Hair Tips

We love Wisconsin ginseng.  This is why it powers our popular Ginseng Shampoo and Conditioner.  We appreciate the story behind its star ingredient and think you will too. Ginseng is native to Wisconsin.  It is the climate and soil that make Wisconsin ginseng the best in the world. To thrive, ginseng requires 75% shade, cool summers, and cold winters. Central Wisconsin delivers these regularly with 2 feet of snow and 2 feet of frost.  Ginseng roots are vulnerable to fungus and these conditions protect them. Ginseng roots are coveted for their healthful ginsenosides.  Revered for millennia for its cooling properties “Yin”, people believe that regular ginseng use boosts the immune system, stimulates circulation, and reduces inflammation.  A 2012 Mayo Clinic study showed that ginseng reduced fatigue in cancer patients when taken over an 8-week period.  An important note is that Ginseng doesn’t deliver an instant hit, it requires regular use to experience its benefits. All this comes down to just 185 growers who cultivate nearly 2,000 acres.  Dave Schumacher, VP of Ginseng Board of WI calls ginseng, “Wisconsin’s most unique crop.”  He explains that seeds take 18 months to germinate.  Once they are collected, they are placed in wet sand for 1 year, then planted in fall, to sprout the following spring.  Farmers nurture them for 3-4 years, which is when the roots, full of active ginsenosides, are mature enough to be harvested. We are proud that our ginseng is grown on family farms in Wausau, WI.  Once harvested, our roots are dried and turned into powder.  We love adding it into our shampoo and conditioner formulas! We hope that you’ll become wild about Wisconsin ginseng too.  - Abigail + David

Reaching out to friends is more important than ever.  We wanted to give you another excuse to connect.  When you refer a friend to ANTIDOTE, you're giving them $20 off their first order. That's almost a full size product for free!  To show our appreciation, you get 20% off of your next order.   It's this easy... Sign up to get your personal link Share with friends via email, Facebook, Instagram - let them know what you like about ANTIDOTE Your friends buys using your unique code You get rewarded 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.  Whether its the green rated formulas, stylist tested, scalp health, aloe vera bases, organic ingredients, or just born in Wisconsin, let your friends know why you like ANTIDOTE.  You can email or text, or share on your social media.  Here's what the Facebook post will look like. Of course, don't forget to say hi and wish everyone well.

Waiting to get in to see your favorite stylist?  Here are some fun hair ideas to play with in the meantime. Simple hairstyles are the trend for summer so we've compiled our top 3 looks that will take you no time at all - texture, braids, and accessories.  Spice up your look with one of these go-to hairstyles.  TEXTURIZE!    Blast your roots with ANTIDOTE Burdock Root Spray Wax, blow-dry into hair and add some beach-y waves. Adding texture to your hair on second day hair is a great way to prolong that shampoo you may not have had time for that morning. BRAID IT! Slick braids are popping up all over social media and some of the biggest beauty bloggers are talking about fun new ways to wear a braid this summer. One of our favorite braids is a high shine braid. It's a simple way to pull your hair back and takes very little time. You will need ANTIDOTE Vanilla Pomade and a wide tooth comb. Apply pomade evenly throughout damp hair and comb through. Part hair into sections depending on how many braids you are doing. Braid sections, if you need a little bit more pomade in some sections apply a little bit more of pomade on hands and run through hair. This will leave your hair with a nice clean braid that will not have a lot of frizz to hair and will hold all day.  ACCESSORIZE! Brush hair and apply ANTIDOTE Sea Buckthorn Hair Clay throughout to create a tousled look, tie back with colorful hair scarf. What's your go-to summer hair style? - Abigail  

Give your hair clean state. ANTIDOTE 1848 Rosemary Detox Shampoo was born out of the professional stylist insight that good hair starts with a clean hair and scalp. After all, it’s tough to have a great hair day when your hair is covered in last week’s styling product and your hair follicles are clogged with dirt. Rosemary Detox Shampoo to the rescue!    This deep cleaning, pH balancing shampoo: Clarifies hair and scalp. Removes excess oil. Takes away product and environmental build-up. Quality plant-powered ingredients are the secret behind how it works:  Organic apple cider vinegar works like a hair rinse Rosemary essential oils clarify hair and scalp while promoting healthy follicles Sea nettle helps to combat hair loss and oily scalp – and give the product its unique color. These ingredients are all added to an aloe vera base and gentle, sulfate-free, 4-part coconut cleanser.  Wash away!  To use, first brush hair gently to stimulate blood flow to the scalp and exfoliate.  Shake well – you’ll want to make sure that you are getting a good dose of those great ingredients.  Apply to wet hair and work out from the scalp to the ends. Let sit for one minute for a deeper clean.  Rinse. While ANTIDOTE Rosemary Detox Shampoo is safe enough to use every day, many people alternate with another shampoo. Because ANTIDOTE Rosemary Detox Shampoo is great for skin, it makes a great body wash, too! How’s that for simplifying your shower routine. Rosemary Detox Shampoo comes in a dark green #1 PET bottle – for maximum product protection – and comes with a twist-top dispensing cap. Start your day with a clean slate with ANTIDOTE Rosemary Detox Shampoo.  Color safe, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan.  

We’re so excited to launch our “Find your antidote” product quiz! Even though ANTIDOTE is a limited line of 20 products (most brands have 100+), the most common question we get is “what’s my ANTIDOTE?” There’s no replacement for getting a consultation from your favorite stylist.  They have the training and experience to know what your scalp and hair need, and can recommend the products that are right for you.  Unfortunately, we can’t always see our stylist – especially now with nearly all of us in a “safe at home” mode thanks to C-19. In the meantime, we put together a hair quiz just takes just a few minutes.  We ask you to describe your hair type, thickness and length.  We also want to know about how your scalp feels - after all, beautiful hair starts with a happy scalp - and we ask about whether you color treat or not.  This gives us just enough information to recommend some products tailored to you.  Whether your hair is curly or straight, thin or thick; whatever the shape of your scalp; and no matter how your treat your hair, there’s an ANTIDOTE bundle for you.  You can feel good knowing that every ANTIDOTE shampoo and conditioner is rated “green” by the Environmental Working Group.  All ANTIDOTE products are sulfate and cruelty free. Here are some stylist product tips to: For fine hair… add volume to fine hair by applying conditioner only to the ends of hair. Natural oils from scalp will be enough to condition the rest of your hair.  Otherwise, you can accidentaly weigh hair down. For wavy hair… add extra curl and body by diffusing sandalwood styler into hair. Heat from blowdrying thickens the hair strand. For curly hair… add moisture and shine to your curls with at least a once a week hair treatment using Jojoba Hair Repair Conditioner. For very curly hair… smooth those curls by applying a cocktail of Avocado Styling Cream with Hair + Body Oil. Disclaimer: The photo above was taken before C-19. ☹️ Let us know what you think, we’re always looking for ways to improve!   Abigail + David

Seems like every night is family night!  Tired of giving in to tech toys?  Running out of ideas?    We did a quick poll of the ANTIDOTE team and this is what we found.  (Just realized that given that ANTIDOTE is green rated, cruelty-free, and open to all, our picks gravitate to those themes.)  Let us know your picks, too!   In the motion picture category... Pick of the Litter – a new favorite.  This film follows a litter of puppies from the when they're born through their journey to become guide dogs for the visually impaired.  Also gives a glimpse into how many different ways that people can be limited visually and how that changes the ways they interact with the world.  Certified “Fresh” by Rotten Tomatoes at 97%! Babe – a 90’s classic film about “anything is possible.”  This Academy Award nominated movie does have a few tear-jerking moments. The Sound of Music - best overall classic – not only delivers catchy tunes, it’s also a chance to talk about real history and why it is important to stand up people, especially minority groups.  Planet Earth – best nature series – episodes take episode takes you into the mountains, the plains, jungles, forests, caves and fields of ice. We love to talk about our responsibility to take care of the planet.  A great addition is to then watch how nature documentaries are made here.   In the “games that don’t cost anything” category… Draw it.  Brainstorm a list of things as a team, put each one down on a piece of paper.  Take turns pulling a paper and drawing it.  Win points by guessing correctly.  Charades.  Brainstorm a list of things as a team, put each one down on a piece of paper.  Take turns pulling a paper and act it out.  Win points by guessing right.  Telephone. Write down a story on a piece of paper.  Each person shares their version of the story to the next person.  The last person writes down the story that they heard.  Compare it to the first version. What are your favorites? Abigail + David

Bummed that you can’t see your stylist?  Here are 4 things you can do right now to help you get through... #1 Treat yourself to a deep conditioning treatment.  Wash hair with Rosemary Shampoo or your favorite sulfate-free shampoo, rinse and towel dry.  Mix Jojoba Hair Repair with Hair oil and apply to damp hair.  Braid hair and let sit overnight, then rinse out in the morning.   For a quicker treatment, grab a timer and some soothing music or nature sounds.  Wash your hair as above, apply your favorite silicone-free conditioner to wet hair and leave in, wrap hair in a towel and set your timer for 10 min.  Close your eyes while listening to soothing music or nature sounds.  Rinse out when the timer goes off.  Make sure you use a silicone-free conditioner like ANTIDOTE that uses natural oils that penetrate the hair strand to repair it from within. #2 Trim those dry ends off.  If you just can't use this time to grow your hair out and really can’t wait for your next cut, this one's for you. But, proceed with caution here, you might need a friend to help with the hard to reach spots.  What we’re talking about is taking off 1/8inch of the ends of your hair by following the contours of your existing style  Start at the top, and slowly work your way down.  For shorter cuts, invest in a good trimmer to help.  Use a comb to lift each section.  #3 Rock a rainy day style (every day).  If your roots are showing, don’t grab the cheap box dye!  Instead, let your locks hide-out under wraps with your favorite baseball hat or fedora.  Good news... you’ll also be prepared for those April showers.  Repeat each day until you can see your stylist.  Out of hats?  Check out your local thrift store. We love Goodwill Online because all proceeds support programs for people with disabilities. Other rainy day tips: try braids, ponies, and buns. #4 Reach out to your stylist.  Bad hair days can get lonely for all of us.  Let your favorite stylist know how much you miss them and appreciate them.  Like them on Facebook, write them a positive review, follow their Instagram feed.  You’ll feel good and they’ll appreciate it.  They miss you too! How are you taking care of your hair style this spring? Stay safe and healthy. Abigail

At ANTIDOTE, the professional stylist has been at the heart of everything we do. Clients look to the professional stylist for their knowledge and experience. One day we were talking with a team of stylists at their salon. We noticed that everyone kept their “go to” products at their cutting stations – the handful of tools and products that they needed for almost every cut.  One product that everyone had was a light conditioning detangling hair mist.  For those who washed their client’s hair before cutting, the spray kept the hair damp and easy to manage.  For those who washed their client’s hair after cutting, the spray added the moisture needed to create a quality cut.  Others used the spray at the end of the style to reduce static.  Even though they each used a hair mist, we learned that each of their existing products had a shortfall – artificial fragrance, harsh preservative, heavy silicone, drying alcohol.  Their insights led to ANTIDOTE 1848 Gingelly Hair Mist - for all hair types, color safe, cruelty-free, and vegan. We quickly turned to gingelly as a key ingredient.  Gingelly is the ancient name for sesame seeds. Its use dates back thousands of years to ayurvedic medicinal practices. In addition to naturally moisturizing the hair and soothing the scalp, sesame oil benefits include encouraging healthy hair follicles, reducing premature graying, and protecting hair from environmental damage. In addition to gingelly oil, you’ll find lots of good stuff in ANTIDOTE Gingelly Hair Mist. Aloe vera gel to soothe scalp and add moisture to hair Vitamin E to condition and protect Sweet orange and cedarwood oil to delight the senses. This light conditioning formula, reduces frizz and fly-a-way’s, controls static, and leaves a light shine. To use, shake well, then spray onto wet or dry hair.  Comb through to smooth out.  Roughly work in to keep a looser style.  ANTIDOTE Gingelly Hair Mist is a great way to freshen hair after a long day. ANTIDOTE Gingelly Hair Mist comes in an 8oz green #1 PET bottle – to protect the natural ingredients – and comes with a fine mist sprayer. Add ANTIDOTE Gingelly Hair Mist to your home beauty station – de-frizz, condition, refresh.

On April 22, 2020, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.   Earth Day was born in Wisconsin, just like ANTIDOTE!   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. In the 1960’s, US Senator 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. 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"? Here at ANTIDOTE, we'll be supporting our local land trust, the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, in its work to protect lands that give us clean water, habitat for wildlife, and places for people to have fun. 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. 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. Let us know how you plan to celebrate Earth Day this year. - Abigail + David

One of the best parts of our day is connecting with other people who embrace healthier living. After all, ANTIDOTE’s mission is to make healthy living easier.  Everyday choices – even  what we use in the shower – can have a profound difference to our health, self-esteem, and our planet.  (Remember,  64% of what you put on our skin gets absorbed into our bodies and 100% ends up in our streams.) We were particularly delighted to meet up with Kella Kunz who not only gets wellness, she’s dedicated herself to helping others lives as the best versions of themselves as a health coach.  Kella approaches this work through nutrition, exercise, and mindset, based out of Slinger, Wisconsin. We had a chance to chat with Kella and immediately connected with one of her favorite motivational quotes, "Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? Absolutely."  Here are some highlights from our conversation. For someone trying to embrace a healthier lifestyle what one tip would you give them? “I feel very strongly about consuming water. Make sure you are consuming at least half of your body weight in ounces of water every day for optimal health.” How did you get into health coaching? “Growing up, I was always told that I would grow into my clothes. I heard I was big boned. I heard I will thin out. Before I knew it, lies and excuses that I told myself became true when I reached my heaviest weight sophomore year of high school. On the outside I tried to be confident and happy, but truly - I was devastated and hated my body. From that moment on, I decided I am not going to live my life feeling trapped in my own skin. My journey began knowing somewhat about nutrition, a little bit more about exercising, and nothing about mindset. It was hard. It took me 4 years to lose 20 lbs . BUT I DID IT! Because of the knowledge and insight I gained, I decided to switch my major to Nutrition. After learning more, I decided to also study Complementary and Integrative Health. Because of my education, people began asking me health questions. From this, I saw how many other people around me felt trapped in their skin and lifestyle like I was. I turned the questions people were asking me into a program that would create long-lasting lifestyle changes.” Favorite Plant? “The rose bush. Maybe because the way it looks, or maybe because my middle name is rose. Who knows?” Kella offers 1:1 health coaching to people who want to be the healthiest version of themselves, but feel stuck and lost.  She's known for her non-judgmental, sensitive approach, and for creating a space where people can open up about their choices without shame. Her coaching integrates nutrition, exercise, and mindset - and is offered in-person or online. People can connect with Kella through www.kellashealthcoaching.com. Don’t forget to sign up for her awesome weekly emails about all things health.  Here's to healthy living - it may not always be easy, but it sure is worth it!  Let us know how you got into healthy living, we look forward to hearing from you. Abigail + David

Did you know that 67% of Americans have a pet?  If you are not among us, you hopefully have a fur-friend nearby. Because, pets are the best!   If you follow our Instagram, you know that it's been a big year for pets at ANTIDOTE 1848.  Homer, a mini labradoodle and Astro, a Boston terrier, joined our families.  Our days now include plenty of poop and pee breaks, and weekly training - more for ourselves than for our pups.   We've been amazed at how our pets have changed our lives.  Homer and Astro remind us to take in the joy of a fresh snowfall and marvel at a full moon during a midnight walk.  They connect us with the natural world in so many ways. One touch from their paw, makes the day's troubles fade away.  And there's nothing like a pet's greeting to put a smile on your face - gotta love that "happy dance." We hope that you will join us in celebrate National Love Your Pet Day - February 20th - by supporting your local Humane Society or animal shelter.   Do you have a fun pet story to share?  

Get more sleep. In The Truth About Beauty Sleep, WebMD’s Stephanie Jacob’s reports, “sleep may be the closest thing there is to a fountain of youth. Your body repairs itself and recovers while you snooze, and that leads to a long list of benefits for your looks.”   A study published in the British Medical Journal, Beauty sleep: experimental study on the perceived health and attractiveness of sleep deprived people showed that well rested individuals were more attractive. Board certified Sleep specialist, Dr. Michael Breus says that getting less than 6 hours of sleep will likely affect how you look and that getting an extra 1-3 hours can show an improvement in just a few weeks. Sleep matters for healthier, fuller hair.  “Hair loss, breakage, damage, and even growth can all be affected by lack of sleep”, Breus says. “Hair follicles (where hair growth begins) gain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from blood flow. Since blood flow decreases when we’re short on shut-eye, hair gets less food, it weakens, and it has difficulty growing.”  A lack of sleep can lead to more stress, which is no good for how we feel and look. Getting more sleep isn’t easy.  Most of us are already over-committed.  Our busy schedules limit the time we have to sleep, and it’s hard to switch gears from work to rest.  Social media doesn’t help.  Dr. Breus provides some good advice on how to think about getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep: Plan your sleep schedule: Go decaf by 2:30pm, Exercise daily-with doctor’s permission, take a bath before sleep, give yourself enough time to sleepily off the alcohol 4 hours before sleep Create a tranquil sleep environment: 60-67 degrees is optimal temp for sleep; Could it be time for a new pillow or mattress? We’ve found that shutting the phone, computer, and TV remote off even 30 minutes before bedtime helps.  Instead, we try fill that time with some reading, stretching, or bath time.  Do you have a favorite sleep routine? Dr. Breus talks about applying the principles of mindfulness to improving sleep quality.  “You’ve heard me talk about how mindfulness practices can help you sleep better. Commit to paying closer attention to your sleep, on a daily basis. Use the same non-judgmental approach that comes with mindfulness to be more curious and interested in the details of your sleep habits. You’ll learn a lot about your daily rest and about yourself, and you’ll likely discover new ways to tweak and improve your sleep routine, for the benefit of your short and long-term health and happiness.” See Dr. Bues' full list of tips here. Did you know ... 1 in 5 people sleep with their eyes open?  That’s amazing! Sweet dreams, Abigail + David

Hopefully you know the feeling of a good scalp massage.  Your skin tingles, you get goosebumps along the back of your neck.  You forget that list of errands.  Problems fade into the background.  Your mind clears.  You are in the moment. I recently had sat down with Abigail Kuehl, master stylist, to talk about the benefits of a good scalp massage.  She’s made the scalp massage part of her guest regimen for over 10 years.  Her technique is legendary among her clients. Why do scalp massage? “I like to help my guests make the transition from the busy outside world to the restorative space of the salon, but it’s much more than just about making my guests feel good.”  Kuehl explains that there are physical benefits that come from a good scalp massage too.  “A good massage increases blood flow to support the body’s natural internal cleansing process, and reveals healthy skin cells.  I like to enhance the process with a high quality plant based oil blend, the combination promotes healthy skin and improves hair texture.  My favorite blend is ANTIDOTE 1848 AVOCADO HAIR + BEARD OIL with organic avocado, grape seed, jojoba, and grapefruit oil. These are great for soothing skin and strengthening the hair and this product doesn’t have harsh additives.” The ideal brush? Our favorite is a boar's hair and nylon bristles in a soft rubber bed.  Kuehl’s explains her approach, “I like to start by brushing the hair in multiple directions to expose the scalp, remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation.  Then I rub a few drops of a good hair oil into my fingers and start taking long strokes across the scalp from back to front and side to side to transfer the oil onto the scalp and hair.  For people with long hair, I also apply hair oil to the ends of their hair.  Starting from the forehead and moving to the back of the neck, I use gentle circular motions across the crown and then from the temples.” You can enjoy the benefits of a scalp massage by giving one to yourself. “Find a quiet spot and give yourself 5-10 minutes. Even a couple of days a week can make a difference. Feel free to mix it up – so you don’t have to do the same thing each time. Nature sounds can be fun to use. The National Park Service has some great options.  And don’t forget to take deep slow breaths to make sure you get lots of fresh air!” “If you want to get more adventurous, find a scalp massage buddy!  It’s good for you, fun and a great way to improve your technique.”   -- Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE1848

Just like we have to take care of our body, we also need to take care of our hair.  The first step is to figure out what our hair needs – most typically, moisture or protein. Too much of either leaves hair weighed down, too little means hair is dry and brittle. To figure out if your hair needs protein, give your hair the strand test.  Take a wet strand and pull it from both ends.  If it stretches a little before it snaps – that means it has good elasticity and is resilient – good news!   On the other hand, if it breaks right away, you’ll want to add strength back into your hair. We developed ANTIDOTE Protein Shampoo and Conditioner to strengthen the hair shaft.  After all, hair is made of protein by a hair bulb that sits at the base of a hair follicle. WebMD explains how hair is formed, “In the hair bulb, living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft. Blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb and deliver hormones that modify hair growth and structure at different times of life.”  ANTIDOTE Strengthening Protein Shampoo and Conditioner pampers your scalp and hair follicles while adding protein back into the hair.  How does it work?  The key is Baobab Protein which comes from the seed of the African “Tree of Life.” Baobob protein: Deeply nourishes and revitalizes hair Reinforces strands for improved strength to return elasticity and reduce breakage Reduces hair damage from harsh chemicals And our Baobab protein is ECOCERT certified – that means it’s derived from renewable resources, manufactured by environmentally friendly processes.  What this means is that our baobab fruit seeds are obtained using ethical and sustainable methods supporting local communities in Africa. The other ingredients we put into these products focus on scalp health and hair condition – also important for healthy hair.  Both Shampoo and Conditioner have a Texas aloe vera gel base and citrus essential oils.  The shampoo uses a 4-part coconut based cleanser that is gentle but effective.  It is less irritating and can’t dry your scalp the way traditional sulfate shampoos do. And Vitamin E provides excellent antioxidant, moisturizing and soothing properties that reduce inflammation and repair damage to skin and hair follicles. The conditioner uses shea butter and castor seed oil to condition and protect. It's easy to use... We recommend brushing hair before washing to stimulate blood flow and exfoliate the scalp. Shake shampoo well to make sure that you get a good dose of those great plant based ingredients.  Apply to wet hair and work from the roots out. Rinse.   After shampooing, apply conditioner to damp hair for 2-5 minutes. Rinse with cool water to close the hair cuticle.  A small amount can be used as a leave-in conditioner. Watch out for too much of a good thing!  Too much protein will weigh your hair down.  If your hair is over processed, you might need a clarifying or moisture shampoo. ANTIDOTE Strengthening Protein Shampoo and Conditioner comes in #1 green PET bottles to protect those precious ingredients.    For all hair types.  Color safe. Vegan. Cruelty-free. Gluten-free.

We recently had a chance to connect with ANTIDOTE ambassador and master stylist, Steven Handyside. His Onyx Shear Hair Art is taking Tennessee by storm.  We love Steven for his deep industry experience, commitment to quality, and optimistic outlook.  Steven brings his clients an international perspective and integrates feeling good, looking good, and caring for our planet.Here’s some of what Steven had to say including some great product and styling tips! How did you get into the beauty industry?  Funny that, my mum told me to get a job, so in 2000 I started an apprenticeship in hairdressing and have never looked back since. Good old mum, she knew before I did! . Describe your approach to health (for you and your clients)? Over the past year I have really tried to focus on my health both physically and environmentally. Our salon only uses the best of the best in natural/organic derived haircare. This benefits both myself and my clients but also promotes awareness of the air we breathe and the products we wear. Our clients and stylists automatically know if I bring in a certain product, it has had a lot of study & trial. Why do you use ANTIDOTE products?   ANTIDOTE is in line with the salon’s ethics and goals that we ask from our product company. Only using the highest quality and ethically sourced ingredients, as well as being designed by a salon professional makes it that much better than all other products. Also the size of the range makes it so much more appealing, there’s no need for having numerous amounts of products that only some are good. Better a small line that all the products are great. What is your favorite ANTIDOTE product? At the moment my favourite combination is Avocado Styling Creme and Sandalwood Multi-Styler.  The best result is after deep cleaning with the Rosemary Shampoo and either the Ginseng or Baobab Conditioner. Favorite hair or wellness tip this season? As winter is upon us, we need to be using the Jojoba Hair Repair Conditioner frequently and definitely using the Gingelly Hair Mist to take the static out of hair and add moisture to hair and skin. Your favorite vegetable is… great question, it's a split between green pepper & green beens. They have to be raw. Onyx Shear Hair Art is located in the thriving city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  Next time you are in the area, visit Steven to get his exclusive ANTIDOTE advice and check out Murfreesboro’s famous civil war sites and historic gardens.  The state capital, Nashville is only a short drive away. Book your next hair consultation at Onyx Shear Hair Art.  

A company’s culture is a representation its values and beliefs.  Sometimes this happens on purpose.  Like at ANTIDOTE, one of our core values is sustainable sourcing.  Other times, a part of the culture just happens.  For example, if you work with us at ANTIDOTE, chances are you will get a hug - with your permission, of course!  We didn’t plan for this, it just evolved.  For us, a “hugging” culture means treating everyone with dignity and respect, like being an early part of the Open to All campaign, a preference for face to face interaction, and our give back programs. With National Hug Day coming up on January 21st, we got to thinking about all of the benefits of human touch - hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, smiles and high-fives.  “Research shows that long hugs release oxytocin, benefiting the human stress response, immune function, sleep patterns, blood pressure, and self-esteem,” says The Hug Alliance founder, Rick Morrison. According to Healthline’s  What Are the Benefits of Hugging?, “the benefits of hugging go beyond that warm feeling you get when you hold someone in your arms.”  Healthline summarizes hugging’s scientific benefits such as: Hugs make you happier. “Oxytocin is a chemical in our bodies that scientists sometimes call the ‘cuddle hormone. This is because its levels rise when we hug, touch, or sit close to someone else. Oxytocin is associated with happiness and less stress.” Hugs boost your heart health by reducing blood pressure and heart rate Hugs reduce stress in both the person getting and the person giving the hug Hugs protect you against illness by strengthening your immune system and resilience – people who feel supported get less sick and when they do get sick, it is less severe With all of those benefits, imagine what a good hug can do for your hair! Do we have a touch deficit in our society?   Forbes magazine’s “Magic Touch: Six Things You Can Do to Connect in a Disconnected World,” Carolyn Rosenblatt challenges us, “Research has told us for years that humans all need touch to one degree or another. Are we giving it enough, receiving enough touch ourselves?  Are we connecting in our disconnected world?” Rosenblatt goes on to share that according to family therapist Virginia Satir, “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” We encourage you to making hugging part of your own culture, too. Happy Hug Day! Abigail + David

Winter is tough… on hair.  Cold outside winds and dry inside heat can create a hair disaster.  Wintry weather leaves many of us with dry, itchy scalp, and frizzy fragile strands that are prone to breakage. Don’t despair!   Here are our 4 favorite winter hair tips to the rescue. Pamper your scalp with a gentler shampoo.  Use a sulfate-free shampoo that is gentler on your scalp and follicles.  Let’s face it – a dry itchy scalp is uncomfortable and unsightly – and most importantly it’s not good for our hair follicles.  Gentler shampoos restore the natural moisture back into your scalp and strengthen your scalp’s natural protective layer. All ANTIDOTE shampoos use a sulfate-free, 4-part coconut cleanser.  If your feeling especially sensitive, try ANTIDOTE Aloe Shampoo – it is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, with a soothing chamomile base.  Strengthen your hair from within. Ditch those silicone conditioners – they dry out the hair strand, making it more prone to breakage.  Instead, look for natural and essential oil-based products.  These penetrate hair and make it strong and flexible.  Oils protect hair from the extreme cold and heat cycle common this time of year.  ANTIDOTE conditioners are full of natural shea butter and avocado oil, powerful moisturizers that protect against environmental stress factors and is great for your scalp, too! Treat yourself to a weekly deep conditioning treatment.  Apply ANTIDOTE Jojoba Hair Repair to wet hair for 5-10 minutes to let ingredients penetrate the hair strand. Lighten up your hair color.  While some think that it is better to go dark in the winter and light in the summer, we find the opposite often works better.  With less sun exposure, we lose color in our skin. Lighter hair color can sometimes be a better skin match, while darker hair can over emphasize that pasty winter complexion. While you are touching up your color, ask your stylist to add a clear gloss into your color to condition and add shine to your hair. Increase your time outside.  Did you know that a walk in the woods is proven to improve your health?  While winter might feel like time to stay indoors, think the opposite!  Getting outside is proven to reduce stress and improve health.  Since we are from Wisconsin, we know all about being outside in the winter.  Invest in a good set of long johns and don’t forget a neck gaitor. While you are outside more: Don’t leave the house with wet hair. Cold air expands the hair cuticle and makes it more prone to breakage.  Keep that frizz down with a leave-in conditioner. ANTIDOTE Avocado Styling Cream makes a great leave in conditioner that keeps hair flexible. Minimize hat hair by wearing a hat lined with silk or satin. Popular fabrics like wool and cotton, can cause split ends and breakage.  Better yet, ditch that fancy hat for a pair of earmuffs like 180’s that go behind the head. Wishing everyone their happiest winter scalp and hair yet!  What are your favorite winter hair tips?

The end of the year can be a stressful time.  Shorter days and high expectations of the perfect holiday are just a few of the things that make this so. We checked in with ANTIDOTE stylists on how they not just cope, but how they thrive during this busy season.  Here are their top 4 techniques:  1. Eat well: Veggies, veggies, veggies!  Try new ones, indulge with fun dips and sauces, roasted vegetables rock.  Our favorite Cleveland Clinic offers specific tips for healthy holiday eating, like "never go to a party hungry, use smaller plates, cheat a little, but only once a day, and aim for 7 or more of fruit and vegetables each day." 2. Get some sleep: Try to work a cat nap into your plans - especially before a big events. In "Here's why you want to sleep more in winter", Tiffany Gagnon explains, "We tend to break our routines during the winter season, which can lead to health problems. Just like you schedule in your workouts, do you best to schedule in time for sleep. If you need more motivation, get this: Some research shows that getting enough sleep each week boosts your chances at achieving your fitness goals. Do your body some real good, and start snoozing. 3. Move a lot: Take the stairs, stretch out, add a lunch time walk to your routine, park far away from the entrance- on purpose.  Iowa-based Primary Health Care reminds us, "any activity is better than none! Ten minutes of activity at a time is okay." "Exercise has many benefits that will improve your physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. Here are a few of the reasons why: Boosts your immune system Fights many chronic diseases (including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes) Increases strength, flexibility, and endurance of daily life Improves sleep patterns Releases hormones that make you feel good" 4. Me time: Know your limits and when to pull back for some quiet time. While time in nature, a bath, an evening walk, or reading a good book might seem indulgent when the party is going on next door, it might be just what you need.  We highly recommend some time in nature.  A recent UK study showed that "spending two hours per week soaking up nature -- be it woodland, park or beach -- gives a positive boost to health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically," shares CNN's Maureen O'Hara. How do you take care of yourself during the holiday season?    

Congratulations to MOD Hair Salon in beautiful Vista, California for joining the ANTIDOTE 1848 family.  Casey Brookshire, owner and master stylist, shared her excitement, "Thrilled to have Antidote 1848 in the salon and can’t wait to share it with more people!" We had a chance to sit down with Casey to learn more about her and her approach to clean beauty. Here's what Casey had to say... How did you get into the beauty industry? Being born the creative type, I knew that when I grew up, I would have a career that allowed me to use my imagination in order to put my talents to good use. I found that I loved doing hair shortly after graduating high school by experimenting on myself and willing friends. No doubt there were plenty of failed experiments, but what was interesting is how excited it got me, and how natural it seemed. With the beauty industry looking like the perfect fit for me, I enrolled in cosmetology school soon thereafter. I worked as a receptionist in a salon while going to school and became the owners office assistant which allowed me to learn the business end of a hair salon before I even got my license. Once I was working behind the chair for a few years, I knew I needed to do it “my way” and in 2013, MOD Hair Salon was born. Describe your approach to beauty? I believe in using the best quality products, that actually work, but that don’t compromise values, ethics or our health negatively. Days off I go bare faced with moisurizer, spf 30 and lip gloss and work days I’m full face with strip lashes and orange lips! I think your beauty routine should work for you and your lifestyle! Describe your approach to health? My approach to health is to eat as cleanly as possible, move as much as possible, relax as much as possible.  Why do you use ANTIDOTE products? A few years ago, I was being treated at a naturopathic school and they had mentioned the EWG (Environmental Working Group) and suggested I do some research on the products I was using. It was truly horrifying to learn about the chemicals being absorbed into our blood streams by using some of these chemicals. Ever since then, I’ve been on a mission to reduce the amount of toxicity exposure on a daily basis. I was so thrilled to learn of ANTIDOTE's ratings on EWG and more so because the products actually do what they say they’ll do.  What is your favorite ANTIDOTE product? I use the sandalwood multi styler on nearly every client!  Your favorite vegetable is… How can you choose just one? I’m going super hippy and saying steamed broccoli!  The Vista, California area was settled by the Luiseño Indians thousands of years ago. Today, Vista is considered one of the best cities to live in.  In addition to its perfect climate, Vista is also has MOD Hair Salon and ANTIDOTE 1848! Book your MOD Hair Salon appointment.  

Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates ANTIDOTE shampoos and conditioners “Green” in Skin Deep database. How many personal care products do you use each day? If you are like the average person, that would be 9 – exposing you to 170 chemicals every day.  Since over 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your blood, don’t you want to know what’s in your products? This summer, ANTIDOTE and EWG teamed up to review every ANTIDOTE Shampoo and Conditioner formula.  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 were all rated “GREEN” – yep, 100% of them! You can find ANTIDOTE now listed in the EWG Skin Deep Database here. Here's the rating scale: Click here to find out ratings for your current products? It didn’t surprise us because, given EWG's extensive expertise, we consult them throughout the product development process.  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 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