In honor of Earth Day this month, I will be making an extra effort to feature healthy and green beauty brands that I have been loving and/or have been introduced to in recent months. Green is HOT right now and though I would never consider myself one of those people who preaches "go the green way or the highway", I am starting to make voluntary conscious changes in my beauty routine and diet that are better for my health and the environment. I almost think of it as doing my civic duty as a citizen of the Earth. Now natural may not always be better, but if it turns out to be better for everyone in the equation of biological survival I will welcome it with open arms!
I was first introduced to New York City-based green haircare brand Briogeo, through the subscription Ipsy three years ago. The product inside was the "Don't Despair, Repair!" Deep Conditioning Mask and after giving it a go, I thought "Well, where can I get more?!" I had no idea where to get Briogeo in Canada and let the idea go until it became available through The Detox Market. In addition to the deep conditioning mask, The Detox Market also carried the Rosarco Oil* (30mL/$35.00 CDN) which at first I didn't think anything of, but then I realized that this was a hair oil without a SINGLE silicone in it. The reason for silky smooth hair is often silicone and while I don't mind them as much on my hair, I always wondered if there was a hair oil that could give me the same shine without the 'cones. We are about to find out!
The Rosarco Oil is a lightweight blend of predominantly rosehip, argan and coconut oils (aka "rosarco") that promise to combat dryness, restore shine and even act as a heat protectant. This is a clear oil that can be applied to damp or dry hair and from root to tip if need be. If you have incredibly porous hair like mine from chemical-processing, your hair will suck this stuff in like it's the drinking from the Fountain of Youth! I do 2 pumps after I blow dry my hair at night (yes, I shower at night) and then another round in the morning just before I am about to style my hair. On the days I don't wash my hair, I do "maintenance shots" on just the ends of my hair and still never have an issue with grease or oiliness. With silicone-based hair oils, I find there is definitely an upper limit to how much you can apply even with colour-treated hair though I think this is because silicones tend to sit on the surface instead of penetrate.
As for how this oil worked on my hair? Yes, it was softer and felt less crunchy than without. I also felt like styling with a flat iron was better and that the oil allowed the iron to glide. In almost every photo I have posted with my mermaid hair, there has been Rosarco Oil in it, so I guess you can be the judge! You should see my hair with only a blow dry and no product. It looks like a hair cactus so there definitely is some added shine!
Ingredients: Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Tocopherol*, Tocopheryl Acetate*, Fragrance. *Vegetable derived
Final verdict: I only wish this oil came in a larger bottle/didn't cost quite so much for just 30mL. I know there is a premium for green beauty, so this bottle will have to serve as a treat. I have tried coconut oil on its own and I found it too greasy, but this combination of oils seems to be the magic one! If this were my skin, I would be using this Rosarco Oil all the time, but because hair is already dead I am not as fussy about using a silicone-based hair oil though in terms of performance, I found this hair oil giving the other guys a good run for their money!
You can find Briogeo at www.thedetoxmarket.ca and www.sephora.com
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