Nicola Tracey

Sustainable Hair Care: Natural Products Meet Natural Storage

Table of Contents

When Less Becomes More

She got the scissors and instead of feeling dread, I breathed a sigh of relief. Victoria quickly stated that I didn't have much of a choice and that she was absolutely chuffed I didn't want to hold on to what was no longer serving me—my damaged locks.

You see, looks can be deceiving. For months I had been damaging my hair whilst trying to salvage it at the same time—clearly brilliant logic on my part. I did it all: hydrating masks left in for 15 minutes (whilst scrolling Instagram, naturally), scalp cleanses, avoiding heat, and letting it air dry naturally.

But as I watched all my lacklustre hair fall to the ground, I thought of the metaphor that equally applies to hair care—it's like that age-old adage "you can't outrun a bad diet." You can Olaplex into infinity, but damaged hair will still be damaged.

As my ponytail was thrown into the bin, she asked me how I felt. I thought I would have died a little inside and wanted it back. I didn't. At 33, I'm choosing health over aesthetics—this is my latest mantra. When it comes to hair, we're still fighting with that wee voice that makes us want to bleach, straighten, and heat-style our way to perfection. There's still a disparity between having "natural" hair but not actually letting it be natural.

Rethinking Our Approach to Hair Care

This experience got me thinking: even though there's a plethora of conscious, sustainable hair brands, do we really use them as intended? Why do we damage our hair so much in the first place?

As someone who just cut off half her hair, here are my tips from a recovering keratin and highlights addict:

Get a good cut. What's the point of length if it's not healthy? Overcome your scissor fear and invest in regular trims.

Declutter your bathroom graveyard. Nobody really needs five types of serum gathering dust. Stick to your favourites and give away products that don't serve you—some friends might love them more than you do.

Embrace visible, natural storage. This is where sustainable storage solutions make all the difference. Instead of hiding products in cupboards where they're forgotten, display them thoughtfully in natural materials that complement your space.

Stick to a realistic routine. Not the one you saw on TikTok at 2am on a Thursday night whilst having an existential crisis, but one you can actually maintain. Consider how often you'll wash your hair and when you'll use treatments.

Reduce heat styling. Less heat equals more shine and healthier hair overall.

Work with your natural texture. I actually have curly, wavy hair that's frizzy in parts. I'm learning to work with the texture again instead of fighting what nature intended.

Sustainable Brands Worth Supporting

Davines: Long before I knew what B Corp certification meant, I was a Davines devotee. Their thoughtful scent selection and visible results made the investment worthwhile. They're committed to reducing environmental impact whilst delivering professional-quality products. My personal favourites are the Nou Nou collection and OI Oil.

Authentic Beauty Concept: This brand focuses on vegan, sustainable formulations that work with your hair's natural properties rather than against them. Their packaging reflects their commitment to reducing plastic waste.

Both brands represent a growing preference for ammonia-free, plant-based formulations that align with a natural ethos—reflecting consumer demand for healthier, more sustainable options.

The Art of Natural Storage: Where Function Meets Beauty

There's something problematic about shoving everything into a cupboard where products get forgotten and expire unused. I believe in the visibility principle—keeping products accessible so you actually use them. But having everything laid out can create clutter.

Enter The Artisan Lab's natural storage solutions.

A friend introduced me to using handcrafted planters for hair care storage, and it was honestly a stroke of genius. Our carefully designed pieces eliminate the need for plastic organisers whilst beautifully displaying your curated collection of natural hair products.

My current setup includes just the essentials: a hair dryer, two brushes, protective spray, Davines OI oil, and hair spray—all thoughtfully arranged in a handcrafted beige ceramic planter that feels perfectly bathroom-appropriate.

Why Natural Storage Matters

When sustainable hair care brands like Davines and Authentic Beauty Concept are working hard to reduce plastic packaging, it makes sense to store these products in equally sustainable containers.

The Artisan Lab's handcrafted pieces offer:

Breathability for products that benefit from air circulation
Natural materials that don't off-gas chemicals near your personal care items
Timeless design that complements any bathroom aesthetic
Durability that outlasts plastic alternatives
Multi-functionality that can adapt as your routine evolves

The beige, minimalist design we chose creates a spa-like atmosphere whilst keeping everything organised and accessible. It's a visual reminder to choose quality over quantity—both in the products we use and how we store them.