765,623 Plastic Bottles Have Been Eliminated From Landfills & Oceans
FREE Shipping on Orders Over $100
How 2020 changed hair for good blog banner

How 2020 Changed Hair Care For Good

The pandemic changed virtually every aspect of daily life, so it’s no surprise its effects trickled into hair care, too. A rollercoaster of emotions—fear, uncertainty, boredom— and lockdown restrictions increased the need for self-care, and in particular, self-hair care. With salons closed, people were left to fend for themselves, whether it be tending to their roots or taking shears to their split ends (we see you, Taylor Swift!). Most importantly, 2020 forced us to re-evaluate the relationship between our products, our bodies, and our planet.

Embracing and Experimenting

The benefit of not leaving the house? Fewer social gatherings meant less pressure to keep up with routine hair maintenance. Many people started to grow out their roots, opting to embrace the gray for the first time. Others took advantage of their new-found free time, reaching for at-home dye and trying out new colors they normally wouldn’t have touched. We even saw the emergence of the #PandemicPonytail and now, the #CovidCut: people who grew their hair out during stay-at-home orders and donated their hair to charities like Locks of Love. Those with curly hair let their curls breathe, taking a break from the damaging effects of routine styling. This was especially true for Black women, who were unable to visit salons or have house visits with their braiders. Some took the time to go natural and give their hair a break from weaves, extensions, chemicals, and heat styling. Others continued to braid their hair or learned to braid for the first time. 2020 meant throwing expectations to the wind and we can count on this continuing. Whether you want to grow out your gray, embrace your curls, or dye your hair a new color every week, you can say goodbye to outdated social standards and do what feels right for you. Plaine Products stylist, Krysia, shares her tips for embracing and experimenting safely:

How To Grow Out Your Gray

There are a few ways to grow out gray hair gracefully. During the grow-out period there will most likely be a "line of demarcation” or the line where the gray hair ends and the dyed hair begins. To soften this harsh line, you can ask your stylist for a transitional color, adding some hi-and low-lites. This puts just a bit of the hair color back into roots, and a bit of a lighter shade into the ends-creating a blended, multi-toned look. You can also opt for a daily temporary root touch-up to use during the grow-out period. Lastly, if you’re feeling daring and ready for a big change, you can cut the dyed hair off for a fresh, gray, shorter do.

How to Protect Your Hair from Heat

It's important to protect your hair from excessive heat damage. Heat damage is caused by using hot tools such as blow dryers, curling irons, and flatirons. Giving your hair a break and letting it air dry instead of using hot tools daily is a great way to retain moisture, avoid brittle ends, and hair-color fade. Try a fun braid or messy bun instead of blow drying. Remember to use tools on the lowest heat setting possible to avoid damaging your hair. Products are an important tool to protect your hair from heat damage. Give yourself a deep conditioning treatment by leaving Plaine Products Citrus Lavender Conditioner in your hair for 10 minutes before rinsing. Spritz ends with Plaine Products Hair Repair before blow drying to detangle, seal in moisture and repair split ends. Plaine Products Beauty Oil can be used on damp or dry hair. Run it through damp curls to define and tame frizz or dab a bit on dry hair to tame fly-aways and avoid static.

Sustainable Beauty and Ingredient Transparency

If there was ever a time to re-evaluate our relationship to the environment, it was 2020. As humans slowed down, nature flourished, highlighting an uncomfortable reality about our rate of consumption. With this reality staring us in the face (and plenty of time to research new alternatives), demands for more ethical production and consumption surged, especially when it came to beauty. Sustainable packaging, palm-oil free formulations, and cruelty-free operations are the new norm.  In addition to looking for products that won’t harm the planet, consumers are wising up about toxic ingredients traditionally used in beauty products. 2020 had us hyper-focused on our health, and we can expect to see that continue for hair care products. “Phthalates”, “sulfates”, and “parabens” are becoming household terms, and consumers are doing their best to avoid them. Clean beauty, for the planet and your body, is here to stay. There is a noticeable mindset shift: your personal care products can take care of your body AND the earth.  Plaine Products stylist, Krysia, shares what to watch out for:

Ingredients To Avoid

There are many harmful ingredients to watch out for when choosing hair care products. Many of these ingredients can be very damaging to hair and scalp and can cause side effects such as rashes, dryness, brittle hair, breakage, thinning hair, and even hair loss. Formaldehyde and parabens such as methylparaben and propylparaben are often included in shampoos to prolong shelf life. These added ingredients can affect hormonal balance and lead to hair thinning and loss. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) is the chemical that produces a nice foamy lather. Unfortunately, SLS also strips hair of essential oils, breaks down protein essential for hair health, and halts hair growth. Sodium chloride (table salt) is used as a thickener in products containing SLS, and it can cause dry, itchy scalp and hair loss. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is another thickener that strips hair of moisture. Lanolin, petroleum and mineral oil are used as greasers in products. They can also weigh hair down, preventing healthy natural oils from being absorbed. Synthetic fragrances found in many shampoos and conditioners can be petroleum-based or can contain chemicals that are harmful to the hair and body. Always read labels for a full list of ingredients before purchasing. (And, in case you are wondering, none of these ingredients are found in Plaine Products. You can read more about our plant-based ingredients.  As we leave the worst of 2020 in the rearview, we carry new interests, commitments, and mindsets with us. Gone are the days of mindless consumerism and traditional beauty standards. We’re in a new era of beauty—one that embraces and protects the natural while celebrating and championing self-expression. We love to see it. This post was written by our newest team member, Becca Hildner, Social Media Coordinator, with contributions from Krysia McDonald, Plaine Products Direct of Salon Sales and Ask a Hair Stylist.
Previous Post Next Post

Related Posts

Plaine Products & Orange County Coastkeeper: Making Waves for Earth Day

Plaine Products & Orange County Coastkeeper: Making Waves for Earth Day

After the incredible enthusiasm and success of our Holiday Sale beach cleanup campaign, we knew we had to do it again—this time for Earth Day! The Holiday Sale campaign showed us just how much our community values sustainability and real-world impact. For every order placed during our Earth Day Sale (April 21-24, 2025), we’ve partnered with Orange County Coastkeeper to remove one pound of trash from our environment. Together, we’re turning sustainable shopping into tangible action.   Protecting Our Waters with Orange County Coastkeeper Orange County Coastkeeper is a nonprofit clean water organization dedicated to protecting swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water while promoting watershed resilience throughout the region. Their mission aligns perfectly with ours - keeping plastic out of our oceans and landfills to create a cleaner, healthier planet. Through education, advocacy, restoration, research, enforcement, and conservation, Orange County Coastkeeper actively works to safeguard fresh- and saltwater ecosystems. Their efforts ensure that communities have healthy, accessible, and sustainable water resources for generations to come. By hosting this Earth Day cleanup in Orange County, they’re not only removing trash but also inspiring action and awareness about the importance of protecting our waterways.   Why This Matters to Plaine Products At Plaine Products, we believe that small actions lead to big impacts. Our commitment to using refillable aluminum bottles instead of plastic shampoo bottles helps reduce waste before it even begins. By keeping single-use plastics out of circulation, we’re cutting down on pollution, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting a circular economy. Partnering with Orange County Coastkeeper for this Earth Day campaign was a natural extension of our mission. By combining our refillable products with hands-on environmental action, we’re tackling the plastic waste problem from both ends - reducing future waste while cleaning up the past.   What’s Next? Our work doesn’t stop here. Plaine Products is committed to continuing our mission of reducing waste and supporting sustainability. Whether it’s through future cleanup initiatives, ongoing partnerships with like-minded organizations, or simply encouraging others to embrace refillable solutions, we’re in this for the long haul.   Together, we can make waves—not just on Earth Day, but every day. 🌎💙

Learn more
Plaine Products: Your Hair Care Solution for Common Problems

Plaine Products: Your Hair Care Solution for Common Problems

Here at Plaine Products we pride ourselves on making hair care products that work for everyone and solving problems. We don't just reduce plastic, we can also help solve dandruff, hair loss, dry ends, frizzy hair and more common hair and scalp problems.

Learn more
Plaine Products Hair + Body Wash 2025

Hair + Body Wash 2-in-1 is Back - New and Improved!

Simplify Your Routine with a 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash In today’s fast-paced world, simplicity is the ultimate luxury. Between work, family, and the myriad of daily responsibilities, finding time for self-care can feel like a challenge. That’s why the rise of multi-tasking products like our 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash is making waves in the world of personal care. And now, we are excited to announce that Plaine Products Hair + Body Wash is finally back, with an updated formula!  It’s still the product you love but we upgraded some ingredients to prevent separation and ensure the scent is more consistent. If you’re looking to streamline your routine without sacrificing quality, this versatile product may be just what you need. What Makes Our 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash Special? Imagine having one product that can cleanse, hydrate, and nourish both your hair and skin. Plaine Products' 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash combines the functionality of a high-quality shampoo and a luxurious body wash into one convenient formula. It’s perfect for anyone who values efficiency without compromising on self-care. Whether you’re a busy professional, a frequent traveler, or someone who simply loves a streamlined routine, this product has something to offer. Hair + Body Wash is available in 3 different sizes: 2.5 oz - Perfect for travel or your gym bag; 16 oz -  Ideal for everyday use at home; and 1 gal - The ultimate eco-friendly option for refills and families. Benefits of a 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash 1. Convenience and Simplicity Gone are the days of juggling multiple bottles in the shower. A 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash simplifies your routine, freeing up time and space. The 2.5 oz size is particularly handy for travel or gym bags where portability is key. 2. Gentle, Effective Cleansing Unlike some harsh cleansers that strip your hair and skin of their natural oils, this product gently removes dirt and residue while maintaining moisture balance. The result? Softer, healthier skin and shinier hair. 3. Nourishing Ingredients With thoughtfully selected ingredients, this formula delivers hydration, protection, and restorative benefits.You can see the new ingredients here. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this product a powerhouse for your personal care routine: The Hero Ingredients That Make It Work Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Known for its soothing and hydrating properties, Aloe Vera cleanses gently while preserving your skin’s and hair’s natural moisture. Say goodbye to dryness and hello to softness. Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate This sulfate-free, biodegradable cleanser produces a rich lather that feels luxurious while being gentle on sensitive skin and hair. It’s the perfect alternative to harsh sulfates. Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil (Neroli Oil) Packed with antioxidants, Neroli Oil deeply hydrates and locks in moisture. It enhances shine for your hair and protects your skin from free radicals, leaving you looking radiant. Glycerin A natural humectant, Glycerin helps retain moisture in both hair and skin. It’s great for reducing frizz, strengthening hair, and keeping your skin smooth and hydrated. Why It’s Perfect for Every Lifestyle For Busy Professionals Time is a precious commodity. A 2-in-1 product helps you save minutes every morning, giving you more time to focus on your day. For Travelers With its multi-purpose functionality, this product is a must-have for your suitcase. Reduce clutter in your travel bag without compromising on personal care. For Families Simplify the family shower routine with one product that everyone can use. It’s a space-saver and a money-saver. Embrace Simplicity and Self-Care Our Hair + Body Wash is more than just a product—it’s a way to reclaim time for yourself. By combining convenience, quality, and care, it allows you to focus on what matters most. Whether you’re simplifying your routine at home or packing light for your next adventure, this versatile essential is here to elevate your self-care game.Ready to give it a try? Experience the difference for yourself and discover how simplifying your routine can lead to healthier hair, glowing skin, and a happier you!

Learn more