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!

Finding a decent conditioner can be a difficult task, especially if you're searching for one that is cruelty free as well. What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for others. Maybe your hair is damaged or dry or even frizzy. Everyone's hair has different needs. But if you're searching for a conditioner that can help with any of those three problems and be environmentally conscious then let me introduce you to the Silk18 Conditioner from Maple Holistics.

Maple Holistics is a cruelty free and PETA Certified beauty and personal care company that specializes in natural and holistic premium products that serve to enhance hygiene, health and daily living. Headquartered in New Jersey, Maple Holistics' products are all made in the USA using natural ingredients and cruelty-free processes.

Not only is this brand cruelty free but they also promote sustainability by using recycled materials. They even offer their own recycling program. For every six bottles you return you can either receive a free bottle of shampoo or choose to have an equivalent donation made to an environmentally-friendly charity. All of the returned bottles are recycled and made into new ones. How awesome is that?

Maple Holistics offers a variety of products ranging from hair care to skin care. But today, let's focus on Maple Holistics' new conditioner the Silk18 Conditioner. It is silicone and paraben free and contains eighteen silk amino acids along with argan oil, shea butter, organic pomegranate, and jojoba oil. It also contains a natural vanilla extract which gives it the most amazing sweet scent in the world. Based on the scent alone, I would give this product 5/5 stars.

Besides this mouthwatering scent, the Silk18 conditioner is great for all hair types. The conditioner claims it can tame dry or frizzy hair while also strengthening it. It all seems too good to be true right? Well, good news! It is 100% true!

After cleansing your hair with your favorite cruelty free shampoo, apply a moderate amount of the conditioner to your hair. Let it sit for two to three minutes and let it do its job. Once you rinse out the conditioner, don't panic or get upset because it doesn't appear to be working. The effects are not noticeable at first. But once your hair starts to dry the effects are evident. Your hair will be soft, smooth, silky and fabulous.

Currently the conditioner comes in either a 8 oz, 10 oz or 16 oz bottle and the price range is from $10.95 to $18.95. It is available to purchase on Amazon. The conditioner qualifies for free shipping if you have Amazon Prime, but if you do not Maple Holistics will provide free shipping if you spend at least $25.

Everyone needs a conditioner that will make them feel fabulous. Finding this perfect product requires a lot of patience. If you haven't found the conditioner that makes you feel this way, consider adding the Silk18 from Maple Holistics to your must try list. You will not regret it.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is all of the festive scents! Tons of beauty companies come out with so many holiday scented products during this time of the year. Stepping into Bath & Body Works and all the other beauty shops this time of the year is absolute heaven. However, for the past year or so I made a pledge to use only cruelty free products and have refused to buy products from companies that test on animals. After doing some research I found out some of my favorite brands are still testing their products on animals.

So I've had to say goodbye to a lot of favorite products and favorite holiday scents. But luckily, there are so many cruelty free brands out there that have amazing products. If you want to know more about cruelty free beauty check out my beginner's guide. Now let's take a look at these festive and ethical products!

Shampoo & Conditioner

Holiday Haircare Barrel from Basin. Basin is a shop that specializes in all natural bath and beauty and products. Their shampoo and conditioner bars are one of my favorite products. This year in their online shop, they are offering a limited edition holiday haircare barrel. Inside the barrel you get three shampoo bars: Charcoal, Iced Cherries, and Egg Noggin and one Scalp Soother conditioner bar. Shampoo and conditioner bars are a great alternative for haircare and bonus points for being better for the environment thanks to the lack of plastic.

Shower Gel

Peppermint Candy Cane Shower Gel from The Body Shop. The Body Shop is basically a better version of Bath & Body Works. They are cruelty free, vegetarian, and working on becoming more sustainable. The shower gel is made with organic cane sugar from Paraguay and leaves you feeling cleansed and fresh. This shower gel is also vegan.

Snow Fairy Shower Gel from Lush. Lush is another store that specializes in freshly made products. All of their cosmetics are cruelty free and vegetarian. Recently, Lush has introduced Naked Packaging which is essentially no packaging. 35% of their products are essentially unpackaged and the rest are packaged using recycled materials. The Snow Fairy shower gel is one Lush's Naked Packaging products. The shower gel is essentially a bar of soap that is creamier than your typical soap. It has a candy-sweet fragrance that will make you dream of sugar plums. Also if you're not a fan of the idea of a bar of soap there is a bottled version available.

Face Masks

Masque Bar Pretty Animalz Face Masks After doing some digging, it appears this popular face mask company is cruelty free. Their winter face masks are fun and most importantly hydrating. Each sheet mask is shaped as an animal and for the winter collection you have a choice between a reindeer, polar bear, or penguin. These masks are sold at Target.

The Creme Shop Face Masks. The Creme Shop also appears to be cruelty free. Just like Masque Bar, they have fun and festive sheet masks to help you relax and provide some must needed self care this holiday season. The Creme Shop offers a variety of festive face masks and can be found at almost every retailer. I've seen these masks from stores like Target to Old Navy.

Rudolph Jelly Face Mask from Lush. This face mask is adorable, it's brown and smells like chocolate pudding. Each container also comes with a bright red nose like the reindeer it is named after. This mask is also vegan.

Lotion

Gingerbread Man Sparkle Jar from Lush. The sparkle jars from Lush are another kind of bare minimum packaging product. The sparkle jar is in the shape of a gingerbread man and to get the hydrating powder out of the gingerbread man, you must poke holes where the buttons are. The powder will be released and will melt right into your skin.

Vanilla Marshmallow Body Butter from The Body Shop. Now The Body Shop has some of the best body butters out there, they keep your skin hydrated all day. Vanilla Marshmallow is one of the seasonal scents that The Body Shop is currently selling.

Candy Cane Mini Body Butter from Basin. It's not Christmas without the scent of candy canes. The only problem with this limited edition body butter is that it is so small, but on the plus side it would be good to bring with you if you plan on traveling this holiday season.

Bath Bombs

All Seasonal Bath Bomb from Lush. Lush is the master of bath bombs, in fact that is one of the things they are most well known for. It is impossible to choose just one bath bomb, especially their seasonal options. Their seasonal bath bombs are all adorable and come in a variety of scents.

Holiday Bath Bomb from Basin. Not only does the holiday bath bomb from Basin look festive the scent is too. From cinnamon to pine needles, this bath bomb literally smells like Christmas.

Peppermint Candy Cane Bath Bomb from The Body Shop. Not only is this bath bomb affordable, it's adorable! It's shaped like a reindeer and smells like candy canes. What's more Christmas than that?

Bubble Bath

Berry Bonbon Bath Foam from The Body Shop. The Body Shop's Berry Bonbon is filled with the scents of the best winter berries. The bath foam provides plenty of bubbles so you can relax and unwind in the tub.

All Seasonal Bubble Bars from Lush. Bubble Bars from Lush are just about as popular as their bath bombs. The bubble bars are soap bars of bubble bath and come in all shapes and sizes. Their seasonal ones are extremely festive and quite adorable.

Hand Soap

Peppermint Liquid Hand Soap from Mrs. Meyer's. Mrs Meyer's hand soap is one of the most popular cruelty free hand soaps that is currently out there. Their seasonal peppermint hand soap is the perfect choice for washing your hands this holiday season.

Perfume

Snow Fair Body Spray from Lush. Who wouldn't want to smell like sugar plums this holiday season?

And there you have it, a guide for the best festive scents from cruelty free brands this holiday season. Now you tell me, what are your go to scents for this holiday season? Until tomorrow.

One of the biggest trends in beauty right now is supporting vegan and cruelty free brands. Some of the most popular brands out there have made the commitment to abstain from animal testing and use organic ingredients that do not include any animal by products. That’s right, some of your favorite foundations and creams have animal fats and tissues in them. Gross, right?

But what does cruelty free actually mean? If a company claims to be cruelty free, that means they do not test on animals at any point during the creation of a product. However, there are no restrictions on claiming to be cruelty free. For example, a company could claim to be cruelty free by saying they do not conduct any animal testings but an outside party could request for an animal testing on that product in order for a retailer to sell it. Situations like this are tricky and occur frequently. Take a look at China.

Animal testing is required by law in China. For any beauty products to be sold in China the company must have their products tested on animals. So to be technical, if a “cruelty free” company sells their products in China they are NOT cruelty free.

Sadly, animal testing is still relevant in the time we currently live in. With modern science and technological advancements, there are plenty of other ways to make sure that the products we use are safe. Like with in vitro testing, samples of human cells are used to test products in test tubes. Plus there are already over 5,000 beauty product ingredients that have already been tested and deemed safe to use. Companies can use any of those ingredients to formulate their products without needing to use any form of testing.

In some parts of the world like: the European Union, United Kingdom, Norway, India and Israel a ban on animal testing on cosmetics has already been placed. In 2016, Taiwan introduced a bill that bans animal testing on cosmetics and it will go into effect in 2019. Other countries like Australia and South Korea are considering to put a ban in place. Even my hometown state of California recently proposed legislation that will ban animal testing on cosmetics in the state.

If you agree that the products you use frequently should not be testing on animals, there is something you can do to stop it. If you want legislation to be passed in your state or country, write to your local government representatives! Plus don’t forget, as a consumer you have power! You have a choice in what companies you invest in. If you want to make a statement and show these big companies that what they’re doing is wrong, stop buying from them. And, feel free to write to them and let them know that you do not condone their policies and will not purchase from them until they make a change.

One common misconception about cruelty free beauty is that is expensive. While a lot of brands that are cruelty free are high end brands, there are some affordable drug store brands out there that are cruelty free! Elf, Nyx, Milani, Wet and Wild, Hard Candy, Sonia Kashuk, Yes To and Alba are all cruelty free drug store brands.

If you decide to make the switch and support only cruelty free brands, here are the major logos and endorsements you should look for while shopping: These three logos are the most trustworthy ones out there for companies who have a cruelty free status. If you don’t see any of these logos, that’s okay. Not every cruelty free company invests in these logos, since they do have to pay an extra fee to be able to be certified. You can always check Leaping Bunny and PETA’s cruelty free brand database. Just be careful when shopping, some companies will create fake logos to trick you into thinking they are cruelty free. If you’re not sure, it’s always helpful to check out the brand’s website and read through their policies and make an informed decision from there.

To see a full list of cruelty free brands and the long list of brands that continue to test on animals, check out Cruelty Free Kitty. This website helped me so much when I first decided to make the switch to cruelty free products only. Even to this day, Cruelty Free Kitty still helps me out in so many ways! I’m constantly checking to see what brands have changed their statuses and find some new brands to try.

There are plenty of other brands out there that make cruelty free versions of the products we all use on a daily basis. Dare I say, some of these products are even better than the originals. Here are some of my favorite cruelty free brands out there: It’s unsettling to think about how many major companies still rely on these unethical and antiquated practices. But luckily, more and more companies are straying away from those cruel and unneeded methods. Making the switch to support only cruelty free brands was one of the best decisions I have made, and I hope you decide to do the same.
Until next time.