Monday, March 24, 2008

Wanna Go No Poo?

I've been asked about how to go without shampoo, so I thought I would post some information on here for anyone who might be curious... I've tried it and it has really worked for me. I'm not extreme about it.  I was given some shampoo around christmas and I'm just about to run out of it and go back to au naturale.

Why Not Use Shampoo?
Weell, read your ingredient lists and do some research and you just might start re-thinking your choices in personal products. Some of the ingredients to avoid are sodium laurel sulfate and parabens.
     Your skin is your largest organ and it drinks in everything you put on it. I think a good idea to go by is: “If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your body.” You can check ratings of beauty products here.  If you have trouble believing that any of these things are true or that it is a good idea to start changing your habits…it might be because of all the media that is EVERYWHERE telling you otherwise. You will find contradictory information on everything, but you have to think for yourself and make the best decision for you and your family. Just because something is "normal", doesn't mean it's a good idea.
     What are the options? Natural shampoos and conditioners. The other (and I think better) option is to go completely natural and use baking soda to wash your hair and apple cider vinegar to rinse. You can also use honey and other foods to condition, but i haven't found this to be necessary.  I take about 1 Tablespoon or less (depending on the length and thickness of your hair) and combine it in my hand with water and make a pasty solution. I  then use a little of the paste and massage it into my scalp starting at the crown of my head. I make sure to do this with any oily areas of my hair, like along my part and my bangs. Rinse thoroughly.  I then take two cap-fulls of apple cider vinegar and mix with at least 12. oz of water in a cup and I pour the mixture over the ends of my hair only.  The baking soda will have a drying effect and the ACV has a moisturizing effect, but neither one will strip your hair of its beneficial natural oils like shampoo will.  If your hair is too dry, use less baking soda and/or mix it with more water.  If your hair is too oily, you may not need to use the acv rinse every day.  Some people say your hair may take some time time to adjust and you may need to experiment with the quantities of baking soda, acv and water.  If you try it, let me know how it goes.  I think it's great!  My hair is normally bone straight and washing my hair this way gives it more body.  So, try it, you don't have to tell anyone if you're afraid they'll think you're a weirdo - I usually don't!  
     You can also use baking soda as a deoderant. it works better than ANY natural deoderant on the market. you'll smell like NOTHING, even in HOT California summers!! It's also CHEAP and doesn't come in a plastic container.

Here are some other people going "no 'poo".

don't forget to buy apple cider vinegar that's packaged in glass :)

1 comment:

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