Something that I used to buy on a regular basis but haven't now for a year or so is shampoo and conditioner. (For me anyway- Ken still uses normal products and the kids have been using things that we had on hand as I work to gradually get them changed over to natural products.)I have chosen to go with what is called the No 'Poo method. So instead of using shampoo I use a baking soda/ water mix every 3 to 6 days. I do shower and get my hair wet every day but I don't "wash" it every day. I then rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar. I also sometimes add aloe vera gel to my rinse mixture which seems to help to prevent dry scalp (and keep everything healthier). If my hair seems to be getting to dry and frizzy then I will use some coconut oil on it.
I am not going to say that my hair is the healthiest or loveliest that it has ever been with this method but it seems to be working just as well as normal hair products and I am very happy to avoid the weird things that are in the usual shampoo and conditioner.
I was looking for a recent picture of my hair and had trouble finding a good one. I am usually on the other side of the camera. Here is a funny one that one of my (obviously shorter ) kids took recently that shows my hair a bit anyway.
Have you ever tried alternative methods to regular shampoo and conditioner? What works for you? If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments and I will try to answer as I have time.
I found it pretty funny that I had this post nearly ready to publish when my younger sister called with questions on this very subject.
I am linking this to Frugal Friday as this is a method that can save you a LOT of money, Especially if you were trying to buy natural hair care products. Baking Soda and Vinegar are quite inexpensive and last a long time!
I have thought about doing this as well as we use things up. Do you do the cider rinse every day?
ReplyDeleteJoanna,
ReplyDeleteI only do the cider rinse on the days I do the baking soda. I think it would be fine to do it more often but I don't. On the in between days I do still get my hair wet and I generally kind of massage my scalp while in the shower but I don't actually put anything on it.
do you add the aloe vera to the baking soda mix or to the ACV mix?
ReplyDeleteI tried no poo once, but then my hair was very long. Now it is shouldar length and maybe will try again when I run out of shampoo.
ReplyDeleteI have safer shampoo that has all organic ingriedients and no sls's right now. I got it from someone for free (they didn't like it.)
Do you do no poo to avoid using chemicals or save money?
I tried it for both.
HI Abbi, I just recently found a recipe for shampoo that I have yet to make, but it's on my list of things to do after my sulfate-free shampoo I found at a flea market runs out (.50 per bottle, I shoulda bought more).
ReplyDeleteI'm a pinterest surfer, so that is where I found this site.
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/homemade-coconut-milk-shampoo.html#more
I tried the no 'poo method before and wasn't very fond of it, though I did like the cider vinegar rinse.
Lorissa, I add the Aloe Vera to the ACV mix.
ReplyDeleteBecky, I have switched to this method because I wanted to get away from SLS and other weird ingredients and also because I liked the idea of saving money.
Emily, Thanks for the link. That shampoo looks interesting but a lot of the comments that were left be people who tried it weren't very positive. It might be worth tinkering with however.