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Best Cruelty-free Hair Care Brands

ByCordelia

Best Cruelty-free Hair Care Brands

Cruelty-free Hair Care

Today I’m going to be sharing the best cruelty-free hair care brands and my favorite products from each brand. I’m very picky with my hair and what I will put on it. So the brands you see mentioned here today are the ones that I feel comfortable putting on my hair.

I want to point out that there are MANY, many more cruelty-free hair care brands available than the ones I’m going to mention in this post. Visit my cruelty-free brands list to find out if your favorite hair care brand is cruelty-free!

Paul Mitchell

Paul Mitchell is the number one cruelty-free hair care brand that I turn to when I’m looking for hair care products. They’re cruelty-free and they were Leaping Bunny certified for many years. I’m not sure why they decided not to renew their Leaping Bunny certification.

Right now the main products that I use from Paul Mitchell are from the Neuro line. The Iron Hairspray is what I use for heat protection if I’m going to curl my hair or flat iron it. The Finish Style Spray is a light hold hairspray. The Volume foam is something I use if I’m going to braid my hair and sleep on it, because it helps to give me soft waves.

I am in love with the Invisiblewear Memory Shaper Gel. I recently reviewed the Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Memory Shaper Gel on the blog. Suffice to say that the reason I love it is that it really does act like invisible shape wear for my hair. I use it to help my hair stay straight after I blow it dry. While my own natural hair texture is stick straight, the extensions I have in my hair are wavy, so I have to use product to make it stay straight.

While I haven’t used my flat iron in a while, I love my Paul Mitchell flat iron! I bought it from iStyleXG, the salon I go see my stylist Cliff at. They’re a Paul Mitchell salon.

Sexy Hair

Sexy Hair is a brand I started experimenting with a few years ago when I saw them in Ulta. They’re cruelty-free. I’ve loved just about every single product that I’ve tried from them. I wish they would think about Leaping Bunny certification.

The two products in my cruelty-free hair care arsenal from Sexy Hair right now are their volumizing powder and their Luxe Blow Out spray. The Luxe Blow Out Spray is AMAZING with my extensions. It really helps my hair to be smooth and detangled. I haven’t used the volumizing powder much over the past year because of having extensions, which helps to give me lots of volume, but occasionally I like using this powder when I braid my hair to help make the braids big and poufy.

BRÖÖ

I unfortunately have to use a medicated shampoo and conditioner at the scalp and roots of my hair (for my serbhorreic dermatitis), but thankfully I don’t have to use that all over. What I use all over is my BRÖÖ shampoo and conditioner. I LOVE BRÖÖ! They’re one of the best most affordable cruelty-free hair care brands on the market today! I wish they would get Leaping Bunny certified. Ray is still obsessed with BRÖÖ Shower Sessions, too. I love that Ray now asks me if the products he uses are cruelty-free!

The Color Crazed line is perfect for my rainbow hair. I love how it smells, similar to a piña colada. I’ve been using BRÖÖ shampoo and conditioner for almost 2 years now and no regrets. I  love that it’s a high quality cruelty-free gluten-free sulfate-free vegan shampoo and conditioner. I can’t use any shampoo or conditioner that has sulfates or my scalp flakes all over.

Eva NYC

I have been addicted to Eva NYC ever since I first tried their Mane Magic! It’s fantastic for my hair. My husband Ray is obsessed with it too. He’s always sad if I don’t have at least 2 bottle of Mane Magic on hand, one for at home and one for him to travel with. This is clearly why we both think of Eva NYC as one of the best cruelty-free hair care brands.

I use Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer every time I blow dry my hair. I put it on immediately after I get out of the shower to help detangle my hair. I like the Forget Me Knot dry conditioner for detangling the hair that rests on the back of my neck, because it always gets knotty there. And of course, I’ve been using the Therapy Session Hair Mask to deep condition my hair on occasion.

Amika

I’ve only tried a few items from Amika but they’ve all been winners. I’m really curious about their new 3D Volume & Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner. Have you tried it? I’m dying to know!

Amika and Eva NYC are sister companies, as far as I’m aware. Both Amika and Eva NYC are Leaping Bunny Certified, which warms my heart! Thank you Amika & Eva NYC for caring about animals! <3

Wet Brush

I love my Wet Brushes! They’ve made having my long hair extensions easy to deal with. The real MVP is the Wet Brush Shower Brush.

The Shower Detangler is essential for spreading my conditioner or hair mask through my long hair. I also use it after I get out of the shower, after I’ve sprayed Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer and Sexy Hair Long Sexy Hair Luxe Blow Out through my hair. It never rips out my hair.

I use the Wet Brush Pro Shine with a mix of their intelliflex bristles and premium natural boar bristles to brush my hair daily. I keep one of these in every bathroom in my home, as well as in  my office and in my purse.

IGK Hair

I’ve tried a lot of IGK products! I have not tried IGK Blocked yet, but I just ordered it to try ASAP! It’s supposed to protect your hair from water, salt, chlorine, and wind. I NEED it, living here in Florida! I really feel like IGK hair is a brand a lot of people are sleeping on because they have so many solid, awesome products. They’re definitely one of the best cruelty-free hair care brands at Sephora!

The 2-in-1 Shampoo & Texturizer is best for shorter hair styles that are layered. Beach Club and Coconut Oil Gel works well together with the 2-in-1. I LOVE all of their dry shampoos, and when trying to pick between the 3 to decide which I like best, it’s really hard to choose but I’d have to say the First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo. I believe almost all of their products are vegan, too.

Overtone

I’ve loved Overtone since I first learned about them in 2014. They’re 100% cruelty-free and vegan. Overtone makes my all-time favorite hair mask for my hair because it not only nourishes, it adds color back to it.

I buy their Deep Treatment  Hair Mask in different colors to use on my hair in between salon visits. I apply Deep Treatment Hair Mask on my dry hair, so that it soaks up the pigment and moisture from the mask. I will leave it on anywhere from a half hour to two hours with my hair in a disposable shower cap (you can also use a plastic bag), and I often wrap a  hair towel around it to help keep my body heat in.

Overtone is the best indie cruelty-free hair care brand that I’ve tried!

Olaplex

I’ve tried 3 different Olaplex products and the only one I love is the Olaplex Treatment. I hated the Olaplex Shampoo & Conditioner, as it ripped my color out as badly as if I’d used a shampoo with sulfate. I do not recommend them if you use semi-permanent color on your hair like I do.

The Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 is an awesome treatment that I use on my hair every once in a while like a mask. I put it on slightly damp hair and work it through from the ends to the roots. I leave it on for about 15-30 minutes, then I rinse it out and shampoo and condition as usual.

I’ve been told there are many alternatives to Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 but I have not found a better product in my experience. Have you? I need to know!

Pravana

I have been a die-hard Pravana Vivids fan for years. The Pravana Chromasilk Vivids line has been my go-to color line for years. They make the best purple, Vivids Violet, of any brand I have ever tried. I often use Pravana Chromasilk Vivids mixed in with other hair dye brands. Pravana is truly one of the best cruelty-free hair care brands out there if you love color like I do.

Pulp Riot

I’m really into the Pulp Riot Color line. I’ve been consistently impressed with the results I get with Nirvana and Jam. Pulp Riot has their 16 OG colors, their NeonElectric line, the Raven collection, High-Speed Toners, and they just released Faction 9. Faction 9 is a full range of permanent colors (80 shades in 10 color families) and it’s supposed to provide 100% grey coverage for those unicorns who need it. I’m definitely curious to learn about them! I believe Pulp Riot is 100% vegan.

I typically only using semi-permanent color on my hair because I like to change it frequently. Recently, Cliff made my perfect black roots by mixing Pulp Riot Noir with a drop of Pravana Chromasilk Vivids Violet & Blue. I love a good blue-toned black!

If you’re in the Tampa area, I recommend going to visit my stylist Cliff Frias at iStyleXG Salon. Tell him Courtney sent you!

Manic Panic

Manic Panic is the OG, as far as I’m concerned, when it comes to hair dye. I started using Manic Panic when I was a teenager. I will use Manic Panic dyes to mix with Pravana or other brands if I’m looking to create a specific tone. I don’t really rely on Manic Panic on its own anymore because I’ve found Pravana, Pulp Riot & Arctic Fox all last longer in my hair. I believe Manic Panic is 100% vegan.

Usually when friends ask me to dye their hair, they always come with Manic Panic. It’s very easy to work with and very accessible. It’s probably the easiest cruelty-free hair dye brand to get your hands on.

Arctic Fox

I’ve tried a few Arctic Fox colors and had mixed results. Some were great and some were sub par. Some turned out way darker than advertised and some seemed to have a bad formula that just wouldn’t penetrate the hair shaft. Still, if I thought the shade would work, I would use it. I believe Arctic Fox is 100% vegan.

Looking for more cruelty-free hair dye brands? Check out my Cruelty-free Hair Dye Brands list!

Dyson

I bought the Dyson Airwrap Styler complete and Dave bought the original Dyson blow dryer. I use the Dyson Airwrap base blow dryer and the straightener brush when I dry my hair. Ray uses the Dyson Airwrap base blow dryer and one of the small round volumizing brushes to add body to his hair. I never use the curling barrels on myself. I have too much hair to try and curl with these things.

If you have long hair like me, I just recommend getting the original Dyson Supersonic Blow Dryer, and then maybe the Amika Polished Perfection Straightening Brush.

How I use the Dyson Airwrap Styler is by using the base to blow dry my  hair as much as possible, and then I switch to the brush to straighten it dry the rest of the way. I have 2 bags worth of extensions mixed in with my own hair, so it really helps to straighten it as it dries.

I personally love my Dyson Supersonic Blow Dryer because it cuts my dry and style time in half. Having extensions means that my hair is thicker than normal and it’s longer now than it’s been since I was about 16, so with a normal blow dryer I’m drying my hair for over an hour, and then I still have to style it. The Dyson makes it so that I’m dry and styled in less than an hour.

Curious about extensions? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Tape-in Hair Extensions.

Weekly Hair Care Tips

I recommend and use silk pillowcases to sleep on. I used to use a silk or satin sleep bonnet, but I’ve found it’s just easier to use a silk pillowcase. You may need to change your pillowcase 2 or 3 times during the week. Silk pillowcases have multiple benefits. In addition to being gentle on your hair they’re gentle on your skin too, and they’re supposed to be good for anti-aging.

With my hair, I only wash about once a week. However, after I’ve been sweating from working out, playing Beat Saber or walking the dogs, I use dry shampoo on my hair to suck up oil and dirt. Every other time that I wash my hair, I use a hair mask first to make sure it’s deeply hydrated and in the best shape possible. About every 4th wash (so once a month) I use the Olaplex treatment.

I mask my hair frequently because I’ve been growing it out for the past few years and I want it as long and healthy as possible. I hope you enjoyed my best cruelty-free hair care brands!

Discount Codes for You

These are my current discount codes with brands.  I do not make a commission off of most of these, but they are helpful for you! All of these beauty brands are cruelty-free and many are vegan.

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

4 Comments

  3. What a great list. You have all the bases covered. The Dyson hair dryer is amazing. I don’t curl my hair enough for the styler or I’d want that too.

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