Hair Tips

“In time we grow older, we grow wiser, we grow smarter, and we're better. And I feel like I'm becoming more seasoned, although I don't have my salt-and-pepper hair.” – Usher Of course, we get wiser as we grow older.  But, sometimes we still make mistakes.  When it comes to hair, we want to share the 3 most common mistakes that we all make that make us look older.  We’ve made all of these ourselves and maybe some of these will resonate for you, too! Mistake 1: Coloring your hair too dark.  As we get older our skin tone changes. Opting for a little lighter shade of haircolor can help accentuate features and make us appear less washed out.   Given the pressures on celebrities to look their best as they age, we turned to celebrity colorists and here’s some of what they had to say. Go for warm tones that complement your skin tone and eye color Blend your gray instead of covering it up When in doubt, go temporary color to try it out Always work with a professional colorist, don’t try to do this yourself.  Colorists are trained in all of the techniques that will give you a self-esteem boost. Looking for more specifics?  Here’s what they had to say in their own words. Nelson Chan, “colorist to the stars,” shared his top tips:   Do not color your hair too dark, dark color will age you. It creates a fake halo effect on your head. Instead, always stay in lighter shades, like medium brown to blond.  A good rule of thumb for highlights is less is more. Over highlighting will destroy overall dimensions and will make hair color look flat. Few sunkissed highlights are perfect for creating the fresh look. This is a hard one, but do not completely cover up your gray hair. Instead, try color blending. Coloring your gray weekly doesn’t work. Over-coloring hair will overlap and over deposit pigments and create unwanted dark color which will age you more. It will make gray root show up faster. Erin Jahns of our favorite fashion site, WhoWhatWear, recently spoke with celebrity colorists.  Here’s the advice that she got: Colorist Matt Rez advised, “Warm up your all-over color using highlights and midlights. Warm, lighter wisps and pops of highlights on a neutral to a neutral-cool base will almost always read the most natural and youthful.” Colorist Kadi Lee agrees, “If you're looking for beautiful, low-maintenance color, I suggest going warmer than you might think. Warm tones are almost always universally flattering, yet we often spend so much time fighting against them. Veer toward words like honey and gold and caramel. As we start to age, most people have some underlying warmth. Embracing your natural warmth allows for a much softer grow-out. Your natural tones will remain in your hair, and your faux color won't look as jarring when your roots start to show as your hair grows out.” Colorist Jeremy Tardo added, ”Try looking at photos of yourself as a child. Oftentimes, the hair colors we naturally have in the earlier parts of life naturally compliment and look beautiful throughout our entire lives. Then, we can tweak the tones as needed or add a bit of light into the colors as you age to keep everything fresh and complimentary.  Eye and skin tone are so important—we want to accentuate your features with hair color. If some of those features are evolving with age, the right small adjustments to your hair color can accent vitality in a way that works beautifully for you.” All of this applies to men, too.  Shorter hair can be less forgiving when it comes to coloring, Men’sHealth had this additional advice. “Stay away from permanent color, which can lead to visible gray roots when your hair grows out. Instead, opt for a semipermanent dye that will camouflage the gray.  It rinses out as you go, so you never end up with that bare zone." Mistake 2: Making your hair too sleek.  Our hair over time can become thinner and flat so adding some extra umph will help give your look new life.  A common mistake is to “glue” hair strands together with too much product.  Instead, add some extra volume to your hair with a good volumizing shampoo like, ANTIDOTE Rosemary Shampoo, and finish with good styler like ANTIDOTE Burdock Root Spray Wax.  Spray into hair when damp and blowdry into the roots. “As people get older, their hair may start to lose volume and thickness. In some cases, thinning hair is linked with diet, nutrient deficiencies, or hereditary hair loss,” explains MedicalNewsToday. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, “How you wash your hair and the products you use can go a long way in maintaining smooth, shiny hair.” For sure, hair care is complex and shampoo alone isn’t going to keep your hair its most youthful.  MedicalNewsToday reminds of us some common sense advice to address thinning hair: Rosemary Oil “Some animal studies have suggested that rosemary oil may increase blood flow and could therefore improve scalp health. A healthy scalp is important for healthy hair growth.  One 2015 trial compared rosemary oil with minoxidil 2%. After 6 months, the participants applying rosemary oil and those applying topical minoxidil both experienced significant hair growth.”  Eat Healthy “Diet plays an important role in the strength and health of a person’s hair. Proteins, fats, and certain vitamins and minerals are especially important for hair health.  People may notice improvements in hair growth when they increase the amount of certain foods in their diet. Foods that may boost hair growth include: Eggs: These contain protein, which is essential for hair growth. They also contain biotin, a B vitamin that may boost hair growth, though research results are mixed. Brazil nuts: These are a source of selenium, a mineral that may improve hair health. Fatty fish: This is a good source of omega-3, which may also improve hair growth. Vitamin D.  “Vitamin D deficiencies can contribute to hair loss. Addressing this deficiency could improve thinning hair.” Of course, consult your health care provider if you ever feel that your hair condition might signal something more serious than the natural aging process. Mistake 3: Not keeping your hair conditioned.  We’ve made this mistake, too!  For us it’s been a combination of “too busy to apply conditioner” or “worried that conditioner is going to weigh our hair down.”  Actually, quality conditioners like the ones we make at ANTIDOTE – EWG Green Rated, silicone-free – improve hair strength, flexibility, and protect it from breakage. Don’t take our word for it.  In “Tips for Healthy Hair,” the American Academy of Dermatology explains: “Use conditioner after every shampoo. Using a conditioner can significantly improve the look of damaged or weathered hair by increasing shine, decreasing static electricity, improving strength and offering some protection from harmful UV rays."  “Concentrate conditioner on the tips of the hair. Because conditioners can make fine hair look limp, they only should be used on the tips of the hair and not on the scalp or length of the hair.” Our favorite publication, Healthline, agrees: “Conditioning after shampooing is an important step in keeping your hair soft, shiny, and manageable. Comb conditioner through for even distribution. Leave it in your hair for two to three minutes before rinsing out.  Just like hair washing, not everyone needs to condition every time they wash their hair. Experiment to find what works best for you.” Have you made any of these mistakes yourself?  As you’ve gotten wiser with age, any other advice that you’d like to share?  We’d love to hear from you!Abigail

Happy Winter!  Or isn’t it?  As the pandemic drags on, more of us more directly affected than ever, and no end in site?  Well, we’re trying to stay positive and hope that you are too.  We’re limited our news to newspapers and focusing on all that is special in the world while doing good as much as we can.  That means letting the people around us know that we care about them, maximizing our time in nature, and staying involved in our efforts to protect our waterways, plants, and habitat for wildlife.  You may have heard that ANTIDOTE is now plastic neutral and that every shipment is carbon neutral!  Woo hoo, learn more about that here. Another way we are staying positive is by taking care of our hair.  Who wants to be around a bed head all the time.  Every season has its challenges, but winter has got to be one of the hardest.  Still, with a little thought, you can enjoy your best hair days every day. We tapped ANTIDOTE professional stylists and their networks looking for 3 ways to take care of your hair this winter.  Here’s what they had to say. Spoiler alert: We’ve included one bonus tip if you read to the end. Winter can be tough on your hair. Cold, dry weather takes a toll on your scalp just like it does the rest of your skin. And moving between the heat from indoors and the cold outside makes staying moisturized a legitimate challenge. Changes in our environment easily affect our hair and scalp. Not to mention the static and friction that comes from hats, scarves, and coats! During this season your hair is especially prone to breakage and frizz.  A big challenge is staying hydrated. Dry weather makes your scalp flaky and itchy. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “nope, it’s not snowing, that’s my scalp” then these tips are for you.  So here we go… 3 easy ways to care for your hair this winter: Tip #1:  Use a hair mask every 7 days this will help to hydrate and strengthen your hair. What’s a hair mask?  Hair masks are deep conditioning treatments meant to restore elasticity and moisture to hair.  Masks contain rich natural oils, usually more concentrated than your everyday conditioner, and work best when left on the hair for longer.  Hair masks are fun!  You can definitely make them from ingredients that you might find in your kitchen.  Eggs, bananas, olive oil, and honey work great.  Homemade masks can be messy so you can also use a high quality conditioner as long as it is made with similar ingredients.  Hair masks have many benefits. While the benefits can depend on your hair type and ingredients, here are a few advantages to hair masks and why recommend them so much for winter. added moisture for smoother hair, less frizz restored hair elasticity and strength for reduced hair breakage a healthier scalp from added moisture and protection from the elements According to Healthline, the best ingredients for hair masks include: “Avocado oil. The minerals in avocado oil, such as folic acid, iron, and magnesium, may help seal the hair cuticle. This can help make your hair more resistant to damage and breakage.“ “Aloe vera. If you want to calm and soothe your scalp, consider a hair mask with aloe vera, which has anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains vitamins C, E, and B-12, folic acid, and choline, which may help strengthen and nourish your hair.” You’ll find Aloe Vera and Avocado Oil in every ANTIDOTE Conditioner and our Avocado Styling Cream. If you are making your mask at home, Healthline recommends using these ingredients: "If you want to reduce frizz, bananas are a good ingredient to include in a hair mask. The silica in bananas may also help make your hair softer and shinier. According to a 2011 study, bananas also have antimicrobial properties. This may help reduce dryness and dandruff." "The nutrients in egg yolks, including vitamins A and E, biotin, and folate, may help promote hair growth, while the protein in egg whites may help strengthen your hair. " "Honey is considered a humectant, which means it can help your hair pull in and retain more moisture. It can also stimulate the growth of skin cells, which may help promote stronger hair follicles.” All ANTIDOTE Conditioners are full of great ingredients and can do double duty as a hair mask.  What makes them masks is the length of time that they are left on your hair before rinsing. For very dry scalp, use ANTIDOTE Chamomile Conditioner, it’s naturally hypo-allergenic.  One of our favorites is ANTIDOTE Jojoba Hair Repair Conditioner because it is made with Jojoba seed oil - a power ingredient for hair and skin.  What’s in it: Jojoba seed oil, aloe vera, shea butter, and provitamin B5. What it does: Repairs dry and damaged hair in less than 10 minutes. Leaves hair soft and smooth without silicones. Locks in moisture. Nourishes hair and scalp. How to use it: Apply to damp hair, comb through and leave-in for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with cool water to lock in your color. Make sure that you wash your hair before your mask.  For the hair mask can work, you need to remove product build-up with a good clarifying shampoo like ANTIDOTE Rosemary Shampoo.  This will ensure that the luxurious ingredients can penetrate the hair shaft.  Tip #2:  Apply a nourishing oil to the ends of hair to reduce breakage and reduce frizz. ANTIDOTE’s concentrated Nourishing Oil is full of good stuff like Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba seed oil, vitamin E, squalene, grapefruit oil, bergamot oil, cedarwood oil. We blend it just right to replenish dry skin and prevent frizz.  It’s a deeper treatment than a mask to repair dry ends and lock in moisture. Use it by massaging 1-2 pumps of oil into the ends of your hair.  It can be applied to dry or wet hair.  For very dry, brittle hair, we recommend that you apply to damp hair.  This oil is very concentrated, so a little goes a long way.  Also works great on beards.  Rub a few drops in between your palms, then stroke it into your beard to soften and smooth out your hair. For very dry scalp, try hair oiling. Hair oiling is a treatment for healthy hair that originates in ancient Ayurvedic medicine.  For hair oiling, we recommend virgin coconut oil.  It’s full of lauric acid, a fatty acid that easily bonds to hair protein and easily penetrates inside the hair shaft. It’s one of the best oils to reduce hair protein loss.  Coconut oil provides deep condition, natural protection, and a works well for most hair types.  Healthline explains how to do it:  Apply oil to scalp and massage with fingertips, not nails, using a circular motion. Apply the oil left on your palms to your hair. Cover with a towel or shower cap and leave on overnight. The next day, shampoo hair while dry. Rinse thoroughly. Condition as normal.    Tip # 3: Switch to a silk pillowcase to prevent static and frizz.   Switching to silk has many benefits.  Claims include: minimizing split ends smoothing frizz and reduce static reducing wrinkles We asked our friends at Good Housekeeping whether all the hype was true and their response was, “In short, yes — silk pillowcases really do make a difference. After we tested the best silk pillowcases in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textile Lab, many of our editors began sleeping on the luxurious bedding and now swear by silk pillowcases.”  Silk pillowcases prevent frizzy hair. Good Housekeeping Institute’s Jessica Teich explains, “Thanks to silk's super smooth texture, hair glides over it without any friction which means you'll be less likely to wake up with frizzy hair, tangles, or bedhead, whereas cotton can snag hair and muss it up into a nest of tangles overnight. Sleeping on silk is a secret that women with textured and curly hair have been using for years to keep styles like braids and blowouts preserved for longer without adding frizz.” Silk pillowcases keep hair healthy. Jessica goes on to explain, “They help keep hair hydrated, and …silk can help with brittle hair. Cotton is more porous than silk, so traditional pillowcases absorb moisture from your hair, while silk leaves that hydration right where it belongs: in your hair. That means if you suffer from dry strands or a flaky scalp, a silk pillowcase will be a godsend.” As an added benefit, silk pillow cases reduces wrinkles. “According to Dr. Neal Schultz, New York City-based dermatologist and author of It's Not Just About Wrinkles, A "smooth surface with very little friction" means less tugging on skin than with a traditional cotton pillowcase. We get 'crush wrinkles' from sleeping on our side/face, so we may get less of those when sleeping on silk.” Studies show that friction from tossing and turning causes creases in the skin, but a silky smooth surface can reduce that effect in the long run.” Bonus Winter Care Tip:  Embrace your sensitive side.  Hypoallergenic is the way to go in winter.  Even if you don’t usually have sensitive scalp, treat yourself this season with the most gentle cleansers, conditioners, and stylers.  Products with aloe vera gel bases are especially soothing.  Look for ingredients like shea butter in your conditioners and stylers.  Avoid ingredients found in most hair care products like strong detergents, irritating artificial fragrance, and nasty preservatives.  Toxic ingredients in your hair products aren’t doing you any good when it comes to building strength and encouraging hair growth and thickness. In a lot of cases, they’re inhibiting that by irritating your scalp. And they’re stripping your hair of its natural oils, making it harder to self-regulate.  Go for plant-based products that nourish your scalp and hair.  Look for Environmental Working Group Green Ratings as a sign that your product is safe for you and the planet.  Here are a few of our most popular winter hair care products: Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner What’s in it: Aloe vera, chamomile flower, grapeseed oil, provitamin B5, vitamin E. What it does: Improves your scalp health without irritating it. Leaves your hair clean and healthy. How to use it: Brush dry hair before washing to stimulate blood flow to the scalp. Shake well. Work product through wet hair, rinse. Avocado Styling Cream What’s in it: Avocado oil, aloe vera, shea butter, provitamin B5. What it does: Reduces frizz and smooths split ends. Conditions dry ends without weighing your hair down. Increases curl when diffused in hair. How to use it: Work a small dab of product into your palms. Apply to dry or damp hair; let air-dry or blow-dry/diffuse hair to get rid of frizz and enhance texture.    Taking care of your hair is in itself a wonderful form of self-care, an expression of self-love, and an outlet for your creativity.  If you do some mindful maintenance during winter, you won’t be doing damage control come spring.  Looking for more winter hair tips?  Check out last year’s blog post. Drop us a comment below and tell us about your winter hair regimen. -- Abigail + David    

We’re proud to announce that ANTIDOTE Plant Powered Hair Care is now Certified Plastic Neutral.  That means that for every bottle of ANTIDOTE you purchase, we take an equal amount of plastic out of the environment. This includes all of the plastic used in that product including the bottle, cap, label, plus any other plastic used in the process of making and shipping it. This move is part of ANTIDOTE’s belief in planet positive hair care.  Planet positive starts with what’s in the bottle – organic, sustainable ingredients. It includes how products are made - cold-processing, how they are sent to you – Certified Carbon Neutral Shipping, and minimizing plastic in all we do. Now we’re proud to extend planet positivity – becoming Certified Plastic Neutral. To make this happen, ANTIDOTE partners with rePurpose Global, world's leading Plastic Action Platform dedicated to reducing waste, reviving lives, and restoring nature's balance.  We're proud to join the global coalition of 200+ conscious brands. How it works.  Every time you buy ANTIDOTE, 100% of the plastic recovered on your behalf is "Ocean-Bound". Your intervention diverts this plastic safely away from the oceans before it ever has a chance to leak into it. The project directly enables the ethical collection and permanent disposal of hazardous low-value, single-use plastic waste such as multi-laminate plastic. Trained waste workers segregate, clean, and transport the plastic to cement kilns for co-processing. Benefits: Removes plastic that would otherwise enter the ocean and harm animal life Recovers energy and minerals from the plastic to make cement Eliminates harmful emissions that would otherwise occur from burning Reduces the usage of coal in the cement manufacturing process, thereby reducing greenhouse gases Provides economic benefits to waste workers including a comprehensive health check-up camp, with COVID-19 relief as needed due to the resurgence of the pandemic ANTIDOTE specifically supports work along the beautiful east coast of India through a project called Blue Dream.  The first of its kind rePurpose Impact Project currently employs 40 people managed by a local waste management pioneer Waste Ventures India.  You  might wonder why ANTIDOTE supports waste collection abroad.  The United States exported over 1.3 billion pounds of scrap plastic overseas in 2020 alone – most going to southeast Asia.  In New York Times reporters Hiroko Tabuchi and Michael Corkery recent article, “Countries Tried to Curb Trade in Plastic Waste. The U.S. Is Shipping More,” they share “Though many American communities dutifully collect plastic for recycling, much of the scrap has been sent overseas, where it frequently ends up in … rivers, streams and the ocean.” Plastic is a global issue.  Environmental destruction affects us all.   While excited to make this commitment, this is a stop gap. Ideally, we’d move entirely away from plastic.  And while plastic reduction through package simplification is important, it’s just one step.  In our blog post, “Plastic Free Hair Care. Are we ready?”, we talk about the vision of plastic free shampoos and conditioners.  Unfortunately, no plastic alternative has yet been developed for shower use that keeps people and products as safe.  As soon as there is a solution, we’ll be there. Until then, let’s take action together.  Shopping Certified Plastic Neutral represents one step to taking responsibility. Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE Planet Positive Hair Care   Want to learn more about RePurpose Global? About rePurpose Global rePurpose Global is the world's leading Plastic Action Platform dedicated to reducing waste, reviving lives, and restoring nature's balance. Through its pioneering ecosystem of solutions that span across advisory, action, and advocacy, the organization helps people and companies calculate, reduce, and offset their plastic footprint, while empowering grassroots innovators on the cutting edge of solving for the planet's future.  To date, rePurpose Global has created systemic change for people across 26 countries and hundreds of purposeful brands worldwide, such as Grove Collaborative, AB InBev, The Hut Group, Google, and Colgate. On behalf of its global coalition, the organization eliminates millions of pounds of plastic waste from nature every year, and in doing so, positively impact the lives of 10,000+ marginalized waste workers and community members worldwide.  Check out this 4-minute introduction video or go to the rePurpose Global website to explore their platform and join the movement.    

With all the talk about inflation in the news these days, we started to think about ways to maximize our hair care budget.  And no, we don't mean hiding your beautiful hair under a hat!  At ANTIDOTE, we believe that it's not about how much you spend, but that investing where it counts makes a big difference. Here are 6 practical ways to make the most of your hair care investment. View your products as investments.  Look for products with quality natural ingredients and formulas that have you in mind.  Sure they’ll cost more, but that’s because the ingredients are more complex and richer. Luxurious sulfate free cleansers gently remove dirt without damaging your follicles.  Look for natural ingredients like aloe vera to condition hair, and essential oils to provide anti-septic properties and smell great.   Green ratings from independent organizations like Environmental Working Group show that the maker cares about you and the planet.  High quality products mean that you don’t have to use as much to get the benefit.  At ANTIDOTE, every shampoo and conditioner is Environmental Working Group Green Rated.  You’ll find aloe vera juice bases, gentle coconut cleansers, and conditioners full of shea butter.  Our shampoo cleansers are gentle enough to use as a body wash.  Our conditioners are rich enough to work as a rinse out conditioner, a rinse our hair mask, or a leave styler.  ANTIDOTE Sandalwood Multi-Styler smooths frizz when applied to wet hair and works as a volumizer when it’s blown-dried in. Cheap shampoos and conditioners can’t do all that because you won’t find quality ingredients in them. Instead, you’ll get inexpensive detergents, like those used to degrease machines. These detergents will strip your hair of critical moisture and can irritate scalp and follicles, leaving them dry and itchy.  Cheap conditioners are full of silicones that will coat your hair and suffocate it, making it more brittle and prone to breakage.  Artificial fragrance, also cheap, is one of the most cited ingredients when it comes to triggering allergic reactions.  Cheap products rely on strong preservatives that have been shown to cause all kinds of trouble. Do you really want to use a product that lasts for years? Learn more at Healthline's Ingredients to Avoid. Remember that 64% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body, and 100% ends up in our streams and waterways. Easy does it.  Once you’ve invested in quality hair products, don’t over use them.  In addition to not using too much product, don’t over shampoo.  One of the biggest misconceptions that people have is that they need to shampoo every day or even every other day.  Now, everybody is different, so testing is key.  Try skipping an extra day to see what happens.  Note that the frequency of your shampoos can change based on the season and your activity level.  And a “light” shampoo, where you use half of your normal amount focuses on your scalp, is always an option.  The same applies to conditioner.  Don’t over condition.  Apply conditioner to the bottom half of your hair only, not the roots.  It’s so common to see people use conditioner all over only to have their hair weighed down. Minimize to maximize.  That is, minimizing your product line-up can give you the maximum benefit.  The average person has a 9 hair care products in their shower right now!  Finding the right shampoo mix – maybe one for regular use and another for occasional deep cleaning.  And one good conditioner can do the trick.  Quality shampoos, conditioners, and stylers can also do double duty, serving multiple jobs in your hair care routine.  The ANTIDOTE Essentials Bundle has 4 products that can take most people from cleansing to conditioning to styling. Tool up.  A simple tool like a scalp massager will help you stretch your hair care investment.  A scalp massager stimulates hair follicles and circulation and can be used to more thoroughly clean hair and remove useless dead cells from your scalp. Check out InStyle's list of best scalp massagers. Beautiful hair is a full body experience.  We won’t spend too much time on this here, but we often talk about what it takes to get and keep beautiful hair:  invest in a professional hair cut (ideally from an ANTIDOTE professional stylist) get enough sleep take time to de-stress eat well exercise laugh a lot Subscribe and save. Oh, and don’t forget another easy way to save on your hair care is to subscribe.  When you subscribe to your favorite ANTIDOTE products, you never run out, simplify your life by taking something off our list, and save.  Learn more about the program here. We hope that you’ll make ANTIDOTE a pillar of your hair care routine.  We think that you’ll find it to be a wise investment.  Even if you don’t choose ANTIDOTE, these tips can help anyone make the most of their hair care dollars. We’d love to hear how you stretch your hair care budget. Abigail

Are you ready for the hottest, most sought after gift this season?  Maybe it has to do with too many months of avoiding crowds or a realization that we have enough stuff.  This year, more than ever, experiences make the best gift.  It doesn't have to cost much, but will take time to think about the person you are gifting to. When you give an experience, the options are limitless.  We reached out to ANTIDOTE users and these are the top 5 experiences that people shared. Don't feel constrained by these ideas, they are meant to get your juices flowing. TOP EXPERIENCE GIFTS Plan a movie night:  Watch your recipients favorite childhood movie or genre. Amp it up with popcorn and drinks. Or better yet, consider "dinner and a movie."  Here's five tips to get you going from LifeHack. Organize a volunteer day: Pick a cause that your recipient cares about - consider a food bank, park clean up, animal shelter,...  Amp it up by adding brunch before or ice cream break after.  Just Google "volunteer opportunities near me" to get started.  Here's a TimeOut Guide with just 5 ideas in NYC. Lead a hike: Share your favorite secret hiking spot.  Amp it up with a picnic lunch at a special place along the way - like a waterfall or overlook.  Check out these family friendly hiking tips. Create a nature scavenger hunt:  Hide clues to a story or poem along a nature trail.  Have your participants find the clues and put them together.  Amp it up with hot chocolate afterwards.  Learn how to create your own scavenger hunt here. Visit a historic site: Does your recipient like old gardens and homes, battlegrounds? Take them to a place that has historical significance.  Amp it up by downloading a story about the place to share, or prepare a snack that was popular back in the day.  The Cultural Landscape Foundation has the largest database of historic landscapes with stories about each one.   A few added tips from expert experience guides: Try to have the experience as close to the holiday (Xmas, birthday) that you are celebrating. Think through necessities like bathroom breaks, drinks and snacks, and places to sit and rest along the way. Take it slow.  An experience isn't about how many paintings in a museum you see or how many miles you log.  Stay flexible and follow your recipients energy.  If you are taking a hike, have a few check points where you can decide to take the short, medium, or long route. Have a back up plan. Think in advance of your contingency plan.  If someone isn't feeling well or the weather isn't cooperating, give some thought to how you'll handle it.  Having a plan will take the stress out.  Let us know your favorite experience gift. - Abigail

As your hair gets older, do you ever wonder: why is my hair thinning? what can I do to promote hair growth? why is my hair turning gray? Well, you are not alone. There are so many benefits to getting older: wisdom, perspective, knowledge, accomplishment, gratitude,…to name a few. It’s no secret, though, that aging changes our hair. It happens to every single one of us, and it’s totally normal. However, it can be stressful when our body starts to change, and sometimes we need to take a pause and reflect on what this means to us. While aging is a beautiful process, and one that we all share, it’s also kind of scary.  But our changing hair can be a necessary reminder to take stock of what’s important to us. What have we done that we’re proud of? What is still calling our name? What do we want to prioritize? What really matters?  And, can I learn, in this new stage of life, to love and care for myself? Yes, these teachings can all be found in a single grey hair, a thinner strand, or an emerging patch of baldness. Amazing, isn’t it? And whether you decide to rock the grey or adorn your locks with fresh color, or embrace a shorter cut or try that comb over one more year, there are a few things to know.  The more we understand how and why our hair changes as we age, the better we can take care of it.  The growth rate of your hair slows down as you age.   Each strand of hair goes through a life cycle of four separate phases: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. Here are the phases explained.  Growth Phase (Anagen) In this stage, your hair follicles are pushing out the strand of hair, causing your hair to grow. Your hair strands stay in this phase for 3 to 5 years.  Transition Phase (Catagen) This is the end of the anagen phase. Your hair follicles shrink and hair growth slows down. This phase lasts around 10 days.  Resting Phase (Telogen)  At this point, your hair isn’t growing, but it hasn’t fallen out yet. Hair rests here for 3 months.  Shedding Phase (Exogen)  This is the tail-end of the resting phase. At this point, your hair sheds from your scalp. You’ll see it fall out when you wash and brush your hair. New hairs are also getting ready to grow in your hair follicles at this point.  As you age, your hair spends more and more time in the resting phase. So it spends less time actually growing. Hey, it’s not a bad idea.  Hair thins and hair loss speeds up. As the growth rate slows and the resting phase extends, we continue to shed hair. And it starts to show that our head of hair just isn't exactly what it used to be. The strands simply aren’t replenishing themselves as quickly as they used to.  At the same time, your strands will actually become smaller and finer as you age. The density of your hair decreases. Everything slows down. The average age for this process to start is around 40.  Some of your hair follicles stop growing new strands. For men, this tends to be around the crown and the hairline. But this isn’t as localized in women who will experience it evenly all over the scalp.  Hair becomes fragile and more prone to breakage.  Older hair should be handled with care. As we age, the keratin protein production in our body slows down. This is totally natural but it has a major effect on our hair’s texture, strength, and color.  Keratin is the main protein that makes up your hair. Its job is to keep the hair protected and its claim to fame is that irresistible shine. It makes your hair strong and elastic so that it can handle the wear and tear of daily life.  As production decreases, so does your hair’s protection. The inner part of your strand, called the cortex, becomes exposed and vulnerable over time. And that’s when breakage is likely to happen.  Loss of protein also leads to your hair becoming coarse and losing its silky smooth texture. It also leads to color change in your hair.  Let’s talk gray hair.  Gray hair can be hard to accept. But like other hair changes, it is totally natural. The pigment in our hair retires, and the result is white or gray hair. How and when our hair grays, most of the time, is determined by genetics.  However, other factors can contribute to your hair graying earlier than it should. Vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin b12, can cause premature graying. Smoking and stress both deplete the cell’s ability to produce pigment as well.  If you want to delay the graying of your hair, lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and go easy on the smoking and alcohol.  However, there are a number of things you can do to make sure your hair stays healthy longer.  The Do’s and Don’t’s of Aging With Fabulous Hair Do eat a hair-healthy diet. And not just when you hit forty. Start early! Nurture your body throughout your whole life and you’ll thank yourself when you’re older. Eat plenty of leafy greens, seafood, whole grains, and legumes.  Iron and proper protein, vitamins D, C, and B, iron, zinc, and folic acid are essential to your inner and outer beauty. Antioxidants also play an important role in antiaging. They prevent free radicals from doing damage to your hair and skin.  Grilled chicken, almond butter, eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, guava, berries, and bell peppers are all hair healthy foods.  Don’t overdo it on the alcohol and sugar. Sugar hinders the absorption of protein. And protein is essential to your hair’s health, as it’s basically made up entirely of different proteins. And alcohol lowers the zinc levels in your body, another essential mineral.  Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201279/ Do bring on the aloe vera. Aloe vera is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes your hair needs to retain moisture and elasticity as you age. Take it as a supplement, massage it into your scalp, or find quality, organic products that use aloe vera in the formula.  Don’t skimp on bottom-shelf products with ingredients you don’t recognize. These products contain ingredients that strip your hair of everything it needs to grow strong and healthy. Instead, they weaken your hair, making it dull and fragile.  Do pamper yourself with a hair mask. Hair masks lock in moisture that it needs to stay strong. It deeply hydrates your hair, keeping it clean and shiny. And while you’re at it, do a face mask and get in the tub! Create your own personal resting phase; your hair will thank you.  Don’t load your hair up with product. As your hair loses its volume, it can be tempting to increase the amount of product you're using. But this just damages your hair further, especially if you’re not using products with quality ingredients.  Do take breaks from heat drying and dying. Give your hair a second to bounce back (literally) from the effects of heat exposure and aggressive products. Take breaks from treating your hair over the course of your life and your hair will stay healthy longer.  Don’t overwash your hair. As your hair thins, it becomes more prone to dryness. This makes it prone to (you guessed it) breakage as well. Washing your hair too often strips your hair of necessary, protective oils. These oils nourish your scalp so skip a wash day when you can.  Do learn stress management techniques. Life is stressful, and getting older is stressful too. Make sure you have the tools you need to truly age gracefully: with peace and wisdom. Stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, journaling, breathing techniques, and talk therapy can help us cope.  And even more basic but essential responsibilities that help us to manage the stress of daily life include getting enough sleep (remember that you need a resting phase, too!), getting sunlight every day, and exercising.  And most importantly, don’t be afraid to embrace the changes that you experience, especially if you like them. Think about the things that your changing hair represents: wisdom, experience, respect, a chance to rest and reflect. When you embrace these changes you’ll find important lessons to be learned and to share with others.  You know what they say: a gray strand a day keeps the stigma away! Abigail + David  

Hair porosity might be the most important aspect of your hair to know about.  Knowing your hair porosity will help you figure out which products to use and how to use them.  Things like how much, how frequently, and in what order. Before we get into all of that, what is hair porosity?  Put simply, it is the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. You might remember from science class that porosity comes up with referring to materials.  Porosity is defined as the ratio of the volume of pores to the volume of bulk and is usually expressed as a percentage.  The more porous a material, the more air space or voids it has.  That means that water can pass into and through these materials.   A sponge is a good example of a highly porous material.  A less porous material is one that has few voids. That means that water can’t pass into or through it.  Glass and marble are good examples of low porous materials.     When applied to hair, porosity reflects the ratio of voids to solids.  Highly porous hair easily allows water in and out, low porous hair is less able to allow water in and out.  The same applies to natural oils.  Highly porous hair easily absorbs oils where it is hard for low porous hair to absorb them.  There is always a flip side.  Highly porous hair loses moisture and natural oils faster.  This can make porous hair more prone to damage. How do I find out my hair’s porosity? To check your hair porosity, drop hair from your brush or comb into a glass of water. If it floats, your hair is low porosity. If your hair sinks slowly, it has normal porosity. If it sinks immediately, your hair is high porosity. Keep in mind that knowing your hair porosity will help you figure out how much moisture your hair needs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to keep your hair healthy and strong.  Your porosity will also help you choose products that will help you nail the look you are going for. Understanding hair porosity starts with understanding the structure of hair. Looking at a strand of hair under a microscope, you’ll see an outside layer, called the cuticle.  It’s made up of small tiles that open and close.  When the cuticles are closed, they protect the hair shaft from losing moisture.  When the cuticles are open, water and oils can penetrate the shaft for greater strength and flexibility. In low porosity hair, the cuticle lays very flat. When you run water over this hair, you’ll see the water roll right off.  It might take some time for water to be absorbed in this type of hair.  By protecting the hair shaft, low porous hair naturally keeps hair in a healthy, strong, and highly elastic condition.  When low porous hair does get dry or brittle, you’ll want to restore hydration.  Low-porosity hair can seem “stubborn”. This type experiences buildup, and has trouble retaining moisture and absorbing natural oils. In high porosity hair the cuticle layer sits open. This means it can absorb water, product, and oil easily, but can also lose moisture and oil. Highly porous hair tends to look frazzled and feels dry and coarse. While hair porosity is largely genetic – thanks mom and dad! - your lifestyle can change your hair porosity significantly.  Things that can increase your hair’s natural porosity: Excessive sun exposure – if you’re a golfer, hiker, runner A lot of swimming – especially in chlorinated water Straightening and Coloring – chemical hair treatments open the cuticle to affect the hair structure According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), extremely porous hair comes from damage due to UV exposure, hair bleaching, chemical relaxers, or intense heat over long periods of time. Good news!  Knowing your hair type helps you select products that are best for you (and how to use them) Tips for low porosity hair: Use lighter formulas for your regular hair care. Products like Ginseng Shampoo and Conditioner and Sandalwood Styler are made for great everyday hair care.  On a weekly or daily basis, fight build up by using a quality detox shampoo like Rosemary Clarifying Shampoo. For very low porosity, consider leaving the shampoo on your hair for 30 seconds before rinsing.  TIP:  If you have thin, low porosity hair, clarifying shampoos can open the cuticle to make hair appear fuller. Consider steam treatments or covering the hair while conditioning to encourage the cuticle layer to lift open and let healthful natural oils in. Be sure to rinse hair after.  Rinse hair with cold water after conditioning to help the cuticle to lay flat again. Tips for high porosity hair: For daily care, look for products with protein like Baobab Shampoo and Baobab Conditioner. It contains Baobab and Quinoa protein to deeply nourish and soften the hair, reinforce strands for improved strength, to reduce breakage. Say NO to silicones, YES to high quality natural oils. Silicones coat the exterior of the shaft and leave your hair core fragile, prone to breakage. Natural oils penetrate the hair shaft to restore elasticity and strength from within.  Try Jojoba Hair Repair with Organic Jojoba Oil- actually a liquid wax - comes from the seed of the jojoba shrub. Jojoba is a precious non-greasy moisturizer. Ours is cold-pressed and GMO free.  Once a week, try leaving it as a 10 minutes hair masque.   A natural leave in conditioner might also do the trick. Style with moisture. Try leave in styling products that continue to condition all day.  Avocado Styling Cream is great to smooth highly porous hair.  Avocado Oil is a nutrient-rich vegetable oil that contains collagen-supporting amino acids and proteins, vitamins A, B, D and E. Follow-up with a rich hair serum. ANTIDOTE’s Nourishing Oil can help to seal in moisture.  This unique formula combines the best quality natural oils like avocado, grape seed, and jojoba. Yum! Protection matters.  Use a good hair protector to guard against further damage from sun and wind (and heat styling).  Goldenseal Hair Protector locks in moisture and proteins reduce damage to hair. Learning about your hair porosity is part of learning about yourself.  The more you understand, the better you’ll be able to choose products and apply them in ways that will work the best for you.  Remember, your hair porosity can change, so stay tuned to how your hair reacts to products. Happy hair day! Abigail

Winter is rough on skin and hair.  Outside we have cold and wind, inside we have dry heat and blow drying.  The combination results in unique challenges for scalp, skin, and hair.  Environmental stressors can tip the balance - even people with "normal" skin can find themselves moving into the sensitive skin area.  The goal with sensitive skin is to help it stay strong and resilient before it gets damaged and irritated.  Once your scalp gets dry and cracked, it is harder to restore it. The same goes for your hair - a broken strand takes a long time to recover. That's why the key to winter scalp and hair care is about nourishing and strengthening your body's natural systems: Look for natural ingredients that nourish and protect your skin and scalp, avoid harsh detergent based cleansers and fragrance Use natural plant based oils to build hair resilience and protect scalp and skin from the elements Change how you use products to match the season. For example, instead of rinsing out all of your conditioner, leave in a small amount to nourish and protect your hair all day. Looking for products that will do this for you?  ANTIDOTE Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner to the rescue! If your scalp feels sensitive this season, you're not alone.  Did you know that according to the National Institutes of Health, 45% of people report  "having 'sensitive' or 'very sensitive' skin." The study also found that "there was no significant difference related to geographic localization, age, or ethnic distribution." Most of us describe our sensitivity as resulting in dry skin with "higher skin reactivity to cosmetics and various environmental factors." Winter challenged hair and scalp is why we developed ANTIDOTE 1848 Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner. There’s a lot to love about these products: organic chamomile to soothe skin and reduce irritation caused by the sulfate cleansers found in traditional shampoos aloe vera bases to skin and hair health gentle sulfate-free cleansers shea butter, glycerin, and avocado conditioners to repair hair from within Vitamin E to protect fragrance free and hypo-allergenic - because we all have enough things in our lives that cause stress, why add more! We've excluded ingredients known to trigger sensitivities like fragrance, sulfates, parabens, and harsh detergents - and added ingredients to soothe, heal, and protect. All of this makes them Environmental Working Group Green Rated formulas. What makes chamomile so special?   "German chamomile, or Matricaria recutita, has been used throughout history as an herbal treatment for various skin conditions. It functions as an antimicrobial, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic and was approved by the German Commission E for inflammatory mucocutaneous diseases and wound and burn therapy," shares Doctors Alison F. Stallings and Mary P. Lupo.  They go on to explain, "The active constituents of chamomile include the terpenoids (bisoprolol, matricine, levomenol, chamazulene), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, rutin, quercetin), hydroxycoumarins, mono- and oligosaccharides, and mucilages. Chamazulene exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and promotes wound healing. Levomenol is an anti-inflammatory and natural moisturizing agent that has been found to diminish the signs of photodamage, reduce pruritus, and ameliorate skin texture and elasticity." In a nutshell, we chose to use organic chamomile to soothe sensitive scalp and encourage healthy follicles to produce healthy hair.   How do we make ANTIDOTE Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner? We start with organically-grown Texas aloe vera, add scoop of soothing organic chamomile (like these pictured below), and Vitamin E for its strong antioxidant and moisturizing properties.  We add a gentle 4-part coconut cleanser and moisturizing glycerin to our shampoo.  We add shea butter and avocado oil to our conditioner.  Learn more about our ingredients here. ANTIDOTE 1848 Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner are hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free, and sulfate-free.  After all, beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp, and happy follicles produce strong hair.  Oh yeah, the line is also safe for all skin and hair types, color safe, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan, too!   And we've had lots of people use the shampoo as a body wash.   WINTER HAIR TIP:  Because of the quality ingredients in ANTIDOTE Chamomile Conditioner, you can use a small amount as a styler. Even easier, leave some in your hair, instead of rinsing it all out, to nourish and protect your hair all day.  Always work your conditioner from the ends to the middle of the hair. ANTIDOTE Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner work well with ANTIDOTE Sandalwood Styler,  a multi-purpose styling product that works great on wet hair and can be blown dried in for extra volume.  It's also Environmental Working Group Green Rated.  All 3 can be found in our Sensitive Skin Bundle. Happy Winter! Abigail

With so many natural oils in ANTIDOTE products, we get a lot of questions about how oils work to benefit our scalp, follicles, and hair.  So we wanted to take a minute to pull together the latest research and views on the best oils for healthy scalp and beautiful hair. Why incorporate oil on your scalp and hair routine? Putting oil on your hair may seem counterintuitive, but there are endless benefits to it. Natural oils moisturize and protect. They lubricate the cuticle and prevent breakage and damage. They detangle, nourish, style, and smooth. The best part is, you don’t need to break your bank to start incorporating nourishing oils into your regimen. You can find most of these ingredients at the grocery store.  Whether you add oils to your own recipes, or in your favorite ANTIDOTE products, we know that you will be delighted with the results.  Won’t my hair get greasy? If your scalp produces enough natural oils, brushing your hair every day may be enough to nourish and protect your strands. And some people find that using too much of a heavier oil can make your hair feel greasy.  But if your hair is dry, chemically treated, damaged, or if you wash your hair every day, chances are you could use the extra boost of moisture.  Knowing about the best nutrient-rich oils will help you choose one that’s right for you. And because these oils are concentrated, a little goes a long way.  Our superstars are a mix of carrier oils and essential oils. They can be added to existing shampoos and conditioners, combined to make a hair mask, or used lightly on the ends in between washes to style your hair.  Remember to start small and add more if needed to avoid overdoing it.  Before we go into each one in detail, we've listed the best oils for hair and scalp health: Grapefruit Essential Oil Rosemary Essential Oil Avocado Oil Jojoba Seed Oil Sunflower Oil  Sesame Seed Oil Sea Buckthorn Oil Sandalwood Essential Oil Grapeseed Oil Keep reading to learn about the benefits of each oil, who would benefit the most, and how to use them. Grapefruit Essential Oil Grapefruit is the accidental lovechild of sweet orange and pomelo, originating in Barbados. Rich in Vitamin C, it’s shown to improve heart health and benefit the immune system. Here’s what it does for your hair: It promotes hair growth while giving your hair a natural shine. Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties clean the scalp, unclog pores, and prevent dandruff.  It also naturally flattens and seals the hair cuticle, making it an excellent detangler.  Antioxidants from the Vitamin C protect the hair and scalp.  Who should use it: If your hair feels dull, or is lacking volume and life, grapefruit oil will help restore shine. It can help control grease for those with thin, oily hair. Anyone with dandruff could benefit from grapefruit oil. How to use it: For a greasy or flaky scalp, add several drops to your shampoo. For protection and detangling, add several drops to your conditioner.  Or create your own mixture by adding several drops to a bottle of carrier oil like avocado or jojoba oil. Apply as a hair mask for a deep condition. Learn more about grapefruit peel oil here.  You'll find grapefruit peel oil in ANTIDOTE Ginseng Shampoo and Ginseng Conditioner. Rosemary Essential Oil   Rosemary is a type of evergreen shrubbery, originating in the Mediterranean. We use the leaves in cooking. Both the oil and leaves are used to combat inflammation and to aid digestion and brain function.   You'll find rosemary oil in ANTIDOTE Rosemary Detox Shampoo. Here’s what it does for your hair: It naturally purifies your hair and reduces scalp irritation. It’s also considered a great oil for hair growth. Some studies have shown that rosemary oil can reverse some of the most common forms of hair loss, like male pattern baldness and alopecia areata - an autoimmune disorder that usually results in unpredictable, patchy hair loss. Although more research is needed, rosemary hasn’t proven to be effective in reversing hair loss due to chemotherapy, hair pulling, or drug-related hair loss. Who should use it: Anyone concerned with hair loss or wanting to promote hair growth. Anyone suffering from dandruff or a dry scalp. “According to one study , rosemary oil performed as well as minoxidil, a common hair growth treatment, but with less scalp itching as a side effect,” Healthline. How to use it: Add several drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo so that it can be massaged into your scalp while you wash your hair.  Let your shampoo sit on your scalp for 1 minute and rinse.   Avocado Oil Avocados come from central Mexico and have been used by people for thousands of years. The Aztecs used the fruit as an aphrodisiac and the Jamaican’s used to refer to them as “alligator pears.” Here’s what it does for your hair: Avocado oil is incredibly rich in nutrients, collagen-supporting amino acids, proteins, and vitamins A, B, D, and E. It also contains oleic acid which allows it to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize from within.  The healthy fats in the oil strengthen the hair shaft and prevent split ends. It promotes hair growth as well.  Who should use it: Avocado oil is relatively light, so it’s ideal for people with fine, straight hair. If your strands tend to run dry, this is a great oil to use for protection from heat damage and preventing split ends. Curly-haired people will find it to be an effective moisturizer well, great for styling curls in between washes. How to use it: Use between washes to touch up curly hair. Or use after showers to style. Apply to ends to keep hair from drying out or breaking. Add several drops to your shampoo to encourage hair growth and thickness.  Use it as a carrier oil and add rosemary or grapefruit essential oil and apply it as a hair mask. See what experts are saying about avocado seed oil here.   You can find avocado oil in ANTIDOTE Avocado Styling Cream and ANTIDOTE Nourishing Oil. Jojoba Seed Oil Jojoba oil isn’t actually an oil. It’s a liquid wax from the seed of the jojoba shrub. In the 18th century, Native Americans ground up the seeds to use as a balm for irritated skin as well as to condition their hair.  Here’s what it does for your hair: Rich in Vitamins C, B, E, copper, and zinc, jojoba strengthens and protects hair while providing deep moisture. It encourages hair growth and thickness, and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the scalp. Who should use it: If your hair is prone to breakage or very dry, jojoba oil is a wonderful aid.  Works wonders for color and chemically treated hair. How to apply: Add a small amount to your conditioner, or buy a natural, safe shampoo that already has jojoba in it.  You can also use it as a hair mask to deep condition dry strands. Or massage a small amount into your scalp to control dandruff and encourage hair growth.  See what others say about Jojoba oil here.  You'll find jojoba in ANTIDOTE Jojoba Conditioner. Sunflower Oil Everybody loves sunflowers.  They are beautiful and give us sunflower seed oil, too!  Sunflower oil is rich in Vitamin A and E, both of which are antioxidants that promote healthy scalp health. Sunflower oil can also aid digestion and the immune system when used in cooking. Here’s what it does for your hair: Sunflower oil nourishes and softens skin and hair. Oleic acid helps hair grow faster and prevents breakage. It also tames frizz and adds a natural shine to your hair. Who should use it: Sunflower oil is a lighter oil, so it’s great for fine, straight hair that tends to be dry or dull. For color or chemically treated hair, it can retain moisture. How to apply: Make a mask by adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil and applying it to the ends and strands of your hair. Let sit for 10 minutes.  Wash out in the shower using cool water.  See what NaturallyCurly says about sunflower oil.  You can find sunflower oil in  Sesame Seed Oil (also known as Gingelly Oil)   Sesame seed is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. The oil-rich seeds of the sesame plant pack fiber, plant protein, and antioxidants.  Here’s what it does for your hair: Sesame seed oil is antibacterial and antifungal, making it an excellent oil for fighting dandruff. It contains Vitamin E and many other nutrients that support strong, healthy hair. It also protects your hair from sun and environmental damage.  Who should use it: People with irritated scalps, or dandruff. Anyone with color-treated hair can use sesame oil for UV protection.  How to apply: Massage a small amount into your scalp or drop it directly into your shampoo. For long days in the sun, apply a light coat to your strands for protection.  See what Healthline says about sesame oil. You'll also find sesame oil in ANTIDOTE Gingelly Hair Mist. Sea Buckthorn Sea buckthorn is a small shrub that produces berries. The oil is extracted from those berries to be used on the skin or ingested. Sea buckthorn supports the liver, heart, immune system, and does wonders for both your scalp and hair. Here’s what it does for your hair: An incredible nurturing agent, this oil improves blood circulation, fights inflammation, and promotes faster hair growth. Vitamins A and E help to strengthen brittle hair. Antioxidants protect the hair from further damage. Amino acids help repair chemically treated hair.   Who should use it: Sea buckthorn oil is an excellent support for aging hair. Anyone with color-treated hair will also benefit from it’s moisturizing and strengthening properties. How to apply: Apply to the ends of your hair between washes to protect from breakage and to strengthen hair. Or massage a small amount into your scalp to improve blood circulation.  You'll find Sea Buckthorn in ANTIDOTE Buckthorn Styling Clay. Sandalwood Essential Oil Sandalwood oil is extracted by steam distillation of pieces of sandalwood tree. The aroma is earthy, grounding, and loved by many.  Here’s what it does for your hair: Anti-inflammatory properties soothe an irritated scalp. Softens the scalp and helps it to retain moisture. Sandalwood also moisturizes and adds shine to lifeless hair.  Who should use it: Sandalwood is a wonderful oil for all hair types and smells divine. If you struggle with an inflamed scalp or dandruff, sandalwood is a good choice. How to apply: For thick or curly hair, mix with jojoba or sesame seed oil and apply a small amount to the ends of hair between washes to style. Or add several drops into styling cream you already have. Massage what’s left on your hands into your scalp to prevent dandruff and soothe your scalp.  Check out what the Daily Mail has to say about Sandalwood Oil here.   Grape Seed Oil   Grape seed oil is a wonderful alternative to other oils because it’s light-weight and nutrient-rich. It’s made from the byproduct of winemaking. Cheers! Here’s what it does for your hair: Grape seed is rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid, both of which aid a healthy scalp, moisturize and protect from pollutants. If your hair is dry and brittle, grape seed will help you restore shine and strength.  It’s an excellent choice to fight dandruff because of its light weight. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.  Who should use it: Grape seed is great for fine-haired people who are experiencing dandruff or dry, brittle hair. It can also be used to combat baldness  How to apply: Use it between washes to refresh the ends or mix it with a little sandalwood oil and apply as a hair mask for deep conditioning and protection.  See what Healthline says about grape seed oil here.  You will find grape seed oil in ANTIDOTE Nourishing Oil. Whatever oil you choose to incorporate into your hair routine, have fun with it. Most of these oils can be found locally and won’t break the bank. Have fun mixing them to make masks, drop a little bit into your shampoos, and try them on your face too!  Drop us a comment below and let us know what oils are working for you these days! Abigail + David

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories, cultures, and future. Started in 1992, the day became a national holiday just this year! We celebrate by learning more about the history of the Indigenous People residing in Wisconsin where ANTIDOTE was born.   No matter where you live in the US, Native culture is all around us.  The landscapes we live in have been stewarded by Native people for thousands of years before European contact.  We love our home state of Wisconsin. We feel blessed to be surrounded by such a rich Indigenous culture. Learning the history of our state has only informed how we look to the future.  Both our mission and ingredients are inspired by Native American culture - specifically, amazing Native work to protect the environment and traditional healing practices that harness the power of plants.   The more we understand Native cultures, we find that their traditions and values are rooted in respect for natural resources. Native history has too often been over-written or ignored.  That just means that we have an opportunity now to learn about and sustain this rich history, present, and future. Focusing on Wisconsin, there are 11 federally recognized tribal nations in Wisconsin, today. They are: Bad River Band of Lake Superior of Chippew Forest County Potawatomi Ho-Chunk Nation Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Mole Lake (Sokaogon Chippewa Community) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Saint Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians Brothertown Indian Nation ANTIDOTE got started on the ancestral lands of the Menominee Nation. They’re the oldest Wisconsin residents, dating back 10,000 years. Why We’re Inspired By the Menominee 1) The Menominee have a long history of environmental and cultural activism.  In the 1950s, they organized a grassroots movement in response to the Menominee Termination Act, which sought to take their land and erase their identity. This violation was a part of a larger attempt by the US government to assimilate Indian people into an agrarian society.  The Menominee lost land and faced severe hardship. But in 1973 the tribe won back their sovereignty with the Menominee Restoration Act. This was a historic moment that paved the way for other indigenous peoples rights, undermining the US government’s attempts to assimilate other indigenous tribes.  2)The Menominee know their land and they take good care of it. The Menominee Indian Reservation is just 60 miles east of the origin of the tribe: the mouth of the Menominee River. The land is brimming with lakes, rivers, streams, and tons of forest housing animal life.  They practice sustained yield forest management. This means that they protect the forest by ensuring that the amount of trees removed equals the growth.  It is striking to see the impact that their sustainable development has on the planet.  In satellite photos, the Reservation looks like a giant green space surrounded by developments. 3) The Menominee have preserved their language against all odds. 65 Native American languages have been lost and 75 are endangered today. When the US was attempting to assimilate Native American people, English-speaking education systems were violently imposed, while Native-systems were eradicated. Today there is some funding allocated for revitalizing Native languages, but it’s so sparse that tribes are forced to compete with each other for that funding. The Menominee language is among the endangered Native languages, and the tribe has assembled a committee to preserve the Menominee language and culture. The committee holds language classes for people of all ages and has worked with the University of Wisconsin-Madison to document the history of the language. 4) Native American healing practices inspire our ingredients. We use ingredients that are safe for the environment, safe for our bodies, and inspired by Native American medicinal practices. Here are some of our favorite ingredients and why they’re so amazing. Wisconsin Ginseng: Used medicinally as a health tonic, we love Wisconsin Ginseng for its ability to both soothe and stimulate the scalp. Native Americans introduced Wisconsin Ginseng to settlers in the early 1700s. Today, Wisconsin grows 80% of America’s crop.  Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil has been used for skin ailments by Native people, but it’s also used as a symbol of courage. We love this take on the sunflower and use it to add shine and moisture to our hairspray.  Cranberries: Native American medicine uses the acidity in cranberries to fight infection. Cranberries soothe scalp and unclog pores, while the proteins and vitamins add shine.  Rosemary: Rosemary has been revered for its medicinal uses and Native Americans have used it for its ability to aid stomach and liver problems, as well as heal sore joints. Rosemary also has a purifying effect on hair, and is great for removing product build-up. Burdock Root: Used medicinally as a blood cleanser and skin soother, the vitamins in burdock root strengthen your hair while preventing a dry, itchy scalp.  Sweet Grass is a cool-season grass that spreads easily by rhizome to form a patch. Known for its aromatic vanilla-scented leaves, it was used in indigenous North American ceremonies to attract good spirits. Examples of What Can We Learn From Indigenous Culture? “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” -Iroquois Maxim, (circa 1700-1800)    It’s important to remember that we are all interconnected. This is the principle that informs our approach to hair care, but it’s also the principle that informs our approach to the Earth.  Indigenous communities all over the world are masters of living in balance with their environment. Studies have shown that the Amazon has flourished from Indigenous presence.  Can we say the same for ourselves? What kinds of changes would we need to make in our lives to have this type of relationship to our environment? Indigenous communities can teach us about morals and conservation. In the US, Native people are often on the front lines of environmental activism. We are inspired by the work of the Amah Mutsen Land Trust.   We can look to Native culture to understand how to protect nature when we feel it’s being threatened.  How Can We Support Indigenous People? There are many ways to support Indigenous people and help to protect their communities. Here are some ways you can act now. Learn the history of Indigenous people in your city and state. Knowledge is power, and history will repeat itself if it’s not fully understood. Becoming aware of the history of where you live will change your relationship to it, and you’ll be able to pass on that information to others.  If you are interested in American history, check out one of our favorite books, Forgotten Founders. Visit The National Congress of American Indians’ website. The NCAI is a non-profit that organizes around national issues that impact the welfare and sovereignty of Indigenous people. You can become a member, find educational resources on their website, or find instruction on how to contact your local representatives about issues that affect Native communities.  Buy Native products. Support communities directly by buying artwork, jewelry, or clothing. Click here for a directory of Native-owned retailers. Donate to the Native American Rights Fund. NARF is a nonprofit that advocates for Native American human rights, protects tribal natural resources, and develops Indian law to educate the public. You can donate online here.  Wisconsin is an amazing part of the world, and we feel blessed to be surrounded by rich Indigenous culture. Learning the history of Native culture has informed how we look to the future.  How will you celebrate World Indigenous People’s Day? Have you learned anything about your hometown that changed the way you see it? We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us a note! Abigail + David

Share some love this season.   Autumn is a great time to connect your friends with the benefits of plant powered hair care - happy follicles, strong hair, lasting color.   With this new wave of covid to process and regular flu season starting, reaching out to friends is more important than ever.  So here's another excuse to connect.   When you refer a friend to ANTIDOTE, you're giving them 20% off their first order. And as a "thank you" to you, you get 20% off of your next order.   It's this easy... Sign up to get your personal linkhttps://antidote1848.myshopify.com/admin/articles Share with friends via email, Facebook, Instagram - let them know what you like about ANTIDOTE Your friends buy using your unique code You both get rewarded Not sure what to tell your friends? Tell them about... your favorite product a cool ingredient how you use the product what benefits you've seen Get started here. Getting your link is super easy... click on any link above and you'll get this screen: Sharing is the best part. Let your friends know why you like ANTIDOTE: the green rated formulas stylist tested scalp health aloe vera bases organic ingredients You can email or text, or share on your social media.   Here's what a Facebook post could look like. Of course, don't forget to say hi and wish everyone well.

Two years ago, ANTIDOTE worked with Environmental Working Group (EWG) scientists to validate that ANTIDOTE shampoos and conditioners were among the healthiest hair care out there. At that time, every ANTIDOTE shampoo and conditioner earned a  “Green Rating” by the Environmental Working Group.  New research is always coming out and EWG is continuing to raise the bar. This year, we engaged with EWG again to review our formulas and are proud to share that ANTIDOTE was green rated, again! Why should a green rating matter to you? If you are like the average person, you use an average of 9 personal care products every day – exposing you to 170 chemicals.  Since over 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your blood, all of that exposure can add up.  So as much as possible, selecting "green" products means that you are increasing your exposure to healthy ingredients. How does the rating process work?   EWG staff scientists compared the ingredients used in ANTIDOTE against nearly 60 toxicity and regulatory databases.  They’ve done the same for over 75,000 products across 2,000 brands so that you can compare – creating the most comprehensive database in the industry. We did this because you deserve the happiest follicles and scalp, and the healthiest hair. We are proud to share that they every ANTIDOTE Shampoo and Conditioner was rated “GREEN” – yep, 100% of them! You can find ANTIDOTE now listed in the EWG Skin Deep Database here. Want to know how your other personal care products are rated? Click here to find out ratings for your current products? Not a surprise. It didn’t surprise us because, given EWG's extensive expertise, we consult them throughout the product development process and whenever we make improvements.  This way we can design our products around better ingredients to deliver healthy scalp and follicles, and strong and shiny hair from the start.  As more studies come out, we continually improve our formulas, so keep coming back for the latest. Why did we choose to work with EWG?    EWG is the oldest organization dedicated to raising awareness of ingredient safety and has the largest database of products.  We respect the rigor of their approach and their mission.   EWG explains, “We use the power of information to protect human health and the environment. EWG's Skin Deep database gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals. We launched Skin Deep in 2004 to create online profiles for cosmetics and personal care products and their potential hazards and health concerns. Our aim is to fill in where industry and government leave off. Companies are allowed to use almost any ingredient they wish. The U.S. government doesn't review the safety of products before they're sold. EWG's Skin Deep database provides you with easy-to-navigate ratings for a wide range of products and ingredients on the market.” Learn more about EWG Skin Deep. Download the EWG Skin Deep App to access this info from your phone anywhere.  Here's to healthy living! Abigail + David

When you subscribe to your favorite ANTIDOTE products, you never run out, simplify your life by taking something off our list, and save. never run out of a fresh batch of your favorite ANTIDOTE products lock in our best deal with an automatic 10% off of every product you subscribe to take "buying hair care" off your to-do list The ANTIDOTE Membership program came out of a real issue - we had ANTIDOTE users asking us to overnight their favorite products because they ran out.  It's happened to us too.  Busy day ahead, we jump in the shower, and oops, all out of shampoo and conditioner.   ANTIDOTE shampoos and conditioners are green rated by the Environmental Working Group which means that they are among the gentlest and safest products on the market.  Too few products are, so when you run out of ANTIDOTE chances are you are switching to something with harsh detergents and conditioners that weaken your hair. Don't do it! With ANTIDOTE's automatic replenishment membership program, you'll never miss a healthy scalp and beautiful hair day again! It's super easy to sign up.   1. Pick your favorite product or bundle and select the "Subscribe and Save" button. 2. Select how frequently you want us to send you product.   3. Check out.   The sign up happens when you click on "place my order". That is how you confirm that your subscription will automatically renew and your credit card will automatically be charged the member's subscription price. Ongoing, you can skip a shipment, accelerate one, change your frequency, or cancel all together.  Before we ship your next order, you will get an email confirming that alls set.  It will give you access to your account in case you want to make any modifications to it. You can always modify your subscription through your account online. How frequently should I select?  It depends on your hair type, size of bottle, and frequency of use and # of folks using it.  To start our, try 45 days if you are buying one 8oz bottle for one person and you shampoo every other day.  You'll want to move that to 30 days if you use more and to 60 days if you use less.   Why 45 days?   Based on using 2 teaspoons every other day, you should get 1.5 months out of your bottle.  Of course, everyone is different. For example, if you have long hair, we recommend shampooing less frequently, but you might need more shampoo each time.  And, if you are like us and use your ANTIDOTE shampoo as a body wash, you'll use a bit more.  Can I change my mind? or change products? Good news is that once you've set up your subscription, you can change it or cancel at any time.  You can access your account either from the ANTIDOTE website or through your confirmation email.  From your account, you'll be able to manage your shipments, skip one, or remove a product from the subscription. The subscription is our best ongoing deal and can't be combined with other offers. Never get caught empty handed again!  Become a member by subscribing to your favorite products, and we'll help you stay stocked for a healthy scalp and beautiful hair. ANTIDOTE 1848 - because beautiful hair starts with a happy follicles. - Abigail + David

One of our favorite plants – aloe vera – is a powerhouse when it comes to full, healthy hair.  That's why you'll find it in nearly every ANTIDOTE product recipe.   This incredible plant, famous for soothing sunburns, does so much more!  Aloe vera is great for your hair, your skin, and your overall health. It is rich in vitamin A, C, E, and it contains seven of the eight essential amino acids. Its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to cool burns are what makes it a household staple.  And it’s affordable and easy to incorporate into your beauty routine. You can even grow it in your home! Aloe vera isn’t the newly discovered superfood; instead, it’s old as time. By now, western science has gotten behind many of its medicinal properties. But for many other communities, it has always been understood that this juicy plant has medicinal benefits.  Awareness rooted in generations of experience. Ancient wellness systems have used aloe vera for centuries.  Native American medicine has always revered the aloe plant. Being a plant that thrives in a hot, dry climate, it’s been used to heal skin ailments and soothe sunburns. But indigenous people have also used it to strengthen and moisturize their hair. And this speaks volumes (no pun intended) to aloe’s abilities: hair is central to indigenous culture and is intimately tied to identity.  Traditional Chinese Medicine, too, has always known that aloe is special. Called Lu Hui, the plant is considered a cool element in nature and can be used if too much heat is found in the body. According to the healing system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, too much heat can cause an imbalance of yin and yang, which can lead to disease and other health issues. Aloe’s cooling properties are often used to ease constipation and to aid the liver.  In Ayurveda, an ancient medical system originating in India, aloe vera is called “Grita - Kumari,” which translates “young girl.” Aloe vera is known for being rejuvenating, anti-aging, and immune-boosting. It’s also used to ease menstrual pain, calm hot flashes, enhance fertility, address reproductive issues, heart function, and sexual function.  It’s also prized for its ability to keep skin and hair healthy. That’s why we love it too! What is aloe vera anyway? Aloe vera, a succulent plant, is a member of the lily family.  Aloe vera originated in Africa and has spread to warm climates all over the world.  Ninety percent of aloe used in the US comes from the Rio Grande valley basin in Texas.  In addition to Texas, you can find aloe vera farms in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Mature, plump leaves are harvested from the outside.  The plant grows by continuously growing new leaves from the inside out.  Leaves are harvested about every 6-8 weeks, washed, and "fileted" to access the wonderful, healthy gel that you'll find inside every ANTIDOTE shampoo bottle.  Check out this PBS special to learn more about aloe farming. Aloe vera makes a great indoor plant, too!  Indoor plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight, minimal water, and lots of drainage. Think cactus-vibes even though it is a member of the lily family.  To keep your plant well groomed, periodically remove older leaves from the outside to encourage new growth from the middle. So what exactly is aloe good for? Let us count the ways. Aloe vera is great for your skin.  Don’t forget that your scalp IS your skin. It needs all the love that your face does and aloe knows just what to do.  Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, and its cooling effect has all other natural methods beat. It soothes irritated skin, from itchy skin to acne to eczema. It can even be used to speed up the healing process of minor wounds.  Some studies have shown that applying aloe to first and second-degree burns allows them to heal faster. And it certainly relieves the pain.  Essentially, aloe vera supports your skin’s ability to repair itself.   Aloe is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C. Antioxidants hydrate your skin and help it to retain moisture. They also inhibit free radicals, which damage your skin and hair. In this way, they provide natural protection for healthy skin cells to remain healthy.  This helps slow the effect that aging has on your skin, and taking aloe vera supplements can even improve the elasticity of your skin.  Aloe is the key to beautiful hair. The antioxidants ability to reduce the production of free radicals also means protection for your hair follicles. They will remain healthy longer and that means strong hair that keeps growing! It also encourages hair growth by improving blood circulation in your scalp.  Aloe is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and full of water so it will keep dandruff at bay and keep your scalp from drying out.  Aloe contains proteolytic enzymes which help to break down dead skin cells on your scalp. It cleanses the scalp of dead skin cells and dirt that clog your hair follicles.  Aloe vera supports your body's entire health.  Some studies have shown that aloe vera has a laxative effect, and can help relieve constipation and symptoms of IBS. It is often used for digestive issues for this reason.  Aloe vera has also shown to lower blood sugar and triglyceride levels, making it a plant of interest for diabetes research.  It can even support oral health! Using a mouthwash with aloe vera can help break down plaque, but it can also calm inflamed or bleeding gums caused by gingivitis.  Here’s how you can incorporate aloe into your life.   There are so many products out there that embrace aloe vera as the star ingredient. When you’re shopping, make sure you’re getting a product from a company that is organic and sustainable, and not one that simply uses buzzwords like “eco-friendly” to get your attention.  Every ANTIDOTE Shampoo and Conditioner use aloe vera juice as its #1 or #2 ingredient.  That means that you are getting more of the good stuff. What's in your shampoo? When looking at the label of your product, makers are required to list ingredients based on the amount used. So your product is mostly made of the top 3-4 ingredients you see.  For example, the #1 ingredient in ANTIDOTE1848 Ginseng Shampoo is aloe vera. While there may be a word or two you don’t recognize, most of what you see should read “plant-based” and not “grown in a lab.”  Organic aloe can be tricky to find, but it’s worth the search. Organic products use the safest preservatives, natural thickeners, and the aloe will be higher in antioxidants and nutrients. Non-organic products, on the other hand, are lower in quality and may use ingredients that are harmful to your skin and hair.  At ANTIDOTE we use certified organic aloe vera. Remember, your hair follicles are alive. Feed it the good stuff! Another way to use aloe vera is to make a hair mask. Hair masks are so nourishing your scalp, your hair follicles, cuticle, and cortex. Make sure you’re using 100% aloe, or a product that is blended with other natural, nourishing ingredients like coconut oil.  Massage the aloe into your scalp, coat the strands, and throw your hair up into a shower cap for 30 minutes to an hour. Then wash thoroughly with a sulfate-free shampoo.  Looking for scalp massage tips?  Check out our Scalp Massage article here. This hair mask deeply conditions your hair, allowing the minerals and enzymes to cleanse and moisturize. If you have dandruff or live in a very dry area, a mask once a week will do wonders for you.  You can also use it directly on your face to soothe inflamed skin, heal acne, and moisturize dry skin. Use it as a mask or spot treatment before bed.  Incorporate drinks with aloe vera into your diet, but steer clear of sugar-loaded drinks. Getting these nutrients internally as well as externally helps your skin to stay healthy, bright, and keeps your digestive system happy.  And the ancient medical systems that have always treasured aloe vera also know that your digestive system is intimately connected to healthy skin and hair.  As within, so without, as they say! Abigail + David  

Happy Pride Month to everyone!   Whether you are LGBTQ+, a family member, or a friend and ally, this month provides us all a chance to celebrate the many contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans and reflect on the struggles that too many people still face. Many link the modern Gay Rights Movement to June 1969.  That is when a group of LGBTQ+ folks said "enough is enough."  After repeated harassment for nothing more than having a drink with friends at bar, a group of people, many trans, stood up for their rights at the Stonewall Inn.  The location in New York City is now a National Historic Monument.  We love history!   The Making Gay History podcast tells the story of many who made gay history in their own words. In a recent Presidential Proclamation, "The uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June, 1969, sparked a liberation movement — a call to action that continues to inspire us to live up to our Nation’s promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all.  Pride is a time to recall the trials the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought — and continue to fight — for full equality.  Pride is both a jubilant communal celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity.  This Pride Month, we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals across America, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice." One way that we celebrate PRIDE month at ANTIDOTE is by supporting the Open to All campaign. ANTIDOTE 1848 was among the first who proudly joined businesses like Levi's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Ben & Jerry's, Tiffany &Co, and Marriott in support of being Open to All.  Today hundreds of thousands of businesses across America have taken the open to all pledge.      "Open to All is a nonprofit nondiscrimination campaign that believes everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion, or disability. We believe we all have something to contribute. We believe we can all learn from one another. We believe that when we work together, when we value our employees, when we care for our customers and one another, we all thrive." This year, Open to All is focusing on supporting front line staff.  You know, the folks who, during the pandemic, stocked our grocery shelves, checked us out at drug stores, delivered our packages, kept our clinics and nursing homes open, and kept restaurants going.  During the pandemic, front line workers put themselves at risk every day to serve all of us.  They also took the lead in informing customers about health measures like mask wearing.  And, they took the heat from a frustrated and irate public, too often in the form of insults and assault. Not cool! Our favorite part of the toolkit is Hollaback! Harassment and Bystander Training.  This tool provides valuable tips on what to do when your standing in line and see harassment in action.  "We believe that everyone deserves the resources to respond to, prevent, and intervene in instances of harassment. We have proven methodologies in the areas of bystander intervention, conflict de-escalation, harassment prevention, and resilience."  Like Samantha Hatch, HR Business Partner, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, says, "The tools are simple, yet wildly effective, and gives employees the confidence to feel like they can do something when they see disrespectful behavior or harassment." How did Open to All get started?   A few years ago a son invited his mom to help him and his fiancé pick out a wedding cake.  The mom, Debbie, shared her excitement in a recent TIME magazine essay. Debbie described that her son finding the love of his life was “a source of great joy for me” -  how pleased she was to be part of planning the hometown reception.  Her son invited Debbie to join the couple in Colorado to shop for a cake for their wedding reception. "Like so many mothers before me, I was honored and excited to be a part of this step.”  The couple did their research, chose a design, flavors, and colors.  With Mom along for the ride, the couple arrived at the bakery for their scheduled appointment full of joy and excitement. What was meant to be a fun and routine part of the wedding planning process turned into a nightmare. Debbie, shared what took place next. “We walked into the bakery for our appointment. We were motioned to a small table inside the bakery. The owner looked at [us] and [said] that he would not sell [us] a wedding cake [and] would not bake one for [us].” What happened? The baker refused to serve them because Debbie’s son was marrying another man; he would not sell a cake to a same-sex couple. This situation could happen to anyone.  Over 40% of Americans have a close friend or family member who is gay, according to the Pew Research Center. Why not just go to another baker?  What happens when the person refusing the service is a gas station, bank, insurance company, restaurant, or funeral home. More importantly, once it is ok to single one group out, what’s keeping others from being refused service. After all, Colorado law states “It is unlawful for a person … to refuse, withhold from, or deny to an individual … because of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ancestry, the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities … of a place of public accommodation.” In order to prevent this from happening to others, the couple decided to take the baker to court. While they won in Colorado court, the case was appealed to the Supreme court. Last month, the court ruled in favor of the baker due to a technicality but stated that “the laws and the Constitution can, and in some instances must, protect gay persons and gay couples.”  The “Open to all” campaign supports the notion that people should be free to go about their day-to-day lives without fear of being  turned away from businesses simply because of who they are. The campaign is about treating people the way we want to be treated. Happy PRIDE to everyone!   -- Abigail + David

We are so excited for summer!  Everyone is getting out more, seeing family and friends again, our favorite summer places have re-opened, and with vaccines behind us, going mask-less means that we get to see everyone’s pretty faces again.  Looking good!   Hard to believe how much of our summer world was closed last year at this time.  As we go back to things that we used to love, we want you to look and feel your best this summer.  So we pulled our favorite summer hair care tips from the past.  Going “retro” means keeping it simple and easy. Whether your hair is curly, straight, fine or full - whether it is short, long, or even-existent – we’ve got something for you. We love summer – especially the long days, barbecues, eating outside, flash light tag, camping, the beach,…. The list seems endless… What’s your favorite summer activity? Let’s be honest. Summer's not all perfect.  It can be hard, too. Summer is hard on hair.  Heat, sun, wind, humidity, sweat, chlorine, and saltwater make hair dry and dull, and stresses the scalp.  That means our hair is prone to breakage and split ends.  Summer is brutal on color treated hair and it can be hard to maintain your style. Summer can also be stressful.  Experts are calling it "re-entry anxiety." For those of us who tapped into our introvert sides, all of the get-togethers and parties take energy.   Some days, our smile muscles hurt.  Kids out of school but summer activities not fully up to speed means that many of us are shifting from reluctant home schoolers to camp counselors.  And for many of us, opening up means that we need to commute back to an office again – which has its pro’s and con’s. This summer, we want you to have your best summer hair ever. This starts with products that use the right ingredients that: work with your body to make your scalp happy because healthy follicles make strong hair add flexibility and resilience to hair from within the strand protect your hair color and add shine In the spirit of what’s old is new again, ANTIDOTE has tips for everyone this season that are steeped in “old school” traditions.  These tips are time tested. We’re embracing the past and hope that you’ll join us! Hire a Bodyguard for your hair. Time outside and long days means lots of UV rays hitting your hair.  That causes color to fade and get dull and weakens the hair strand. Invest in a good hair protector.  Goldenseal Hair Protector protects hair and hair color from the sun.  It locks in moisture with shea butter and sunflower seed extract, and has vegetable proteins that strengthen hair. Trust us, you will become addicted to this must have product!   And while summer is a great time to give your blow drier a vacation, a good hair protector will guard against damage from heat styling. Start with a new style.  Summer is a great time to try on a new style.  For shorter hair we recommend going a bit shorter than usual.  Staying cool is about keeping your hair off of your face and neck.  Shorter styles do that and are more protective of fragile ends. They also work well with hats.  Fedoras, Buckets, and Pork Pie hats work especially well with shorter hair. For longer hair, our favorites are braids, high ponies, cornrows, and buns.  Keep them loose to allow hair to flex.  These styles protect your hair from breakage and work well with scarves and head wraps so that you can have fun with your look. Cocktail your hair care to for a personalized look. Oops, not this kind of cocktail... we're talking about taking a few of your favorite styling products and “cocktailing” them together.  Use one product to add shine to the hair and another for hold.  Get playful to find what works for you.  Not sure where to start?  Here are a few cocktails to try out: mix a ANTIDOTE's Sandalwood Multi Styler and Avocado Hair Cream together on naturally curly hair for wonderful ringlets of curls, or to add shine and hold to wavy hair mix Vanilla Pomade with Avocado Hair Cream for a firmer hold You can do this with any products.  What’s good about a line like ANTIDOTE is the natural ingredients and fragrances blend well together. Stay in the shade.  Being outside is good for your mood and outlook, so it’s important to play outside as much as you can and explore nature.  But beware of the sun.  Avoiding sun exposure can be as simple as wearing a fun hat or colorful scarf.  There are tons of fun hat options. Go retro or keep it simple with your favorite baseball cap.  When you don’t want to wear a hat or sun blocking clothing, there is nothing like a good sunscreen! Look for ones that are Oxybenzone & Octinoxate Free – because these are safe for coral reefs.  My favorite site for information on sunscreens is Environmental Working Group.  Check out their sunscreen guide here. Pick a nature walk in heavy shade of a woodland area.  We love AllTrails to connect us to great hikes no matter where we are. While you shouldn’t skip the sunscreen, when you are under a canopy of trees you’ll have less exposure to the sun – it’s cooler, too! Keep it clean, but don’t overwash.  Whether you’ve been to the pool, lake, or ocean, make sure to wash your hair afterwards to remove chlorine, salts, and chemicals that naturally occur in water.  Look for SLS free shampoos because they won’t dry your hair the way that traditional shampoos will. The secret to getting good lather with these is to make sure that your hair is saturated with water.  One of my favorites is ANTIDOTE’s Rosemary Detox Shampoo. I use it a few times each week, then follow up with a good conditioner. While washing out chemicals like chlorine is important, don’t over wash!  You want to keep your body’s natural oils if you can. Oils that come from the scalp are produced for a reason.  They help to reduce dry, brittle hair. Condition, condition, condition.    We know that the guys, especially, tend to skip this step.  Don’t!  Instead, look for good conditioners and styling products with natural, cold-pressed oils. These penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen it from within.  Good conditioners and styling products help to improve hair texture and resilience and protect hair from environmental damage.  That means your natural or enhance color will shine and fade more slowly.  Some of our favorite summer hair stylers: ANTIDOTE Goldenseal Hair Protector is full of conditioners and proteins to strengthen and protect. ANTIDOTE Sandalwood Styler is great on dry hair as well and acts as a de-frizzer. ANTIDOTE Vanilla Pomade has sandalwood oil and shea butter to condition your hair while it holds. My hair feels better after I use it! Note that any natural conditioner can be used as a leave in conditioner if used sparingly enough on towel dried hair.  Avoid conditioners with silicones – using these as leave-in products weaken hair and make it more prone to breaking. Whatever your hair type and style, get out there and enjoy the summer with these hair tips for everyone!  When you visit your stylist, be sure to ask them for more tips.  Happy Summer 2021! Hungry for more summer hair tips?  Check out last year's version here.  - Abigail + David

When you were growing up, was brushing your hair a chore or a treat?  For some of us, it was a quick morning requirement as part of getting ready for school – “don’t forget to brush your hair!”  For others, it was a pleasure, gentle strokes, time to relax.  As adults, it is easy to get caught up in the rush of life and ditch proper hair brushing. At ANTIDOTE we believe that a good day starts (and can end) with proper hair brushing.  It not only helps you look good, it is good for you too! Hair brushing stimulates blood flow to the scalp, removes dead skin and dirt, and distributes healthy oil onto hair. Do it for 60 seconds before you jump into the shower or before you go to sleep.  Gentle brushing is also a great de-stressor. Like many things, it is not just about brushing, it has to be done right.  So we turned to hair brushing experts – here’s what they had to say.  ANTIDOTE’s master stylist Abigail Kuehl adds, “there are several key benefits of hair brushing: one is to massage and exfoliate the scalp - this stimulates blood flow and healthy follicles; another is to distribute healthy oils to the hair shaft – these make your hair stronger; and you can't underestimate the relaxation benefit of a good brushing - this reduces stress.  It is important to keep in mind what your goal is, like if you are trying to do all or just one of these.” According to Travel + Leisure beauty author, Melisssa Locker, “Brushing your hair really is an art form, but most people treat it like a boring necessity akin to flossing your teeth or eating high-fiber cereal. At its most basic function, it’s an important step in keeping tangles away and making sure your hairdo looks fly.” Start with the right brush (or comb) for you. Real Men Real Style founder Antonio Centeno's "How to Brush Your Hair Correctly" provides the definitive guide to hair brushing for guys...down to what brush or comb to use depending on your hair type.  Here's one of several examples: Real Simple’s Chelsea Traber Burns explains, “Whether your hair is curly, fine, long, or short, there’s a brush for that. ”Curly hair types should use a wide-tooth comb.  To keep those precious curls intact, don’t over brush curls.  Fine hair types should look for a soft boar’s head bristle brush. The goal is to use a brush that takes out knots without tearing them out. Bottom’s up! Start at the base of your neck and above your ears and brush upward to the top of your head. Brushing in different directions is great for blood flow. For longer hair, start at the ends to get those tangles out.  Once that’s done, you can brush from the scalp out.  This spreads beneficial scalp oils all over the hair shaft. Dry hair and scalp? Abigail Kuehl, ANTIDOTE hair brushing “advocate” suggests, “if your hair and scalp are dry, try starting with a quality hair oil. Rub a few drops in your palms to warm it up, then run your hands through your hair until it has absorbed the oil. Brushing will help distribute quality oil along the hair shaft and into the scalp.” Kuehl also notes that dry hair and scalp might mean that it is time to change your cleansing and conditioning routine to something more gentle and natural.  Ask your professional stylist for advice on whether your hair needs more moisture or protein, and be sure to shampoo from the scalp outward, not just the hair itself. Watch outs If you are combing wet hair, beware! InStyle’s Diana Mazzone reminds us, “You’ve heard it before, but consider this your final warning: Don’t brush your hair when it's wet… doing so can cause major breakage since dampness weakens the hair shaft. The only exception to this if your hair is covered with conditioner.  In that case, combing through distributes the conditioner evenly along your strands. A good thing! If you’re in a rush, slick back your post-shower strands into a low pony using a wide-tooth comb.” Don’t over-brush. Lindsey Bordone, a dermatologist at Columbia University Medical Center in New York suggests brushing once a day. Brushing can be addictive!  Once you get into brushing your head, we encourage you to try all over body brushing.  Check out this ancient technique and its unique benefits here. Start brushing! Try mixing it up by finding a brushing buddy.   You can take turns brushing each other's hair.  If you go this route, we recommend focusing on the relaxation aspect of brushing.  Take it slow, turn on some nature sounds or just do it in silence. When done right, hair brushing is a treat and good for you.  Proper brushing stimulates blood flow to the scalp, removes dead skin and dirt, and distributes healthy oil onto hair. We'd love to hear your thoughts on brushing.  What works for you? What's your favorite brush or comb?    -- Abigail, ANTIDOTE1848

We are certainly green and hope that you are, too!  (If not, you will soon be!) At ANTIDOTE, we aren’t just going green, we were born this way!  We are thrilled that personal health and wellness have become increasingly important to everyone - now more than ever.    As consumers have become more ingredient savvy and more aware of the damage that what we use in our shower can have on the planet, companies have been faced with a choice: adapt or fade away like a bad dye job.  When it comes to beauty, people are beginning to understand the relationship between the products we use and how we look and feel. Beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp, but most traditional hair products out there are at odds with this truth.  So what does it really mean to go green as a consumer in the hair industry? Why does it matter? Which companies are genuinely using best practices and which ones are hiding behind buzzwords like “botanical essences?”  In this article we’ll unpack what green beauty is and what it’s not, and teach you to develop an eye for the products that will actually help you go green. What Is Green Beauty? Here at ANTIDOTE, we’re guided by the idea that what’s good for the environment is also good for you. Green beauty is a movement that has injected sustainable, earth-friendly practices and ingredients into the products that we put on our bodies and in our hair. It’s an approach to taking care of yourself and looking good without damaging your health or the environment. Green beauty today is inspired by ancient practices. Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine practices reflect this sentiment that we are connected to the planet we live on. Native American people have lived harmoniously with the environment for thousands of years.  So why now? What’s driving this trend?  The Trend Towards Sustainability Sustainability wasn’t always as popular as it is today, but it sure has been gaining traction lately. Whether it was the outcry over animal testing, new ways of packaging and water use, or understanding gender, the beauty industry has been challenged to evolve in many ways over the years.  Today, toxic ingredients and environmental impact are hot topics. It’s empowering to invest in companies that aren’t hurting the earth, and the more we know, the smarter consumers we can be.  An article recently published in the Washington Post notes that the green beauty movement started to really gain traction in the early 2000s when the word “clean” started popping up in skin-care line advertising. The shift away from words like “natural” and toward “clean” triggered more scrutiny from consumers, and slowly ingredients like sulfates and silicones began to score bad reputations. When it comes to regulation of ingredients, the US is lagging. In 2003, the EU banned chemicals that cause cancer and birth defects. Today they’ve banned around 1,300 chemicals from cosmetic use, while the US has placed restrictions on a mere 11. Why Green Beauty Matters For You Over 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. Because the US doesn’t regulate most of the ingredients that the beauty industry uses, it’s up to us to stay informed. It’s up to us to choose who we give our money to. It’s up to us to advocate for our health. The benefits of going green are plenty, but here are just a few.  Reduced exposure to toxic ingredients Lower chance of irritated skin Less build-up on your scalp Supporting low impact businesses Greater awareness of the cosmetic and medicinal uses of different plants Reduce water pollution As consumers, we have power. How and where we shop has an impact on the health of the planet, and therefore our own health as well.   Let’s look at some statistics from the NPD Group and Mintel that give us a sense of where we are in how we view clean products today. 45% of people actively seek organic ingredients 30% will not buy a product containing sulfates 42% say that “green” products are better for the environment 32% say that products give them general peace of mind People are certainly beginning to get privy to what’s good for them and what’s not. At ANTIDOTE, we want to be a part of your process as you continue to learn and empower yourself. Since there aren’t federally regulated standards for going green in the beauty industry, we’ve compiled a list of qualities that you’ll find in products that meet our personal standards. And we’ve compared them to characteristics of traditional products so you can train your eye. How To Tell If Your Products Are Actually Green Use this list to help you develop an eye for which products really mean it when they claim to be “green.”  Foam (good) vs. Bubbles (bad) Traditional products use sulfate cleansers that bubble up when they come into contact with water. Bubbles are fun, but these sulfates are used in dish detergent.  They completely strip your hair and scalp of all it’s moisture. According to studies collected by Healthline, "The highest risk of using products with SLS and SLES is irritation to your eyes, skin, mouth, and lungs. For people with sensitive skin, sulfates may also clog pores and cause acne." “Green” products use gentler, non-sulfate cleansers that foam up when put into contact with water, but don’t create bubbles. So you get a clean scalp without sacrificing all of those beneficial oils.  Natural oils (good) vs. Silicones (bad)  The natural oils used in green products mimic the natural oils that our bodies produce for healthy hair. Natural oils penetrate deep into the hair to restore strength, flexibility, and shine. It takes time for the hair to absorb these healthy oils.  Check out our recent post on the best oils for scalp and hair. Traditional products use silicones to add instant volume and shine. But the result is dry, weak hair that’s prone to breakage. The silicones sit on top of the hair, suffocating it and preventing it from absorbing any oils.  All things in moderation are okay, but you don’t want to use products with silicones in the long term.  Safe Preservatives (good) vs. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (bad) A common misconception is that any product with preservatives is bad for you. That’s not true.  Any product that contains water requires a preservative. However, green products use gentler preservatives that are proven to be less irritating. Vitamin E and Grapefruit Peel Oil, for example, help to preserve formulas while also being good for your skin and hair.  The controversy lies in the use of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Some studies have linked the use of these preservatives in cosmetics to cancer and allergic reactions. Canada has restricted the use of them, and the EU requires any product to clearly label “contains formaldehyde.”  So don’t be afraid of preservatives, just know which ones have proven to be safer.  Shorter shelf life (good) vs. Long shelf life (bad)  Because green products use gentler preservatives, their shelf life tends to be shorter. This is okay. If you find a product that has a longer shelf life, it may be because it contains formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.  Straightforward Labels (good) vs. Buzzwords (bad)  Don’t be fooled by buzzwords. Because of the lack of regulation, anyone can pretty much say anything when it comes to beauty products. If it says “made with lavender,” it may contain just a dash of lavender and a ton of other toxic ingredients.  But all you have to do is read the label and see for yourself.  Another great way to get an idea of the company's environmental thoughtfulness is to check out their website. Do they proudly display their ingredients on their website? If they do, that’s probably because they’ve worked hard to source safe, sustainable ingredients.  Other buzzwords that all anyone is free to use regardless of certification or industry standards are: Organic  Eco-Friendly Nontoxic Fragrance-Free Natural Green Clea A Word On Price Differences Natural ingredients are more expensive and harder to work with. They cost more than traditional ingredients, so the products are going to cost more too.  On average, green products cost about 25% more. It’s up to you to decide what the value of the cost is. For us, we look at buying green products - in any area of our lives - as an investment in our health, our environment, and in our future.  For us it's a "pay now" or "pay later" choice. How To Go Green With Your Hair Routine Right Now Green hair care products can be a little hard to find. That’s because their companies represent about 10% of the total market.  The good news is that there are ways to make finding them easier. Here are some ways you can find all the best and safest products.  The Environmental Working Group has assembled a database of green products, as well as an excellent rating system. They’re a non-profit whose mission is to educate you so that you can live a healthier life and be a smart consumer. We've worked with them to help us formulate green rated products.  Here's a look at our EWG Skin Deep ratings. Healthline is a wonderful resource for information about health and wellness.  We love how they share science in an easy to understand way.  More and more brands are responding to the desire to use safe products.  Professional salons are adapting too. Stylists are educating their clients on the technical aspects of “green” beauty products. Ask your local salons if they recommend any clean brands. If they don’t, express your interest. Support salons that go green - it’s good for you and the stylists, too.  Here's a list of salons that carry ANTIDOTE. No matter the brand you choose, when you become a consumer of clean beauty products, or when you choose to carry green products in your salon, you join a community of environmental advocates. We know that change starts with us, and that the choices we make every day can be a form of fighting for the kind of world we want to live in.  What does going green mean to you? What are some small changes in your life that you’d like to make? We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a comment below!  Abigail + David

Happy Earth Day to everyone!   Earth Day is all about the right to a healthy environment and reminds us that we are all connected.  We depend on our planet and have a responsibility to care for our it. How will you celebrate? Support local conservation efforts, stop using plastic bags and bottles, recycle, get your family and friends to switch to "green" products"...or only drink shade grown coffee? Get outside. We'll mark the day by supporting one of our favorite land trusts, the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust.  It protects lands that give us clean water, habitat for wildlife, and places for people to have fun.  And specifically, we'll be meeting up with neighbors to work on the local Stroebe Island Marsh Preserve.  This is the last cattail marsh on the lower Fox River - a place stewarded by native people for thousands of years and a reminder of land's ability to clean water naturally.   Re-use and recycle. We'll also recommit ourselves to recycling 100% of our recyclable waste - we hope that you will join us, too.  Talk about a small thing with a big impact - only 29% of people recycle their PET bottles (you know who you are!)  As a result, plastics make up a growing share of our garbage.  Recycling removes plastic from our waste, and gives trash a new life.  Encourage friends to go "green." What we use to clean ourselves in our showers ends up in our streams, gets swallowed by fish who feed us and other living things.  In a world of harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients, ANTIDOTE plant powered products use ingredients that are better for people and the environment.  All ANTIDOTE shampoos and conditioners are Environmental Working Group "Green Rated."  No matter what brand you choose, natural products are one small way we can all make a difference. Buy shade grown coffee.  Tropical shade trees in the tropics are home to countless migrating birds.  The loss of this habitat has a direct impact on the loss of bird population. One key driver of this is clear cutting to support cheaper sun coffee.  Give our feathered friends a break by buying shade grown coffee.  By the way, coffee prefers shade and shade grown coffee is the richest, most delicious kind you can buy. Speaking of Wisconsin and the environment... Wisconsin has a long tradition in environmental balance. From the first settlers to A Sand County Almanac to Earth Day. (Wisconsin Native American Indian Tribes Map, Great Lakes Intertribal Council) The first settlers got it. The area we now call Wisconsin was first settled by the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Oneida, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk people.  While each had their unique relationship with nature, they shared a sustainability ethic. They thrived off of the land and rivers, yet cared for the land.  Award-winning poet Paula Gunn Allen explains, “We are the land ... that is the fundamental idea embedded in Native American life.... It is … a part of our being, dynamic, significant, real. It is our self ...  It is not a matter of being ‘close to nature’ ... The Earth is, in a very real sense, the same as our self (or selves) ... It is a matter of fact, one known equably from infancy, remembered and honored at levels of awareness that go beyond consciousness, and that extend long roots into primary levels of mind, language, perception and all the basic aspects of being ...” In modern times, Wisconsin has continued to play a leading role in protecting the environment. A book that changed the world.  "Long respected in his own fields of forestry and wildlife ecology, Leopold ..., in 1937, ... became focused on reaching the general public with his conservation message... of how the natural world worked and inspired them to take action to ensure the future health of the land and water that sustains all life," says the Aldo Leopold Foundation.  Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac continues to spark generations of environmentalists. Written in the 1940’s about Leopold’s home in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the book shows how a healthy planet is good for all – for our health, recreation, and our economy.  Leopold’s friendly writing style and thoughtful arguments made this a best-seller – selling over 2 million copies. In the 1960’s, US Senator from Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson proposed a constitutional amendment that "Every person has the inalienable right to a decent environment."  He spearheaded the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 with the belief that the more people understood about the environment, the more they would take better care of it and demand better protection. According to Earth Day Network, on that first Earth Day “20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies.”  Today, Earth Day involves 5,000 environmental groups across 180+ countries and hundreds of millions of people.Let us know how you plan to celebrate Earth Day this year. - Abigail + David

It's finally Spring!!! Especially this spring it is time to celebrate and appreciate, like we made it through winter!  Time to all get outside and play. Whatever your game – golf, soccer, running, yoga, hiking, chasing the kids… or just lying in the grass - it’s time to get in shape – physically, mentally, AND time to get your hair in shape, too.  Did you know that mowing the lawn improves mental health? How did your hair and scalp fare this last season? It’s pretty typical to find that your hair needs a little extra TLC in the wake of the cold season. On top of that, the coming warm months will present new challenges to your locks and scalp. As you spend more and more time outdoors, your hair will become vulnerable to UV damage, dehydration, and hair loss.  So now is the time to give your hair a boost of love and nutrition and secure a plan to protect it as spring progresses. We put a plan together for you, then distilled it down to 6 easy steps so you can navigate the warmer months easily. No sweat! Confidence Is Beautiful With warmer weather comes more time outside and less clothing…. This can sometimes bring up body image issues, and our self-esteem can suffer. The anxiety of that perfect beach body, or fitting into last year’s clothes can take a knock to our pride. So it’s important to find ways to boost your confidence. We want you to enjoy spring! Be playful.  One way to boost your self-esteem is to approach your hair routine with a playful, creative attitude. Experimenting with different styles and colors, learning new techniques, or discovering natural products that are already in your home will keep you feeling inspired and confident. Taking time to play with your hair means allowing yourself to be brave in the way you express yourself. And supporting your self-esteem impacts your overall health. Healthy you, healthy hair.  Easy right? Not always. But remember that play and self-expression is an ongoing process. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and you’re bound to have a little more fun. You got this! While you’re working on that, we’ve compiled 6 actionable steps that you can take this season to ensure that your hair will be looking gorgeous even on the days you’re not feeling it. How To Take Care Of Your Hair This Spring Don’t over wash your hair.  We know it’s hard. As you start spending more time outside, you may find yourself wanting to wash your hair more. But over washing your hair isn’t always in your best interest.  Here’s why: when you wash your hair, you strip it of its natural oils. Those oils are necessary for retaining moisture and maintaining a healthy scalp. So your scalp will overcompensate by producing more oil. It’s a slippery slope.  If you have a dry scalp, it may feel counterintuitive, but washing less is better.  So how do you lengthen the time between washes? First and foremost, stick to plant-based natural products. You don’t want sulfates, and you don’t want silicones. Those ingredients give your hair that shiny and clean look after a shower, but don’t be fooled by its disguise.  In reality, you’re just clogging your pores and suffocating your hair follicles.  Keep reading to find out more about our favorite plant-based hair products. Second, sleep with your hair wrapped in a scarf. This will protect your hair from rubbing against your pillow and causing that “just got out of bed” look that you’re so eager to wash away.  On days you skip the wash, use a dry shampoo to soak up excess oils that make you feel greasy.  And last, give your hair a light misting in the mornings to re-style and breathe new life into your waves or curls.  Allow your hair to air-dry to avoid heat damage. Now that it’s warm out, you should be able to get away with air-drying your hair more. Even if you can’t do it every day, cutting back on your hair dryer will help your hair stay strong and healthy. Tools that heat your hair will leave your strands thirsty and prone to breakage. This is a huge tip for having healthy, strong hair over the span of your life. The less you bother it, the more likely it is to stick around as you get older.  When you air-dry your hair, you’ll want to avoid cotton towels. Cotton causes friction which does three things: it compromises your curls, makes your hair frizzy, and damages your hair.  Instead, buy a microfiber towel to soak up excess water. For our girls with thicker hair that takes forever to dry, wrap your hair up and sleep in it overnight. By morning you’ll have dry, voluminous hair that you can mist and style the way you’d like.  Not to mention you’ll cut your morning routine in half and have more time for you! Use products with natural ingredients.  It’s hard to find natural, clean products that are actually just that. The FDA doesn’t regulate what words beauty products can and can’t use on labels, so you’re going to have to do a little investigating before you buy. Like we always say, if it reads like it came out of a science lab, it’s probably not safe. But if you recognize the ingredients, you’re in the clear.  The other challenge when it comes to clean hair products is that they don’t always seem to get the job done. You want a product that actually works, right? Here are just a few examples designed to be effective, sustainable, and safe. Here’s the scoop: Rosemary Detox Shampoo What’s in it: Aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, vitamin E, nettle leaf. What it does: Clarifies the hair and scalp to promote hair growth. Gives bounce to lifeless hair. Removes product and environmental buildup.  How to use it: Brush dry hair before washing. Shake well and massage into wet hair. Let sit for 1 minute for a deeper cleanse. Rinse.  Ginseng Conditioner What’s in it: Aloe vera, shea butter, ginseng, avocado oil, vitamin E, grapefruit, bergamot and cedarwood oil. What it does: Hydrates and nourishes your hair and scalp. Protects color-treated hair. Gently stimulates hair follicles. Promotes healthy hair growth. How to use it: Shake well. After shampooing, apply to damp hair for 2-5 minutes, rinse with cool water to close the hair cuticle. Can be used as a leave-in. Sandalwood Multi-Styler What’s in it: Aloe vera, sandalwood oil, grapeseed oil, provitamin B5 What it does: Styles your hair without weighing it down. Protects and adds shine to your hair.  How to use it: Work a generous amount between palms. Apply to damp hair from the roots to the ends and style. Air dry or blow-dry to add volume. Charcoal Face + Body Wash What’s in it: Aloe vera, grapefruit oil, vitamin E, charcoal powder, provitamin E, patchouli. What it does: Gently cleanses to hydrate and refresh skin. Purifies pores and replenishes with antioxidants. Soothes irritated skin without drying. How to use it: Shake well and squeeze onto a wet sponge or washcloth. Apply to skin and scrub body, face, and rinse. Get more vitamin E in your life. We love vitamin E for its power to nourish and hydrate skin. It can be used topically or incorporated into your diet.  Vitamin E works great on dry skin. It’s also a wonderful antioxidant that will make your hair follicles healthier. That means thicker, shinier hair. Use it as an oil and massage into your scalp or pack your pantry with the following foods: Avocados Almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, and hazelnuts Sunflower seeds Mango Sunflower oil and soybean oil Spinach Broccoli Atlantic Salmon  Get a professional Hair Trim... regularly!!  Don't let your stylist down!  Winter and fall can do a number on our hair. We may arrive in spring with damaged hair, split ends, or a dry scalp. Now is the time to trim away the dead stuff and make room for new growth.   And now that you are vaccinated, no excuses to NOT see your stylist.  Heck, visit your hairstylist at every month if you have a short style. If you wear your hair long, visit them at least every 2-3 months for a healthy trim. Play with new spring hairstyles. Creativity is what got us started in hair care, and we love to encourage everyone to be playful in their approach too. Try a new hairstyle to welcome the warm season and celebrate the transition that spring brings.  Here are a few things to try: Change the location of your part. Change doesn’t have to be drastic. Sometimes a small shift will go a long way! If you’ve been parting your hair on one side, try the other. Or go retro and try a middle part. If you’ve been rocking the middle part, try it to the side.  Slick it back. Now that you can ditch the winter hat, pull out your favorite pomade and gel to get a crisp, sharp look. Get an ombre. What better time than now to play with some color? Coloring your hair is such a fun way to play with self-expression. An ombre is a coloring technique that shades one color from light to dark. Typically, the darker side will start at the top of your head and become lighter all the way to your ends. Try a pixie cut. Feeling dramatic? Chop it all off and rock a super short pixie cut. There are so many different pixie cuts. Whether you have straight, fine hair, or thick, curly hair, there’s a pixie cut for you.  Shorten your bangs. If you have bangs but aren’t ready to let them go, try shortening them. Short bangs are adorable with shag haircuts and bobs. You can cut them straight across, angled, or sweep them to the side.  This spring, we want everyone to feel confident, playful, and fearless. With this combination of best practices, reliable products, and creative suggestions, we trust that you’re ready to get out there and have fun looking beautiful.  Tell us what you think of this guide!  Are you trying something new this spring? Do you have a go-to method for healing damaged hair?  If you liked this, you might enjoy last year’s tips, too. Drop us a comment below and tell us what it is! Abigail + David