Universal Kwik Energy Supplement Review

Is it just me or is there a serious shortage of physical and mental energy going around? I don't know if I just have a fatigue problem or is everyone else drained as soon as they wake up everyday, too? Physical fatigue is bad enough, but being a freelance writer seems to deplete any mental focus or energy I do accumulate. 
 
Needless to say, I'm a caffeine addict who's always looking for an energy supplement or energy drink to pick up both my physical and mental energy. With that said, I came across a new supplement that sounded promising -- called Universal Kwik Energy -- and after spending a good month using it, I thought it's high time I put my results in a review. 

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission when you use my link and make a purchase.

Universal Kwik Energy is basically an herbal energy supplement. The tablets combine anhydrous caffeine with energy-boosting herbs like guarana seed powder, kola nut seed powder, and cocoa bean extract. 

Guarana seeds, used for their stimulating effect, contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee seeds. 

Kola nut is a light stimulant that increases endurance and reduces appetite. 

Cocoa bean extract contains caffeine and may improve cognition and blood flow.

Caffeine Anhydrous is basically caffeine in powder form.

         Pro's:

•  Reliable -- They seems to work even after regular use. 

•  No major crashing 

•  Steady energy -- no intense ups and downs 

• Great price for such a 60-day-supply (currently less than $10 for 60-day-supply at eVitamins)
  

• Made in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) facility

        Con's:

• Contains a substance known to the state of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm (California Residents Proposition #65 Warning)

•   Some days I needed a second dose to keep myself going.

•   Contains artificial coloring (Red #40)

    Detailed Account of My Results

 To elaborate on some of the points above, I'll start with the first point: Seems to work even after regular use. 

I've taken the Universal Kwik Energy tablets for about two months. One of my biggest concerns with energy products is that they often quit "working" with regular use. For example, the first time you drink a Red Bull you get wings, right? But after drinking them daily for a week or two, the effects seem to decrease, and suddenly it's not giving you wings anymore.

I've taken a two month supply of these Kwik Energy tablets (60 servings/tablets) in about a month in a half's time (taking two tablets daily sometimes). The results didn't diminish. Each time I took a tablet, the effects were noticeable. 

About the artificial coloring: 
I listed the Red #40 ingredient as a "con" because it's possibly harmful and some people, like my s/o are unable to take this due to having an allergy to the artificial dye Red #40. 
Who cares what color the tablet is, anyway?


How long does the energy last? 

I would have an energy boost for a steady 2-3 hours after taking one. The energy probably lasts as long as any energy supplement, but there were times when my energy would be depleted by late evening and I'd just take second dose to get myself back up and running.


I love that these tablets provide a steady energy boost for a few hours at a time without a major crash when it wears off. Note: Everyone's results can vary. If you normally crash from caffeine, then you should probably expect a crash to some extent from these too. 


Ingredients: 

 Caffeine Anhydrous      (250 mg)
 Kola Nut Seed Powder (50 mg)
 Cocoa Bean Extract      (50 mg)
 Guarana Seed Powder (50 mg)

Other ingredients: Dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline celluose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, red #40.

Overall Rating:  4/5 Stars
 
The Universal Kwik Energy tablets reminded me of an old energy supplement I used to take religiously (called Motivation) until I couldn't find them anymore, so this quickly became my favorite. 

However, when I read the label and saw that this supplement contains a substance known to cause reproductive harm or birth defects, it was extremely off-putting and worrisome.


You can find Universal Kwik Energy here. Click here to receive $5 off your eVitamins order.







Disclaimer: I am not a specialist, expert, professional or doctor of any kind. Content on this blog is not intended to be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or advice of any sort. I'm simply sharing information about my own experiences and results from use of a product or activity in hopes of providing useful information to readers, not to be taken as a patient/medical adviser relationship. I am not responsible for what readers choose to do after viewing the content here. Furthermore, I do not hold an "exceptional" or other special relationship with any company mentioned on this site. I'm simply a consumer who worked with the company on a review that is in compliance with FTC's guidelines. That means, everything you read here is my own words, not anything of the company's. I was not provided with monetary compensation for my review. All information posted has been done so with complete honesty. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication ( I'm not responsible.) Readers who rely on the information in this blog to replace the advice of an appropriate health care provider assume all risks of such behavior.

Why I Stopped Taking Donnatal for My IBS (and Perhaps You Should Too)

Image source: Jonas Tana

Irritable bowel syndrome, is a painful condition that -- as the awful name suggests -- affects the bowels and digestive system. I struggled with crippling I.B.S. for several years before I knew what was wrong with me. It took years of relentless Internet searches for me to "self-diagnose," but the actual doctor diagnosis came when I underwent surgery for endometriosis, which is common among I.B.S sufferers.

After having surgery, the constant pain in my gut had actually subsided for the first time in years. I'm not even kidding when I say years.

Unfortunately, to my severe disappointment, the relief didn't last.

About four days after surgery, the typical pains that come with I.B.S. reared their ugly heads and I was in excruciating pain.

When I went back in for the post-operation checkup, my surgeon told me that some of my pain was related to I.B.S. and that they'd noticed a lot of spasms occurring during the surgery. This came as no surprise as I'd already read about it online and was certain that I.B.S. was accompanying my endometriosis issue.

In a few short minutes, the surgeon told me that I.B.S. was basically something I'd live with for the rest of my life and that the only way to manage it was with medication. He then mentioned something about I.B.S. being "psychological."

Suffering like this for the rest of my life? 

So there really is no hope for me ever getting to feel better again? 

I won't actually get to live a normal life? 

Those were my biggest fears and hearing that I'd live with this kind of constant, relentless pain forever hit me like a ton of bricks and I nearly broke down and cried right there.

Nothing more was said about I.B.S. or what causes it or what my options for relief were. I was given a prescription for the medication Donnatal and sent on my way.

 Being extremely sensitive to medications (even over the counter), I was hesitant about taking this medicine I'd never heard of.

"It's not going to make me feel crazy or anything, is it," I asked.

After assuring me that he wouldn't give me anything that made me "feel crazy," I left with little more than my piece of paper with the prescription written on it and the instructions to take four tablets a day.

I didn't even know a thing about the medication, but being drained of all hope and still clutching my stomach from the incessant pain, we picked up the Donnatal and I immediately took 2 tablets, which would be half of my daily dose.

By the time I made it home (about 15 minutes), the drug had apparently already taken effect.

Donnatal, it turns out, is a barbiturate.

Barbiturates are nervous system depressants that have a sedative effect. I found this out shortly after my first dose.

 I attempted to feed the cats and dropped the container, dumping cat food all over the floor. I was trying to talk to my sisters and boyfriend and realized the medication was making it difficult to function, so I was hurried to bed.

I slept for the most part of two weeks. Just waking up to take the prescribed dose four times a day was a struggle. I literally felt paralyzed. At one point, I remember laying in bed -- while my loving boyfriend played video games to stay awake and watch over me -- and wondering if I would ever be able to get out of bed again.

But I kept taking the Donnatal.

It just takes time to get into your system and 'work', I'd read.
Being committed to relief, I kept believing it would eventually take effect and I would get used to the side effects. People told me that the extreme tiredness would eventually subside as my body got used to the Donnatal.

My loved ones also thought I'd eventually get better, find relief with the Donnatal, and no longer be so sensitive to the sleepy side effects.

I can't say how many weeks I went on like this, but I believe a month or two is when I couldn't take it anymore. I was not getting relief. The intense pains that came during the daily flare-ups were not less severe. The number or length of time a severe flare-up would last did not decrease.

Why am I still taking these? They're turning me into a zombie. I can't leave the bed hardly and I'm still in the same exact pain I was to start with.

The only difference was, I was sleeping like a hibernating bear. At first that was better than being awake and dealing with the discomfort, but the pain would just wake me up with or without Donnatal.

The only positive effect I can recall was that the duration of my anxiety attacks (another crazy friend that likes to accompany I.B.S.)  were shorter.

I quietly decided on my own one day that I would only take half my daily dose, two tablets. I was absolutely terrified that if I completely stopped the medication, somehow the pain would get even worse. We were convinced that the medication had to work if it was prescribed to me. Somehow, it would start working and I would start feeling better. It just had to kick in and as long as I could just bear it and keep taking the stupid little tablets, I would get the relief I desperately prayed for.

But if I stop taking them... It could all backfire. But what people didn't understand was that I truly wasn't getting any relief.

Desperate to find relief anywhere, I started searching the Internet hoping for a "cure for I.B.S." I was surprised (and a bit skeptical) when I started reading that people were claiming to actually have found relief by using random, natural products that didn't require a prescription.

Of course I couldn't believe it would ever really work, but desperation does wonders. I got ahold of coconut oil, after reading that it gave people relief from I.B.S.

I started taking a tiny bit of the coconut oil everyday with my half-doses of Donnatal and slowly started noticing that the pain was a tad less severe. I was able to move a bit more.

I kept taking the Donnatal, ignorantly believing that it was finally "working" until one night after the severity of my I.B.S. problems had subsided for an entire week.

I wasn't in the clear at all. I was still down most of the time, but I was able to move from the bed without unbearable pain striking.

After about 9 - 12 months (if I recall correctly), I'd started taking only one dose of Donnatal and only before bed. I needed to function during the day. I couldn't bring myself to drive a vehicle while taking Donnatal. I felt too foggy headed. I felt a bit clumsy, even from the single dose.

There was no way I could keep taking Donnatal and function. So as I continued to take the coconut oil and later added aloe vera to my daily routine, I got to where I'd only take the Donnatal if I was having a flare-up. It didn't take much longer for me to see that it wasn't giving me any relief. And if there was any relief there, it wasn't enough that it kept me from crying for hours on end.

I finally quit calling in for my prescription all together and left the single, last tablet of Donnatal in my purse for "emergencies."

I never ended up needing to take the useless tablet. I continued to take aloe vera and a little coconut oil until I was able to begin making a real recovery.

For me, the side effects of Donnatal were way too strong. I wasn't able to adapt to the intense drowsiness that came with a single dose, and had I gotten any relief from it, I would've just continued taking the single dose before bed. Unfortunately, Donnatal wasn't a successful remedy for my pain.

Note: Barbiturates like Donnatal can be addictive. 
When I later learned that Donnatal was easy to become addicted to, I was glad I'd stopped taking them when I did. Disappointed that their addictive nature was never mentioned when they were prescribed to me at 18 years old. I am lucky. I stopped before my body had become dependent on them, but other people have reported immense suffering from withdrawal symptoms when they go off drugs like Donnatal. This is one of those cases where the pros and cons must be carefully outweighed.

So Who Does Donnatal Work For?
I never did get the chance to discuss other medication options with the surgeon, but there are some people who can tolerate the side effects of medications like Donnatal. I've read other user experiences online and some people have been able to get relief from spasms, nausea, cramps, and anxiety.

I've read that Donnatal worked wonders for nausea and vomiting. Vomiting and nauseousness is often a symptom of I.B.S. and it can become a regular problem.

Another side effect of Donnatal is constipation. That's good news for the person who suffers with I.B.S.-D (diarrhea), but very bad news for the person with I.B.S.-C (constipation.) With that said, it's important to keep in mind that if your I.B.S. is already causing constipation, Donnatal might not help and could worsen the problem.

On the other hand, some people report relief from the intestinal cramping that I.B.S. causes.

 I just wonder if perhaps the Donnatal is more useful for the vomiting and diarrhea and spasms that don't come with intense pain.

From the people I've talked to (mostly other I.B.S. sufferers) and stories I've read, Donnatal seems to be a hit or miss.

The above is just one person's experience with Donnatal for I.B.S. I decided to discuss my experience here after a reader asked me what happened after I had surgery. I know I didn't discuss the Donnatal in the past when I was dealing with this because it simply didn't help me, so I didn't consider my experience useful. I don't intend to discourage anyone from taking their prescribed medications for I.B.S. and if Donnatal has worked for you, please do let us know in the comments section.

So, have you been prescribed Donnatal? What was your experience? Am I the only I.B.S. sufferer who's had such minimal success with Donnatal?

Note: While I have made a major recovery from the debilitating condition I once had, I do still suffer from occasional flare-ups each year. However, now that I've become extremely familiar with the various remedies for IBS, I'm able to manage it with natural remedies. I can usually take one of my go-to remedies (aloe vera or an essential oil blend supplement) and stop the pain from escalating to the point that I can't go on with my day. I usually have to take it easy and be very still for a little while, but I'm always able to get enough relief that the pain and discomfort doesn't keep me in bed.

As for managing the I.B.S., I use a variety of remedies that support a healthy digestive system, like garlic. I especially love aloe vera, though as it has given me the most relief.

I've discussed virtually every remedy I've used here on Healthy, Happy, Wholesome, so if you're interested, scroll through the articles here and subscribe for more updates.

Watch My Results with Instant Slim Body Wrap + Face Lift + Lip Plumper - Beauty Haul/Review

* From here down, you'll find reviews and photos for the anti-aging product line from The Pure Body, as promised.

Everything that comes with the Instant Slim kit.

The Instant Slim Wrap kit uses all natural ingredients like bentonite clay that help detoxify and exfoliate the skin in an hour of use. The clay contains over 70 minerals that remove toxins known as adipocytes, which are stored between fat cells, causing cellular stress and problems losing weight.

It tightens, firms, and tones your skin while also directly removing toxins. The clay helps break down fat, improve cellulite and stretch marks, tighten and firm loose skin.

The clay is applied to the area you're treating (legs, waist, etc.) and the bandages are tightly wrapped over the clay-covered skin. The Pure Body recommends using Instant Slim kit at least once a month to help detox the skin. 

The loofah is included as a preparation tool, used with warm water to exfoliate the area beforehand so the awesome ingredients in the clay can better penetrate your skin. Speaking of ingredients, they include: bentonite clay, kaolin clay, caffeine, tripeptide-1, tripeptide-10 Citrulline, and charcoal.

The slimming clay.

Bentonite Clay is a volcanic clay used to treat skin conditions and remove toxins by absorbing impurities like excess oil and dirt, from the skin. It also exfoliates and improves circulation.

Kaolin Clay draws out impurities without removing the skin's natural oils. It also improves circulation, exfoliates, and cleanses. It stimulates circulation, which can help remove stretch marks and cellulite. Kaolin is suitable for all skin types.

Caffeine is used for its ability to increase circulation to the skin as a way to improve stretch marks and cellulite. It also helps improve absorption of the other active ingredients. Circulating blood stimulates the body's natural metabolism, helping you burn more fat.

Tripeptide-1  is a peptide that contains three amino acids - glycine, histidine and lysine. It helps to increase collagen production in skin cells when applied topically. Collagen is the fiber which holds all of the cells in your body together, so promoting collagen can help with wrinkles and firming.

Tripeptide-10 Citrulline another peptide that contains the amino acids - citrulline, aspartic acid, isoleucine and lysine. It helps to regulate the uniformity of the collagen fibrils which increases the suppleness of the skin. Tripeptide-10 mimics the function of a naturally occurring proteoglycan called decorin which normally regulates the uniformity of collagen.

Charcoal is a detoxification agent that neutralizes harmful toxins such as heavy metals and free radicals.

Full ingredient List: 

Purified Water, Bentonite, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate, Caffeine, Water (and Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract (and) Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (and) Hydrolyzed Soy Protein (and) Tripeptide-10 Citrulline (and) Tripeptide-1 (and) Lecithin (and) Xanthan Gum (and) Carbomer (and) Triethanolamine (and) Caprylyl Glycol, Charcoal, Zinc Oxide, Sodium StearylLactylate, Diazolidinyl Urea (and) IodopropynylButylcarbamate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Xanthan Gum, and Tromethamine.

Side view - All wrapped up! Things got a little messy, as you can see I've managed to get the clay all over the bandage.

An after photo (taken after using the slim wrap.)
For me, the results weren't so obvious inch-wise. It didn't seem to shrink me or change my waist's measurement, but I did appear less bloated and my skin was more hydrated.

Anti-Aging Kit

From left: Model Lash, Lip Serum, Hydrofirm cream, Miracle Eyes, and Instant Lift.

From Left: The Lip Serum, Model Lash, Hydrofirm cream, Instant Lift serum, and Miracle Eyes.

Lip Serum & Model Lash

Lip Serum and Model Lash pictured on the left.
 

The plumping lip serum that you saw me smearing all over my lips in my video quickly became my go-to lip serum, which I've been using in place of my regular lip gloss and lip balm.

 The Lip Serum hydrates and plumps your lips and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It stimulates the lips – without burning them. It contains natural ingredients like peppermint and shea butter. It also contains Vitamins A and E for healthier skin.

It smells like peppermint and the taste is subtle and hardly noticeable, but somewhat sweet. Once it dries, the taste disappears and its just like wearing nothing. The lip serum does have a minor plumping effect and leaves my lips hydrated and with a cooling sensation. I love the subtle, natural sheen it gives my lips once dry. It's not like lip gloss or chap-stick. It doesn't leave a greasiness or any residue. It absorbs completely.

If I apply a lot of the lip serum to my lips, the cooling sensation can become quite tingly, but not uncomfortable.

It's be intensively moisturizing because it's kept my cracked lips totally smooth moisturized and soft, even when it wears off.  I'm impressed because it does better for my lips than Burt's Bees!

I love this lip treatment because as I've been having some visits with the tanning bed lately (using red light therapy bulbs on my face), I'm  concerned about the lines and damage that over time, shows up around your mouth.

I've been applying this lip serum on a daily basis for a couple of months now and I love it!

Model Lash

The Model Lash gel is used to increase the length of your eyelashes. It contains "lash-stimulating peptide complex to support the lash's natural renewal cycle making the lashes thicker, bolder, and healthier. Enriched with active ingredients, Model Lash will leave your eyes looking younger, revealing visibly longer and fuller lashes." - The Pure Body  

It also conditions the eye lashes and can be used on your eyebrows.

I have fairly long lashes, but enjoyed using this during times when my eyelashes could use some length. Just like all hair, eyelashes fall out occasionally, too, and it can take a couple of weeks before mine get nice and long again, so this seemed to be useful especially during those times when my eyelashes needed a boost.

Unfortunately, there really isn't a way to measure lash growth, so I can't put any numbers on how much they may have grown, but it appears to help them grow quicker than they would without using the Model Lash.

Model Lash is a clear gel that's applied the same way you would apply a liquid eyeliner, making sure to swipe across the lash line. I used it on the top and bottom lashes and was really pleased at how long my bottom ones seemed to get after a few weeks of regular use.

Even after a couple of months of not using the Model Lash product, my eyelashes are still longer than ever, so I feel like with regular usage, the results will be fairly lasting.

Miracle Eyes and Instant Lift

The Miracle Eyes and Instant Lift creams are some of the best I've used for a quick lift. I can't say that the results are permanent, but applying collagen to your skin could end up having some anti-aging power for the long term.

"Miracle Eyes is a natural formula designed to rejuvenate the delicate skin around the eyes, giving them a younger refreshed feel and appearance. Within weeks’ fine lines and wrinkles will be visibly reduced, skin will feel firmer, look brighter, and be visibly rejuvenated." - The Pure Body

It reduces puffiness, tightens, lifts, firms, and moisturizes skin while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Another plus is that it helps fade blemishes and some dark spots.

This is a before photo, taken before applying any of the creams. The shadows and darkness under my eyes are pretty noticeable here, and in the following photos.

 I snapped a few more quick after photos, which are posted below. I have to say, this was really tough for me, taking photos to post online. I'm pretty much cringing at the thought of even posting these. I normally don't get too down about appearance because I don't want to spiral into that ugly place of picking out perceived flaws like we tend to do to ourselves. However, I was pretty horrified by what I saw when I focused closely on my face at the time of these pictures... With that said, I hope you folks will understand that I couldn't bear to do any closer-ups or super bright photos for this.

 The above two photos are taken before using any of the products. No cream on my smile lines, no Instant Lift, no Miracle Eyes. 

After...

Awkward facial expression aside... The after photos above were taken after I applied the Miracle Eyes to the right side eye and Instant Lift applied to my smile lines. The reason for only applying the Miracle Eye cream to my right eye area was to help give as accurate of a picture as possible of the results. The dark shadows under my eyes are probably the hardest to resolve, but I'm pretty satisfied with the smoother and brighter appearance of the deep circles.

I apply the Miracle Eyes all around my eyes, paying special attention to the shadowy, dark circles that are especially noticeable when I'm under stress and not getting the best sleep, which is exactly the kind of conditions I was facing when I took the before and after photos below.

"Instant Lift is a clinically-proven solution for fighting signs of aging. it contains Argireline, the safe and effective alternative to Botox, proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles instantly. It also contains Gatuline Expression to reduce crow’s feet and fine lines, Pepha-Tight to instantly tighten the skin and Trylagen to promote collagen synthesis for firmer, younger-looking skin.

Instant Light tightens, lifts, moisturizes and firms skin, helps smooths fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 5 minutes. It's supposed to have a 50-90 % reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles." -The Pure Body

It also reduces the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks and rosacea.

Instant Lift is a great all-over moisturizer with some lifting power. 

I focus on my smile lines or "marionette lines" when I apply the Instant Lift since those are the most noticeable lines I have. They do kind of bother me, so I use this to try and help smooth them out and prevent them from becoming more prominent. 

The Miracle Eyes and the Instant Lift both have a noticeable sensation, like a lot of powerful "plumpers" often do. It doesn't sting or burn, it's just noticeable. I suppose it occurs from the skin beginning to "plump." Some days I notice the sensation a lot less than others.

The results also seem to vary depending on how severe my dark circles and smile lines are every day. Some days, the lines and the under eye circles are harder to conceal.

When I look in the mirror, I always feel like the Miracle Eyes and the Instant Lift make somewhat of a difference, even if they don't fully erase the eye circles. The eye circles are most likely related to lifestyle, nutrition, etc. so a cream can only do so much on its own.

My eyes look brighter and the shadow under them seems less noticeable to me after I've used the Miracle Eyes. It also looks like the tiny creases are smoother. I also feel a tighter sensation under my eyes after applying the cream. 

The Instant Lift seems to also work for smoothing out some of the creases under my eyes. I'll normally notice that my smile lines around my mouth are less pronounced for up to a few hours after applying Instant Lift to the area. 

Hydrofirm 

Hydrofirm is a luxurious, rich cream that contains peptides to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It gives skin a collagen boost, which promotes skin cell renewal.  It also tightens, lifts, and firms skin.

Hydrofirm contains the "safe and non-toxic alternative to Botox called Argireline. In clinical studies Argireline has been proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles up to 30% after 30 days of use." - The Pure Body

Since Hydrofirm is such a deeply hydrating cream, I like to use it all over my face, paying special attention to the extremely dry areas, including blemishes. I would actually slather this all over my entire body if it were possible... and affordable! It's truly the best moisturizing cream ever and I just love having an exceptional moisturizer that doubles as an anti-aging cream.

Once again, here's the photo after I applied Hydrofirm to my smile lines (and also Miracle Eyes to my right eye area)

 

Hydrofirm is a perfect everyday cream to prevent and improve signs of aging, moisturize. I love that it goes on smoothly, leaving little residue and no scent on my skin. It sits well under both powder and liquid foundations, so it's easy to use everyday. Additionally, it also keeps my skin glowing and my pores less noticeable.

Hydrofirm is my favorite cream for hydration and anti-aging.

Disclaimer: I am not a specialist, expert, professional or doctor of any kind. Content on this blog is not intended to be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or advice of any sort. I'm simply sharing information about my own experiences and results from use of a product or activity in hopes of providing useful information to readers, not to be taken as a patient/medical adviser relationship. I am not responsible for what readers choose to do after viewing the content here. Furthermore, I do not hold an "exceptional" or other special relationship with any company mentioned on this site. I'm simply a consumer who worked with the company on a review that is in compliance with FTC's guidelines. That means, everything you read here is my own words, not anything of the company's. I was not provided with monetary compensation for my review. All information posted has been done so with complete honesty. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication ( I'm not responsible.) Readers who rely on the information in this blog to replace the advice of an appropriate health care provider assume all risks of such behavior.

The Natural Solution for Dry, Damaged Hair

Are you a flat-iron lovin', chemical-laden shampoo usin' girl who can't resist a new color or highlights, even though your hair will suffer?

If you're like me, you want to be able to style and color your hair without having to suffer the severe damage that often follows. The good news is, there is hope for our damaged strands. And it smells oh, so good!

This gal swapped the chemical free shampoos and their satisfying, foamy sulfates for natural versions. I swore off re-highlighting my hair, even while my roots continued to look worse by the day.

I even put down the flat iron for some time and still take time off from it.

All this sacrifice and I'm sorry to say it, but I failed.

After months of these sacrifices, my hair wasn't much better.

The dry, crispy-ness was still there. The split ends? Almost as bad as before. And God have mercy, do my grown-out, lackluster highlights look like garbage!

My hair is in bad shape, folks. 

I just want to touch up my drab strands with some highlights, for Pete's sake! But I'm terrified that the super short hairs on the top of my head (short from the breakage and damage they went through in the past) are going to be even shorter and more damaged!

I was about to get desperate when a sliver of hope appeared at my door... Or should I say in my inbox. 
 

It was an opportunity to try a very special restorative hair mask and see if it wouldn't give my hair the healing it needs. 

So I quickly began using this new intensive hair mask by Shielo and let me just say, this stuff goes far beyond your drugstore "restorative" hair care products. I'm impressed with the ingredients -- like shea butter and avocado and olive oil. It's safe to proclaim that my hair is already on its way to better health!

Fate?

I'd say so.

That brings me to this post. I've found a piece of hair heaven and it's only fair that I share. First, let me tell you what this bottle of hair heaven's all about...

Shielo's Intensive Hair Mask uses organic ingredients that, as the bottle says, repairs, hydrates, and restructures damaged hair. Like mine! 

 ..."restores elasticity, freshness and suppleness to dry, chemically treated or damaged hair. The mask instantly repairs to make hair look fresh, moisturized and free flowing. It is a concentrated formula of organic ingredients, complex peptides and highly moisturizing agents that make hair manageable and beautiful."

Note-worthy Features:

• Sheilo is a cruelty-free company who's product labels boast the "Beauty Without Cruelty" logo and a "made with certified organic ingredients" stamp to boot.

• Paraben free and contains peptides and natural plant proteins.

• Great for all damage, distressed, and color-treated hair (just what I've needed.)

• Perfect as a pre-dye treatment. This can be used a couple days before a dye/bleach treatment since it moisturizes and nourishes hair and seems like it may help prepare it for the harsh damage that will ensue. 

•  Safe for bleached and dyed hair. The lemon peel extract helps keep your bleached strands bright and prevents brassiness and color darkening that typically occurs over time.

• Super easy to use. Just apply to damp hair, leave on for 3-5 minutes and rinse! I love the ease of use because it means I'll actually get to use it. It doesn't get any easier than this since I can apply it before I shower, then rinse it off as I wash. I like to apply it at the beginning of my shower, then rinse at the end that way it has as much time to absorb into my strands as possible. For normal hair, Shielo recommends using the mask once weekly and twice per week for extremely damaged hair.

•  Washes out easily and no residue is left behind. (Have you ever used an oily hair mask only to find it darn near impossible to wash out of your hair? Not fun.)

• It smells di-vine! Seriously. If you're into nice-smelling hair care, then you're in for heaven in the smell department alone with this stuff. Forget its hair super-powers, I wanted to slather this stuff on as a body lotion. I really, really came *this* close to doing that. Since it arrived on my birthday (awesome, huh?) and I was already getting ready to leave (the S/O took me out to this awesome pancake joint), I had to make myself set the bottle down before I ended up with intensely restored skin. I couldn't resist, though, so I squeezed a tiny drop onto my fingers, rubbed it in a bit, then swiped it over the already-highlighted, highly damaged pieces of hair right before I went bat-crap and pulled out my flat-iron!

I know, I broke the no-heat rule, but hey. It was my b-day and I wanted sleek hair. Plus, it gave me an excuse to use a little of this hair mask. You'd do the same thing, so don't judge!

 Results

Before:

My embarrassingly damaged hair before using the hair mask -- washed and air-dried and completely un-styled and free of any products. It's very frizzy-looking and the split and damaged ends are very noticeable. At the time of this photo, I couldn't run my fingers through my hair without it breaking and pulling out. I had to carefully comb it and then tame and style it.

I almost considered not sharing a picture of my hair "before" since I don't allow most people to see my frizz-ball in its natural state, but... the insane difference between the before and after using the hair mask was simply too great to hide. So I shall let you see this embarrassing ball of crazy on my head just for amazement sake:

 

After:

I've attempted to snap a quick photo of my just-treated, washed, and freshly pony-tailed hair. This was no easy task as I had trouble getting all of my hair into the pictures and they turned out awkward, but I hope they get my point across.

The results (as if you can't tell for yourself)

Shiny! Smooth! Soft!

The cloud of fluffy frizz is tamed and presentable.
 

Underside of my hair. My split ends needed to be trimmed in these photos, but the overall feel and appearance greatly improved.

The dry, crispy-feeling ends are now silky and totally pet-able (just ask my significant other who forgets I'm not a cat.) 

Flat-ironed. The ends still need trimming, especially the bleached strands, but I've never had such shiny, soft, smooth textured hair as I do after using this mask.

 I can run my fingers through it without the sound of crackling followed by a cloud of broken hairs tumbling to the ground.

After using the intensive hair mask, my hair is 20 times more manageable. I also find it much easier to style. Yes, even with heat tools! I can't be good all the time, so I took this opportunity to see how well my hair could look after flat-ironed now that the mask has improved it. I cranked up my Theory and flew through the task quicker than I typically am able to. It went smoother since my hair wasn't a mess of dry, crispy frizz. It also looked nicer with its new shine and healthy appearance.

My hair smells di-vine! 

All in all, I call this a huge success.

  Note-Worthy Ingredients in the Shielo Hair Mask:

This restorative hair mask is chock full of useful ingredients. I'll mention a few of those note-worthy fellas below.

Safflower, Avocado, and Olive Fruit Oil: Safflower holds in moisture and improves overall health of hair while avocado oil nourishes, improves strength and shine, and olive fruit oil increases suppleness, shine, and protects from damage. 

Hexapeptide-11: A skin conditioning peptide.

White Tea Leaf Extract: Moisturizes and conditions. Antioxidant rich, protects from sun damage.

Shea Butter: Deeply moisturizing and conditioning, locks in moisture, and is commonly used to treat itchy, irritated scalp and dandruff. Since shea butter absorbs into the hair shaft, it can help provide some protection against heat damage.

Sunflower Seed Extract: A conditioner with an added bonus -- it has a cleansing effect.

Goldenseal Root Extract:  Rich in vitamins and minerals, Goldenseal Root Extract promotes healthy hair and can soothe away dandruff and other scalp inflammation.

Hydrolyzed Algae Extract: Algae acts as a clarifier that helps remove hair product build up, impurities, and excess oiliness. It nourishes, rejuvenates, softens, and improves hair's elasticity.

Burdock Root Extract: Burdock root is used by many herbalists to promote hair growth. Its Vitamin A content helps strengthen hair and improve overall health.

Mallow Flower Extract: Hydrates and re-moisturizes shaft of hair.

Full List of Ingredients:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Safflower Seed Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane,Cyclotetrasiloxane, Avocado Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Hexapeptide-11, White Tea Leaf Extract, Sunflower Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Shea Butter, Lemon Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Horsetail Extract¹, Golden Seal Root Extract, Mallow Flower Extract¹, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Burdock Root Extract¹, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Apple Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lemon Peel Extract¹, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Sugar Cane Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Cactus Extract, Amodimethicone, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cysteine, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Dimethiconol, Divinyldimethicone/ Dimethicone Copolymer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Laureth-9, Panthenol, PEG-45M, Polyquaternium-37, Polysorbate 60, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, PG Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Quaternium-91, Sodium PCA, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trideceth-12, Wheat Amino Acids, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance, Yellow 6 (CI 1598)², Red 40 (CI 16035)², Blue 1 (CI 42090)²

I hope you've found this useful. Share in the comments what you use for damaged hair. And if you're interested in this Shielo Hair Mask I'm using, you can find it here.

5 Amazing Essential Oil Blends for A Positive Experience with Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy Kit

Aromatherapy - Does it Really Have Any Benefits?

Firstly, let's go back to the basics and briefly discuss what aromatherapy is, in a nutshell. 

Aroma-therapy:  where pleasant aromas become therapists. 

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of fragrances (that come from plants and essential oils) for their cognitive benefits, to improve mood, or promote psychological and physical well-being.

Does it Really "Work?"

Research actually has suggested that aromatherapy has many beneficial effects. For example, peppermint oil is shown to improve brain and cognitive function and even headaches while lavender is commonly known for its calming and sedative effects.

Back in November, one of my favorite organic skincare companies, Annmarie Gianni, released their line of Pure Essential Oil Blends. So now that I've had the pleasure of sampling all 5 blends over the course of 3 months now, I've decided it was time to discuss aromatherapy and its benefits (as well as how these essential oils worked out for me) here at Healthy, Happy, Whole.

Annmarie Gianni's line of Pure Essential Oil Blends are designed to promote harmony and well-being using pure, high-grade essential oils. 

 The 5 blends are: Love, Passion, Calm, Vibrance, and Grounded. I just want to take a moment now to say how perfect these blends are. Annmarie Gianni really thought of it all when designing an essential oil line for various... ailments? No, that's definitely not the word I'm looking for. Perhaps "needs" is more suitable. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that it's great they thought to create these various blends that will balance each other out.

Each of the 5 include a combination of essential oils designed to promote a particular environment or energy. The blend called Love, for example, contains essential oils that carry certain aroma-therapeutic benefits, giving it the ability to invoke a loving energy within the space its used.

Close-up of the little oils

Vibrance - This is our first essential oil blend, which we have already launched in full size.

Essential oils: Ruby grapefruit, lemon, lemon verbena, bergamot, lavender, jasmine sambac  absolute, clementine, rose-geranium

Vibrance is our most uplifting blend. The refreshing notes of citrus bring energy and act as natural antidepressants. Classic florals serve to lift your mood while easing tension. We love wearing this blend at parties and social gatherings, and diffusing through our homes in morning.

Passion
"Indulge, electrify, and be sensual"

Essential oils: Sandalwood, vetiver, frankincense, rose moroc absolute, sweet myrrh, amyris, Buddha wood.

This warm and sweet essential oil blend is designed to help you relax and awaken your sensuality. Earth, grounding notes of vetiver and Buddha wood provide a base for the passion-igniting aromas of rose and sandalwood. This is perfect for a romantic evening, whether you dab a bit on your wrists as a perfume, diffuse through your room, or mix with water and spray on your linens.

Love
"Adore, embrace, and be tender"
 Essential oils: Sandalwood, rose moroc absolute, jasmine sambac absolute, frankincense.

A heart-opening blend of natural aphrodisiac oils to inspire you to be your most loving self. Sweet jasmine and classic rose are balanced with sandalwood and frankincense, for a scent that’s nothing short of irresistible. This blend serves you well when you want to exude love, compassion, and acceptance.

Calm
"Relax, meditate, and be peaceful"
 Essential oils: Spruce, frankincense, rosewood, lavender.

Create a sacred space for yourself where you can breathe deeply and release negativity. Spruce oil lends freshness to this blend of florals, tied together with comforting frankincense for a clean and crisp scent. We love using this blend at the end of the day to help wind down.

Grounded
"Secure, strengthen, and be centered"
 Essential oils: Sandalwood, amyris, ​​Peru balsam, ​cedarwood, ​v​etiver, ​a​mber (fossilized), ​c​opaiba balsam, ​g​alangal root, ​​patchouli, ​g​inger root, ​Buddha wood, ​​turmeric root.

Grounded is an incredibly balanced blend that helps bring you to a place of peace and clarity. Wood and earthy base notes with a touch of sweetness give you a beautifully understated, quietly confident scent. This blend is amazing for diffusing through the room before you do yoga, and is a great blend for those who appreciate a subtle and well-rounded scent.

Uses

As is the case with most essential oils, the Pure Essential Oil Blends from Annmarie Gianni can be used in a diffuser to scent the room and even as a body fragrance.

To use on the body, you can mix a drop of oil with your moisturizer or with a carrier oil like olive oil before applying. Same with a perfume -- just add a tiny drop to your perfume and use a dropper to apply. Or simply dab some onto your wrists, neck, etc.

Warning: Don't apply to your face or mix with your facial moisturizer. While many of the essential oils have great benefits for your skin, it could be risky since they're strong. My biggest concern has been with migraines as the smells tend to trigger migraines for me pretty badly, so having it on my face would be disastrous.

Personally, I've enjoyed using these essential oils to incorporate pleasant, fresh, and beneficial scents into my room. I've even put a few drops in a spritz bottle with water and spritzed my bedding several times. I did this hoping it would give promote calmness while in my bed and maybe even better sleep.

Bonus: Pet odors have nothin' on these essential oils! I noticed my bed sheets were smelling particular clean even though my dog had slept on them (and he was due for a bath, if that tells you anything.) It seems these act as a natural deodorizer, which was a totally appreciated bonus.

Warning: Never apply the oils directly onto your pet! There are too many possible health risks as some essential oils are believed to be toxic to certain pets.

I've also placed a few drops of the oils onto a small drawstring satchel bag and hung it up in my closet.

 For a week or two my clothes smelled better, especially the ones that had been hanging up for months and were smelling "stale" and musky.

Another option is to use the oils as "dryer sheets" to lightly scent your clothes and keep the mood with you wherever you go. Drop some oil onto a scrap of fabric that you don't mind if it leaves a stain (it hasn't in my experience so far.) Or apply it to an old sock or wash cloth, then toss the aromatic fabric into the dryer with your clothes. Vibrance and Love are great for this. Calm may be helpful if you're prone to anxiety or have an outing that you know puts you in an anxious state. Can you say public speaking?

As a body fragrance, I have to be careful using these as I said, I am very migraine prone. However, I've been able to add a tee-tiny drop to special areas of my body that are not close to my face with success. I love the way these smell; if only my head would tolerate scents better!

Overall, using these oil blends has been a very beneficial addition to my everyday routine. I love opening the little vial of "Vibrance" when I'm waking up and getting ready or doing late-night work or just feeling extremely fatigued. 

Calm is the oil I prefer when I'm trying to quieten down to meditate or relax from a stressful day before bed. Passion and Love are absolute God-sends since they're so fun and gentle. Anything that's supposed to add more love is a good thing, right? I like using these in a diffuser in the evenings when I'm spending time with my significant other, or just if I'm in a negative mind-space. You can find the sample kit here.



Disclaimer: I am not a specialist, expert, professional or doctor of any kind. Content on this blog is not intended to be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or advice of any sort. I'm simply sharing information about my own experiences and results from use of a product or activity in hopes of providing useful information to readers, not to be taken as a patient/medical adviser relationship. I am not responsible for what readers choose to do after viewing the content here. Furthermore, I do not hold an "exceptional" or other special relationship with any company mentioned on this site. I'm simply a consumer who worked with the company on a review that is in compliance with FTC's guidelines. That means, everything you read here is my own words, not anything of the company's. I was not provided with monetary compensation for my review. All information posted has been done so with complete honesty. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication ( I'm not responsible.) Readers who rely on the information in this blog to replace the advice of an appropriate health care provider assume all risks of such behavior.