Is Zero-Waste Haircare the New Frontier for Curly Baddies?

Sustainable Baddie tries out As I Am’s incredible line of hemp seed oil-based haircare bars.

This is a sponsored post.

We’re always on the lookout for products that are ethical, affordable, consciously formulated, and effective for us and our collective ecosystems. Checking all of our boxes, diaspora immigrant-owned As I Am has been on our radar for developing a true unicorn: zero-waste hair product bars that work especially for textured hair types. Our own Jazmine Rogers (@thatcurlytop) is known for her signature curly mop and love of zero-waste hair products, knowing firsthand that curls and coils demand high-quality ingredients and a lot of TLC.

Our editors spoke to Jaz about her experience using As I Am’s Hemp Seed Oil line to build herself a custom routine, consisting of their shampoo, cowash, conditioner, and leave-in. Interested? Read on to see what she thought of the products and find out if As I Am might tip you into the zero-waste haircare life!

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As a curly girl, what is your usual haircare routine?

“I usually do a true deep clean every three to four days, just using shampoo followed by conditioner, with a leave-in afterward. In between, I either wear a protective hairstyle (like my double braids) or shower and use either a just conditioner or a co-wash bar, and I style it with a leave-in again afterward! I don’t have any sensitivities or must-haves, other than that I’m always looking to keep the curls hydrated.”

You are a regular user of bar hair products, and we love them for being zero-waste. But many are hesitant, especially people with textured hair. So, what do you usually look for in a bar? What features did it take for you to make the switch without compromising on results?

“I mainly look to make sure that any product I use gives me a good lather and doesn't leave my hair feeling dry or stringy. Especially with curly hair, I have to make sure all my products are cleansing and extra hydrating, and in today’s world, there are so many amazing, hydrating bar options that don’t come in excess packaging. They are absolutely worth trying. “

What is your impression of As I Am’s approach to sustainability? Does it align with your philosophy?

“I love that their hemp seed oil line was completely plastic-free! Even with bar products, sometimes brands might still have their soap wrapped in plastic within the box, but they didn't do that! I also adore that they’re a BIPOC-owned brand and that this line is made from natural, plant-based ingredients (like hemp seed oil, duh!), are cruelty-free, vegan, and have a one-tree planted program. And since it's a bar rather than a liquid, it’ll last a lot longer because the product is concentrated and not easily diluted!”

How do you feel about the price point of these products? How accessible would they be for our readers?

“I was honestly blown away by the pricing! I usually see bars like this retail for double these prices, which is fair, considering that bars go such a long way. But I appreciate that As I Am in general makes an effort to price these sustainably-made products in a very accessible range!”

How did you feel while using the products? Were they easy to use in the shower?

“I find these bars SO easy to use; since they lather pretty quickly, I don't have to be aggressive when using them. Because it's so concentrated, there's no need to overdo it. I mean, you’ll be able to tell once you use it how quickly it begins to lather! A little goes a long way. It has a nice clean scent that's subtle, but I’d lean towards calling it unscented. In one way, I do wish they had more fun scents, but in another, I appreciate the simplicity because I know that means there’s nothing in there that shouldn’t be in there.
I opted out of trying out their trays because I had a shower caddy, but the soaps were soft and stuck together pretty easily. Once I separated them, they were fine but they did leave some residue. However, as bar soaps can, my conditioner slipped from my shower caddy and broke. I was sad but it still works perfectly fine, it’s just not as aesthetically pleasing. I know in the past when I’ve had specific trays for them, the bars dried a lot easier and didn’t have the same issue. So, I would recommend opting for their trays for the best experience. “

How friendly was As I Am to your hair type?

“My hair feels clean and nourished afterward. I think when people are afraid of bars, they think of hair feeling tight and stringy, but I didn’t feel that at all. And on top of that, the leave-in-conditioner bar you use in the shower is incredible! It made my hair reach a new level of shine and softness that I hadn’t seen in the past. I haven’t tried their other leave-in conditioners yet so I’m not sure if it would have the same effect, but their hemp seed oil leave-in bar will become a staple for me.”