Health

Revolutionary Safer Hair Care

Many of you don’t know that I suffer from psoriasis. Most of the time I can keep it at bay but there are different environmental factors that trigger it. When I wash my hands with bathroom handsoaps, get a pedicure, after I leave my hair appointments or use a hair product with the ingredient “fragrance.”

The term “fragrance” (aka “parfum”) can be used for any number of aromatic chemical concoctions. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 5,000 different fragrance chemicals — in countless combinations — are used in products today.

While every other specific ingredient used in personal care products must, by law, be listed on the label, fragrance is considered a trade secret. So, the dozens or perhaps even hundreds of chemicals used to create them are kept confidential from inquiring minds. Secondly, there are potential serious health issues associated with these classified compounds. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrance is the number one cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis and its prevalence is on the rise.

Studies have found many, potentially harmful chemicals hiding in fragrances, including:
Synthetic musks that build up in our bodies and may enhance the impacts of other toxic chemicals. Some of these musks have shown hormone disruption potential. Synthetic musks are also persistent in the environment and contaminate waterways and wildlife.
Phthalates linked to hormone disruption, which can affect development, reproduction, and child health.
Volatile organic compounds that are classified as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws.
Neurotoxicants, which are chemicals that are toxic to the brain.

So, after connecting the dots, I started on a quest for safer hair care and found Beautycounter. I have tried and loved their regular shampoo and conditioner and (thank God) it keeps my psoriasis from flaring! Their three new hair care lines launched this week and I am so happy to say that I have tried and love each of them.

Volume & Shape
Reveal beautiful body and enviable oomph with this collection for fine, flat hair featuring volumizing hibiscus proteins. Safe for color treated hair.

Smooth & Control
Formulated to fight frizz and tame unruly treases, this collection is infused with wild cotton extract, which helps smooth and increase elasticity for shiny, healthy hair. Safe for color treated hair.

Repair & Nourish
Developed to nourish dry, damaged hair, this collection includes antioxidant-rich bataua oil, which helps restore luster to stressed strands. Safe for color treated hair.

I am excited to mix and match products as needed (Repare and Nourish ends, Smooth and Control my baby hairs and Volume and Shape my curls. No matter what combo you want to try, rest assure that you won’t have the same issues that you normally face with store bought hair products!

here are a few of FAQ for those of you that are interested in hearing more about the Beautycounter hair care:

WILL BEAUTYCOUNTER BE KEEPING THE EXISTING HAIR
PRODUCTS? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE NEW PRICES AGAIN?
Yes, for clients who want simple, safe formulas at a good value, we’ll continue to offer Daily Shampoo and Conditioner ($22 US/$29 CAN) as well as the Sea Salt Spray ($26 US/$32 CAN). For clients who want high performance hair products targeted to their specific concerns, we now have three shampoos, conditioners and treatment/styling products to mix and match.

ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR A DRY SHAMPOO, HAIRSPRAY
OR STYLING GEL?
We’ll continue to add products to the line over time. Stay tuned!

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO APPLY THE STYLING/TREATMENT
PRODUCTS?
To get maximum benefits from the Volumizing Mist, Hair Oil and Split End Serum, we recommend clients apply them on damp hair, then style as usual. If desired as a secondary benefit, all three products can also be used on dry hair as a finishing step at the end.

WHICH PRODUCTS ARE BEST FOR CURLY HAIR? OILY HAIR?
DRY SCALP/DANDRUFF?
It depends on the client’s hair type and styling preferences. Ask clients to describe their hair concerns and how they usually style their hair. Clients with curly hair that’s drier and want to showcase their curls should use the Repair & Nourish collection, maybe with the Smooth & Control Hair Oil. If clients have curly, frizzy hair and they like to straighten their curls, recommend the Smooth & Control collection. Oily scalps tend to have finer hair, so if that’s the case, we’d recommend the Volume & Shape collection. For dry scalps, we recommend the Repair & Nourish collection. Keep in mind that dandruff can be caused by several factors, including overly dry or oily scalps, psoriasis or even eczema. If dandruff is your client’s main concern, recommend they speak to their dermatologist about suggested treatment options.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HAIR OIL AND SPLIT END SERUM?
The Smooth & Control Hair Oil is a styling and treatment product that is best used on damp hair for clients that want an all over smooth, healthy shine and minimizing frizz. It can also be used on dry hair to tame flyaways or on the ends to create a finished look. The Repair & Nourish Split End Serum is best for clients with dry, damaged hair that are concerned with split ends and preventing future damage.

CAN YOU USE ALL THREE STYLING/TREATMENT PRODUCTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUMIZING MIST, HAIR OIL AND SPLIT END SERUM?
Yes, mixing and matching the styling/treatment products is part of the high-performance versatility these collections offer. Again, it really depends on the client and the look they want to achieve. Be sure to ask questions about their hair type, styling preferences and amount of time they spend on their hair to recommend the best personalized options.

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL OIL SCENTS IN EACH COLLECTION AGAIN?
Volume & Shape:  Mandarin, bergamot, ylang-ylang, orange and spearmint
Smooth & Control:  Lavender, rosemary, peppermint and geranium
Repair & Nourish:  Geranium, ylang-ylang, orange and cedarwood

You can order for your specific needs by clicking my Beautycounter link below. All orders that include a purchase from the new hair care lines will be receiving samples of the Cleansing Balm! Send me your order confirmation and I will send out your Cleansing Balm sample in the mail.
www.beautycounter.com/amandascott