- Buy the eBook!
- a little about me…
- What is Paleo?
- The Purpose of this Blog
- Recipe Tree
- The Food Diary
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this post, where I share my 8 BIG GOALS for these 43 days.
Again, my inspiration for non-chemical hair care comes from Liz Wolfe at CaveGirlEats. Be sure to also check out what I’ve learned from her on Natural Skin and Oral Care here.
I’m a bit of a hair freak, and I’m currently growing out my short haircut, so it’s already in an awkward stage. I’ve heard that getting your hair adjusted to it’s natural pH balance can be a painful (meaning “ugly”) process, so I can’t say that I’m looking forward to this one! What I AM looking forward to is less contact with toxins AND a smaller hair-care budget! This approach is FAR less expensive than even the cheapo shampoos and conditioners at the drugstore. There are a number of great natural shampoos available as well, but they’re pretty pricey!
CAN IT BE THIS SIMPLE?
Well, can meals be as simple as meat and vegetables and still provide great results? Affirmative!
So I’m giving this a try… to be honest, I’ve been putting it off, so I’m just starting today. I’ve heard that your hair has to go through a “detox phase” when you switch from chemical products to a natural hair solution. YIKES! I don’t like transitions! The detox phase could be a period of time where your hair is really oily, or really dry. My hair is naturally pretty oily, so I’m prepared to look like I’ve been soaking in an olive oil vat for the next few weeks.
Check out your personal care products (click here), and see what kind of toxins you’re regularly applying to your body! Did you know that tons of shampoos and conditioners actually contain gluten? Craziness!
Regular shampoos strip the natural oils from your hair, and regular conditioners add “fake oils” back in for moisture. What sense does this make? What I love about the natural method I’m about to start is that it just makes sense (kinda like the Paleo diet, no?). According to Liz (see this post), “Baking Soda clarifies and removes build-up and Apple Cider Vinegar restores your scalp’s natural pH balance.” I like the sound of that!
Here are the instructions:
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with warm water.
Gently, gently, gently work mixture through your hair.
Rinse thoroughly.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of unfiltered, unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of warm water.
Pour it on your hair, and let it sit for a few minutes.
Rinse thoroughly.
(You can pre-mix the ratios that work best for you, and keep them ready in mason jars in your shower!)
Liz says that adding a few drops of essential oil to your hair as it dries will really cover the cider vinegar smell, but that the smell really dissipates pretty quickly as your hair dries, so no worries!
This natural process will allow your hair to regain its natural pH balance, and produce balanced, natural oils on its own. It may take a few weeks to strike that balance, but it will happen, and I’m willing to be patient. For a look at Liz’s BEAUTIFUL hair after being on this program for a few weeks, check out this post.
Can’t wait to see how this goes!
_________________________________
Again, thank you so much, Liz Wolfe, for all the inspiration and information! You rock!
Unfortunately, I will never be a once-a-week-shampoo girl. It’s not about dirty hair, it’s about my scalp feeling sluggish, and somehow when my scalp is sluggish my brain doesn’t work well-
I saw a post once on a blog about using an egg a day for shampoo – I tried it a few times and loved it but at the time it was inconvenient, as our chickens were getting older and we were eating all the eggs!
I’d love to find that information again. I have tried the baking soda washing, and found it drying after a few days. Right now I’m using an organic, shea-based bar soap, but need to find a better way to condition and finish.
My question about the vinegar is – doesn’t that tend to turn the hair a brassy color? I had heard that lemon juice will brighten and vinegar turns hair brassy – anyone have any information on this? Is there a reason why the vinegar would be healthier than the lemon juice for rinsing?
Hi Ann!
Interesting… I’ve never heard that about eggs or about brassy hair from vinegar. Wish I could be more helpful! Maybe someone else can comment.
-Jennie
I just did an egg shampoo today, then followed with a chamomile tea rinse. My hair was so soft and I love the smell of chamomile! Here’s the link I used… http://no-poo.livejournal.com/603018.html
Cool! Thanks Judy!
Any chance that while you’re transitioning you can take pics? My hair is normally super oily as well and I’d like to see the progress and what I might be able to expect. But I understand that involves time…and also posting maybe not so great hair days on the internet.
That’s a great idea, Brooke! I think I can do that.
-Jennie
Hi! Just wanted to say that I have been doing this (and the oil cleansing method) for over three years. Both are FANTASTIC, natural and cheap.
*I have blondish/brownish hair and the vinegar has NEVER changed its color and there has been NO brassiness.
*Also, I wouldn’t premix. I did once. The water gets COLD just sitting in the shower. I woke up quick that morning!
*I never had a transition time. It was all good from the get go. My hair is VERY thick, wavy, and long. It would get oily if I skipped a day of shampooing. Now, I wash it once or twice a week simply as needed.
*Re: Odor–once you rinse, there is none. Seriously. Everyone always asks me that and I have them smell my hair.
*Cheap White Vinegar works just as well as the nice AC. I’d rather put the nice stuff on my salads.
I love this!!
Thanks for the info, Kimberly!
-Jennie
I haven’t read all the comments, so I apologies if I’m repeating,,,
I use a large plastic tumbler (2 1/2-3 cups easy) for mixing the same amounts of both the baking soda and the acv you use. You want to be sure to rince both REALLY GOOD after both (the baking soda can dry or cake if left in and the acv,,,,stinks)! I love my crunchy hair care!
FYI: I have long (to the middle if my butt), thickish, slightly coarse hair. These two items, plus the occasional dab of organic coconut oil, are all I use, EVER.
Thanks for your comment! So glad to hear that it’s working for you. Great tips, too!
-Jennie
I have long hair, and like you I tired of shampooing my hair with liquids from chemical labs. I am now doing the following with pretty good results: First I shampoo with Dr Bronner’s Organic Castile (liquid) Soap Unscented Baby-mild. Rinse. Then I shampoo with J R Liggett’s Shampoo Bar Original Formula (this is actually a bar of soap – you sort of rub it around over your hair – it works). Rinse. Then I don’t really need to use a conditioner. But sometimes I do, and I use Uncle Harry’s “Hair Conditioner 4 fl oz” (item 32030 at uncleharrys.com), which has ingredients only of water and orange and lemon essential oils. It’s a small 4 oz glass bottle, and you spray it onto the hair like an aromatherapy mister. I think it helps a little with detangling. Not sure if I’m supposed to rinse it out or not. I’ve tried both ways and it does not seem to matter. The orange/lemon smells good, but it goes away within a couple hours when the hair is dry leaving only a very faint smell. Sooner of course if I rinse it out before drying.