The natural hair journey is a long (very long), beautiful process. In the beginning, it takes a lot of patience, adaptability, and trial and error. Sounds similar to the sustainable living journey, doesn’t it? Keep reading to learn more about my own sustainable natural hair care journey, including my tips for keeping the process as eco-friendly as possible.
Cleansing
As naturals, we have to be very mindful of the products that we put into our hair and the ingredients they contain. Sulphates and other drying ingredients can lead to breakage and damage in the long run. Not to mention, most hair care products come in plastic packaging, and a laundry list of not-so-sustainable ingredients.
A great alternative to conventional natural hair care products is African Black Soap. It’s all natural, chemical-free, and detoxifying. You can find it at your local beauty supply store in the soap aisle. You can also find similar products on Etsy or from seller Ethical Chick (pictured below), who uses ethically sourced products and recycled packaging.
Moisturizing with DIY Shea Butter Hair Cream
The next big staple in sustainable natural hair care is a nourishing moisturizer. Whether you use the LOC method or you do a wash and go, moisture is important. I enjoy making my own DIY shea butter cream, full of enriching oils. All you need is refined shea butter (not the yellow one!), jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and any other oils that you hair loves. Mix thoroughly, until all oils are blended. Be sure to keep it in an air tight container. The cream lasts for months, and can be used on your hair and body.
Styling and Protecting with Thrifted Scarves
Now that you’ve cleansed and moisturized, it’s time to style your thick curls. To avoid tangling and breakage, I usually put my hair into a protective style, like 2 strand twists. This helps to lock the moisture into hair and protect your ends. My favorite way to dress up my twists are with head wraps and scarves, which you can easily find at your local thrift store! I have gotten most of the scarves in my collection for $3 each. Plus, thrift shops are always the best for finding fun colors, textures, and fabrics that no one else will have. I love this video by Jae from faceovermatter over on Youtube and was inspired to create my own version to share on Insta:
When you start on a more eco friendly lifestyle, you realize just how many areas of your life are connected to this journey. Once you find what works for you in both your sustainable and natural hair journeys, you’ll feel empowered to bring sustainability to other parts of your routine. It can be challenging but you’re guaranteed to learn a bunch of unique and inventive things along the way.
What are your favorite sustainable natural hair care products and tips? Would you like to see more posts on this topic? Let us know!
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