A plant-based hair colour to take care of myself without worrying about my baby

They met when they were 18 years old, just out of high school, and have been close ever since. " They " are Marion and Héloïse who, even if one now lives in Rennes and the other in Lille, have never felt so close since they are pregnant at the same time! Eco-conscious and fans of using apps to decipher products, they have long been reluctant to take care of themselves during pregnancy, worried about the potential impact of their usual rituals on their baby. So we suggested they try plant-based hair colouring to pamper themselves without worrying. Small before/after...

How does it feel to be pregnant at the same time as your friend?

Marion: It's kind of a secret dream to be pregnant at the same time as your best friend! We are very close so it creates a unique bond during pregnancy and we imagine our children growing up together later! Héloïse: We didn't do it on purpose, but it was a good move! It's very reassuring, it allows two people to exchange ideas. And it's my second one, so I can already give her some advice. Marion: Also she is 3 weeks ahead of me, so she is the one who wipes the slate clean and tells me what to do! (laughs)

Before pregnancy, were you aware of responsible consumption issues?

Marion: Pretty much yes! I work in the environmental sector and waste treatment, so it's true that I have a particular sensitivity to these subjects which is reflected in my choices as a consumer. And then I grew up in a very nature-oriented family with a park ranger father! So it's true that I tend to be careful about what I consume

How has pregnancy changed your consumption habits?

Marion: We pay more attention to everything. Being pregnant triggers thoughts that you may not have had before. Especially when it comes to beauty, we don't normally think about it. Héloïse: Yes, we are moving towards more natural compositions because we don't necessarily have the data on the potential impact on the baby. On a cosmetic level, there is often a lack of transparency. Marion: We were also made very aware by health staff and the midwives. We are warned to use as few beauty products as possible, to reduce what is not really useful. So we take a slight step back.

Is the composition of products something you look at closely?

Marion: It's Héloïse who reads the small print the most, where nobody understands much (laughs). The apps helped me to see a bit more clearly. As for cosmetics, I must admit that I still have many things to learn and I don't always know what to trust. Héloïse: We have the impression that everything is green, but when we scan them with the apps, we realize that there are many controversial substances. I follow labels like Ecocert because I know they have real specifications, but I also know that you have to be careful, not everything is good for everyone.

What about hair? Is there anything you gave up during pregnancy?

Héloïse: For my first one, I got some highlights that I didn't like: I felt guilty for having done something when I didn't really know the impact on my baby. I asked my hairdresser but he didn't seem too sure that it was entirely safe and I wasn't reassured. I decided to stop colouring my hair during this pregnancy. Marion: I have a very basic routine normally, I spend much less time on my hair than on my skin. I didn't change much, other than putting off the highlights until later – too bad for my white hairs.

What did you first think of plant-based hair colouring?

Marion: I was puzzled at first, we talked about it on a WhatsApp group with some girlfriends and one of their cousin’s tried it and ended up with green hair, so it wasn't super encouraging! The result is great! It was a very pleasant experience, with a very short application time, barely 30min between application and rinsing. After rinsing, there was no trace of the usual dye on my skin which was pretty reassuring! And the colour is perfect, very natural, even, with a soft and silky feel immediately after drying.

Héloïse: I was surprised with the application: it was very pleasant, a soft warm feeling and a very natural smell, like hay, as opposed to the smell of ammonia and the burning sensation of the colouring.

And after six weeks, what does it look like?

Marion: I'm pretty impressed. It held up just as well as my regular hair colours, no more no less. On the other hand, I really felt my hair was healthier and shinier during this period. I didn't have that roller coaster effect with a " wow " in the early stages and a " ouch, we'll have to switch back " soon after. Then it remained very constant, as if, six weeks later, I had just done it. Héloïse: Yes that's the difference I noticed too. The initial result is quite similar, which helps build confidence. But over time, hair doesn’t become progressively dull and dry. On the contrary, it remains full of vitality, without needing to touch it too much, and that, in the middle of pregnancy, when everything else is going to hell, is a real plus!