This Business of Aging and My Quest for a Cruelty Free Hair Salon

This search made me a little apprehensive.  It was the very first time in my life I had considered going to a cruelty free salon.  It never dawned on me before.  

After salon visit

I sort of welcome the transition from the Spring years of life into my Summer season.  By sort of I mean, I had a meltdown turning thirty, but now a ripe old turrteetree I'm excited to embrace societal norms and settle into married life, put roots down, get a mortgage and have children.. alright steady on.. not that excited... yet.  Lets just pause at mortgage for the time being.    

The inevitability of aging, lets get physical.   

After salon visit

I am horrified and I mean aghast at the physical changes I have to contend with on a daily basis.  I saw a picture of my 23 year old self last week and as Cher so melodically put it "if I could turn back Tii - imme".  Youth is wasted on the young for sure, staring at that photograph I appreciate now what I really didn't then.  Don't get me wrong I am absolutely grateful every day for my health but I'd like this vessel that I travel around in daily to be just a Teeny. Bit. Shinier.  

You know how it is when you stand in front of the looking glass and you don't recognise everything reflected back at you.  You can't resist leaning in bit closer to further inspect every line, wrinkle and lumpy dimple.  Poems and tomes have been written about the age old discussion on aging.   

Grey, Gray Away- A rootless day

I'm getting to the root of the problem.... using....

• Mineral Fusion Gray Root Concealer

Yes I know I'm way too young and attractive to have to deal with the scourge of grey hairs... But we all have our cross to bear. Personally I think they could have been a little catchier with the name and called it something like "Away with Grey". I should consider copyrighting that if it's not gone already or "TM" as Phil Dunphy says; Trademark for those not au fait Modern Family, (TV show).

For all the vegetarians....wash yourself with cruelty free "Yes to Carrots"....A review

Be Cruelty Free (not tested on animals)

• Yes to Carrots body wash

• OGX beauty pure and simple -Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner
• OGX beauty pure and simple -Quenched Sea Mineral Conditioner

To say that this body wash was put to the test and had a lot of work to do is an understatement. My attempt at a greener lifestyle with particular respect to this new found no deodorant or antiperspirant way is leaving a lot to be desired in an olfactory scents. It is now Day 16 and I'm wondering if my body is ever going to regulate itself.  Day 15 was a stinker.   I left the room with people wondering was there onion soup being served up somewhere...  anywhere?!

Frizz off - OGX Kukui oil A Cruelty Free Hair Oil

This was the first ever purchase on my quest for cruelty free products.

OGX Kukai Oil $9.99 CVS / $5.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond 
Tesco also sell OGX beauty pure and simple hair care products.The range includes shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and serums. 

Standing in CVS in San Diego killing time, I began my search for not tested on

animals products.  On first impression, I am completely overwhelmed with this brand.  They have what appears at this glance to be a million products with different oils all claiming to do the same or very similar thing.  I simply want a de-frizz and something nice for the dry ends of my hair.   I really don't know which product to go with so in the end I pick the promising "Anti Frizz, Hydrating Oil"

"I'm washing my hair". Review of L'Oreal Ever Pure Cruelty Free Shampoo

I was both delighted and shocked to see the name L'Oreal on a cruelty free list. However, it is only their Ever Pure line that is cruelty free, the rest of their products test on animals.  

Standing in Ralph's I was skeptical. I chose the option for coloured hair. I

opened the cap to do the obligatory sniff test and I was really pleasantly surprised and even more surprised with the price.  There it was smelling gorgeous for $7.99 (€8.99 Tesco / $5.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond) with the sought after claim of not testing on animals.  I practically ran up to the register so proud with my new found animal friendly choices.  

To home with me, to test I shall. 

Cruelty Free - Kinda Easy ( A Beginners Look at Brands and Products)

Updated on September 18th, 2015
The Shopping Guide

http://softerfootsteps.blogspot.com/p/the-list-animal-friendly-brands-products.html 

So far this is the list I have.  These brands are listed on the Peta and Leaping Bunny website certified cruelty free /do not test on animals.  They can be purchased in local retailers, large pharmacy chains or supermarkets, aka easy to find products.  The pics will of course be award winning and all my own.