'poo Experiment Update

If you read Saturday's post, you already know that I was experimenting with the no 'poo method. Instead of using shampoo, mix one tablespoon baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Then use a vinegar rinse -- 1 tablespoon vinegar mixed with a cup of water.

So I tried this Saturday morning, and my hair felt great. I had even bought a new hair brush that afternoon with bristles, which I have read is best for redistributing your hair's natural oils. Let me tell you, my hair felt soft and clean for days! Normally I wash my hair every other day. Guys, I didn't wash it until this morning. I really thought about not 'pooing again, but decided to try inalather's shampoo bar with the vinegar rinse. So far so good, my hair is just as soft as it was for the last couple of days. Although the vinegar did eat up some of the scent from the 'poo bar... At least I got to enjoy the Cedar and Saffron yumminess while I washed up!

To 'poo or not to 'poo...

I'm talking shampoo here, duh! Recently I've been reading a lot about the no 'poo method. Take 1 tablespoon of baking soda and mix it in a cup with some water to make a paste. Massage it into your hair at the roots and scalp, and rinse. Then take 1 tablespoon of vinegar, mix with 1 cup water, apply to your roots and scalp, and rinse. It sounds easy, and from what I've read, it allows your hair to use its own oil to soften your hair, unlike commercial shampoos that strip your hair.

Now, my hair is picky. It doesn't like to have the same shampoo wash it every time. The closest I ever came to finding shampoo that my hair loved consistantly was from inalather on Etsy. Her 'poo bars rock! I loved how easy they were to use, but after a while my hair wanted some conditioner. (By the way, I've heard that inalather is developing conditioner bars...) Call me nutty here, but I didn't want to mix my wonderfully fragrant 'poo bar with some random smelling conditioner. So I left my Cedar and Saffron 'poo bar in its holder in the shower and went back to commercial shampoo and conditioner.

How does this relate to the no 'poo method, you ask? Well this morning I decided to try the baking soda/vinegar rinse on my hair. Since I'd never tried it before, I wasn't sure how long it would take, or how my hair would feel and look after. I had two cups ready to go on the ledge, one with baking soda, and one with apple cider vinegar. I put some water in with my baking soda, but I really think I should have put less. It was really watery, and I think it would be easier to apply if it was more of a paste. Next time... Anyway, I massaged it all in and rinsed. My hair felt really clean as I rinsed, which I have to say surprised me. I mixed my apple cider vinegar with about a cup of water, and massaged that in too. Next time, I'm adding a drop of essential oil, because vinegar just smells so freaking strong! My hair doesn't smell like vinegar at the moment, but I could definitely smell it for about 30 minutes after my shower.

Usually when I use commercial shampoo and conditioner, my hair takes FOREVER to dry. Really. My hair is long and really, really thick. Every time I get it cut by someone new, they always go on and on about how much hair I have. Oh do I? I hadn't noticed it sitting on top of my head. Today, my hair dried a lot quicker than normal, which was great since I had to get to the bank before it closed this morning. My hair even looks great, and feels really soft, like it did with inalather's 'poo bar. If it didn't take me so long to do this whole process, I would be all over trying this method out starting today. But I think I'm going to go back to my lovely 'poo bar, and try the vinegar rinse with it to see if the two together can make my hair as happy as it feels right now. Just wait though, summer vacation is coming up in the not too distant future. I'll definitely be no 'pooing then.