FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PRODUCT & INGREDIENTS
WHAT IS A SCALP+HAIR PREWASH?
Back To Your Roots Scalp+Hair Prewash is the first product created by SHAZ & KIKS and its main goal is to provide the first step in healthy scalp and hair using nutrition from plants. It does this by cleaning and nourishing your scalp, while protecting your hair strands from multiple damaging factors (water, heat, products, environment).
WHY ARE THERE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE PREWASH & WHICH ONE IS FOR ME?
Our pre-wash has been uniquely formulated for 2 different hair type categories: fine, thin to normal hair & dry, frizzy, or curly hair. We’ve used ingredients that are the most beneficial for the specific characteristics of these 2 hair type categories.We know that it can be confusing!
The fine, thin to normal hair is created for one or more of these traits: your hair has a tendency to get oily (oil originates from your scalp and can travel down your hair), falls flat and lacks volume, needs frequent washing because of product build-up and ‘greasiness’, challenging to process and style your hair.
“Fine” hair refers to the thickness or diameter of the individual strand of hair. The opposite of fine hair is coarse hair. “Thin” hair refers to the overall density of the hair follicles across the scalp. The opposite of thin hair is thick hair. Whether you have one or both of these hair types, your scalp and strands need a balance of oil production and the right mix of high-penetrating and light-weight oils, found in the Fine, Thin to Normal Hair Prewash.
You could also have healthy, shiny hair and not feel like it has any challenges—yippee! That’s wonderful news, but you still need to make sure your hair stays healthy and maintain its gorgeousness. This pre-wash has the right ingredients to keep your scalp clean and balanced and strengthen your strands by protecting it from external damages.
The dry, frizzy or curly hair is created for one or more of these traits: water and other products quickly absorb into your hair, your hair tends to break easily, your hair tends to be frizzy or dry (this one is an obvious one!), it doesn’t take much time for your hair to air dry, you might have a drier scalp.
There’s a mix of heavier oils and butters that can really soften and reduce frizz by keeping out an overabundance of water entering your strands in the Dry, Frizzy or Curly Hair Prewash. There are also ingredients that nourish your scalp and help relieve dryness, along with antioxidants that help fight environmental damages.
We understand that you might have a mix of the 2 hair type categories (e.g. dry and fine hair) but prioritize what your biggest challenge is and pick your pre-wash accordingly. You can always email us with any questions at hi@shazandkiks.com.
HOW DO I USE THE SCALP+HAIR PREWASH?
A pre-wash needs to be put massaged into dry hair, before you wash it...damage starts with shower water so we want to start taking care of our hair before we get it wet. Make sure you massage it into your scalp and then coat your strands. Keeping it in for 20-30 minutes is awesome, but the longer you keep it in your hair the more goodness soaks in.
We do recommend using the pre-wash weekly for about a month to really see the full benefits. It’s a natural product and it can take some time for your hair and scalp to adjust.
HOW WAS THE SCALP+HAIR PREWASH CREATED?
Co-founders and sisters Shaz and Kiku grew up taking care of their bodies with many Ayurvedic beauty rituals that have been passed down for generations in their family. Indian women have been taking care of their hair with various plant-based oils for thousands of years. Massaging these oils into the hair is a regular hair care practice, backed by science. Their grandmother used to mix different oils with herbs and flowers every week for all the women in their family. Shaz and Kiku were inspired by these recipes and created their pre-wash with a U.S.-based laboratory specializing in natural beauty formulations.
WHAT’S IN THE SCALP+HAIR PREWASH?
Each of the pre-washes is primarily a mix of oils and herbal extracts, that are all full of vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, minerals along with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties needed for healthy hair. In addition, there are some plant-derived ingredients that help our products stay bacteria-free and functioning properly (you don’t want to use a product that’s falling apart!). There is nothing harmful for you or the environment in any of our products. We have also not altered the look or smell of it.
Our products are free of sulphates (SLS/SLES), silicones, parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, synthetic dyes & fragrances. You can read more details about our full list of ingredients and what we leave out here.
WHAT DO THE SCALP+HAIR PREWASH SMELL LIKE?
Like we said above, there are no synthetic fragrances in our pre-washes—commonly labeled as ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’. What you smell are essential oils in each of the pre-washes that help keep your scalp healthy. For the Thin, Flat to Normal Hair Prewash, the primary smell is tea tree oil and mint oil. For the Dry, Frizzy or Curly Hair Prewash, the primary smell is orange peel oil and bergamot oil.
WHERE ARE THEY MADE?
Our products are manufactured in the United States of America.
DO YOU TEST ON ANIMALS?
Never ever! Everything is tested on Shaz & Kiku.
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS VEGAN?
Yup, the Scalp+Hair Prewash is vegan.
CAN I USE SCALP+HAIR PREWASH IF I HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN/SCALP?
Our products are full of anti-inflammatory oils and antioxidants that make it safe for a sensitive scalp. But with introducing any new product, we recommend you patch test the products first. And of course, be sure to listen to your body. If you do have any issues or questions, please email us at hi@shazandkiks.com.
IS THE SCALP+HAIR PREWASH SAFE TO USE ON COLORED AND/OR TREATED (KERATIN) HAIR?
All of our products are safe for colored and/or treated hair with no sulfates and parabens. They will not strip your beautiful color or disrupt any treatments.
HOW LONG DOES THE SCALP+HAIR PREWASH LAST?
It all depends on your hair type, length, texture. If you use it on a weekly basis, which is what we recommend, our 8.45 fluid ounce jar should last about 2-3 months.
As for how long it can last in your bathroom—each product has a shelf life of 2 years. We recommend you use your products within 6 months of receiving due to the natural ingredients in each formula.
WHAT ABOUT THE WOODEN COMB? SHOULD I USE IT?
Yes, use it! Our Neem Wood Comb is really a special item. It’s handmade by craftsmen and women in India (it’s from the city that Shaz & Kiku’s dad is originally from, Kolkata!). Neem is a medicinal plant that grows natively in the Indian subcontinent and has been used for thousands of years for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Combing through your scalp with this wood helps it stay clear and clean. It also massages and increases blood flow to your scalp, which helps nutrients in our pre-wash soak into your hair follicles. Hello beautiful scalp! P.S. neem extract is also in both of our pre-washes because it’s just that amazing.
SUSTAINABILITY
IS YOUR PACKAGING RECYCLABLE?
Our shipper box and the outer tube are 100% recyclable cardboard.
The foam insert in the outer tube is not recyclable and should be removed and discarded prior to placing in your recycle bin. The foam insert is being replaced by recyclable cardboard, and all of them will be replaced by October 2021.
Our brochure that comes with each order is made out of 100% recyclable paper, and can be 100% recyclable.
Our inner jar is made from Type 5 plastic, that’s one of the easiest plastic to recycle. Something to remember with all your plastics prior to recycling; they should be cleaned. Soiled plastic cannot be recycled.
HOW ARE YOU CARING FOR OUR PLANET?
We have a number of near term and longer term initiatives in the works:
How we can offset our footprint:- April 2021, we initiated a partnership with Cleanhub to collect and recover 1lb of plastic for every 1lb of used in the products we sell. We’ve selected Cleanhub’s Green Worms program. Green Worms is a social enterprise from Kerala, India that was founded on three core principles: Minimize the waste generation, divert the waste from landfills & oceans and dignifying people working with waste. They run door-to-door collection services for household waste to make sure that plastic waste doesn’t end up in the environment in the first place. As if that wouldn’t be enough, the collection is run by women self-help groups. That way they fight plastic pollution and poverty within one unique concept.
Launch a refillable program
Continue to move over to more sustainable packaging materials
Create a closed-loop recycling program
There is no end in our journey to become a more sustainable company and we invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions.
SHIPPING & RETURNS
WHERE CAN I BUY BACK TO YOUR ROOTS SCALP+HAIR PREWASH?
Right now, you can buy it on our website. Sign-up for our newsletter and get the scoop as we expand into new places to sell.
WHAT ARE MY SHIPPING COSTS?
There is a $5 flat fee shipping cost for any purchase below $30 and a $7 flat fee shipping cost for purchases between $31and $64 (Alaska and Hawaii shipping costs will be calculated at checkout). Any purchase over $65, you get free regular shipping! If you’re in a time crunch, we offer 2-day expedited shipping that will be calculated for you at checkout.
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN/EXCHANGE POLICY?
We want you to love our products as much as we do, but we get that sometimes things don’t work out. If you’re not completely satisfied with your new goodies, we will gladly accept returns placed within 30 days. Please reach out to hi@shazandkiks.com with your order number, and we'll take care of the rest.
*Please note that shipping costs will not be refunded.
WHERE DO YOU CURRENTLY SHIP?
Currently, we ship domestically to the 50 states within the U.S.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY PRODUCT TO ARRIVE?
With standard shipping, orders will arrive to most parts of the continental U.S. in 3-5 business days. Expedited shipping is 2 days - orders placed before 2pm ET are processed the same business day (Monday - Friday, excluding holidays).
HOW DO I CHECK MY ORDER?
We’ll send you an email with a link to your tracking info once your new favorite products have been shipped out! Any additional questions? Email us! hi@shazandkiks.com.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR WANNA CHAT, PLEASE EMAIL US AT HI@SHAZANDKIKS.COM
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