The New Haircare Line I'm Obsessed With
Ursa Major’s first foray into haircare is majorly good.
Around two years ago, I made the decision to stop coloring my hair. No toner, no highlights—I quit cold turkey. Since growing out my sun kissed highlights, I’ve noticed a majorly positive change in the health and resilience of my hair. Strands that were once fried and broken were now silky and had shine that no product could replicate.
And with my hair returning to its natural state, I have made it a point to keep it that way by choosing the most natural, safe products out there. The thing about making the switch to natural products, though, is that the industry still has a ways to go when it comes to replicating that silicone-shine and squeaky-clean lather of its conventional counterparts.
When Ursa Major reached out to me to try their new Daily Shampoo and Conditioner duo, I was intrigued. I’ve been a big fan of the brand for a while now—their facial wipes are a must for traveling and stashing in my beach bag and they make one of the most effective natural deodorant in the game. I wasn’t fully committed to a natural haircare line, so I was game to try something new.
But man, this stuff is good. I didn’t even realize it was that good until I let my hair air dry as usual (super low maintenance over here). My hair had body and wave that I’ve only been able to achieve with time and effort. The best part? My hair was super manageable and wasn’t weighed down by styling products used to keep the hold. Even others commented on how bouncy my hair looked, without me even mentioning that I changed a thing!
Color me impressed with this clean haircare duo. It has a light, woodsy scent that doesn’t sway too feminine or linger (read: you can share it with your SO) and is free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance, or petrochemicals and it’s both vegan and cruelty-free. It is filled with good-for-your-locks hero ingredients like coconut and macadamia (shine!), bergamot (conditioning!), and licorice (prevents a flaky scalp!).
The duo retails for $26-$28 USD + free shipping. You can shop it here.
What the Hell is Jade Rolling?
The clean way to glow.
What the hell is jade rolling?
The idea seem granola, but advocates say it's the secret to get a glowy, fresh complexion. But let’s be real (we’re all friends here)—does it really work?
The short-term science behind jade rolling is that it revs up your circulation, helping to de-puff your eyes and promote lymphatic drainage giving you a glow, albeit temporarily. Consistent jade rolling can help improve skin elasticity and even out your complexion.
It's actually a really simple way to get the effects of high-tech devices like the Ziip and NuFace, without the hefty price tag. I noticed an immediate difference in my skin after using one and it lasted for hours.
I use a jade roller from Mount Lai that I keep in the fridge when not in use. (Trust me on this.) There's nothing better to come home to than a cool facial massage after a long day. So light a candle, turn on your favorite reality tv show and get rolling. Here's how to do it:
Step 1
Cleanse your face.
Step 2
Apply your favorite serum, moisturizer, or gel face mask.
Step 3
Get rolling! Start at your forehead, using outward and upward motions for about two minutes. If things get sticky, you can spritz with your favorite face mist to keep things moving.
I love using facial oils and serums when I roll—it helps increase the circulation to the face and helping with cell rebuilding, collagen boosting, and lymphatic drainage.
Step 5
Wipe off any excess product (if using a mask) and let the oils and serums sink in.
And voila, you’re done! You can roll every day, but I aim for three or four times a week. Shop my favorite oils for jade rolling:
AILLEA Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale
Here’s what I’m stocking up on.
One of my favorite sources for clean beauty AILLEA is offering 20% off store-wide Black Friday through Cyber Monday (November 23-26). The best part? This promotion is happening both in-store and online.
If you’re shopping online, use promo code CHEERSAILLEA at checkout.
AILLEA recently opened their Charleston location and it has quickly become my go-to. The founder, Kathryn, has discerning taste when it comes to what’s in store—only products that are free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals and endocrine disrupters make the cut. They now offer natural skincare treatments, like facials and sugaring (more on that soon!).
I highly recommend checking out the Charleston store if you haven’t been. For those outside of the Lowcountry, AILLEA has three other locations: Denver, Atlanta, and Raleigh.
Here’s what I’m stocking up on this season:
Farm to Bottle Skincare from Etta + Billie
That feeling when your skincare routine is on point and you don’t want to change a thing because your skin is glowing. Enter: Etta + Billie.
That feeling when your skincare routine is on point and you don’t want to change a thing because your skin is glowing. As I make the transition to a more natural skincare routine, I look to brands that use the most natural, effective ingredients possible. I feel like my skin (both face and body) responds well to products with minimal, clean ingredients.
Enter: Etta + Billie. I was immediately drawn to the brand and their adorable packaging—like something you'd see in a very chic, French kitchen. When I learned that the line was inspired by the beauty of food and drink I totally made the connection.
With the fall season in full swing, there's something so comforting about using luxurious oils and skincare to hydrate your face and body.As the temps cool down, my lips have been craving moisture and the Ginger Orange Lip Balm is everything. My mom wore a lot of ginger-scented products growing up, so I'm instantly reminded of home.
For long days, I love to relax in a warm shower and the Grapefruit Cardamom Body Wash is the perfect pick-me-up. Add in a drop of the Lavender Body Oil and you can make your home feel like a personal spa. (Pro Tip: I love to use this oil on any bug bites or burns. Southern living, y'all.)
What I love even most about the brand? They're committed to sustainable practices—so you can feel good about what you're putting on your body and how it impacts the environment. They're a certified Green Business from San Francisco.
Good Clean Beauty: My ILIA Beauty Picks
How can a non-toxic, natural line be this good?
I was introduced to ILIA a few years ago when I first started to dip my toes into the world of clean beauty. I remember my first product, lipstick in the shade In My Room, and being so impressed. The formula was creamy and long-lasting, the color was so flattering. And I thought, how can a non-toxic, natural product be that good?
But natural beauty products come a long way since then and Ilia continues to be one of my old standbys for everyday beauty. I even started gifting the brand to my family and friends, because I know they'll convert once they see just how lovely the formulas are.
ILIA uses only the purest, sustainable ingredients. Each product is filled with good-for-your-skin active botanicals that nourish your skin, not just cover it up. I love the endless options of pigments for creating beautiful looks. The products are super long-lasting, too, which I love because I like to look fresh all day and not have to re-apply.
I recently put ILIA products to the test and let me just say, I am SO impressed. After hiking 10 miles in the heat these products stayed put and I didn't feel like I was wearing anything at all. I like to look put together and protect my skin, always, but not actually feel like I'm wearing anything. My skin but better, you know? I also love the I can share these product with my little sister who's just starting to get into makeup and know that she's using the best, safest products possible.
Here are some of my favorite ILIA products and find out how to get the look (above):
The Cucumber Water Stick was my best friend. I glided it over my temples and eye area, cheekbones and bridge of my nose. It's like a toner in a solid formula that really perked up my skin, giving a cooling sensation that depuffs and hydrates—and it feels amazing. Because it's colorless, you don't have to worry about not having a mirror to apply. It's pretty much foolproof, giving me that really pretty, natural glisten that you get after exercise or spending all day in the sun. This is one product I don't mind carrying around with me throughout the day. And if you travel a lot, you'll love that the size and packaging is TSA approved. Perfect for Summer! I like to keep mine in the fridge for extra cooling powers.
ILIA Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (swatched above) has been on constant rotation in my routine this summer. The formula is semi-matte and looks like skin, but better. I absolutely love this lightweight product and that is gives me extra SPF protection throughout the day. I layer it over my daily sunscreen and it applies beautifully. You can't tell I'm wearing anything at all, but it helps diffuse redness and any imperfections that may be there. It helps fight free radicals and pollution, but still allows my skin and freckles to peek through. And it feels super moisturizing, like my skin is getting better the more I keep using it. I absolutely love it!
ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Bombora is the perfect summer color. It's a lip balm, lipstick and SPF hybrid with a really gorgeous, universally flattering peachy orange hue. It's honestly my new favorite lip color, especially for nighttime when I come back from the beach with a golden tan. It's filled with great ingredients like cocoa and shea butters to hydrate, zinc oxide for natural SPF (I don't use anything with chemicals). The color is buildable, so you can apply a sheer wash of color or build it up for a bolder look. It's moisturizing and makes my lips feel super soft all day.
Like my look, as seen above? Here are the ILIA products I used to get it!
ILIA Cucumber Water Stick
ILIA Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Hanalei
ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Bonbora
ILIA Mascara in Shadow of a Doubt
ILIA Pure Eyeliner in Sweet Jane (also used on brows)
ILIA Illuminator in Cosmic Dancer
ILIA Multi-Stick in I Put a Spell on You
Shop them all on ILIA's website. Shipping is free on orders $75+!
