Low-Impact Hair Products That Actually Work
Low-impact haircare is booming, and Jose Bryce Smith couldn’t be happier.
“It’s grown so fast in the last few years,” says the founder of O&M Original and Mineral, the Australian brand known for its nature-based hair colour and care products. “We were ahead of our time when we launched, and the demand for natural and low-chemical products has forced manufacturers to make changes.”
O&M’s ever-growing range – which is cruelty-free, PETA-approved and Australian-made – has been snapped up by retailers around the world from Selfridges to Sephora. “We have proven you can get results in a more gentle way, which leaves your hair healthier,” Jose says.
Increasingly companies are following suit, rejecting damaging ingredients like sulphates, silicones and parabens and opting for formulations that are vegan and cruelty-free.
It’s not just what’s inside the bottle that counts, either: sustainable packaging is now also in focus. Australia’s Kevin Murphy has long drawn on natural ingredients for his eponymous range and sourced packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable. Most recently, he started using 100 per cent recycled ocean-waste plastics in his bottles.
“It’s our responsibility as brands to not only think more sustainably but act on it, too. Our company was built using organic growing practices, micro-cultivation and ecologically-sound wild harvesting techniques,” Kevin says. “This new initiative is a reflection of our values and is intended to start an industry-wide conversation about the heart of the issue – safe packaging disposal.”
Here are some of our favourite low-impact products that actually get results.
O&M The Power Base
This protein and moisture treatment is a great way to give your hair a boost, particularly during the summer. “In summer your hair is exposed to salt water and chlorine which strips the hair and you need to put the moisture back in,” says Jose Bryce Smith. “The Power Base is very strengthening and great for building the hair from the inside out,” she adds.
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub
Haircare starts with the scalp says Christophe Robin, who worked as a celebrity colourist before launching his collection. He describes the scalp as being “like the roots of a plant: you need to treat it with great care, or it will die.” This scrub, made solely with plant ingredients, is designed to cleanse, purify and soothe the scalp and is suitable for all types of scalp, from sensitive to oily.
Bar None Hydrating Shampoo Bar
It’s not just cruelty-free and vegan, Bar None’s shampoo bar, and the matching conditioning bar, are also zero waste, thanks to the recycled packaging. If you have never used a shampoo bar before, it won’t take long to get the hang of it: just rub the bar over your scalp, in the direction of your hair, to form a lather, then wash as per usual.
Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray
US-based company Briogeo’s products are cruelty-free, gluten free and largely vegan – but most of all, they work. Each range is designed for a particular hair type with Blosssom & Bloom offering an instant boost to fine hair. This double-duty spray contains maltodextrin to boost volume, and lemon and witch hazel extract to dissolve excess oil.
Kevin.Murphy Ever.Smooth
Designed to extend the life of your blow-dry, this styling spray is the first product in the Kevin.Murphy range to feature a bottle made of recycled ocean-waste plastic. Ingredients such as blue cypress, white cypress and lemon aspen “have high levels of antioxidants that actually behave like an alpha hydroxy acid for scalp and hair conditioning,” Kevin says.
Words_ Ute Junker
Photo_ Shutterstock Product Photos_ Supplied