Summer Hair Challenge: Product Suggestions
Our inbox is already flooding with pictures of fuss-free summer hair in all its glory—and we’re expecting many more thanks to this post on Jezebel (you know, only one of our favorite websites ever—thanks, Sadie!).
However, if you’re stumped—as some ladies appear to be—on what natural products to use for the challenge, here are a few that we like: There are many more in the book but John Masters and Intelligent Nutrients are fancy favorites available at many Whole Foods locations as well as online at sites like Spirit Beauty Lounge and ABC, and Aubrey Organics and Giovanni are two clean and affordable brands you can easily find at your local drug or health food store. So, no more excuses!
Anyone have any other natural favorites to share?
One special note: Some people find that their hair takes a few days to adjust to the less-foamy natural shampoos. Take our word and give it a minute—you have a week to send in your photo!
How do you feel about the Yes to Carrots line?
Pretty good! Not all of their products are perfectly clean, but some are and they’re way better than most and widely available.
i tried the yes to carrots line for a month and didn’t like it at all… it left my hair flat, unshiny, and dull… never again!
I like Nature’s Gate and Burt’s Bees, but I’ve yet to find a good organic/natural styling creme for my very thin, not-uniformly wavy Caucasian hair. Ideally, I could augment my natural waves/curls without using a curling iron or straightener (and if I’m really dreaming, without a hair dryer.)
I have been Bubble and Bee Organic Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo for almost two weeks and my hair feels fabulous! (http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/the-107/Organic-Peppermint-%26-Tea/Detail). For conditioner, about once a week I use diluted vinegar water which leave my hair really soft. I really like this combination. There was an adjustment period, but nothing that I couldn’t wait out.
My husband and son have been using the Whole Foods brand of shampoo and conditioners and I haven’t had any complaints other than they miss the foaming action.
What do you ladies think about Jason products?
My sister uses Jason shampoo and conditioner and her hair is fantastic. Can I use that for the summer challenge?
Of course! Jason is a pretty clean line that we have used on and off. Go for it and good luck. Can’t wait to see your hair.
Just wanted to give a shout-out to these shampoo bars. I use them to shave and to wash my hair once or twice a week and they are lovely. They last a long time too. Even my husband converted.
http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/
I also enjoy the bubble and bee product line. For more than just shampoo – Stephanie’s deodorant, soap, and body cleansers are amazing. I started using her products a couple years ago when I purchased soap bars from a local Farmer’s Market. Its great stuff – with out all the ‘bad stuff’.
I recommend Lush if anyone is near a store for their hair products, and YUM do they smell good!
What about burt’s bees?
cont: is that okay?
oops i just saw the comment saying that was fine!
I tried Avalon Organics and I’m ready to give up on it. My hair feels so greasy after…it’s oily, flat, and dull not silky smooth and shiny!! I thought maybe I was using too much, so I used barely any…still the same problem! ick! Now I’m scared to try other lines… promise me they won’t do the same thing!!!
I am a chronic bleacher, (I know I am a bad girl) and I never thought a “natural” shampoo would work for me.
However I am really loving the rosemary mint tea tree Shampoo from BWC (beauty without cruealty).
It is less sudsy and that’s fine with me. At first I didn’t think my hair was clean but it is defiantly clean just not striped.
I think it is all good stuff and no animal testing :D
http://www.beautywithoutcruelty.com/ingr/ingr045228.cfm
Are Aveda shampoos and conditioners clean?
I also did not like Yes to Carrots… it left my hair really flat and overly greasy feeling… blech (and their moisturizer did my skin no favours either… made me break out like crazy!)
Unlike the person above who had issues with avalon organics, I really like it! I use the peppermint/babassu oil shampoo and the matching conditioner. Recently I switched to the clarifying lemon conditioner but don’t think I like it as much. I’ve been using them for several months and have been quite happy overall. Although after switching conditioners recently I’ve been noticing that the hair on the back of my head is feeling kind of greasy and gross even just one day after washing… I’d blamed the crazy hot/humid weather we’ve been having, but maybe I’ll try a different line soon (or go back to the peppermint)…
I’ve never heard of Bubble and Bee, maybe I’ll see if I can find it here (toronto)
Any other good recommendations?
Ok, so I’ve been doing some research (brought on by you of course) and the first thing that really annoyed me was the shampoo, so I immediately went and found the Aubrey line at my local healthfood store, and I have to say that I am amazed. I no longer need to use a conditoner, and my hair is no worse for the wear. In fact better than before. Softer, and easier to manage over all. So, last night I decided that I would try my old shampoo, since I still had the remenants of the bottle in the shower… FIRST AND LAST FOR EVERYTHING! My hair is driving me batty today… flyaways in my face tickling my nose, DONE! I’m throwing out the old shampoo and sticking to clean products from here forward!
Any suggestions on natural shampoos available or willing to ship to Germany? I tried using Dr. Bronner’s as shampoo, but it doesn’t rinse out of my hair with the hard water here, so I had to switch back to sulfate-laden stuff. I also tried baking soda and vinegar rinse, but my hair smelled like vinegar all day and I got tired of smelling like a salad. There’s a bio (organic) store nearby, but I can’t read the labels yet, so advice on good brands would be great. It doesn’t seem like a big thing here, I could only find one or two brands. … Next step, sit in the store translating until I figure it out.. :)
Right, just kidding. Aubrey ships to Germany. Sweet. Add that to google chrome auto translate and bam, natural shampoo in Berlin. Time to wash away the gray sub zero November weather with a hot shower. If any fellow Europe-dwellers have other tips, please email me!
I tried Giovanni shampoo and conditioner and it made my hairline break out pretty badly. Is that common? I stopped using it and now I think I will try Aubrey’s Organics but I fear the same problem may occur. I have long and wavy, frizzy and dull hair. I can’t seem to tame it no matter what I try using natural methods. I tried the baking soda and vinegar wash and it didn’t work at all for me, even though I persisted for 2 months. Any suggestions?
Hey Rachel, I’m actually about to post about haircare routine today… maybe it will give you some ideas.
Thanks, Alexandra!
I’ve been on the hunt for a safe shampoo for a while now. I have found that is extraordinarily difficult though! And I thought you might be interested to know about some chemicals lurking in these shampoos. Did you know that Aubrey uses a preservative called grapefruit seed extract? On the label it’s called “citrus seed extract” because Aubrey is bad about using INCI ingredient names. Grapefruit seed extract is known to be contaminated with benzalkonium chloride, parabens, and triclosan. The biggest contaminant is benzalkonium chloride, though, which is an immune system toxin, skin toxin, and poses possible cancer risk. If you are interested in more details see: http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/1/27/the-truth-about-grapefruit-seed-extract.html
But if you have others you know of without grapefruit seed extract, I’d love to know about them! Thanks for all the info, I really like everything I’m learning from your site! I might start washing my face with honey now :)