Author |
Here's to Your Health: Shampoo Free |
GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 12:06:41 PM
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We've been shampoo free since sometime before last august? Or so. Back when I was researching sodium laurel sulfate last summer as part of my campaign against store bought laundry detergent. Anyway, I happened to come across an article that linked it to (get this) - HAIR LOSS - yeah, no thank you.
I was worried initially about my long hair and keeping it soft. Once we stopped using shampoo I was amazed by it's own "natural" softness. I've always used henna for a color lift about once a year, usually when the "winter blah's" start to set in. What surprised me was that it works better (shampoo free) when you are not routinely coating your hair in "petrol waste".
I'll admit sometimes I miss the convenience of reaching for a premixed bottle. But mostly I am rewarded with a true feeling of nourishing and loving my body by making healthier choices.
Go for it. Knowing you, I know you'll love it.
Babs :) |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 12:22:49 PM
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I am curious. I have long and VERY thick hair and am prone to both oily and dandruff conditions. This summer I switched to only washing my hair everyother day. What do you do for this if you don't use shampoo? I think my hair would be a big grease ball if I just used water! Any suggestions?
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 1:31:24 PM
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Julie - It sounds scary, I know. My hair is waist length after a healthy trim so I know exactly what your thinking. I think it was hardest trying to get my daughters to believe it. We all see the glamourous stars on tv with beautiful hair, followed by glamour industry propaganda to buy xyz product. The secret they don't want you to know, is that you can have gorgeous hair all on your own.
I started by taking all my shower paraphenalia and putting them in the entry closet. That way they were there if I really needed them, but not accessible from the shower incase I had a "must have suds" fit, and closer to the trash bin once I had freed myself of the addiction. ;)
Then, get to know your hair. It's completely different after it starts to shed the chemical layers. I've read that dandruff is from bacteria, from over conditioning, and a few other things, which leads me to wonder if anyone really knows. Toss out your hair "care". It could also be a mild allergic reaction! If you must have soap, I use a very mild coconut oil based soap once a month to really get my scalp clean. I use ACV to rinse. I've played with herbal teas and even coffee added to the ACV, but plain ACV works best for me. My scalp LOVES it, however the ends of my hair where it's dry needs oiled after. Oiling- I find olive oil a little heavy for my thick hair and hard to work through, so I mix it with sunflower oil and add a bit of EO for scent and therapy depending on my mood and the condition of my hair. Don't work the oil into your scalp as that will create oil naturally and you don't want to clog it up, instead start at least a hand width from your scalp (I use about 2) and work it down to the ends with very light application. The ends are where the oil needs to be, and I'm finding with time I apply oil lower and lower as my hair heals (and grows out). I attribute this to damage from commercial shampoo. :( Drying- Never ever ever blow dry. If it has to be dry I sit with my back to the wood stove, otherwise I coil it up and wrap it with a head scarf.
I hope that helps you. :)
Babs |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 1:44:46 PM
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o.k. you have me curious now..and I'm being nosey too, can we see a picture of you and your hair? I guess because of the saying..a picture is worth a thousand words...and I'd actually like to see how healthy it looks with the hair cleansing method that you use. I too have long hair, past my derriere and my daughters hair is to her knees(she's 5 ft 4) so I'm always curious about taking care of our hair.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 2:04:27 PM
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As long as you keep in mind its a work in progress. It's not where I know it can be in a years time, but it's so much improved from what I was previously doing to it. I don't have any pics on hand, but I'll have hubby take one this weekend. :)
Babs |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2007 : 09:45:35 AM
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Okay, so I did it this morning. I washed with baking saoda and water and used olive oil to condition. I ended up needfing to wash again though because I think the baking soda stipped my hair of the gunk so good this first time around tha the usual amount of olive oil was too much. I think I may need to use egg and honey instead. So I rewashed my hair andma alive to I love it! it isn't greasy, its soft, it tooka little to get the comb through, but I think thats because i didn't use a rise afterward. its fabulous and I highly recommend it.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~ Tasha-Rose blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/ |
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katiedid
True Blue Farmgirl
601 Posts
Kate
West Jordan
Utah
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 09:02:54 AM
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OK, so I did this last night. I washed my hair with the warm water/baking soda mixture...I didn't use any oil or anything as a conditioner....
I was pleasantly surprised! My hair is very CLEAN and feels really soft....I guess this is what my hair feels like without a bunch of chemicals and gunk on it!!
I am going to do it again, and see what a week or two without shampoo does for me...
I have alot of allergies and shampoo is full of junk I am allergic to, propylene glycol, wheat germ, etc....
I have to admit...I believe! Kate
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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katiedid
True Blue Farmgirl
601 Posts
Kate
West Jordan
Utah
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 09:41:25 AM
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Tasha...Do you wash with the baking soda dissolved in a cup of water, then rinse with plain water, then a final rinse with the ACV?
Then after towel drying just rub a little oil on the ends?
My hair was a little hard to comb thru after my bath, but dried really soft, and all I did was the baking soda.
Give me the run-down of your wash/rinse/condition please....
Love K
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 10:01:26 AM
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So this morning I tried the baking soda and water "shampoo" and then a honey rinse (1 tsp honey in 4 cups warm water- do not rinse out. from the motowngirl site.) Wow. My hair is nice and shiny, smells really good, was not hard to comb through, but then it is fairly short, :) and has nice bounce to it. I e-mailed my sister (the one I think will actually try this) and let her know how well it worked. Thanks, Tasha!
Karin |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 10:13:26 AM
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I need to try this too. My biggest concern is that my hair tangles so badly..even with conditioner it takes awhile to comb out..it is thick and naturally wavey and long. Does the ACV help it be less tangly or does the oil do that?? I am sure curious..would love to go no shampoo!!
Jenny in Utah Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 11:53:22 AM
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Okay here is what I am doing.
I mix in a kerr jar, 1 cup of water and one tablespoon of soda (I really dont need much more than this because my hair is so fine) I pour it on little by little and work it in my hair, scrub my scalp with my fingertips-NOT my nails- then I rinse. After I rinse I use a little ACV and then rinse until I cannot smell it on my hair anymore. I am not using oil now because I think using the baking soda makes using the oil unnecessary for me. I got way too oily from using it afterward the first time. I am going to experiment with rinses and ocnditioners, like the honey and egg or just honey....we'll see. But that is was I have done so far. I am loving it. My hair feels so good and smells like HAIR! I love it, ROb loves my hair even more now he said and as soon as his shampoo is gone he said he wants to do it, as I had him do it once and he loves it for himself as well.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~ Tasha-Rose blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/ |
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daffodil dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
805 Posts
Jayne
Hamilton
Victoria
Australia
805 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 3:43:35 PM
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I am going to try this right now! I have to wash my hair this morning. My question is how often are you finding you need to wash? And like Jenny, I'm a bit worried about knots as my hair is extremely thick. I have tried to go shampoo free before, using natural soap, and I gave it a month and it just didn't work. Someone since has told me that to use soap on your hair, you need to be washing with rainwater. I don't know if that is right. I will try this method and report back! Thanks Tasha for posting this, Jayne |
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daffodil dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
805 Posts
Jayne
Hamilton
Victoria
Australia
805 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 6:27:50 PM
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OK, I'm back - I have washed my hair and let it dry naturally (I'm one of those strange people who don't own a hairdryer! How do you explain to people you don't 'believe' in hairdryers?!) Anyway, washed it in the baking soda and rinsed with the honey rinse. And it IS so soft - it really works! When I washed with the natural soap, it felt awful, really dry, and I kept going for about a month because I thought it was taking a while to get all the buildup out of my hair. But this worked immediately. For Jenny, my hair was still a bit knotty, but actually less knots than when I use conditioner. So do try it! Thanks Tasha, I think you have given me something to try for the New Year. I will try to replace a commercial product with a homemade one each month. Shampoo this month, and I'll report back with what I try next month. Anyone else want to give it a try? Best wishes, Jayne |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 6:33:54 PM
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Okay..tomorrow morning after chores I am SO trying this..I love the idea of not using all the chemical yuck on my hair. I am glad to know that your hair was no more tangled than with conditioner Jayne. Mine is a pain that way anyhow. I will let you girls know what I think tomorrow afternoon. I don't use a dryer either. I have a small one for when others need it..actually I have had it since the last time my hair was above shoulder length..gosh..15 years ago I bet. It is near waist length now.
Jenny in Utah Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2007 : 08:54:02 AM
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you can use Mayonnaise, cider vinegar, honey, egg, olive oil & salt in your hair as a prewash conditioner--then it won't be so hard to comb out afterwards
also: try avocado oil, herb infusion of your choice
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. Wife of Jonathan, Mother of Joel, Caitlyn, Elia, Nathanael |
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2007 : 3:55:01 PM
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Thanks Tasha, I'm going to check this out. One thing I have problems with is my hair is thick and grabs everything. Whether it's shampoo, conditioner, or even Apple Cider Vinegar. I rinse and rinse and rinse. I hope I can find something that will work well for me. I'm open to suggestions... Thanks KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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walrissa
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Larissa
Anchorage
AK
30 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2007 : 09:01:23 AM
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I've just been using baking soda for the last three days and so far it's easy and I like the results. My hair is pretty soft but it also has a lot of "weight" to it whereas it had been flyaway and staticky for the last week or so because of the dry air. It also looks like it has styling product because it stays where I put it! I haven't tried the honey rinse yet because I am pretty satisfied with what is happening now. I may try to add that once a week or so for overall conditioning though. I had been thinking about making this change since the summer but was worried about the icky "detox" period. Well, that has never materialized! Thanks for the extra kick to get started!
http://web.mac.com/lwrightelson/iWeb/Cormac%27s%20World/Welcome.html |
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_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2007 : 09:41:44 AM
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I think that you can use canned beer for a clarifying rinse, just open the can and let it sit for awhile.
And wouldn't vinegar be a good one too?
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. Wife of Jonathan, Mother of Joel, Caitlyn, Elia, Nathanael |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2007 : 4:59:48 PM
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Totally tried the baking soda and water.........we'll see! I'm letting it dry. I DO use a hairdryer but sometimes I need a break from the noise! :-P hugs
"... to thine ownself be true." |
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Here's to Your Health: Shampoo Free |
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