Monday, March 15, 2010

No Poo Review: Baking Soda with Conditioner

Definition of no poo: cleansing of the hair using an alternative method to shampooing.

It's going on two months since I switched to a no-poo regimen, and so far it's been going well; my hair feels clean, softer, and requires less moisturization. There are numerous ways to go the no-poo route, but what's been working for me is the combination of baking soda and conditioner diluted with water for washing + minimal use of products. Here are the main benefits of a no-poo regimen:

*eliminates the drying, harsh effects of shampoo (particularly commercial shampoos containing sulfates)
*in some cases, eliminates the deep conditioning step
*inexpensive - your wallet will be happy


What I like about this baking soda technique over other no-poo methods is a) it removes buildup, dirt, etc. from my scalp and hair really well while b) retaining the moisture and softness of my tresses. Here's a rundown of what I do:

1) Mix 3 parts water, 2-3 parts conditioner, and 1 part baking soda in an applicator bottle
2) Rinse hair under lukewarm water for 1-2 minutes
3) Apply diluted baking soda conditioner to scalp ONLY
4) Massage scalp thoroughly for 5 minutes
5) Rinse scalp and hair thoroughly
6) Follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse, if necessary


Afterwards, I condition with V05 for 2-5 minutes, rinse, then moisturize as usual. A no-poo regimen is ideal for hair that is prone to dryness. With this method, it is important to minimize, or even eliminate, the use of heavy products which require the use of a shampoo for removal (e.g., products containing silicones). An occasional clarifier or shampoo may still be necessary , but it depends on the person and actual technique used.

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TUTORIAL, ETC.:
YOUTUBE VID OF BAKING SODA WASH: (She uses baking soda, conditioner, water, & oil)
ACV RINSE RECIPE & EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION OF NO-POO METHOD
EXPLANATION OF CG METHOD