Favorite Products

(Thank you for the gorgeous vintage clipart Free Pretty Things!)



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Hair Care

Dear friends, one of my very favorite things to do during my gray hair grow out journey, was to try  different products to help my hair stay bright, shiny and moisturized. I just wanted to attempt to look my best! While I've found many shampoos, conditioners and styling products that I've loved along the way, I was always on the hunt for that mythical company that made a line just for Silver Sisters. One that balances performance, healthy ingredients and an affordable price. So, after not quite finding what I was dreaming of........we decided to make it ourselves! That's how our line of hair hair products was born! We decided to call it: "By The Way, Your Hair Looks FABULOUS!" after a comment from a kind woman in line at Target.  You can read more about our range of shampoos, conditioners and styling tools and purchase the products on our website and on Amazon Prime!

So, while I still stand behind the earlier hair products that I reported on below, I've got to say.... after two years of development and nearly a year of personal usage, my FAVORITES are definitely from The By The Way Company!!! 😊


Gray Hair Brightening Shampoos and Conditioners!


 Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo and Conditioner - Super good at removing brassy, yellow tones.

Pantene Silver Expressions Shampoo and Conditioner - Not quite as heavy-duty as Shimmer Lights, a bit more gentle.



More NATURAL Gray Hair Brightening Shampoos and Conditioners!



Aveda Blue Malva Conditioner - Expensive, but smells great!


Everyday Shampoos and Conditioners that I use and love.




Hair Styling Products



 Giovanni 2chic Avocado and Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Super Potion ! - This oil is wonderful. It helps me to control frizz and give shine. 

 Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie - This product is heavier than the rest. Be careful, a little goes a long way! Very moisturizing and calms coarse hair.


Roux Fanci-full Rinse #49 Ultra White Minx- My first rinse! This is truly a helpful product. Leaves my white hair as bright and shiny as can be. Takes away yellow tones.


 One 'n Only Shiny Silver Gel - A nice purple tone gel that has a fair amount of holding power to help with the fizz, but not leave your hair stiff or sticky! You can't see the purple when it's on your hair, it only helps to tone down brassiness.

 Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing, Gray/White/Silver Hair- This hairdressing gel-like cream is pretty neat.  All you need is a tiny dollop and it will mend split ends, keep flyways at bay and add a wonderful sheen!

Conair Xtreme Instant Heat Jumbo And Super Jumbo Hair Setter  - Yay! I've used these curlers for ten years. They just keep on going. I love how the large and extra large rollers are covered in a velvety texture. They really help to calm the coarseness and frizz of my gray hair.


Make-up

Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick-Au Pair - My FAVORITE all-natural lipstick. Au Pair is such a gorgeous color berry color. It would look great on anyone and the best part is it's not full of bad for you chemicals!

Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Hawaiian Smolder- I can not get enough of this natural lip crayon! The color is universally gorgeous, it's highly pigmented and goes on so creamy, and the price is right! Love, love, love.


Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream - I use this mineral foundation + SPF everyday! It has great coverage that you can use sheer or in a more opaque way and it's paraben- free! This is a link to the color BB3, but I have been wearing the BB5 color. There are several shades so be sure to check them all out.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Work It! Full Flared Fit Mascara - My favorite natural mascara! This is great. It make my lashes long and full, stays on all day long and doesn't feel clumpy or waxy. You might love it too!

Skin and Body Care
Coola Mineral Face SPF 30 Sunscreen Matte Tint, Unscented - This is the BEST facial sunscreen that I have ever used. Mineral, not chemical, goes on invisibly, dries instantly and stays matte. Just perfect!

Badger SPF 35 Sunscreen All Season Face Stick Unscented  - This stick is so handy because it can slip into any pocket or purse. It stays on for a long time, and it's GREAT FOR BUSY KIDS who want you to apply their sunscreen in a flash.

Yes to Blueberries Deep Wrinkle Night Cream - I use this very moisturizing "night" cream day and night. I love it that much! Super hydrating, works on fine lines and wrinkles, and it's paraben-free!

Alba Botanica Fragrance Free SPF 30 Mineral Very Emollient Sunscreen - This is my go-to body sunscreen because it's a natural mineral block that is affordable and free of harsh chemicals. Good staying power.


Books
The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time - One of my favorite books! A quick and easy and INSPIRING read for when you life feels hectic or draining.

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids - My favorite parenting book. Gentle and calming, full of great take-action ideas for simplifying parenting and finding a harmonious homelife.

The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons

Intuitive Eating - This refreshing, compassionate, drama-free book changed my relationship with food. This is an un-diet, and gives you straight forward steps to ending a complicated relationship with diets and teaches you how to eat to live and enjoy!

A Fine Romance: Falling in Love With the English Countryside - Susan Branch's latest book. A diary of sorts from her two months travel in the English countryside! Start with her lovely voyage on the Queen Mary 2. This book is chock full of beautiful, little water color sketches and the best, most personal narration. Take a look!

Miriam's Kitchen: A Memoir - by Elizabeth Ehrlich. This beautifully written memoir traces Elizabeth's personal journey in the kitchen with her mother-in-law Miriam, a wonderful and soulful cook. Elizabeth found Jewish culture and practices out-dated, but through Miriam's stories of a long, rich life, and her recipes (which are shared here) Elizabeth comes to a new and meaningful understanding of her roots.



 
Clothing

Lands' End - Quality and timeless. Without a doubt, this is the best made clothing that I've bought in a while. Their fabrics are soft and substantial and hold up wash after wash. I love their cotton dresses and can always find items for the entire family. And, they have great sales constantly! 

Fresh Produce Clothing - This laid back brand has been making beautiful, comfortable, gorgeously colorful clothing for the past three decades. Primarily made in the US, Fresh Produce is known for the high quality of their fabrics and the pretty hues of their ever-changing hand dip dyed pieces.

Boden - Originally started "over the pond, " Boden has grown worldwide and is loved by many. Be sure to check out their often whimsical and always fun prints. A+ for the dresses and cardigans, and everything really!

Lanz of Salsberg flannel nightgowns from The Vermont Country Store! - I've talked about these nightgowns or appeared on the blog wearing them more than I'd like to admit. But WHO could get through a cold winter without the warmest, best made flannel nightgowns around? I've washed mine a bajillion times and their still going strong. I actually look forward to winter so I can pull my Lanz flannel out!



Shoes
Bogs Women's Classic Forest Tall Rain Boot - These are truly the best 3-season boots out there. I wear my Bogs winter, spring and fall. My feet never get wet, and they're super rugged. Worth every penny.

Accessories
Coolibar UPF 50+ Women's Everyday Sun Hat - My favorite sun hat! I've had mine for three years. Washable, packable and keeps the sun off of your face.

Mosey Camper Bag - This is one of the best and most useful bags I've ever owned! It converts from a shoulder bag to a backpack! Mosey Camper bags are durable and made from 14 recycled plastic bottles. Cool, huh!? They also come with a small, matching wallet inside that's attached to the bag with with elastic and a toggle. So many pockets including one to stick your headphones through and a  keychain holder too. I love this bag!


Cooking
Cooking With Trader Joe's Cookbook: Vegetarian Cookbook - The most useful cookbook that I own! Streamlines your meals, everything yummy, and great photos too!

Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London's Ottolenghi - This is a gorgeous book to give as a gift or keep for yourself. Delicious, exotic vegetarian dishes from the famed London based chef, Yottam Ottolenghi.


Home Goods

Kids
Bogs Classic High Waterproof Boot  - Every two years I've bought children's Bogs boots for Noah. (They come in lots of colors and patterns). These boots are warm and super durable. Great for rain, snow and mud. We use them over and over!

Pets
Kyjen Hide-A-Squirrel Squeak Toy  - What's not to love about this adorable and super affordable dog toy!? Perfect for your own pooch or as a gift. Comes with one plush "stump" and three or more, little, cute, squeaky chipmunks. :)

Nylabone Interactive Happy Moppy Dog Chew Toy - JOSIE'S FAVORITE TOY! Mine too. :)
This chew and pull toy from Nylabone is bright and colorful, full of interesting texture and sturdily made. Think of lots and lots of "ribbons" of different fabrics, all held together with a loop for you to pull on one end. Josie loves chewing on this toy and it would be great for the teething stage! Her cousin dogs also adore the Happy Moppy toy, and they all play tug-a-war! This is a link to the large version. Josie is 20lbs and she has the medium version. Her cousin dog is 30lbs and the medium seems like a good size for her mouth too!




Craft


























(Thank you for the adorable, vintage clipart Free Pretty Things!)






8 comments:

Marcy McVay Smith said...

Have you ever heard of using a product that strips the hair dye out, like when you make a mistake? I was 35 wen I started coloring, I'm 52, and even though people say all the time I look like I'm 42, I feel like trying to go grey,especially since it seems to be the fad right now for younger girls.

Lauren said...

Hi Marcy!

Thanks for your comment, that's a great question. Well, I don't know of any products that you can buy to strip the dye other than going to a salon to actually have your hair stripped. I personally wouldn't recommend that though. Once in my 20's I had to do that after a dark brown, permanent hair color came out matte black. My hair was like straw from getting it stripped. Then again I suppose we all have different hair. Some people will have stronger and more healthy hair. I wish I could help more with your question. Thanks again!

Karen said...

I don't know when you might see this but I have to say you look beautiful with dark and silver hair. I'm considering doing this at 47, as a mom to a 5 year old. I don't want to be mistaken for his grandmother! But I figure if I eat organic, plant-based for health, I should eliminate chemicals going straight into my brain by ceasing to color my brown hair. I am so over having to cover glimmers of silver on my temples after 2-3 weeks of coloring.
My point in writing though: You are very blessed to have gorgeous icy eyes. Beautiful and the silver complements them so well. You look like a young Sherilyn Fenn who is just mesmerizing who resembles a young Elizabeth Taylor. I imagine you've heard this before or maybe I'm just older than anyone you know!

Blessings and thank you for the inspirational blog.

Lauren said...

Oh Karen, that is so so incredibly kind of you to say. Thank you!
When I was a child my Mom used to say I looked like a young Elizabeth Taylor. I only wish that was true, (Moms can be a bit biased). LOl. But thank you. Oh! I really like Sherilyn Fenn. You are too kind! <3

I can really related to what you are saying about not wanting to put the chemicals on your head every several weeks. I feel the same. Although it's not the easiest "adventure" to grow out one's gray, it is so so sooooo wonderful in the end. You just feel free!!! :)

I hope it's the same for you if you go for it Karen. Oh, and most people will know that you are your fiver-year-old's Mom. And if a few are mistaken, it's their issue for thinking that gray can only = old, not unique and radiant! <3
xoxoxoxo

KatyR said...

I'm so pleased I looked at your products page.

I'm about 7 months into growing my hair colour out. It looks a complete mess at the moment, but if I cover up the sides and just looks at the few inches of roots I know it will look lovely once it's all grown out. It's still quite dark with a lot of grey running through, but more towards the front than at the the back. I have one patch that is pure white though.

I'm from England, so most of the products you use are too expensive for me to buy and ship here. However, I've seen you've recommended white hot products from here, which means I can buy them and not have to pay international shipping. I've just ordered them so will let you know how I get on!

Katy xx

Unknown said...

Hi Lauren,

thank you for your incredible site. You have been extremely inspirational. I cut my hair very short 5 weeks ago to get rid of all my artificial color and I AM SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED. My question is: at what point do I have to start using a blue shampoo and conditioner? I would say that my hair is about 40 to 50% white. Should I wait until it is a bit longer? I find it a bit contradictory to get rid, on one hand, of chemical dye, and then on the other hand, to start using a chemical blue shampoo. Is there a way to do it naturally?

thanks for your advise! I really appreciate it!

Unknown said...

Hi Lauren,

thank you for your incredible site. You have been extremely inspirational. I cut my hair very short 5 weeks ago to get rid of all my artificial color and I AM SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED. My question is: at what point do I have to start using a blue shampoo and conditioner? I would say that my hair is about 40 to 50% white. Should I wait until it is a bit longer? I find it a bit contradictory to get rid, on one hand, of chemical dye, and then on the other hand, to start using a chemical blue shampoo. Is there a way to do it naturally?

thanks for your advise! I really appreciate it!

Lauren said...

Hi Julie!!! It's so nice to meet you, thank you for stopping by!!! <3
Congratulations on the start of your adventure! So glad that it's been good so far. :)

You have two great questions. I would say that a great time to start using blue or purple shampoo and conditioner, is once your white hair begins to look a bit dull or yellowed. This will be different for everybody. It depends on how light your gray is, how much heat styling you use, styling products...etc... If you feel that you need a boost in brightness, go for it!

I hear you so much about looking for a more natural, chemical-free blue shampoo. Unfortunately, I haven't come across a truly natural product, but, I like Aveda's Blue Malva shampoo and also, Joico's Color Endure shampoo and conditioner in VIOLET. Their products are sulfate and paraben free.

I hope this helps you out Julie. Thank you so much again for writing. Let me know if I can do more to help!
xoxoxox,
Lauren