Chāmpo - Ayurvedic Principles In A Modern Hair Care Range

We are huge fans of India here at CELLOPHANELAND* having visited the country several times, and during our travels, have studied Ayurvedic principles both in terms of beauty, wellness, and food. The ancient Indian holistic system of Ayurveda (ayer means life; veda means science or knowledge) is based on the connection between mind and body; when both are in harmony. In practice, Ayurveda includes every aspect of daily life: food, exercise, environment, weather, seasons, work and sleep. This is the first time we have come across a hair care range that harnesses the wisdom of Ayurveda so we were very excited to discover Chāmpo (pronounced shar-pour). Chāmpo is the Sanskrit origin of the word ‘shampoo’. Chāmpo’s  journey began when it’s founder started to experience hair thinning so she reached out to her grandmother of India origin who was still blessed with long, thick, lustrous and dark hair who in turn, shared knowledge of the small assortment of oils she had used since a child. The oils stemmed from Ayurvedic practices recorded as far back as the 7th century, and so further research began.

Ayurvedic science states that each person has a predominant Dosha type: Vata, Pitta or Kapha. These different body types and character traits are dominated by a different element: earth, air, fire, water and ether. Your hair also has a prominent Dosha type. For instance if your hair type is Vata with elements of air and ether, you will have very dry hair which finds it difficult to hold on to moisture, so styling with heat, central heating and exposure to the sun will be very damaging.

Pitta’s element is fire which consumes energy so environmental factors such as pollution, poor water quality and diminished sleep will reflect in hair that is delicate and depleted.

Kapha’s elements are earth and water, representing imbalance. Humidity, and poor nutrition can cause excess oil at the roots with coarse, heavy mid-length and ends.

Each Chāmpo shampoo and conditioner is made up of bespoke blended essential oils to balance each separate Dosha type which will help put back into the hair, the elements that have been lost. The range is suitable for vegans and is cruelty-free. It is also suitable for coloured or processed hair, and is free from SLS, paragons, silicones, synthetic fragrance, DEAs, MEAs, TEAs, GMOs and artificial colour.

It’s easy to identify your hair Dosha type; just head over to Chāmpo and take their quick online hair quiz here. We were diagnosed as Vata Dosha and sampled the shampoo and conditioner in extreme conditions: a beach holiday! After swimming in the sea most days when hair is tested to the max by the harsh combination of sun and seawater, the Vata range really came to our rescue, adding back hydration and shine.

We also loved the Weightless Hair Oil which added such a lovely shine to the hair. Just a couple of drops is all that is required applied to the ends of hair when dry. It’s an ultra light oil and tames frizz and fly away ends. The oils is suitable for all Dosha types, and again is silicone-free.

We also love Chāmpo’s bespoke cuboid bottles reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainability, having dispensed with secondary packaging and using all sides of its bottles to communicate information.

Each and every botanical chosen is meticulously considered, researched and tested, and our hair has frankly never felt better. So whilst we have always been advocates of the Ayurvedic lifestyle, sadly we could never find hair products that embraced these principles. Until now.

For further information on the Chāmpo range, please visit here