My Guide For Guilt Free Hair Products!
- Lottie Ramsey
- Apr 13, 2020
- 13 min read
Whilst we are all stuck in quarantine inside our own homes I thought I'd put this time to good use and finally put together (after a lot of digging!) my guide of guilt free hair products. I wanted to provide you with a wide selection of brands and information that you can trust in order for you to successfully transition to cruelty free lifestyle, starting with your hair products.
According to Cruelty Free International, over 500,000 animals are used every year in cosmetic animal testing across the globe and In China it is required by the law to test on animals before products are sold. This means any brand that sells in mainland China is not cruelty free even if they state they are. They get away with this because they are paying someone else to conduct these test on their behalf.
It has been proven that non-animal testing is often more effective, more reliable, faster and allows neither animals or consumers to suffer. So why do it? Its nasty, unnecessary and unfair on our furry friends! So please help to support the companies that don't feed into this cruelty so they can keep providing beautiful, animal friendly products.
Below you will find the 37 cruelty free brands I have included in this blog followed by a list of further information I have collected about the company. Tap on the name of the product in the list and it will take you straight to where you can buy them!
At the very bottom of the page I have also included the names of a few hair brands you should avoid.
ARBONNE BEAUTY KITCHEN BLEACH LONDON THE BODY SHOP
BUMBLE AND BUMBLE COLAB COLOR WOW COWSHED EARTH FRIENDLY BABY
ELEVEN EVO FAITH IN NATURE FOAMIE FUNCTION OF BEAUTY
GOOD WASH COMPANY GREEN PEOPLE GROW GORGEOUS HAIR BURST
HASK JASON KENRA PROFESSIONAL KEVIN MURPHY
KIND NATURED KRISTIN ESS LEE STAFORD LUSH MARIA NILA
MARK HILL NEALS YARD NOUGHTY OLEPLEX THE ORGANIC SHOP
PAUL MITCHELL PHIL SMITH PROVOKE UMBERTO GIANNINI WELEDA
I have started with my top 5 favourite Brands...
Evo
A personal favourite of mine and what I choose to use on my clients in the salon.
Its an Australian, professional hair and skin care brand which oozes personality.
At Evo they 'want to bring about change for the good and create a movement of free thinkers who care about doing the right thing.' Their entire range is free from sulfates, parabens, dea, tea, propylene glycol gluten and are 100% cruelty free, all of which are Vegan minus 4 products. If that isn't enough they also use recycled packaging and are in the process of transitioning to the new PCR which is a further 40% less impact on the environment!
My most used product by Evo is Head Mistress, a blowdry lotion which contains heat and thermal protection, smooths the cuticles and cuts down the blowdry time. I literally use this on all my clients. You can purchase any Evo products directly through me.
Starting out with just a temporary Root Cover Up Product, Color Wow now
has a full range of 19, problem solving products, all carefully designed to help with different problems our hair might face all whilst keeping our colour looking fresh. Color Wow is cruelty free and is also working on making all products 100% Vegan. One of my close friends, Mel Pellegrini, is an educator for the company and says her favourite product is 'the Shampoo and Conditioner, it cleans your hair in a gentle way and doesn't allow any nasty ingredients to build up on your hair which can make your colour dull or fade. It also keeps the hair follicles clean and allows healthier growth. Its safe for all hair types; I even use it on Jaxon' (her 4 year old son)
In 2013 the Bleach London product range launched to the shelves. They include a
selection of colour kits, shampoo and conditioners and styling products. On their website they promise to 'put the environment at the heart of everything we do'. This means the entire range is 100% vegan and cruelty free. Last year they also launched refillable glass bottles for sale in their salons and removed the single-use plastic tools from Bleach Kits, Toners and Dyes and launched a reusable coconut bowl as an alternative. I personally always use the Silver Shampoo to make sure I don't get any yellow tones creeping through my bleached white hair.
The first products I ever used for skin care and make up when I was a
young teen was by The Body Shop and I still love them today! I am currently using their Shea Butter Shampoo, Vitamin C Daily Glow Cleansing Polish and Hemp Hand Protector. We all know and love The Body Shop for being forever be against animal testing and actively fighting for justice since 1989. 'Our Forever Against Animal Testing global campaign is how we put our passion for animal rights into action – we're working towards a worldwide ban on animal tested cosmetics… forever.' Make sure you support their important campaign!
An affordable range of 97% natural products that are both cruelty free and vegan. Noughty products are 'packed with all the good stuff and none of the bad' and free from parabens, silicones, petrochemicals and sulphates. The brand is aiming to upgrade all packaging by January 2021. 'The new tubes will be produced using sugarcane as the starting material instead of environmentally damaging fossil fuels. Where normal plastic production releases CO2 into the environment, the harvesting and then regrowth of the sugarcane works to remove CO2.
Here are more worth mentioning in alphabetical order..
Arbonne is more like a community that promotes a work life balance rather than just products. Each consultant starts and builds their business with the brand that focuses on selling beauty, health and well being products. All products are 100% vegan and cruelty free. 'We innovate using plant based ingredients grounded in science and clinical research with high standards for safety and sustainability.'
A smaller brand that is focused on becoming 'the most effective, natural and sustainable beauty products in the world.' They have 6 Ethical and Sustainability certifications including the Vegan Society and The Leaping Bunny (meaning cruelty free). They also have a RETURN, REFILL, REPEAT scheme, where you can return your empties via post or to any Holland and Barrett store and they will wash and reuse them! They also have a refill station at the Boots store in Covent Garden so when your finished with your shampoo you can just refill it instead, doing your bit for the environment!
Bumble and Bumble is a well known hair brand that is PETA approved and 'is committed to the elimination of animal testing.' Bumble and Bumble currently does not sell in China however they are owned by Estée Lauder, a brand that does test on animals. This doesn't mean that any animal testing is happening on Bumble and Bumble products. Some people choose not to use products that are owned by a parent company that does conduct animal testing and others believe it will help encourage the parent company to stop animal testing if we show that the cruelty free brands such as bumble and bumble are more popular. This is a total personal opinion.
A playful, 'multi award-winning dry shampoo' brand that’s suitable for all hair types, colours and textures with a range of difference fragrances.
COLAB is vegan friendly, cruelty free and free of parabens.
A popular wellbeing brand that believes in making 'honest, natural products
that offer genuine, therapeutic benefits'. They don't agree with using any ingredients that are harmful to animals and humans and are completely cruelty free. None of their products contain 'Parabens, Mineral Oils, Silicones or Animal Ingredients (spare a little organic beeswax and wildflower honey),'
A safe, ethical brand created 20 years ago that believe in doing their bit for the environment. Any palm oil used is sustainable, all packaging is used from recycled bottles and can be recycled again, they support organic farming and all products are produced here in the UK. Products include Shampoo, Body wash, bubble bath and skin care all natural, vegan, cruelty free and safe to use on your babies delicate skin and hair.
As one of the brands I used when I worked in Australia, I can confidently say that these products are completely client friendly, making them so easy to use at home! They have a wide range of vegan and gluten free options and they make sure that 'each individual ingredient in the range is sourced ethically and not harmful to any animals in the process' and do not conduct any animal testing. All the products are 100% recyclable and this year they are launching some 'exciting sustainability innovations around the packaging'
An affordable brand sold in Holland and Barrett, Ocado and many other
health shops. Faith in Nature believe in 'harnessing the powers of nature, but not harming it in the process' meaning all the products are Vegan, Cruelty Free and as green as can be.
An passionate German company that is fighting against plastic. Foamie is a solid shampoo bar (they also have conditioner and shower sponges, an alternative to shower gel) that is 0% soap, 0% silicones, 0% mineral oils and 100% plastic free, 100% cruelty free and 100% vegan! It works and cleans your hair just like a normal shampoo all you have to do foam it up under water, spread the foam from the hairline to the tips and massage in.
The first company that creates hair care products personalised to
your own hair. Function of Beauty 'are committed to creating products that use only safe, natural ingredients, wherever possible, and are continuously seeking new and environmentally-friendly ingredients. All of our products are free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, phosphates, and gluten, among many other ingredients. Our products are also 100% vegan and cruelty-free!' They focus on being sustainable, clean and ethical and their bottles are 100% recyclable and they are working hard to launch a 100% post consumer recycled bottles by the end of the year.
This is a small, Welsh Company makes natural, vegan, cruelty free products for body, hair and fur. They support local communities to help make a difference and are 'passionate about improving the lives of animals and driving a conscious consumer movement.'
A lack of natural, organic products on the market in the 90's provided the motivation for Green People to be created. They 'promise to never use aggressive ingredients or synthetic chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, alcohol (ethanol) or synthetic fragrances or colourants, and to never test on animals.' The brand is certified organic, vegetarian and has lots of vegan options. Each year they also donate 10% of their profits to various charities!
Grow Gorgeous is a brand that focuses on helping women get fuller, thicker healthier looking hair.
They have plenty of products designed to nurture and nourish hair and scalp from roots to ends.
Grow Gorgeous are proudly vegan-friendly, and cruelty free. All 'products are formulated without: Parabens, Sulphates, Silicones, Phthalates, Mineral Oil'
This well known brand, sold at Holland and Barrett believes that 'everyone deserves long, healthy and gorgeous hair.' They provide cruelty free hair vitamins, shampoo, conditioners and Elixir that combine science and natural ingredients that results in hair growth and help. The Shampoo and Conditioner, Elixir and Unicorn Hair Vitamins are Vegan too!
Best known for their Macadamia and Argan oil collections, Hask is a hair care brand 'featuring exotic oils and other unique ingredients from around the world.' With a wide range of collections from Tea Tree Oil to Hawaiian Sea salt to Keratin Protein, each collection was developed to target different hair needs. The Shampoos, Conditioners and Shine Oils are free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and gluten. Hask products are all cruelty free.
Jason live by a simple Code of Honor.. 'Select safe, gentle and effective ingredients, Rigorously test every formula to ensure safety and efficacy, Never test on animals (and) Constantly innovate and improve'. With plenty of not only hair care products but toiletries, you will never be stuck for choice and they are 100% vegetarian and plenty of vegan options. I personally love and use daily their toothpaste, power smile.
A professional cruelty free brand that I love. I find Kenra great for styling products, particularly for when I'm creating fancy up do's. You can purchase Kenra products from hair and beauty wholesalers, Sally's.
Another brand I worked with and absolutely loved in Australia! All products are completely cruelty free and they have plenty of vegan options!
Kevin Murphy is doing something that I think all brands should look at doing! They are collecting plastic from the ocean and using it to package their products! 'We are converting our bottles to 100% reclaimed Ocean Waste Plastic (OWP) and in doing so, will save a projected 360 tons of plastic from the ocean each year.'
This brand is all about kindness and nature. 'We believe in treating animals with humanity and love so none of our products are tested on animals,' They also promise 97% natural ingredients
with the other 3% being preservatives and fragrance. No Silicone, Sulphates, Parabens or microbeads are found in any of the products. All products are made in the UK and are vegan friendly and all packaging is recyclable.
A hairstylist come social influencer come product range. Kristin Ess has a wide range of hair products and tools from shampoos to volumizing mousse to colour gloss to curling tongs and they are all cruelty free!
Lee Staford hold the matter of animal testing very close to his heart! 'You can rest easy and enjoy our lovely products knowing that they are absolutely not tested on animals and are cruelty free.' They have also bought out a vegan range as well, look out for their new logo on their packaging!
Another brand well known for fighting against animal testing, Lush provides handmade, 100% Vegetarian, Ethical fair-trade products in recycled or no packaging at all to look after our planet. 'Lush supports Fair Trade and Community Trade initiatives. We find out what impact our buying has on the people and environment and make responsible decisions regarding from where, from whom and how we purchase ingredients and packaging for Lush.' Lush also has a 5 Pot Scheme where If you collect 5 empty pots of your used Lush products and return them to the store they will send them off to be reused and you will receive a free face mask.
This Swedish brand is fully committed to doing their bit to help the planet. By
purchasing their products, you contribute to planting new trees! 'Maria Nila is proud to work with Zeromission and Plan Vivo! We support the project Taking Root.' Not only that but they are a brand that loves animals therefore they are 100% vegan and cruelty free. 'Animals are a great part of our planet and they shouldn’t be plagued or exploited due to humanity’s vanity.'
A fun hair care brand that not only sells products but hair electrical too. They believe that 'not only is animal testing an unethical practice, but it’s also completely outdated and totally unnecessary.' They also have stated on a blog on their website that they are on a mission to make they're range 100% vegan too!
An iconic company that creates effective, natural, organic and ethical health and beauty products. As the owners are 'passionate advocates of organic living' they 'want to help people to live happier, healthier lives and protect our beautiful planet.' They test their products on 'willing humans, never on animals', they support many causes such as World Lands Trust, Microbeads Ban and Bees Lovely, they believe in trading ethically and sustainably and all products are organic, free from any chemicals and made in their Eco factory in Dorset, UK.
OLAPLEX was the first company to create 'bond building' technology with a range of professional salon treatments as well as take home products. OLAPLEX is designed to rebuild broken bonds from the inside of each hair strand repairing, protecting, and strengthening hair transforming it from damage to healthy. I have been having a full scalp bleach for 4 years now and every time I use OLAPLEX which I now swear by to keep my hair in good condition!
OLAPLEX is 'ethically made in California' and are both cruelty free and vegan. 'Lab animals live in extremely torturous conditions, which is something we have never and will never take part in.' OLAPLEX is also free of silicone, sulfates, peroxide, gluten, soy, and dairy.
A brand that contains 'at least 98% naturally sourced ingredients with at least the lead active ingredients always being Organic'. Organic shop can be found in Tesco's and has plenty of vegan options and is 100% cruelty free. 'We believe that natural beauty should be readily available to everyone and that is reflected in our prices, amazing value for money and with a huge dose of “feel good” factor too.'
Celebrating it 40th Birthday this year, Paul Mitchell is a popular brand in salons. 'Having hippy roots and a love for animals and the planet' they pride themselves on their dedication to making 'our world a more beautiful place' by partnering with many charities over the years based around animal rights and helping the environment. They are always searching for new ways to continuously be environmentally friendly and are proud that they were the first professional beauty company that announced themselves as cruelty free in the 80's. Most of their products are vegan too including their hair colour!
A huge collection of products from multi salon owner Phil Smith can be
found in Sainbury's and has products for many different hair types and needs all at an affordable price. They believe that beauty should cruelty free and are proud to be Leaping Bunny approved.
Best known for its touch of silver shampoo, Provoke also has products for 'blending the first greys in your rich brunette or refreshing your dull tresses into golden locks'. Provoke provides temporary solutions to your colour in just one wash and I can personally say the touch of silver is very effective! All the products are cruelty free and Vegetarian and some are also Vegan!
A completely vegan and cruelty free brand 'famous for celebrating
natural curls'. They believe that 'no animals need to be harmed for a flick of mascara or a spritz of hairspray!' All products are made in the UK and they are always looking for ways to be friendly to the planet whilst making their products.
With almost 100 years of creating natural well being products, Weleda is proud to be certified by NATURE. This means they believe in ethically sourcing, fair trading, sustainability to the business and the environment and creating natural, organic products free from any nasties. 'Weleda has never tested any of its individual ingredients nor finished beauty products on animals.' and refuses to sell in mainland China until it changes it requirements regarding animal testing however it does ship to China which means the products don't need to be tested on animals and can remain cruelty free.
To finish I wanted to provide you with a list of a few product brands that you should AVOID. These companies are NOT cruelty free, they DO test on animals or fund animal testing. Please consider the alternative in the list above.
AUSSIE BED HEAD CLAIROL GARNIER GOT2BE
HEAD AND SHOULDERS JOHN FRIEDA KERASTASE KIEHL'S L'OCCITANE
L'OREAL NIOXIN ORGANIX(OGX) PANTENE
REDKEN SCHWARTZKOPF SEBASTIAN PROFESSIONAL SUNSILK TIGI
TRESEMME VIDAL SASSOON VO5 WELLA
I hope you enjoyed reading my first of many guilt free guides and I hope I've helped provide you with inspiration to transition into a cruelty free lifestyle! I know all our furry friends will be very grateful!
I'd love to hear from you! Make sure you get in touch, sharing any stories or cruelty free products you love and don't forget to check out my Instagram page tease_by_lottie
Lots of Love
Lottie
xoxoxo
brilliant & informative blog, I have forwarded it to likeminded friends 🙂