The current increase in demand for natural beauty products is at an all time high. Cheers to that! Us consumers are being smarter and more ethical when it comes to purchasing our daily products. More of the big named brands are catering to this change, but wouldn’t it be better to support the brands who were meeting these expectations all along?

Maple Holsitics is one of those brands. They have become one of my favorite brands and its easy to see why. For those of you who do not know about this brand, they are a beauty and personal care company specializing in natural and holistic products that enhance hygiene, health and daily living. All their products are PETA Certified and cruelty-free. Headquartered in New Jersey, their products are made in the USA using naturally sourced ingredients. They offer premium natural and sustainable products at an affordable price.

Not only is this brand cruelty free but they also promote sustainability by offering their own recycling program. For every six bottles you return you receive a free bottle of shampoo or you can choose to have an equivalent donation made to an environmentally-friendly charity instead. No matter what you choose, all of the returned bottles are recycled and made into new ones. Pretty cool right?

Last time I partnered up with Maple Holsitics, I reviewed their Silk18 Conditioner. This time I got to test out their new Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) provides many benefits to various health and beauty practices. For the hair specifically, ACV removes build-up and restores volume while giving your hair a natural shine. Maple Holistics' ACV Shampoo is made with natural ingredients like ACV (duh), sunflower oil, argan oil, jojoba oil and more. It is sulfate and paraben free. From color treated hair to sensitive hair, this shampoo is made for all hair types.

When it comes to the smell of vinegar, you either love it or hate it. I am one of those weirdos who absolutely loves the smell of vinegar. But don't let the fear of the scent keep you from testing out this shampoo. My first initial reaction to this ACV Shampoo was that it smelt nothing like ACV. Instead of an acidic scent, all I could smell was citrus with a hint of apple.

To cleanse your hair, rinse then apply a quarter-sized amount of product to your hair. Fair warning, this shampoo does not provide a lot of suds. So if you prefer your shampoo to be very sudsy, like myself, be generous with the amount of shampoo you use. Lather the shampoo and let it sit in your hair for 2-3 minutes before you rinse. The effects won't take in right away, so be patient. Since the ACV Shampoo is meant to really tend to your dead hairs, be sure to pair it with a nourishing conditioner, my favorite is Maple Holistics' Silk18 Conditioner.

After using the shampoo several times, I noticed my hair felt softer and fresher for a longer period of time. Overall, this is a really good shampoo. It is gentle on your hair and not acidic whatsoever. If you experience a lot of build-up in your hair, this shampoo is a good option for frequent usage. For me, build-up is not one of my main concerns. But using the ACV Shampoo once or twice a month for a real deep cleaning is something I will do!

Finding a brand that cares about both the environment and their customers is a hard find. That’s why I really love Maple Holistics. They put their customers and the future of our world first by creating these natural premium products. I can’t wait to see what new products they come up with next!

For the last year or so, there has been a lot of chatter about climate change and how to combat it. From the banning of plastic straws in several places to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal, living a greener life has been the talk of the year. But how does one make a start to achieve this? There are many solutions, but one of the simplest, yet challenging option, is reducing the use of single-use plastic items.

Whether it is plastic bags in our landfills or plastic straws that made their way into our ocean, plastic pollution plagues our ecosystem. In 2011, the Plastic Free July initiative was created as a global movement that encourages its participants to refuse single-use plastics all through-out the month of July. Over the years, the initiative gained momentum due to the worldwide support for the cause. Millions vow to take the pledge and are up for the challenge. But what does it truly entail?

The idea of not using any plastic products for an entire month sounds impossible. But the whole point of the challenge is to replace single-use plastic products with reusable and sustainable alternatives. Wherever you go, try to utilize reusable products whether that's while you're at work, school or running errands. Eliminating plastic from your life is a daunting task since we rely on it so much. But do not let this discourage you, as long as you make an effort, you make an impact.

Here are the four easiest ways you can make a difference this July:

• Swap plastic bags for reusable canvas tote bags
• Opt for a reusable water bottle rather than multiple plastic bottles
• Utilize a reusable straw or go straw-less
• Bring in your own reusable cup to coffee shops or cafes instead of using a disposable one

Plastic has been in use since 1907 and appears to be the go to material for just about everything. Contrary to popular belief, it is not recyclable or biodegradable. Instead, the material sits in a landfill. Eventually, the plastic breaks down into little particles that pollute our soil and ocean. All of the plastic that has been created and used over the past century is still here on Earth. The UN currently estimates that there has been 8.3 billion tons of plastic produced since the 1950s. With all the amount of plastic currently on our planet, it is no wonder that the plastic free and zero waste lifestyle choices have become so popular.

If you already cut out single-use plastic items and want to challenge yourself more this July, here are some other things you can do to reduce your plastic usage:

• Avoid buying prepacked items in grocery store, instead choose loose products, bonus points if you have reusable produce bags!
• Say no to take out and yes to dine in, and bring your own container in case you don't finish your meal
• Stop using bin liners/trash bags, dump your waste right into the bin or try composting.
• Say goodbye to plastic food wrap, utilize reusable containers or invest in beeswax wrap

Besides reducing the amount of disposable plastic items we use in a month, the ultimate goal of Plastic Free July is to break some of these wasteful habits that we are all guilty of. Whether we like it or not, the little choices we make every day add up. By making the smallest changes, you can make a massive difference. Hopefully, this month long challenge will help you to find eco-conscious alternatives that can become second nature to you. If you wish to join the challenge, sign up on Plastic Free July's website.