For the past two years that I have been vegan, I have been trying out different vegan products for my hair. I have often been left disappointed because of the poor quality and the high prices of these products. It can also be hard to find the information on which products are 100% vegan. For example, I used to think cruelty-free means vegan, because how can a product be labelled as cruelty-free if it includes non-vegan ingredients. Right?
Luckily in the past couple of years, I have managed to find some good vegan hair care products that won’t break my bank. Of course, everyone’s hair is different and what works for me may not work for you. However, these are some of my current favorite products and tips when it comes to affordable vegan hair care.
Shampoo
I usually wash my hair every other day. I exercise every day, so my hair gets dirty quite fast, and I can’t go several days without washing it. That is why I choose to wash my hair with natural shampoos. They are easier on my hair and scalp, because they keep them more moisturized than mainstream shampoos. I switch between the two of these shampoos. My roots are my natural hair color, but the ends are bleached. As you may know, bleached hair tends to get dry and lifeless. This Sante Gloss Shampoo Bio Orange & Coconut gives my hair the energy, gloss and volume it needs. And it smells so nice and fresh! I also wanted to introduce you to the Sante Repair Shampoo Organic Ginkgo & Olive because I love it almost as much as the Gloss Shampoo. Both shampoos have similar formulas, but the Repair Shampoo is especially made for revitalizing tired and stressed hair, not so much for color-treated hair like the Gloss Shampoo. These family-sized bottles also last you a very long time. In Europe, these are sold in many different stores and even in supermarkets. But if you live somewhere else, you could always order these online.
Conditioner
I recently discovered Love Beauty and Planet. I love this brand because their products are vegan, cruelty-free, and their bottles are made of recycled materials! I use their Muru Muru Butter & Rose Conditioner. This conditioner is meant for color-treated hair and it gives my bleached ends amazing softness. It is also paraben-free and silicone-free. Parabens can disrupt your hormone function and silicone might make your hair look greasy very quickly as well as mask the real problems with your hair. Another amazing thing about this conditioner is that it is meant to be rinsed quickly after spreading through your hair, so you can save water and time! I’m not usually a big fan of rose-scented products but this one smells so good.
I use The Body Shop Hairbrush with Bamboo Pins. It untangles my hair with ease and leaves it smooth. If you live somewhere cold like I do, you might be familiar with the everyday struggle against fly-away hair. With this bamboo hairbrush I can brush my hair without creating static or frizz. It is also made of sustainable materials. Another big plus is that the bamboo pins help in distributing the natural oil from your scalp to the ends of your hair, making them more moisturized.
I wanted to include the hair scissors because this small purchase has saved me a lot of money. Going to a hair salon can be pricey, so why not trim your own hair? I usually just cut the split ends every 2-3 months, which is very simple and easy to do on your own. You could also ask a friend to help you out with the trickier sections. It might sound scary at first, but unless you’re going for a dramatic change, you should be fine. By trimming your own hair, you also avoid hairdressers using non-vegan products on your hair.
When it comes to hair care, sometimes less is more. In my experience, I have noticed that the less products I use on my hair, the better my hair feels. I only use heat on my hair rarely, approximately once every two months. I let my hair dry naturally and if I want curls, I usually go for heatless overnight curls.
After all, the best decision I have made to improve the condition of my hair is following a vegan diet because it has made my hair visibly shinier and stronger.
Do you have a favorite vegan hair product?
Also by Milja: What A Vegan Dancer Eats In A Day To Maintain A Long, Lean, Strong Physique
These Are The *Exact* Hot Tools Celeb Stylists Swear By For A-List Looks
Get more like this—Subscribe to our daily inspirational newsletter for exclusive content!
__
Photo: Milja Murto
