Three months ago I posted the beginning of my experience trading my shampoo in for baking soda. I promised a follow-up. Now that I've settled into a no 'poo (no shampoo/shampoo-free) routine that works on my curly, frizzy, dry hair--here is that follow-up...
No 'Poo Curly Hair Products
Plenty of other sources give the why behind the products used and what they "scientifically" do for your hair and scalp (balancing pH and other things I don't really understand). This is simply what is working for me, I couldn't possibly begin to explain why it works. It just does.
{1} Deep Conditioning: dabs of coconut oil rubbed between fingers to melt
{2} Shampoo alternative: 1 TBSP baking soda mixed with about 8 oz. warm water
{3} Conditioner alternative: 1-2 TBSP apple cider vinegar mixed with about 8 oz. water
{4} Blow-drying alternative: short-sleeved tee for "towel-drying" and long-sleeved tee for scrunching and air drying
No 'Poo Process for Curly Hair
1 | Precondition with Coconut Oil
A small amount of coconut oil is scooped out with a finger, rubbed between my palms to melt, and smoothed over hair focusing on ends and notoriously frizzy areas. I avoid my scalp or the hair at the top of my head, because the oil doesn't exactly wash out and can leave my hair looking greasy. (Any oil left in the ends just looks like styling product, not grease.) I do this about every two weeks before washing.2 | Clean with Baking Soda
1 tablespoon of baking soda into an 8 oz. cup of warm water and stir until dissolved, then set on a ledge of the shower away from the running water. Comb my hair with a wide-toothed comb. This is essential to keeping my hair tangle-free throughout the washing process; if I wait, my hair is very difficult to detangle. I pour the baking soda/water mixture over my scalp, moving hair aside as I pour, then rub it in for a few seconds with my finger tips. (Imagine how a hairstylist massages your scalp at the salon--that's the rubbing motion that should be used.) Another run of the wide-toothed comb, then immediately rinse. Allowing the baking soda to sit too long causes extra frizzies on my already frizz-prone hair.3 | Clarify with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz. warm water in a cup, and set on a ledge of the shower away from running water. Pulling my hair in front of one shoulder, I pour the mixture over the ends of my hair starting about ear level and working down, avoiding direct contact with my scalp. (Not positive why, that's just what I read and it's been working fine.) I let it set while I finish showering (i.e., shaving), then thoroughly rinse and comb again and sometimes a final rinse with cool water.4 | Shirt-Dry
When out of the shower, I gently squeeze the ends of my hair with a t-shirt. For frizzy and curly hair, this is gentler than towel-drying.5 | Curly Styling Products
I would like to find a styling product that comes in a recyclable container, but no products I've tried are as effective (or cheap) as Tresemme mousse for curly hair. I've been happy with it for the past couple years. When I started no 'poo, I went without styling product (no mousse or gel) for a couple months. My hair needs a little something extra to tame the frizz if I wish to leave it in its natural curly state. I'm tried of having to use a curling iron every time I want to leave it curly and down, and I'm tired of buying new products that simply don't work, so I broke down and bought more Tresemme mousse. If there's a better product that comes in a more environmentally friendly container, please let me know! Until then, I will be using mousse 1-2 times a week as needed.6 | Drying Curly Hair ("plopping")
Long-sleeved tee laid out on the bed, dip my head upside-down over the tee and wrap it around my head using the long sleeves to tie and secure in place. (It's called "plopping." It looks ridiculous and my husband laughs and says, "I like your headpiece," then assures me my stupidity doesn't bother him. Isn't he great?) I leave it on for 20 minutes or so while I finish getting ready or get the kids breakfast. I untie it and curls are tighter and smoother than the times I let them simply air dry. I've read of people doing this overnight, but that just seems ridiculously uncomfortable and altogether unnecessary.7 | Styling Curly Hair
At this point my hair still needs more drying time (the joys of thick hair), but it can easily be put up or lightly curled or left alone.Once dry and styled (whether naturally curly or curled with a curling iron), I smooth over Organix nourishing coconut milk which helps the frizz. (Have I emphasized enough how frizzy my hair can get?)
Weekly No 'Poo Styling Routine
For most no 'pooers, washing happens every 2-4 days or sometimes just once a week. Hair is left dry on the days in between, or sometimes rinsed as needed. Here is my weekly routine. My "Day 1" has most recently become Friday, because staying home I see more people on the weekend and that's when I care more about how my hair looks. If I was working Monday-Friday outside of the house, I'd probably start with Day 1 on Sunday.
Day 1 | Clean Hair with No 'Poo Routine
Wash and air-dry using washing and plopping routine outlined above, preconditioning with coconut oil every 2 weeks. I leave my hair naturally curly, which sometimes means it winds up in a ponytail.Day 2 | Restyle Curls
Leave dry and refine curl with curling iron to make softer curls (just in time for church).Day 3 | Restyle Curls
Leave dry, enjoy curl from previous day, refresh curls as needed.Day 4 | Rinse Hair + Massage Scalp
Often, my hair does not need washed a second time in the week. If there is no greasiness or any other reason I need to wash my hair, I'll simply wet and comb my hair in the shower, massage my scalp and that's it. Or sometimes I'll wet, comb, massage and apple cider vinegar the ends. But I don't always need the full baking soda routine at this point.Day 5 | Restyle Curls
Leave dry and refine curl with curling iron to make softer curls (just in time for date night).Day 6 | Restyle Curls
Leave dry, enjoy curl from previous day.Day 7 | Restyle Curls
Leave dry, continue enjoying curl from 2 days before or put in ponytail.Repeat No 'Poo Clean and Style Routine
Start again with Day 1. |
| "my hair isn't messy" | yellow heart art |
Additional No 'Poo Tips + Tricks
I'm still learning as I go. Here are a few things I've found to work so far...
Put your vinegar- / baking soda-and-water mixtures in a cup.
Use wide-mouthed containers for the baking soda- and apple cider vinegar-water mixtures. When I first started, I mixed the baking soda and apple cider vinegar in two separate squirt bottles. I liked that this kept them from spilling and collecting shower water. However, the mouths of the bottles were small and difficult to add what I needed from a tablespoon. A funnel (which I don't have) could have helped, but still takes longer than necessary. I'm now using 2 plastic cups we had in the cupboard that makes adding the baking soda or vinegar easy and fuss-free.Mix baking soda and vinegar as needed.
No need to mix a large amount for future use. I like mixing what I need when I need it. I'm only using the baking soda and apple cider vinegar 1-2 times a week, so it really doesn't take too much time.Give coconut oil a try.
Coconut oil can be beneficial for all hair types. Just keep it away from your scalp and start with a very little amount! If you don't notice a difference, then feel free to try using more. But my hair is thick and always in need of conditioning and a small amount is sometimes too much, so start small.Try coconut oil for styling hair.
Coconut oil can be used for styling. The first time I used coconut oil, I applied it after my shower in place of mousse or gel. It works really well with curly hair. Then, the next day I used a curling iron and realized that isn't a great combination. The coconut oil remelts with the heat, then sort of solidifies again. It's hard to describe, but it looked greasy and a little "off" at that point. So plan on rinsing/washing it out if you'll be using a curling iron.No 'Poo + Curly Resources
Tips + experiences from other no 'pooers...
>> No 'Poo in 5 Easy Steps -- A great, simple starter's guide to no 'poo.
>> How to Clean Your Hair Without Shampoo -- Great information from Tsh explaining it all.
>> No 'Poo FAQ -- A curly-haired girl's insight into no 'poo, including pictures of how she styles her hair for a week with only one washing.
>> 3 Weeks With No Shampoo And...?? -- A straight-haired girl's experience with no 'poo, including her before and after. I love her retro shower cap!
Tips + tricks from other curly-haired girls...
>> Bounce with me -- Basic curly hair how-to from The Beauty Department.
>> Curly Girl Method -- One girl's experience based on the Curly Girl Handbook with her before and after photos.
>> Curly Concoctions -- recipes for curly hair.
A little more about coconut oil...
>> Have you haired about coconut oil? -- one girls routine to precondition with coconut oil and tame the frizz, including before and after photos. She uses 1-3 tablespoons! I use 1-3 teaspoons and that seems to be plenty. Maybe it's the difference between no 'poo and shampoo?
>> Coconut Oil for Hair -- a little more about why it's so good.
>> Ten Amazing Things You Can Do With Coconut Oil -- title says it all.
PS, Are you doing no 'poo? What routine works for you?
Have you tried any Beautiful Curls styling products? I just bought some of their gel and am trying it out. I believe all of their products come in recyclable containers. This was a very interesting post for me because I have been trying all kinds of different shampoos, conditioners, and styling products on my curly hair ;)Thanks for sharing this info!
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't. Are you liking it so far? I'd love to give something a try that comes with a recommendation I trust--rather than fancy marketing :)
DeleteHave you tried Flaxseed as gel instead of your Tresemme mousse? It is great for the curls and the frizz. I have used it and love it.
ReplyDeleteI am currently trying the 'no poo'thing, but my hair was still tangled and not so soft. I didn't comb though, so I guess that was my mistake. Thanks. I'll try that from now on.
Really? Flaxseed? I'm willing to give anything a try :) I wonder, mix it into water and make a paste? Or more water, less flaxseed? Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteSeriously, combing makes a HUGE difference for me. Hope it helps for you too!
You put a cup of water to boil and then add one tablespoon of flaxseed, mix and let it cook. After it is done, wait until is cold and it will look like liquid gel. You apply it to your hair, and then you are done. :)
ReplyDeleteYou can also look it up in internet to see how they do it.
Good Luck!
I'm going to refine the above recipe a bit...
ReplyDeleteYou use about 1 - 2 tablespoons of whole flaxseeds (brown or golden, it doesn't matter) per cup of water. (I make 2 cups at a time.) The more flaxseeds, the thicker your gel. I'd start with 1 tbsp/cup and go from there. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the glop through a sieve immediately, because it will thicken as it cools and you won't be able to get it through the sieve if you wait.
After the gel cools a bit, you can add essential oils for scent. I make lemon sandalwood gel :)
The finished product has a consistency a bit like egg whites... I call it elephant snot :) Just apply to your hair in copious quantities; if it dries a bit crunchy, scrunch your hair and it'll be soft and lovely :)
The gel is organic, so should be kept in the fridge. It'll last a week or two, so you can experiment with how much you should make at a time :)