MEET LAKSHMI
Hi! My name is Lakshmi, and I'm your average 20-something, caffeinated grad student. I'm Canadian; born Indian in Kuwait, raised in Canada, and currently studying in Switzerland. I have shameless one-way conversations with my Bull Mastiff, Masti (pictured below!) and I’m passionate about all things health and wellness.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TEXTURE OF YOUR HAIR?
My hair is a melting pot of different textures; this is part of the reason caring for it can be challenging! Under normal conditions, I have: oily roots, dry ends, course and prone-to-frizz hair, and 3A/B curls.
HOW DID YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR HAIR BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS?
I once discovered that I could eliminate frizz by straightening my hair. So, I allowed my hair to air-dry post-washes, then would run a straightener over its length. The problem? Avoiding exposure to the elements (i.e. water, humidity, wind, etc.) so that the style would last until my next wash, was both impractical and inconvenient. Blow-drying was a seemingly better bet; the results were more flattering, and they lasted longer. At this point, my regimen was: massage with coconut oil, shampoo, condition, blow-dry, use the straightener for in-between-days and repeat.
Wash days were strategically scheduled around social events. Time for styling was prioritized over bedtimes. Over the course of the next couple years, I had abnormal amounts of hair fall, scalp irritations, and lackluster length. In 2017, I donated 10 inches of my hair to cancer and decided to re-start my hair care journey.
Wash days were strategically scheduled around social events. Time for styling was prioritized over bedtimes. Over the course of the next couple years, I had abnormal amounts of hair fall, scalp irritations, and lackluster length. In 2017, I donated 10 inches of my hair to cancer and decided to re-start my hair care journey.
WHAT MADE YOU SEEK OUT THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS? HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE COMPANY?
Ayurveda, a holistic system of healing, is rooted in India and Hinduism. I was fortunate to have grown up in a household that encouraged similar lifestyle choices. Once I donated the 10 inches, I began online searches for haircare products with Ayurvedic herbs including: Bhringaraj, Brahmi, Amla, Tulsi and Neem. When I found The Innate Life, I was pleasantly surprised with their high-quality ingredient list, and that they were based in Canada!
WHAT SETS THE INNATE LIFE APART FROM OTHER COMPANIES IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?
The Innate Life has a clear value proposition: high-quality natural products at an affordable price, coupled with superior customer service and a transparent company culture.
WHAT IS YOUR HAIRCARE ROUTINE NOW?
PRE-WASH
The night before I wash my hair, I comb and section my hair with a wide-tooth wooden comb, and massage The Innate Life Problematic Scalp Treatment onto my scalp. I apply either a coconut oil, or The Innate Life Herbal Hair Mask onto the lengths, and sleep on a satin pillowcase with my hair in a braid or bun.
DURING WASH
The following morning, I shampoo and condition my hair, loosely following some form of 'the curly-hair method'. For me, this involves finger-curling/scrunching with conditioner and rinsing with cold water.
POST-WASH
I apply The Innate Life Rose Hair Elixir onto the ends, and allow my hair to air-dry into its natural curl pattern.
Over the course of the week, I alternate between co-washing (i.e. washing my hair with conditioner only), using DIY hair rinses/masks (i.e. diluted ACV, rice water, yogurt & lemon, etc.) and applying coconut oil or The Innate Life Rose Hair Elixir. In the evenings, I comb my hair and leave it in a braid or bun overnight. Admittedly, this also means my curls go away, as I refrain from using styling products (i.e. gels or mousses). It’s been three years since I’ve last used heat on my hair. I’ve since revived and embraced my all-natural curls.
HOW DID YOU SEE YOUR HAIR CHANGE AFTER USING THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS?
The Innate Life’s Scalp Treatment and Rose Hair Elixir addressed my general hair and scalp health. Perhaps more importantly, I continue to resonate with the philosophy of natural and non-toxic beauty that The Innate Life champions.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCT AND WHY?
Being a natural-beauty enthusiast, I’ve actually tried every product from The Innate Life collection! The one I continue to repurchase and recommend is the Problematic Scalp Treatment; I even brought this with me to Switzerland! Just like the nutritional value of food impacts growth and development, scalp health impacts the quality of hair growth. The Innate Life Scalp Treatment is a flagship product for everything hair health. It exfoliates, nourishes, hydrates, and clarifies the scalp!
HOW DOES THE INNATE LIFE FIT INTO A LIFESTYLE COMMITTED TO HEALTH + WELLNESS?
A quick Google Search defines 'innate' as a philosophy; something that is inborn. It's characteristic of one's own nature. It's a belonging to the essence of life. 'The Innate Life' company, embodies the innate life philosophy.
Tune into Lakshmi’s journey on her blog www.LakshmiMenon.ca and on YouTube/Instagram/Twittter, @lmenon01.