​There are so many hair loss treatments on the market nowadays, and it can be overwhelming for anyone to decide what products to choose. I was so glad to come across Hairmetto as a local Canadian based natural hair loss treatment that demonstrated exceptional quality on all fronts!

Two people with different kinds of hair loss came to me seeking guidance for hormonal hair loss and gradual hereditary hair thinning. They know my criteria for choosing treatments are pretty high because of my background as a scalp and hair educator. I don't fall for just anything.

Below are the criteria I looked for when doing the research:
1. The products and active ingredients must be naturally sourced and medical grade. The ingredients list has to indicate that it is comprehensive and formulated to be results driven.
2. The ingredients have to be proven safe without any sign of side effects to your health. They need to be free of carcinogens, irritants and synthetic fragrances.
3. There must be real testimonials with pictures of previous customers before and after.
4. The brand has to be eco-friendly and not tested on animals.
5. They take a holistic approach. A product alone cannot fix a problem because it's coming from within diet and lifestyle also plays a vital role in the health of your hair. They recommended healthy lifestyle tips which I appreciated.
6. The brand provides excellent customer service, support and education.

It's important to note that there are several different kinds of hair loss and thinning, ranging from hormonal, stress, illness, post-partum and age.
I highly encourage you to research what type of hair loss you're experiencing to know what you need to do to get to the root cause.

When I came across Hairmetto, I instantly loved the ingredients list.
The ingredients used in the formulas for their particular efficacy in addressing the underlying reasons for hair loss. After doing my research and being impressed with the brand ethos and quality, I decided that this would be the brand I would use. 

These are the key ingredients used in their hair treatments and how they work:
(Source-Myhairmetto.com)

1.Saw Palmetto​
Saw Palmetto has been widely accepted as a very effective herbal treatment to reverse hair loss and treat conditions like alopecia. It is scientifically proven that excessive levels of DHT is the root cause of hair loss in adult men. DHT causes hair loss by attaching to hair follicles and shortening their growth phase. Over time, DHT causes hairs to become progressively weaker and finer until they simply stop growing altogether, becoming dormant. According to studies, saw palmetto’s extracts work to inhibit DHT in the scalp thus helping control hair loss and reviving hair follicles. In this way, hair follicles are strengthened, the scalp is less sensitive to stress and irritation and the hair itself improves in body and shine.

​2. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Studies show that Pumpkin Seed oil also inhibits the enzyme in the body (5-alpha reductase) that converts testosterone into DHT. DHT is found in the hair follicles of the scalp and causes these follicles to shrink.Pumpkin Seed contains the compounds delta-7-sterine and beta-sitosterol that compete with and lower the level of DHT in the follicles. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated the synergistic benefits of combining Pumpkin Seed with Saw Palmetto for increased efficacy.

3. Castor Seed Oil
High quantities of Vitamin E and Omega-9 fatty acids found in castor oil nourishes both the scalp and hair, combating hair loss, stimulating hair growth, treating scalp infection, reducing split ends and breakage, nourishing and moisturizing the hair, soothing dry scalp and providing thickness to the hair. Massaging the scalp with castor oil can help improve blood circulation to the follicles and encourage their own natural cycle.

4. Lavender, Rosemary and Cedarwood Extract
Dermatologists at Aberdeen Infirmary in Scotland gave an essential oil blend containing Rosemary, Lavender and Cedarwood to participants suffering from alopecia areata and asked them to rub it into their scalps daily. After 7 months, almost half regrew as much as 50% of their hair, while a few regrew almost all of their hair back. The study was reported in the Nov/Dec 1999 issue of Health magazine.Cedarwood oil is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, regularizing the skins sebum production, assisting with seborrhea or seborrheic eczema where sebum production is increased causing infection in the epidermal cells.
Rosemary essential oil is known for its antimicrobial properties, and is used for a variety of skin infections including eczema.
Lavender essential oil’s anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties work for the health of the scalp and assist follicles with hair growth.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25842469

5. Stinging Nettle
Boasting a long rich history in medicine, this organic alcohol-free extract is rich in vitamins, minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron), proteins, and amino acids which helps combat hair loss while promoting hair regrowth.Properties such as silica and sulfur increase shine of the hair strand and health of the root. Best known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory ability, stinging nettle works to protect the scalp cells from damaging foreign particles such as free radicals, DHT and bacteria. Studies show that results to hair regrowth are intensified when used in conjunction with saw palmetto extract.

6. Japanese Peppermint
The principal ingredient, Menthol, is responsible for its beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal action – all of which aid in the health of the scalp. Japanese Peppermint has the highest concentration of Menthol (around 80%), increasing its effectiveness. Peppermint also improves blood circulation to the follicles; important for prevention of DHT conversion from testosterone.

I obtained two complete Hair Restoration Kits. Each kit came with two Hair Serums (one used daily and one used weekly) and Scalp Derma Roller to increase product absorption and support healthy micro-circulation and collagen growth.

I gave them clear indications for diet and lifestyle choices that would support the process. 

This included:

1. Avoid inflammatory foods like processed foods and sugar.
2. Increase antioxidant and collagen rich foods like fruits, veggies and bone broth.
3. Increase Omega fatty acid-rich foods like fish, nuts, seeds, and some supplementation.
4. Increase exercise.
5. Use the Derma Roller 2-3 times per week to increase circulation and stimulate collagen growth.
6. Use a mild shampoo, conditioner and styling products with natural ingredients that are free of harsh detergents and chemicals.

These suggestions allow the hair to be nourished with the nutrients needed to thrive.

You can see in the above photos that there was a significant improvement in the overall density of their hair over the span of 6-7 months. They began to see reduction in hair thinning after 3 months and saw more density by the 6th and 7th month of use.
The female participant noted a drastic reduction in the visible amount of actual hair loss and noticed her hair became thicker over the months and grew quicker.
The male participant noticed some improvement in the frontal hair line and saw that it stopped receding rapidly and noted increased density in hair loss.

They were both pleased with the results and desired to use Hairmetto continually to slow down the thinning process and support healthy hair growth.

Although they are of different ages and gender, they both experienced positive results with this all-natural hair treatment and had ZERO negative side effects. It wasn't hard to implement into their lifestyle as it was easy, and they enjoyed a self-care practice that gave them a sense of well-being.

I recommend Hairmetto to anyone seeking a natural and effective hair thinning treatment which is experiencing hormonal and gradual hereditary hair thinning.

What is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy has rapidly become one of the most popular non invasive firming and lifting treatments among celebrities and is the number one beauty procedure in  Asia. It has only recently become more known in North America. This treatment is a safe alternative to surgery to lift and tone facial muscles and the neck area. It is the only FDA approved procedure that has been proven to improve the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes, lift the skin on the neck, under the chin and on the eyebrows.
Ultherapy uses the power of ultrasound  to deliver its collagen-boosting treatment. It stimulates collagen growth at three different layers. The therapist has the ability to use ultrasound imaging to be able to see where the ultrasound energy has to be targeted to get the best results for that specific area and client. It is a treatment that women especially like to treat their decolletage and chest area, which with age can loose firmness and elasticity. This appearance often called "turkey neck" was only treated with invasive surgery or injections until now which are both very expensive or require frequent treatments to maintain the appearance.

My experience and downtime
Unlike other treatments such as laser, needles and surgery, Ultherapy bypasses the surface of the skin and goes beneath and targets ultrasound energy at the right depth and temperature. As you can see in the image above, Ultherapy goes below to the dermal layer of the skin and addresses the issue where it matters because this is where collagen cells are created. It isn't an invasive procedure that requires any downtime but it also requires up to 3-6 months to see the full results. I started noticing some results after 8 weeks and some people notice results even sooner as every person has a unique case and response time depending on age, skin elasticity and lifestyle. What I noticed first was the firming of my eye folds and my nasal labial folds. Now this was something I gradually noticed and it was when I saw my photos after 3 months that I really noticed the contouring of my jaw line and that my eyelids had a lifted appearance.

The therapist who conducted my treatment at Touch Of Joy recommended that I take some Tylenol Extra strength 30 minutes prior to coming in  to reduce some of the discomfort that could be felt. They can use use a numbing cream if required as the sensation can be a bit uncomfortable without it and if you are particularly sensitive. The neck area can be a particularly sensitive area. I have a pretty high pain thresh hold and so the prickly warm sensation didn't bother me as much. After I had the procedure I was feeling a bit sore and numb in my neck area but I was able to proceed with my normal day to day routine. It took about 3-4 weeks for the numb sensation to dissipate. Some people report some initial redness and swelling which goes away with time.

I initially asked my esthetician about this treatment because I started noticing that my neck area although not severely sun damaged nor lax, had begun to show some changes and because of the nature of some of my work involving being in videos and photos, it was more of a proactive measure that I was taking vs a major corrective procedure. I am certainly pleased in seeing the results for myself in the before and after photos even after just 3 months. The area around my jawline has been lifted and defined which can be seen in my profile. I know that the results will get even better as I have also been complimenting the procedure with some at home care products and follow up treatments that were recommended to me. That is the benefit of going somewhere that truly cares about you getting the best results both short and long term, they will provide you with comprehensive knowledge and personalized recommendations.  
I encourage you to see some of the more dramatic before and after photos on their website which is here. It is definitely something that I would recommend to someone who is considering surgery or more invasive procedures as a safe and more natural alternative.

It is highly recommended to intake antioxidants, to exercise and have a healthy diet as all of these factors contribute to the reproduction of healthy collagen cells which will maximize the results. It is an investment as the price ranges from a few thousand dollars. It is meant to do every year or every other year for maintenance of the results.
I will be posting part 2 of my full review after the 6 months when the results peak.

In the last couple of years collagen supplements have been popping up all over the place and more and more women are adding this to their skincare routines to boost the health of their skin, hair and nails. You might be asking yourself if this is just a fad and if any of it actually works. I don't blame you because there certainly are a lot of products on the market today that promise sensational results but don't necessarily share any true scientific data to back up their claims. I would suggest you do a little more research before you take any health supplements to verify the quality and claims. Being the researcher that I am, this led me to ultimately take Bend Collagen+Co-Factors Collagen supplements. I did the research and found what I needed to verify it's claims and I saw for myself the results as to why this marine collagen based supplement is very different than many collagen supplements out there.

Why do we need collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant type of protein found in our body. About 70-80% of our skin is comprised of collagen and is as we age the production of collagen slows down significantly. Although we can’t entirely prevent the aging process in our body, it is scientifically proven that we can reduce and slow down the negative effects and signs of aging by sustaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a robust diet, exercise and effective supplements to nourish your cells. Taking a proactive approach and taking measures early on can drastically reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loss in elasticity in your skin.

How Bend Marine Collagen +
Co-Factors is different than most collagen products.
One of the main reasons why Bend Marine Collagen+Co-Factors differs from other collagen supplements is how the product is formulated and sourced. As a natural cosmetics formulator myself I understand how important it is to source the highest quality ingredients, and blending and combining them in specific ways in order to obtain optimal results, it’s a science that I truly respect. Bend sources their collagen from sustainably caught wild fish which can be up to 1.6 times more effective than bovine sourced collagen which is what is used in most collagen supplements. The synergy of collagen peptides, silicon, Lutein and wholefood Vitamin C sourced from acerola fruit helps rejuvenate skin, hair and nails. This is what makes this collagen distinct to others that I have seen and used. When you combine the antioxidant power of Vitamin C, Lutein and silicone with marine collagen peptides, a unique process called collagen crosslinking takes place while helping to protect against free radical damage.

Taking collagen internally is recommended in order to maximize the results you obtain. Even if you use external skincare like creams and products that contain collagen, it can only reach the outer epidermal layer because of how the skin's natural barrier function operates. However taking collagen internally is absorbed into the bloodstream therefore it reaches the dermal layer where the collagen matrix is. You essentially provide the collagen directly to the area that needs it most for optimal efficacy.

Below I have listed several health & beauty benefits of taking collagen peptides:

• Improves skin and hair
• Helps leaky gut
• Strengthens teeth and nails
• Helps Detoxification
• Reduces the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks
• Boosts metabolism
• Helps in collagen formation
• Repairs joints

My personal experience taking Bend Marine
Collagen + CoFactors
I have really enjoyed the results of taking this amazing health supplement. I am already using the Bend Anti-Aging Formula which when combined with the collagen makes for the ultimate healthy skin results. My nails and hair appear to be growing faster! I'm cutting my nails more frequently and my hair has gotten much longer over the last 3 month even while getting frequent trims. My skin is less problematic during hormonal changes which I believe is because of the combination of both Bend Beauty products. It is quite easy to incorporate into your daily routine as it comes in naturally flavoured (strawberry or coconut) powder form that can be added to plain water, smoothies and several recipes that are DELICIOUS. I'll be sure to post some of those on the blog soon. I'm super pleased to have found this brand that prides itself in groundbreaking research and development, who shares consistent scientific data to demonstrate clinical results, and a high level of efficacy while maintaining an excellent standard of ethos in regards to the environment. Beauty is an inside out job that requires a holistic approach, so if you're looking for a collagen supplement for its health and beauty benefits, this is worth trying out!

For many years my mom felt like she needed to cover herself up during the summer months because of the spotting she had on her back and neck. It was sad to see her feel uncomfortable about herself all those years growing up and not being able to offer her a solution myself with any topical products.

What kinds of spots did she have?
My mom had a combination of non cancerous spots called keratosis pilaris, skin tags and cherry angiomas. Sebaceous Keratosis is an excessive growth of skin cells. The cause of it is not quite known but genetics can play a role in the propensity to have this skin condition and is more likely after the age of 40.

 The above picture shows Sebborrheic Keratosis under a microscope.

The skin tags she had were getting worse every year and were clustered around her neck area. This is something that I noticed was common in her family. They  are also an overgrowth of cells, but are just overgrowth of skin that are commonly found where there is more friction and folds in the skin such as neck, arm pits and groin area.

A Solution with Thermocoagulation Treatment
When my mom started the Thermocoagulation treatment from Touch Of Joy to have her skin spots removed safely she was ecstatic! She felt like she finally found a solution to something she had been dealing with for years.
Thermocoagulation is a treatment that uses high frequency current that uses heat to coagulate blood capillaries and skin anomalies. The current used is restricted to the area of the skin tag or keratosis or cherry angioma making it a non invasive and a safe way to remove benign skin growths.

This is a treatment that was a great success for my mom! As you can see the before and after photos are quite dramatic! She went from having hundreds of spots to not having ANY! It took a span of  about 5-6 months of regular treatments every couple weeks to remove all of them. She had to use a high quality sunscreen, stay out of the sun and take care of her skin internally with her diet and lifestyle as well throughout the treatments.

If you have any unusual skin spotting the first thing to do is to seek medical advise first to ensure it is benign and then you can proceed with seeking this treatment. I would highly advise against any DIY solutions and seek out a professional to remove these skin growths as their expertise and medical grade tools and equipment allows for the best and safest outcome.

As a health and beauty blogger I have always believed that beauty truly comes from the inside out. Having healthy skin is just as much about having a healthy lifestyle as it is about having great skin care products. The skin is the largest organ in the body therefore it reflects what is going on within in regards to overall health. In my personal consultations I always make sure I suggest personalized suggestions including supportive supplementation and dietary suggestions to optimize results both in the short term and long term. Topical skin care has its limitations of penetration due to the epidermal barrier function and by consuming healthy foods and select actives found in supplement form, you are feeding your skin from the inside out where your skin can obtain the nutrients through the bloodstream. 


Bend Beauty Omega Supplement for Healthy Skin
One of the the most important supplements that you can take to ensure a healthier more balanced complexion is by taking a high quality fish oil omega based supplement that contains the proper ratios of EPA,  DHA and GLA. Not all Omega supplements are created equally and depending on the formulation, it will benefit some areas more than others in your bodily systems such as nervous and cardiovascular.
The source of the ingredients as well as the synergy of ingredients are important to take into account because it will reflect in the efficacy of results. Although I have supplemented with fish oils for years for its anti inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, I started taking Bend Beauty Anti-Aging Skin Health Dietary Supplement about 3 months ago and it has made a difference in my skin. I started taking it initially to prepare my skin for upcoming facial treatments I'd be receiving at Touch Of  Joy, such as Pico Laser and facial peels. This was a suggestion made by my esthetician and upon doing some more research I was thoroughly impressed by the formulation, testimonials and R&D done by the brand.
The formulation of this skincare supplement which comes in both liquid and capsule form, combines the power of properly balanced fish oil based Omegas along with 6 select key actives such as Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Monk fruit extract, and Vitamins C &  D. This synergy of these powerful ingredients provide exceptional anti inflammatory benefits, increased hydration, elasticity and protection from UV damage.


Potent Anti-Inflammatory
While most people are seeking supplements like this to reduce the premature signs of aging, many customers have added this to their skin care regimen to reduce the symptoms of various skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Personal Results
My personal results after 3 months that I’ve noticed that you can see in my before and after photos include:

• Reduced under eye bags and circles
• More even skin tone
• More supple and hydrated
• Reduced acne

Internal Environmental Defense
During the summer months while I was using Bend, I noticed that my skin tone was more even and had minimal redness and burning due to sun exposure. I always use a regular mineral sunscreen, but am always prone to some redness during the first few weeks of summer sun. I didn't notice any redness this year and very minimal lines of demarcation or tan lines. In clinical trials The antioxidants and nutrients found in this Anti-Aging formula have been shown to increase UV protection and reduce the risk of sunburn by up to 84%. This was notable when I was outdoors all summer, my skin was hydrated and kept an even tone.


Quality Sourcing and Social Responsibility
Bend Beauty is a Canadian based brand that seeks to create products that are of exceptional quality and are socially and environmentally responsible in their manufacturing methods and practices. The ingredients their products are derived from sustainable sources, including important certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council, Friends of the Sea, and are organic whenever possible. This translates in the elevated overall quality of their supplements because they are from clean sources, which is not always the case for fish oils. Bend is also a contributor to well known environmental organizations such as the David Suzuki Foundation, Nova Scotia Nature Trust and the Ecology Action Centre. This smakes me even more excited to support them as a customer because I know that I am also supporting an Eco-conscious business that is creating a positive impact in the world.

Using this supplement as a part of my skin care routine is now vital as it has created a beautiful difference from the inside out.

I started using dermarollers about two years ago after looking at some before and after photos online of people who had claimed amazing results from using one on a regular basis. I bought one from an online professional skincare site as I was wary of getting one from just any retailer, being that this type of treatment uses needles I wanted to be safe. In this article you'll learn hoe incorporating dermarolling in your skin care routine can improve the penetration of your skin care products as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, improve circulation and even help support the stimulation of hair growth for both men and women.


What are Derma rollers and Skin rollers?

Skin rolling enables for skincare products to better penetrate your skin by creating thousands of micro-channels using micro sized needles that act as access points for the penetration of skin care treatments such as serums.  There are professional methods of this that use needles that go deeper into the skin. This is to only be done by certified professionals. The second method of skin needling is the use of a home roller that uses needles that do not penetrate as deep but still aid in the production of healthy collagen cells and aids in the penetration of skin treatments such as serums.

My experience with Touch Of Joy has always been exceptional in the years that I have been a loyal client of this skin center in Vancouver. The level of excellence in both customer service and cutting edge skin and body treatments are why I have always recommended people to go here for advanced skin care therapies.

I always refer people to Joy Stewart, owner and founder of Touch Of Joy for personal skincare advice. Being in the skincare and beauty industry myself I don't trust many people. I highly respect beauty professionals who seek to educate their clientele as a part of their services. This is why I am grateful to have Joy as a personal mentor and skin advisor for the last 14 years because I have learned so much from her!

AlumierMD is a high grade of science-based formulations with innovative delivery systems. It is very well known for their result driven and outstanding performance while being free of parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil and dyes.
One of their core values is sustainability and ensuring that none of their products are tested on animals. Knowing all of this and trusting in Joy's expertise made me very excited to try this brand with the popular Glow Peel.

What is a Chemical Peel For?
Chemical peels cause a level of epidermal damage in order to stimulate new tissue which improves skin texture and overall appearance. Chemical exfoliation works by loosening the connections between the dead skin cells,  this is what causes the skin exfoliation and helps to stimulate healthy new skin cells. After a few days your dead skin cells peel off, revealing brighter and a more rejuvenated complexion. It can help to diminish the appearance of fine lines, hyper pigmentation, discoloration/dark spots and enlarged pores.
Your skincare will also work more efficiently after having a peel. Not having any build up of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin allows for better penetration of subsequent treatments and products.

What is the Alumier Glow peel and why did I get it done?
Not all chemical peels are the same and you have to be sure that you are getting the right treatment that a professional has recommended for you depending on your skin type and the results you desire. I chose to have this particular chemical peel done because I felt that I needed a deep exfoliation. My skin tone was uneven and I noticed I had some hyper pigmentation and dark spots from some acne. From what I had read and had been told the Alumier Glow Peel was perfect for that and would help to brighten my complexion.
The Glow Peel uses a combination of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol. Depending on your skin type and your needs, the Glow peel can be customized in strength by the number of layers that are used.

The first couple days after the peel I didn’t really feel a major difference other than feeling like my skin was slightly tighter. It was on the 4th and 5th day that I saw my skin beginning to peel on my cheeks and on my T-Zone area. You're not supposed to pick at your skin because this can cause more damage and cause hyper-pigmentation. The down time is relatively minimal when you follow the guidelines and ensure that your skin is properly protected from sun exposure. It was after about 8-10 days that I was able to see the full effect and how bright and smooth my skin looked and felt. It was fantastic to see how the dark spots had faded and that my complexion had a more even tone and glow to it, it truly lives up to its name GLOW PEEL!

I would highly recommend getting an Alumier Glow Peel if you want to reduce dullness, the look of enlarged pores and fine lines and increase brightness and achieve a healthier looking complexion. My advice would be to seek out a local professional that is knowledgeable and experienced to be able to adapt the right kind of chemical peel for your kind of skin. I look forward to utilizing Alumier on a more regular basis as a part of my advanced skincare regimen and routine.

The journey from being a beauty blogger to becoming an Okoko Cosmetiquess team member and certified organic skincare formulator & has been incredible! I have a whole new perspective on beauty products and entrepreneurship all together.

I really did enjoy using green beauty products and reviewing them and seeing how my skin responded as a blogger, it was and still is very fun for me. The difference is that now as a formulator, I have an insiders perspective on what ingredients actually are, the functionality and efficacy of them and what it takes to create an exceptionally effective beauty product. Every time I am looking at any product now to determine quality is to read the ingredients list. I will immediately know what kind of product it is and how it may work because of the INCI list, which details each and every ingredient. I no longer buy or use any product based on marketing, packaging or populairty alone anymore.

It started while I was working at a green beauty boutique in Vancouver as a freelance makeup artist and skincare consultant. I obtained the posotion because of my background in the beauty industry and because of m previous beauty blog I had at the time. I was surrounded by wonderful green beauty skincare and makeup brands that I absolutely loved using on my clientele. I was on the hunt for a local brand and came across Okoko Cosmetiques on Instagram. I met Oyeta and did a full review of the products which you can find here on this blog. I introduced the Okoko line into the retailer I was working in because of the incredible performace I saw and felt in each product! It is a luxurious and result driven line.

I continued to collaborate with Okoko after my temporary position in the shop, as I saw that there was a unique quality about this brand. In the winter of 2017 I became a team member of Okoko Cosmetiques and decided that I wanted to become a certified organic skincare formulator. I This new chapter has propelled me in a direction that I could not imagine!
The depth of knowledge that I gained from helping to grow Okoko, artisenally manufacture advanced skincare products and obtaining direct mentorship from Oyeta while obtaining my diploma was phenomenal.
It was very challenging to juggle everything but so worth it! As a blogger you see and use the final product in its package and don't really experience the arduous and challeging process of what it takes to make it from scratch. Now that I am behind the scenes as a skincare scientist & a maker of artisenal skincare, I truly appreciate the care, research & development, branding and chemistry knowledge that is required to make the best beauty products in the world.

I often see products in popular  brands that are marketed as the new best thing for antiaging or promises amazing results, and unfortunately most of the time it does not contain many if any active ingredients. Most of these products predominately comprise of fillers, fragrance and ingredients that are not neccesarily nourishing your skin and it truly comes down to how they market it vs the results. The first 4-5 ingredients will tell me if it's something I would personally use or recommend to readers and clients.

I respect brands that create products with beautiful, rare and precious concentrated skincare actives, botanicals and ingredients that directly target specific skin concerns and are focused on performance and efficacy. As a consumer you want to know that you are getting true value for the price of the products you buy, and as a qualified beauty consultant & formulator I feel it's my responisibility to educate and inform the public about these very fundamental things that generally go unseen.

Okoko Cosmetiques has grown exponentially in the last year as well.
As a culturally diverse team of 3 strong women and formulators, our goal is to provide consumers with knowledge and high quality advanced organic beauty products. We use clincally tested actives, and the rarest natural ingredients to create the beautiful elevated Okoko Line of skincare. Efficacy and performance is absoluetly essential to us when formulating and we want to ensure each product delivers results and a beautiful experience while using them.
With the launch of L'Atelier Okoko Cosmetiques in Vancouver, we will offer exclusive peronalized consultations and health & beauty workshops to the local community. We see the need for these things as the green beauty movement expands and want to contribute our very best to it.

When I conduct product reviews or personalized consultations, I share scientifically validated facts, thorough ingredient disection and explanations. This is how I approach it to provide excellent knowledge and value to readers, consumers and to elevate the green beauty industry as a whole. I believe taking this angle is much more effective and responsible to consumers vs the scare tactics I unfortunately see all too prevalent in the green beauty world. I think there are many people who want to be able to switch to more organic beauty and still be able to use some of their favourite conventional brands, which I think is totally fine. It truly depends on each indivuals personal desires, needs and goals in their beauty routine and if I can help bridge the two sides I feel like it empowers everyone to make more informed choices when choosing beauty and self care products.

The entreprenerial side of me has been truly ignited! When you surround yourself with powerful leaders and metors on a regular basis, you also become motivated to grow and elevate in your purpose. This is why I felt a strong need to revamp this blog so that it would demonstrate my overall growth and clear mission. Secondly, I  really want to support other beauty & wellness professionals in their fields by showcasing their expertise and wisdom on the Naturally Natalia Blog. This is something that I'm extraodinarily excited to do as I have met some incredibly talented and skilled entrepreneurs on this quest. I feel that having a collaborative attitude with others in your fields of passion grows and builds strong relationships which is rewarding in of itself. We all bring our unique experiences and knowledge to the table and have something different and valuable to offer. I look forward to being able to introduce you to them and share interviews, blogs and podcasts.

Overall it has been quite the ride and it has just begun and I feel so grateful to begin this next chapter with you all!

As the natural beauty industry grows it’s great to see more people become aware of what they’re putting on their skin. That being said, there are some unfortunate beauty myths that have been circulating around online on articles and blogs that I once myself used to believe. It’s important that as we learn about taking care of our bodies that we are receiving accurate information. The internet is full of information about beauty, but not all are based on sound scientific evidence and I want to address some of these myths that I thought were true. Being enrolled now in Formula Botanica is allowing me to learn so much about skincare and to separate true facts from fiction.