So this is day 2 of my no-shampoo hair washing thing – not sure what to call it.

My no-shampoo extravaganza?

No-poo wooo-hoo?

“Apple Cider Vinegar isn’t just for salad dressing” spectacular?

somethin…

Anyway, here’s how it works
(all measurements are approximate and what I am doing – you don’t have to follow my exact lead)

First – don’t wash your hair.  Go as long as you can from your last shampoo wash until you start this process.  I typically do this already.  I wash my hair twice a week.  I think anything more than that causes damage and is more trouble than its worth in the long run for my hair.  I went three days..or four?  I think four.

Second – you need to purchase a few things.  This will cost you in total less than $20 – likely less than $10.  You need baking soda – the typical Arm and Hammer orange box.  You need apple cider vinegar – I found this by the salad dressings.  You should probably get a boar bristle brush – my walmart has them in the ethnic hair section (only place with 100% boar hair).  You might need a plastic container to mix your stuff up – I got a mini water jug with a sports top for $1.

Third – when you’ve made it to yourr “I can’t effin stand this nastiness!!” breaking point, its time to start.

mix about 2tablespoons of baking soda into 2 cups of water (if you have shorter hair or thinner hair, 1tbs/1cup should be plenty for you).  Pour the mixture over your (wet) hair and massage it into the scalp just like you would shampoo.  This is the washing step so WASH!!!

Leave it in your hair for about a minute, then rinse with warm water.

Now we detangle!

Pour about 2tbs of ACV into 2 cups of water (decrease just like above if you want/need) and pour it on your hair – avoid the scalp and focus on the ends.

Leave it on for a minute or so and then rinse with warm water.  If you have oily hair you’ll want to rinse sooner, if you have dry hair then you can leave it on a little longer BUT your hair type will change once you get into a routine so be flexible!

Towel dry and comb through with a wide tooth comb.  You hair should comb surprisingly easily.

Try to wash only once or twice a week with the baking soda (no shampoo washes in between!  don’t cheat!) but if you feel that your hair is sweaty or has product that needs to come out, go ahead and do a warm water rinse to wash out all the ick   your hair should comb through VERY easily still.

Its really simple!  There is a “detox” period where your hair might look like shit for the first week or so and then again right at the 2 week mark – this is your hair adjusting.  Shampoo strips your hair of the sebum that’s needed for strong healthy hair and it causes an overproduction (which leads to that oily feeling).  Your hair might feel heavy for the first wash or two, but after that it should settle down a lot and look WAY better than it did before.

This method DOES STRIP COLOR FROM YOUR HAIR!!! If you dye your hair and you like it, choose another method!  You can use aloe vera gel OR liquid instead of shampoo, you can cut the shampoo and just use conditioner, you can use Wen (commerical no-shampoo product line), there are lots of alternatives!  Just google “Shampoo alternatives” and you’ll find a ton!  Some people use eggs, some use mayo, there are lots of things out there (and in your fridge) that are cheap, easy and healthy for your hair

Also to be noted – using a no-shampoo method can(will) bring out wave in your hair and make curls tighter.