How do you keep your hair clean and healthy without making any waste? I’m here to let you in on all my (not so secretive now) secrets to my hair care routine.
For me, the biggest part of the process of not creating waste through the products I use, was to learn how to embrace the natural texture of my hair. I used to straighten my hair every single day and add lots of product because I thought it made me feel beautiful. But after spending a year in Paris during college, and seeing the gorgeous Parisian women there who let their hair go wild and natural, I learned to love and embrace the color and texture of my hair.
Yes, it’s about finding waste-free alternatives to what you already use, but a big part of the process of lessening your individual waste in general, is figuring out the items in your life you can do without.
Here’s a video about what I use and how I use it:
*And keep in mind that this is what works for me, but it might not work for you. I’d love to hear what products you use or practices you do to lessen your waste when taking care of your hair. Leave a comment below!
To wash my hair
Rosemary Avocado Shampoo Bar
Shampoo bars are the sh*t! Not only do they eliminate the need for plastic bottles and packaging, because they’re solid, but they’re also amazing for travel. I love this particular bar because I know Meow Meow Tweet uses the best, all natural, organic, and vegan ingredients.
To use a shampoo bar, you simply get it wet and lather it up, rub it into your hair like you’d rub a bar of soap on any other part of your body, then once you get some good suds in your hair, massage your scalp with your fingers and rinse.
Keep in mind, it normally takes your hair a good couple of washes to get used to the shampoo bar. So if at first, you aren’t super happy with the texture or feeling of your hair, don’t give up just yet. Give your hair and scalp some time to get adjusted.
Natural Aloe Vera Conditioner
When I use just a shampoo bar, my hair does get a little thirsty sometimes and I love doing a fresh Aloe Vera natural conditioning remedy. Get an aloe vera leaf from the grocery, cut it open and get all the good guts out, leave in your hair for a few hours, and simply rinse out. The aloe vera plant is insanely hydrating and will do wonders to keep your hair healthy.
Plaine Products Shampoo + Conditioner
Another great option if a shampoo bar isn’t your jam, or you really enjoy a liquid shampoo and conditioner, Plaine Products shampoo and conditioner are an amazing option. They use the highest quality ingredients in their products, they smell amazing, but the coolest part is that they come in 100% recyclable aluminum bottles, and they’re also refillable!
You send back your empty bottles and they refill them for you. It’s an amazing closed loop system that helps eliminate unnecessary waste from hair care products.
To style my hair
Package Free Dry Shampoo
To be honest, I don’t really like to use dry shampoo. Personally, if my hair is feeling dirty, I just prefer to shower. I always end up feeling better that way.
But if you’re in a pinch and feeling really greasy, some great package free dry shampoo options are to sprinkle a little corn starch or baking soda into your hair to soak up the extra moisture.
Bamboo Brush + Brush Cleaner
My hair can get pretty tangly, so when I get out of the shower I give it a good brush with my 100% compostable wooden brush and let it air dry for the most part.
I have A LOT of hair, and it often comes out in my brush, but I found a tiny comb and brush cleaner with metal teeth that works great to clean the stray hairs out of my brush. It’s one of those oddly satisfying things. I then compost my hair, because hair is 100% natural!
Organic Cotton Hair Ties
I mostly wear my hair down, but if I’m going to yoga or want to pull it out of my face I use one of two options.
I love the organic cotton hair ties from Kooshoo because they’re naturally dyed and are compostable.
In addition to using Kooshoo hair ties, I often pick hair ties up off the ground, wash them with some soap and hot water and reuse them! It may seem gross to some people, but in my eyes I’m keeping a piece of trash out of landfill, AND I get a free hair tie. It’s a win-win situation.
Styling Products
I actually don’t use any type of styling product in my hair or dyes. Like I said, for me, going waste-free has been all about embracing my natural self and realizing what I don’t need.
But I would love to hear if you have any waste-free products you use, or homemade solutions to hair sprays, serums, dyes, etc. Make sure to leave a comment!
29 comments
Loved this, Lauren! Your hair’s beautiful. 🙂 I’ve been meaning to try a shampoo bar out but confused with the different brands and reviews. Will definitely check out Meow Meow Tweet now!
Hi, Lauren
Just to tell you and those who read your blog: after washing my hair I rinse with water ( about half a liter) in which I put 2 spoonfuls of organic vinegar. It leaves my hair smooth and shiny, less tangled, and the PH of the scalp becomes alkaline again. That means less or no dandruff and also less need to wash my hair too often.
Do give it a try!
I will! I’ve heard great things about Apple Cider Vinegar too 🙂
I have never heard of toothpaste capsules before. I don”t think I would enjoy them if it is something you need to chew. Great list of suggestions. I have never tried a shampoo bar, but seems like a nice alternative to the liquid shampoo for travelling. Thanks!
You’re welcome! Shampoo bars are truly the best (especially for traveling)
I love your hair, Lauren! I like to have more volume in my hair so I use also the DIY salt water spray, which is so easy to make. Just add 2 cups of water and 2 tsp of sea salt and let the salt melt (you can try different amounts depending on how strong you want it to be). Spray in to your hair by using an old spray bottle and you get this amazing surf hair!
I’ll have to try this! Thank you for sharing, Martha!
Hi hi
It was a great thing
I learned a lot of things
Thanks for the respectful writer
Love this! I switched to bar shampoo about a year ago and I absolutely love it! I use J.R. Liggett’s since my local organic shop carries it. I’ve never looked back!
I always love reading your tips for your waste free life and although I’m not there 100%, I’m getting closer and closer every day. I have been using Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bars for at least a year and a half now and I love them. My favorite is the Beer, Honey, Egg for full volume, but they have many to choose from. You can even order a smaller size for just $3.00 so you can try some different ones. They have other all natural, organic products too such as body butter, conditioner, deodorants, etc. And everything is minimally packaged and sent with recyclable paper products. The prices are decent as well. I cut the large bar in half and wrap it in the paper it came in and put it in my old sucrets tin when I travel and voila, shampoo on the go! I use just a little Argan oil from a glass jar and rub it between my hands and then run it through the ends of my hair as a conditioner. I have fine hair, not thick, but not too thin either. Anyway, that’s what works for me and my hair is full and shiny. I do an Apple cider vinegar rinse once in awhile for super shine!
Love the travel tip! So smart 🙂
Well, I remember reading about this little trick to get some “summer” waves that it’s basically making a spray with water and salt. My hair usually gets some natural look on its own, but if I want some more wavy effect I honestly rather just braid my hair and let that do the work, you can do it before sleeping, or leave it enough time. If I’m in a rush, using the blow drier or hair straightener on them just for a couple minutes would help to keep that. The smaller the braid, the wavier the effect. My hair is really thin and I don’t really like the effect and texture of many hair products.
Braiding your hair can be fun too 🙂
Forget the shampoo bar. I had visions of how gross that will look with hairs embedded in it. Ewww. Baking soda for shampoo and then an apple cider vinegar rinse. Mix each with a a half cup of water. Your hair will feel clean and sleek. Some of us with longer hair may need to do it a couple of times, and it feels a little weird to not have a headfull of lathery foaming bubbles, but you will have cleaner hair and greatly reduce your consumption of plastic containers.
Thank you so much for sharing these DIY tips!
So I’ve found if you have darker hair, I put cocoa powder with the cornstarch and it won’t leave my hair white!!!! I also sometimes add some essential oils to it. Anyway, I hope that helps someone! Thank you so much for your blog! 🙂
Yes! Cocoa powder is such a good trick for darker hair. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Wow. Really liked the packaging of refillable shampoo bottles. Your ideas a re amazing. I recently wrote on my blog about living a zero waste lifestyle and its perks. Please do check out the link. Our readers should be enlightened because in India not many people are aware of it.
http://afflatus.co.in/zero-waste-lifestyle/
Thanks for the tips, Lauren! I’m starting my own minimalist/less waste journey and really find your blog helpful. The aloe vera trick is super neat!
I’m so glad you’re finding the articles helpful! 🙂
very good
Hi Lauren, you inspired me a lot! I am mom of two and I started to live zerowaste right after watching your Ted talk. Kisses from Slovakia
I love this, so helpful! I’m trying to find zero-waste hair products in the UK at the moment, so thanks for the inspiration!
You’re so welcome!
Which brand of wooden hairbrush do you have? I have read many mixed reviews on wooden hairbrushes being worth it, and continue to look, as mine is falling to pieces! (it’s plastic)
Hi Elizabeth! My company, Package Free Shop, sells wooden hair brushes. Here is a 10% discount code TIFT10 🙂
Great tips on the hair care. Thank you for sharing the information on the shampoo bar. That’s truly helpful in the travel. Also, the other accessories are nicely explained. Thank you for the beautiful post.
Hello! I love the concept of alternative hair care products. However, I have had persistent issues with dandruff. I have found the only thing to work is a rotation of head and shoulders and selsun blue. The combo was recommended by my dermatologist and it works. Any hints on either refillable options or a bar alternative? Thanks!
Hi Cassandra! I’ve heard great things about doing Apple Cider Vinegar rinses for dandruff since it helps alkaline the PH of the scalp. Maybe give that a try 🙂