Difeel Shampoos and Conditioners

I discover so many fantastic organic and natural personal care brands at T.J. Maxx for less. As needed, I buy them for both myself and my senior mom. I don't know when Difeel, a US-based beauty company, launched its line of hair products, but several varieties of its shampoo and conditioner landed on the shelves at TJ Maxx this week. Not knowing the brand, I waited a beat to buy a set. When I returned a day later, the Rosemary and Mint sets were gone, but I was still able to buy a Rosemary and Mint conditioner and Castor Pro-Growth Shampoo for my mother. I washed her hair this morning. Two winners -- both selections are gentle and clean -- free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.

Difeel's formulas are infused with biotin to help promote healthy hair growth. All its formulas stimulate the scalp and moisturize and strengthen the hair. Biotin plays a role in the health of your hair, skin, and nails.

We love how it cleans the hair and leaves it fresh with no residue. 

If you can get to TJ Maxx in time, you can score the large 33.8-ounce size bottles with a pump (another love of mine -- big quantities that last a while). The sets are an unbeatable $12.99 each and the singles are an unbeatable $6.99 -- about the same price you might pay for Dollar Store subpar shampoo or conditioner. Although an incredible, unbeatable steal, they are also reasonably priced on Amazon, Walmart, and at other stores.

Lucky us, my hesitation didn't cause my mother to miss out. I highly recommend Difeel ... for all hair types, especially hair that needs nourishment and a little tender loving care. This week TJ Maxx has the entire Difeel line of shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments in stock! Run!! They're flying off the shelves!!!

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Florence by Mills Beauty From Millie Bobby Brown

Photo: getthegloss

Florence by Mills is a new line of skin care and makeup from generation Z (i.e., 15 year old actress) Millie Bobby Brown. The beauty products contain natural ingredients infused with vitamins and botanicas that are not tested on animals. They are targeted for teenagers, but all ages and skin types can use them. 

Sold at Boots in the UK and Ulta in the US at such affordable price points with good clean ingredients, they are worth putting on your radar! 

Although I always take note for whom products are formulated, when anyone can benefit ... use the brand. Sometimes it's only marketing. At other times, it simply means the beauty line is more gentle. For example, products created for young skin won't have heavy perfume. This brand is phthalate free, paraben free, sulfate free, artificial scent free; and it is good for universal skin!

What's more, I lean towards a fresh, natural look. I want to look like myself ... but my, enhanced, best self! You?

The light face tints, under eye concealers, cream blushes and lip glosses are worth a browse.

It's fantastic to have additional choices, budget-friendly prices and simple yet attractive packaging ... all bringing us back to what is truly important. What's inside: Products that work, sans wasteful packaging, or inflated costs to pay for fake, so called exclusive "luxuries."  The fact that Florence by Mills is sold at Boots and Ulta, retailers who run a ton of sales, means trying them for less is a must.

The future's Generation Z looks bright, no? Not to mention fresh and attractive!


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Cheap Botanical Beauty For Body And Hair

Lavender Photo courtesy of  Flower Picture Gallery

Your skin, measuring 20 square feet, is your largest organ and the first line of defense, keeping all kinds of wicked microbes from entering your system. At the same time, everything you rub on your skin can penetrate it and get absorbed into your blood stream. As winter sets in many of us slather on moisturizers from head to toe to counter the dryness. Some of us wonder: Are the chemicals in the beauty products we use every day harmful?

Although I haven't given up commercial products (I still love my corner drugstore); when all things are equal, such as performance, price and convenience, I prefer products with certified organic, or 99% all natural ingredients. Patricia, writer of the Red Cardinal blog, asked me to feature a few paraben-free products from time to time, and I'm happy to oblige.

If you live in the US, UK or Australia, you can order many certified organic lotions, potions and creams, as well as, vitamins and supplements from Puritan's Pride, an online manufacturer of vitamins. The natural e-company offers low prices and super sales, but more importantly, they guarantee that their products are of the highest quality.  I placed several orders with them at different times ... all positive experiences. Once I had to cancel an order, and customer service was very helpful.  And finally, I find their website easy to navigate. (Some aren't.)

Here are a few botanical beauty products I like ordering from Puritan's Pride:

1. Perfectly Pure Argan oil  - It has only one ingredient, argan oil. I use it on skin and the ends of my hair right after a shower. 2 oz./various deals - 5 for $55.
2. Organic Health Emollient Lavender Lotion with Antioxidants - This smells lavender-amazing; it's non-greasy and moisturizes skin with essential oils. 12 oz./various deals - 5 for $20.
3. Organic Health Invigorating Tea Tree Oil Shampoo - Tingles your scalp; great for oily, dry, fine, limp and most hair types. 12 oz./2 for 1 and other deals - 5 for $19.98.
4. Organic Health Invigorating Tea Tree Oil Conditioner - Leaves your hair tangle free, shiny and silky smooth. 12 oz./2 for 1 and other deals - 5 for $19.98.

And one from Amazon:

5. Everyday Shea Moisturizing Body Lotion Lavender (also available in vanilla and unscented) - The ingredients include shea butter, lemongrass extract and vitamin C.  In winter I mix in olive oil, argan oil, or Burt's Bees Diaper Ointment (or Boudreaux's Butt Paste) to make a heavier hand cream. By itself, the Everyday Shea lotion is light and completely absorbes into your skin. It is formulated for sensitive skin. 32 oz. for $10.

These five personal care products, made with the finest botanical ingredients, are generously sized, so you can afford to use them every day.

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Organic And Eco-Friendly Gifts

As the holidays approach I'm starting to think about great gifts to buy for family and friends. I do my best to select special items that are useful and will make relatives and buds happy. This year I'm adding beautifully wrapped gift sets of organic bath and body products to my list.

One reason I like to give organic products is for their purity. All natural soaps and moisturizers, made with essential oils like lavender and jojoba, are good for you and the environment. I look for toiletries with no unnecessary chemicals and artificial emollients to dry out the skin as we move into a colder climate. Another consideration is, they are not gender specific and can be enjoyed by the entire family. Ingredients like olive oil and aloe vera have been used for centuries to care for the skin and scalp. Even people who are allergic to perfume can appreciate the clean scents and soothing properties of herbs and essential oils like eucalyptus, sweet almond or calendula flowers. [Personally, I prefer the scent of botanicals like peppermint oil over a strong perfume.]

The trick is to find organic products, which work as well as and better than conventional goods. I narrow it down to companies who use the finest natural ingredients, whose products are non-greasy and long lasting.

Here are a few of my favorite eco-friendly companies for bath and body products:

Skinnyskinny – Located in Brooklyn, it offers premium ingredients and pretty packaging at reasonable prices. [I want the organic buckwheat hull pillow.]

Aveda – Where you'll find top-notch organic skin care and make-up, knowledgeable sales associates and a spot of herb tea while you shop.

LaLicious – A Los Angeles company selling luxury all natural products. The peppermint body butter is a favorite. I keep it at my desk as a hand cream.

Whole Foods Market – They carry a wide selection of nourishing soaps, lotions, body butters and hair care, all made from botanicals.

And don't forget about the presentation. Look for eye-catching, recycled materials to wrap gifts. Be kind to the environment while making everyone on your list feel pampered and special.