The Rise of Vegan Hair Care

There’s a new wave in the world of curly hair care and it’s entirely plant-powered. 

From salon chairs to home bathrooms, vegan hair care products are becoming the go-to choice for curly-haired individuals and the salons that treat them. 

In the past few years, the demand for vegan curly hair products has soared, as more people, vegans and non-vegans alike,  seek out gentle, cruelty-free formulas that deliver salon-quality results without compromising on ethics. This rise reflects a broader shift toward kinder, more natural ingredients that pamper your curls and your conscience at the same time.

Curly hair has specific needs and vegan hair care is proving to meet those needs beautifully.

What Is Vegan Hair Care (and Why Is It So Popular)?

Vegan hair care means using products formulated without any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. This includes common additives like keratin (often animal-sourced), collagen, beeswax, lanolin and silk proteins, all of which vegan brands replace with plant-based alternatives. Importantly, vegan hair care often goes hand-in-hand with cruelty-free practices, meaning the products aren’t tested on animals either. (It’s worth noting that “cruelty-free” and “vegan” aren’t automatically the same: a product could be free from animal testing but still contain animal ingredients, or vice versa. Here at Shedid & Parrish, we ensure both – our curly hair products are fully vegan and cruelty-free, so no animal testing and no animal ingredients. 

So, why are so many people, even those who don’t follow a vegan diet, switching to vegan hair care? The reasons are both ethical and practical. Ethically, consumers are prioritising products that align with their values of sustainability, quality and integrity. In fact, a significant number of shoppers choosing vegan hair products do so for the ethical and health benefits rather than dietary reasons. Some UK research found that roughly 20–30% of people regularly pick vegan or cruelty-free options in haircare and skincare, even if they aren’t strictly vegan in their lifestyle. 

The appeal is clear: these customers want ethically produced goods, plant-based formulas and kinder processes, because it “just feels right” to care for your hair in a way that also cares for animals and the planet.

Practically, vegan hair care has proven benefits that resonate with anyone looking for healthier hair. Natural botanical ingredients can be just as effective (often more so) than their synthetic or animal-derived counterparts. Plus, going vegan in your hair routine often means cutting out harsh chemicals in favour of gentler alternatives. All this has converged to make vegan hair care one of the fastest-growing segments in the beauty industry, a rise that shows no signs of slowing down;;.

Why Vegan Hair Care Is Perfect for Curly Hair

If you have curly or textured hair, you know it tends to be drier, more fragile and more in need of some TLC. Curly hair’s structure makes it harder for natural oils to travel down the strand, so curls can easily become dry or frizzy. The good news is that vegan hair care aligns wonderfully with what curls crave. 

Here are some of the key benefits plant-based products offer for curly strands:

Strength from Plant Keratin: 

Curly hair needs strength to resist breakage, but traditional keratin treatments often use animal by-products. Vegan formulas use plant-derived keratin (from sources like soy or wheat proteins) that coats and fortifies each strand. This boosts strength and reduces breakage without using animal proteins. You get stronger curls in a compassionate way.

Deep Moisture with Natural Oils: 

Curls thrive on moisture,and vegan products are packed with botanical oils and butters. Ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera and argan oil can deeply nourish curly hair . They help maintain moisture balance, keeping curls hydrated and reducing frizz – all while being gentle on the scalp. 

For example, shea butter is intensely moisturizing (great for thirsty curls), coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft to reduce protein loss, aloe vera adds hydration without heaviness and argan oil tames frizz and adds shine.

Gentler Cleansing (No Harsh Sulfates): 

Many curly folks follow the “no sulfates” rule, and vegan shampoos make this easy. They often skip harsh sulfates, parabens, and silicones, opting for naturally derived cleansers that clean the scalp without stripping away natural oils. This means after washing, your curls stay soft and defined rather than squeaky-dry and frizzy. A gentler cleanse helps preserve your hair’s natural moisture and pH balance.

Fewer Irritants for Scalp Health: 

Because plant-based formulas tend to avoid heavy synthetic chemicals and dyes, they’re usually milder on the scalp. Fewer irritants mean less risk of inflammation or allergic reactions – a big plus if you have a sensitive scalp or skin. Many curly-haired people also struggle with scalp dryness; vegan products rich in natural extracts can soothe and avoid aggravating the issue.

In short, vegan hair care products check all the boxes for curly hair needs: strength, moisture, gentleness and scalp care. They allow you to nurture your curls with natural ingredients that work in harmony with your hair’s unique texture. It’s no wonder so many curly-haired individuals (and their stylists) are making the switch to vegan options.

Shedid & Parrish: A Vegan Hair Care Brand Born for Curls

Shedid & Parrish was born out of a passion and a need,  the need for high-quality products that truly understand curly and textured hair. Our founder, Jessica Parrish, struggled to find the right products for her own curls as a mixed-heritage woman, and noticed that around the world “curls were still under-supported both on the shelves and in the salons”. She decided to change that. As Jessica puts it, she wanted “to care for all curls whether they present in tight coils or loose waves. They all needed to be considered, understood and supported”. And so, Shedid & Parrish became a labour of love to create a solution for the curly community.

From day one, our brand’s philosophy has been about being natural, inclusive, and ethical in every decision. Shedid & Parrish products are 100% vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, aligning with our founder’s belief that beautiful hair shouldn’t come at the expense of animals or the planet. 

But the commitment goes even further: we are also proudly sustainable. We use consciously sourced ingredients (for example, working with an all-female co-operative to source fair-trade shea butter and using by-products of the food industry for oils like sweet almond oil) and they choose eco-friendly packaging. All S&P bottles are plastic-free, made from recyclable aluminum that can be refilled and reused, drastically cutting down plastic waste. In other words, when you use S&P for your curls, you’re also doing a small good deed for the environment. As we always put it, “Our hair should feel great but not at the cost of our planet.” 

Vegan Hair Care in Action: Key Products for Healthy Curls

What does a vegan curly hair routine look like in practice? It’s all about using gentle, nourishing products at each step – cleanse, condition, and style – to bring out the best in your curls. Shedid & Parrish offers a full lineup to cover every step of curly hair care. Let’s highlight a few key products (all vegan, of course) and how they contribute to healthy, happy curls:

• Deep Cleansing Shampoo – This award-winning shampoo gives a thorough yet gentle cleanse. It’s a sulphate-free formula that removes dirt and buildup without stripping your hair’s natural oils. In fact, it keeps the scalp and hair at a balanced pH while cleansing, which helps prevent the dried-out feeling some shampoos can leave. The Deep Cleansing Shampoo is enriched with moisturizing biopolymer technology that actually improves wet detangling by 35%, making your wash day a lot easier on those knots. It’s also free from parabens, silicones, and harsh alcohols, so your curls are cleansed without any nasties.
  
  

• Deep Restoring Conditioner – After cleansing, it’s time to hydrate. The Deep Restoring Conditioner is a rich treatment that repairs and nourishes dry, thirsty hair. It’s packed with shea butter, castor oil, olive oil and amino acids to rejuvenate curls from the inside out. This conditioner is designed to improve the ease of combing through curls, reducing breakage, tangles and knots for a smoother detangling experience. With regular use, it actually strengthens hair by up to 35% – meaning your curls become more resilient and elastic. Like all S&P products, it’s free of sulfates, silicones, parabens and drying alcohols, so you’re feeding your hair only the good stuff. You can use it as a quick rinse-out conditioner or even leave it on longer as a deep conditioning mask for extra TLC. The result is curls that are softer, silkier and easier to manage, with far less frizz. Healthy hydration is key for curl definition, and this vegan conditioner delivers exactly that.
  
  

• Curl Styler – Once your hair is cleansed and conditioned, a styling product helps define curls and lock in moisture. Shedid & Parrish’s Curl Styler is a creamy styling gel (think of it as a curl cream with hold) that defines, holds and moisturises your curls without any crunch or stiffness. It’s enriched with cold-pressed shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil – a trio of plant oils that boost shine, enhance elasticity, and reduce breakage in the hair). The Curl Styler lets your natural curl pattern spring to life, giving you well-defined curls that still feel soft and touchable (no “helmet hair” here!). Another big bonus: this styler also protects hair from environmental damage, including UV rays, pollution and heat. In fact, it provides heat protection up to about 200°C and shields your strands from UV exposure and pollution by roughly 30%. For curlies who occasionally diffuse with a dryer or spend time in the sun, that added protection is a welcome benefit. Like the rest of the range, the formula is completely free of silicones and drying alcohols, so it won’t weigh down or damage your curls. Simply scrunch or rake it into wet hair, and enjoy bouncy, frizz-free definition as your curls dry. (The Curl Styler was honored as “Best Inclusive Beauty Product for Curls” at the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2025 – a testament to how well it works for a variety of curl types!)
  
  

• Afro Butter – For those with extra-dry or coily hair (or anyone who wants to amp up their moisture game), the Afro Butter is a superstar. This is a luxurious whipped butter that melts into the hair to provide intense, long-lasting moisture. It penetrates deep into the hair follicle to lock in hydration, leaving hair soft, manageable, and stronger). The formula is loaded with nourishing plant butters and oils (like shea and coconut) to quench even the thirstiest curls. Despite its richness, it’s designed to absorb well and not just sit on the surface. Afro Butter is ideal for thicker curl types or as a treatment for dry ends – it gives that extra oomph of nourishment that textured hair often needs. Plus, like the Curl Styler, it offers protection against UV, heat, and pollution damage, making it perfect for protective styling or sealing in moisture before you style . Many users apply a small amount of Afro Butter to wet or damp hair as a leave-in moisturizer, or use it between wash days to refresh and soften their curls. The result is hair that feels pampered and protected. (Pro tip: You can pair a dab of Afro Butter with the Curl Styler for the ultimate one-two punch of definition and moisture – the Styler clumps and defines curls while the Butter seals in hydration. Hello, shiny and bouncy curls!)
  
  

Each of these products is a building block of a healthy curly hair routine. Used together, they cover cleansing, conditioning, and styling with a fully vegan approach. 

Curls, Compassion, and Confidence

The rise of vegan hair care is great news for everyone with curls. It means you don’t have to choose between having gorgeous, healthy hair and living by your values – you can have both. By embracing plant-based, cruelty-free products, salons can provide a more ethical service and curlies at home can enjoy gentle, effective care that truly understands their hair. Vegan hair care isn’t a fleeting fad; it’s a positive shift towards more sustainable and compassionate beauty.