A couple weeks ago I decided to go shampoo FREE aka “NO-POO” after learning that my favorite shampoo (Wen) was actually full of chemicals.
I came across some disturbing info about Wen while looking at hair ideas on Pinterest one night.  I did some research and soon learned that Wen doesn’t list all of the ingredients on the label, they only list the “KEY INGREDIENTS”.  They also refuse to give a full list of ingredients if you ask for one. (I asked for one and was told that they “do not have any information to provide to the public in respinse to this request”)  I was disheartened.

So, I did MORE research, and checked out a lot of information about the natural “NO SHAMPOO” method that is bringing smiles and healthy locks to women everywhere.  I decided that I HAD to try it, naturally! lol

The first few days were the worst. My hair was an oily gross mess near the roots and my ends were SO dry, that they were sticking out all over.
I had severely damaged hair from bleaching it and other chemicals. and thats what was causing the ends to be so dry.

all of my research said DO NOT GIVE UP, if you can stick it out for a month you will find that you love it, so I hunkered down, determined to stick it out for the month.

After one week I made a VERY DIFFICULT DECISION…I had 8 inches of hair chopped off to get all of the damaged dead hair off and start with fresh healthy hair from the beginning.

So I went from this

to this…

Now I have a good HEALTHY base haircut to see how the No-Poo method will work.  So far, so good!  I am doing the baking soda shampoo and apple cider vinegar conditioner.  There are different recipes for different combinations online, but I really feel like the right recipe is different for everyone.  I recommend experimenting until you find what works for you and how often to clean/condition your hair. Clearly I am no expert YET as I have been doing this for less than a month. However, what DOES work for me right now is mixing my “Shampoo” as 1 1/2 cups hot water and 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda. I use it every three days. My “Conditioner” is 1 cup cold water and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (ACV).

The containers I use are these:

You can purchase them at your local Market for about two bucks each, I got mine at Wegmans. Target also has them.

I am using these products every three days. On the in between days I still shower and wet my hair but I don’t use anything but water on my hair. I put a little bit of argan oil on the ends after my shower, and let it dry naturally.  I do blow dry my bangs only but only because I am trying to grow them out now and blow drying them makes them more manageable. You don’t want to blow dry much as heat is the worst offender to your locks, worse even that the occasional use of chemicals. If you do have to use a blow dryer never uise the highest heat setting, always use medium heat.

Once a week I do a COCONUT OIL deep condition.  Before going to bed, coat DRY hair in melted refined organic coconut oil or pressed virgin coconut oil. Wrap your head in plastic wrap and then cover the plastic wrap with a hat.  Go to sleep like that.  In the morning, shower and wash your hair.  THE BAKING SODA MIXTURE WILL NOT WASH OUT THE COCONUT OIL, so be sure to keep a small bottle of organic chemical free shampoo on hand for this.  I use Rahua which you can find at Davids Natural Market or various stores online.  Here is a list of the ingredients in this shampoo: Aqua, Herbal Infusion Of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*, And Robus Ideous (Raspberry) Leaf Extract*, Coco Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride (Sea Salt), Saccharum Officinarum (Molasses) Extract, Glycine, Oenocarpus Bataua (Rahua Ungurahua) Oil, Bursera Graveolens (Palo Santo) Oil, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Panthenol, Potassium Sorbate (plant Derived), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citric Acid. * Denotes Organic Ingredient
I usually have to wash twice to get out all of the coconut oil.  Follow up with your ACV conditioner as usual.

I actually have my third coconut oil treatment on my head as I am typing this! I am telling you….it is simply AMAZING. It leaves my hair so soft and smooth and silky and bouncy. I feel like a girl on a shampoo commercial!
One more thing. Invest in a good 100% Boars Bristle Brush. I use it everytime I brush, but at the minimum, use it in the morning and again before bed. It distributes the natural oils your scalp produces very evenly and makes your hair shiny and bouncy and full.
This is the brush I bought, I got it on Amazon.com but you can get boars bristle brushes at Trade Secrets, Sally beauty supply, Target, or even at most salons.

I will ABSOLUTELY update this post as I have more information and experience with this “Crispy Girl” hair technique.

: )