Well, if this isn't what we've been waiting for, eh? Schwarzkopf Professional have just launched Essensity, a haircare and styling range that boasts natural ingredients along with the sort of performance you'd expect from a pro-line.
We've been debating the pros and cons of silicones on the blog for the past while and while I'd take a fairly measured attitude to them (yes, they can cause buildup, and yes, they are amazing at sleeking-down frizz, and no, they probably won't cause your hair to fall off your head) it's still nice to find out about a line that doesn't include silicones in its ingredients. And to me, that's mostly because they - and mineral oils - are a by-product of the oil industry, and therefore not sustainable as an ingredient. That's a bigger issue than, 'will they or won't they cause my barnet to go batty', to be honest.
So, Essensity is a line that's free from artificial fragrance, silicones, paraffin / mineral oils and parabens, and the better news is it's pretty comprehensive. With 17 products like Cranberry light cleansing shampoo, €13.50, and Lightweight milk, €14.85, for fine and normal hair, Aloe Vera Moisturising Shampoo, €13.50, Brushing Elixir (rinse off conditioner), €14.85, Hydrating Paste (rinse off treatment) €16, for dry, coarse hair, there's a lot more beside, with nothing exceeding €16 in price.
Add in a trio of Goji Berry products for coloured hair, Eucalyptus and Calendula hair and scalp treatment goodies and styling products to offer Texture and Separation, Hold and Control, Volume and Body and Smooth and Natural Shine, you've got a hair-care suite that I am keen to get my hands on to see if it lives up to the hype.
But (in a Carrie Bradshaw moment, I had to ask myself) is this all just cynical lip-service from a big brand eager to make money from so-called green products? Check after the cut for some extra info I dug up on this new line.
Advertised
I tend not to take marketing hyperbole at its word. So I checked a little more into Essensity becuase I wanted to know what other areas they were working on to really make this an environmentally friendly line.
It's all well and good using organic ingredients and extracts and removing mineral oils and parabens from formulations, but if you're putting the resultant goop into non-recyclable bottles and getting your ingredients from non-renewable sources, then really, you're not doing as much as you can.
So, I discovered the following:
- For Essensity, Schwarzkopf uses formulas that are predominantly easily biodegradable.
- They use raw materials which are synthesised from plant-based material using renewable sources.
- They avoid using aerosol applications and unnecessary folding boxes.
- They use packaging material that is 100% recyclable. (the ideal would be if the packaging was post-consumer, but hey, you can't have everything)
- They support tropical reforestation by sponsoring replanting an annual minimum of 70 hectares in order to increase biodiversity and habitat for wildlife and to create local employment and sustainable use of forest land.
A big Beaut.ie round of applause to Schwarzkopf, it seems. Now all we have to do is actually try a few of the products to see if they perform as we as we hope they might.
Advertised
To find your nearest stockist, phone 01 4607378.
