Thread: Need all natural or organic shampoo recommendations

I decided to start using more all natural or organic beauty products because I hate the idea of all this crap running down the drain into watersheds and such. I used to use garnier fructis and I loved it. I am sad I can't get the same effect from the all-natural brands.

Right now I am using Kiss My Face Whenever shampoo and conditioner. I like it, but the bottles are so small I go through one in a couple of months and it costs about $7 each. I could get Garnier for $3 and it would last twice as long.

I used to use Henna Gold by Shikai, but I was told by a hairdresser that henna is drying over time. I also know I don't like Jason because it doesn't suds up like I like.

So what do you use? Keep in mind I have thick yet fine wavy non-color treated hair. I also wash my hair daily. Thanks!

I use either Desert Essence or Beauty Without Cruelty for shampoo and conditioner (whichever the discount organic store near me has in stock when I run out). I like these because they are natural and are the only vegan shampoos I can find that I'm not allergic too.

I think Aveda makes nice hair caire products. Their Shampure brand is an nice simple daily shampoo. I think alot of the salons that sell it would give you a trial size bottle if you want to try it before you buy it. It's not particularly cheap, but I like their stuff.

Originally Posted by Mintaka

I use either Desert Essence or Beauty Without Cruelty for shampoo and conditioner (whichever the discount organic store near me has in stock when I run out). I like these because they are natural and are the only vegan shampoos I can find that I'm not allergic too.

Oh, I generally like Desert Essence products. I used their deo for years and loved it. Now I need something more mild on my pits.

Originally Posted by shahla

I think Aveda makes nice hair caire products. Their Shampure brand is an nice simple daily shampoo. I think alot of the salons that sell it would give you a trial size bottle if you want to try it before you buy it. It's not particularly cheap, but I like their stuff.

Is Aveda enviromentally-friendly? We have a couple of Aveda salons/stores around here.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Is Aveda enviromentally-friendly? We have a couple of Aveda salons/stores around here.

Well, I guess that would depend on your definition of Environmetally friendly. I'm sure lots of folks will chime in saying they don't think so, but I do. I work for my State's Department of Environmental Proction as my full time job and I use the stuff.

i use a formula from edgar casey, olive oil and coconut.you buy all casey products from the heritage, in virginia beach, where he lived.

I heavily dilute Dr. Bronner's soap, and it seems to work. THe key is to really dilute it; before I wasn't diluting it enough, and it left this nasty residue in my hair

Originally Posted by indigostars

I heavily dilute Dr. Bronner's soap, and it seems to work. THe key is to really dilute it; before I wasn't diluting it enough, and it left this nasty residue in my hair

What do you use for conditioner? My hair gets soooo knotty if I don't use a conditioner.

Avalon Organics I believe. I was going to start making my own conditioner, but it was going to be too difficult

I'm on day 3 of my hair experiment and so far I'm liking the results. I switched to Dr. Bronners and condition with diluted apple cider vinegar. Rinse thoroughly to get the vinegar out and it won't smell. I was surprise--nay, SHOCKED--that the vinegar was enough to make my hair smooth and easy to comb. Typically without conditioner my hair is a snarly mess, but I've done this twice now (I shampoo every other day) and both times the comb has slid right through with no tangles.

And btw... it's super cheap!!!

I'm also interested in figuring out a cheap and natural way to clean my wavy/curly/frizzy birdsnest. I've tried the Shampoo free method and it wasn't for me.

I am not keen on SLSs (because bubbles don't equal clean) so the shampoo need not be foamy for me. Actually, I have often rejected shampoo for being too bubbly.

Seriously, I'm really stoked about my new approach so far. Dr. Bronners and diluted ACV. It's SLS and silicone free. And cheap!

I am loving the Lush Karma shampoo bar for my thin, grumpy hair, despite the higher price tag. Not sure how it fares environmentally, though.

Giovanni 50/50 shampoo and conditioner are awesome!!! They cost about $7-&10 per bottle at Whole Foods, but they seem to last me a long time....and I have very thick, long hair (also not color treated).

I don't wash my hair every day, though (which might be why it lasts so long) and I feel like that helps keep it healthier as well.

p.s. I've been using this for at least 5 or 6 years without having to rotate shampoos, because it doesn't leave any build-up. I LOVE it!

ShiKai makes other varieties of shapoo/conditioner without henna. Great products. I use their color reflect line. Pureology is good too, but it's expensive and does have parabens.

There is a local (California) store called Body Time that makes amazing products, including all natural shampoo and conditioner.
Aromatherapy Essential Oils, Organic Essential Oils, Pure Essential Oils, and Pure Organic Essential Oils from Body Time
Hair care direct link Hair Care
I use a lot of their products and highly recommend them. Their China Rain scent is so nice and I use their Egyptian Musk oil for when I'm dancing.
But, just like most things organic or all natural, everything is not cheap.

Oh yeah, I'm currently using Nature's Gate Pomegranate Sunflower shampoo and conditioner, all natural and vegan, and it smells divine!

i loove nature's gate.

Jason Naturals makes great shampoo and conditioner for amazing VALUE! Large containers that will last you a long time, for $8 a bottle. Great scents and lots of variety for various hair conditions.

Originally Posted by shahla

I think Aveda makes nice hair caire products. Their Shampure brand is an nice simple daily shampoo. I think alot of the salons that sell it would give you a trial size bottle if you want to try it before you buy it. It's not particularly cheap, but I like their stuff.

I use their stuff-the moisturizing shampoo/conditioner/mask has stopped the breakage in my hair but I'm not fond of the smell (too earthy). It's pricey as well. My hair is coarse and very wavy and I don't wash every day either.

I'm thinking of switching to a castille (olive oil-based) shampoo & conditioner and seeing if there is any difference. It is cheaper tho.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Jason Naturals makes great shampoo and conditioner for amazing VALUE! Large containers that will last you a long time, for $8 a bottle. Great scents and lots of variety for various hair conditions.

The Dr. Bronner site calls Jason products "organic cheaters"


Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps: Activism: Truth and Lies in Organic Personal Care

Many organic and "natural" products still contain chemicals and chemical derivatives of natural ingredients. Ureas, Parabens, Petrol, Copolymers, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(derived from coconut), and many others.

I love Aubrey Organics( Aubrey Organics - Natural Hair Care, Natural Skin Care and Natural Body Care ). A little pricey ($8-$15 for shampoos and conditioners) but you can use less because it does more. All organic, all natural, absolutely NO chemicals. So good for your hair. I take at least 2-3 months to go through my bottles. I wash my hair once a week (twice at the most).

You shouldn't wash your hair every day, that's a standard hair care rule. The oils in your scalp are there to be brushed into your hair, keeping it shiny and healthy.

Even if you sweat hard every day, which may make you feel that you need to wash your head, you can get away with rinsing your hair with water or something really light(vinegar is a good idea). That way your scalp stays clean but you don't wash away its oils.

I love LUSH products. a lot of their stuff is even vegan. they have some really great solid shampoo and conditioner bars, so you can even go the no-packaging route and help save the planet that way. :) for my fine, thin wavy hair I use rehab or seanick shampoo and veganese or rehab conditioner; on my daughter's fine, dense straight blonde hair, I use godiva shampoo (so I can sniff her jasmine head!) and retread conditioner on the ends.

You can make a lot of natural shampoos at home; you can make a shampoo from soapnuts, or shikakai, or baking soda, or eggs, or fenugreek.

Also, you can try diluting your store bought shampoo, natural or otherwise. I put a small squeeze of shampoo in a bottle with some essential oils, fill it with water, and I get a few weeks of washes (my partner uses it too, so that would work out at at least one wash a day) out of it.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Jason Naturals makes great shampoo and conditioner for amazing VALUE! Large containers that will last you a long time, for $8 a bottle. Great scents and lots of variety for various hair conditions.

Originally Posted by stardancer

The Dr. Bronner site calls Jason products "organic cheaters"


Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps: Activism: Truth and Lies in Organic Personal Care

Yeah, I don't like Jason products, as mentioned in my orginal post. Nothing from their line has never done it for me. Their deo was the worst.

Anyone use EWG's Skin Deep? I love that Web site!

Oh and has anyone tried the whole foods brand and what do you think about it?

Originally Posted by Nat242

You can make a lot of natural shampoos at home; you can make a shampoo from soapnuts, or shikakai, or baking soda, or eggs, or fenugreek.

I think baking soda is good once in a while to remove build-up, but would be affraid to use it to replace shampoo, might be too drying and harsh.

I use a mixture of soapnuts, shikakai and amla, that's been working great for me. Sometimes I use a vinegar rinse but most of the time I forget and it's still easy to combe.

Originally Posted by aazura

Seriously, I'm really stoked about my new approach so far. Dr. Bronners and diluted ACV. It's SLS and silicone free. And cheap!

I, too, use Dr. Bronners. In fact, I'm using the lavendar one now and I am loving it. My hair is so soft!

I like Avalon Organics Lemon shampoo and conditioner, helps control the mess well water makes of my hair. I also have a friend who works at SoBotanical (SoBotanical) who makes custom bath and beauty products for me all the time, and her stuff is divine!

I don't know much about natural shampoos but I just love Biolage products. Not cheap but they make my hair feel great, even better than Fructis Garnier products. I don't know if I helped or not but I know quite a few hairdressers really push this one over the rest.