As we draw a close on the decade, it is safe to say that the past ten years have witnessed more ideas and inventions than ever before, leaving behind a lofty legacy for the years to follow. Celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin has successfully negated the ‘dry’ in dry shampoo with a first-of-its-kind weightless foam, while Lush’s best-selling shampoo bars come sans any packaging to minimise your individual carbon footprint. If you’re looking to hit refresh on the conventional choices, take a walk on the wild side with these not-so-basic hair products.
Eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners
Years of conditioning might have you automatically reaching out for bottles and tubes, rather than bar soaps, when shopping for shampoo, but the latter makes a compelling case for the greater good of the environment. With recent reports stating that the beauty industry generates 120 billion units of packaging each year, every last flyer, label and packaging bag is under the suspects’ scanner. The next time you are shopping, eschew the single-use plastic bottles in favour of paper-wrapped shampoo bars that significantly dial back the landfill-clogging waste generated otherwise.
But wait, aren’t soaps meant for the skin and not the hair? It might take a while to fight the reflex when shampooing your hair with soap, but if suds and foam are an inseparable part of your haircare routine, the Lush Honey I Washed My Hair soap lathers up very well. The high street label has been easing the way into a circular economy, one that minimises waste and one-time-use packaging. The honey-toffee bar owes its scent to fair-trade honey, and clocks in up to 80 washes—that’s the equivalent of three liquid shampoo bottles.
Meanwhile, Unilever’s brainchild, Love Beauty And Planet, maintains a vigilant eye on its carbon footprint. While the bottles are crafted entirely from recycled materials, the label also offers a handy alternative to plastic packaging altogether with its highly scented range of shampoo and conditioner bars. These 2-in-1 numbers draw its virtues from a wide roster of plant-based ingredients—think mimosa flower, handpicked Bulgarian rose petals and coconut water—and are devoid of sulphates, silicones and parabens that strip the hair of its natural oils.
Aerosol-free dry shampoos
Dry shampoos serve as the lazy girl’s partner in crime for burying all evidence of second-day grease. But if you’ve been confused between aerosol sprays and its powdered alternative, allow your hair type to settle the debate. The latter works best for sopping up grease and build-up from oily hair, with the fine pigments of powder evenly distributed over the targeted areas. Verb’s paraben-free Dry Shampoo powder can be easily massaged into the scalp for hitting refresh on second-day hair or preserving a blowout. The nifty beauty enthusiast can also sneak this into first-day hair for a dash of volume by sprinkling it on the underside of the hair. The Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-powder serves up volume in a pinch as well, with a hybrid silicone formulation that absorbs excess oil, minus the telltale chalky residue.
If you’re wondering what comes next, look no further than the Kardashians’ go-to hair guru, Jen Atkin. Her brainchild, Ouai holds credit for introducing us to the wonders of dry shampoo foam. Challenging the term ‘dry’ in its moniker, the game-changer offers up a unique mousse-like texture, that can be massaged into the scalp and dries in 60 seconds without any residue. The Drybar Detox Whipped Shampoo Foam, meanwhile, offers a powder-less foam that taps into the properties of volcanic ash to mop excess oil and grease from the hair in between two washes. Or if you like your daily beauty routine with a side of entertainment, the Bumble and Bumble Bb. Scalp Detox serves up a fizzing foam that is every bit as fun as it sounds. The shaving foam-like texture helps rid toxins and product residue from hair that’s been weighed down with the styling products during the week.
Hairstyling powders
While the hairstyling aisle has been traditionally dominated by aerosol sprays and gels, a new crop of styling powders is claiming its seat in the spotlight. Whether you’re looking to volumise fine hair or your just-washed hair is lacking texture, look to these mattifying powders to rustle up some red carpet-ready volume. Those looking for a matte finish can dust the Kevin.Murphy Powder.Puff Volumising Powder on evenly sectioned hair. The weightless formula then transforms into a setting product with lasting hold through the day. Or if you’re looking for lighter assist, the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Dust It Mattifying Powder aids the natural movement of hair, while offering an added boost of volume. Scroll ahead for all the non-boring hair products that deserve a spot on your shopping list this party season.
