The Low Waste Hair Care Guide

We know that a lot of you have spent plenty of time and money trying to figure out which haircare products are just right for you. So taking the leap to try a new plastic-free hair product might feel a bit daunting. We’ve been there. We see you. 

Haircare products will probably never offer one-size-fits-all solutions - we all have very different hair needs! We’ve put together this guide to help you match your unique hair needs/wants/goals with plastic-free products so that you can get it right on the first try!

I have dandruff or an itchy/dry scalp

1. Balance Shampoo Powder is a dry powder that mixes with water to create a lathery liquid similar to conventional shampoo. Because it doesn’t contain water, it is highly concentrated, meaning it can last a long time, uses minimal packaging, and offers good value. The “Balance” variety is formulated to offer equal benefits to your hair and scalp.

2./3. Soothe Shampoo and Conditioner bars are formulated specifically for itchy, flaky scalps. They contain white willow bark extract and kukui nut oil, both of which have soothing effects. Bonus - these shampoo and conditioner bars are sulfate-free and are safe for colored and treated hair. 

4. Rosemary Nettle Shampoo offers two plant-based solutions for dry scalps and dandruff: rosemary and nettle! Rosemary is an excellent tonic for hair and scalp, combating dryness and flakiness. Nettles are prized for their health benefits when taken internally or used externally. In hair care, nettles help to combat dandruff, scalp pimples, scalp eczema and hair loss. 

5. Neutral Henna Shampoo is best for a normal to itchy scalp. Cassia obovata, known as neutral henna, is an excellent conditioner that leaves the hair glossy, smooth and thick, and the scalp healthy and dandruff-free. Marshmallow root, Althea officinalis, is a mucilaginous emollient with conditioning, hydrating, and detangling properties. The mucilage in the marshmallow root also helps soothe dry, itchy scalps and combats scalp inflammation. 

6. Fortify Shampoo and Conditioner stones are designed for imbalanced and vitamin-deficient scalps. They enhance circulation, promote hair growth, and strengthen strands.

My hair is fine and oily and I need to wash it frequently

1./2. Volumize Shampoo and Conditioner bars are perfect for thin, fine or lifeless hair. These bars bring body and fullness without adding weight. They contain African dates and Vitamin B5 for added definition to curls and waves. Bonus - these shampoo and conditioner bars are sulfate-free and are safe for colored and treated hair. 

3. Dry Shampoo will offer two benefits to fine and oily hair. First, it will leave your hair looking cleaner between washes, and second, it will provide added volume even to freshly-cleaned hair! It can be applied with a brush, or simply work it into your scalp with your fingers.

4. Texturizing Salt Spray can add texture and volume to fine, lifeless hair without drying. It’s meant to give your ‘do a beachy vibe!

5. Stimulate Shampoo Powder is a dry powder that mixes with water to create a lathery liquid similar to conventional shampoo. Because it doesn’t contain water, it is highly concentrated, meaning it can last a long time, uses minimal packaging, and offers good value. The “Stimulate” variety contains kelp powder, which helps with building body. 

6. The Round Boar Brush offers a couple of benefits for fine and oily hair: it helps add volume and it distributes oils from your scalp to the ends of your hair.

7. Fortify Shampoo and Conditioner stones are designed for imbalanced and vitamin-deficient scalps. They enhance circulation, promote hair growth, and strengthen strands.

I have curly or kinky hair and want to keep it hydrated & strong

1. Argan Horsetail Shampoo is best for Thick, Coarse, Curly Hair. It is strengthening, restorative, and reparative. Both argan oil and horsetail bring amazing benefits to the hair. Argan oil restores luster and shine by hydrating and nourishing. It penetrates the shaft of the hair improving elasticity and nourishes with its high Vitamin E content. Adding an infusion of organic horsetail, Equisetum arvense, to the mix boosts the therapeutics of this shampoo even higher. Horsetail is high in silica which helps to strengthen weak, brittle, or damaged hair imparting shine, smoothness, and vitality. Also high in potassium, selenium and manganese, horsetail promotes hair growth and increases the elasticity of the hair. 

2. Neutral Henna Shampoo is deep conditioning. Cassia obovata, known as neutral henna, is an excellent conditioner that leaves the hair glossy, smooth and thick, and the scalp healthy and dandruff-free. Marshmallow root, Althea officinalis, is a mucilaginous emollient with conditioning, hydrating, and detangling properties. The combination of these two deeply conditioning, hair smoothing, and strengthening plants with their richly nourishing oils create a shampoo that is an amazing hair tonic.

3. Camamu Conditioner is formulated with carefully chosen nourishing and conditioning plant-based ingredients. It replenishes your hair’s natural oils, improves elasticity, and leaves your hair deeply moisturized, silky, shiny, soft, and smooth. AND It melts into your hair, turns super-creamy, and smells delicious of cassia and chai tea. What a treat! You can also use this bar as a leave-in conditioner!

4. The Best Kind Hair Butter is a super-moisturizing, repairing, and strengthening hair mask and leave-in conditioner to use while in the shower. This butter cocktail also works great for everyday use to control frizz and restore hair luster without leaving a greasy residue.

5. Rooted Oil contains nourishing argan oil, and has a calming palo santo scent. It's a perfect way to moisturize and refresh dull hair.

6. Consciously Curly Shampoo and Conditioner Bars are formulated specifically for curly hair, and have varieties for multiple hair porosities and thicknesses.

7. Leave in Conditioner seals and softens hair and prevents frizz. It also strenghtens hair and protects from split ends.

8. Defining Curl Cream comes in both a regular and light-weight variety and works for low- to medium-porosity curls. It helps to define curls, while also softening and strengthening.

9. The Herbal Deep Conditioner Treatment works especially well for those with curly or coily hair who are trying to treat damage from over-processing or heat styling. It improves curl definition, controls frizz, and hydrates.

I have straight or wavy hair that is dry and/or damaged

1. Neutral Henna Shampoo is deep conditioning. Cassia obovata, known as neutral henna, is an excellent conditioner that leaves the hair glossy, smooth and thick, and the scalp healthy and dandruff-free. Marshmallow root, Althea officinalis, is a mucilaginous emollient with conditioning, hydrating, and detangling properties. The combination of these two deeply conditioning, hair smoothing, and strengthening plants with their richly nourishing oils create a shampoo that is an amazing hair tonic.

2. Camamu Conditioner is formulated with carefully chosen nourishing and conditioning plant-based ingredients. It replenishes your hair’s natural oils, improves elasticity, and leaves your hair deeply moisturized, silky, shiny, soft, and smooth. AND It melts into your hair, turns super-creamy, and smells delicious of cassia and chai tea. What a treat! You can also use this bar as a leave-in conditioner!

3./4. Moisturize Shampoo & Conditioner is great for thicker hair, dry hair, and hair that typically needs extra conditioning. If your hair is more porous, alternate with Maintain. Corrects moisture deficiency and improves manageability. With coconut oil and rice protein to hydrate and nourish. Bonus - these shampoo and conditioner bars are sulfate-free and are safe for colored and treated hair. 

5./6. Fragrance-Free Moisturize Shampoo & Conditioner offers all the goodness of the HiBAR Moisturize collection, only without any fragrance. 

7. The Best Kind Hair Butter is a super-moisturizing, repairing, and strengthening hair mask and leave-in conditioner to use while in the shower. This butter cocktail also works great for everyday use to control frizz and restore hair luster without leaving a greasy residue.

8. The Paddle Brush with Pins detangles hair without causing stress or breakage. It works well for all hair types. The Paddle Brush with Long Pins works great for longer hair, or for curly or kinky hair. 

9. The Herbal Deep Conditioner Treatment works well for those who are trying to treat damage from over-processing or heat styling. 

10. Heal Shampoo and Conditioner stones are made for chemically, thermally, or environmentally stressed hair and scalp. They repair hair and prevent future damage. Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner stones are perfect for parched hair.

I want to reduce shedding and stimulate hair growth

1. Happy Hair Burdock Root Shampoo is best for thinning hair & dandruff. Burdock root, when used in skincare products, is healing to a wide range of issues - from acne to psoriasis, from dandruff to eczema. Used in hair care, burdock root is a hair tonic that increases the vitality of hair and scalp, decreases hair loss and reduces dandruff. An across-the-board anti-microbial and anti-fungal, it is useful against scalp inflammations or hairline pimples.

2. Stimulate Shampoo Powder is a dry powder that mixes with water to create a lathery liquid similar to conventional shampoo. Because it doesn’t contain water, it is highly concentrated, meaning it can last a long time, uses minimal packaging, and offers good value. The “Stimulate” variety contains essential oils that incite circulation, feeding the hair and promoting growth. 

3. The Comb with Handle can be used on wet hair without causing damage or breakage. It is great for applying masks or treatments and works well with curly hair. 

4. The Rectangular Brush with Boar Bristles stimulates the scalp, promoting growth, and distributes oils from the scalp throughout the hair to shine and protect. 

5. Fortify Shampoo and Conditioner stones are designed for imbalanced and vitamin-deficient scalps. They enhance circulation, promote hair growth, and strengthen strands.

I have short hair and need products for styling

1. The Afro Comb is a good ol' fashioned pick comb ideal for 'fros, of course! It works for curly, very curly, or wavy hair and untangles hair knots without damaging the hair shaft.

2. The Military Brush is perfect for short hair. It stimulates the scalp and is anti-static.

 

3. Texturizing Salt Spray can add texture and volume to fine, lifeless hair without drying. It’s a low-maintenance way to give your hair some extra oomf. 

4. The Rectangular Brush with Pins is an anti-static brush that works well for short hair. It’s a great option for men!

My hair is low-maintenance and I can get by with a pretty minimal hair routine

1./2. Maintain Shampoo & Conditioner bars are a great option for people who wash their hair less frequently. They gently remove product buildup and contain honeyquat and shea butter for added shine. Bonus - these shampoo and conditioner bars are sulfate-free and are safe for colored and treated hair. 

3. The Oval Brush with Pins is a versatile brush that works well for detangling all hair types. 

4. Agender Oil can be used all-over, on face, body and hair! 

We hope it’s clear that you don’t have to compromise when transitioning to a plastic-free hair care routine - there are plenty of products formulated with YOU in mind. If we haven’t addressed your specific hair concerns, send us an email or leave a comment. We’d love to connect you with a product to make your hair shine!

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Comments


  • Hi Carole, apologies for our delayed response to your question!

    Those options or the Moisturize shampoo and conditioner from HiBar would be best! Moisturize is the best of the HiBar options for thick hair, and it helps nourish and moisturize gray strands. If you’re torn between the Argan Horsetail or Neutral Henna, I would say go with the Neutral Henna unless your hair is feeling a little brittle and could use extra strengthening properties. Argan Horsetail is better for strengthening, but Neutral Henna is better for moisture and manageability.

    Alex on
  • Hi! I’ve found the information on your website fascinating. I wonder if you have a recommendation for red hair that’s got some color in it. I’ve recently learned not to use baking soda shampoo or apple cider vinegar because they can remove the expensive color I’ve had put in. What would you recommend? My hair is healthy, fairly thick, and wavy. Mostly natural red with highlights and lowlights, and a little bit of graying. It sounds like the Argan Horsetail Shampoo or the Neutral Henna Shampoo might be best. I would appreciate any recommendations.

    Carole on

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