I noticed a few weeks ago that right after washing my hair and drying it that my hair looked really greasy still, like as if I had taken a palm full of crisco and slapped it into my hair and prepped it for a cook off with Paula Deane. My roots were "sticky" and clumping together no matter how much I washed and rinsed it. It was so frustrating because I knew my hair was clean but it looked filthy.
I asked my sister in law what to do since she's a hair dresser, she told me that all that "gunk" on my scalp was left over build up from my shampoo and no matter how much I washed it was only going to get worse and worse. She said that sulfate (the ingredient in shampoo whose ONLY purpose is to "foam up" the shampoo so you THINK its cleaning your hair more so than it is) is the reason for all that residue.
Panic
So you mean to tell me the MORE I clean my hair the DIRTIER it looks? So I'm just basically wasting time in the shower?
My sister in law told me I needed a clarifying shampoo to get rid of all the build up in my hair. I turned to google to find a cheap clarifying product and, well, A+ to google for stumbling upon this gem:
I asked my sister in law what to do since she's a hair dresser, she told me that all that "gunk" on my scalp was left over build up from my shampoo and no matter how much I washed it was only going to get worse and worse. She said that sulfate (the ingredient in shampoo whose ONLY purpose is to "foam up" the shampoo so you THINK its cleaning your hair more so than it is) is the reason for all that residue.
Panic
So you mean to tell me the MORE I clean my hair the DIRTIER it looks? So I'm just basically wasting time in the shower?
My sister in law told me I needed a clarifying shampoo to get rid of all the build up in my hair. I turned to google to find a cheap clarifying product and, well, A+ to google for stumbling upon this gem:
Apparently, using baking soda to wash your hair is the best thing you can do for it.
Ha, yeah okay.
You mean the stuff I use in my muffins and the stuff that I mix with water to shove up into my nose using a genie lamp to help with my sinus infections ALSO will clean my hair?
I was super skeptical, but it was a saturday and I had baking soda on hand so I figured "eh, why not, the only people seeing me today are the real house wives of atlanta"
I made a paste of baking soda and water in my palm and massaged it onto my scalp. It felt really gritty and odd since there was no "foam" action happening. I was convinced that I had just ruined my hair and that clumps of baking soda would be permanently fused to strands.
I rinsed it out till my hair felt slick. I blow dried and flat ironed as usual. When I was done I noticed something crazy. My hair was bouncy, light, airy and clean. My hair has not felt this good in, well, ever.
Baking soda gods, are you there? It's me, Leonora. I'm sorry for doubting your ability to wash my hair, please forgive me? Amen.
I am officially a converter. I will never use shampoo ever again.
UPDATE:
yes, this could be drying on your hair. Right now I don't have any clarifying shampoo (or shampoo with out sulfate) so for now I am sparingly using the baking soda technique. I recommend doing this once or twice a week and alternate with a shampoo that is free of sulfates, these shampoos used to cost a lot of money but now brands like L'Oreal have affordable alternatives. Some people have also ditched their conditioner and replaced it with apple cider vinegar. I haven't been THAT gutsy yet so I do dab a light amount of conditioner on the ends of my hair, let me know if you have any tips :)
Ha, yeah okay.
You mean the stuff I use in my muffins and the stuff that I mix with water to shove up into my nose using a genie lamp to help with my sinus infections ALSO will clean my hair?
I was super skeptical, but it was a saturday and I had baking soda on hand so I figured "eh, why not, the only people seeing me today are the real house wives of atlanta"
I made a paste of baking soda and water in my palm and massaged it onto my scalp. It felt really gritty and odd since there was no "foam" action happening. I was convinced that I had just ruined my hair and that clumps of baking soda would be permanently fused to strands.
I rinsed it out till my hair felt slick. I blow dried and flat ironed as usual. When I was done I noticed something crazy. My hair was bouncy, light, airy and clean. My hair has not felt this good in, well, ever.
Baking soda gods, are you there? It's me, Leonora. I'm sorry for doubting your ability to wash my hair, please forgive me? Amen.
I am officially a converter. I will never use shampoo ever again.
UPDATE:
yes, this could be drying on your hair. Right now I don't have any clarifying shampoo (or shampoo with out sulfate) so for now I am sparingly using the baking soda technique. I recommend doing this once or twice a week and alternate with a shampoo that is free of sulfates, these shampoos used to cost a lot of money but now brands like L'Oreal have affordable alternatives. Some people have also ditched their conditioner and replaced it with apple cider vinegar. I haven't been THAT gutsy yet so I do dab a light amount of conditioner on the ends of my hair, let me know if you have any tips :)
Baking soda is amazing!! I'll have to try this on my hair one of these days to get it REALLY clean!! :)
ReplyDeletePS! If you have those coffee rings around the bottom of your mug just put a little baking soda in the cup and using your finger rub it where the stain is and voila! no more stain!! (baking soda is all kinds of awesome!!)
I've seen this all over my Pinterest lately, and I've been really skeptical. But since you say it works, and I "know" you, I'm tempted to give it a try! :)
ReplyDeleteYour timing with this post is perfect! I was feeling the exact same way about my hair (even after switching things up and only washing my hair every 2-3 days & using dry shampoo on the off days). I will definitely be trying this new trick! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I used dove for a long time. One day I noticed the same this. My hair was sticking together. I was convinced that somehow I'd gotten something Stuck in my hair. So I POURED Acetone on my head! It worked though. I then washed four times with baking soda. I suffer from serious skin sensitivity (acetone didn't help that. My skin hurts for weeks) so I use Aveeno and Organix. Watch out with your conditioners too, it can be just as bad. I like to use Organix's agron spray mist.
ReplyDeleteI've gotta try this! I hardly ever use clarifying shampoo just out of laziness. I'd be careful not to use it too much though since it will probably dry out your hair after a while. Once a week should be good.
ReplyDeletei have heard this before! but i have to admit, your stories like these crack me up every time and wish we could be buckle buddies again. love you!
ReplyDeleteyou are so funny!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes add baking soda to my shampoo... but going shampoo free is probably a good idea (and cheaper!) I know you're supposed to use paraben-sulfide free shampoo.. but baking soda is def. cheaper.
Yay! Gettin' the word out there! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI've been doing using a baking soda rinse for shampoo and acv rinse for conditioner for about 6 weeks now. Never using shampoo again either, or at least as long as I can help it:) love hearing these success stories!!
ReplyDeleteOddly, I was just having the same issue with my shampoo.. I'm definitely going to be trying this. Here I was just thinking that I didn't rinse my conditioner out all the way. Good to know!!
ReplyDeleteI do an apple cider vinegar rinse once a week - highly recommend it as also helps remove shampoo buildup. As for baking soda shampoo, I have to admit, it kind of terrifies me. Funny how we're the opposite that way.
ReplyDeleteso interesting! i need to try this. i love how baking soda has so many purposes.
ReplyDeleteA friends daughter is in high school to cut hair. She told me Pantene is one of the worst products for your hair! And of course that's the only thing I have. But I'm going to try this! Ty for sharing this!!
ReplyDeleteI have super oily, super thick hair. I have tried the baking soda thing before and it helps a bit. But you are right - it feels gritty and odd.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good reminder to buy some more baking soda! :)