Since the other day when I first told you about my issues with going “No Poo” I have learned a few things. The first thing I’ve learned is that I can go several days without shampoo and my hair still looks ok. Honestly though I’ve always known this because as any mom knows there are many days when you are lucky if you have time to take a shower! I work at home so the only place I regularly visit is day care and the Elementary school car loop. Seriously – why should I bother looking good for the car loop?
All joking aside I have learned a lot from the links that you have all shared with me and from my friend Jenny at Conscientious Confusion. She actually did all the hard work on this one for me (thanks Jenny). It seems that we both have color treated hair and we were both having the same (or at least similar) problems with excessive dryness. I’ll let you read Jenny’s post about “No poo color treated hair and hair cuts” for the full explanation. I know the real question is “Why do you color treat your hair?” but my only response is “Because I like the way it looks!” I have a small patch of grey hair on one side and my hair has progressively darkened as I got older. I don’t want to admit that I am now a brown haired gal – I have always been a blonde. Highlights gives me the best of both worlds.
No what? For me, I will continue to go a day or two between shampoos and I will continue to use apple cider vinegar in place of my conditioner. This is one that I’ve actually enjoyed – I do like the softness that the vinegar brought to my hair. I never thought that I would be able to skip my loyal conditioning step.
As for shampoos I’m going to continue to look for alternatives to my regular shampoo which scores a “5” on the Skin Deep Database. The database has a list of thousands of items and scores them based on how safe they are based on their ingredients. I’m also going to try a few of these ideas that I found on Pinterest today – maybe my friend Mona at EcoNuts Soap can make me up a shampoo bar!
Do you have an alternative to using Baking Soda for a more natural shampoo? Do you try to live an eco-friendly life and color treat your hair?
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Calley – You have me considering it. I don’t do anything other than shampoo, condition, and brush it (with an occasional ponytail or braid thrown in). But, I have VERY oily skin. I have to wash my hair daily right now or else it is a slim ball and nasty. I just need the push I think to try it…
I’m so glad I found this; and Stephanie – I hear ya on oily skin and hair! I have been no-poo for a little over a week. I’ve tried different amounts of Baking Soda and Vinegar and I’ve tried just rinsing it. But nothing seems to be working. Everyone says it’s “a little greasier for a few weeks” or it’s about not drying it out. I don’t feel like I have found any information about “super greasy” hair (even after using just BS, it’s still greasy). I just caved and washed my hair with shampoo in the sink, just so I could finally wear it down after trying to keep it up and covered for 10 days (the bandana I put around it kept sliding off so I couldn’t even cover it that way). =( I really want to figure this out but I can’t find info for very oily hair. Calley, I will definitely check back here often to see how your no-poo experiment goes. Good luck!
Calley, Because of you and your blog I tried this! Today was my first try using the baking soda and vinegar and I like the way my hair feels! Hoping that I continue to like the results! Thanks for helping me go a little more green!
Awe – thanks Elizabeth! I hope it works out for you. I didn’t have such good luck but I’m learning some alternate methods along the way!
I’ve been no ‘poo since September ’11. It took MONTHS for my hair to adjust. My scalp, however, was much better from the beginning. My 5 y/o son and I both have dry, itchy scalps and this has solved our problem. However, my very long and color-treated hair turned into a super scary dry/static mess. I’ve recently been combatting this by putting a few drops of jojoba oil in with my vinegar rinse and giving it a good shake before applying. And I’ve stopped coloring. I, too, was blond but have since turned brown. I’m working on accepting myself for who I have become – a boring old brunette. 😉 Maybe try lemon juice and cammomile? Not sure if that is any easier on hair.
I have also gotten darker as I get older, and I am also not willing to admit that my hair might be brown… so I do the color thing too though it’s grown out and I need to go back in.
I’m Googling about the “No Poo” and just found your post. Interesting. I don’t think I’m going to try it anytime soon… but it’s interesting. I have straight hair that won’t hold a curl for the life of me.
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If you’re still looking for shampoo options, we are recent converts to J.R. Liggetts bar shampoo. We wrote up a review of it as part of a giveaway:
http://www.greenlifestyleconsulting.com/2012/02/jr-liggetts-bar-shampoo-review-and.html
One of their shampoo bars is recommended for color treated hair too.
I use apple cider vinegar with water as a hair rinse.
Alicia
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just wanted to say i tried the no poo method today for the first time,i love the way my hair looks.i did the bakeing soda and water,apple vinger rinse. i use leave in argan oil after…my hair feels great and is shinner then ever….
Check out the Shampoo by Ava Anderson Non Toxic. http://www.avaandersonnontoxic.com
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