I went no-poo a few weeks ago.

No, I’m not talking about my bowels.

I’m talking about my hair.  “No poo” means no commercial shampoos.

I’ve read an awful lot on the always-truthful internet about the benefits of going no-poo in context with healthy changes you can make to deal with fibromyalgia and other auto-immune problems.  I’ve tried a few different formulas (raw honey, apple cider vinegar and baking soda, etc.), some with better results than others.

I finally settled on a weak dilution of my favorite phalate free, SLS free, paraben free shampoo (by Jason Naturals) – with a little baking soda, and a rinse of apple cider vinegar diluted in water. Overall it works pretty well.  Actually, it works pretty darn well.  My lightly wavy hair got wavier and almost curly.  My scalp is less oily at the end of the day. I can skip a day between shampoos if I want.

Until today.

My bottles of no-poo formulas were empty when I jumped in the shower.  I was waaaay too lazy to jump out and make some more, so I grabbed my shampoo and lathered up, and followed with my (formerly) favorite conditioner by Tresseme’.

Oh holy crapballs.  I didn’t think I would ever get the slimy feeling rinsed out of my hair.  I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed some more.  My now-dry hair is very shiny to be sure, and super smooth, but it’s flat and straight and too silky to style.  That means I have to junk it up with sprays and lotions and gels and product before I can walk out the door.

Sheesh.  Never again.

Recipe for Shampoo:

1 tbsp of your favorite shampoo
1 tbsp raw honey
1 cup of water
1 tsp of baking soda
Mix in a squirt bottle and store in the shower.  Enough for many many many uses.  It only takes a little.

Recipe for conditioning rinse:
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
Mix in a squirt bottle and store in the shower.  Use on your scalp and ends and rinse thoroughly.

I have medium length hair, and have no problems combing it out when wet with a wide tooth comb, starting at the bottom and working up.

In fact, I think I am going to go re-shower and see if I can get this conditioner out of my hair.