We all love a good hair day. It boosts our confidence and makes us feel great throughout the day. But there’s one thing that none of us feel good about, even on our best days: a plastic-based beauty routine.

Pesky plastics are hiding all throughout our beauty routines. Haircare is no exception. From our hair ties to brushes and nonrecyclable shampoo and conditioner bottles, there seems to be no escape. But we know better.

Your escape from a planet-damaging haircare routine starts right here at EcoRoots. We specialize in products that are better for the planet, and these products happen to be better for you, too. Building a plastic-free haircare routine is easier than it has ever been before.

First, let’s talk about the eco-friendly haircare products you’ll need to get started.

What Products Do I Need to Build a Zero-Waste Haircare Routine?

When you’re ready to build a zero-waste hair care routine that you can be proud of, we’ve got everything you need. We’ll do a deeper dive in the following sections into what these products are, why they’re better than their traditional counterparts, and how to use them.

For now, this section will serve as your official eco-friendly haircare shopping list! Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Zero-waste shampoo and conditioner bars
• Dry shampoo
• Wooden hairbrush
• Hair oil
• Hair ties

You won’t find an ounce of plastic anywhere on this shopping list. Not in the products themselves or the packaging they come in. And you won’t find any of those hefty chemicals, fillers, or other synthetics, either.

Our products are made with healthier ingredients, with most of them being cruelty-free, vegan, natural, or some combination of the three. Let’s start with the best zero-waste shampoo and conditioner bars. These are the building blocks of your new eco-friendly haircare routine.

What Are Zero-Waste Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?

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Eco-friendly shampoo and conditioners bars are as simple as they sound. They’re eco-friendly bars made with simple ingredients, simple to use, and simply so much better than traditional shampoos and conditioners.

And they’re not just better because they don’t come in damaging plastic bottles. They’re also made better, which is ideal for happier, healthier hair. We’ll talk more about that later. Right now, we want to talk about something else that excites us: the scents!

What Scents Can I Choose From?

After the fact that they’re plastic-free, and easy to use, and nice to look at, and long-lasting – okay, there’s a lot to love about our shampoo and conditioner bars! Somewhere on the list of the top 10 things our customers love about them is the fantastic range of scents to choose from.

These scents include:

• Moroccan oil
• Forest mist
• Citrus fresh
• Lavender
• Honeydew
• Summer breeze
• CocoLime colada
• Fresh mint
• Lilac flowers
• Unscented

The unscented, fresh mint, forest mist, and Moroccan oil options are balanced enough for unisex use. The rest are bursting with notes of floral fields, summer breezes, citrus fruits, and all things lovely and light. Even the biggest beauty companies can’t compete with this list!

How Do You Use Plastic-Free Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?

Zero-waste haircare starts with zero-waste shampoo and conditioner bars. But one of the biggest concerns we hear from people who are interested in making the switch is that they’re used to shampoos and conditioners they can squeeze.

It makes sense; we all grew up with them. Before we knew better or had better options, we used what we had. But now all those old plastic bottles are floating in landfills and oceans, and none of us want to keep contributing to that problem.

If your biggest concern about making the switch is that shampoo and conditioner bars will be too hard to use, that’s an easy problem to solve. It’s much simpler than you’d think. And once you try it for yourself, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

• Wet your hair.
• Gently massage into your hair and scalp.
• Rinse with water.
• Follow the same process with the conditioner bar, if desired.
• Leave the bar(s) out to air dry so they’ll be ready for their next use.

The shampoo bars lather up well, so a little goes a long way. Now that you know how to use them, let’s talk about why you should, starting with the scalp and hair benefits.

Why A Zero-Waste Haircare Routine is Better for You

Our plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars are made with natural ingredients. These natural ingredients include things like coconut oil, cocoa butter, essential oils, antioxidants, vitamins, and citrus extracts, among others.

This means that we’ve eliminated the need for the chemicals and fillers that bigger companies promise will give you silky smooth locks but rarely actually do. The chemicals and fillers in traditional shampoos and conditioners are often linked to the most common hair complaints.

Things like dryness, greasiness, flaky, itchy scalp and other irritations can be attributed to chemical-heavy, plastic-bottle shampoos and conditioners. Not ours. Not with the incredible, fresh, and natural ingredients we prioritize over all else.

Our eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars are ideal for all hair and skin types, including sensitive skin and color-treated tresses. It’s time to truly rejuvenate and refresh your hair routine, not just load it up with more chemicals and plastics.

Both the shampoo and conditioner bars will make your hair healthier, stronger, and cleaner. No more dry scalp or straw hair. These bars clean your hair without making you feel stripped of your natural oils, dried out, or fried from too much product.

How Plastic-Free Haircare Products Are Better for the Environment

We all know how damaging plastics can be. Certain types of plastic can survive in the environment for 500 years. That means that certain products, once we’re done with them, will live on in a landfill or waterway for many more lifetimes.

But the five-century rule doesn’t apply to all plastics. So, just how bad are plastic-based hair products for the environment? It can be difficult to predict this number with any true certainty since there are other factors to consider.

The location, the weather, and the way it’s processed can all change the outcome. But the most common estimates state that shampoo and conditioner bottles can take between 100 and 400 years to break down.

Every year, 552 million shampoo bottles end up in landfills in the United States alone. And that’s just shampoo bottles. Think about how many other plastic-containing products you use in your shower and bathroom.

Plastics can lurk in every corner of our homes if we’re not careful. But we can help you change that. And considering how many plastic-based products are commonly used in the bathroom and shower, we think that this is the best place to start.

So, let’s talk about that first building block some more – the shampoo and conditioner bar.

How Long Do Eco-Friendly Shampoo and Conditioner Bars Last?

On average, our plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars last for around 50 washes. Of course, it all depends on how many people are using the bars, how long their hair is, and how well they’re stored. Storing them properly can help extend their life.

Thankfully, that part’s simple, too. Just leave the bars out to air dry when you’re done, and they’ll be ready for their next use. But in order to properly dry, a damp soap tray on the shower wall won’t do. Instead, we recommend picking up a bamboo soap dish.

In addition to being long-lasting and plastic-free, they’re also vegan and cruelty-free. And because they’re so much smaller than traditional shampoo and conditioner bottles, they’re also great for travel.

How Do I Choose the Right Scent?

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We recommend trying out a few different options to find the one you like the best. We make it easy to test your top choices by offering a convenient buy more, save more bundle on these bars. Here’s how the plastic-free haircare bundle works:

• Buy three and get 5% off the total
• Buy four and get 10% off the total
• Buy five and get 15% off the total
• Buy six and get 20% off the total

Our favorite way to use these bars is to choose different scents for different seasons. For example, the cold-weather months get a boost when you choose the summer breeze, lavender, cocolime colada, or citrus fresh option.

In an instant, you’ll be transported somewhere tropical, warm, and breezy when you need those feelings the most. And in the warm-weather months, the fresh mint, forest mist, and Moroccan oil options give you a different kind of boost.

You can do this any way you choose. Go for a scent you already know and love, test out something new, or mix and match between the shampoo and conditioner options. Our customers love the different bars for different reasons, and we’re excited for you to find your favorites, too!

But we know what you’re wondering first. What do you do on those days where shampoo and conditioner aren’t an option? Nobody wants to walk around with greasy locks. But our options are limited when there’s just no time to wash.

Don’t worry, we’ll cover this conundrum next!

Eco-Friendly Haircare When You’re In-Between Washes

Not feeling up to the hassle of washing your hair today? Or simply running short on time, so you couldn’t even if you wanted to? We’ve got the perfect remedy for that. Our natural dry shampoo gives you a boost when a wash is out of the question.

It’s the perfect product for plastic-free haircare that won’t let you down when you need it the most. But what is a natural dry shampoo? Many of us have only seen the ones that come in a detrimental aerosol can with plastic buttons and other undesirable components.

Our lavender and cocoa natural dry shampoo makes eco-friendly haircare between washes easy. It smells great (thank the cocoa powder and lavender for that!) and absorbs oil and residue well, keeping your hair fresh and clean for longer.

It’s plant-based, making it better for you. And it comes in a recyclable or upcyclable cardboard container, which makes it better for the environment, too. The addition of minerals refreshes and supports healthy hair, so you can look and feel good even on the days when you’re on the go and short on time.

How Do You Use Powdered Dry Shampoo?  

It may not look like what you’re used to, but using our natural dry shampoo is easy. Just follow these simple steps:

• Dip a makeup brush or a natural loofah into the powder.
• Tap off the excess.
• Part your hair at the oiliest sections.
• Apply the powder with the makeup brush to each section that needs it.
• Turn your head upside down and brush through.

We recommend wrapping a towel around your shoulders to keep the powder from raining down on your clothes. It works great on all hair types and colors. Plus, the product itself isn’t the only thing that’s plastic-free.

Our natural dry shampoo comes in a plastic-free recyclable or compostable cardboard container, too. Easy zero-waste hair care starts with our eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars and our natural dry shampoo.

After that, there are just three more products you’ll need: hair oil, a wooden hairbrush, and plastic-free hair ties.    

The Cherry on Top of Your Zero-Waste Haircare Routine

Most of us have days when our hair falls flat, especially in the winter months when things get dry and brittle. Our vegan natural hair oil can help with that. Sustainably crafted and packed with vitamins and omega fatty acids, it gives your hair the boost it deserves.

The addition of plant-based extracts with anti-inflammatory properties rounds out the list of sustainably sourced and USDA-certified organic ingredients. Altogether, they help:

• Moisturize dry tresses.
• Promote healthy hair growth and elasticity.
• Prevent damage against heat, chemicals, and natural elements.
• Nourish, revitalize, and protect your hair follicles and scalp.
• Restore moisture to a dry scalp.

The sustainable and plant-based ingredients also make it vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable. With just a little bit in hand, this zero-waste multi-purpose hair oil packs a powerful punch!

Free from heavy fragrances, dyes, phthalates, and parabens, it’s ideal for even the most sensitive hair types and scalps. And it’s easy to use, too. Just add a few drops to your hand and massage it through wet or dry hair to add moisture and shine and reduce frizz.

Once you’ve used the last drop, simply recycle or upcycle the glass bottle.

Other Uses for Natural Hair Oil

We mentioned earlier that our natural hair oil is multi-purpose. In the section above, we talked about using it daily on wet or dry hair for styling. Just a few drops will add moisture and shine and reduce frizz so you can get out the door and start your day quickly and confidently.

But there are two other uses we want to tell you about, too. In addition to being a daily styling tool, our natural hair oil can be used as a scalp conditioner or a weekly or bi-weekly pre-shampoo or hot oil treatment.

If you’re using it as a scalp conditioner, use the dropper it comes with to apply drops of the oil to the areas that need it the most. Target the dry spots or itchy spots on your scalp that need some extra love. You’ll see a difference in no time.

If you’re using it as a treatment, apply generously and evenly throughout your hair and scalp. Then, wrap your hair up with either a warm towel or fasten it up with a big clip to keep it all in place. After 20 to 30 minutes, wash it out and admire the results!

But let’s talk about one more thing before you brush: leaving plastic hairbrushes in the past.

Leaving Plastic Hairbrushes in the Past

Now that you know which products to start with in your zero-waste hair care routine and how to use them, we’re down to our two last tips. Before we wrap things up, we want to tell you about our wooden hairbrush and plastic-free hair ties.

Wooden hairbrushes aren’t anything new, but you’d think they were based on how much attention they’re getting these days. You might be wondering: why should I use a wooden hairbrush instead of a plastic one?

Most people get by just fine for many years using ratty old plastic hairbrushes. But we want better for you. And we want better for the environment, too. We’ll start with the hair benefits. Plastic hairbrushes harbor bacteria like its their job.

And then we rub that bacteria, along with loose skin cells and other unwanted particles, right back into our hair when we use it again. This cycle contributes to some of the most common hair and scalp concerns, including frizz, oiliness or greasiness, and brittleness.

Wooden hairbrushes are different. Ours, for example, comes with a handy and easy-to-use brush cleaner, and it’s made from naturally antibacterial bamboo. It gently detangles and smooths your locks instead of ripping through and reintroducing what you just brushed out.

The bamboo bristles gently massage the scalp for a soothing way to improve blood circulation. And the way it glides gently through your hair promotes the secretion of natural oil, making your hair look healthier, feel softer, and preventing the static that makes hair frizzy and brittle.

Wooden hairbrushes are great for all hair and scalp types. And since designed the same way as traditional hairbrushes, there’s no learning curve. Just brush vertically to detangle or horizontally to massage your scalp.

Now that we’ve covered why bamboo hairbrushes are better for us, let’s talk about why they’re better for the environment.

A Better Way to Brush

Did you know that health and beauty experts recommend replacing plastic hairbrushes every six to twelve months? Most people don’t know that, but it’s true. They harbor so much bacteria that it’s not good to keep them around for any longer than that, even if you clean them regularly.

And we all know what happens when we toss them out, whether that’s in six months or six years. Hairbrushes aren’t made of just plastic. They typically also contain wood, rubber, metal, sealants, and glues.

This combination makes them incredibly difficult to recycle, so most of them end up in a landfill or waterway somewhere instead. And then they’ll stay there for decades before they decompose. Alternatively, bamboo is a naturally occurring resource, making this wooden hairbrush far more sustainable than others.

It’s naturally biodegradable, sustainable, resistant to degradation, and has natural antimicrobial properties that kill bacteria. Cared for properly, this hairbrush can last for decades, which is incredible – especially compared to the six-month-lifespan of traditional hairbrushes!

Plastic-Free & Natural Ponytails

Last but not least on our list is our zero-waste, plastic-free hair tie option. Made from shimmering mulberry silk, our Nade silk scrunches are naturally dyed with botanical plants and food waste gathered from local farms and restaurants.

How’s that for creative repurposing? Each scrunchie is handmade in the U.S. and 100% natural. And there are nine magically vivid colors to choose from, so there’s an option for every style, outfit, and mood.

Building Better Habits, One Step at a Time

From washing and styling through massaging your scalp and holding your hair up during a busy day, our eco-friendly hair care products help you build the ultimate beautiful and sustainable lifestyle and routine. With just a few simple swaps, we can all build better habits one step at a time.

That’s what the eco-friendly movement is all about. Simple swaps and healthier habits add up to routines that we can all feel good about. And the impact of our choices now can last for generations to come.

Now, who wouldn’t want to leave a legacy like that? Join us in making our world more sustainable, one zero-waste shampoo bar, wooden hairbrush, or silk scrunchie at a time.

Click HERE to build your zero waste haircare bundle and save 20%!