In the UK, there has been a significant spike in the number of people going vegan. 3.5 million to be exact! But whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or somewhere in between, the majority of modern consumers would broadly agree that the harming of animals in the pursuit of beauty is, well, pretty, deplorable. And luckily for our furry friends, the beauty industry has been listening and innovating, meaning today, it’s entirely possible to maintain your principles without sacrificing on luxury or performance. But where to begin? To help in your intrepid search for the very best when it comes to vegan hair care, we’ve edited down our favourite 5 products on the market right now that tick all of our ethical boxes. Meaning you can indulge in all the cleaning, styling and colouring you want with a totally clear conscience. That’s one trend we can get behind…
***It’s worth noting, though many brands carry vegan products, in some cases the entire range may not be so, therefore if you’re committed to only using brands that are 100% vegan, be sure to do your research first.
By Rebecca Hoffnung
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1 Rahua - Hydration Shampoo, £32
Known for their organic, natural and pure plant derived ingredients, the brand Rahua is a great place to start if you’re on the hunt for a vegan and cruelty free shampoo and conditioner. Created to replenish dry, thirsty hair, their Hydration Shampoo has a rich, creamy formula that is infused with rare Amazonian oils and natural protein-bonding sugars that drive hydration deep into each strand. Heavenly scented with deep tropical aromas, the innovative formula of this 100% vegan shampoo will leave your hair stronger, healthier, smoother and shinier. Combine with their Hydration Conditioner for maximum results.
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2 Mr Smith - Dry Shampoo, £28
Hydrating, lightweight and intensely nourishing, the Dry Shampoo from newly launched Australian hair care brand Mr. Smith should be at the top of your vegan hair care list. Designed to remove impurities, odour and oil build-up, ginger root extract works to stimulate and revitalise the scalp, while antioxidant-rich acai extract strengthens the hair from root to tip. Filled with a host of other botanicals and essential oils, all products from the Mr. Smith line are PETA certified, as well as sulfate, paraben and silicone free, so you can rest easy in the knowledge that not a single animal was hurt – or tested on – during the making of their hair care range.
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3 Kevin Murphy - Cool Angel, £21
If you’re looking for a conditioning treatment for colour treated hair, then look no further than Kevin Murphy’s recently launched Colouring Angels range. Touted as a ‘colour gloss for the hair’, the products promise a new wave of shine for blonde or lightened hair, as well as enhanced tones for brunettes and darker shades. Perfect for platinums, silvers or ash blondes, their Cool Angel conditioning treatment contains special pigments to enhance existing tones while neutralising unwanted red and orange. With a high shine finish designed to keep you topped up between salon visits, this product is also PETA approved, as well as sulphate, paraben or cruelty-free, allowing you guilt-free, swooshy hair that lasts for weeks.
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4 Living Proof - Restore Smooth Blowout Concentrate, £26
Both time saving and transformative, the Restore Smooth Blowout Concentrate by Living Proof proves that achieving a smooth bouncy blowdry is highly achievable even with a vegan and cruelty-free product. Designed to give women with course, thicker hair a smooth, easy and visibly healthier blowdry, this little miracle in a bottle contains a heat-activated formula that softens each cuticle, helping to dry hair faster as well as protect against future styling damage. Simply apply a couple of drops to clean damp hair before you reach for the hairdryer and watch the transformation for yourself.
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5 Color Wow - Raise the Root Thicken & Lift Spray, £16.50
Featuring a genius range of supercharged treatments, Color Wow is another brand that has set out to solve all of your everyday colour treated hair problems, but it’s their Raise the Root Thicken and Lift Spray that’s really caught our eye. Designed for fine or flat hair that’s taken a beating in the dye department, the product contains translucent, flexible polymers that form a thickening ‘spring’ around the strands, giving hair flexible, upright staying power. And best yet, it ticks all the boxes for the vegan and cruelty free category, without compromising an ounce on quality. Dreamy.
FAQs
Which shampoo is completely vegan and cruelty-free?
Rahua Hydration Shampoo is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, made with pure plant-derived ingredients and Amazonian oils. This formula hydrates hair deeply and leaves it smoother, shinier and stronger, all with a tropical scent and without any animal testing or byproducts.
How much does vegan dry shampoo from Mr Smith cost?
The Mr Smith Dry Shampoo costs £28 and offers a hydrating, nourishing option for those seeking vegan hair care. It removes impurities, odour and oil build-up, while botanicals like ginger root and acai extract support scalp health, and the range is PETA certified free from sulfates, parabens and silicones.
What hair types benefit most from Living Proof Restore Smooth Blowout Concentrate?
Living Proof Restore Smooth Blowout Concentrate is ideal for those with coarse, thicker hair seeking a smooth, bouncy blow-dry. Its heat-activated vegan formula softens cuticles, speeds up drying time and helps protect against future styling damage for visibly healthier hair.
Which vegan product helps you maintain volume in fine or flat hair?
Color Wow Raise the Root Thicken & Lift Spray is designed to give fine or flat hair flexible, upright staying power. The vegan formula uses flexible polymers to thicken strands and provides a cruelty-free way to achieve volume without compromising on quality.
How do you ensure a haircare brand is fully vegan?
To be sure a haircare brand is fully vegan, always do your own research as many brands carry some vegan products without being 100% vegan. If you want only vegan options, check that the entire range meets your standards for both ingredients and cruelty-free practices.