Vegan Hair Care – Natural Nourishment for your Locks

Vegan Hair Care – Natural Nourishment for your Locks

A lot of people think being vegan only impacts what you eat, but in fact – it affects consumers in many ways. Hair care is a great example!

When it comes to vegan hair care, we’re not just talking about choosing plant-based shampoos and conditioners. That’s a great start, but have you done a deep dive into where all your other hair products and tools come from too?

From hair dye, to hairbrushes, combs, and even your pillowcase – every purchase you make is a great opportunity to promote ethical living and good hair health.

Hairbrushes and Combs

Did you know, the bristles on some hairbrushes today are made from boar hair? If that makes you feel icky, you’re not alone! While some claim to be cruelty-free, using hair humanely trimmed from the boar, it’s still a byproduct of an animal that’s bred for its meat.

A more ethical and eco-conscious choice would be to purchase a brush with bristles made from vegan materials like nylon, coconut fibre or bamboo, and brush handles or combs crafted from sustainable vegan materials like wood or bamboo (say “Bye bye” to those nasty plastics!)

Hair Dye

Sadly, many mainstream hair dyes are tested on animals, and some contain animal products like squalene and vitamin A, which are generally sourced from fish or shark liver oil.

Some of the bigger supermarket brands, like Garnier or Schwarzkopf, have vegan hair dye ranges, however in many cases they are not cruelty-free, meaning they may have been tested on animals. Always read the labels carefully to ensure you’re choosing both vegan AND cruelty-free.

You can feel safe choosing any DIY hair dyes from Naturtint, Tints of Nature, Radico, and Manic Panic – all created using a selection of 100% plant sources, bio-botanical oils, with no harsh chemicals added, and never tested on animals.

And when it comes to professional products, the entire Paul Mitchell range is vegan, cruelty-free, and contains natural ingredients like cottonseed oil, rice protein, and sunflower extract. NAK Hair, Aveda, Good Dye Young, IGK, and De Lorenzo are other fab options.

Shampoos, Conditioners, and other Styling Products

When it comes to choosing your shampoos, conditioners and styling products, read the ingredients closely and avoid any with animal products or by-products such as lanolin, keratin, beeswax, or silk proteins. Look out for products labelled both vegan and cruelty-free, and without any nasties like parabens and sulphates. 

The good news is – all the above-mentioned brands are 100% plant-based and cruelty free across their entire range, meaning you can feel good about all your purchases, from shampoos and conditioners, to masks, mousses, hair sprays, and all styling products.

Bondi Boost, My Soda, and Ethique are other great choices that tick both boxes too.

Pillowcases

Curly-haired people (and many others!) often choose silk pillowcases as they smooth and soften hair, reducing frizz and breakage while you sleep.

Unfortunately, silk is not vegan as it is derived from silkworms. Satin pillowcases however are a luscious vegan alternative to silk, without losing the hair health benefits nor luxurious feel.

Pillows made from organic cotton, bamboo, and microfibre are other vegan-friendly options, and can often be sustainably produced too.

Final Thoughts

As vegans, it’s encouraging to know that every aspect of our hair care routine can be tailored to align with our values!

By opting for vegan products, not only do we nurture our hair with natural ingredients; we also contribute to a kinder world, and a more compassionate and environmentally conscious beauty industry.

To see more vegan beauty information, visit our beauty section here.