Briogeo

OK, how good does this summer fruit trio sound — mango with cherry and papaya? Yum, right! I would totally smash that in a triple fruit smoothie, which is why it’s funny there’s a line on the Briogeo website for their new mango-cherry-papaya shampoo and conditioner that states, “External use only. Do not eat.” HA HA HA! Gotta make sure the hungry people don’t go eating their hair care products. ?

The Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner are the latest dynamic duo to join the Briogeo Superfoods collection, which is their line of shampoos and conditioners made with yummy-sounding ingredients — apple, banana, coconut, avocado and kale (yes, some people like kale). Like all Briogeo hair products, it’s silicone-free, cruelty-free and vegan, and antioxidants are front and center:

This sulfate-free and silicone-free shampoo and conditioner duo harnesses the power of papaya enzymes to help balance oil production on hair and scalp. The formula also contains antioxidant-rich fruits, vitamins, and nutrients to support healthy-looking hair. The shampoo is formulated with 93% naturally derived ingredients, and the conditioner is formulated with 96% naturally derived ingredients.

— briogeo.com

If you often find yourself with greasy roots (it happens to the best of us), this set could be your jam. I’ve been using both the shampoo and conditioner after super sweaty workouts, and when we’ve had very hot days (of which we’ve had a few lately), and I like them a lot.

The shampoo lathers up into luxurious, creamy bubbles, and my hair feels clean but not stripped after I rinse the product out. The conditioner’s lovely too. It makes my hair feel silky, yet light and bouncy at the same time, and not weighed down.

Oh, and the scent! It smells refreshing, delicious and unironically like a fresh smoothie made from cherries and mango…but I don’t pick up on any papaya notes.

For me, this set is as a once-or-twice a week clarifying treatment, rather than a daily sort of thing. If I use it for too many days back-to-back, my ends start feeling a little dry. But if your roots and scalp tend to build up oil very quickly, you might like using it every day, or every other day.

Briogeo Superfoods™ Mango + Cherry Balancing Shampoo
Water/Aqua/Eau, Cocamidopropyl Betaine*, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate*, Glycerin*, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Cerasus (Bitter Cherry) Fruit Extract*, Papain*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil*, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside*, Citric Acid*, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Juice*, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Panthenol, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract*, Sodium Benzoate, Punica Granatum Bark Extract*, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate*, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract*, Glyceryl Caprylate*, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate*, Sodium Surfactin*, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum), Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene CI 40800*

Briogeo Superfoods™ Mango + Cherry Balancing Conditioner
Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Behentrimonium Chloride*, Isopropyl Palmitate*, Brassica Alcohol*, Cetyl Esters*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Cerasus (Bitter Cherry) Fruit Extract*, Papain*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil*, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate*, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Behentrimonium Methosulfate*, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract*, Cetrimonium Chloride, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Juice*, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract*, Citric Acid*, Panthenol*, Punica Granatum Bark Extract*, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Fragrance (Parfum), Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene CI 40800*
*Coconut, vegetable, or plant derived

The shampoo and conditioner are $28 each for an 12.5-oz. bottle, which breaks down to $2.24 per ounce. You can purchase the two as a set for $49 and save a little bit of money ($1.96 per ounce).

Speaking of yummy things…I made a delicious lunch yesterday, if I do say so myself, and it took less than five minutes. Caribbean-style brown rice with black beans, pan-fried halloumi cheese made with avocado oil, and sauteed spinach.

I apologize for the severe lack of food styling, LOL! I was ravenous, and I also now have the bad habit of eating while still standing up in the kitchen. I don’t even bother to find a seat anymore. #momlife

I’ve been eating meatless meals lately, and this one was fast and filling. First, I warmed up a pre-made packet of Caribbean-style brown rice with black beans in the microwave. FYI, it’s not too spicy (I’m a wimp), and you can find it at Target by Good & Gather. Good & Gather also makes a ton of different pre-made microwaveable rice and grains side dishes in packets, and they’re all pretty good IMO.

Then, I sautéed a few big handfuls of fresh spinach coated with avocado oil spray in a nonstick pan. When the spinach wilted, I took it out, topped it with lemon pepper, and reused the same pan to fry the halloumi cheese. The spinach, avocado oil spray and halloumi cheese are all from Trader Joe’s.

Have you ever tried halloumi cheese? It’s a semi-firm cheese made from a mix of goat’s and sheep’s milk (occasionally, cow’s milk is also up in the mix) that hails from Cyprus, and it’s a favorite in Greek cooking. It’s similar to mozzarella in texture but has a high melting point, so you can fry or grill it without it turning into mushy goo. It’s great for getting some protein into a meatless meal, so if you see it at TJ’s or someplace else, grab it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen