30 Days Without Shampoo - Week 1

Thirty days ago I decided to go 'poo-free. That meant I was casting aside my organic lavender-eucalyptus shampoo in exchange for baking soda and apple-cider vinegar.

Hair Prep - I spent the last two weeks using less shampoo, less frequently. In between actual shampoo uses, I just rinsed out my hair. It has probably been shampoo'ed and conditioned only three times in 14 times. Not exactly sure why I did this, except maybe in an attempt to gently wean my hair from shampoo.

Day 1 (April 16) - Mixed ~1 tablespoon with baking soda (BS) in a cup with warm water. Wet hair just a bit and then poured the BS over my head in stages, working it in as I went. Some did trickle down my face and it tasted salty. (Duh!) Then, when I was rinsing the BS out, I actually heard my hair squeak!

Next, I mixed ~1 tablespoon of apple-cider vinegar (ACV) with more warm water in the same cup and poured that over my hair in stages as well. ACV in the eyes doesn't really sting, but it isn't comfortable either. I left that in while I took care of other showery business. I would usually run a wide-tooth comb through my hair while conditioning, but did it during this step instead. And surprisingly, it ran through almost perfectly... that doesn't even happen with expensive conditioner. That was almost as cool as my squeaky hair!

I styled my hair as usual (after rinsing and towel-drying my hair of course) and maybe it was my imagination, but it felt lighter. You know, the way your hair feels after a trip to the salon?

Day 2 - I had a date with my husband tonight and my slept on, sweated in head just wasn't going to cut it. But it wasn't really dirty. So I rinsed it with cold water and then used some ACV to soften it a little bit. I was happy with the results tonight.

Day 3 - Saturday. I don't think I did anything with my hair except put it in a ponytail and cover it with a ball cap. It didn't look bad, that is just how I wear my hair on Saturdays when I am going to be outside.

Day 4 - Sunday morning and time for another rinse out before church. All I did today was rinse with water. Styled as usual with mousse and hairspray. I don't think I am noticing any major differences in my hair so far.

Day 6 - Um, haven't done anything to my hair except put it up in a pony tail and ball cap. I'm kind of lazy about washing my hair when I won't be going any where. One thing I am noticing is that my hair doesn't seem to be as frizzy as usual. But it doesn't feel the least bit greasy, which is what a lot of people experience. Maybe the 2 weeks of "prep" work I did are making a difference.

Day 7 - I figured I oughtta go ahead and give my hair another scrub with the BS since it had been a week. This time though, I used a little bit less since it might have made my hair dry that first night. And again, I am very pleased with the results. My hair feels light and extra bouncy and the typicaly frizziness I have at the front isn't there. I'll even share a picture to prove it! (Pay no attention to the blown out face... I want you to look at the hair!)

I'll give you another update in a week or so. Anyone else want to join me in giving up shampoo???

EDIT:
Read the rest of the weekly updates for Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4 to see how things turned out!

Comments

  1. ohmygoodness!! I noticed a difference in your hair right away Jenn!!! wow it looks great! You have definitely surprised me with this!

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  2. I read about the no 'poo challenge on my discussingnt yahoo site awhile back (discussing nourishing traditions - a book that discusses how our ancestors made food)... thanks for posting this! you've really inspired me to give it a shot!

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  3. How bout that, I've been no-poo since December until this week. I washed my hair with shampoo and a deep conditioner. I'm on the verge of giving up the BS/ACV for good.
    This is my problem - about 75% of the time, my hair is fine. But the other 25, it is completely greasy, as in four hours after showering, I look like my hair is still wet!
    But in general, i feel like my hair is too dry. Even the stylist where I got it cut, the first thing she said is "what are you using on your hair, it's so dry!"
    But I don't feel I can add more ACV or it's super greasy.
    So, overall, I'm leaning toward going back to S/C.
    I'm torn though because I like to price, naturalness, and often, how my hair looks.
    Will be interested to see how yours goes in the long run.

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  4. My wife and I are making the switch. still trying to figure out the best ways to use the baking soda and get it to do it's work more effectively.

    ~Luke

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