Comments on: Some Thoughts on the No Shampoo (”No Poo”) Movement http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/ About finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:40:23 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Allison http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-23546 Allison Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:44:52 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/#comment-23546 I went no 'poo for eight months starting last year in December... just baking soda and vinegar about twice a week. It was fantastic, until I moved to a place with really hard water, which pretty much ruins the baking soda's ability to clean your hair. Whenever I went to visit my parents, I washed my hair (with baking soda) and it was incredible again, even though it failed when I was at home. I used a flaxseed wash for a while, but then in preparation for my wedding last September, started using paraben/sls free shampoo & conditioner. Now that my giant bottles of that shampoo and conditioner are finally running out and I've moved into a new place with hubby, I'm starting no 'poo again. It's been a relatively smooth transition so far... my only issue is that I have a short haircut now that I straighten. Hopefully my natural oils will protect my hair from the flat-iron.... I didn't use any extra products while I was using shampoo and conditioner and it was fine, so we'll see. As far as no 'poo-ers not bathing, I do bathe less than I used to... probably every other day on average. But I use deodorant (homemade stuff, :) ) and use a natural astringent on my face and neck daily. Finally, some corn starch and a kabuki makeup brush do a great job absorbing grease if my hair gets a little bit over greasy between washes. Oh, finally, (sorry this is such a long post!) if you're concerned about smelling like a salad, do not fret! Especially if you use raw apple cider vinegar, the smell is gone once your hair is dry (sometimes with Heinz or something it sticks around for a couple of hours). You can also add essential oils (I like lavender!) if you want your hair to have a smell. :) I went no ‘poo for eight months starting last year in December… just baking soda and vinegar about twice a week. It was fantastic, until I moved to a place with really hard water, which pretty much ruins the baking soda’s ability to clean your hair. Whenever I went to visit my parents, I washed my hair (with baking soda) and it was incredible again, even though it failed when I was at home. I used a flaxseed wash for a while, but then in preparation for my wedding last September, started using paraben/sls free shampoo & conditioner.

Now that my giant bottles of that shampoo and conditioner are finally running out and I’ve moved into a new place with hubby, I’m starting no ‘poo again. It’s been a relatively smooth transition so far… my only issue is that I have a short haircut now that I straighten. Hopefully my natural oils will protect my hair from the flat-iron…. I didn’t use any extra products while I was using shampoo and conditioner and it was fine, so we’ll see.

As far as no ‘poo-ers not bathing, I do bathe less than I used to… probably every other day on average. But I use deodorant (homemade stuff, :) ) and use a natural astringent on my face and neck daily. Finally, some corn starch and a kabuki makeup brush do a great job absorbing grease if my hair gets a little bit over greasy between washes.

Oh, finally, (sorry this is such a long post!) if you’re concerned about smelling like a salad, do not fret! Especially if you use raw apple cider vinegar, the smell is gone once your hair is dry (sometimes with Heinz or something it sticks around for a couple of hours). You can also add essential oils (I like lavender!) if you want your hair to have a smell. :)

]]> By: CH http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-17558 CH Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:41:58 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/#comment-17558 And I thought I was the only wierdo in the country that washed my hair with bar soap. Several years ago I was having problems with dandruff and dry flakey skin on my forehead, so I sent off for some bar shampoo. It looked just like a bar of soap so when I used it up I started washing my hair with (cheaper) bar Ivory. Most bar "soap" and (as far as I know) ALL liquid "soap" is actually detergent (sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate). It cuts grease nicely, but it is hard on skin and I don't believe that it is as good at killing germs as soap. Real soap is better at stopping underarm odor. My skin improved, esp. when I started taking vitamin E, but that's another story. Vinegar (half white vinegar and half water, in a washed out ketchup squeeze bottle) washes out the soap scum caused by our hard water and makes my long hair easy to brush. I wash it in the sink once or twice a week, oftener if my allergies kick up, less often if I am real busy. And I thought I was the only wierdo in the country that washed my hair with bar soap. Several years ago I was having problems with dandruff and dry flakey skin on my forehead, so I sent off for some bar shampoo. It looked just like a bar of soap so when I used it up I started washing my hair with (cheaper) bar Ivory. Most bar “soap” and (as far as I know) ALL liquid “soap” is actually detergent (sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate). It cuts grease nicely, but it is hard on skin and I don’t believe that it is as good at killing germs as soap. Real soap is better at stopping underarm odor. My skin improved, esp. when I started taking vitamin E, but that’s another story. Vinegar (half white vinegar and half water, in a washed out ketchup squeeze bottle) washes out the soap scum caused by our hard water and makes my long hair easy to brush. I wash it in the sink once or twice a week, oftener if my allergies kick up, less often if I am real busy.

]]> By: Teri http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-17458 Teri Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:42:16 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/#comment-17458 I've always had curly/frizzy, dry hair and I've always fought the curl. After trashing my hair's condition with some harsh shampoo (Trader Joe's Citrus Shampoo), I conditioned it with olive oil and egg, which worked great, and checked out the no-poo websites. I began using baking soda and apple cider vinegar water to rinse but found that it left my hair very dry and I smelled like salad dressing. Then I just started rinsing my hair thoroughly with very warm water and found that it left my hair clean and encouraged curl in a good, non-frizzy way. It's been about 3 months and I love what mere rinsing has done for my hair! It's curly, has lots more body and is in great condition. And it passed hubby's sniff test too. Last week we went camping and it didn't get greasy at all, although I was happy to get a hot shower after that. I don't think I'll ever use shampoo or conditioner again, and I've converted to Dr. Bronner's castile soap for bathing too, just to be even more chemical-free. I’ve always had curly/frizzy, dry hair and I’ve always fought the curl. After trashing my hair’s condition with some harsh shampoo (Trader Joe’s Citrus Shampoo), I conditioned it with olive oil and egg, which worked great, and checked out the no-poo websites. I began using baking soda and apple cider vinegar water to rinse but found that it left my hair very dry and I smelled like salad dressing. Then I just started rinsing my hair thoroughly with very warm water and found that it left my hair clean and encouraged curl in a good, non-frizzy way. It’s been about 3 months and I love what mere rinsing has done for my hair! It’s curly, has lots more body and is in great condition. And it passed hubby’s sniff test too. Last week we went camping and it didn’t get greasy at all, although I was happy to get a hot shower after that. I don’t think I’ll ever use shampoo or conditioner again, and I’ve converted to Dr. Bronner’s castile soap for bathing too, just to be even more chemical-free.

]]> By: Frances http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-15284 Frances Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:47:11 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/#comment-15284 My concern about shampoo actually started after my gyno suggested I was sensitive to it. Then I learned about the chemicals in shampoo and found people talking about "self-cleaning" hair. I tried just rinsing for about a week but my hair was so greasy I felt very unprofessional at work. When I started washing my hair again my scalp got flaky and it took a month for it to go away. Maybe I will try again later with baking soda or something but a friend introduced me to 365 fragrance free shampoo and that's been working great. Like you said, I feel like my exposure is minimal now. My concern about shampoo actually started after my gyno suggested I was sensitive to it. Then I learned about the chemicals in shampoo and found people talking about “self-cleaning” hair. I tried just rinsing for about a week but my hair was so greasy I felt very unprofessional at work. When I started washing my hair again my scalp got flaky and it took a month for it to go away. Maybe I will try again later with baking soda or something but a friend introduced me to 365 fragrance free shampoo and that’s been working great. Like you said, I feel like my exposure is minimal now.

]]> By: Alexandra http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-14623 Alexandra Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:02:54 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/#comment-14623 I've never been a big bather. When I was little, my mom warned me, "when you get to be a teenager, you'll need to bathe every day." It didn't happen. On average, I bathe twice a week. Unless it's extremely hot and sticky out (like it is currently), the trigger for me to wash is usually when my hair gets oily. I recently switched to an SLS and paraben free shampoo. Jill, that's interesting that your hair got longer after you changed your hair washing regimen. I go years between haircuts but my hair never grows longer than the bottom of my shoulder blades. I wonder if I could coax it longer with your techniques. I’ve never been a big bather. When I was little, my mom warned me, “when you get to be a teenager, you’ll need to bathe every day.” It didn’t happen. On average, I bathe twice a week. Unless it’s extremely hot and sticky out (like it is currently), the trigger for me to wash is usually when my hair gets oily. I recently switched to an SLS and paraben free shampoo. Jill, that’s interesting that your hair got longer after you changed your hair washing regimen. I go years between haircuts but my hair never grows longer than the bottom of my shoulder blades. I wonder if I could coax it longer with your techniques.

]]> By: Liz http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-11911 Liz Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:00:10 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/some-thoughts-on-the-no-shampoo-no-poo-movement/#comment-11911 I have been using a natural soap shampoo bar. It is very gentle and I find my hair is much more managable. It also stays clean longer. I have been using a natural soap shampoo bar. It is very gentle and I find my hair is much more managable. It also stays clean longer.

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