Living in the city affords me a richness of cultural, social and professional diversity that fascinates me. However, like everything in life, there is always a con. My organism is exposed to a high level of contamination, not only environmental, but also emotional, such as stress. If you follow my blog, you will already know that I look after myself as much on the inside as on the outside, and I try to avoid the toxins that surround us.
My long hair has always been a strong point in my work, and it has brought me so much professional joy with superb collaborations, that I owe it care and attention. My hair is also affected by the pollution in the city and the deterioration it has suffered after two pregnancies, and it is more exposed to losing its shine and vitality.
That is why I am looking after myself on the outside again. This time, it’s my hair’s turn to enjoy a natural beauty experience, “Aura Botánica”, a ritual that, without adding anything artificial, cleans away any toxins and strengthens your natural hair, leaving it shiny, hydrated, and smooth.
“Aura Botánica” by Kérastase is a line of products made with 98% natural ingredients. The protagonists are Samoan coconut oil and Moroccan argan oil, both manually pressed. The manual pressing does not only bring quality to the ingredient, it also has another advantage. Behind these products, there are two projects carrying out outstanding work for women; and when better than today, International Women’s Day, to share it with you.
In Samoa, where the coconut oil is sourced, the NGO Women in Business Development Inc. (WIBDI) provides one hundred local women with the equipment and knowledge required to produce this organic oil as their livelihood. In addition, the argan oil is obtained by women participating in the initiative Targánina, a community project developed in Morocco, which helps local Berber women to support their families. Some of the cooperatives have up to 50 members, which means that the women can bring money home to their families and, for example, the young children can attend literacy classes and be minded in crèches. The project also contributes to conserving the fragile ecosystem of argan woodlands, which are part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, fighting against the atrocious deforestation to which this type of natural resources, which we use so much in the West, is subjected.
As I mentioned above, today is International Working Women’s Day. I would like to add that we are working women both in and out of the home. I am one of these women, as well as a mother. An active, passionate and independent woman, I get excited about things and get a lot of satisfaction from working in all my different facets. I enjoyed this treatment so much more knowing that from a privileged position, treating myself to this beauty ritual, I am also helping to look after the life of other women.
Having said this, and without any qualms, below I explain the step-by-step process of a marvellous hair treatment.
This treatment becomes ritual-like, with its aromas and the hand and head massage it includes. The hand massage gets you ready to slow down and relax into the texture and scent of the Concentré Essentiel oil concentrate.
The treatment continues with a two-handed brushing with natural bristle brushes that oxygenate and activate the blood flow to the scalp. The same oil used for the hands is then applied to the roots, and massaged throughout the length of the hair and the tips, nourishing the hair. It is removed with water and a natural sponge made from the Konjac plant, native to Korea, leaving the hair and the scalp ready for full hydration.
The Bain Micellaire acts like a shampoo, deep-cleaning the visible and invisible dirt that builds up in the hair. When subjecting the hair to a cleaning like this, it is important to always apply the Soin Fondamental, an after-shampoo cream treatment that is then rinsed, and that, if mixed with the Concentré Essential oil, intensifies the result, resulting in a stronger hair mask, for hair in need of extra hydration.
Before drying my hair, as a final stage, the treatment included the Essence d’Éclat bi-phase mist on the length of my hair and the tips, for greater shine and frizz control. This liquid combines the oily phase —jojoba, avocado, coconut and argan— with the aqueous phase that consists of a beautifully scented Damascus rose water dilution.
The aromatherapy of these products made me feel like I was in a spa more than in a hairdressing salon. I felt comfortable and happy with a result with which I feel identified. Clean and radiant locks that have recovered their natural beauty; hair that is full of life, like that of my daughters, who are babies.
I will be sure to include these products in my home spa ritual.
V.
