BlogHer - Get your hair did: Eco-friendly hair care - Comments

An alternative to hair dyes

Birdie Jaworski — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 11:49:28 -0500

I haven't dyed my hair with conventional dyes in over two years. Instead, I use natural henna - the actual plant leaves ground and then prepared in the way ancient women have for years. It is healthy for your hair, covers those pesky grays, and healthy for the environment! Plus, it looks so much more natural and my hair catches the light in amazing ways.

Check out Henna for hair for all the info.

Birdie
Birdie's BlogHer Blog
La Pajaro

It's true about the compliments.

lauriewrites — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 11:26:30 -0500

When my hair hasn't been washed for a couple of days, which is a frequent thing because it just doesn't need it and I also never seem to have time for blow-drying, someone always tells me how good it looks. It's so odd...but I think it's because it looks more natural that way (or maybe I just don't know how to style it correctly. ; ) )

Laurie
LaurieWrites

Don't wash every day and don't own a blow dryer :)

Elisa Camahort — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 10:26:32 -0500

I have curly hair, which equals dry, which equals no reason to wash every day. Use a little product to manage the frizz, and I'm good to go.

I too have long hair, but if I don't have time for it to air-dry before leaving the house, then I roll it up into a bun and let it stay wet...which it will all day pretty much.

As for product, I'm always trying new things, but whatever I try must have no animal ingredients and no animal testing.

And yes, that Skin Deep site is AMAZING.

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

That Skin Deep database is scary

Laura Scott — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:13:32 -0500

People will be shocked to see supposedly quality products scoring really badly. Some are downright dangerous!

No more will I be using the Neutrogena moisturizer/sunscreen.

Too bad they don't have product package shots. It will be easier to find the safer, more effective items with visual cues. Still, this is a new bible for me. Thanks!!

Laura Scott
design, snap, blog

No daily shampooing? Check.

kperfetto — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:23:15 -0500

No daily shampooing? Check. My hair is very thick and coarse. If I washed it every day, well, I'd look a little like Slash.

Enviro-friendly suds? Check. I try to avoid the sulfate-based ones. Actually, highly scented products give me migraines, so I'm pretty much tethered to the health food store's cosmetic aisle anyway.

Dreads? No thank you. I used to color my hair with Manic Panic, which doesn't penetrate, but sits on your hair instead, and I "dreaded" a bit, naturally. (Plus woke up to pillow cases stained "Hot Hot Pink.")

Air-dry? Yeah, if I have an hour to spare. My hair is down to the middle of my back.

Five Dollar Camera

Hypnotizing Chickens

Get your hair did: Eco-friendly hair care

greenlagirl — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:56:00 -0500

Green your hairdo, and look forward to healthier, shinier hair -- while saving money, time, and the environment to boot. Just 3 steps'll eco-transform your mane:

1. Go for the sexy morning after look. Ditch the daily shampoo and just wash your hair once every couple days. If you remain unconvinced by the enviro and financial and time benefits, perhaps I can appeal to your vanity: Your hair'll look cuter on the no-wash days. Try it for a couple weeks and collect the compliments --

2. Get clean, naturally. Opt for enviro-friendly products, easier now with Skin Deep, an eco-friendly site that ranks personal care products for safety. Both you and your hair'll be healthier -- and you won't be inadvertently putting petroleum products in your hair.

I'm using JASON shampoo and conditioner right now, which is decent, but I plan to switch to even greener products once I finish my stash. Callie recommends the ultra-eco Korres shampoos and conditioners -- a bit expensive at $17 a bottle, but if you combine this with tip 1, your wallet won't feel the difference..

Or if you're brave, opt for the hardcore method: Jasmin of The Worsted Witch says "I donâ€™t even use conditioner any more. I either rinse my hair with apple cider vinegar or add a wee bit of olive oil with my shampoo (sometimes with an egg.)" Make that an organic, free-range egg?

3. Dare to get dreadlocks. Okay just kidding. Unless you really do have dreadlocks, then I'm not kidding. Once, I gave myself faux dreadlocks.

For the rest of you: Dare to faux-dry. Don't be afraid to try out a new, more au naturale style, foregoing the blowdryer once in a while. Summer of BTC Elements shows you 3 to try, complete with photo documentation. Not only will you save energy, your hair'll appreciate the break, and you can try on a new, breezy persona to go with your new do.

[images top to bottom from gordon comstock, Skin Deep, and BTC Elements]

BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.