My Journey to No Poo!

Stay up to date on the latest posts. Subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Photo credit: mollypop’s via flickr

It all began one morning when I finally ran out of shampoo.

(Ha! Ha! You were thinking potty poo! Gross. LOL!).

I figured that moment was as good as any to take the next plunge in this mission to green our beauty routine. I’ve already taken a few steps in knocking out the chemicals… such as making my own deodorant, switching to all natural perfumes, and making my own body oil to name a few.

At first, I used up a sample bottle of Aveda shampoo. Then I started using an old Burt’s Bee’s shampoo bar I had from one of their sampler packages.. This all began just before Thanksgiving sometime.

With the economy like it is and the holiday’s quickly approaching I pretty much set the “transition period” aside and went for it! I began using the shampoo bar and almost immediately noticed the effects of not having a lather. My hair instantly felt dry and yuck!

I also decided not to condition my hair as often. It was a little rough to brush my hair but I managed. Then after a couple days I put in a few dabs of coconut oil before washing with the shampoo bar and it seemed to help.

After about a month of using the shampoo bar my hair began to oil up and began to get heavy feeling. I could brush it but there was definitely a greasy feeling and look to it. Most days I found myself pulling my hair back or tying it up.

I even sponged curled it one evening for a girls night and boy did the curls hold up well. I think the oily factor shaped the curls nicely but that’s not my point. Even though it was greasy and oily you couldn’t tell. I was the only one who knew…at least I hope so, anyway.

The shampoo bar finally had it’s last shower the other day, so, it was time to go from “Lo Poo” to “No Poo”

The Results

I’m seriously impressed. It’s only been Day 2 and I can already tell a major difference in appearance, feel, and management. I know it’s just the start but I’m happy with it so far. From what I’ve read, after time, I may not need to do it on a regular basis. As with any natural remedy/product it affects everyone differently. At some point, I may only need to wash 2-3 times a week and condition once a week.  In another month, I’ll check in, so you can keep up with the progress!

Why go chemical free?

From what I’ve learned shampooing regularly strips your hair of it’s natural oil. Furthermore, overtime it begins to build up and can cause your hair to get oily. Common chemicals in shampoo such as Parabens, Lauryl Sulfates, PEG compounds etc. are known to cause disease such as cancer and can be hormone disputers. Bad! Bad! Bad!

The Environmental Working Group is my go-to for research on toxic chemicals found in everyday products and have written a fairly recent report on the toxic chemicals found in shampoo and a bit on the No Poo Method. The information is something to consider and the switch is an easy step in greening up your beauty routine!

BIG SAVINGS

Not only do you save yourself bookoo amounts of bucks by not having to purchase the organic/all natural brands;

you’re ALSO saving the planet and sparing your health too. It’s a triple win! The No Poo method allows you to be in charge of the ingredients.

Only 2 Ingredients technically 3!

• Baking Soda
• Apple Cider Vinegar (raw, unfiltered)

::RECIPE::

Add  1 TBSP of Baking Soda into 1 CUP of warm water;

Rinse with 1 TBSP of ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) mixed 1 CUP of water

You can add essential oils to the ACV rinse if you like. I used Peppermint since I had some leftover from Christmas. You can also add in a stick of cinnamon or fresh rosemary to give your hair a lovely scent if you’re afraid of smelling like a pickle.

You’ll need old squirt bottles, sports water bottles will work too or whatever container floats your boat, really! Right now, I’m using an 8oz. glass jar for the baking soda and H2O and a peri bottle (from Clark’s birth) for the rinse. Both seem to work reall well but I don’t like the idea of having glass in the tub especially having tater tots (children). I don’t have any sports bottles but I’m on the hunt to find something that will work and don’t worry it’ll be reused. In fact, I think I even saw sports bottles at the Salvation Army last time I was there.

{Anywho}

Take the baking soda and water solution and pour it onto your scalp concentrating underneath, the sides, crown and top. The ends don’t really need to be worked until you use the rinse. Leave on for a minute or two then rinse off baking soda solution.Next  use the ACV rinse and pour over hair and rub into your ends if you like. Then wash/rinse completely.

It’s liberating!

Honestly, when I make my own products it always brings a gleeful smile!!  Day2 of this and my hair feels less oily than it did the first day. Not as much weight either. My crown hairs feel so soft and revived it’s amazing. I tried to take these pictures in the light so you could see… my hair is still a bit damp- I don’t blow dry my hair unless I’m going getting dressed up.

I say, give it go- even if you don’t intend to do it habitually… I think it would be a good way to get the gunk out of your hair without spending a ton of money of a treatment at the beauty store!!!

P.S. My hair has a natural wave to it… and I’ve been pulling it back in a braid.

Oh! and those dark circles I pointed out to you earlier… think I’m going to lay like broccoli and put some cucumber’s on my eyes later. LOL!

Stay tuned for next month’s update!

UPDATE: here!

Will you try the No Poo Method?