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Natural can be beautiful, especially when it comes to hairstyles. Here are on-trend styling options for three different hair lengths. Short: Simply Textured Work a pomade, like John Masters Organics Hair Paste, into slightly damp hair to capture air-dried waves with just the right amount of hold. Or, apply it to dry roots for instant volume, pulling it through ends to tame flyaways. Though a soft shine finish looks rich and polished by firelight, we love how this paste’s matte finish gives strands a fresh, modern touch. Medium: Tousled Lob Wrap strands around the barrel of a curling iron, winding away from the face. If your hair doesn’t take the curl that well, all the better. The goal is to create laid-back waves that softly frame your features while adding body and movement. Rub a balmy texturizer between your hands, then piece out curled sections for subtle definition, flexible hold, and slept-in texture. The beauty of using our John Masters Bourbon Vanilla & Tangerine Texturizer? You can revive volume anytime by giving hair a gentle rub. Long: Braided Updo Apply a leave-in treatment with a little hold, such as our John Masters Organics Hair Milk, then plait hair into two braids. Wrap them around your head and pin them on top, loosening a few carefree tendrils around the neck and face. Or, take those two braids—or a single side braid—and loop them into a low, messy or smooth, bun. Options are the name of this game…just make sure to spritz your final style with a light, natural hold hairspray. Try our John Masters Organics Hair Spray to keep strands tucked in and soft to the touch. Happy styling. 

Crisp air, crunchy leaves, vivid color displays. This season is rich in sensorial goodies for the eyes, ears, and mind. (Don’t worry, Mother Nature. We can take a hint.) Consider them her not-so-subtle way of telling us that it’s the perfect time to connect with the world around us…and reconnect with ourselves. Meditate on a falling leaf and its journey. Listen to the rustle of the Autumn trees. Find the beauty in your surroundings. With a fun and, admittedly, crazy, rush of celebrations just around the corner, use this season to remember, reflect, and re-center. It can help you reap max enjoyment from the moments to come and savor them like a steamy mug of cider. So, go on. Give this Fall a piece of your heart and mind with a few of our favorite ways to relax. In return, it’ll give you a little something we like to call peace of mind. Meditate mid-commute Morning commutes can play with your psyche—no matter the time of year. Crowded trains, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and don’t even get us started on hair-wrecking weather. But there’s a silver lining, we promise. That precious time is a great opportunity to meditate in motion. Plug into a calmer state of being with the Headspace app, which has daily mini mediation sessions to help start your day off right. Or, try recording your own for a customized version that’s honed into your personal needs. Try a new method Meditation isn’t everyone’s cup of chai tea. Consider gradually building your focus with this easy candle meditating trick and our John Masters Blood Orange & Vanilla Soy Wax Candle. For an alternative, find a creative outlet you love—like baking, sewing, sketching, knitting, or painting—and discover the peace and flow in the hands-on process. Or just start by uni-tasking, as in the complete opposite of multi-tasking. Exclusively doing one thing frees up your mind from distraction and can help you feel more present and less scattered. Check in with yourself, choose and commit to your task, then set a time frame. Go find some green Walking is great for the heart, but walking through green outdoor spaces, like a park or nature preserve, is also good for the mind. Multiple studies have proved that taking a lush stroll verse a street-side jaunt may help put the brain into a more zen-like state. How, you ask? It’s called “involuntary attention.” Walking through a calmer, park-like environment holds your attention, yet requires less effort and engagement, naturally giving the mind freedom to reflect on other things. With Fall’s clear skies, and dry, brisk weather, it’s the perfect time to stretch your legs and stimulate your mind. Just remember to walk slowly and let the beauty of the foliage sink in. Make the most of everyday moments Normal day-to-day movements and activities, such as brushing your teeth, sipping your coffee, and washing your face are incredibly convenient opportunities to reflect. Take applying a hair mask, like our new John Masters Hair Mask for Normal Hair with Rose & Apricot for example. Pay attention to the sound of the shower and the luxurious feel of the mask gliding through your strands. See? Anything can be turned into a ritual when given some mind space. Plus, giving your tresses a deep drink will help keep them healthy and happy.  Disconnect to re-connect We know, easier said than done. But disconnecting from your phone can help you focus on the things (and people) that really matter and improve your health, too. A 2015 Brigham Young University study found that technology interference or “technoference” can damage your relationships and psychological health (think increased stress, panic, and depression levels), but the biggest reveal was that your usage can make your partner depressed. If that’s not reason to power down, we’re not sure what is, but let’s start with baby steps. Try putting your phone on silent, leave it in another room to charge, and remove pop-up notifications. Jump into the season’s outdoor activities, like hiking or biking, that need both hands free, and remember to tell your partner they’re awesome. Hope you’re as inspired as we are to hop on Fall’s bandwagon and make it your most beautiful and mindful season yet.

SUMMER TIPS YOU NEED TO SQUEEZE IN Nothing slices through the heat better than the lively burst of something citrus. A wedge of lemon, lime, or orange gives water extra oomph. Lemonade. Margarita. Grapefruit spritzer. You get the idea. But the feel-good prowess of citrus doesn’t stop there. Along with boosting your spirit, immune system, and metabolism, it may have the power to protect your brain. Sound juicy? You bet it is. Read on to learn how it can keep your summer, skin, and body in bountiful balance. Defend Against Dementia    We’ve heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away…but how about a mandarin? According to a new study in the British Journal of Nutrition, people who eat citrus fruit daily may be less likely to get dementia…like 23% less likely. The study, including 13,000 elderly Japanese adults, showed a relation between those who ate citrus fruit every day with a lower chance of developing dementia after a six-year follow-up compared to those who ate it 2 or fewer times a week. Researchers believe the anti-inflammatory, flavonoid-rich tissue and juice of this produce, specifically mandarins, may help protect your brain and its precious neurons. More testing is needed to confirm their findings, but in the meantime, we’ll be wedging it up. Top your favorite breakfast with these golden goodies, or pack one to go, and trek on. Detox Your Skin When it comes to your skin, look to lemon, lime, even grapefruit, for a natural anti-aging solution. Rich in vitamin C, which helps fight free radicals in your body, these fruits hide another beautiful benefit. When applied to the skin, their gentle citric acids can help gently brighten and exfoliate, revealing a more luminous, clear complexion. Lemon and lime oils are also known for their cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties, making them great for blemish-prone or oily skin. To fight other signs of aging, grapefruit may just be your new go-to. It contains potassium and retinol antioxidants to help treat uneven skin tone, fine lines, and wrinkles. Try mixing juice from ½ a grapefruit, 1 tablespoon of honey, and ½ cup of oatmeal togethter for an age-defying face mask and John Masters Lemon & Lime Body Scrub, infused with lemon and lime oils, for a refreshing body buff. Glowy goddess, here we come. Drink In Health Skip your morning tea or coffee (gasp!) in favor of hot water and fresh lemon. The simple combination packs mighty benefits with a zesty kick. Lemon’s high mineral and vitamin content helps purge toxins from the body while the warm water activates your digestive track. Hello, speedier metabolism. The fruit’s potassium stimulates brain and nerve function, and its vitamin C boosts the immune system (a great tool for cold and flu season). Its skills don’t stop there. From fighting hunger cravings to clearing up problem skin to balancing your body’s pH, it’s a combination that may be worth the caffeine sacrifice. Add a touch of honey or turmeric to make it more your style.  @thebarefoothousewife Brighten Your Mood & More Scents are pretty powerful things. They can transport you, conjure a memory, or give you a sense of peace. Take lavender. It used to be the calming queen bee, but study after study is proving orange essential oil to be an effective (and lasting) noninvasive treatment to reduce stress, fear, and anxiety. Lemon’s mild scent has been shown to improve cognitive performance and mood. And research shows that grapefuit’s aroma can help boost metabolism and reduce food cravings, with anecdotal evidence suggesting it can also curb depression and enhance memory. Try incorporating these refreshing scents into your practice by applying John Masters Sparking Citrus Roll-On Fragrance to pulse points. Or try your hand at a DIY Orange Spice Diffuser. Hollow out ½ of an orange, removing as much flesh as possible. Mix together ¾ cup sea salt, 5 drops cinnamon essential oil, and 1 tablespoon whole cloves. Spoon into the rind and place in your casa. Replace every 3-4 days.  Now, how’s that for juicy? Hope you squeeze every last drop of sweetness out your summer. 

It’s summertime and the living is easy breezy. Long days, warm nights, and the feeling of freedom and vacation even when you have to work the next morning. It’s a natural high that comes with the season, and we’ve been soaking up the sun’s good vibes at our favorite bodies of water—with a natural SPF, of course. Whether you’re trippin’ to the beach, driving to the pool, or diving into your favorite swimming hole, what you pack in your tote can make or break your lounging zen. Bring too much and you feel like a pack mule. Pack too little and you’re sure to miss something. We’ve rounded up our top 4 essentials loaded with practical purpose as well as luxury to make your experience extra special without weighing you down.   A nourishing, knot-busting detangler + combChlorine, salt water, even fresh water, can leave hair a tangled mess and the former can strip hair of nutrients that leave it zapped of strength and shine. The sun can also, essentially, suck the water out of your hair leaving it brittle and dry, too. A travel-sized detangler, like our Citrus & Neroli Detangler, is the small but mighty answer. Used post pool or ocean, this lightweight leave-in conditioner, quickly and gently busts through knots and nourishes hair with powerhouse blend of soy proteins, wheat amino acids, and moisturizing coconut oil. Sweep hair into a low bun or braid for a sleek look that’s ready to hit the streets. A moisturizing, skin-soothing face mistBecause sun exposure and other environmental elements can dehydrate skin, spritz on a skin-soothing mist—as often as you want—to replenish moisture in a jiffy. Take our travel-sized Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist, for example. In addition to rose flower oil to soothe sensitive skin and white tea, high in protective antioxidants, it helps reduce inflammation and hydrates parched complexions. Its portable mini size and uplifting scent, guaranteed to refresh the hottest scenes, doesn’t hurt either. A hydrating lippieYou should always have a good lippie on hand because, well, dry lips are no fun, and licking a parched pout repeatedly can remove skin’s natural hydrating lipids making the situation even worse. It’s giving us deserted-island nightmares just thinking about it. When you’re hitting the water is no exception. Applied pre-sunshine, an emollient balm, like our Lip Calm, helps lock in hydration and protect against chemicals, the sun’s rays, and wind. Look for ones that have organic oils, such as olive, borage, or jojoba, for huge boosts of moisture. A water bottle of cold-brewed teaSure, a bottle of plain h20 is the gold standard, but we’re taking basic up a notch. Nothing quenches your thirst—or delivers an energy kick—on a hot summer day like iced tea, right? Skip the powdered stuff, and whip up a batch of cold-brewed organic black or green tea for deep flavor with a smooth taste. We’re partial to the Organic Green Tea Purifying Apple & Kiwi and its dreamy blend of green tea, apple, coconut, cranberry and kiwi, but choose one that satisfies your taste buds. Pour it into a water bottle, along with some ice, to instantly refresh and rehydrate on the go. To make, fill a pitcher with water and add one sachet for every 4 cups of water. Let it steep overnight in the refrigerator for delicious cold-infused tea ready for your next dip.  We hope you guys are having a fun and safe summer!

"It's important for me to buy products that aren’t animal tested. I also think that the products that are organic and natural are better for your skin. John Masters Organics is good. My hair gets really dry and they have a mist that is extra hydrating" - said Rainey Qualley in an interview with IntoTheGloss  One of the mists she is talking about is our Sea Mist Sea Salt Spray with Lavender - an all-natural spritz for the perfect "beach-look" Now every day can be a day at the beach. The natural sea salt in this unique spray gives hair the same extra body it has after a day at the ocean, while certified-organic lavender protects hair from drying.  key ingredients sea salt - adds texture and volume lavender - normalizes scalp conditions; slows hair loss This sea salt adds amazing texture & volume to your hair. Also enhances your curls while lavender helps to protect the hair shaft. directions to use after shampooing and conditioning spray onto hair leave in use Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor after washing to keep hair in optimum condition      

It’s almost New Year’s Eve and your dress is ready to go…your hair is another story. What to do? The key is to work with your hair type, not against it. If you have straight hair, it’s best to go with a straight style. This is potentially the longest night of the year, so experiment with curls another time. Here are three hair types and tips to make sure your style stays put when you ring in the new year. Straight and sleek As your blowout fades, your biggest challenge is bedraggled locks that start to piece together as the night wears on. Ward this off by applying a quarter size amount of shine on leave-in hair treatment to towel dried hair. Blow dry as normal then smooth a small amount of hair pomade over the top to eliminate fly-aways and add shine. At midnight, you’ll kiss with confidence. Curly and carefree As you get tired, so will your curls. Help them live up to their full potential all night long by applying a nickel size amount of rose & apricot hair milk through towel dried hair down to the ends. Blow dry with diffuser, then scrunch a few drops of dry hair nourishment & defrizzer into ends to add moisture and eliminate frizz. You dance, your curls bounce. Wavy and layered Three words: Volume. Volume. Volume. Work our volumizing foam into the roots of damp hair then blow dry upside down. Use a 2-inch curling iron for soft waves, then run a pea size amount of bourbon vanilla & tangerine hair texturizer through hair for a piecey, natural look. Hold in place with our USDA-certified organic hair spray. Now you just have to worry about your shoes.

It’s the holiday homestretch, and besides all that’s wonderful and amazing…you’ve discovered a bit of a problem.  There. Is. Still. So. Much. To. Do. And your stress level is skyrocketing.  How to deal?  The trick is to treat your downtime like any other activity: Schedule it. Let’s face it, you’re already multi-tasking, so here are three ways to incorporate some much needed “me time.”  1. RSVPing to that holiday party this weekend? Before you sign off, book that new a.m. yoga class you’ve been eyeing. It’ll take 30 seconds and the payoff will last days.  2. Instead of late-night couch surfing (read: online shopping) for last-minute gifts, grab your tablet and head to the corner coffee shop. A cup of tea will soothe the senses while you add to bag.  3. Visiting relatives out of city bounds? Plan to take the long way. Stop for a selfie here and there among the natural surroundings. The fresh air works wonders.  Try it. Put yourself at the top of your “to-do list” and see how much more enjoyable the holiday season can be.

We can all use a little reboot whether it be from a busy work schedule or the demands of family and friends. Maybe just reading about these amazing places can inspire you to bring a little healing home. These are three of our faves for varying reasons…enjoy. Gora Kadan Hakone Located in the picturesque Hakone region, a national park area full of mineral hot springs and stunning natural beauty, Gora Kadan is a ‘ryokan’ or traditional Japanese guest house. A former retreat of the Imperial Family, the exquisite, minimalist rooms invite you to slow down and immerse yourself in an ancient way of life. The luxury and simplicity will leave an indelible impression on your mind, body, and spirit. (www.gorakadan.com) Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa For an unforgettable retreat with a focus on sustainable living, try the Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa, in the High Sonoran Desert north of Tucson. Consistently ranked as one of the world’s top destination spas, this all-inclusive resort offers fitness opportunities from yoga to rock climbing to horseback riding, as well as guided hikes in the beautiful Catalina Mountains. (www.miravalresorts.com) La Reserve Spa Ramatuelle With all the grand pampering of a Swiss-style spa in an idyllic setting on the French Riviera, La Reserve Ramatuelle has a different vision of luxury. Nestled in the hills above Saint Tropez, you can experience a completely personalized program tailored to your needs. Their multi-disciplinary team of therapists offers the latest advances in health, fitness, and aesthetics—including beauty treatments to rejuvenate both body and spirit. (www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com)

Autumn is in the air.  The weather is cooling, the days are getting shorter, we begin to see pumpkin-spice everything and squash is abundant at the farmer’s market.  The chilly nights inspire me to roast vegetables and Spaghetti squash is one of my fall favorites for it’s versatility and ability to satisfy my Italian food cravings without actually eating pasta.  This recipe is simple and saves well which suits our home nicely.   Ingredients 1 medium spaghetti squash 5 medium tomatoes chopped 1/2 medium onion 3 cloves of garlic chopped olive oil salt to taste 2 cups fresh spinach 2 tablespoons pine nuts 4 fresh basil leaves 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Parmesan cheese to sprinkle Process Cut squash in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds.  Roast at 425 degrees for 35 minutes. While squash is roasting, chop onion and garlic and add to cast iron.  Saute for five minutes or until translucent. Add tomatoes and saute on low for 20 minutes or until desired consistency.  Add spinach and continue to cook on low for an additional 5 minutes Add red pepper flakes and salt. Remove squash from the oven and allow to cool.   Once cooled, scrape out the squash meat and add to the cast iron.  Mix together. To serve, top with 1 chopped basil leaf, a sprinkle of Parmesan and 1/2 tablespoon pine nuts. Enjoy with people you love.