13. SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR HAIR ROUTINE
The beauty industry is one of the biggest contributors to excess waste and single-use plastic pollution. Shockingly, over 1,500 tonnes of recyclable aluminium sent to landfill in Australia each year is from the hairdressing industry - the equivalent of 715 cars worth of aluminium. That's why we’re a Sustainable Salon, meaning we make sure all efforts are taken to recycle and upcycle plastics, hair and e-waste. It’s also why we encourage everyone to make a conscious effort to minimise their environmental footprint. Curious as to how you can incorporate more sustainable practices into your hair routine? Read on for our studio founder Jess’ tips and tricks.
Q1. Why is it important to incorporate sustainable practices into your hair routine?
It’s our responsibility as consumers in the current world to try and lower our impact on the environment wherever possible, and purchasing products in the beauty industry is no exception. Adding a few simple and more sustainable practices can have a far bigger impact on the world than you think.
Q2. What are some easy changes to make to be more sustainable?
Choose salons that focus on being more sustainable in their practices and in their products.
Less is more… we don’t need to excessively buy hair products (shock horror!). In the past, hairdressers have been known to drive sales by selling countless products. But if your hairdresser cares about the environment, they should work out a routine of good quality hair products. In my routine, I use a shampoo, conditioner, a leave-in treatment/heat styler, a curling spray and a hair spray. Make sure you are completely using each product before deciding to try a new one. It may feel like you’re being frugal but just imagine how many plastic bottles and half-used products are sitting in your bathroom cupboard at home and then think about every woman’s bathroom cupboard in Australia… it’s mind-blowing.
Choose to buy products that are made from sustainable materials, ocean waste plastic, have refillable bottles, or who proceeds help to offset carbon emissions. Products that don’t test on animals is a great place to start.
Take your empty bottles back to the salon to be recycled if they are a Sustainable Salon.
Airdry your hair a few times a week and embrace your natural texture. Your hair will love having a break from the heat.
Q3. What does your sustainable hair routine look like?
It starts with an ocean swim (not for your hair, just for you!)
A beautiful glass of water with a teaspoon of The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost
Wash my hair using the Kevin Murphy Scalp Spa Wash and the Re-store Conditioner
Once out of the shower, I brush a pea-sized drop of the Kevin Murphy Smooth Again through my hair
Let the hair air dry
Once it’s dry, give it a little brush and voilá - embracing that natural life.
As a Sustainable Salon, we welcome and encourage you to bring your empty bottles in to be properly recycled. Let’s take accountability for our individual impact on the environment and put in the work to leave the world a better place than we found it.
