Yes, you read it right, homemade deodorant! I am so, so in love with this stuff that it's ridiculous.
I used to use Dove, or Garnier, or whatever was going. Sometimes I even used Dove Clincal Strength, as I'm a pretty heavy lil' sweater, and I like to exercise. But of late I was finding that most things weren't working properly, and by three or four in the afternoon I had that sticky feeling under my arms, and smelled....not BO, but that sweet/sour sort of icky smell. I've never used a natural deodorant before, but five minutes of net surfing found the answer.
This recipe was ridiculously easy to research, and find reviews on, so it's by no means new, unique, or my idea.
You'll need;
One glass jar/plastic container/whatever, preferably reasonably airtight.
Some Cornflour
Some Bi-Carb
Coconut oil
Essential Oils of your choice
It really doesn't get any easier than this. I used equal parts of bi-carb and cornflour, I guess a tablespoon of each, and melted a tablespoon of coconut oil. I blended the dry ingredients, then popped in about five or so drops each of Orange, Lavender, and Patchouli essential oils. Mixed the coconut oil in until it was sort of like, hmm, a solidy block of white playdoh. It's cold here in Melbourne at the moment, so coconut oil is solid.
You could use more or less bi-carb or cornflour as desired, although straight bi-carb can be irritatin to the skin.
To use, I take a little piece about the size of half a pea, and gently smooth it under my arms.
Annnd, it works! It keeps me dry and non-smelly, which is really all I want in a deodorant. Add to that the benefits of not using aluminium under my arms, and the fact that when I sweat I smell like Patchouli and Lavender-WIN!!
My only caution with this product would be to maybe keep it under your hat, at least until you've been using it for awhile. As soon as people find out you are using it, they want to smell you, or are grossed out. I used it for two weeks before I told anyone, and their first response was "But you'll have BO!" My response was, "I've been using it for two weeks-did I have BO?" To which they said, "No. Hey...will you make me some?"
****EDIT*****
Ok, so I'd been using this happily for months....and then I developed a red mark under one arm. Thought nothing of it.
Then both arms were red....then the skin under both arms was red, stinging and sore.
Research told me that Bi-Carb can become too harsh for some skins, and so I am currently working on a reformulation/reimagining with more of the mild cornstarch and less of the irritating Bi-Carb.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
CO washing washout
Hmm, so I was going to do CO washing exclusively until the end of the month...but I've kinda lost it a bit lately, I've been reading too much and experimenting too much and it's all gotten a little wayward and confusing.
Between sulfate poo/no sulfate poo/Indian Herb washes/poo bars/CO washes/COW washes....argggggg, I've just kind of lost it a bit. While there are technically three days left in the challenge I've set myself, I've decided to temporarily put the brakes on this experiment and sum up what I've learnt so far.
CO washing pros-
It really is a very gentle way to wash your hair. No harsh detergents, no stripping, scrubbing, etc.
It's quite simple, one product, no complicated mixtures.
CO Washing cons-
My hair never *really* feels clean, or if it does, it never feels clean for very long. It seems to get a bit greasy, almost sweaty at the roots, and I've had a couple of scalp pimples, ewww!
I'm using a lotttttttt of conditioner. Even though it's cheapish conditioner, it's probably still slightly more expensive than shampoo and conditioner, and the conditioner I'm using, while 'cone free', is more chemically than I'd like.
I have to wash my hair more often, and it's not as 'bouncy' as I'd like when down. Although, to be honest, I mostly wear my hair up so it's not like bounce matters.
It's just...not quite as nice.
I think for the time being, CO washing is not for me. I do think it has a place in my routine though, that place being-CO washing is for those days when I want to wet or rinse my hair, but don't want to shampoo, or if my hair were to turn spectacularly dry.
Between sulfate poo/no sulfate poo/Indian Herb washes/poo bars/CO washes/COW washes....argggggg, I've just kind of lost it a bit. While there are technically three days left in the challenge I've set myself, I've decided to temporarily put the brakes on this experiment and sum up what I've learnt so far.
CO washing pros-
It really is a very gentle way to wash your hair. No harsh detergents, no stripping, scrubbing, etc.
It's quite simple, one product, no complicated mixtures.
CO Washing cons-
My hair never *really* feels clean, or if it does, it never feels clean for very long. It seems to get a bit greasy, almost sweaty at the roots, and I've had a couple of scalp pimples, ewww!
I'm using a lotttttttt of conditioner. Even though it's cheapish conditioner, it's probably still slightly more expensive than shampoo and conditioner, and the conditioner I'm using, while 'cone free', is more chemically than I'd like.
I have to wash my hair more often, and it's not as 'bouncy' as I'd like when down. Although, to be honest, I mostly wear my hair up so it's not like bounce matters.
It's just...not quite as nice.
I think for the time being, CO washing is not for me. I do think it has a place in my routine though, that place being-CO washing is for those days when I want to wet or rinse my hair, but don't want to shampoo, or if my hair were to turn spectacularly dry.
Monday, June 13, 2011
The CO experiment, day 14
I started to stretch the limits of this technique on the weekend, by using the CO wash on hair that was, well.....filthy grubby :)
I Moo-washed on Thursday, as I was going out Friday night and I wanted clean hair. On Friday I didn't wash it at all, didn't anything really, just jammed it in a clip and left it be. By Saturday I had some pretty nice grease going, not filthy grease but definitely dirty hair. And to my surprise, it all washed out with nothing more than conditioner. My hair was bouncy, soft, and clean.
On Sunday I went for my long run, 21 kilometres that took three hours to cover. Majorly sweaty hair, although I always braid it for long runs as it literally matts with sweat. Once again, it washed out easily with conditioner.
Monday was a public holiday (Happy birthday Lizzie!) so I decided to do my weekly deep treatment. I've been doing a moo-wash before these treatments, which is my weekly deep clean, but I am starting to wonder if I need this wash at all! My hair was all fluffy and very flyaway afterwards, rather than being silky and wonderful like it has been. So this week I've decided to go completely cold turkey-no poo at all! Even though it's only Tuesday and I pooed (however lightly) yesterday, I've decided to really test the cleansing power of this method by not using shampoo again until, hmm.....OK, hadn't really thought this through.
Allright, I've decided, no shampoo until the end of the month!
I Moo-washed on Thursday, as I was going out Friday night and I wanted clean hair. On Friday I didn't wash it at all, didn't anything really, just jammed it in a clip and left it be. By Saturday I had some pretty nice grease going, not filthy grease but definitely dirty hair. And to my surprise, it all washed out with nothing more than conditioner. My hair was bouncy, soft, and clean.
On Sunday I went for my long run, 21 kilometres that took three hours to cover. Majorly sweaty hair, although I always braid it for long runs as it literally matts with sweat. Once again, it washed out easily with conditioner.
Monday was a public holiday (Happy birthday Lizzie!) so I decided to do my weekly deep treatment. I've been doing a moo-wash before these treatments, which is my weekly deep clean, but I am starting to wonder if I need this wash at all! My hair was all fluffy and very flyaway afterwards, rather than being silky and wonderful like it has been. So this week I've decided to go completely cold turkey-no poo at all! Even though it's only Tuesday and I pooed (however lightly) yesterday, I've decided to really test the cleansing power of this method by not using shampoo again until, hmm.....OK, hadn't really thought this through.
Allright, I've decided, no shampoo until the end of the month!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Oil Cleansing Method
I have adult acne. I'm allright with admitting it because Madonna has adult acne, therefor adult acne is supercool. But, when you're 31 and have spots it's not always as cool as Madge makes it look.
For about fifteen years I did what you're supposed to do for adult acne-washed my face with a salicyclic acid/detergent based cleanser, which for some reason always contained a lot of blue coloring, followed up with a light moisturiser, usually a yucky chemically one but at least with SPF, before spot-treating with some form of skin bleaching acid/miracle chemical/whatever.
Sometimes I'd change products and for a week or two, whatever my current hope was would work well, but nothing ever really cleared my skin.
My acne is mild, apart from a nasty cystic outbreak seven or eight years ago that left me reulctant to leave the house. I get mainly spots on my chin, and blackheads on my nose.
Eventually I had a moment where I realised that I'd been using these chemicals, day after day and year after year, and that my acne was no better. In some ways, my skin was worse, as the deeper layers could not get enough moisture from the constant stripping of natural oils. I started to read labels, and realised that no matter how much I paid for a product, or how new or different I thought each one was, I was essentially buying the same product over and over...salicyclic acid, benzoyl peroxide, triclosan, and various detergents. I didn't and still don't know what all those things do, how they are made, or where they come from.
Since the definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, I decided it was time for a change. My first baby step was trying an organic skincare brand, called Botani. It utilises lovely ingrdients like lemon scented tea tree and olive squalene. I still use their products daily, but that's another story (and, most likely another blog post).
My skin improved dramatically, but still wasn't clear. I also had a big problem getting my mascara to come off at night, and so googling around I discovered the oil cleansing method.
It pretty much is what it sounds like. It's using oil to wash your face. You can find a lot of different recipes by googling around, but I started off with straight extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)because it's what I had to hand.
You massage the oil well into your face, really working it in gently, taking a few minutes if possible. EVOO will dissolve makeup including waterproof mascara. Some people actually have sebum plugs simply pop out of their skin during oil massage. I simply feel that it cleans my skin thoroughly but gently.
After my nice oily face massage, I take a face washer and soak it in warm to hot water, wring it out then lay it over my face to steam the oil. I like to repeat that two or three times, before wiping the oil and any makeup gak off, rinsing the facecloth as I go.
After I'm done, I need moisturiser, which is astonishing as really I've used nothing stronger than oil to cleanse. Sometimes I use a little more oil to moisturise, or just a nice soothing cream. I follow that with a little aloe vera on any red or spotty areas.
I do still get the occasional spot, but they heal almost twice as fast as they did previously. My pores are visibly cleaner, my skin is softer. My eyebrows and eyelashes are silky and my eyelashes are thicker, longer and do not fall out as much. I had some lines (called 'braceletting') at the front of my throat, and they are much reduced.
Some important points if you wish to try the OCM.
I oil cleanse at night, and use a botanical gel or exfoliating cleanser in the morning. Residual oil can affect makeup application, or it can simply be a case of too much of a good thing. I also use a good mask (at present Lush's mask of Magnaminty) to deep cleanse my pores weekly.
The cloth you use should be changed every day or two. Makeup, oil, and grub will defeat the purpose of the deep cleanse. You'll know you've left it too long when you get a grubby little spot.
Not everyone can Oil Cleanse everyday. Some people go mad on it, washing twice a day, then go, "Urg, what a horrible thing, I'm never doing that again!". If you bombard your skin with new stuff, of course it's gonna freak out. Experiment to find what's right for you.
Do your research. Read forums, love google. Other people may have your same skin type, and the same problem. Read what worked for them, and experiment.
Play with lovely greasy things. My current blend is a mixture of EVOO, sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, and a few drops of various lovely essential oils for scent.
Multi-task. I use my oil blend to cleanse, moisturise, condition the ends of my hair, moisturise or shave my legs....not only does it give fantastic results, but even considering the fancier oils I've purchased it's a total bargain.
For about fifteen years I did what you're supposed to do for adult acne-washed my face with a salicyclic acid/detergent based cleanser, which for some reason always contained a lot of blue coloring, followed up with a light moisturiser, usually a yucky chemically one but at least with SPF, before spot-treating with some form of skin bleaching acid/miracle chemical/whatever.
Sometimes I'd change products and for a week or two, whatever my current hope was would work well, but nothing ever really cleared my skin.
My acne is mild, apart from a nasty cystic outbreak seven or eight years ago that left me reulctant to leave the house. I get mainly spots on my chin, and blackheads on my nose.
Eventually I had a moment where I realised that I'd been using these chemicals, day after day and year after year, and that my acne was no better. In some ways, my skin was worse, as the deeper layers could not get enough moisture from the constant stripping of natural oils. I started to read labels, and realised that no matter how much I paid for a product, or how new or different I thought each one was, I was essentially buying the same product over and over...salicyclic acid, benzoyl peroxide, triclosan, and various detergents. I didn't and still don't know what all those things do, how they are made, or where they come from.
Since the definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, I decided it was time for a change. My first baby step was trying an organic skincare brand, called Botani. It utilises lovely ingrdients like lemon scented tea tree and olive squalene. I still use their products daily, but that's another story (and, most likely another blog post).
My skin improved dramatically, but still wasn't clear. I also had a big problem getting my mascara to come off at night, and so googling around I discovered the oil cleansing method.
It pretty much is what it sounds like. It's using oil to wash your face. You can find a lot of different recipes by googling around, but I started off with straight extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)because it's what I had to hand.
You massage the oil well into your face, really working it in gently, taking a few minutes if possible. EVOO will dissolve makeup including waterproof mascara. Some people actually have sebum plugs simply pop out of their skin during oil massage. I simply feel that it cleans my skin thoroughly but gently.
After my nice oily face massage, I take a face washer and soak it in warm to hot water, wring it out then lay it over my face to steam the oil. I like to repeat that two or three times, before wiping the oil and any makeup gak off, rinsing the facecloth as I go.
After I'm done, I need moisturiser, which is astonishing as really I've used nothing stronger than oil to cleanse. Sometimes I use a little more oil to moisturise, or just a nice soothing cream. I follow that with a little aloe vera on any red or spotty areas.
I do still get the occasional spot, but they heal almost twice as fast as they did previously. My pores are visibly cleaner, my skin is softer. My eyebrows and eyelashes are silky and my eyelashes are thicker, longer and do not fall out as much. I had some lines (called 'braceletting') at the front of my throat, and they are much reduced.
Some important points if you wish to try the OCM.
I oil cleanse at night, and use a botanical gel or exfoliating cleanser in the morning. Residual oil can affect makeup application, or it can simply be a case of too much of a good thing. I also use a good mask (at present Lush's mask of Magnaminty) to deep cleanse my pores weekly.
The cloth you use should be changed every day or two. Makeup, oil, and grub will defeat the purpose of the deep cleanse. You'll know you've left it too long when you get a grubby little spot.
Not everyone can Oil Cleanse everyday. Some people go mad on it, washing twice a day, then go, "Urg, what a horrible thing, I'm never doing that again!". If you bombard your skin with new stuff, of course it's gonna freak out. Experiment to find what's right for you.
Do your research. Read forums, love google. Other people may have your same skin type, and the same problem. Read what worked for them, and experiment.
Play with lovely greasy things. My current blend is a mixture of EVOO, sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, and a few drops of various lovely essential oils for scent.
Multi-task. I use my oil blend to cleanse, moisturise, condition the ends of my hair, moisturise or shave my legs....not only does it give fantastic results, but even considering the fancier oils I've purchased it's a total bargain.
Monday, June 6, 2011
CO update day 7
It's a week tomorrow, and I think I'm in love with CO washing!
I did do a diluted C-COW-C wash on both Saturday and Sunday, on Saturday I did it before using an SMT treatment (omg best thing ever!) and on Sunday I'd been running and my hair was all sweaty and gross, so I thought I'd better wash it as sweat might not be great for hair, as well as being gross.
On Monday my hair was still pretty clean, so I just oiled the length and popped it in a bun for the day. In the evening when I had it down for a brush and a scalp massage I could feel some oil at my roots but to be honest I felt quite good about that. Oil is my friend.
I've been bunning my hair damp quite a lot so it doesn't really matter if it's too clean.
I did do a diluted C-COW-C wash on both Saturday and Sunday, on Saturday I did it before using an SMT treatment (omg best thing ever!) and on Sunday I'd been running and my hair was all sweaty and gross, so I thought I'd better wash it as sweat might not be great for hair, as well as being gross.
On Monday my hair was still pretty clean, so I just oiled the length and popped it in a bun for the day. In the evening when I had it down for a brush and a scalp massage I could feel some oil at my roots but to be honest I felt quite good about that. Oil is my friend.
I've been bunning my hair damp quite a lot so it doesn't really matter if it's too clean.
Alternative hair washing techniques
I thought it would be a good idea to create a post with all the various alternative hair washing techniques, so here it is.
CO method- Washing your hair with Conditioner Only. This method relies on the cetearyl alcohol contained in most conditioners (cetearyl alcohol is, I think, used to help watery elements mix with oilier elements) acting as a mild surfactant. It involves wetting the hair thoroughly, massaging a generous amount (one or two good palmfuls, although this varies) into the roots, then letting it sit. Sitting time varies somewhat, some people rinse it straight out but others let it sit in the hair for half an hour or me, returning to rinse later. I let the conditioner sit while I wash my body/face/brush teeth etc, as I just don't have time to let it set in that long. Thorough rinsing, using the right conditioner and gentle massage are also important parts of this technique.
WO method- Water Only method. This method involves using water only to wash your hair, with the goal of coating the entire length of your hair in it's natural sebum. Some people employ various techniques such as egg washing, boar bristle brushes or massage to distribute sebum, others are serious hard core water only, using variations in water temperature to regulate or remove sebum. This method can involve a long period of transition and should be thoroughly researching by those wishing to try it.
CWC method- CWC stands for Condition, Wash, Condition. Conditioner is placed on the ends of hair to protect it from the drying effects of shampoo. Shampoo is then used to wash the scalp before a second application of conditioner to the ends of hair. I've found this a fantastic method, and think everyone can benefit from this. Fantastic starting point!
No Poo method- I haven't done much research on this method. It can mean a lot of things, some people think it means water only but it can also mean washing with bi carbonate of soda or other alternatives.
C-COW-C method, otherwise known as a 'moo' wash- This hybrid wash involves putting conditioner on the ends, before using a mixture of conditioner and a small amount of diluted shampoo to wash the scalp, then conditioning ends again. I mix the 'cow' part of the wash in a small travel squeeze bottle, and apply. I like to make a mixture with a tiny bit of shampoo, a healthy dose of conditioner, and a pump or two of oil. This is an excellently gentle method for cleansing the scalp, that leaves me feeling clean.
Indian Herb washes- Traditional Ayurvedic haircare involves using herbs to cleanse the hair and scalp, and to balance the skin, mind and body. Some of the commonly used herbs are Shikakai, Aritha (soapnuts), Neem, Brahmi, and Amla. Herbs can be used as a paste or as a tea to cleanse the hair. This technique also utilises heavy oilings, usually with coconut oil, and scalp massage. I'm still learning about this one.
There's no right or wrong way to wash your hair, but some of these techniques work better than shampoo for various hair types, or sensitive skin, or simply those looking to avoid the drying affects of shampoo.
CO method- Washing your hair with Conditioner Only. This method relies on the cetearyl alcohol contained in most conditioners (cetearyl alcohol is, I think, used to help watery elements mix with oilier elements) acting as a mild surfactant. It involves wetting the hair thoroughly, massaging a generous amount (one or two good palmfuls, although this varies) into the roots, then letting it sit. Sitting time varies somewhat, some people rinse it straight out but others let it sit in the hair for half an hour or me, returning to rinse later. I let the conditioner sit while I wash my body/face/brush teeth etc, as I just don't have time to let it set in that long. Thorough rinsing, using the right conditioner and gentle massage are also important parts of this technique.
WO method- Water Only method. This method involves using water only to wash your hair, with the goal of coating the entire length of your hair in it's natural sebum. Some people employ various techniques such as egg washing, boar bristle brushes or massage to distribute sebum, others are serious hard core water only, using variations in water temperature to regulate or remove sebum. This method can involve a long period of transition and should be thoroughly researching by those wishing to try it.
CWC method- CWC stands for Condition, Wash, Condition. Conditioner is placed on the ends of hair to protect it from the drying effects of shampoo. Shampoo is then used to wash the scalp before a second application of conditioner to the ends of hair. I've found this a fantastic method, and think everyone can benefit from this. Fantastic starting point!
No Poo method- I haven't done much research on this method. It can mean a lot of things, some people think it means water only but it can also mean washing with bi carbonate of soda or other alternatives.
C-COW-C method, otherwise known as a 'moo' wash- This hybrid wash involves putting conditioner on the ends, before using a mixture of conditioner and a small amount of diluted shampoo to wash the scalp, then conditioning ends again. I mix the 'cow' part of the wash in a small travel squeeze bottle, and apply. I like to make a mixture with a tiny bit of shampoo, a healthy dose of conditioner, and a pump or two of oil. This is an excellently gentle method for cleansing the scalp, that leaves me feeling clean.
Indian Herb washes- Traditional Ayurvedic haircare involves using herbs to cleanse the hair and scalp, and to balance the skin, mind and body. Some of the commonly used herbs are Shikakai, Aritha (soapnuts), Neem, Brahmi, and Amla. Herbs can be used as a paste or as a tea to cleanse the hair. This technique also utilises heavy oilings, usually with coconut oil, and scalp massage. I'm still learning about this one.
There's no right or wrong way to wash your hair, but some of these techniques work better than shampoo for various hair types, or sensitive skin, or simply those looking to avoid the drying affects of shampoo.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Interesting things to put in your hair
I decided to make a list of interesting treatments I've read about or would like to try, most of them hijacked from the gorgeous ladies over at the LHC.
Avocado Treatment.
Exactly what it sounds like, mash or puree a ripe avocado, mix with a little EVOO or (warmed) honey, smoosh into hair, wrap in plastic for an hour, rinse, rinse rinse, gorgeous. Am looking forward to trying this one.
SMT
Otherwise known as Snowy's Moisture Treatment, this involves using 4 parts conditioner to 1 part honey (warmed again) and 1 part of aloe vera gel (ideally as organic as possible). Add goop to hair, wrap in plastic, leave as long as possible, rinse and admire yourself. Hoping to give this a bash on the weekend.
Oil.
I've been enjoying a bit of a play with oil for quite awhile now, and am still testing various types. I've used emu (struggle ethically with this one, as the emu does not survive extraction), EVOO or extra virgin olive oil (probably my favourite, in terms of versatility and cost), Apricot Kernel Oil (versatile, light, pleasant) and Coconut oil (an amazing oil that I make all sorts of fabulous concoctions with...but that's another story).
Oiling your hair is quite easy. To do a light oiling suitable for a leave in or to protect your ends, your only need a few drops. Rub the oil between your palms-it should only be discernible as a sheen on your palms. Run your palms down the ends of your hair to put just a tinny bit of oil. It's very easy to get excited and put too much, but after you've done that a few times you'll get sick of it.
You can do a heavier oil as a pre-wash or overnight treatment. I particularly like to oil the end of my plait if I plait my hair up to sleep, to give a little extra love to those poor little ends.
Avocado Treatment.
Exactly what it sounds like, mash or puree a ripe avocado, mix with a little EVOO or (warmed) honey, smoosh into hair, wrap in plastic for an hour, rinse, rinse rinse, gorgeous. Am looking forward to trying this one.
SMT
Otherwise known as Snowy's Moisture Treatment, this involves using 4 parts conditioner to 1 part honey (warmed again) and 1 part of aloe vera gel (ideally as organic as possible). Add goop to hair, wrap in plastic, leave as long as possible, rinse and admire yourself. Hoping to give this a bash on the weekend.
Oil.
I've been enjoying a bit of a play with oil for quite awhile now, and am still testing various types. I've used emu (struggle ethically with this one, as the emu does not survive extraction), EVOO or extra virgin olive oil (probably my favourite, in terms of versatility and cost), Apricot Kernel Oil (versatile, light, pleasant) and Coconut oil (an amazing oil that I make all sorts of fabulous concoctions with...but that's another story).
Oiling your hair is quite easy. To do a light oiling suitable for a leave in or to protect your ends, your only need a few drops. Rub the oil between your palms-it should only be discernible as a sheen on your palms. Run your palms down the ends of your hair to put just a tinny bit of oil. It's very easy to get excited and put too much, but after you've done that a few times you'll get sick of it.
You can do a heavier oil as a pre-wash or overnight treatment. I particularly like to oil the end of my plait if I plait my hair up to sleep, to give a little extra love to those poor little ends.
CO experiment, day 3
S-U-C-C-E-S-S, that's the way you spell success! So far at least, anyways.
When I looked at my hair this morning it was clear that I am onto a winner with stealing fiance's shampoo! My hair was soft, had body and movement, and looked pretty banging. I think I could have gotten away with a second day...except that underneath my hair was a slightly sticky, greasy ewwwwwwwwwww.
Fortunately, I spent a good couple of hair procrastinating at work reading up on CO washing, so I already knew what to do! I modified my technique, wetting my hair thoroughly but then dividing it into two sections, top to bottom, and applying conditioner to each. Shampoo with lather down through the sections of your hair when applied, but with conditioner I'd been finding that a bit hard and so was pretty unsurprised to discover an uneven level of cleanliness.
I left my hair down today, and it's rather gorgeous. I also applied some of my lovely usual condish to the ends, to give them a little extra love. My hair is soft, bouncy, voluminous and wavier than usual. It seems to be behaving in slightly different ways to usual, it's hard to explain...individual strands are moving more than usual, so yes, maybe still a little fly-away, though it is a bit windy today so perhaps that's to be expected. There also seems to just be more of it.
Tomorrow is Saturday, and I'm not sure what I'll do. I'd planned a weekly shampoo and deep treatment as I don't think I can go CO all the time, but I typically go for quite a long run on Sunday so perhaps that is the day.
I know it's only day 3 but so far I'm really quite pleased. I don't think I'd ever go so far as wanting to do this all the time, but I want to stick out the month except for the weekly wash.
When I looked at my hair this morning it was clear that I am onto a winner with stealing fiance's shampoo! My hair was soft, had body and movement, and looked pretty banging. I think I could have gotten away with a second day...except that underneath my hair was a slightly sticky, greasy ewwwwwwwwwww.
Fortunately, I spent a good couple of hair procrastinating at work reading up on CO washing, so I already knew what to do! I modified my technique, wetting my hair thoroughly but then dividing it into two sections, top to bottom, and applying conditioner to each. Shampoo with lather down through the sections of your hair when applied, but with conditioner I'd been finding that a bit hard and so was pretty unsurprised to discover an uneven level of cleanliness.
I left my hair down today, and it's rather gorgeous. I also applied some of my lovely usual condish to the ends, to give them a little extra love. My hair is soft, bouncy, voluminous and wavier than usual. It seems to be behaving in slightly different ways to usual, it's hard to explain...individual strands are moving more than usual, so yes, maybe still a little fly-away, though it is a bit windy today so perhaps that's to be expected. There also seems to just be more of it.
Tomorrow is Saturday, and I'm not sure what I'll do. I'd planned a weekly shampoo and deep treatment as I don't think I can go CO all the time, but I typically go for quite a long run on Sunday so perhaps that is the day.
I know it's only day 3 but so far I'm really quite pleased. I don't think I'd ever go so far as wanting to do this all the time, but I want to stick out the month except for the weekly wash.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
CO experiment, day 2
Day 2, and I have to admit at this point I miss shampoo already!
I'd thought if my hair wasn't too icky that I'd simply put it into an updo and forget about it today, but even last night my hair was...weird. Not greasy exactly, but there was definitely some residual, ah, stuff. I brushed it out with a boar bristle brush and it was smoothly clumping together, in a way I can only describe as 'dirty-clean'. It was very flat and smooth to my head *helmet-like*
When I woke up (I didn't braid it up to sleep, lazy lady)it was a little bushy, but not so much as usual. I plonked a hat over it and took my wee man for a walk.
When I got home, de-hatted and looked in the mirror, one of my questions from yesterday was answered-for now at least, CO washing is going to need to be everyday.
I took a rummage around in my bathroom cupboard last night and found several conditioners that have been rejected as they're too light for my hair-but maybe perfect for CO washing.
Today's routine was much the same as yesterday's, except that I used fiance's Pears Daily Clarifying Conditioner instead of the Nature's Gate. It was a bit less natural and had a few more chemicals, which may be a good thing in this case, I'm thinking. However I really can't report on how my hair came out today and I simply twisted it all up for a day of damp bunning. If today is anything like yesterday, the condition my hair is in at nightime is the tell.
I'd thought if my hair wasn't too icky that I'd simply put it into an updo and forget about it today, but even last night my hair was...weird. Not greasy exactly, but there was definitely some residual, ah, stuff. I brushed it out with a boar bristle brush and it was smoothly clumping together, in a way I can only describe as 'dirty-clean'. It was very flat and smooth to my head *helmet-like*
When I woke up (I didn't braid it up to sleep, lazy lady)it was a little bushy, but not so much as usual. I plonked a hat over it and took my wee man for a walk.
When I got home, de-hatted and looked in the mirror, one of my questions from yesterday was answered-for now at least, CO washing is going to need to be everyday.
I took a rummage around in my bathroom cupboard last night and found several conditioners that have been rejected as they're too light for my hair-but maybe perfect for CO washing.
Today's routine was much the same as yesterday's, except that I used fiance's Pears Daily Clarifying Conditioner instead of the Nature's Gate. It was a bit less natural and had a few more chemicals, which may be a good thing in this case, I'm thinking. However I really can't report on how my hair came out today and I simply twisted it all up for a day of damp bunning. If today is anything like yesterday, the condition my hair is in at nightime is the tell.
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