish, strengthen, moisturize, and soothe their skin.

Exciting mirra Inspire products are in creation for a later launch date.

Mirra is perfect for the woman who wants effortless beauty.

- Kroger’s Brand Builders Gazette, Issue 9 Period 9 2009

Kroger mirra products

Next time you go to Kroger, keep an eye out for these new mirra products. The mirra Daily Shampoos and Conditioners are $5.99 each, and the mirra Renew skin care creams (Day Cream, Night Cream, Eye Cream, Micro Sculpting Cream) are $12.99 each. If you try them, please leave a comment saying what you think.

As for me, I’m seriously considering trying the mirra Daily Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner. They’re sulfate-free and contain rooibos (Red Tea). Rooibos is full of antioxidants and is supposed to be really good at protecting hair color.

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate vs Sulfates

September 15, 2009 at 12:30 pm | Posted in Hair | Leave a comment
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I know Organix products aren’t completely “organic.” They still contain surfactants and silicones. Some people read the back and see an ingredient that bears a striking resemblance to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and they wonder if the “sulfate-free” claim is just another marketing lie.

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate: The Good

The surfactant Organix shampoos contain is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate. This is not the same thing as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or any other -Sulfate surfactant. Sulfates are irritating in part because they’re small molecules that can penetrate the skin. Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is a larger molecule that can’t penetrate skin. (Sources: Essential U Blog, Truth in Aging.)

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is known to be very gentle to the skin, even at very high concentrations it remains non-irritating to even sensitive skin types.

Structurally it is a considerably larger molecule than many other surfactants and belongs to a category known as anionic surfactants, meaning that it has a negative charge. The safety and mildness of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate lies in the absence of a sulfate ion head, which is commonly found in many other surfactants. The sulfate ion, which originates in sulfuric acid, is replaced with the more stable and safer sulfonated ester. The result is an effective yet safe product that offers a plethora of advantages over sulfate chemicals.

[Essential U Blog: Chemically Speaking: Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate]

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate: The Questionable

According to the journal Contact Dermatitis, 10% Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate displays “similar” signs of irritation to 2% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Source).

I emailed Organix customer service to inquire about how much Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate their shampoos contain. Here is the complete, unedited answer:

Thank you so much for contacting us! Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is a foaming agent in —. Just to clarify, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate has not been sulfated in the production process which makes it free of sulfates. Even though it may sound alike, it is not a Laurel Sulfate. Sulfosuccinates are the sodium salts of alkylester of sulfosuccinic acid not sulfuric acid. Sulfates are salts of sulfuric acid. This surfactant is a very mild surfactant and can be found in many sulfate free shampoos that are on the market today. We use approximately 21%. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Customer Service Department
Vogue International

A 21% Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate solution would be comparable irritation-wise to a 4.2% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate solution. I think the average drugstore shampoo contains about 10% SLS. If I’m right, that means Organix shampoos are less than half as irritating as the average SLS-containing shampoo.

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate: My Choice

Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate the perfect cleanser? Of course not. It can still cause irritation, and it’s not exactly natural. But is it better than -Sulfate surfactants*? I think so.

* Harsh sulfates include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), sodium myreth sulfate (SMS), sodium myristyl ether sulfate (SMES), and basically any other surfactant ending in “sulfate.”

Organix Shampoos and Conditioners

September 10, 2009 at 12:30 pm | Posted in Hair | Leave a comment
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“Organix formulas contain organic active ingredients and are sulfate free and paraben free… plus, they smell absolutely incredible! So, go ahead… indulge your hair the way nature intended!”

- from the Organix ® website (also see the Organix blog on Blogspot)

Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Collection

I love Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Shampoo and Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Conditioner. They smell like heaven.

I’m not the only one who loves the Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk line; the shampoo and conditioner get great reviews online:

From the Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Packaging

Indulge your senses with this exclusive blend of smoothing Tahitian vanilla bean oils to instantly nourish and moisturize, while silk amino proteins strengthen and seal your hair’s cuticles, revitalizing your hair, creating silky, smooth shiny hair.

Why we love it…
It’s smoothing, silky, luxurious, and totally addictive. It is utterly, completely and totally tempting.

Why you want it…
Smoothing Tahitian Vanilla Bean oils blended with exotic silk amino proteins create a decadent treat. All you need for soft, smooth, and seductive hair in one irresistible formula.

What’s in it for you…
A totally indulgent blend of Tahitian vanilla bean oils to instantly nourish and moisturize your hair while silk amino proteins strengthen and seal your hair’s cuticles. A can’t-say-no combination to keep your hair looking silky, smooth and shiny.

Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Shampoo
INGREDIENTS: DI Water (Aqua), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Dimethicone Copolyol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamide DEA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-11, Hydantoin, Silk Amino Complex, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Organic Vanilla Bean Oil, Shea Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Fragrance

Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Conditioner
INGREDIENTS: DI Water (Aqua), Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Jojoba Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Silk Amino Complex, Organic Vanilla Bean Oil, Shea Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Tetrasodium EDTA, Fragrance, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso Collection

I tried the Organix Mocha Espresso Shampoo and Conditioner. I wanted something to bring out the deep color in my hair. John Frieda brunette products contain coffee extracts, so I thought maybe the coffee stuff in the Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso line might have a similar effect… I’m not sure if it did or not, though a reviewer on Amazon said she got color-enhancing results.

Unfortunately, it felt like the shampoo cleaned my hair a bit too much. The conditioner was thick but not what I’d consider creamy, and it didn’t seem to moisturize enough. Smelled like yummy coffee, but the Awakening Mocha Espresso products just didn’t work for me.

Now, just because it didn’t work for my hair doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. The Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso collection gets rave reviews elsewhere (including on Amazon.com):


Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso Shampoo


Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso Conditioner

From the Awakening Mocha Espresso Packaging

Awaken your tired tresses with this exclusive blend of espresso bean extracts and cocoa bean oils for an indulgent and totally rejuvenating experience, while our sheer silk proteins add luminescent and multi-dimensional shine.

Why We Love It…
It’s a totally indulgent and awakening experience.

Why You Want It…
Dark, rich, decadent mocha from organic cocoa bean oils and espresso bean extracts glowing softly with sheer silk proteins for luminescent shine.

What’s In It For You…
Awaken your tired coif with this exclusive blend of organic cocoa bean oils and espresso bean extracts for rich full-bodied multi-dimensional tresses, along with sheer silk proteins for a glowing luminescent shine.

Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso Shampoo
INGREDIENTS: DI Water (Aqua), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Dimethicone Copolyol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamide DEA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-11, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), DMDM Hydantoin, Silk Amino Complex, Espresso Bean Extract, Cocoa Bean Oils, Shea Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Fragrance

Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso Conditioner
INGREDIENTS: DI Water (Aqua), Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Jojoba Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Silk Amino Complex, Espresso Bean Extract, Cocoa Bean Oils, Shea Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Tetrasodium EDTA, Fragrance, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk vs Awakening Mocha Espresso

Both shampoos and both conditioners contain almost exactly the same ingredients. The only difference is that the Vanilla Silk line contains Organic Vanilla Bean Oil whereas the Mocha Espresso line contains Espresso Bean Extract and Cocoa Bean Oils. I really don’t understand why the two lines seem to have such different effects on my hair.

Has anyone else tried Organix products? How did they work out for you?

The Great Hair Experiment

September 9, 2009 at 12:30 pm | Posted in Hair | Leave a comment
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I just kind of jumped into everything without an explanation. Right now, I’m testing out different conditioners and trying to find the best routine for my hair.

The Sulfate-Free Shampoo Route

I used sulfate-free shampoos for at least eight months. I don’t necessarily believe the sulfate cancer-scare, but sulfates do irritate skin. I have acne, so I don’t need any extra irritants bombarding my skin.

Also, inflammation is the new anti-aging buzzword. Supposedly, many age-related problems are caused by inflammation, including damaged skin and thinning hair. I go mostly on logic, and the following seems logical to me: irritation causes inflammation, inflammation damages hair follicles, over time the damage accumulates and the hair follicles stop producing hair; sulfates cause irritation, therefore repeated use of sulfates can cause hair loss.

I have also read that SLS eats away at protein, so it can eat away the hair follicle and cause hair loss (Source).

Nothing’s certain, but why take the chance if I don’t have to? My hair may be a pain in the ass, but that doesn’t mean I want it to fall out. It’s better to prevent it now than to freak out later if it happens.

Anyway, I mostly used Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Shampoo and Conditioner. I love vanilla—it’s my favorite scent—so the shampoo and conditioner are almost perfect for me. They’re my favorite shampoo and conditioner set. The shampoo seems to clean nicely, the conditioner is soft and creamy, and they both smell divine.


Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Shampoo


Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Conditioner

When I needed to, I used Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo and Conditioner. They are the most refreshing hair products I’ve ever used. (I tried Herbal Essences Degunkify Tingling Deep Cleaning Shampoo way back when… no tingle whatsoever. It was very disappointing.)


Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo


Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Conditioner

Shikakai Replaces Shampoo

I’ve decided to try foregoing shampoo altogether. Instead, I’ll see if Ayurvedic herbs can make my hair truly healthier. I haven’t used shampoo since August 20.

Ayurvedic herbs are supposed to help exfoliate the scalp and promote hair growth/prevent hair loss and make hair stronger and silkier and bouncier… Okay, yeah, they sound like too-good-to-be-true miracle treatments concocted by anti-everything-chemical crazies, but Indian women do have some of the best-kept hair, and they’ve used these methods for a very long time.

At first I used shikakai on its own, but now I’m trying out different conditioners to see if I can get better results (I color my hair and it’s wavy, so it needs help). I’m not using the conditioners’ matching shampoos. Saves my hair and my money. Plus, I’m trying out conditioners that I wouldn’t normally try because their matching shampoos contain harsh sulfates.

Right now, I clean my hair with shikakai, then I apply conditioner. I don’t put any other products on my hair: no leave-in conditioner, no anti-breakage serum, no nothing. I want to see how the conditioners perform on their own.

That’s the (basic) story so far.

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