We have all been there. Our shampoo just ran out and time for a new one. But which one should I choose? 

If you go into a shop there are isles and isles of hair products. There are so many to choose from. 

I've put together a little guide to hopefully make it a little bit easier next time. 

Vi har alla varit i samma situation. Ditt schampoo har tagit slut och dags att köpa en ny flaska. Men vilken ska man välja? Jag har gjort en liten guide som förhoppningsvis kommer att göra det lite lättare nästa gång. 

Trial and error

All hair is different and it can take time to find the perfect shampoo for you. What's good for your best friend or your favourite blogger might not work for you at all. Don't be afraid to try a few until you find the one you like. Try and see if they sell the one you want to try in a travel size. It's a perfect way of trying a new product. 

Alla hår är olika och det kan ta tid att hitta rätt schampoo för just dig. Vad som funkar för din bästa vän eller favorit bloggare, kanske inte alls passar dig. Var inte rädd att prova några olika innan du hittat den rätta. Försök att kolla om de gör den du vill prova i reseförpackning. Det är perfekt när man provar nya produkter. 

Listen to your hair

Your hair has different needs, different times of the year. It tends to get drier in winter so will need a more moisturising shampoo and conditioner. Same goes when you're on holiday and it gets dried out by sun and sea water. 

Ditt hår har olika behov olika tider på året. Det har en tendens att vara mer torrt på vintern, så det behövs ett mer åter fuktande schampoo och balsam. Det gäller även på sol semester och håret blir torrt av sol och havsvatten. 

Avoid sls and parabens

Make sure you choose a shampoo without sls (sodium laurel sulphate) because it removes your natural oils and dry out your scalp. If you find your scalp often get itchy and irritated. That's probably why. 

Parabens are cheap and effective preservatives which may lead to health issues. I wrote a blog post about it here. 

Se till att du väljer ett schampoo utan sls (sodium lauryl Sulphate ), för att det tar bort dina naturliga oljor och torkar ut hårbotten. Om din hårbotten ofta kliar eller är irriterad så kan det bero på det. 

Parabener är billiga och effektiva konserveringsmedel som kan leda till hälsorisker. Jag skrev en blog post om det och du kan läsa det här. 

Get to know your hair 

Is your hair dry or oily? Is it chemically damaged? Do you have an itchy scalp? Is it curly or straight? Is it fine or coarse? These are all things to consider when buying a shampoo. 

Är ditt hår torrt eller fett? Är det kemiskt skadat? Kliar det i hårbotten? Är det lockigt eller rakt? Är det tunt eller grovt? Dessa är alla saker som är viktigt att tänka på när du köper ett schampoo. 

Spend a little bit more

So many are prepared to spend £20-30 for a facecream but would never spend more than £5 on their shampoo. Sometimes it's worth spending a little bit more on your hair.   Give your hair the quality it deserves. Then you'll avoid cheap preservatives and many other unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients.

Så många är beredda att spendera 200-300 kr på en ansiktskräm men vill inte spendera mer än 50kr på ett schampoo. Ibland är det värt att spendera lite mer på ditt hår. Ge det kvaliteten som det är värd. Då undviker du även många billiga konserveringsmedel och andra onödiga och ohälsosamma ingredienser. 

Choosing a natural and organic shampoo

Again, you might not find the one that works for you right away. Don't get disheartened, but try another one. Sometimes it takes time for your hair to get used to a natural shampoo, so give it time. Before you know it your hair will feel so much better and healthier. 

Som jag sa tidigare, så kan det ta tid att hitta rätt schampoo för dig. Ge inte upp, men prova ett annat schampoo. Ibland tar det det tid för ditt hår att vänja sig med ett naturligt schampoo, så ge det lite tid. Innan du vet av det så kommer ditt hår kännas bättre och hälsosammare än någonsin. 

What shampoo are you using at the moment? 

Vad för schampoo använder du just nu? 

Review | Saach organics

Strengthening haircare using Ayurveda with Indian herbs, made in the UK. The last couple of months or so I've been using Saach organics basil, hibiscus & peppermint shampoo, for hair strengthening, and hibiscus, henna and primrose hair nourishment conditioner. I've also used the herbal hair oil. 

Saach organics contain 100% natural actives and are free from 

• parabens

• formaldehyde 

• sulphates 

• petrochemicals 

They are cruelty free and suitable for vegans. 

When I first started to use Saach I wasn't too sure about them. As many natural shampoos they don't lather that much and can sometime not feel like it cleans the hair as good. It can also weigh down the hair, leaving it feeling greasy. I tried a few different shampoos and in the end the one that worked best on my hair is the Basil, hibiscus & peppermint strengthening shampoo.

I then shampooed twice and rinsed it well. It worked and hair felt clean. 

After a while I started to notice how it improved the condition of my hair. It felt soft, smooth and stronger. It's the best condition my hair been in for a long time. 

The longer I used the products the more I like them. Because I see the benefit and how much better my hair feels. I keep getting compliments on my hair and all I've done is washing it. 

The conditioner I liked right away. It feels great to apply it to the hair, easy to comb through and makes my hair smooth. I love the smell of the conditioner. Part from the hibiscus, henna and primrose, it also has almond and cinnamon. It's rather spicy and I love it. 

The use of henna in their products is new to me. It also made me slightly nervous using them as I didn't want it to  change my colour. The henna Saach is using is a colourless henna so it won't make any difference to your hair colour and is fine to use on coloured hair. 

I've also been using the herbal hair oil. Made from Indian gooseberry cotton seed oil and almond oil. Some of the other ingredients are henna, rose, coconut oil and red sandalwood. I apply oil on my scalp and throughout the hair and leave it over night. It sinks in to the hair so doesn't feel too greasy like many oils can do. 

The herbal hair oil claims to open up blocked capillaries, improving the blood circulation on the scalp and brings back moisture to your hair. 

My scalp often get dry and itchy and this oil has helped with that. My hair feels smooth and healthy. 

Price is £10.95 a good value for a good and natural shampoo. The herbal hair oil is £12.90. You can buy them from LoveLula www.lovelula.com

I would definitely buy these again. 

Have you ever tried Saachs organics products? Which natural hair products do you use? 

Where do I buy organic beauty products

I know I'm lucky to live in London as opting for green and organic beauty is a lot easier than many other places. But even in London many people don't know where to start, so I've decided to put together a list where I buy all my organic beauty products. For you who don't live in London there's online options too.

1. Wholefoods / your local organic shop
Most places have an organic local shop with food and some beauty products, where you can get your basic hair and body products.
My local shop happens to be Wholefoods in Piccadilly Circus. In Wholefoods there's a whole world of different brands (The one in Kensington high street got even a bigger selection). This is where I get most of my basic products like body wash, lotions, toothpaste, deodorant and cleansers. I love browsing in Wholefoods as you get left alone and with opening hours to 10pm, I have all the time in the world. Well kind of.

2. Content Beauty
If you're lucky to be in central London, you must pay a visit to Content Beauty in Marylebone. It's a boutique organic skincare store. It's small but they have so many wonderful and pretty products and I love this place. They also have a beauty salon for facials, massage, waxing and nails.
It's all organic and they have a hand picked selection of the most advanced cult natural beauty brands from around the world. This is where I treat myself with products I've wanted for a long time or just to discover new brands. They stock some beauty's like Kjaer Weiss and Ilia beauty. The girls in there are so friendly. They let you browse in your own time without bothering you, but helpful when need be. My perfect kind of shop.

If you're not in London they are also available online http://www.beingcontent.com

3. Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett is everywhere, which is great. This is where I go to get my essentials when I'm not near Wholefoods. They don't have as big range but still great for some basic things like body wash or toothpaste. The bigger once have better selection of beauty products and some even stock Lavera makeup.

4. Naturisimo
This is my go to website to check a product if it's vegan or I just want to know more about a product. They are so informative about every product they stock. Naturisimo is selective of the products they sell. All the products are free from

• parabens
• SLS
• Petroleum/ mineral oil 
• Phthalates
• GM, pesticides or herbicides residues 

Non of products are tested on animals.

On their website they claim "Our mission is to promote the wellbeing of every living creature. We are not only about avoiding harmful chemicals, pollutants and animal cruelty by offering safe and healthy products.

We are also about responsible purchasing

• sustainable lifestyles, 
• fair trade, 
• animal rights, 
• biodiversity, 
• making the world a better place 
• and last but not least the joy of living

Some of the brands they sell are Kjaer Weiss, Green people, Lavera, Giovanni and Suti. They also do free delivery worldwide.
http://www.naturisimo.com

5. Life
Life is where I go when in Sweden. It's health and Eco shop with great selection of organic beauty. I go the the larger store in Stockholm. Where they sell Maria Åkerberg products, my favourite Swedish brand. If you're ever in any of the Nordic countries I recommend to check it out.

Where do you shop your organic beauty products? I would love to get some more tips of places or products to try. 

How I became a hairdresser

It wasn't my dream when I was younger to become a hairdresser. I wanted to be a journalist or a greenpeace activist. Then I went to a language school studying too many languages for my own sanity. So how did I end up as a hairdresser you wonder?

I always played with different hairstyles as a teenager and ended up always colouring my friends hair.

It wasn't until I finished school and I was worrying about what to do with my life my friend suggested hairdressing. First I thought it absurd but after a while I started to like the thought of it. My worst nightmare was to work in an office. I wanted to do something creative and have a steady income at the same time. I guess hairdressing was it. But how do you become a hairdresser?

In Sweden I was too late to go the usual way choosing hairdressing at gymnasium as I already was 18 and finished all my languages that I chosen instead. So the only other way was to pay a fortune for hairdressing school and I didn't have that money.

After a while I found a add for a salon who needed a trainee so I took my chance and went for an interview. They loved me and thought I would be perfect for the job. Until I was writing down my details and they realised I was left handed. Apparently left handed can't be hairdressers I was told (that is a lie).

I put the thoughts about hairdressing behind me and decided to go to London. I was meant to as the most stay for the summer, 11 years later I'm still here.

First I just got random jobs in a bar and then in a record shop, where I met my now husband. But eventually the thoughts of hairdressing started to come back. I remember talking to my neighbours.  They told me to go to this funky hairdressers in Spitalfields market because they thought it would suit me. So I did. I went in and told them I wanted to become a hairdresser but didn't know how to go about it. I was in luck as they needed a trainee so I could start the same week.

I started with sweeping the floor and washing hair. For anyone who wants to become a hairdresser. That will more or less be your life for the next couple of years adding one thing at the time. I remember spending hours practising parting the hair in a straight line down the middle. Practising blow drying on anyone I knew every spare half hour I had.

After a bit of time I started to go to college part time and still working in a salon. I've moved to the salon I'm still working in now. I was lucky with a great teacher who is a talented hairdresser with a big heart. He helped me with anything hair way beyond the curriculum. I have a lot to thank John for.

Also my two bosses Bradley and Scott pushing me to get better and improve my skills.

Our salon ( Natural Colour Works ) specialises in natural colour and we focus on colours. So it is important to have a strong colour knowledge and do good highlights. We do cutting as well so I have to be good in all areas.

After a while my bosses allowed me to colour clients hair as a graduate stylist and was soon promoted to stylist.

I love hair and I love my job. Even though I never dreamt about it as a young girl. It's something I  enjoy and I get such a satisfaction out of making other people happy.

I also love styling hair. Especially wedding hair. Being part of someone's special day is such an honour and I just love it so much. I love creating something beautiful and hair is definitely a piece of art you can shape in so many wonderful ways.

10 years down the line I'm now a senior stylist and I still love my job just as much. I'm looking forward to the wonderful people I will meet on a daily basis. Without the friendly and loving people that are my clients my job would not be what it is.

Don't take me wrong there's some horrible sides to hairdressing as well.

• Like you never have a break, you might not have time to pee for 3 hrs even though you need to go. 
• People can be horrible and shout at you. 
• Or when people turn up late for their appointments and get mad at you for not be able to do everything they ask  
• Everything hurts and you got someone else's hair inside your bra and you cut your fingers. 
• Not to mention all your clothes got colour stains on them

Yet I still love my job and I happily do it. Even when people ask me on my day off. But that's all part of the fun right?

Hairdressing is hard work and you have to be passionate about it or it won't be worth it.

I'm so happy someone many years ago suggested me to try hairdressing. From the day I started I loved it.

Exciting news

This week has been an exciting week of Sara Steele. First of all the salon I work in (Natural Colour Works) has been moving location. From a quiet street in Soho to the busy and vibrant street Berwick street. I love working in Soho and being in a place that reflects the cool and trendy Soho makes me proud. I must say the new salon is looking good. We are a natural colour salon using natural and organic products. I think the new look reflects us really well. 

Moving on to a more personal news. With the big move, I was promoted to senior stylist.
I've been working with Bradley and Scott (my bosses) for 9 years as I started when doing my training and then moved up to a stylist. Moving up to senior stylist has been a long time coming. I know many of my clients thought I was senior already.

I'm hoping that most of my clients will follow me.  I love my job and what I do. It's no greater joy than when I get that colour and cut right and seeing my clients smile getting bigger and bigger. It's such s satisfaction to make other people feeling good about themselves.

Being a senior stylist in a brand new and beautiful salon feels great and exciting. I'm lucky to work with a great team too.

Advice from a senior stylist is to never give up, be patient, continue to always improve yourself and love what you do.

What do you think of our new Salon? 

Review | Sukin hydrating body lotion & Aloe Vera gel

I recently went to buy my first Sukin product, a body lotion. When I got home I had an email asking me to try their aloe vera gel to review. I was only a little freaked out. Like had they just been stalking me in Wholefoods? Probably not. To be honest I was more happy than freaked out. Anyway I've decided to review both of the products here.

Sukin - hydrating body lotion

Reason why I chose Sukin was because it's free from so many nasties like -

• parabens, 
• SLS, 
• animal derivatives, 
• synthetic fragrances, 
• artificial colours I can go on and on

I have a normal skin type with tendencies towards dry and this lotion feels nice and refreshing on my skin. It's for all skin types. It's light and sinks into the skin quickly. The lotion smells a bit citrusy and fresh, perfect for summer I think. This makes sense as some of the ingredients are citrus fruits like lime and grapefruit it also contains avocado, nettle and rose hip.

I'm a bit funny with trying new body lotions because I had few irritated skin accidents in the past. But Sukin body lotion is a new favourite of mine.

I like the bottle with the pump that squirt out just the right amount to apply to my skin. It's a lovely dark tinted bottle with a a label that gives an organic look to the product.

Sukin - Aloe Vera gel

Aloe Vera gel is great to use for after the sun, to cool and soothe the skin. unfortunately, I haven't had much chance to try it for that purpose as living in the UK. But I can tell it's going to be great for it so I'm bringing it to my holidays this summer.

The Aloe Vera gel is good to use for dry and irritated skin and after you've shaved as it soothes your skin.

I must say that it does soothe the skin especially after shaving my legs it was such a nice feeling to put the gel on. The gel is light and sinks into the skin easily and my legs feel great.

I wished I had the Aloe Vera gel earlier as great to use for irritated skin. I'm even thinking all those time I've burned my skin whilst cooking this would work miracles.

Again it's a nice bottle with a pump that makes it easy to use, but a smaller version than the lotion.

So far I haven't got anything negative to say about Sukin.

Have you tried Sukin? What's your favourite Sukin product? 

Review | Jåsön sun sport

We are slowly moving into summer, sunshine and it is time to find a sunscreen. It's not only for when you go on sun holiday but also needed in England. It's important to protect your skin from dangerous UV lights. When you spend time in the sun it increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin ageing. So protecting yourself is crucial.

I use Jåsön sun sport SPF 45 as I use it when I'm out running and need a stronger and water resistant lotion as I want it to protect me even when I sweat and also perfect for beach holiday when jumping in the sea as well. Hopefully, there'll be a holiday sometime this year.

Jåsön is like the dinosaur of natural hair and skin care. They've been around for a long time. Long before it got popular to be natural and organic and they are a well-established brand, so compared to the dinosaurs I don't think Jåsön is going anywhere.

Jåsön sunscreen is free from parabens, SLS, petrolatum, artificial colours and phthalates. So not only protecting your skin on the outside but is not dangerous for your inside either. As the skin is our biggest organ and absorbs anything you put on it, it's so important to stay away from products full of toxins.

The first things I noticed about the sun lotion was the bright orange packaging and the smell. It smells so nice. I think it smells a bit of coconut and holiday. I have tried many different types of sunscreens in my days and no other smells as good as this one. It feels nice on the skin as well.

I've used it for many of my runs lately and hopefully will bring it on holiday soon.

Do you use sunscreen? Which one do you like?