Eco-friendly styles and products are beneficial to your hair’s health and the planet’s well-being, and it’s easy to go “green” once you learn how. Philadelphia’s Juju Salon owner, Julie Ebner, said that curly-haired women can air dry for a frizz-free natural look without using energy-draining styling appliances if they get a great cut and select the right styling product. Ebner also suggests using a dry shampoo several times a week to conserve on energy and water use.

Below, are five eco-friendly hair trends minimizing the use of toxic chemicals, water, energy and natural resources.

Photo courtesy of organiccolorsystems.com

Avoid Ammonia

Eco-friendly hair is healthy and strong even when it’s colored. Say “no” to harmful fumes and toxic chemicals by seeking out nature-based hair coloring options such as henna or ammonia and formaldehyde-free hair coloring formulas.

Chanelb 1989 Design’s Eco-Friendly Faux Feather Headband

Flock to Faux

Feather hair accessories are a hot fashion trend but real feathers are often obtained cruelly from birds living in eco-unfriendly factory farm conditions. Greener choices are recycled or vegan faux feather designs. Chanelb 1989 Design’s cruelty-free felt feather headband, created from fabric recycled from post-consumer plastic bottles, is a fashionable eco-friendly alternative.

Saxiib’s recycled fabric blossoms, available on Etsy.

Braid It

Cornrows and braids are low-maintenance hairstyles reducing your daily consumption of styling product, water and energy-draining styling appliances. Apply natural oils or fragrance-free grooming products to the hair before braiding to add sheen and accessorize with recycled or vintage hair accessories for a sophisticated “green” fashion look!

Audry & Ulric’s Water Lily Felt Headband

Recycle and Reuse

To reduce waste, adorn your crowning glory with recycled fabric hair accessories instead of purchasing new ones. Samantha Kale of Audry & Ulric creates stylish hair accessories from Eco-fi fabric and she cuts every piece of felt and ribbon by hand.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Product

Embrace the Eco-Easy

Don’t fight Mother Nature! You can reduce the need to use multiple styling products by embracing your hair’s natural texture. Read ingredient labels carefully and seek out biodegradable shampoos and conditioners such as Jonathan Product’s 100% natural Green Rootine petrochemical-free hair conditioner.

Which is your favorite hairstyle?