My Clean Beauty Hair Journey
This is my natural hair care journey — rooted in the belief that beauty begins on the inside.
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✨ How it started
This journey began with a mindset shift: that if I wanted to feel better, I had to start taking care of what was happening inside my body first.
Over the years, I have begun to understand that our gut is where our attention should be going to address so many of our healthy concerns. Still, for me specifically, the focus of gut health was to aid in my healing of acid reflux in a way that wasn’t prescription-based. I also knew that our skin is our largest organ, and what we put on it and in it gets absorbed. And when I learned that the gut microbiome directly affects the scalp, skin, hair, and brain, I knew I was on to something.
My goal wasn’t just better hair. It was a healthier lifestyle. One that honored my body, my values, and my long-term well-being.
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📅 A Timeline of Change
1. Healing My Gut (≈ 3 Years Ago)
I was struggling with acid reflux almost daily and started taking Arbonne’s GreenSynergy Elixir to aid in digestive health. What I thought was just a digestive aid has become so much more.
This plant-based powder supports gut balance with:
• Prebiotics & Probiotics (for digestion + immune function)
• Spirulina & Chlorella (detoxifying greens)
• Biotin & Vitamin C (for skin + hair)
• Hyaluronic Acid (for hydration + skin elasticity)
By nourishing my gut microbiome, I unknowingly supported the scalp microbiome, laying the foundation for healthier hair growth.
When your gut is in balance, your whole body starts to thrive.
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2. Switching Dry Shampoo After Daily Headaches (≈ 9–12 Months Ago)
I used a generic dry aerosol dry shampoo for many years, but about 4 years ago, I started experiencing headaches nearly every day. When I looked closer, I saw that my aerosol contained butane, isobutane, and propane — propellants that can be toxic when absorbed through the scalp or inhaled frequently. This alarmed me tremendously.
That’s when I discovered RENJORD’s Lift & Refresh Dry Shampoo — a vegan, organic, plant-based, and hand-curated alternative created by a former hairstylist passionate about sustainably delivering beautiful natural hair.
Swapping this one product helped almost eliminate my headaches (literally) and the chemical load on my scalp.
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3. Balancing My Scalp’s pH (≈ 9–12 Months Ago)
Even with cleaner products, my scalp was still dry and flaky. And I couldn’t help but be embarrassed that as a former hairstylist, I had dandruff! RENJORD’s Balancing Tonicbecame the missing piece. It restored hydration and brought my scalp back into a normal ph balance — no more itchiness or buildup. This meant a cleaner base for growing healthy hair!
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4. Solid Shampoo Bars (≈ 1.5 Years Ago)
I have used Viori’s solid shampoo bars for nearly two years. They are plastic-free, made with natural ingredients, and gentle on your hair and the planet.
This was a major shift away from conventional shampoo bottles, which contained sulfates and synthetic fragrance.
I still use them for travel due to their ease of packing!
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5. My Current Routine: Arbonne Haircare (Most Recent)
Now, I use Arbonne’s new clean haircare system, which includes:
• 🧴 Shampoo & Conditioner – clean, nourishing, and silicone-free to promote lasting shine
• 💧 Scalp Elixir – promotes hydration and a balanced scalp ecosystem while promoting fuller looking hair
• 🔥 Heat Protectant Oil – protects without buildup or synthetic chemicals
Arbonne products are B Corp Certified, plant-based, and aligned with my values — clean beauty that works.
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5. Letting Go of Hair Color (≈ 1 Year Ago)
Coloring my hair had been part of my routine for years, but I started to feel the call to return to my natural shade. This isn’t for everyone, and I can respect that. Do you, boo!
However, as it grew out and I cut off the parts that contained traces of lightener and color, the healthiest texture, natural color, and shine I’ve ever experienced emerged.
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Our skin is our largest organ. It’s not just a barrier — it’s also highly permeable. That means many of the products we apply topically can be absorbed directly into our bloodstream, lymphatic system, and cells, depending on their molecular size and ingredients. Your body doesn’t just “filter out” toxins from products. When we apply things like:
synthetic fragrance
aerosol propellants
chemical preservatives
silicones and sulfates
…we’re potentially exposing our organs, endocrine, and immune systems to things they were never meant to handle.
Those intricate parts and systems of our body determine how we function and feel!
That’s why choosing natural, plant-based, and transparent products isn’t just about what’s trendy — it’s about protecting your long-term health.
My goal wasn’t just better hair. It was a healthier lifestyle.
What I Know for Sure:
🪴 You don’t have to change everything at once.
🌼 You can glow naturally, without harsh chemicals.
🌿 And true beauty? It does begin on the inside.
💭 Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of switching to natural products, here’s what I want you to know:
👉 You don’t have to change everything at once.
👉 You can trust your body to tell you what’s working.
👉 It starts with just one small change.
Because when your inside is taken care of, your outside can shine.
That’s what I mean when I say:
💚 Beauty begins on the inside.
Want to try some of my faves?
Here’s the complete list:
🔗 Viori Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Let me know if you want help curating your clean beauty routine — I’m always happy to chat and recommend what’s worked best for me. 💌
With love + clean hair,
Ashley