The No-Shampoo Plan

 

So, have you heard about the "No-Poo" movement? No, it's not what you're thinking, you cheeky monkeys! It actually stands for "no shampoo". It's a trend that's catching on faster than cat videos on the internet. I usually give my hair a good scrub every three days, using natural products that are as clean as a nun's browser history. No sulfates or nasty chemicals for my precious locks!

Recently, I decided to join the "No-Poo" party. I was curious to see if washing my hair with baking soda (yes, the stuff you use for baking cookies) and rinsing with apple cider vinegar (the salad dressing superstar) would really do the trick. According to the No-Poo high priests, washing your hair with warm water alone can turn it from straw-like to silky smooth over a few weeks. 

So, I took the plunge and created my own hair magic potions. I can proudly say, my hair doesn't feel like an oil slick. It's as bouncy and healthy as a rabbit on a trampoline! Maybe my results were boosted because I was already washing my hair every three days with natural products before I joined the No-Poo revolution. And of course, I keep my hair as product-free as possible – who needs gel or hairspray buildup cramping their style?

From what I've seen on the internet (the modern oracle), those who stick with No-Poo for several weeks start seeing their hair and scalp transform like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. Patience, my friends, is not just a virtue, it's a hair care must!

So here's my secret formula:

Every third day, I brew a strong chamomile infusion. Picture 3 cups of boiling water having a hot date with 1 cup of dried chamomile flowers. After an hour of infusing, I strain out the flowers. I chose chamomile because I'm a blonde. But if you're a brunette, you could play matchmaker for sage, lavender, or hibiscus flowers and hot water instead.

Of course I get my Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria recutita) from Mountain Rose Herbs. Photo from Mountain Rose Herbs.

I add 1 cup of the chamomile infused water to 1/4 cup of baking soda.  I rinse my hair with warm water first, and gently ring out as much as possible.  I massage the baking soda mixture into my hair and focus on  massaging my scalp to remove as much sebum accumulation as possible.  I let the mixture sit on my hair and scalp for about 1 minute or so, and then rinse very well with warm water.  Avoid getting the baking soda in your eyes since as it does sting a bit.  

The Baking Soda from Mountain Rose Herbs is OMRI listed for organic food and is manufactured to USP and NSF standards. Three sizes to choose from. Click HERE.*Photo from Mountain Rose Herbs.

For the rinse, I use 2 cups of my chamomile infusion along with 1/2 cup of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar and 5 drops of sandalwood essential oil (use your favorite!).  I pour a little at a time over my scalp and massage it into my ends. DO NOT RINSE.  I have noticed that once my hair dries there is no vinegar odor at all.  

Look at the locks on this lovely lady!!!

I have really enjoyed this No-Poo program and believe I might just stick with it for a while.  I will be concocting various baking soda and vinegar based formulas and will share those with you.