MEET EMILY
Hi, I'm Emily! I am always learning more about myself and who I am. Despite being an introvert, I have a fairly adventurous decade behind me. I threw myself into tons of new experiences all over the world, both personal and professional, that run the gamut from intensive meditation courses, subsistence fishing, and esoteric farming, to more formal pursuits like graduate studies.
I'm now happily settling down into some routine in my life. I would describe myself as a little hobbit that loves simple pleasures. I love my job working professionally with animals and always seem to fall a little bit short of getting enough sleep at night! I value peace, equity, love, knowing myself, and being grounded. I strive for this, a little at a time, in all areas of my life now. I'm getting married next year and I'm so happy to know my hair will look fabulous at my wedding!
I am a physically active person who trains Brazilian martial arts and dabbles in CrossFit. I love music and dancing. I have a love of living, growing things - animals, plants, gardening. I love to bake and eat delicious food. Spending time outside is a must for me – walking, hiking, or camping. I have some training in herbalism and really enjoy making my own tea and oil infusions for personal use. I also spend a lot of time developing my spirituality through nature, dance, and community with friends and peers.
I'm now happily settling down into some routine in my life. I would describe myself as a little hobbit that loves simple pleasures. I love my job working professionally with animals and always seem to fall a little bit short of getting enough sleep at night! I value peace, equity, love, knowing myself, and being grounded. I strive for this, a little at a time, in all areas of my life now. I'm getting married next year and I'm so happy to know my hair will look fabulous at my wedding!
I am a physically active person who trains Brazilian martial arts and dabbles in CrossFit. I love music and dancing. I have a love of living, growing things - animals, plants, gardening. I love to bake and eat delicious food. Spending time outside is a must for me – walking, hiking, or camping. I have some training in herbalism and really enjoy making my own tea and oil infusions for personal use. I also spend a lot of time developing my spirituality through nature, dance, and community with friends and peers.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TEXTURE OF YOUR HAIR?
I would describe my hair as fine and curly/wavy.
HOW DID YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR HAIR BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS?
For several years before I found The Innate Life, I was desperate to find a hair care routine that wouldn't weigh down my fine hair or frizz it out completely, or just leave it looking like damp straw. I tried the no-poo method on and off for several years, never being happy with the results: always greasy, lacked shine + luster, and I had a very difficult time styling it at all.
I have tried other companies who say that their products could deliver results based on an individualized approach to customer's hair, which left my hair dry, frizzy, and dull. I tried another brand's no-lather line on the recommendation of my sister, which – despite waiting several months for my scalp to 'adjust' to the no-lather formula – again left my hair feeling greasy, limp, and dull.
I tried several brands from my local natural food store's beauty department, all to no avail. Everything was always very extreme, either stripping my hair or leaving it feeling weighed down/greasy/not clean.
I even became so disillusioned that I started to make my own shampoo/conditioners as masks with DIY ingredients like honey, papaya, banana, and buckwheat flour, yogurt, and rice water to name a few. This helped some, but my hair was never fully clean, wasn't really shiny, and I didn't notice much growth during this time. It was a constant source of stress. I dreaded having to care for my hair and did not feel good about it at all! I also developed more consistent dandruff during this time and struggled to find a way to heal my scalp and have nice-looking hair.
I have tried other companies who say that their products could deliver results based on an individualized approach to customer's hair, which left my hair dry, frizzy, and dull. I tried another brand's no-lather line on the recommendation of my sister, which – despite waiting several months for my scalp to 'adjust' to the no-lather formula – again left my hair feeling greasy, limp, and dull.
I tried several brands from my local natural food store's beauty department, all to no avail. Everything was always very extreme, either stripping my hair or leaving it feeling weighed down/greasy/not clean.
I even became so disillusioned that I started to make my own shampoo/conditioners as masks with DIY ingredients like honey, papaya, banana, and buckwheat flour, yogurt, and rice water to name a few. This helped some, but my hair was never fully clean, wasn't really shiny, and I didn't notice much growth during this time. It was a constant source of stress. I dreaded having to care for my hair and did not feel good about it at all! I also developed more consistent dandruff during this time and struggled to find a way to heal my scalp and have nice-looking hair.
WHAT MADE YOU SEEK OUT THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS? HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE COMPANY?
I don't exactly remember, I was in the habit of looking pretty regularly for solutions to my hair issues (something I'm grateful I no longer have to spend time on). I think I was just searching different hair care routines and products for people with fine wavy hair and stumbled across The Innate Life.
WHAT SETS THE INNATE LIFE APART FROM OTHER COMPANIES IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?
The care taken in the ingredients selected for the products is top-notch. And that the products aren't insanely expensive. They don't need to rely on gimmicks or fancy marketing because they have plenty of proof to back up their products from real people. There's no need to cover anything up about their products because they actually nurture the natural scalp/hair connection to support healthy hair from the root, rather than covering hair in a shell of synthetic chemicals that only worsen hair and scalp health over time.
WHAT IS YOUR HAIRCARE ROUTINE NOW?
PRE-WASH
I use the Problematic Scalp Treatment and Herbal Hair Mask once a week. I apply both during a luxurious self-care time I've set aside for myself in about 30-45 mins, while I listen to a podcast or watch a show, wrap my hair in silk, and go to sleep. I wash it out the next morning.
DURING WASH
I use the Shampoo + Conditioner (discontinued) 2-3 times a week. I would ideally only wash once, which my hair can now look good after being washed only once a week since switching to the Innate Life, but I work with animals and feel the need to wash more regularly.
POST-WASH
I use the Rose Hair Elixir several times a week to freshen my hair. And I love the Neroli Hair Primer for either if I'm going to straighten my bangs or any part of my hair (not often), or if I want to vamp up my bedhead look by pumping up the volume but taming some of the fly-aways.
HOW DID YOU SEE YOUR HAIR CHANGE AFTER USING THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS?
I had so many family members and friends comment on how much healthier my hair looked after I switched. I was a few months in when a classmate pulled me aside and asked me how I had grown my hair so fast so quickly! This was during the height of the pandemic and I hadn't seen her for a few months. My sister commented on how shiny and intense the color was, and my mom asked if I had dyed my hair because the color looked so beautiful, rich, and lush. My texture improved dramatically and my hair now holds its natural wavy-curly texture for days beautifully. It almost looks more full and volumized the longer I wait in-between washing. I love my hair now!
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR YOU TO SEE RESULTS?
My hair grew about 4 inches in less than three months, and the luster, vibrancy, shine, and texture all changed within 4-6 weeks.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCT AND WHY?
I love the Problematic Scalp Treatment. This has been a major game-changer for my hair. I'll start with the application – the tingly sensation and smell are to die for. I love setting aside my hair time as special me-time every week. I love that this product nourishes my scalp and my hair from the roots rather than plunking some coating over it that will wear off – it's not treating symptoms but the root (haha!) issues. I have been amazed at the results I've seen with dandruff elimination – I do not have dandruff when I use this once a week, it completely re-balances my scalp.
WHO WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THESE PRODUCTS TO?
I would recommend these products to anyone tired of trying product after product with less-than-desirable results. Stop wasting your money! I also love supporting a small(er), woman-owned business, which aligns with my consumer values.
HOW DOES THE INNATE LIFE FIT INTO A LIFESTYLE COMMITTED TO HEALTH + WELLNESS?
These products don't just mask symptoms of deep hair and scalp issues, they have actually healed my hair from the inside out. They encourage me to take time out each week to nourish my hair which helps me slow down from my busy life and tune into myself and how I'm doing. I feel good about supporting a company that actually values the health of their customer's hair and helping it evolve rather than putting out products that just make hair sicker. And they source their ingredients in a good way, which is a rare find in the beauty industry.