By Oliver Kelly, Stylist
You can bet hairstylists in this time of quarantine are probably contemplating a return to new trends stemming from home haircuts and scary color applications. While dreams of sitting in a salon chair drift further into the unknown, I’m happy to share there are reliable solutions to your hair needs that you can address right now. And it’s as easy as picking the right natural shampoo.
How to Choose the Right Shampoo
When shopping for a natural shampoo, we usually confine our selection to conditions like: Is it made from sustainable ingredients? Is it cruelty-free? How about vegan? Does it smell amazing? Does it contain chemicals I’m putting on my skin and down the drain?
These are all great questions and should be added to the mix, but before you get to these options, start with something far more simple and completely personal to you: texture. When selecting the right shampoo, base your choice on your hair texture. When was the last time you looked for that on a bottle?
At NVBL, we want to make it easy for you to find the right product, without the worry that your shampoo is hiding something. To accommodate everything you’re looking for in a shampoo, we curate our brands specifically for various hair textures, and we only carry brands dedicated to sustainability, farm-to-bottle, ethically sourced ingredients, and an innovative approach to transparency.
Remedy the Issues
Now that you know the secret to selecting the right natural shampoo, how do you select the one that’s going to address your specific hair and scalp concerns? 
Treat Dry Scalp & Dandruff
One health issue we frequently encounter as stylists is dry scalp. Traditionally, treatment involved acids, chemicals, and astringents that strip hair and leave the scalp dehydrated and a prime environment for fungus and bacteria.
A safer, more effective approach is to first identify the type of dandruff you’re experiencing. Yes, there’s more than one kind of dandruff. This misconception is why some people think it’s normal to flake all winter. In reality, the flakes are a result of a fungus that thrives best in that particular microbiome. For most people, this is the kind of flaking we typically associate with dandruff.
Best Shampoo for Dry Scalp
Oway Moisturizing Hair Bath is a fantastic organic shampoo for perpetually dry scalp.
As a fungal pH treatment, you may use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar as a rinse between shampoo and conditioner, letting it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing.
Follow with Oway Moisturizing Hair Mask.
Best Shampoo for Itchy Scalp
For a dry itchy scalp resulting from eczema and psoriasis we recommend Oway Soothing Hair Bath and Oway Soothing Remedy for an ultra healing instant relief.
Oway Purifying Hair Bath eradicates a specific kind of fungus, which causes oily dandruff, by calming the itch and eliminating excess sebum (your body’s natural oils) on your scalp and hair.
To really attack the itch and hydrate your scalp back to optimal health, try Reverie Cake Restorative Scalp Tonic which is a leave-in product made of stem cells, protein, and hydrosols derived from plants.
Restore Volume to Limp Hair
Okay, enough about fungus. Let’s say you have flat or straight hair, you live for volume or texture, wash your hair frequently to keep it light, and nothing seems to bring your hair to life. You have options!
Best Volumizing Shampoo
Frequent shampooing can strip hair of its natural protective oils and dehydrate your scalp. A great combination for the daily washer is Oway Frequent Use Hair and Scalp Bath and Oway Frequent Use Conditioner. Perfect for fine hair, this lightweight combination does double duty, helping to prevent split ends while giving your locks a lift.
Reverie Shampoo and Conditioner is also a great combination for the frequent shampooer with active ingredients that restore vibrancy, gently remove build-up, and luxuriously hydrate hair and scalp without any of the scary stuff you find in most supermarket ingredient lists.
For normal, coarse, or fine hair, try Rahua Classic Shampoo and Rahua Classic Conditioner to keep your scalp balanced with a healthy shine and added strength.
Best Shampoo for Oily Hair
If your hair is simply weighed down flat with oils, Rahua Voluminous Shampoo and Rahua Voluminous Conditioner is a great selection. Specifically for fine, oily hair, this combo prevents breakage, removes build-up, and safely reduces oil production with the power of plants. Rahua Voluminous Conditioner also works great as a co-wash, so grab a bottle and a Mason Pearson brush and let your natural oils work for you!
Put Bounce Back into Your Curls
If you have curls or waves you know how necessary it is to keep your hair hydrated but not weighed down.
Best Shampoo for Curly Hair
If you have curly hair but it’s been lightened from dark to pale blonde, or you spent a whole summer swimming in salt water and sunbathing, you’ve probably lost a bit of curl and liveliness in your bounce.
For you, I would suggest Oway Rebuilding Hair Bath followed by Oway Curly Hair Mask to put strength and hydration back in your curl pattern. 
For general dryness of all hair types, I also recommend Rahua Hydration Shampoo and Rahua Hydration Conditioner to strengthen and replenish thirsty hair.
Oway Curly Hair Bath is perfect for revitalizing curl pattern, leaving your hair soft and touchable.
I like to follow with Oway No Rinse Moist Conditioner for long-lasting, lightweight hydration.
Note: In case it wasn’t obvious, “hair bath” is code for shampoo.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with each of these products in the salon, on a variety of hair textures. They’re all non-toxic and effective.
Learn more about the benefits of non-toxic hair products.
When making your selection, just remember to start with your hair texture, then address your specific hair and scalp needs.
There are possibilities within each brand to personalize your regimen. Reach out to us with questions, concerns, or a consultation.