A close shave
We’ve been suspicious of aerosol products since we heard that they let out harmful greenhouse gases. And even though they’ve been free of CFC greenhouse gases for two decades, they still contain other environmentally-harmful gases such as carbon dioxide as well as flammable petrochemical solvents. Instead of aerosol-propelled foams, choose pump-action containers —and a shaving brush with a natural cream makes a perfectly good lather.
For a latherless approach try a mixture of natural plant oils and essential oils for a moisturising, fragrant shave that’s as effective as foams and creams.
Hair care
Hair is a dead give-away of the state of our inner health, our environment and what we use to clean and style it. Over-frequent cleaning with harsh shampoos can strip hair of natural oils that keep it shiny, while problems with an itchy scalp could be down to SLS. Natural shampoos and conditioners use gentler, plant-based ingredients, but beware of hair products that have hijacked plant images so they look organic—check the label for the actual list of ingredients. The following recipes guarantee natural shine with healthy ingredients.
Honey rinse
Stir 1 tea spoon of honey into 4 cups of water (warm water). After shampooing, pour the mixture through your hair but don’t rinse it out. Dry as normal.
Or; Beer combined with cider vinegar makes a good conditioner for fine hair—the smell quickly disappears!
Rosemary rinse
A rosemary rinse will leave brunette hair gleaming. Make an infusion by pouring boiling water over the rosemary in a teapot, leaving to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Cool and use in the final rinse.
Or: Chamomile will put highlights into fair hair— pour over the hair several times for brighter locks.
Synthetic hair dyes derive their ingredients from petroleum sources, and studies have linked hair dye with increased risk of cancer. Less seriously, they may irritate skin, so test before using by dabbing a bit behind your ear and leaving it on for two days. The plant powder henna is a popular alternative, creating red shades ranging from dark brown to reddish blonde (although it won’t lighten hair). It’s messy, though—if you’re not careful it’ll stain your hands and bathroom as well as your hair.
Hair
- A scalp massage is deliciously relaxing and therapeutic, while improving blood flow to the scalp and making hair shine. For a quick self-treatment, massage the scalp with rigid fingers, gently pull at hair roots, and tap over the scalp with your knuckles.
- Hair brushes made from natural bristle draw oils from roots to ends, making hair shiny and healthy—although people with chemically-treated hair should stick to plastic brushes.
Going about in a cloud of hairspray is no longer fashionable, and the fine chemical mists that aerosol sprays deliver have never been good for health. Look for pump-action spray bottles, or shape hair using plant-based styling gels and natural plant waxes.
