Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner {Product Review}

Our family is a natural product loving family. We actively seek out products that are chemical and toxin free to use in our home and on our bodies. One of the areas we are currently working on improving is that of our hair care products. I'm especially looking for something that will help protect the color in my hair (my once a year splurge! LOL), provide lift and volume, protect me from split ends, and if possible clear up my dandruff. When I learned of the opportunity to do a product review of Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner from Koru Naturals, I was eager to put it to the test.

Product Information

Koru Naturals is a company with deep New Zealand roots. They began to bring in things like active manuka honey, lanolin, tea tree, manuka oil, rosehip oil and Rotorua mud from New Zealand to the United States, to share in the richness what New Zealand had to offer in the line of beauty products. In 2002, they opened their store for the world to enjoy and have been providing high quality natural products ever since.

One of their top products is their Emu Oil. The Emu Oil is available in several sizes (2 oz, 4oz and 8 oz) and is traditional Australian Aboriginal natural oil. It has not been clarified like many other brands, and retains the original minerals and vitamins it's so known for. Emu oil is recognized for being able to really penetrate the skin, but without clogging up pores. It's an excellent topical moisturizer and is also hypoallergenic!

Another product that is rapidly gaining popularity is the Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner. This hair product combo (8oz ea) contains the special New Zealand ingredients, manuka oil and manuka honey. These unique products from the Wild Manuka Tree, will "rid hair of impurities, act as natural antiseptic, and will leave your hair full of vitality and shine." Each of these products also contain renown ingredients like aloe leaf, roman chamomile, rosehip, lavender, and peppermint to help provide a great product for maintaining hair health. There is a larger demand for better quality hair products without many of the big no-no chemicals--these hair products will help fill that demand as they are also sulfate and paraben free!

I was given both the Emu Oil (2 oz retailing at $9.95 USD) and the Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner (set of 8 oz bottles retailing at $14.95) to review.

*Because of my religious beliefs regarding clean and unclean animals, I did not use the Emu Oil with my family, so my review will be focused on my experiences with the shampoo and conditioner.

How Did I Use this Product?

I usually wash my hair about 4 times a week--roughly every other day. I decided I would use these products for at least 3 of those washings. The first time I used it, I washed my hair in the sink (I usually wash it in the shower) so that I could follow the exact directions:

Shampoo: First, wet hair completely. Pour a small amount of shampoo depending on hair length into the palm of your hand. Massage the shampoo into the scalp, working through your hair, covering the entire hair shaft from root to tip. Wait 3-5 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water.

Conditioner: Apply to wet hair. Using hands or comb work conditioner through covering the entire hair shaft from root to end. Leave in for 1 to 5 minutes depending on how deeply you wish to condition. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use as often as needed.

I felt the tingle of the peppermint oil as soon as I got it massaged into my scalp. It smells a bit--minty, but with hint of other oils. It's not like "wow! That smells great!" but it didn't stink to me.

One thing that I noticed is that because it is sulfate free, it doesn't lather up like most shampoos. I am used to this already, but had to remind myself that I didn't need twice the amount to make up for the lack of lather. It seemed like it didn't cover my hair with enough shampoo, but I kept doing it the same way as I always would. It felt good to let it sit on my scalp during the waiting time. I waited for about 3 minutes before rinsing off. I usually use hot water, so the lukewarm was a bit different but I chose to do it as instructed. (I've heard it's better to wash your hair with luke warm water anyways.)

I used the conditioner as directed as well. I allowed it to sit for 3 minutes  in my hair before rinsing. I then chose to blow dry my hair.

I noticed a few things right away...

#1 My hair dried more quickly
#2 My hair was super soft!

I have very thick and long hair. It usually takes a long time for my hair to dry whether air or blow dried. But I noticed that after washing my hair with this shampoo and conditioner, my hair dried super quickly and wow--my hair was so soft! I have used many hair products throughout my life, but this was the softest my hair has ever been. And that's saying something! My hair felt light and had great volume.

I was curious how the products would do with my hair, since I also have colored hair and am always worried something will mess it up. I found that it almost enhanced the color. My hair looked incredible and my hubby thought so too.

Since then, I have continued to use it about three times a week and I always use it on Saturday--since that is my Sabbath and the one day a week I "dress up" and actually do my hair. The products have continued to provide these results every time that I use it. It is ideal when I blow dry it right away after it's washed. Love-Of-My-Life thinks it looks amazing and really likes the way it looks when I do it the whole way from wash to dry!

Thoughts on the Product

I really like the hair products. They just made my scalp and hair FEEL good. I have never had any shampoo or conditioner make my hair so soft and light. Love-Of-My-Life also used the hair products and while he was NOT a fan of the smell, he did think they worked great and he too thought his hair was softer than ever before. He also liked how my hair looked once it was dried. He says it just looked as soft as it felt.

While he didn't like the smell, I didn't mind it. Does it smell delicious? No. LOL. Does it smell good? Um, not really. But, I am also an essential oil user and am used to all KIND of scents--so this particular one doesn't smell any worse than what I'm used to. I also liked the little bit of tingle the peppermint essential oil in the products gave my scalp.

I was hoping that a "side effect" of using the hair products would be to improve my dandruff problems, and maybe it would after exclusive use. I didn't notice any improvement in the time I used the products. But since I have REALLY bad dandruff that I'm trying to get rid of, I still used my dandruff shampoo once or twice between using the manuka shampoo/conditioner. At some point I might do an experiment where I ONLY use the manuka shampoo/conditioner for about 3 weeks and see what happens as I know you need to "Detoxify" your scalp sometimes to make it go away. But since I don't like having flakes when I go to church (my one time a week I dress up! LOL!), I haven't experimented with it yet.

Cons?

While the manuka shampoo and honey conditioner are toted to have no sulfates or parabens (which is great news!), there are still a few ingredients I'm not totally fond of and are found on many of the "chemicals to avoid" lists: Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Tetrasodium EDTA, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (to name a few) are found in these products. These are ingredients that are "no-nos" for people wanting to go with chemically free products. As you know, I try to go as chemical free as I can in our household and that includes my beauty products. As I said earlier, I'm working on finding a shampoo/conditioner that fits the bill--and while these hair products are DEFINITELY healthier for you than most commercial hair products, they still aren't free of all the bad stuff I want to avoid.

Let me mention size real quick. These are 8oz bottles. I go through 8 oz bottles of shampoo like nothing because I have long thick hair. After using these products about 3 times a week for the last few weeks, I'm already at least half way through my bottles. For someone like my husband, an 8 oz bottle can last a long time--I cannot make it go that far. Thus I have to take that into consideration when I look at the price. While $14.95 for the set of 2 bottles isn't that dreadful, $7 a bottle is MORE than I'd feel comfortable paying, even for a 10 oz, much less an 8 oz. So in my case, it's NOT a good buy, because I would be using a bottle about every 2 months. Less for the conditioner! I need my bottles to last longer than that to meet my budget. I have seen other organic/natural hair products with similar ingredients (though not exact) which are priced less and are larger bottles that I would choose first.

Would I Recommend Koru Naturals products?

Although I did not personally use the Emu Oil, I have heard that is a top choice for dealing with eczema and other skin problems. Many of my friends use Emu Oil with great success and love the way it deals with their eczema and psoriasis, as well as just the dry hands and skin from winter weather. I know that it is highly rated as natural addition to your daily moisturizing routine by many sources. Simply type in "Benefits of Emu Oil" on a search engine to see them. One of my mom friends just this week commented how she loved her Emu Oil (not Koru Naturals brand) and was bummed that she was all out. When I offered her mine, she was ecstatic!

As for the shampoo and conditioner, I really really like it. I am always on the lookout for new organic or natural alternatives to standard shampoo. I am satisfied with the way it makes my hair look and feel. Especially the feel. I think that with regular use of the product, my hair just felt healthier. While it's not "perfect" in regards to being completely "bad" chemical free, it is a vast improvement over the majority of the products out there. I recommend this product to anyone looking for a more natural shampoo that still provides high quality. I also think that the $14.95 for the set is very reasonable--if you have SHORT or thin hair where you aren't using more than a dime size amount with each washing, especially considering it is a higher quality product with more natural ingredients.

Will I buy myself more when this runs out? Hmm. I might buy a set to use once a week for when we go to church and I want my hair to look its best. But it's just not financially sustainable with the amount of product it takes me to wash my hair--regardless of how GOOD for me the product is. It's definitely a splurge for my budget.

What would make it more reasonable? The same price with a much bigger bottle.

Want to Know More?

I reviewed the Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner($14.95 for set of 8 oz bottles) and Emu Oil (2 oz $9.85). There were several other products reviewed by our team, so I hope you will go and see what else Koru Naturals has to offer!

Want to stay in the know with Koru Naturals? You can find them on these social media networks!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korunaturals
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/korunaturals/


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Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #149 ~ July 23rd

I am always eager to see the questions that Patrice has for us each week on Everyday Ruralty...here are my answers for week #149!

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

1. Other than those who live in your home, who's the last person who came to your front door?

That is easy. My piano student. Those are the main non-family members who grace my doorstep!

2. Do you have many photos around your home?

No. I have many printed out but I am HORRIBLE about actually getting them framed and up on the wall. Like I have photos from when my boys were 2 years younger that need to go up. They've been printed off for QUITE awhile...but sadly not in a frame yet. (note to self: buy frames for those pictures)

3. Do you like mint? Is there a favorite type of mint for you? How do you enjoy it?

I do like mint. I actually think I prefer spearmint. I have really learned this since using my essential oils. I love the many things that peppermint oil is used for health-wise...but I greatly prefer the smell of spearmint in my diffuser. It's like a happy smell. Spearmint and Lime is one of my favorite combos for my diffuser. I also prefer spearmint gum to peppermint gum. Same thing for tea...though lately I've enjoyed mixing the two loose herbs together. Yum!

4. Do you enjoy your own parties and other times with guests, or are you so busy working...?

I do love parties and guests! But living on the farm we don't do it very often. I had a delightful big BBQ planned for a bunch of my fellow homeschooling friends here, but then my grandpa died and I had to fly back to his memorial the week right before the BBQ was going to be. Big bummer. But everyone promised to "Save the Date" for a fall BBQ in a couple months. Looking forward to that. I love being hospitable!

5. What do you want to be when you grow up more? Job, hobby, self improvement, etc.

Better at the many "jobs" I already do. Predominately I want to be less "fly by the seat of my pants" and more organized and goal driven. This is something that was brought to my attention in my soul searching while reading the latest book I reviewed Flourish: Balance for Homeschool Moms. (You can read my review on the book if you haven't already)

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I am excited to announce that on Sunday I will be kicking off a Flourish giveaway! I am giving away two copies of the book because I just have enjoyed it and love it so much--I want these books to help two MORE moms!

Make sure you subscribe via email (see upper left sidebar) to stay up to date on the giveaway--or you can *like* Farm Fresh Adventures on Facebook to stay in the know!

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #147

Click here to add YOUR answers!

Patrice at Everyday Ruralty has another great collection of questions for our link up this week. I just love having the bits of randomness to share. 
The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you!

1. Do you like cucumbers? Is there a favorite way for you to prepare them?

No. I am not a cucumber fan unless in the form of sweet pickles. I do enjoy pickles and canning pickles. We lost our whole crop last year (as did most of the gardens in our area) due to a horrible blight, but this year they are looking lovely! 

I really enjoy using my re-usable canning lids when I can now. They work perfectly and eliminate the lid cost each year. I can get them in wide mouth and regular mouth which is perfect. I prefer using wide mouth jars for things just like pickles! Lots of hands go into those jars! LOL! When we are done using a jar, we just put the reusable lids in a ziplock bag in the pantry. 

2. How good a housekeeper are you?

Define good...I enjoy a clean and tidy house, but I am definitely not OCD about it. In fact I am rather...ahem...messy at times. My house looks lived in, but I do enjoy a sparkling clean kitchen and bathroom! :) Just ignore the cobwebs and dustbunnies everywhere else.

3. Please finish this: To spend a day____________would be amazing!

To spend a day....zip lining and/or white water rafting would be amazing! I love both of those things and haven't done them in awhile. I always wanted to do one of those really big ziplines where you go for a few miles over a rainforest or something. But I also love white water rafting and haven't been in about 12 years.

4. How do you handle times when you are "down" or "blue"( depressed )?

I have a few things I like to do:

*I put on some good music...usually the classic oldies. You can't help but get cheerful when "Splish Splash" comes on.

*I spend some time chatting with my friends. They always make me feel better.

*I open up the Psalms. King David can bring anyone out of the dumps!

And when I'm REALLY in the dumps--which like hardly ever happens--

*I get down on my knees and start counting my blessings and thanking God. I don't go very far before I realize I have nothing to be depressed about.

But I'm very much a glass half full kind of person so I hardly EVER get blue...

5. Have you started using essential oils, since they have become so popular?

Oh yes. If you are a regular reader you know that I totally love my essential oils. I've been using them regularly for about 2 years now. I own about 25 singles or blends and use them daily. I purchase oils from three companies that I am very very happy with: Mountain Rose Herbs, Aura Cacia and doTERRA. Most of my oils are from Mountain Rose Herbs and Aura Cacia--as they are singles. I have had great success with them both and believe they are each high quality--and I've heard and read that they are both ranked in the top 5 oils...side by side with Young Living and doTERRA. I use doTERRA exclusively for oil blends. My favorite blends have some expensive single oils in them, so it is far less expensive for me to buy them pre-blended instead of trying to blend them myself. My favorite blends are: Breathe, On Guard and Serenity. I don't sell oils--but I read and learn about them as much as possible to help my family and friends. We have had great success with them--especially for every day ailments like colds, fevers, wounds, stings and sore muscles. 

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I am so thankful to be home from my whirlwind trip back to WA for my grandpa's memorial service. My boys are happy to have me back. I'm thankful to be back in the country away from the city. I'm happy to pick my green beans and lettuce. To hang my clothes out on the line. Sigh. I love this country life.

5 Days of Favorite Family Recipes: Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

So far this week I've share recipes for Australian Damper Loaf and Beef Tacos w/DIY Taco Seasoning...but today I'm going to take a step back from food and share with you a Favorite Family Recipe that is good for you...to clean with!

We threw out our store bought cleaners, once I started making my own versions with MUCH healthier and safer ingredients. I've discovered that my cleaners work just as well (and sometimes even BETTER) than anything that I've used before. And they still smell good and are good for sanitizing my home! After looking at several different recipes and trying out different ingredients, I recently came up with a *favorite* ingredient combo for a Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner that I want to share with you!

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links. 

Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

The best place to find the large 28-oz empty spray bottles is a dollar store--they have them at Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree. WalMart is another option or any other grocery store with cleaning products. But the best price is going to be your dollar stores. Make sure you label it after it's filled up so you don't forget what is in it! Especially if you have several of them with homemade mixes!

To fill the bottle, I suggest a funnel. It offers you the highest chance of success...take this advice from one who had to clean up her counter when she tried to "freehand" the pouring of the liquids. LOL! 

I have tried recipes that call for vinegar and not the alcohol. They work good. But there is something about this one that seems to work better on my counters for taking off dried yucky stuff. You could use Vodka in it's place if you so desire.

You can buy a box of washing soda at most grocery stores in the laundry detergent section. This recipe calls for a tiny amount, but washing soda is in a lot of other homemade cleaners AND you can use it in my Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent recipe too. It's also great as a general add in for laundry.

Liquid castile soap can usually be found in stores with organic or natural food and body products sections. I know you can get it at Fred Meyers, Kroger, Jungle Jims, and Trader Joe's to name a few. I like to use the citrus scented one in my cleaners, but any will work.

I have tried a LOT of different essential oil combinations in my cleaners. The main ones that you find in recipes across the board for homemade versions are usually Lavender, Rosemary, Lemon and Tea Tree. This is because these are disinfectant wonders! Not only do they have incredible anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, but they smell good too!

If you count up the drops of essential oil it adds up to 25 drops of oil. If you don’t have some of these that I have listed, you are more than able to change them out for what you do have! Simply adjust the number of drops for the oils you have!

Here are some other anti-microbial essential oils that you could try too:

Basil, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Fir, Juniper, Lemongrass, Orange, Oregano, Peppermint, Pine

If you have a name brand oil blend like Thieves (Young Living), Purify (doTerra), or something similar, you could use that too! I like to swap out the Lemon and Lime, replacing them with 5 drops of Purify when using this recipe. Are you seeking a supplier of essential oil--maybe even looking for organic essential oils? I have nothing but good to say about the quality of the essential oils I have purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs.  They are one of the few companies that carries certified organic essential oils. They are very high quality and I have purchased nearly all of my single oils from them. Their price is very reasonable and you can order straight from their website. They carry a wide range of oils--including the exotic ones.
Enjoy using this fresh smelling and disinfecting all-purpose cleaner for your counters, cabinets, refrigerator, blinds, tile, sinks, tubs...just about anything with a surface that needs cleaning!  (Except laminate floors. It's too harsh for that. Trust me on this one.)
Print the recipe for Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
***** I'd love for you to pop over and see what other things are going to be covered by our crew this week!

To make it even easier, here are some of the ladies who are participating with me in this great series this week--if you start with them, I know you will find something that is interesting for you!

Anne Marie @ Future.Flying.Saucers ~ Christian Worldview 101

Marya @ Suncoast Momma ~ Homeschooling Special Needs

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break ~ Ordinary Homeschooling

Dawn @ Double O Farms ~ Helping Your Struggling Learner

Gena @ I Choose Joy! ~ Homeschooling Middle School

Christine @ Our Homeschool Reviews ~ Free and Frugal Homeschooling

Monique @ Living Life and Learning ~ Homeschooling with Lapbooks

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor ~ Diagramming the Proverbs