Natural Hair Care Routine

On November 2016 I stopped using regular shampoo. It´s been a process and I want to share with you what I have done so far. First of all, I want to remind you why I decided to do it (more about it here). Store bought shampoo have chemicals ingredients that are bad for you, and for the environment. Out of curiosity I started reading about the ingredients in my Garnier shampoo and realized how little I understand them and how chemically it all sounded. During my research, I discovered that chemicals in regular shampoo, strip away the hair´s natural conditioning making the oil glands to release extra oil, causing the hair to look greasy and making us using shampoo again and often.  An alternative to this method is the “No-poo” method. That was the first method I tried:

The “No-poo” method
This method suggests that by washing your hair with a more gentle product or even with just water only you´ll achieve clean hair without the damage or dependency in regular shampoo. I was washing my hair once per week with a mix of rye flour and water as shampoo and apple vinegar as conditioner. I only use the vinegar for the tips of my hair.  Every 4-5 washes I used baking soda as shampoo. To prevent dandruff, I massage my scalp with lemon every three or four weeks. I used corn flour (maizena) as a dry shampoo once or twice in between washes. I apply the powder to my hair with a make-up brush. When I felt the tips of my hair too dry, I used argan oil as a hair serum. I was happy using this method until I went one month on holidays to Colombia and wasn’t able to find the ingredients there, and honestly, I found it too much work. Please note: it takes time for your hair to adjust to this method. The first weeks my hair was more greasy than it was before, but after the 3rd to 4th week my hair started looking prettier than ever. Read more about my first weeks here.

Hair soap bar from Lush
I discovered Lush´s hair soap bars and got one to make my time during holidays easier. I used the same ingredients as my previous routine, but instead of the rye flour, I was using the soap bar. It is very convenient while traveling. I have to admit that I bought the soap bar on a hurry and didn’t read well all the ingredients. When I did I discovered that the soap bar has SLS. Just the ingredient I have been avoiding for so long. I did, used the shampoo bar until it finished but was glad to found the next one.

Hair soap bar from Vlot Amsterdam
I discovered this hair soap and have been a fan since. The ingredients are castor-, jojoba-, coconut-, olive-, sunflower oil, water and little pieces of dried coconut. Since almost six months I have been using it as shampoo. To use it I first wet my hair and rub the soap on my hands, then I rub my hands on my hair and massage it. I then rinse it with water.
Next to the hair soap, I use these products:

Apple cider vinegar: As a hair conditioner. I filled a small bottle spray with one teaspoon of vinegar and water. Once I am done using the shampoo bar I spray this mix on the tips of my hair and rinse it with water.

Argan oil: As a hair serum. I only use it on the tips of my hair when I feel them dry.

Baking soda: Every time my scalp felt too oily I used baking soda as shampoo. I didn’t use it often but it helped me during the transition time from store bought shampoo to the “no-poo” method.

Fresh lemon or lime: As a mask against dandruff.

Corn flour: As a dry shampoo. I use it with a make-up brush in between washes.

Once per week, I wash my hair and only brush that day. I let it air dry if possible, if not I dry it with the hairdryer. When I notice my hair getting greasy, I use the corn flour on the roots of my hair and remove the rest with a towel. To get my curls looking good, I sleep with braided hair.

Next week, I´ll be sharing the products I use as a body lotion. Stay tuned!

With Love,
Alisson

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