This is part four of a multi-part series on Green Beauty alternatives.
The rest of the series can be found [here]
Part 4: The Mane Question
I have long hair, it is dyed, usually some variance of red. Currently, I am a 350 on the color chart. As I have stated I have REALLY dry skin naturally. This also applies to my scalp. For many, many years I was under the impression I had scalp psoriasis because of how bad it can be at times. I tried every dandruff shampoo, medicated shampoo and homeopathic remedies I could think of to try and clear it up.
A hairdresser friend of mine named Audrey commented that I should try using shampoo that doesn’t have alcohols or sulfates. I brushed it off at first, when looking back I am not sure why. I think I was under the impression that it couldn’t be something that simple. However, over a year later I decided that it was certainly worth looking into. I switched to using the Kiss My Face Shampoo and Conditioner
After using the product for a while, I noted that my scalp had almost entirely cleared up. I was overjoyed, but my wallet totally was not. I poked around here and there and tried a few home recipes and did not like them. Suzi commented that she had switched to washing her hair with baking soda and vinegar. I had also read in the book No Impact Man, the author Colin Beaven, switches to using vinegar to wash his hair too.
I have been dragging my feet about switching to this method for almost two years. Then Eowyn, without us discussing it at all, decides to start using the baking soda and vinegar as a wash method. I made the decision to quit waffling and switch to this method after I got back from Burning Man.
After I got back from Burning Man, my hair was FRIED. I do not think I have ever had that many split ends before. I figured I would try out the new washing method to see how it did. I was following a few different blogs that had different recommendations, but realized it really is dependent on your hair/scalp. I started out using too much baking soda, so my scalp got really dry. I realized I only needed to use baking soda about once a week. I also started out using apple cider vinegar, but really didn’t like how it was treating my hair. I switched to using a mixture of half white vinegar/half water and added a few drops of lilac essential oil to give it a little scent. Now it is working really well.
What is particularly awesome about switching to the “No Poo” method is that my hair gets considerably less greasy than it would. You can go days without washing your hair (though I still shower daily). My dandruff is clearing up. My hair is in better condition than it has been in years. I really, really recommend it. Not to mention, you are going to save a butt ton of money not buying all the hyped up hair products. I hated dropping over $20.00 to $30.00 for shampoo and conditioner, every time I needed to re-stock.
A lot of people complain about their hair being really greasy during the transition and honestly, I cannot say I have really had that problem. Again, I have a super dry scalp, your mileage may vary. However, my hair was brittle like straw and it was driving me crazy (because of Burning Man and too much baking soda). Backing down on the baking soda helped give it a more natural feel. With baking soda you also have to make sure you rinse it all out very well. I now make a paste of sorts mixing water and baking soda and only apply it once a week.
I am used to my hair being really soft naturally. My friend Britta suggested a hot oil treatment. I had been thinking about doing it and I agreed that that sounded like the best option. For a hot oil treatment I used coconut oil and steeped some chamomile in it for about a half hour . I took my cue from Crunchy Betty, whose blog I absolutely adore for so many reasons.
I then applied the hot oil mixture fairly liberally to my hair from scalp to tips. I let it sit in my hair for about 45 minutes and wrapped a plastic bag around my hair. I would have let it sit longer, but remembered a barbecue was happening in our yard …. as people started showing up. I was the pinnacle of Not Cute and dashed to the shower. Now, coconut oil takes a major amount of washing to get out. I used baking soda, vinegar and then repeated…. then used a little castile soap as well. Finally, I could tell it was mostly out. After my hair dried for a bit I could tell it was silky smooth. I was petting myself for a couple days afterwards. I have decided that I am going to do a hot oil treatment on my hair weekly to keep it in good condition, it’s fantastic and fairly low maintenance.
That is the recent journey on my hair care. Another article I loved on this subject was this one. Read it if you are thinking of taking the plunge.
My dear friends, have any you tried any of the ‘No Poo’ methods? If so, what is or isn’t working for you?
~Kera
I have been ‘poo free for nearly a year now, and I love it! My hair would usually get pretty greasy and, while I hate to admit it, I’m a sweat-er. So I was nervous about not using shampoo during the summer. It’s been absolutely fabulous! I wash my hair once to twice a week with a baking soda and water mix in to which I put about 3 or 4 drops of lavender essential oil and one of patchouli essential oil. Once a week I also use an apple cider vinegar (3 teaspoons) and water mix with lavender essential oil in it as a conditioner of sorts after using my baking soda mix. The rest of the week I wash with just water whenever I shower. I thought it would be weird and kind of gross when I started, but I was curious because my hair has always been curly but also very fine and thin (an apparently unusual combo). No ‘poo has helped so much with my hair that I’m actually growing it out and can wear it down so much more often!
Yay no ‘poo!!!
It has been fabulous. I’m a new hand at it, but I am loving it already. It’s nice to have someone else chime in who has been at it for awhile. I like your recipes too. I’ll have to try some lavender, that would be fantastic too. I am actually wearing my hair down more often too!
I quit using shampoo and conditioner (and silkening serum, leave in conditioner, anti frizz cream… the list goes on!) about 2 months ago… I also use the soda and vinegar method. I opt to just shake the soda onto the top of my head and then wet it enough to work it through my hair. I choose to use white vinegar and I keep it in a spray bottle in my shower (I add a few drops of nag champa oil) and just spray my hair liberally with the vinegar mixture until it’s dripping wet again. I do a coconut oil treatment on my hair about every 2-3 weeks (or whenever I have something special coming up).
I didn’t know you had switched to No ‘Poo too Tasha! I need to get some Nag Champa oil. It’s my favorite!
If you have dark hair, soak your hair in coffee. It turns out silky smooth and a richer color.
Marie, I do! I am a pretty dark brunette naturally. I’ve also been letting my hair grow out a bit without dying it. I saw coffee as an option, I’ll have to try that soon. I imagine that smells FANTASTIC too!
Good call on the coffee, Marie! Kera, that might work really great for you since the used coffee grounds still hold on to the oils that make coffee taste & smell so good! They’re very… moisturizing. I used it for a while but my hair would look a little too oily if I used it regularly. When/if I do use it now I make sure to only apply it to the body and ends of my hair, not all the way up to the scalp… and it’s almost like rinsing out coconut oil. My hair can have a bit of a natural curl/wave to it so rinsing coffee through the ends tends to let it dry looking like I’ve put a light gel into it. Kind of a nice change up every once in a while!
If you’re using the coffee as shampoo/conditioner in-one just apply the grounds to your scalp & all over. If you massage them into your scalp similar to the way you might use baking soda then they’ll get in there and do the cleaning for you too. But *wow* it takes time to wash out the grounds! lol… well, depending on how you grind your coffee. Adam and I use a french press which leaves big chunky grounds behind, probably why the rinse was longer for me.
So, as you know, I’m a baking soda girl! Been doing that for about two years and I love it too! You’re right, it takes so much less washing! While we lived in Hawaii I only BS’d once a week; using about 1-2 Tbsp at a time. I mixed it with about a cup of water into an old plastic ketchup squeeze bottle. It seemed the easiest application for a while; just shake up and squeeze over your head. But less and less was needed and after a while I’d just sprinkle a tiny bit dry on top my hair, mix it in with dry hands and then rinse out. The crazy thing?… since we moved back to WA I only use it about once a month and that was really only from habit; I think I’m a *Water-rinsing-girl* now! o.O! I heard that could happen, but I wasn’t even really aiming for it. I’m pretty stinkin’ excited!
P,S. also, on occasion I’m in the kitchen and end up with a bit of olive oil or coconut oil on my hands while cooking… I have been known to rub that through the ends before washing my hands and getting back to baking. lol. I don’t know that it does much, I don’t feel that my hair needs it or it would be routine instead of the random dinner-prep-turns-spa-moments but it feels like a girly treat, so I continue.
Suzi and Marie, you guys have sold me! I’m definitely trying the coffee out. I bet it would be fantastic for my hair, and I love the smell of coffee… even if I don’t drink it.
I love your random dinner-prep-turns-spa-moments. I’ve done that too actually. Stir fry is good for that.
I’m so intrigued! I’ve got to try this. My husband had Hodgkins disease 4 years ago in his sinuses, adenoids and tonsils. After living with him for almost 30 years and his nose always being stopped up, then to go to after cancer and everything totally cleared out, it was like night and day. He could now work at the border sniffing cars for drugs, he’s like a bloodhound. So… I can’t wear any smelly shampoos, conditioners, products and such on my hair (that goes for perfumes too.)Those unnatural smells really irritate him. So I am all in for a different method. I’m currently using a WEN knock off that I get at the beauty supply, it’s still expensive even though cheaper than the WEN. My question is what’s the mixing ratio for the baking soda water? I got the 1/2 and 1/2 vinegar to water mix, although I’ll have to scent it as vinegar irritates him too. Could I use any essential oil or should I stick with lavender? I LOVE pink grapefruit (I use this in my laundry soap that I make) and believe it or not my hubby’s favorite soap is patchouli! Of all things huh?
For baking soda, there are a lot of different suggestions and formulas you will find all over the internet. However, what I found easiest was mixing a paste … which is usually 1 part baking soda, 2 parts water (sometimes more, sometimes less) and making a paste of sorts. I have a lot of long hair, so my ratio of how much to use is going to be different than some. But less than a cup of baking soda. I’d guess I used about a 1/4 cup last time and just mixed water in until it was paste-like in a mason jar. I then used my hand to scoop it onto my scalp and rubbed it in. I then rubbed my ends in a bit. I rinsed really well with water, then added vinegar as a conditioner with some scented essential oil.
For baking soda or vinegar, you can add a few drops of essential oil if you’d like.
I use vinegar more often, so I usually add it to that. I use white vinegar as the smell is not as strong in my hair as apple cider was. But I might try apple cider again and water it down more. It’s really a process of finding out what works.
I use 1 and a bit tablespoons of baking soda to 1 cup of water in a squeeze bottle. Because I only use it twice a week, that lasts me for ages (and I don’t have tons of hair so it’s easy enough to use the more liquid version). I stick to patchouli and lavender because of their benefits for hair versus scent. You’ll want to experiment with your amount of baking soda as you go though because it’s different for everyone (yay, adjustable and personalized hair cleaning method!). For the vinegar, I use 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water. The smell is usually not too bad, and I’ve never had any scent left after rinsing in my shower. The drops of essential oil help as well.
Thanks for all of the tips Jackie! I was joking with a friend of mine that I’m not allowed to use patchouli for anything scented as I am crunchy enough, dirty feet and all, without adding patchouli to the mix. I am excited about playing around with the ratios and additives to see what works best for me. Having a personalized system is so fantastic.
I did the baking soda and vinegar regimen for a while but even the tiniest amount of baking soda dried the fuck out of my scalp so I was doing vinegar only for quite a while. Eventually, that routine fell by the wayside but over the last several months I’ve gotten back on the wagon and only wash my hair with shampoo twice a week but scrub my scalp in the shower with just water every day. And actually, I think it’s about time to switch to once a week and switch to an organic natural shampoo. I also bought a boar bristle brush and my hair is healthier than it’s been in a very long time. I’d like to try the coconut oil treatment – my ends could really use it!
Yeah, baking soda can be kinda harsh on the scalp until you figure out the ratios. The coconut oil treatment is fantastic. If you’re using a regular shampoo it won’t take as much work to get it out of your hair either.
I’ve being No Poo for about 3 years now, because of my allergies and sensitivities to all the chemical stuff in shampoos and conditioners. I just rinse my hair well when I shower and it needs it. When I used shampoo it used to get really oily right away now it’s always nice and soft and manageable. I really only have to wash with water only when it gets dirty from dusty winds or picks up smells from being in other peoples houses or stores or something. (I keep my home sent free because of my allergies) I’d recomend No Poo for any one who wants to save money and avoid nasty chemicals.
I’m really excited for when I can just wash my hair with only water. That’s pretty fantastic! Thanks Anita!
I found your blog through your “fortune cookie” travelhome, Kera, and am tickled to find all the info on the no-poo thing! I love your home and the changes you made in your life and admire you very much for that. I am building my own travel trailer from an old rotting 1970′s trailer I tore down to the frame and am resurrecting to my own whims and desires. Nothing as creative as your home though. I am what I call a “chicken house carpenter”, not a full-fledged creative and unique carpenter…yet! Regarding the no-poo system, I tried the BS and vinegar thing a couple of years ago and now I know why my hair fried. Too much baking soda. Also hated smelling like a pickle, but never thought to use essential oil. Now I have some new ideas to try, because I sure want to get away from commercial poos, even the “organic” ones. And I can’t wait to try the coffee…I’m a 1970′s girl-Gramma now, still wear my hair to my waist, but rarely down because of the dry, frizzy problem. Thanks for inspiration on home, hair, and life!
Nori,
I’m glad you found my blog! Thank you for all the kind words. I love my home as well. The fact that you’re building your own home is admirable. If you wanted some instruction or direction, Abel (the gentleman who built my home) does consultations. So if you have an aesthetic you would like to go for, he’d be happy to help I’m sure.
Yeah, I’m loving the No ‘Poo method. I washed with coffee today. I’ll be sure to update with the results!
Thanks for stopping by!
Aloha!
Just thought I’d update on the no-poo thing, as this week was a little different for me. I’ve been water rinsing for about 2-3 months? Anyways, the last few days this week have been hair frustrating! Out of nowhere I had to struggle to get my hair to go up into my usual work-do’s. Since I leave for work at 4:15am and don’t usually get out of bed until 4:05am I really don’t have time for failed hair-do attempts. Especially since I’m customer-facing; despite the hour it’s expected that I look a little cute!
So my hair *looked* okay. Not greasy or anything. It just didn’t feel right like it had some kind of build up, I guess. Wed, Thurs & Fri were frustrating but I’m off today (Sat) and decided to try a vinegar rinse… WOW!!! ALL BETTER! It was quick and easy. I just got my hair wet and then poured maybe 1/2 a cup of kombucha vinegar over it. I worked that through my hair and scalp with my fingers and was feeling silky, smooth and clean immediately. I lightly rinsed it out and towel dried. Boy! It feels at it’s best again. I’ll probably vinegar rinse every few weeks from now on.
btw, that kombucha vinegar was from the same batch as the bottle I brought over for you girls. And to anyone not aware, kombucha vinegar is simply what you end up with when you put off bottling up your home-brew kombucha tea for too long. I’m sure Apple Cider Vinegar watered down would have the same effect. So, that’s my story.
Fantastic update Suzi! Thank you so much for your advice! I’ve been curious to try the kombucha vinegar you left behind in my hair. I just might next time I need some vinegar.
I use only about half a tablespoon of baking soda to 6oz of water, and I mix it in a squeeze bottle with a tip (the same one I used for washing my scalp when I had your dreads!). I mix it with cold water and only use it on my scalp maybe once a week, or twice if I put coconut oil in my hair. I only end up using about 1/4 to 1/3 of it at a time though. Any more and my hair dries out. As far as the vinegar rinse, I put 3 tablespoons in a large water bottle the boy brought home from work. I’d say it’s at least a litre, though it feels like it’s larger than that. I fill it up with cold water too (cold water helps keep it silky), and only use as much as my hair wants, which ends up being maybe 1/5th or less of the bottle. I’m washing and vinegar rinsing much less frequently than I thought I would be when I moved away from traditional hair washing, and my hair is apparently rather curly! I still spritz with amber oil infused water, and I’ve been thinking about trying chamomile and/or rosemary rinses. Rosemary will darken your hair over time, but it’s supposed to be amazing for dealing with scalp itching, dandruff, and a whole host of other issues. I got the book Hair Gone Wild! by Diane Kidman and it’s proven invaluable.
That is some good advice Inara. I’m going to have to try the rosemary rinse. I like the amber infused water idea too, I love the smell of amber!
I have been using the no poo method on my hair for several years now. My hair has never been better, no more dandruff, no more frizz, just shiny, soft, and in my case curly ringlets of hair.
That’s fantastic Micki! I’m jealous of all the people who end up with curly hair when they go No ‘Poo. I still have stick straight hair!