No what!?

I've gone "No Poo" for 4 weeks now.

   But don't worry, as Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride would say, "I do not think it means what you think it means."

   No Poo simply means "no shampoo."  Apparently it is a movement of sorts, and I recently read about in my favorite green parenting magazine.  Essentially, you stop using shampoo and conditioner and use just water or baking soda and apple cider vinegar to clean your hair.  It's supposed to be better for your hair, the environment, and your wallet.  When I came across the article, I had already not showered in 3 days because my husband was on a cruise with work while I was home watching our three kiddos (yes, he does owe me a cruise someday).  According to the article, the first 4 or so days are the most difficult... meaning greasy.  "Well, I'm already just about done with the hardest part and didn't even try!" I thought.  So, why not?  Why not give up shampoo and conditioner for a bit?
   Here I am, at my goal of 4 weeks.  I used water to wash most of the time, but did a baking soda and vinegar wash about once a week.  And what do I think of "no poo"?  What I love is that I finally know what my hair is like on its own (I've always been curious about what it would be like if I were 'stranded on an island'), and it's refreshing to know that I don't NEED shampoo and conditioner.  It's funny how we think we need shampoo and conditioner.  However, I didn't realize it before this experiment, but I really enjoy washing my hair.  The hardest part of all of this for me is missing the good smelling bubbles all over my hair followed by the silky conditioner... I think it's therapeutic.  And how has my hair been?  I don't think anyone else could really tell I was doing anything differently.  I had some days where it was greasier, but overall the changes were more subtle.  My hair is stiffer (I've been thinking long and hard how to describe the change, and stiff is the best word to describe it).  I'm not a big fan of the baking soda and vinegar, as it made my hair a bit waxy.  Braids certainly hold a LOT better.  But I missed having the silky feeling of conditioner; I'm not the biggest fan of my hair stiffly moving in clumps.
   Enter the avocado...
   Was there something else I could put in my hair to get the effect of luscious conditioner?  I did a few searches three days ago and avocado jumped out at me.  Avocado seemed like it could give me the shiny, silky, easy to brush hair I desired.  The recipe called for half an avocado.  I used 1/4 so I could have more for my post-shower snack.  I mashed up the avocado with a little olive oil and lavender oil.  "Don't eat that!" I warned my husband, and I took my bowl with me to the shower.  Clumps of avocado fell to the shower floor as I smooshed it into my hair and waited the full 10 minutes to rinse.  Looked like someone had a guacamole party in our shower.  I rinsed and immediately saw that my hair was SHINY!  I got out and waited for my hair to dry... and waited... and waited... ate my guacamole...waited... the next morning I realized my hair WAS dry.  It was SO oily that it looked like I had just stepped out of the shower!  I resorted to a braid and tried to rinse it really well with warm water the next night.  STILL wet looking.  Today I used the baking soda and vinegar... slightly better, but STILL oily.  Well, at least it is shiny and easy to brush :)

avocado hair

3 days post avocado, and the end of my "no poo" challenge.

   So, consider giving "no poo" a try.  It's fun.  As for me, I think I'm going to finally go shampoo my hair to get the avocado out!  Maybe I'll stay a "no pooer" after that, and maybe not.