The No-Wash Challenge: (way past) Day 8

     Don't be angry; I've been busy! life is crazy. School, work, church, homework, and procrastinating all add up to one doozy of a busy life. In the midst of it all, however, you'll be glad to know that I haven't used shampoo at all. I've got a little routine down: Wash with baking soda and vinegar (that sounds very chemistry class-y) on Fridays, and then wash with conditioner on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, taking no-hair-wash showers in between.
     Guess what? My hair has gotten better! It now takes 3-4 days to get as greasy as it used to in only 1 or 2. My hair feels healthier and more manageable. I used to straighten my bangs all the time to keep them from going all 80's on me. Now I've put away my straightener for good! My hair is shinier and softer. I'm due to get a trim pretty soon, which will just add to the wonderfulness. :o)
     My favorite trick now is to braid my hair in two cute l'il French braids on each side, spritzing with spray gel. In the morning I have soft, shiny waves that work their kinks out in no time! I love it! I'm going to start trying to work up to only a week per wash, probably with the soda/vinegar concoction. Strange as it may seem, this really is awesome stuff. The first time I used it (on actual Day 8... ha), my hair felt so soft afterward. It was wonderful. Here's how to recreate the magic:

Step 1: Mix baking soda and water together to make a paste (above). Make enough of this to use on your head :o)

Step 2: Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar (if you use 100% ACV, you'll smell like a salad ;).

In the shower, scrub your scalp with the baking soda paste. remember that this doesn't lather easily and all pretty-like like shampoo does; it feels chalky and almost dry on your hair when you try to scrub. But it does clean like a dream. Use a wide-toothed comb to get the stuff all through your hair, and then rinse off. It rinses pretty easily. 

Next, pour the vinegar solution over your scalp to rinse the hair. I also rinse with water afterward, since the vinegar smell does hang around. :)

And yer done! Style hair as usual (I use suave smoothing cream or spray gel), and enjoy your naturally clean, soft locks!

Look, I voted!

Cheers!

Hanneli

The No-Wash Challenge: Day 7

Tomorrow (day 8) my boyfriend will be coming home from college in New York to spend the weekend. Thankfully it is also the day when I GET TO WASH MY HAIR!!!! I've decided to try the baking soda 'shampoo' and vinegar rinse. We'll see how it goes :o)
Actually, despite my hair being on the greasy side, I can see how shiny and glossy it is, and this is probably because of the oil. I don't think it looks that bad. I definitely think that by next week, the greasiness will taper off and my hair will just be 'oily' enough to be nicely soft :) This is my hope anyway...

Cheers!
Hanneli

The No-Wash Challenge: Day 6

Sorry I keep getting behind on my posts, guys! :}
Yesterday it was all I could do not to pour a bucket of Herbal Essences on my head and scrub away! But I held fast to the challenge and instead used some of the Suave dry shampoo, which I suppose did something. My hair felt on the greasy side all day, despite repeated brushings with the bristle brush. Oddly enough, the moment when it felt the least oily was after a very sweaty Zumba workout (which, by the way, was a blast!) - see photo.
I know this all sounds pretty gross, but rest assured that I am keeping clean. My hair is in the transition stage, and that's never fun. But think about all the people down through the ages who never had access to shampoo or hairdryers. Their hair turned out fine; it was probably better off! I just have to keep reminding myself that this too shall pass... And I hope it hurries up!! :o)

Cheers!
Hanneli

The No-Wash Challenge: Day 5

Oh dear, I knew I forgot something! Sorry to post so late! But there's really nothing to say... My hair is yucky :o) I'm just hopefully getting good at hiding it! Picture later... Oh dear ;)

Cheers!
Hanneli

The No-Wash Challenge: Day 4

Today I caved and "washed" my hair. Not with shampoo, and not even really with conditioner either. I rinsed my scalp thoroughly with water and then just washed my dry ends with conditioner, leaving some extra on the ends as a leave-in. Although the roots were a little oily, just rinsing made the hair on the scalp pretty soft and shiny. I also used some Suave smoothing cream on the ends and spray gel everywhere else. Unfortunately, my hair feels unruly, but it does make a mean Katniss braid! :D

Cheers!
Hanneli

The No-Wash Challenge: Day 3

Today my roots started greasy, the ends dry. My hair feel limp and blah. I hope this ends soon! I brushed it smooth this morning and then twisted it into a messy bun for church. It hid the ends and looked pretty cute, if I do say so. :)

Cheers!
Hanneli

The No-Wash Challenge: Day 2

Today was the second day after the big brou-ha-ha wash. Usually my roots would be starting to get greasy, but so far they're still pretty soft. I straightened my bangs and pulled up my hair this morning for work at the coffee shop, and when I got home I plaited my hair into a simple braid. In summary, my hair was good today. I used some water, spray gel, and hairspray and so far it's been treating me kindly! Good hair!

Cheers!
Hanneli