One would think, when
you live in a humid environment like I do, my hair type would be tame and
slick. Au contraire! It frizzes and does almost as much crazy stuff suffered by
those blessed with curly hair. So, I’ve been observing the rising interest in
the “No Poo” movement for a while. I finally found the courage to try it almost
2 months ago. (Those who have tried it claim eliminating shampoo makes your
hair thicker and reduces frizz.)
For those thinking of doing the same, here’s
something to consider. You don’t have to go cold turkey. For several years, I
had already ceased washing my hair every day. Maybe it was just laziness, but
when you have to be out the door before 7 AM, it’s nice to have some mornings
when your routine is more relaxed. There is also an upside if you decide to go
“No Poo”. Since your hair is already used to not being washed every day, you
can start stretching out the number of days between washing. It may take a bit
longer to go “Poo” free, but some might find it a less dramatic way to make the
change.
So, how does “dry shampoo” fit into the “No Poo”
movement? If you’ve visited this blog in the past you may have seen a previous
post for dry shampoo. I have since changed the formulation a bit, and it’s no
longer necessary to use any kitchen appliances to make it. Products like oat
flour are now easy to find in the suburban grocery stores where I shop. The
version I’ve used on my rabbits works very well to clean out “wet” messes they
occasionally get in their long hair. I thought it might be useful to help me
keep my resolve to eliminate suds from my hair. There was also another
motivation for trying it. Some of our travel plans for our Airstream include
staying in remote places for some solitude and stargazing. Even with an RV,
when you do that kind of camping, you only have the resources you bring with
you. Water is the most important and squandering it isn’t an option. You might
say I’ve been field testing. I figured if I could use the dry shampoo and go
about in public with confidence, then the testing was a success.
There is no hard and fast formula for making your
own dry shampoo. After trying the bunny version, I decided oat flour didn’t
need to be in mine. It contains 3-4 tbsps. of starch to 1 tbsp. of baking soda.
When I make a batch, I use what is available in my pantry at the moment. The
bulk of the formula is mostly corn starch. It’s easy to find and inexpensive,
but if you prefer to keep your body care gluten or grain-free; tapioca, potato
and arrowroot are good alternatives. Cosmetic clays such Kaolin or Moroccan may
good options too. I just don’t have any in my arsenal and haven’t tried them.
You will want to choose powders with a really fine texture which will not only
absorb excess oil but will also “disappear” into your hair. However, if you
have the habit of running your fingers through your hair, you will feel the
powder. Luckily, I discovered an unexpected upside. Besides minimizing the oily
appearance of my hair, the dry shampoo actually adds some volume. Not “Texas
Big Hair” volume, but I’ll take what I can get.
This is another opportunity for therapeutic and
aromatherapy crafting. Customize to your heart’s content. I use a few drops
each of Lavender, Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary and Sandalwood. All these
oils are considered beneficial for hair growth and renewal. They are also believed
to be antimicrobial and help reduce oily secretions. These oils are suitable
for other skin/hair types as well. Besides its therapeutic properties, there is
another reason to add an oil like Sandalwood. It’s known as a fixative in
perfumery, which is a role played by many oils derived from wood resins. Just
because you’re giving up a commercial product doesn’t mean you have to give up
the sensory delight of fragrance, or the perception of being “clean”. Please remember,
though, what works for one person may not work for you. Do your research and
test new things carefully before incorporating them into your routine. I have
fragrance sensitivities, especially in commercial products where you often
don’t know if the source is synthetic or natural. That being said, as much as I
love Sandalwood and the fragrance longevity it adds to my body care projects,
it is used in very small doses. Usually just a drop or two is enough. Any more
than that and it makes me sneeze. Of course, making something like dry shampoo
in small amounts allows you to experiment more frequently until you find your
ideal formula. (And sometimes variety is the spice of life.)
To make your shampoo, you will need a small
air-tight container. Some stirring may be necessary if essential oils are added.
They will clump in the starch. Bamboo skewers are handy for breaking the clumps
up. Finish blending by placing the lid on the container and shaking vigorously
for a minute or two. For actual use, you can store in the airtight container, a
salt/pepper shaker, or repurposed spice bottle with shaker holes in the lid.
The main goal when applying your dry shampoo is to
work it into the hair close to the scalp, but it’s light enough you can rub all
the way down to the ends. Use small amounts. You may not need very much, and it
will help minimize waste. You also want to “dry shampoo” your hair where it’s
easy to clean up. I usually lean over the bath tub. If you use it after
bathing, let your hair mostly dry. Otherwise, dry shampoo can be handy for
freshening up on those “between” days. After working into your hair, restore
order with a comb or brush that’s easy to keep clean. I would recommend getting
dressed afterward. Excess powder will be on the back of your neck and
shoulders.
Going “Poo” free also means having a replacement for
soap when bathing. The following link is for a blog post from Piping Rock. In
the interest of full disclosure, I’ve purchased many of my essential oils and
other aromatherapy products from them.
I like using baking soda instead of shampoo, but the
vinegar rinse isn’t my favorite. Since I’m a brunette, I prefer black tea.
Instant works great for this, and you can add a few drops of essential oil to
it. Herbal rinses such as chamomile for blondes, or calendula for red heads can
also be used. When doing “No Poo” research, be cautious with any recommendation
for citrus juice or essential oils. Citrus can cause photosensitivity,
resulting in skin irritation if you spend time in the sun after using it
topically.
Summer is in full swing now, with its more relaxed
attitude. Definitely a good time to eliminate shampoo from your routine. By the
time winter rolls around again, your hair and scalp should be naturally
conditioned, making it much better behaved when the weather gets harsh. (That’s
my hope. Static made me absolutely crazy this past winter.)
Wishing you good hair days.
The
Project Queen
Part Trois: After 2 weeks, I decided I didn't care for baking soda in my hair care routine. I didn't start with it initially, but added a rinse after having to do yard work in 90+ degree temps with 100% humidity. I felt it made my hair smell stale, not to mention too dry and static. Too dry can lead to breakage, something you definitely don't want when you have fine hair. The biggest reason I initially included a small amount of soda in my dry shampoo was to minimize clumping, since it is a bit coarser than starch. But the reasons it's in the dry shampoo I make for my rabbits has nothing to do with my hair. Clumping just isn't that big a deal, so the baking soda was eliminated from that too. I have been using commercial shampoo once or twice a week, and there are products with a smaller amount of ingredients and no sulphites. Even if a product has "organic" on the label, read the ingredients carefully. If you're finding substances that aren't clearly identified or recognizable to you, don't buy the product. I still use my dry shampoo once or twice a week, usually to stretch out days between shampooing with the store-bought stuff. It also comes in handy when you're traveling with an RV restoration project which isn't finished, and conclude the campground facilities don't meet your standards. (A post covering that adventure will appear on the Stellar Land Yacht, a blog I share with my husband.)
