Are you looking for zero waste hair care tips? You’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we will discuss some easy ways to reduce your waste when it comes to taking care of your hair. We will cover everything from shampooing and conditioning to styling and hair care products. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be able to cut down on your waste while taking care of your locks!
Table of Contents
1. Wash hair infrequently but thoroughly
Every few days is ideal for hair, and probably not more than once a day. Washing too frequently can be harsh on your strands and cause dryness and breakage. As long as you’re correctly lathering and rinsing, you’ll be okay with washing your hair less often.
2. Use solid shampoo bars instead of liquid shampoo
Shampoo bars are the hot new trend in green beauty today and for a good reason! They’re made with natural ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, or other plant-derived oils that work just as well, if not better than commercial shampoo brands. They’re more concentrated, so you use less per wash, and they last much longer than liquid shampoo. Many are made with essential oils to provide scents of your choice without all the chemicals found in typical fragrances.
3. Try dry or oil cleansing instead of traditional shampoo
There are many types of dry or oil cleansing, but the gist is to skip all other cleansers and rub your scalp with oil (to remove build-up), massage baking soda into your scalp for a few minutes, or rub your wet hair with coconut oil before washing it all out. Many people love this method because it’s much easier than traditional shampooing, and it’s great for removing excess fat as opposed to stripping the hair of all its natural oils.
4. Do not brush wet hair
Wet hair is much weaker and more prone to breakage than dry hair, so be gentle on your locks by brushing them after they’re dehydrated and styled (after the hair has “set”).
5. Use a boar bristle brush to brush your wet hair after showering
Boar bristle brushes are great for distributing natural oils that take care of your scalp and strands, making them healthier overall. They’re also easier on the hair than other kinds of brushes because they’re made with soft bristles, and they’re much better for detangling your hair after washing it.
6. Make a DIY leave-in conditioner that nourishes the scalp and conditions your strands
Separate an egg yolk from its white, mix with a few teaspoons of olive oil and honey to form a paste, then apply the mixture to the roots of your hair and scalp before activity (exercise, sweaty work, etc.) to keep the scalp healthy without weighing down your strands.
7. Use apple cider vinegar instead of shampoo or conditioner for silkier strands
ACV is very acidic – just like lemon juice – so it’s excellent at removing dirt and oil from the roots of your hair without stripping it of all its natural oils. It’s also great for moisturizing dry hair, so conditioners are unnecessary if you have an ACV rinse once a month or so.
8. Get rid of product buildup with rice water rinses
Rice water is mild enough to use as a super gentle cleanser every day. After shampooing or co-washing, pour it over your strands, then rinse off.
9. Learn what causes split ends and how to prevent them
Split ends are just hair that’s broken off at the very end, so now is an excellent time for you to learn how you can avoid that problem in the future! The most common culprits include heat damage (try to keep your hair out of the sun and in a hat when you’re in the sun), brushing wet hair, and harsh shampoos and conditioners that strip all oils from your strands.
10. Try dry shampoo instead of regular shampoo now and then
Many people think this is bad for your hair because it can damage strands and suffocate the scalp, but that’s only if you use a commercial dry shampoo. Making your own isn’t hard at all – you can do it with cornstarch or even cocoa powder! Check out our DIY dry shampoo recipe here.
11. Treat damaged hair by following this tutorial on deep conditioning
This technique is best for hair that’s seriously damaged or bleached out, but it can be used on all hair types to prevent split ends and breakage. Just pick your favorite oil (olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil) and follow this simple guide on using it properly, then freeze the mixture and thaw it as needed for deep conditioning.
12. Use a hair mask instead of a conditioner to replenish dry hair
Hair masks are great for dry hair because they’re designed to treat even the most dehydrated, most damaged strands (and they’re also great as a pre-shampoo treatment if you’re planning on using a lot of heat on your hair). You can make a simple hair mask with mayo and honey, or you can use store-bought alternatives like coconut oil and avocado if you want something more luxurious.
13. Save money by making your leave-in conditioner
Making your leave-in conditioners is excellent because it allows you to use your favorite scents or essential oils to get the most out of the conditioner. You can also adjust the ingredients to suit your hair type, so this is an excellent way for you to get more bang for your buck!
14. Turn on the AC and let it air dry instead of blow-drying
Blow drying your hair when it’s dirty is one of the worst things you can do for your strands since blow drying too often can cause severe damage. Letting it air dry after a shower is much better for your hair in the long run!
15. Use bobby pins to avoid flyaways and avoid flat irons
Speaking of avoiding heat damage, bobby pins are a great alternative to flat irons and curling irons because they distribute the heat of your hairdryer or your hand’s natural warmth more evenly than metal tools can. They also get rid of pesky flyaways!
16. Save money with do-it-yourself haircuts
Haircuts can be expensive, but they’re also one of the worst things you can do to your hair if you get them too often. If you prefer a shorter look now and then, consider giving yourself a DIY haircut so you won’t have to pay someone else for something more of a time-consuming hobby than anything else!
17. Prevent split ends with coconut oil
Coconut oil is best for preventing split ends because it’s moisturizing and has a high smoke point, but you could also use olive oil or any other natural oil that’s liquid at room temperature. Just rub a few drops into the lower half of your hair to seal in moisture and prevent damage!
18. Try our hair mask avocado method for really damaged hair
Avocado hair masks are the most effective way to treat extremely dry or curly hair because they naturally contain high levels of vitamins A, B, and D, as well as antioxidants that heal your strands from the inside out. They’re also one of the most straightforward DIY recipes ever, so they’re worth a shot if you want softer, healthier hair!
19. Save money on conditioner by using coffee instead
Coffee makes one of the best DIY clarifying shampoos for oily hair because it’s naturally astringent and antibacterial, so it gets rid of excess oil without stripping your strands or making them feel dry. Just use a cup of cold brew to lather your hair, then rinse it out with water!
20. Try apple cider vinegar as clarifying treatment for oily or wavy hair
Apple cider vinegar is one of the best ingredients you can use if you have oily roots with dry ends since it’s naturally antibacterial and balances the pH of your scalp. Plus, it smells good and feels refreshing!
21. Replace conditioner with mayo for naturally moisturized hair
Who knew that olive oil wasn’t the best way to get natural shine and moisture in your hair? Mayo is one of the best homemade treatments you can use if you want softer and more lustrous hair! It’s also super easy to whip up an all-natural, zero waste mayo replacement at home.
22. Save money on shampoo by using baking soda instead
If you’re trying to avoid excess chemicals and packaging in your life while still cleaning your hair, consider making your shampoo with just a few simple ingredients. It’s easy, and the baking soda exfoliates your scalp while simultaneously deep cleaning your strands!
23. Make DIY dry shampoo with baby powder and cornstarch
Dry shampoo is some of the worst stuff you can put in your hair because of all the chemicals some brands add to their products, and it also leaves a white cast, but our DIY dry shampoo recipe is a great way to avoid both of those problems. It’s made with just two ingredients and leaves your roots looking clean and fresh!
24. Make your clarifying shampoo with lemon juice
If you love using lemon as a natural cleaner, you’ll be happy to know that it makes an excellent clarifying shampoo when it’s diluted with water and a few other ingredients. It’s perfect for removing excess buildup from your hair, so you’ll get rid of the gunk without making it feel too dry or damaged!
25. Give yourself a scalp massage with coconut oil
You can do more than cleanse your body when applying coconut oil as a hair treatment! This natural oil works wonders if you’re always dealing with dry scalp and flakes because it’s full of antioxidants that heal your skin from the inside out. Just use about a tablespoon or so to massage into your scalp for five minutes before shampooing as usual!
26. Make DIY deep conditioning treatments with simple yogurt, coconut oil, or eggs
DIY hair masks are one of the best ways to give your strands some extra love because you can tailor them to suit your unique hair type! Some of the most popular ingredients for homemade hair treatments include yogurt, honey, mayo, avocado, egg yolks, and even olive oil. Give yourself a spa day at home and give your hair a mini overhaul just in time for spring!
27. Make DIY dry shampoo with baking soda and cocoa powder
If you have light-colored or blonde hair, it can be downright impossible to find a good dry shampoo that won’t leave you looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost, but our recipe for DIY dry shampoo is just what you need! It’s made with cocoa powder and baking soda, so it absorbs oil and leaves your hair looking matte instead of chalky.
28. Make your natural root stimulator with honey, olive oil, and vinegar
Try our natural homemade root stimulator recipe if you want to grow long, healthy hair faster than ever before. It’s made from some of the most nourishing ingredients on the planet, so it will stop breakage in its tracks and help you get your hair back on track for a healthier new ‘do!
29. Take a bath instead of a shower to save water
Showers are one of the worst offenders for water wastage, which is why taking a bath now and then can be a great alternative. You might feel weird the first time you try this, but you’ll probably love the extra time that you get to relax!
30. Do a deep conditioning treatment before bed for longer-lasting results
There’s nothing worse than running out of time to do all your favorite beauty treatments, but if you’re hoping to repair dry, damaged hair overnight using natural ingredients, consider making the extra effort. By conditioning before bed and then covering with a shower cap, you’ll wake up looking like you just went to a salon!
Conclusion
Living a zero-waste lifestyle can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. We hope these hair care tips help make the journey a little easier for you. If you have any other questions or suggestions, let us know in the comments below! And remember, small steps add up, so even if you can’t do everything on this list, every bit helps. Let’s work together to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and our planet.
