Clean beauty has no doubt exploded in recent years with new brands popping up left, right and centre – it’s hard to keep up. From skincare to makeup and even nail polish, the industry is inundated with a plethora of green brands to choose from. However, when it comes to clean hair brands, there are only really a few that are top of mind. In this issue of The Beauty Book, we pick the minds of three iconic clean hair care brands, from the OG to the cool newbies.
Davines
A true leader in natural hair care, Davines was founded by the Bollati family in 1983 in an R&D lab in Parma, Italy. They began by developing high-end ingredients and formulations for world-renown hair brands until the Bollati’s prodigal son, Davide, returned to Parma from the U.S.. After having acquired a Master in Cosmetic Sciences, Davide brought back a vision for sustainable beauty and this remains the driving force behind the company being certified B corp while he leads the company today.
Ryland Wood, Managing Director of Be., is the go-to in New Zealand for all things Davines. More than just “naturalness, sustainability and ethics,” Wood says “it’s about committing to the path, step by step, being better today than yesterday.”
Who is the brand for and what is the brand ethos?
Davines has a singular purpose: “to be the best for the world, creators of a good life for all, through beauty, ethics and sustainability”.
It represents beauty in both ethics and aesthetics; beautiful actions and beautiful results.
It’s a brand for people who have moved away from “beauty at all costs” and want to define their own ethics through the consumer choices they make; for those who expect complete transparency of the companies they bring into their bathroom.
What are the star ingredients?
As someone who gets their hair lightened every few weeks, the star ingredient for me is the biacidic bond complex found in the Naturaltech Nourishing system and The Century of Light bleaching system. This biacidic bond complex contains maleic acid (famous in most “plexes” for reconnecting broken disulphide bonds) and lipoic acid (to protect these bonds from breaking further), providing unrivalled repair, shine and protection to damaged locks.
Another star ingredient is the quinoa proteins we use in our main permanent colour system, the 86% natural Mask with Vibrachrom. Quinoa proteins are the best plant-based match to keratin proteins in the hair, so the colour lasts an extraordinarily long time while making the hair soft and very shiny. Davines works directly with the quinoa farmers in Peru to grow the particular strain organically, sustainably and with respect to their local community.
What kind of results can we expect short vs long term?
Davines has mastered the balance between immediate cosmetic results and the long-term improvement of hair and scalp health. Our most popular retail line is OI with roucou oil, in part because it offers instant beauty to all hair types; it also improves hair health long term because of its high concentration of beta carotene. Naturaltech, our plant-based treatment system, is where the most impact is seen longer term, for example with the Energizing system for hair loss, which will take up to three months of regular use to see the hair start to thicken up.
LUST Hair
LUST is a New Zealand brand that was created in 2014 and has grown significantly since its birth. With a mission on providing cleaner and more sustainable solutions, Lust is designed and formulated in New Zealand using the finest natural ingredients and manufactured in a responsible way. “Lust is passionate about our planet. We believe that nature is the best model of sustainability and we should all take inspiration from it,” says Lio Paisnel, General Manager of Professional Hair Brands.
Who is the brand for and what is the brand ethos?
We are strongly opposed to animal testing and being PETA certified is important to us. All our Lust Haircare products are 100% Cruelty free & Vegan. Sustainability is also a very important part of our philosophy, with a strong focus on being eco-friendly. We have chosen to include some recycled HDPE plastic in our packaging and of course it is all 100% recyclable.
What are the star ingredients?
Lust is made from natural luxurious botanicals and are colour safe formulations containing the finest globally-sourced botanical ingredients of the highest quality, such as Lemongrass, Marula, Argan Oils, Blackcurrant, Jojoba, Rosemary Leaf Extract and Aloe Vera. Every ingredient has been specifically selected for the natural benefits it possesses. Lust products are devoid of harsh chemicals, we do not use any SLS, Sulphates, Parabens, Phthalates, Cocamide DEA or TEA, Propylene Glycol, Paraffin Oil or other potentially harmful substances. We have also developed some unique delicate fragrances inspired by nature to create a unique unforgettable experience.
What kind of results can we expect short vs long term?
Our gentle formulas will maximize colour hues, vibrancy and restore hair to its natural condition. We have scientific formulas designed to suit each hair type, with the results being unapparelled in the industry. Nature has created highly efficient solutions – for millions of years, plant life has held a myriad of unique properties and it is only now that we are using them.
Chloe Zara
A super fresh 2020 release, Chloe Zara recently launched her eponymous line of clean, made in NZ hair care after stacking up 15 years of experience as a stylist. “After years of working with countless brands… my absolute dream was to create products that I knew I would love and use daily and know that the ingredients were safe to use without being harmful to our health,” she says. Working with one of New Zealand’s leading formulators, Zara says she was the guinea pig to sample and tweak until she was happy with the function, consistency and of course, the fragrance.
Who is the brand for and what is the brand ethos?
Chloe Zara Hair is about clean hair care, which means we are free from harmful, toxic ingredients such as parabens, sulphates and silicones. Clean hair care is a commitment to natural, naturally derived, non-toxic ingredients because we believe that harmful chemicals should not be in the products we put on our scalp and hair. Clean also means ethically safe and none of our products are tested on animals. Our range is for everyday hair. It is about building the overall health of your hair and helping to strengthen and maintain healthy hair consistently.
What are the star ingredients?
Cacay oil – a new miracle oil in skin and haircare. Rich in Vitamins A, E and retinol, it contains three times more retinol than other popular anti-aging oils.
Hemp Seed oil – Nature’s wonder oil. It has an amazing natural ability to moisturise and condition the hair.
Sweet Almond Oil – Rich in protein, vitamin E and B vitamins, as well as essential minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Aloe Vera – Famous for its cooling and calming properties, it helps maintain moisture balance and is beneficial for soothing sensitivity and irritation.
Nettle & Green Tea extract – Vitamin and antioxidant rich, nettle & green tea extract help to fight and protect against oxidation and external aggressors such as pollution and harmful rays from the sun.
Mulberry Extract – Rich in potent plant nutrients including Vitamins A,C and E, it helps create healthier hair and rejuvenate your hair follicles for hair growth.
What kind of results can we expect short vs long term?
You will instantly notice the natural shine and softness in your hair. Instead of using silicones, which give the hair an illusion of shine, we use natural oils to give the hair high shine and gloss. Not only are they natural, but the benefits of using natural oils are the vitamins and the nutrients that all serve a purpose and enhance the hair that silicones do not. Long term, your hair is healthier, with no silicone film build up which can lead to breakage and in some rare cases, reactions, when colouring your hair. Also, by using clean hair care, we eliminate as many toxins as possible and we can daily use clean products with confidence, knowing they won’t adversely affect our health.
Words: Sophie Chung
Images: Supplied