For the eco-minded, going green is a very long process because there are just so many areas of our lives where we could be kinder to the environment and make ourselves and our families safer. Hair care is one of the harder areas to master, since doing the best thing for the planet would often leave us with the choice of frizzy poofballs or oily, limp locks.

There are a few easy steps that can help you green your routine. Washing your hair less often is not only recommended by pretty much every stylist ever (except if you have really fine hair) but it also saves water and product, which in turn means less empty bottles headed to landfills.

Speaking of those empty bottles – are you recycling them? That’s right, most hair product bottles have the little recycle symbol on the bottom, just check. You can recycle almost as many bottles and jars you use in this bathroom as you do in the kitchen.

 When you’re trying to use fewer products and harmful chemicals, blow outs can become even more important – even if using a hair dryer is a bit of an energy drain. To reduce drying time be sure to towel dry thoroughly and let hair air dry at least a bit of the way. If frizz is a problem, be sure to apply an anti-frizz product while the hair is still very wet so air doesn’t have time to penetrate the hair shaft. The best hair dryer to use is a high quality dryer, such as the ghd air, which helps hair dry faster and uses less energy.

Scalp massage can not only thicken hair, but help moisturize or tone down oil. If your scalp is feeling dry, add a few drops of lavender to your fingers, or if hair is feeling greasy use rosemary essential oil. Either do this at night or before shampooing. Side benefits include increased oxygen supply to the brain and improved circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which stimulates brain development and relaxes nerves and muscles.

Hair dye is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to dangerous chemicals. If you just get highlights, congratulations, as the bleach doesn’t actually touch your scalp. But if you’re getting a full dye job left on your head, be bold and discuss the products used at length with your stylist. Many stylists aren’t aware of the effective alternatives out there, so offer to bring in your own dye – maybe you’ll even get a bit of a discount! Try Tints of Nature, The Henna Company and Eco Colors for hair dyes free of harmful chemicals. At the very least, avoid dyes with p-phenylenediamine (PPD) as it has been linked to allergies and cancer.

So, there’s a few simple steps to help you go a little greener with your hair care regime. Do you have any other tips you would like to share?

Author Byline: Sally is a fashion and beauty expert from Scotland with insider knowledge of the beauty industry. You can read more posts from Sally on ghdcompare.com - a price comparison and review site for ghd straighteners or follow her on twitter @ghdcompareuk.

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