Good natural hair products are always hard to come by… and once you find ones that you love it’s very comforting.

Scott, a hairdresser that has worked with me a lot in the past, has recommended some great products. He was also kind enough to answer some other questions for me.

Alicia: What products do you use and why? What are your considerations when choosing products?

Scott: I use a variety of products depending upon my clients’ needs, however, I always try to use conscientious choice as there is really no reason not to. Many of the larger companies have come a long way and adhere to cruelty-free practices and, in many cases, vegan or vegetarian ingredients. It just takes a little diligence to read the packaging and make a smart decision.

Bumble & Bumble makes a full line of cruelty-free products which are fantastic and with a few exceptions, mostly beeswax, they are vegan as well. The same goes for Aveda, but I have to admit that the fragrances are a little overwhelming sometimes. Giovanni and Jason, both carried at Whole Foods, are also terrific, but as with Aveda and other “natural” products, these have a more limited shelf life and last longer if refrigerated.

I also tend toward a natural alternative whenever possible. Pure shea butter makes a spectacular pomade. I use it for piece-y looks and to smooth frizziness. A little goes a long way. Pure aloe vera gel makes a great hair gel and when mixed with rosewater makes a great spray-on blow-dry product. Adds thickness and shine with no alcohol! Also, glycerine and rosewater can take the place of serums to calm naturally curly hair and reduce frizz.

Alicia: Why did you decide to go vegan?

Scott: I was raised in a very meat-friendly household, with more than one choice of meat for every meal. As soon as I left home as a teenager I became vegetarian, and have just naturally evolved into a vegan lifestyle from there. I was never a fan of my many meat options and have always been a lover of all animals, so it just seemed like the right trajectory for me. It certainly was a philosophical decision first and a health benefit by coincidence.

I have now been vegetarian/vegan for over 40 years and have certainly reaped the long-term benefits in my health, weight control, skin, etc…I try not to be preach-y about it and always felt that did more harm than good. I try only to live by example and work to educate my friends, co-workers and clients gently and with love.

Take a look at what Scott recommends:

Giovanni was started by Arthur Giovanni, a Beverly Hills salon owner. Giovanni makes a full line of cruelty-free, organic, and vegan products, and you can find them at Whole Foods and other major retailers. Everything from shampoos and conditioners, to styling and finisher products you can find here.

I’ve been using a couple of Giovanni products recently, and they are great. One of the products, Vitapro Fusion, protects my ends from hairdryer heat, calms down frizz, and smoothing funny flyaways.

MOP (Modern Original Products) makes Scott’s favorites, the C-System. All organic and food-based ingredients, these products can be found in tons of salons and beauty supply stores.

Aveda makes tons and tons of products for every type of hair and hair need, it just depends on what you need. Their products aren’t always vegan, but Aveda avoids chemicals when they can, and most of their products are derived from natural ingredients. My favorite Aveda product for my hair is the Volumizing Tonic. After I shower at night, I sleep on my damp, washed hair that I wrap into a loose bun. Then, in the morning, I spray a little of this on my hair if I’m going somewhere spunky, and my hair gets that tasseled and textured look.