Avoid hairspray if you can, as most are like spraying plastic particles on your hair (the mist is so fine, it can enter the mouth, and lead to eczema and thinning hair).
Unless you have long, tangled, dry or problem hair, there’s not much else you need, save a wide-toothed wooden or bamboo brush, and comb.
Conventional hair ties are made from nylon and can harm wildlife if they fall out of ponytails or off your wrist. Choose biodegradable hair ties made from cotton and natural rubber.
Rugged Nature Natural Hair Clay (Birmingham) is a good styling wax made with kaolin and shea butter, scented withcedarwood, lemongrass or sandalwood.
If you can’t dry your hair in the sun, use the cool shot function (there are now new brands like VOLO GO that dry your hair like the sun (rather than ‘toasting your hair’) but most are still very expensive.
Most hair ties are made from nylon or polyester (aka plastic) so never break down naturally. This also applies to hair ties made from recycled plastic. The problem is that hair ties often fall off your wrist (or off children’s heads if they are doing handstands etc). Then the hair ties wash down drains and go into the sea, where they are accidentally ingested by marine wildlife.
These plastic-free hair ties are affordable little buys, and means that you can use them to tie long hair back, but if you do lose them, they won’t do any harm to the planet or wildlife. Made from organic cotton and natural rubber in various colours, they are sold in a set of 6 in zero waste packaging. The stretchy elastic holds dight for daily use, and the soft cotton leaves no dents in the air, and are metal-free (to reduce breakage and split ends). Tough enough for heavy sports use.
This bamboo hairbrush with vegan bristles is an ideal alternative to plastic hairbrushes, which drill oil to make them. Many conventional hairbrushes use either plastic (nylon) bristles or real animal fur from badgers or squirrels (which are killed to make them).
This brush is gentle on the planet and your scalp, made from the world’s fastest-growing grass. Sold in a recycled kraft box, the brush can stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth, and the handle is shaped to be comfortable. Made ethically and with quality (there are air holes for easy gliding), it’s suitable for all hair types, and the only caveat is not to get it wet, or it will biodegrade away!
