(no subject)
So, I'm going shampoo-less. Lou thinks that I'm insane-- perhaps I am! But after enough research, I'm content to accept that I wont be gross in the conventional sense. I wont smell or anything, but my hair may reach a point of looking sort of greasy (hopefully not too badly, though). This is supposed to be a temporary transition to amazingly shiny, healthy hair. My leg might be being pulled off by faceless internet people, but if it is possible to have thick, shiny, healthy hair by doing LESS work than I am right now, then the predominantly lazy and non-preening-oriented 90% of me will rejoice.
I did my first baking soda/apple cider vinegar rinse two days ago, after abdicating shampooing for 3-4 days (my hair doesn't get greasy quickly, and allowing it to build up some oils is really good for it). So, Sunday night I showered with a 3/4 cup of water for every 2 teaspoons of baking soda rinse, and then a 1 cup water for every 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar rinse, with some cinnamon essential oil added in. Afterward, it felt a little oily, but not in a thick or bad way. The vinegar smell went away fairly quickly, and my hair smelled like cinnamon afterward, which was pleasant. I just pulled my hair into a ponytail for work, and didn't look like too much of a ragamuffin.
Yesterday I didn't shower, and today I showered again, with the same regime. Technically this means I've gone almost a week without shampooing or conditioning, and I have to say, you can't tell. The back of my head is a little greasier than I would like it to be (I'm comparing this to after I shower with normal shampoo), but I find that my hair feels thicker and the ends are feeling more conditioned. I let it air dry today, and it seems to be bringing out more of my natural wave than it did before. The hair toward my face feels light and I can easily run my fingers through it, but the hair on the back of my head, like I said, is a bit oiler than I would like. My hair being fairly naturally thick probably contributes to this, so I'll have to pay more attention to it next time I wash it, which will probably be in two days.
I'm committed to doing this for a little while, to see how it goes. I have no intention of becoming the gross, smelly hippie my family has been anticipating I'll transform into, but maybe this will lead to a healthier scalp with happier hair? (Or I might just be trying to trick myself into thinking I will have an easy excuse to be lazy and STILL look presentable).
Unfortunately, the pictures I took after the first wash are inappropriate for prying eyes, but here is about 6 days without shampooing:
(Please ignore the fact that I look totally stoned and ridiculous. I have the hardest time keeping my eyes open when a camera has a flash).