Tracking The Trader

Tip For Tomorrow: BUY THE STAR TRIBUNE. Seriously, you all need to buy a copy of the Thursday edition of the Strib. Why? Because it’s packed with movie/TV/restaurant/shopping reviews, to keep you well-informed about pop culture. Oh, and because they interviewed me for their “recessionista” story. Hit the stores early; by noon I’ll have bought every spare copy not nailed down.

Further Elucidation Of My Cheap Deal: For those of you who’ve followed the adventures of Cheap But Not Easy lo these many months, you’ve noticed a re-occurring theme with this web site – my preoccupation with inexpensive hair care products. Some would say it borders on obsession. I say, don’t be judgy. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised that I finally took the advice my fearless readers and sampled the inexpensive and organic products from Trader Joes.

Last night, I drove out to the hinterlands of the TC, otherwise known as Maple Grove. I don’t quite get the purpose of this suburb, or why every chain store in America thinks that this chunk of northwest NO WHERE is the best place to set up shop. All I know is that if you’re looking for something, chances are you’ll find it in Maple Grove.

After roaming the endless streets of shopping, I found Trader Joes, sitting kitty-corner from Cost Plus World Market. I find this juxtaposition to be AWESOME – as every snack option available to mankind is now conveniently located in one corner of a strip mall. How American is that? Even Michele Bachman would approve.

Speaking of snacks, you’ll be pleased to note that I didn’t buy ONE SINGLE SNACK from Trader Joes or Cost Plus. I was there on a mission – to buy hair care products – and I wasn’t about to be swayed by unnecessary purchases. (Also, I’d just eaten dinner and was kind of full.)

Upon entering Joes, I was immediately thrilled by their shampoo options – Citrus, Tea Tree Oil, and the one I bought, Nourish Spa. So enthralling was the laundry list of organic ingredients on the bottle, I also picked up the matching conditioner.

NOTE: None of the shampoos and conditioners I saw on the shelves cost $1.99 or $2.29. The cheapest was $2.99 for the Nourish Spa stuff. However, this is the same price for Herbal Essences or Garnier Fructis at Target, so I’m not complaining.

This morning, I couldn’t wait to schmear those organic potions all over my head. And here’s how they worked:

Nourish Spa shampoo – my hair tends to get dry and nasty during the first months of newly-switched-on central heating (which in MN, starts in October). This shampoo actually felt moisturizing on my scalp and brittle ends, but rinsed clean with no residue. It’s a shampoo miracle!

Nourish Spa conditioner – in a word, this stuff is THICK. It’s also very moisturizing, and yet it rinses out completely, just like the shampoo. Perhaps a bit TOO completely, as my hair still felt sort of straw-like when I stepped out of the shower. However, the conditioner passed my comb-out test – I was able to run a comb through my wet hair without adding a post-shower product first.

In conclusion, were the shampoos and conditioners worth the special trip out to Maple Grove (or St. Louis Park, or Woodbury)? By themselves, no. I’m happy with the products I find down the street at my Arden Hills Target. However, if you factor in the snack options, cheap wine availability, and the proximity to other great shopping, I would definitely head back to Trader Joes. This time, I would not resist the lure of their mini chocolate peanut butter cups. Ahhhh sweet, sweet temptation.