Yay for alliteration!
The Monday Monthly Mission is going to be our next adventure and the name pretty much says it all doesn’t it? On the first Monday of every month, I’m going to assign a new source of inspiration, a goal, a habit, a shift in perspective – a new “mission” for all of us to work on together. Not only can we change our lives for the better one itty bitty step at a time, but we can begin to change this little planet of ours – and there is strength (and support!) in numbers! At the end of the month, we’ll reconvene and see how far we’ve come and offer feedback on our journeys.
Monday Monthly Mission #1 – The No-Poo Method
So this month we’re going to dive right in!
Are you guys ready to go no-poo?
Hey! No giggles! This isn’t some month long constipation contest (Gawds no!). It’s all about taking our hair from dull and lifeless to bouncy and luxurious! We’re literally going to take the crap out of shampoo my friends.
The no-poo method is really simple and if you know me at all I’ll bet you could guess what ingredients we’re going to use. If you said “vinegar!” or “baking soda!” or “essential oils!” then hey! You were right! We’re getting totally au natural with this one my friends.
So what’s the whole point of this mission?
Who here wishes that their hair was manageable, shiny, and had that natural bounce? ME! ME! ME! And hopefully you, you, you! Who here uses products and isn’t happy with their hair? Who here buys shampoos and conditioners that claim to make your hair frizz-free, sleek, moisturized, or defined but the claims fall flat? You see, our hair should be self-regulating. We shouldn’t have to douse it with 7 different hair products everyday just for it to look “good”.
Believe it or not, our hair is very capable of caring properly for itself. It can moisturize itself AND cleanse itself when given the chance.
So this month, we’re going no-poo to reclaim the beautiful hair that’s hiding under the build-up and chemicals.
How to Go No-Poo
Alrighty, so first and foremost let me be clear. This process takes time so we have to go slow and steady in order for our hair to reset itself. This means starting with a simple baking soda cleanser and a raw apple cider vinegar rinse.
Remember that conventional shampoos (and even a lot of natural ones) contain chemical detergents that strip our hair. Without these crucial oils, our hair is trained into dependence. That’s why most people have to wash their hair daily. Our scalp is trying desperately to overcompensate the loss of natural oils. It’s a vicious cycle.
To break it, here’s what you need to do:
1. Get two water bottles or two empty shampoo bottles
with the squeeze top (the latter is much easier to use)
2. In one bottle (mine is 16.7oz) add 2 TB of baking soda
. Make sure it’s NEW baking soda and NOT from the fridge!
3. In the other bottle (again mine is 16.7oz) add 2 TB of raw apple cider vinegar
. Feel free to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil
4. Before showering, massage your scalp and brush out any loose hair with a boar bristle brush
5. While in the shower, rinse your hair well and then fill the baking soda bottle with warm-hot water. This will dissolve the baking soda completely making it easier to use
6. Next, begin to slowly pour the baking soda mixture onto your scalp little by little. As you do so, massage it into your scalp
7. Continue until you have completely cleansed your scalp
8. Rinse very thoroughly
9. Now squeeze the water from your hair and fill the vinegar bottle with water
10. Pour the solution over you scalp, but really focus on the main body of your hair especially the ends
11. If you have long hair, pin it back as you finish washing up in the shower
12. Rinse thoroughly
13. When your shower is finished DO NOT scrub your hair dry with a towel. Instead gently pat/squeeze it dry. A lot of people have good results using a cotton tee shirt
14. Style as usual but try not to use any products!
You will notice that the baking soda wash doesn’t foam at all (no poo!) but that doesn’t mean your hair isn’t getting a good cleansing. I actually started this no-poo journey last week and my hair was getting REALLY oily after a few days. I washed it with the baking soda solution and the oil was GONE. I was shocked and delighted! I really didn’t think the baking soda would work.
As we know, baking soda is a natural cleanser and vinegar is a natural softener. Using them as hair care is genius! Most people claim that after going no-poo with these simple ingredients their hair becomes stronger, healthier, shinier, and way more manageable. They are able to do styles they could never pull off. Plus it’s way better for our bodies and the environment!
Keep in mind that there will be a transition period while switching to no-poo. The severity of the transition will largely depend on how stripped and chemical ridden your hair is. Mine is fairly manageable and my hair is definitely oilier BUT I can already go longer between cleansing as my hair re-acclimates itself to the no-poo method.
If you currently have to shampoo your hair every day, I recommend using your baking soda wash twice per week. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!
If you shampoo less often, try no-pooing once a week.
Remember, you are NOT using shampoo or conditioner anymore, just the baking soda and vinegar!
Say goodbye to frizzy unmanageable hair and hello to luscious locks!
So what say you? Do you accept this mission?
For some great recourses to help you along, check out this article.
Check out the benefits of raw apple cider vinegar here.
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