Ch-ch-changes (part 1)

Of all the weird things I tried this month, the all-natural hair and skincare products are easily the least impressive. Well, I take that back; herbal supplements rank up there as well. But aside from a few nice things, I don't think I'll stick with any of it.

Keepers:

• The almond facial scrub and aloe facial lotion. Love them. Remember in Back to the Future II when Doc peels off a layer of his face? He looks exactly the same, but clearly he feels younger. It's like that. I doubt I look any better, but I feel quite nice and rejuvenated every time I use them.

Losers:

• The deodorant. For the first few weeks I didn't really notice often, but last week when it got warm and I started sweating (relatively profusely) for the first time, I realized how horribly ineffective natural deodorant really is. I smelled gross, and I can't smell most things very well, so I know it was bad. I was so self-conscious all day.
• The shampoo and conditioner. There was one time when I just didn't think to cut or even trim my hair for about 2 years, and it was understandably pretty unhealthy by the end of it. Since using natural products, my hair has degenerated to that same state of dry, brittle unhealthiness; it's like it's aged 20 years in the course of 3 weeks.
• The lotion. A big disappointment. I remember being so impressed with it when I first got it, but it just dries my skin out. Like I'd probably be better off not using anything.

Maybes:

• The soap. I guess it works just as well as soap I used to use. But based on what? I don't know what criteria one uses to evaluate soap. I'll definitely finish using what I have and reevaluate at that time.
• The toothpaste. I don't have anything bad to say about it. It'd be interesting to go to the dentist now and see if it actually protects my teeth from cavities or gum disease or any of that.
• The natural-bristle brush. I used this in the morning, basically to just brush my skin, I think with the intent to increase circulation, which it did. But I get grossed out by rubbing the old dead skin cells that are trapped in the brush back on to myself every day.