You may already buy healthy shampoo. By healthy I mean shampoo that does not contain harmful chemicals, parabens, or sulfates, and that is not tested on animals. No matter what the product claims, look closely at the ingredients because it may, for example, not contain parabens, but it still could contain other chemicals and the company may test on animals. 

The last few years though has seen a trend for the “No-Poo” method of haircare. So what is the “No-Poo” method? Simply put it’s a style of hair washing, without shampoo! Sure there are eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners on the green market but why buy when the “No-Poo” method works too? After all isn’t the green lifestyle all about REDUCING our consumerism, and when adopting the eco-friendly lifestyle sometimes nothing is better than something when we’re talking purchasing power!

No-Poo Methods
The “No-Poo” method has different limits for different people. There are purists who use no product on their hair, simply “washing” with water. The oils in the hair and scalp get rinsed off and the natural balance restores. There are others that shun the chemical laden shampoos for eco-friendly baking soda washes, and vinegar rinses. There are also others who use oatmeal, egg, kefir, milk and other natural cleansers and conditioners.

Eco-friendly
By adopting the “No-Poo” method of hair care and not using chemical laden shampoo’s you’ll reduce your environmental impact considerably. Not only by limiting the amount of chemicals in your home, on your body but also those chemicals get into the drainage system and have to be treated at water treatment plants. By not adding to that equation you are helping the environment. Saving on the countless plastic bottles that are used to contain the hair care products too helps the environment! Not only by not using petroleum to produce the plastic bottles but also most of those bottles end up in landfills so it all helps!

Personal Choice
As stated above though it’s all a personal choice, and what works for one person may not work for everyone. Sure it’s something that could be worth trying to reduce your global footprint but if it doesn’t work for you then just aim to change your haircare routine in other ways. Choose a shampoo without sulfates, one that has no chemicals, isn’t tested on animals and hopefully comes in a recyclable container. Use less product in general, lather or suds doesn’t clean your hair so don’t panic if the natural shampoo’s don’t lather like the chemical laden ones they are still cleaning your hair.

In all the “No-Poo” method is worth trying as a way to reduce your carbon footprint

Dr Bronner’s Liquid Castille Soaps
Now available in many fragrances but the traditional Peppermint liquid castille soap remains a favorite amongst environmentalists not only as as it’s a brand you can rely on, and a product that has truly stood the test of time. One reason for it’s popularity is its versatility, the packaging states it all really with it’s “18-in-1″ statement. Any Google search for “Dr Bronner’s soap uses” will turn up multiples uses for the product including: everyday showering, shampoo, household cleaning, laundry detergent and toothbrushing. I admit I have tried the first few and it does a great job in the shower, and home but I am reluctant to try the teeth cleaning. I’ve also personally used it as: carpet cleaner and dog shampoo and it worked great! Though I prefer the Eucalyptus or Citrus fragrances for the dogs soap for their flea deterrent qualities. All of this is a major reason it is so popular, why take a handful of different products to wash/shampoo/clean when one bottle will do the job?

Eco-friendly
In addition to Dr Bronner’s products being USDA Certified Organic and Fair Trade Certified they also carry the Rabbit and Stars logo to certify that their products are not tested on animals. They do however use organic beeswax in their lip and body balms so vegans beware! There other products are vegan however so plenty to choose from! All of the soaps are free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and similar chemicals.

Whether you are looking for the original castille soaps or the all new range of soaps, shampoo, conditioners, lotions, balms, shaving gels, baby care and more Dr Bronner’s is truly a leader in the eco-industry and worth checking out for all your personal and household needs!

Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink! Well if like me you are living in Southern California you’ll know that we are in a water crisis. Over the last couple of seasons we’ve had to mandatory reduce our water consumption, in some places up to 15% of our normal water use. Living an eco-friendly lifestyle already this was no easy feet, but then our overall unit reduction was also less as we use less water than the “average” household. As such we’ve become masters of the “5 Minute Shower”. Lunching with girlfriends, or chatting with women in the check-stand line at the grocery store current conversation seems to always steer to the mandatory water restrictions and the hardships of watering the lawn less, to which I reply “no problem just shower less! 5 minutes I am in and out and done!”. Now never having been a girly-girl and not soaking in the tub for hours in fact I’ve always seen the shower as a waste of time that could be otherwise productively used so I was no time hog anyway but since the restrictions I am even quicker.

Save water in the shower

• Don’t turn the water on until you are ready and IN the shower, too much water and energy (to heat the water) is wasted by people turning on the shower whilst fully clothed and spending the next 2 minutes getting undressed.
• If you need to “warm up” the water then place a bucket under the shower head to catch the cool water, this can be used later. For example: to flush toilets or water plants
• Shower effectively – Wet hair, shampoo, rinse. Apply conditioner to hair, wash body with soap, rinse conditioner from hair and soap from body – and DONE! Really it can take even less than five minutes!
• Contrary to popular opinion or what shampoo bottles may say you DO NOT need to shampoo your hair twice! Again, there is no need to rinse and repeat. Not only does this waste water, it wastes hair product and isn’t good for your hair either.
• Install a low flow shower head. Some utilities are giving these away for free, check your provider. Using a low flow shower head can reduce your water usage by up to 70%.
• If you shave in the shower, then turn OFF the water whilst shaving and turn ON to rinse.
• You can use the ON/OFF principle for showergel/shampoo too to further reduce your water usage.

Remember too that for kids it can even be a game, and if you have a larger family the shower game can get quite competitive! Who REALLY spends more time under the shower head? Who REALLY uses the most water? Can you be in and out in 5 minutes? If I can do it, so can you! Bottom line we should ALL be doing our bit to save water and the 5
minute shower is a great way to start! We all do it daily so the impact
could be significant in energy and monetary savings.

Thousands of people dye their hair everyday, including myself every once in a while. While it may look nice and be considered fun it is very harmful to the environment due to the harsh chemicals that are involved. The good news is that there are eco-friendly options out there in the form of natural hair dyes. Below is a list of hair dyes that are natural and can be easily purchased online. All dyes come in various colors.

Surya Henna Powder Hair Treatment (Brown)
A new concept of powder temporary coloring and hair treatment. It colors white hair while provides treatment, due to its conditioning, toning, fungi static and bacteriostatic action, which prevents from hair fall and dandruff. Since it is totally natural, it does not contain peroxide, ammonia or heavy metals and it can also be used for children, people allergic to chemicals, pregnant women or people undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment. It is available in eight different colors. 100% plant product with pure honey.

Surya Henna Cream Hair Coloring With Natural Extracts (Black)
Surya Henna Cream is a temporary coloring and hair treatment, in a ready-to-use cream presentation. Practical and easy-to-use, it is a natural and organic product, made from rare and exotic herbs and fruits of Brazil – Amazônia – and India. This product also colors white hair, with no peroxide, heavy metals or ammonia. It treats and conditions, due to the action of the natural properties of herbs and fruits. Available in other colors aside from black.

Light Mountain Natural Hair Color & Conditioner Kit (Mahogany)
Choose from Light Mountain’s original line with the famous “henna animals” in 12 shades, or Light Mountain’s unique Color the Gray line with 8 shades. Light Mountain uses no chemicals and no synthetic ingredients, only pure premium henna and other botanicals. Light Mountain has been blending henna based natural hair colors since the early 1980′s. Complete application kit. 100% pure botanical hair color. No animal testing and no animal ingredients.

Rainbow Research Henna Persian (Marigold Blonde)
Henna is a natural plant-based alternative to chemical hair colorings. Rainbow henna coats each hair shaft with color. Smooths and seals the hair’s cuticle for greater shine. Texturizes hair and gives it body. Blends naturally. Fades gradually. Lasts 4-6 weeks. Available in the following shades: Black, Red, Sherry, Mahogany, Burgundy, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Light Brown, Copper, Strawberry Blonde, Blonde, Marigold Blonde. Neutral Henna is a natural, colorless conditioner for all hair types.

Herbatint Herbal Haircolor Permanent Gel (Platinum Blonde)
Herbatint is a permanent hair coloring with a natural herbal base and no ammonia that gently colors and protects hair structure while giving hair a deep natural gloss. Gentle and easy to use Herbatint’s gel formula is easy to apply and gentle for your hair.

Do you have trouble trying to keep your hair stay put all day after styling it? Do you prefer to use all natural, or almost all natural at least, hair and beauty products? Well, there is good news to those of you who all answered yes to these questions. There’s a simple solution to your problem, and that solution is waiting for you in your kitchen. The solution being homemade hair spray. For the most part homemade hair spray is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and very safe for you to use. Who could ask for more? Typically speaking homemade hair sprays don’t take long to make and you don’t have to be a genius to make them either. Try one or more of the following recipes for homemade hair spray and you will be making a difference for both yourself and the environment. Happy spraying!

Homemade hair spray for normal to oily hair:
In a small pot pour two cups of water in it and add the juice of one lemon (store bought lemon juice can be used as well). Allow the mixture to simmer until it boils. Once it comes to a complete boil let it boil until half of the mixture remains in the pot, and then allow the mixture to cool. Once it has cooled strain the mixture. Pour the liquid that was strained into a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator. Tip: Add more water to the mixture in the bottle if you find that the hair spray is too sticky. Try adding the zest of a lemon into the mixture when you combine the water and juice. Add an ounce of rubbing alcohol or one of tablespoon vodka to the mixture as a preservative after you fill the spray bottle.

Homemade hair spray for dry hair:
In a small pot pour two cups of water in it and add the juice of one fresh orange (orange juice can be used in place of a fresh orange). Allow the mixture to simmer until it boils. Once it comes to a complete boil let it boil until half of the mixture remains in the pot, and then allow the mixture to cool. Once it has cooled strain the mixture. Pour the liquid that was strained into a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator. Tip: Add more water to the mixture in the bottle if you find that the hair spray is too sticky. Try adding the zest of an orange into the mixture when you combine the water and juice. Add an ounce of rubbing alcohol or one tablespoon of vodka to the mixture as a preservative after you fill the spray bottle.

Try the following tips and tricks when using hair spray, whether it be homemade or store bought:

• Hair spray roots and then fluff them a little to get an instant lift.
• Apply a very light application of hair spray on a hairbrush to keep small flyaway pieces of hair at bay.
• Hair spray roots and then tip head upside down and shake. This will help add a little volume to roots.

Now that you know whether you may or may not be an eco-traveler what about knowing about a few travel products that are available out there?

Here is a list of a few eco-travel products:

Kiss My Face Action Travel Pack – This kit includes shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, shaving cream, shower gel, deodorant, Moisturizer, and a travel bag.

Campsuds Biodegradable Soap – With this soap you can wash just about anything, all the way from clothes to your face. While it only comes in a 2 oz. bottle a little bit goes a long way, so be sure to use it sparingly.

Shoreline Green Smart Laptop Jacket – For those eco-techies out there who can’t live without their trusty laptop traveling with them the Shoreline Green Smart Laptop Jacket just might come in handy. Not only does it make a comfortable place for your laptop to sleep while away from home but it is also made of 100% post consumer PET water and soda bottles.

All Terrain Outdoor Travel Kit – This kit contains hand sanitizer, insect repellent, recovery rub for sore muscles, sunscreen, skin repair, and chapstick.