Going No Poo, Goodbye Shampoo

Going No Poo Means No More Shampoo

2015-07-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Going No Poo means no longer using shampoo to clean you hair. Many people think not using shampoo is unclean or dirty, but it really isn't. Many Conditioners contain surfactants powerful enough to clean your hair but gentle enough not to dry out hair and cause frizz. In fact, theer are a number of reasons why a person would quit using shampoo, such as to avoid the harsh chemicals like sodium laurel sulfate. These chemicals can be hazardous to your health and dry out your hair and scalp causing itchy dry skin or a flaky dandruff-y scalp. These chemicals will also dry out your hair causing it to be frizzier than it should be. People who have naturally curly hair are especially prone to frizz.

Everyones scalp naturally produces sebum which is a natural moisturizer for your hair and scalp. Removing sebum on a daily basis will disrupt the equilibrium of the hair and scalp and your body will begin producing an excess of sebum to compensate causing your hair to become oily and greasy looking. So over a period of time, if you stop using harsh shampoos to clean your hair, the equilibrium will restore itself, your body will begin producing less sebum and your hair will be healthier, cleaner and frizz free. Going No Poo helps you to maintain a healthier, better looking head of hair, that is less likely to get oily and gross looking.

When your stop using shampoo your body will go through a transitional period and you will begin producing less oil. It will eventually produce just enough sebum to keep your hair healthy. For the first month or two you may end up have some excess sebum which may make your hair look a little bit greasy. There are many ways to deal with this problem though.

You may need to use:
baking soda - water mixture
Apple cider vinegar
Co-Washing

These techniques and many others will be discussed in further detail elsewhere on the website. I hope with our advice you too can have a healthy, frizz free head of hair.

Naral Hair Recipes:

2009-07-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for natural recipes to help increase and maintain the health of your hair? If so I hope you find what you are looking for in this section. You can help this section by contributing your own recipes as well.

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Easy Deep Conditioner

- 1/2 avacado
- Small Jar of Real Mayo

Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until it becomes mint green in color. It should become a well mixed smooth paste. Rub onto hair moving from roots to tips, once fully applied put on a shower cap. If you do not have a shower cap you can try using saran wrap.

Leave the deep conditioner in your hair for 20 minutes. For an extra deep conditioning apply a hot towel over the saran wrap/shower cap and wrap it around your head. Use fresh and Do not store.

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Simple Deep Conditioner

1/2 jar of real mayo

Comb the mayonnaise throughout the hair until thoroughly saturated. Wrap you head in saran wrap or a shower cap and let the mayonnaise condition for 20 minutes. Rinse well.

*Hint* Do not use salad dressing as it will only dry your hair out more, only use real mayonnaise.

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Homemade Egg Conditioner

- 1 cup water
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp baby oil

Beat the egg yolk until it becomes frothy , add the oil and beat until well mixed. Add the water and mix it well. Massage this mixture into your scalp and throughout your hair. Let sit for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Use Fresh only.

*Hint* Eggs are an excellent source of protein and 11 essential nutrients so this conditioner is especially helpful for those with damaged hair as protein helps to restore damaged hair.

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More Coming Soon!

8 Tips for healthy hair

2009-07-23T20:16:00.000-07:00

Looking for healthier hair.. Tired of split ends and frizz? Well here you go, eight easy steps to help you achieve healthier hair, naturally.

1. Avoid Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfate like the plague! These are basically dish detergents and are too harsh for your hair. While they will get your hair clean fast and easily. These chemicals will also dry your hair out very quickly causing frizz and weak hair resulting in split ends.

2. Deep condition once a week. Whether it is just leaving conditioner in all night or doing a heated oil treatment, your hair needs this! Doing so provides flexible healthy looking shiny hair. These treatments help to keep your hair from getting dry and brittle, increasing elasticity and decreasing the likelihood of split ends.

3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. It only makes sense that what you put into you, will affect your body. Eating healthy foods high in protein and full of vitamins will contribute to healthier frizz free hair. Vitamins E,B and C are all very good for your hair. As are proteins and biotin.

4. If you have curly hair avoid brushing your hair. Doing so will only damage your hair and break up your natural, beautiful curl patterns.

5. Look for natural essential oils in your product. Many oils such as vegetable oil and olive oil have amazing benefits to the health of your hair.

6. Do not sleep with clips or barrettes in your hair. Constant movement while you sleep can cause these hair accessories to pinch and tear at your hair causing damage.

7. Trim your hair every so often, doing so removes split ends and keeps hair tangle free to help prevent further damage to your hair.

8. Wear your hair in braids whenever possible. This is the healthiest, least damaging way to wear your hair.

Well there you go 8 easy things you can do every single day to help your hair be the healthiest and look its best.

Homemade Flax Seed Gel

2009-07-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

1 cup water
1/4 cup flax seeds

Pour both ingredients into a saucepan on high heat. Stirring often to keep the seeds from sticking and burning to the bottom of the pan.

Once boiling you must stir the seed mixture constantly.

When the mixture becomes the consistency of a thin gel and the seeds begin to get hung up in the mixture instead of sinking to the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat.

Immediately pour the mixture into your strainer and clean your pan while the mixture strains. If the gel dries to your pan it becomes really hard to remove.

Take a whisk to break up any possible gelatinous chunks and remove any stray seeds.

Pour the mixture into a bottle for convenient use.

You can also add a tbsp of honey or 1/4 cup of pure aloe vera gel to the mixture for additional moisturizing properties.

Hair Types

2009-07-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of hair types to help you determine your type of hair:

Type 1: Straight hair

Pretty Straight Forward, you know if you've got straight hair.

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Type 2: Wavy hair

Wavy hair tends to have an "S" pattern to it. It is the middle ground between straight hair and curly hair. Wavy hair tends to have an "S" shape but it lays flat against your scalp, it doesn't have all the volume the way curly hair does. It is often very easy to make wavy hair curly by scrunching some gel into the hair while it is wet.

Type 2A: Fine and thin

Type 2B: Medium texture

Type 2C: Course and thick

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Type 3: Curly hair

Type 3 curly hair has a lot of volume and body and is easily styled. The curls are very well defined and often spring if pulled on. Shiny, soft curls with a lot of elasticity.

Type 3A: Loose, Large curls. Shorter hair is straighter and the longer the hair the curlier it gets.

Type 3B: Medium amount of curls with springy ringlets. Tight "S" curl pattern with massive volume. Common in ethical hair types.

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Type 4: Kinky hair

Hair is very tightly curled or "kinky". Very wiry, coiled and fragile hair. Often if you have type 4 kinky hair, your hair will often "Afro" naturally. Many Type 4's resort to chemical relaxers to deal with their hair.

Type 4A: Tightly coiled hair when stretched out an "S" pattern remains.

Type 4B: Very kinky hair with a "Z" pattern unlike 4A hair types 4B bends at sharp angles and is often drier than 4A hair.

List of Silicone Free Gels

2009-07-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of Silicone Free Gels/Styling Products

African Pride Brain Sheen Spray Extra Shine (1 water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
Aussie Tizz No Frizz
Aussie Dual Personality Water + Gel
Cococare Cocoa Butter Stick
Dax Relax Shine & Hold Gel
Dax Relax Texturizing Foaming Mousse
Dove Defined Texture Molding Cream (silk amino acids)
Dove Gel, Define & Shine Control
Dove Gel, Shape & Life Volumizing
F/X Curl Booster Fixative Gel
F/X Curls Up Curl-Reviving Mousse (spray/pump bottle)
F/X Root Lifter Volume Booster (1 water-soluble silicone)
Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil
Got2Be Defiant Define + Shine Pomade
Got2B Spiked Up Gel
Head Wear Strung Out Styling Goo
Head Wear Thickening Gel
Head Wear Pliable Putty
Herbal Essences Body Envy Weightless Volumizing Gel
Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel
Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel
Herbal Essences Texturizing Pomade (1 water-soluble silicone)
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel (1 water-soluble silicone)
Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme Hairdress
Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil
ISOPLUS Wrap Lotion
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Relax Moisture Remedy Rehydrating Balm (discontinued?)
La Bella Icy Cool Styling Gel
La Bella Styling Gel Super Hold 9 (keratin amino acids)
La Bella Super Spikes Styling Gel
L'oreal Out of Bed Instant Texture (cream gel) (1 water-soluble silicone)
L'oreal Studio Line Anti-Frizz Gel (1 water-soluble silicone) (discontinued)
L'oreal Studio Line Texture Grab Gel
Luster's Pink Short Looks Gel
Luster's S-Curl Texturizer Stylin' Gel
Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
Salon Selectives Control Substance Molding Putty
Soft Sheen Gold Care Free Curl Hair & Scalp Spray for Dry Curls & Body Waves
Suave Anti-Frizz Smoothing Gel with Aloe - Extra Hold
Suave Firm Control Gel
Woltra Cocoa Butter Stick
White Rain Classics Styling Gel

List of silicone free Leave Ins

2009-07-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Leave ins
Akiva Healthy Hair Honey
Ashas Silk Rose Elixer Leave in Condtioner
Beauty without Cruelty leave in
Blended Beauty Kick for Curls Aloe Juice Spritz
Carol’s Daughter Flowers & Herbs Leave-In Conditioner-General
Carol’s Daughter Flowers & Herbs Leave-In Conditioner-Indigo
Curl Friends Replenish Leave in Conditioner (Humidity Blocker)
Curl Junkie Intense Protection Leave in conditioner- fine
Curly Hair Solutions SILK leave in Conditioner
Curlisto Protein Boost
Curlisto Repair styling Cream
Folicure Extra Conditioner
Giovanni Direct Leave in Conditioner
Giovanni Vitapro Fusion Leave In (spray)
Hamadi Shea Leave In, Daily Conditioner/Styling Cream
The Jane Carter Solution Leave-in
Jason Hemp Enriched Conditioner
Kiehl's Leave-In Hair Conditioner
L'Oreal Serie Expert Absolute Repair Repairing Cream Conditioner for Very Damaged Ends
No Rinse Hair Conditioner
Oyin Greg Juice
Oyin Shine + Define Styling Serum
Pantene Pro-V Shining Start Conditioner
PHYTO 7 Daily hydrating cream with 7 plants for Dry Hair
PHYTO 9 Daily Ultra Nourishing Cream for Ultra-Dry Hair
Nexxus Color Ensure Replenishing Detangler
Shea It Ain't So
Sta-Sof-Fro
Thermasilk Leave-In Detangler Conditioner
Yanai Van Kiddy Curls No Knots Detangling Mist

List of Silicone Free Conditioners

2009-07-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Conditioners Without sili"Cones"

Abba Crème-Masque Conditioner
Abba Moisture Scensation Conditioner
Abba Nourishing Leave-On Conditioner
Abba Recoup Conditioner
Abba Thickening Conditioner
Abba True Culrs Conditioner
Abba True Curls Activating Tonic
Abba True Shine Conditioner
Abba TruMint Conditioner
Akiva Naturals Conditioning Herbal Hair Mist
Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Milk
Akiva Naturals Shea Hair Smoothie
Akiva's Secret Potion
Alberto V05 Blushin' Apple conditioner
Alberto V05 Creamy Citrus Healthy Shine Conditioner
Alberto V05 Extra Body conditioner
Alberto V05 Free Me Freesia conditioner
Alberto V05 Fruitsation Naturals Conditioner
Alberto V05 Kiwi and Lime Squeeze conditioner
Alberto VO5 Lavender Luster
Alberto V05 Moisture Milks Strawberries and Cream conditioner
Alberto V05 Peaches & Cream
Alberto V05 Passion Fruit Smoothie Conditioner (Moisture Milks)
Alberto VO5 Silky Experiences Champagne Kiss
Alberto VO5 Spa Lemongrass and Chammomile
Alberto V05 Spa Volumizing Conditioner (Invigorating w/ Spring Water and Lemongrass)
Alberto V05 Strawberries and Cream
Alberto V05 Sun Kissed Raspberry conditioner
Alberto V05 Tangerine Tickle conditioner
Alberto V05 Tea Therapy Nourishing conditioner (Tranquility Calming Chamomile Tea)
Aloe Desert Herb Revitalizing
American Crew Daily Conditioner for Men
Aubrey Organics (all products)
Auntie Rhubarb Moisture Bomb
Australian Organics Extra Body Conditioner for Fine, Limp + Oily Hair
Australian Organics Nourishing Restorative Conditioner for Dry, Colored or Chemically Treated Hair
Australian Organics Replenishing Balancing Conditioner For Normal Hair
Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner
Avalon Organics Conditioner Moisturizing Awapuhi Mango
Avalon Organics Tea Tree Mint Treatment Conditioner
Aveda Cherry Almond Bark Conditioner
Aveda Deep Penetrating Hair Revitalizer
Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner
Aveda Sap Moss Nourishing Concentrate
Beauty Without Cruelty Conditioner, Daily Benefits
Beauty Without Cruelty Conditioner, Moisture Plus
Beauty Without Cruelty Conditioner, Volume Plus for Fine Hair
Beauty Without Cruelty Leave-In Conditioner, Revitalize
Biolage by Matrix Conditioning Balm
Biolage by Matrix Fortifying Conditioner
Blended Beauty Cleansing conditioner
Blended Beauty Curl Quenching Conditioner
Blended Beauty Herbal Reconstructing Treatment
Blended Beauty Volcanic Clean Mask
Body Shop Nettle Oil Balance Conditioner
boots basic's conditioner
Boot's own brand (Europe)
Botanical Therapeutic Tree Essence Daily Moisturizing (by Carina)
Bumble & Bumble Leave-in conditioner
Bumble & Bumble Seaweed conditioner
Burt's Bees Super Shiney Grapefruit and Sugar Beet conditioner
California Baby Swimmer's Defense Hair Conditioner
Carol’s Daughter Khoret Amen Shea Butter Hair Smoothie
clariol's Herbal Essence Protection Conditioner (pink stuff)
Color Charm Care Rehydrating Conditioner
Cornrows and Company Mint Condition
Cornrows and Company Sweet Orange Conditioner
Curl Junkie Guava and Protein Deep Fix Repairative Conditioner
Curl Junkie Hibiscus and Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
Curls Curl Ecstasy Asian Hair Tea conditioner
Curls Pure Essential Moisturizer
Curly Hair Solutions Conditioner
Curly Hair Solutions Pure Silk Protein
Curly Hair Solutions Conditioner
Curly Hair Solutions Pure Silk Protein Treatment
Curls Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea Conditioner
Curlisto Kids Detangle Rinse
Desert Essence Daily Replenishing Tea Tree Conditioner with Organic Tea Tree Oil
Down Under Naturals Daily Conditioner (Extra Body for Fine Hair)
Earth Science Fragrance-Free Conditioner (For All Hair Types)
EBL Hair+ Growth Promoting Conditioner
Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner
Elucence Protective Barrier Balm
Elucence Extended Moisture Repair Treatment
EO Coco Chamomile & Honey Conditioner
EO French Lavender Conditioner
EO Hair Repair Conditioner
EO Lemon Verbena Conditioner
EO Rose & Chamomile Conditioner
EO Rosemary & Mint Conditioner
EO Sweet Orange & Rose Geranium Conditioner
'Euro Profit'~ available in Europe
Frederic Fekkai Full Volume Conditioner
Frederic Fekkai Technician Conditioner
Freeman Papaya and Awapuhi, High Tide Volume Conditioner
Freeman Papaya and Lime, Overboard Shine Conditioner
Freeman Papaya and Mango, Massive Moisture 3 Minute
Fuzzy Duck Detangler Refresher Spray
Fuzzy Duck Kids Conditioner
Garnier Fructis (Fine Hair)
Ginesis Healthy Hair Conditioner
Ginesis Nutrient Conditioner
Giovanni 50/50 Balanced Hair Remoisturizer conditioner
Giovanni Direct Leave-in
Giovanni Magnetic Restruxturing
Giovanni More Body - Leave-in Hair Thickener
Giovanni Nutrafix (reconstructor)
Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat conditioner
Goth Rosary (all scents)
Hamadi Shea Hair Mask
Hamadi Shea Rice Milk Conditioner
Herbacin Herbal Conditioner for All Types of Hair
Hi-Pro-Pac Conditioner
Hydromiel Honey Detangling Conditioning Balm
Hydromiel Honey Nourishing Capillary Mask
Inecto Coconut oil Moisture Miracle conditioner
Jason Natural Cosmetics Hemp Enriched Conditioner
Jason Natural Cosmetics Henna Hi-Lites Conditioner
Jason Natural Cosmetics Lavender Conditioner (Organic Hair Strengthening)
Jason Natural Cosmetics Natural Apricot Conditioner (Super Shine)
Jason Natural Cosmetics Natural Biotin Conditioner (Hair Fortifying)
Jason Natural Cosmetics Pure Aloe Vera Conditioner (Hair Soothing)
Jason Natural Cosmetics Rosewater Conditioner (Organic Hair Smoothing)
Jason Natural Cosmetics Scalp Balancing Natural Jojoba Conditioner
Jason Natural Cosmetics Swimmer's & Sports Conditioner
Jason Natural Cosmetics Vitamin E with A & C Conditioner (Body Enhancing)
Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner
Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner
Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment
Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner
Jheri Redding Humidicon Moisturizing Conditioner
Jheri Redding Natural Protein Conditioner
JOEY New York Daily Conditioner for Color Treated Hair
John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor
John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner
JOICO moisturizer
Kenra Color Maintenance Conditioner
Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner
Kiss My Face Big Body Conditioner, Volumizing
Kiss My Face Miss Treated Conditioner, Replenishing
L'Anza Dry Hair Moisture Treatment
L'Anza Hair Repair Reconstructor
L'Anza Urban Elements Daily Revitalizer
L'Anza Urban Elements Deep Conditioner
Le Kair Cholesterol Plus Aloe Formula Conditioner
Le Kair Cholesterol Plus Original Formula Conditioner
Living Nature Manuka Nourishing Conditioner
Long Lovely Locks (any products)
L'Oreal VIVE Fresh-Shine Conditioner
L'Oreal VIVE Non-Stop Volume Conditioner
L'Oreal VIVE Nutri-Gloss intensive shine masque (pink jar)
L'Oreal Nature's Therapy Liquid Energy Fortifying Treatment
Lush American Cream Conditioner
Lush Coolaulin
Lush Fuel Hair Conditioner
Lush Jungle Hair Conditioner
Lush Retread conditioner
Lush Veganese Condtioner
Lush Veganese Conditioner
Lush American Cream Conditioner
Lush Retread Conditioner
Lush Coolaulin Conditioner
Lush Fuel Hair Conditioner
Lush Jungle Hair Conditioner
Lush HSuan Wen Hua Hair Treatment
Lush The Strokes Hair Treatment
Mia Simone's Boutique (all products)
Miessence B5 Hair Repair Leave-in
Miessence Shine Herbal Hair Conditioner
Modern Organic lemongrass Conditioner (fine hair)
Modern Organic Glisten Conditioner (Chemically Treated Hair)
Modern Organic Mixed Greens Conditioner (Normal to Dry Hair)
Mop Top Daily Condtioner
Mop Top Herbal Detangler and Refresher Spray
Morrocco Method Diamond Mist Conditioner
Morrocco Method Volumizer Mist Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Aloe Vera Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Biotin Conditioner Gel
Nature’s Gate Herbal Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Jojoba Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Keratin Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Lavender & Aloe Conditioner
Nature's Gate Organics Fruit Blend Asian Pear and Red Tea conditioner
Nature’s Gate Organics Fruit Blend Chamomile & Lemon Verbena Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Organics Fruit Blend Grapefruit and Wild Ginger Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Organics Fruit Blend Lavender & Aloe Conditioner
Nature's Gate Organics Fruit Blend Mandarin Orange and Patchouli conditioner
Nature’s Gate Organics Fruit Blend Persimmon and Rose Geranium Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Organics Tea Tree & Blue Cypress Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Organics Victorian Emerald Cypress Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Rainwater Herbal Awapuhi Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Rainwater Herbal Hemp Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Rainwater Herbal Henna Conditioner
Nature’s Gate Rainwater Herbal Sea Kelp and Aloe Conditioner
Nature's Gate Rainwater Tea Tree Oil conditioner
Nature’s Gate Soy Fragrance-Free Conditioner
Nature's Organics Cherry Almond
Nature's Organics Green Tea Citrus
Nature's Organics Vanilla Grapefruit
New York Soap Co. Pomegranate Conditioner
Nexxus Color Ensure Replenishing Conditioner
Nexxus Ensure Acidifying Conditioner & Detangler
Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner
Nexxus Keraphix
No Rinse Hair Conditioner
Organic Excellence Mint Conditioner
Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner with Aloe & Silk
Palmer's Olive Oil Formula Extra Conditioning for Dry Hair with Virgin Olive Oil
Paul Penders Lemon Perfecting Rinse
Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Oasis Conditioner with aroma-therapeutics & botanical nutrients
Philip B. Deep-Conditioning Creme Rinse
Philosophy the big blow off, liquid protein hair conditioner
Philou Bubblegum Detangling Cream
Philou Apple Detangling Cream
Philou Licorice Detangling Cream
PHYTOSPECIFIC Intense Nutrition Mask
Prairie Naturals Badlands
Prairie Naturals Chinook
Prairie Naturals Harvestmoon
Progaine Weightless Conditioner
Pro-Vitamin SYSTEME Intensive conditioner repair creme
Pure-A-Teas Green Tea
Pure-A-Teas Lotus
Qhemet Biologies (all products)
Rainbow Research Organic Herbal Conditioner
Rainbow Research Henna Conditioner
Redken Fresh Curls Conditioner
Regis Design Line Olive Oil Conditioner
Regis Design Line Olive Oil Hair Masque
sainsburys own brand
Santa Maria Novella Honey Intensive Cream
Sebastian Instant Conditioner
Sebastian Slinky Conditioner
Shikai Color Reflect Daily Moisture Conditioner
Suave Aloe Vera
Suave Juicy Green Apple
Suave Milk and Honey conditioner
Suave Naturals Fresh Berry Smoothie Conditioner
Suave Naturals Citrus Smoothie
Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple Conditioner
Suave Naturals Lavender Conditioner
Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner
Terax Hair Care Original Crema Hair Treatment
Terex Original hydrate lotion
Terex Original lotion Rigene 8
TIGI Bed Head Moisture Maniac Conditioner
TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey conditioner
Timotei Honey and Monoi Conditioner
Too Shea! by Jessicurl
Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner
TriMedica MSM Conditioner
Ultra Swim - Ultra Swim Conditioner
Wella Balsam for dry and damaged hair
Wella Flash Flood Hydrating Vitality Blast
Wella Wellazid UV Filter Conditioner with Herbs
Weleda Rosemary Phyto Hair Conditioner
Wella System Professional Sunset Express Cream
White Rain Energizing Citrus
White Rain Extra Body conditioner
White Rain Jasmine conditioner
White Rain Regular conditioner
Yanai Van Curl Heal Intensive Conditioning Treatment

How to do a Co-Wash - Hair Routine

2009-07-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

After getting your hair thoroughly soaked put a dime size amount of conditioner in your hand. Using your fingers gently massage your scalp as if you were using shampoo, this will help remove dirt and break up oils. Slowly work your way until you have massaged every area of your scalp. When your hair feels clean rinse the conditioner out with cool water and continue the massaging motion to help remove any residue from the conditioner. Now pour more conditioner into your hand, this can be a different conditioner as long as it is silicone free. Rub your hands together and apply the conditioner over the length of your hair as you normally would. At this point you should detangle with a wide tooth comb or your fingers, whichever you are more comfortable with. Leave the conditioner in for the length of you shower and rinse it out with cool water at the very end of your shower. The longer the conditioner is in your hair the more moisturizing it will be.

Now it is time to apply your gel, a lighter hold clear gel is recommended. The lighter hold helps prevent the hair from getting crunchy but still prevents frizz and the clear gel lets the natural shine of your hair show through.

When styling your curls remember not to ever brush them, brushing curls separates the natural curl pattern and creates frizz. Detangle your hair only when it is wet and soaked in conditioner, using your fingers or a wide tooth comb.. whichever you prefer. Dry hair with blotting and scrunching motions, do not rub the towel against your hair. A microfiber towel or old t-shirt works best. Rubbing the towel against your hair damages your hair and will create frizz. Air dry whenever possible, daily use of a blow dryer can cause dry frizzy hair.

Once in awhile you may feel the need to clarify. You may experience build up of oils that may be natural or from your conditioner/gel. This build up may not rinse off with just conditioner and water. If your hair suddenly looses shine or definition or stops responding to your normal routine you are probably experiencing build up. The hair may feel "gunky" to the touch and not as clean as it could be. There are many natural recipes you can use to clarify your hair such as 2 Tbsp baking soda into 1/2 cup of water. Suave naturals line of shampoo will also work as a slightly harsher clarifying shampoo. Do not use a shampoo that says specifically "Clarifying shampoo". These are designed to remove build up from silicone's that are much harder to remove than natural oils. You do not need to use a shampoo any where near that harsh and I would not recommend it.

Choosing a Conditioner - No Poo Hair Routine

2009-07-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Humectancts - Retain moisture and absorb water. A must have for any conditioner.
Panthenol, vegetable glycerin, sorbitol and honey are a few of the popular humectancts to be looking for on the label.

Proteins - Repair and protect hair. Proteins can build up on some peoples hair and is morel ikely to happen with healthier hair. If you experience build up alternate with a protein free conditioner. Some common proteins to look for are soy, wheat, silk, keratin and amino acids.

Moisturizers - Softens and helps reduce frizz in dry hair. Amino acids and aloe vera are two common moisturizers.

Emollients - Add shine and soften hair, emollients also smooth the hair shaft. Common emollients are vegetable oil and nut butters, others are liposomes and glycerides.

My favorite Conditioner to Co-Wash with is anything out of the Suave Naturals line. They contain no silicone so it won't result in residue and build up. They are also priced very friendly at about $1-$2 a bottle.

Introdouction to No Poo - Hair Shampoo Routine

2009-07-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

The first step you need to take when beginning the No Poo Routine is to seriously limit the use of harsh sulfate shampoos to clean your hair and scalp, better yet eliminate harsh shampoo from your routine. That's right no more shampoo. The next step is to use a clear gel to help keep your hair from getting frizzy. The third is to handle the hair very gently, when you brush your hair do so in a gentle manner.. don't tear through tangles and knots. Doing so will cause damage to your hair.

There are there reasons for this new routine. The number one reason is because most commercial shampoos, even the expensive ones contain sulfates that are too harsh for our hair. They tend to rob our hair of moisture! The next reason is because curly hair tends to be more porous when compared to straight hair. This makes it harder to rinse out all the residue from shampoo, which could result in drier frizzier hair. The last reason is because most conditioners contain mild surfactants which when combined with some friction from our hands against our scalp it is more than enough to lift dirt and oil from the scalp and hair.