Low Tow Hair &

Nails BY ALEXX STUART

Now, when it comes to educating you on hair & nail products, there isn't much more we need to cover in terms of 'new nasties'….

HAIR

Things to avoid: • Triclosan (or the term "antibacterial") • Pthalates (does it smell fake? Then it is!) • Sodium Lauryl Sulphate / SLS • Parabens • Phenoxyethanol • Plastic container with a "3" "6" or "7" in the little triangle • Non-sustainable palm oil - this isn't 'toxic' per se but is certainly harmful to the planet, due to the deforestation and ecological disturbance of harvest.

Suggested Products:

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

Lavera Colour and Shine Shampoo and Free from all the other nasties and a lovely, natural Conditioner fragrance

Acure Argan / CoQ10 Shampoo People love this too, although others have said it caused build up. Acure has a range of shampoo and conditioners for different hair types

Weleda Millet Nourishing Shampoo Good for dryness or frizziness

Miessence Lemon Myrtle Shampoo Great for normal to oily hair

Dindi Shampoo bar For shorter hair, and men

Mini Sanctum Range Great travel size range

Weleda Wheat Balancing Shampoo Good for dandruff (but careful if you are coeliac) Beauty and the Bees Charcoal Shampoo Also good for dandruff bar

TREATMENT & STYLING PRODUCTS

Yarok Feed Your Ends My favourite. Such good value as far as low tox hair regimes go, and this lasts a good many months to a year with the size it comes in.

Weleda Treatment Oil and Tonic I do this once every few weeks

Acure Argan Oil This product is delicious and two teeny tiny drops is all you need for success

Yarok Styling Whip / Hair Paste Give it a good rub through your fingers first. My son has used it, my husband... No complaints and effective!

Giovanni Hair Spray A good low tox hair spray

Yarok Feed Your Curls Curly Hair? Alumni have given this the thumbs up.

Yarok Volume Mousse Also popular, for extra volume. Acure Dry Shampoo Dry Shampoo A beautiful range of brushes Brushes and combs Hair Straighteners / Curling Wands Go with a good quality product such as a GHD rather than cheaper Teflon coated products

KIDS HAIR

Biome Head Lice Options A toxic free solution for head lice. Simply tea tree oil and a good lice comb.

Pineapple Heads Great kids range of shampoo

Sanctum Baby Kit For the babies, this Sanctum Baby kit contains shampoo body wash, moisturiser and bottom balm

Weleda Calendula Another great shampoo option for kids

Hair Colour This is definitely a 'low tox' category that can't achieve 'no tox' unless we are talking about pure Henna.

The two most natural 'home' hair colours I've found are... • Herbatint (Do NOT use the included shampoo and conditioner - High tox! Just follow it with your own hair care products) • Fuente 96% organic is hitting Australian and UK shores at the moment - Will be interesting to see an ingredient list. Aveda - While not perfect by any stretch, is definitely a less toxic option if there's a salon near you that uses it.

NAILS

First, what to avoid…

Mani/pedis at the nail place They are toxic clouds of badness and unless it's an extremely special occasion where you 'just must', I would strongly recommend you avoid those places like the plague! Fumes, the toxic nail ingredients and skin lotions... Acrylic nails Worse. You have the added use of MMA. MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) can cause serious damage to the lungs as well as permanent damage to your natural nails. Shellac Between the UV A rays and the acetone, Shellac isn't recommended either.

There are 5 'big' toxins in your average nail polish…..

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) A possible trigger of asthma attacks, this phthalate has also been associated with developmental and reproductive effects, and cancer in lab animal testing. This has been repeatedly called, “a potent hormone disruptor that affects the male reproductive system most dramatically.” Toluene It’s a solvent, also found in gasoline, that can cause dizziness and short term intoxication. Like DBP, it is a volatile chemical that can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin and nails. It could also be listed on the label as “toluol” or “phenylmethane.” Formaldehyde: Considered a human carcinogen by U.S. health agencies, it is an irritating chemical that people have allergic reactions to. Don’t be fooled if it’s listed as formalin on the label.

Formaldehyde resin A synthetic resin product made with formaldehyde as a base ingredient. Camphor A toxic compound that can bring about dizziness, lethargy, asthma and rashes.

Nail Polish Labelling: “3 FREE” are free from the first three ingredients listed above “5 FREE” are free from the five ingredients listed above “7 FREE” are free from parabens, phthalates (dibutyl phthalate), toluene, xylene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, and animals. 7FREE nail polishes do still contain some ethyl acetate.

So what to use??

Nail Polish Options

Scotch Naturals A water based style, that is 7FREE and also free from all the esthers and alcohols of traditional nail polishes. To succeed with water based nail polish however, you definitely need to get the base and top coats. And they aren't as high performance / chip proof. Pacifica 7 Free Nail Polish AU$16,95. I have tried it and it's my favourite of all the lower tox nail polishes out there. My toes are pretty and my mind is at peace - perfect combination! Kester Black This is also a great 7FREE range AND is it made in Australia. This range is accredited by CCF (choose cruelty free) and the Vegan Society. RRP AU$20.00. butter London This is a brand you will often see at health food shops. It is a 7FREE formula and available internationally. RRP AU$22.00

Pure Poppet range For KIDS nail painting, you can't go past this super cute range. The company was recently sold though, and it is likely to be a little while until they are readily available again in the full range of colours. The site linked has a limited range of colours still available. Irene from Nourished Life has suggested the Pacifica 7 Free Nail Polish ones as a great option for kids' nails.

Now, nail polish remover Acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover? Here's the simple secret: While acetone will work faster at getting the polish off of your nails, non-acetone removers will be gentler to them. So, while neither of them is great and has many another chemical in them, Non acetone is definitely a baby step in the direction!

TASK FOR TODAY • What's your hair & nail plan going to be? Buying new products? Or perhaps having a go at some of the DIY options on the hair front, to save loads of money AND toxic ingredients in the one go.