Day #4 No Poo + 10 Alternatives

Today was a dreadful day for hair-kind. Especially mine, which hasn't seen shampoo in technically 11 days. It's gotten to the point where it feels so nasty that I'm certain everyone is looking at me like "gross," but in mirrors and photos, it still doesn't look nearly as bad as it feels. I was outside a lot for a town festival. It was pretty hot, and naturally I was sweating balls. Finally I became so self-conscious of my nappy feeling hair that I tied it up in a bun. Instantly I felt better- hah.

STILL when I got home, despite the grossly hot day and tons of wind, this was the result by the end of Day 4:

Definitely NOT negating that it looks dirty, but it's not too horrifying. Heavy on the top, and a bit dry on the ends. This morning, I washed as usual with water, massaging my head like crazy. I also brushed through it quite a bit, both in the shower and right before bed. It helped transport the waxy feeling. I purchased Raspberry tea today, which I am going to try instead of plain water tomorrow. I chose Raspberry because it is a red tea. This will help keep my hair color as well as cleanse the scalp. If this fails, I plan to use either an egg or Baking Soda.

Some of you were inquiring about different no-poo alternatives to hair-washing. Here are the top ten that I've found:

One- Water! The key is in the massage- as you soak your hair, get your fingers stuck in, pushing away at your scalp and any particularly oily bits. Once the scalps chemistry resets, you should be able to do a five minute massage every five days.

Two- Bicarbonate of Soda/ Baking Soda. This gets your hair SQUEAKY clean. Make a little paste with a spoonful and a few drops of water and rub it into your scalp. Leave it for a few minutes before rinsing. The only reason it isn’t number one is because it isn’t free and I’m a cheapskate – and also the hair gets a bit bicarb weary after too many times in a row, brittle and waxy and needs a bit of Number Three Action:

Three- Egg. Use the whole egg, whisked in a cup. Pour over your head and massage in. Leave for a few minutes and rinse well.  It leaves hair SO clean and SO soft and shiny. However, the water must be cool! I have heard of a couple of scrambled disasters venturing into too warm territory….

Four- Soapnuts. These are a natural cleaner and work incredibly well. Hair is like silk after- certainly the closest to shampoo I have found. Heat them in water on the stove for 10 minutes, whisk them by hand blender and use the liquid. I am too lazy to make this my Go To alternative, but I would use it if my hair has become filthy. Buy them here and use them for cleaning a million and one things!

Five- Rhassoul Clay. This is LOVELY stuff for skin and hair.  It not only cleans but also conditions. Make a paste with two spoonfuls and boiling water. Once cool, smooth it into hair, after a few minutes, brush it through hair and rinse off. It is truly divine but a little on the expensive side for my thrifty self. (But doesn’t come close to the expense of good shampoo.) Buy it here!

Six- Henna. This might become my once-every-six-weeks deep treatment! Mix up about ten spoons of it with hot water to make a paste. Once cool, apply it all over and leave it for two hours. (Epic I know. Use a plastic bag and grips to keep it all in place.) It needs a SERIOUS rinse, and a good brush, but afterward the hair after is brighter, cleaner, softer.

Seven- Tea. This relies very much on the massage bit too, and the result is the same as water except you get a nice smell! Some people swear that the different aspects of the tea change your hair – chamomile adding a special softness, for example.

Eight- Lemon. Lemon has some seriously potent anti-bacterial properties and can work as a lightener for people wanting to be blonder.  Squeeze the lemon straight on to your greasy roots, massage well and leave for a few moments. Some have found it to be slightly drying.

Nine- Tea Tree Oil. Full of incredible properties! You would probably need a little bit too much of this to work solely as an effective shampoo. However added to the bicarb paste, the lemon or the water only wash, this makes a lovely difference. Tea tree oil is perfect for people with scalp issues, dandruff etc. In fact, one person I am VERY close to but who shalt remain nameless has had a life-long scalp issue fixed with this method!

Ten- Mustard Powder. Nettles. Mayonaise. Ketchup! These were all possible contenders that simply didn’t cut it for me- didn't want to waste my condiments. In theory they should work- they have the right mix of either anti-bacterialness or emulsifier/ acid shizzle and the internet is jampacked with people on whom these work. It just ALL depends on your hair.

A note on conditioner- Nearly all of these, bar the clay and the egg need a rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. Use a splash in half a cup of water and throw it over the ends of  your hair, leave for a few minutes then rinse out. .