My name is Ashlee and I do not wash my hair. That’s the truth. I am a no poo-er (as in no shampoo). Since I have started the no poo method, my hair has been shinier and healthier than ever & has grown faster than it has before.
The No Poo Method
I started this in February (it’s now July 31). I wash my hair with baking soda and condition with apple cider vinegar. And my hair is healthier, shinier, and growing faster than ever!
WARNING: If you decide to no poo, your hair will go through a serious transition period. My hair took 3 months. I was pretty nervous because I had a formal event exactly 3 months after I started. I was very worried my hair wouldn’t transition in time. But it did, barely. For 2 months, my hair was super super seriously greasy. Very greasy. The 3rd month, my hair had a ton of static. Many people who try this do not make it through the transition period. It is intense.
Get a good quality of baking soda. Find out what to look for in your baking soda here and find it here.
I keep my baking soda in a container in the shower. See other ways I use baking soda:
I dip my wet fingers in the container and coat my fingers. I do this 3 or 4 times and just rub it on my scalp. Then rub it in for about a minute. You just need to clean your scalp. Don’t worry too much about lathering all your hair, just concentrate on the scalp. Then rinse. (Some people dilute the baking soda in a spray bottle. I tried that, but this method works better for me. So play around with it and find your best fit.)
I put my apple cider vinegar (acv) in a spray bottle. Find it here. I dilute it half acv and half water. After I rinse the baking soda, I spray with the acv. Spray all of your hair from the scalp to the roots. Let it sit for about a minute. Then rinse. See other ways I use acv:
Check out my no poo website!
For the 1st three months during the transition period, I no poo-ed every other day. Now I do it every 3-5 days. Really, that’s it. My hair is so much more manageable now. I rarely use any products (when I go out, which isn’t often, I do fix it with products). I hardly have to use any heat (dryers, straightener, curler, etc). And it is growing so quickly!
So why would anyone in their right mind want to do this?!? Commercial hair products are full of toxic chemicals. You can check the toxicity of your shampoo here. Most shampoos have some form of alcohol. That alcohol dries out your hair, causing you to produce more oils. Which is why you have to wash your hair more often. Which is why your hair will get very greasy while you transition. The no poo method does not dry out your hair.
Here are some recent pictures of me to show you my results. Sorry for all the cheesy selfies. I do not dye my hair. Other than a few years of heavy highlighting about a decade ago, I never have died it.
This pictures in the red shirt were taken last night. It had been 3 days since I washed it. I don’t have any products in it. Did not straighten it. Just brushed it and pinned it back.
These were taken today. I no poo-ed last night. I let it air dry. This morning, I quickly ran a straightener through it for a handful of strays (really, about 5 swipes through with the straightener). That’s it. Absolutely no products in my hair.
UPDATE: This is the next day. I no poo-ed on Tuesday night. It’s Thursday afternoon, the day after the above pictures in the black shirt. I threw my hair up in a *very* messy bun. Lucky for me, messy buns are kinda in right now. When I go in public with a messy bun, I curl the front before I pull it back so the fly-aways are more attractive.
UPDATE: And the following is the next day (Friday). No poo-ed on Tuesday night. See, I’m not covered in grease! Today I just pinned my hair back. I did use a little hair spray. Between this and the big messy bun above, that’s pretty much how I look. These pictures below are also a good representation of my daily makeup. (I am wearing more makeup than normal in the above pics).
These pictures were taken over the last few months. I can’t recall how long it had been since I no poo-ed in each picture or what I did as far as styling and products. Sorry….. I don’t have a ton of pictures of me since I started this. I’m much more comfy behind the camera instead of in front of it!
See how I’m doing one year later here.
Read more about the no poo method here:
I love it, Ashlee! You are so pretty and I’ll have to think about switching to this routine. At the moment I usually cleanse my scalp with conditioner (my conditioner is also loaded with alcohol. . . :P) and on weekends do a baking soda scalp cleanse after a hair mask. Then I add more conditioner. My hair is typically very brittle on the ends, so maybe your routine would help it.
Before you went on this routine, did you shampoo very frequently–as in five or more times a week? I wonder if my hair would take a long time to adjust. . . .
Thanks so much for the kindness!!
It sounds like with your current routine you wouldn’t have too terrible of a time transitioning. My transition was pretty rough! It sounds like you already are half way there.
I did shampoo almost everyday. I used Giovanni shampoo and conditioner (which isn’t as natural as I thought it was when I started researching….). And my hair started to get oily the day after washing.
Is the no poo safe for people with blonde hair?
Yes it is! I don’t know any blondes personally that have done it. So I did a quick google to see if I saw any reviews from blondes. I did find this pretty lady
http://www.thehowtomom.com/2013/09/no-poo-review-and-update.html
She has blonde hair, so you can check out her review. I remember my blonde friends using a vinegar rinse to cleanse their hair after chlorine exposure when we were kids. I think they used white vinegar, but haven’t heard anything negative about apple cider for blondes. I have heard that it can strip hair dye, but probably depends on the dye used and the health of the hair (I do not dye my hair). Good luck! Let me know your blonde review if you try it so I can share with others that ask!
I tried this method two different times in slightly different ways and it didn’t work well.
I can deal with the transition easily (hello, stay at home mom) but after the transition my hair felt like straw constantly and I couldn’t even run wide tooth comb through it without it getting caught. If I pulled my hair back from my face it would stay there as if I’d used hairspray. In fact the texture and body of my hair was similar to that of someone who’d used a ton of aerosol hairspray. I was so bummed.
I’ve been reading into PH balanced methods and tried a “honey” shampoo but that was beyond horrible. Any clue as to why my hair turned into straw from the no poo?
I used about 1tsp baking soda to a cup or hot water mixed and squirt it into my scalp
Hi Abbey, I really do think this method of no poo doesn’t work for everyone. I have talked to many people who have tried it and they either love it or hate it. Check out Robin’s article here about pH balance http://www.thankyourbody.com/ph-balanced-shampoo-recipe/ It sounds like she is describing the issue with your hair and how it handles the baking soda / vinegar mix.
I am very interested in starting this routine, but I am curious (ok so is my boyfriend): does your hair smell because of the baking soda and apple cider vinegar?
Nope! Not at all. Baking soda doesn’t really have a smell. And the vinegar smell goes away VERY quickly. My hair is smell neutral. But if you want to have a “pretty” smell, you can add essential oils. Here’s some info on how to do that: http://theelliotthomestead.com/2012/07/no-poo/ and http://www.reformationacres.com/2011/04/all-natural-hair-care.html
Was wondering if having sever dandruff and have had to use prescription shampoo if you think this might work for someone like me?
It really depends on your personal pH levels. I have heard that it helps and I have heard that this makes it worse. One reader told me she added a few drops of tea tree oil to the apple cider vinegar conditioner and it cleared up all of her dandruff. Personally, I think it’s worth a shot to get off of a prescription shampoo! That can’t be cheap or natural đ Here are some other no poo reviews & diy recipes that I highly recommend: http://www.homemademommy.net/2013/10/does-the-no-poo-method-actually-work.html (I love bentonite clay hair masks and do them about once a month!); http://www.cheeseslave.com/no-poo-day-44/; http://www.thankyourbody.com/ph-balanced-shampoo-recipe/ (great info on finding your personal pH level needs). Let me know if you try no poo and if it helps or makes it worse.
I’ve been thinking about going the ‘no-poo’ route for a while now. After reading several other methods I chose yours as your pictures and info are great! My hair is pretty fine and limp and gets greasy really fast. I’ve never been satisfied with any commercial shampoo or conditioner so yesterday I gave this method a try. I was skeptical about how this would work, especially not using a conditioner. I also dye my hair blonde so it tends to be dry, more so at the ends. It felt very stringy and straw-like after I towel dried it and it definitely took more time to carefully comb it out. I was so tempted to add just a little leave in conditioner, as I usually use both a rinse out and leave in, but I resisted trying to stay true to this method. I decided to blow dry and was done in record time! And to my surprise my hair was unbelievably soft! I couldn’t believe how truly clean, shiny and soft it felt, amazing!! lol Now that was just one time, but I fully intend to continue with this. Glad I tried it out and thanks for such a great blog!
Thanks for sharing your experience!! I am so glad it’s working for you. It sounds like your transition might be easier than mine was!! Good luck & keep me posted.
I am doing the no poo now for around two weeks and I notice my hair is not falling out while I comb my wet hair like it did before.
I am writing more out of interest in the statements I saw about you having multiple back surgeries and being able to over come that.
My husband has had two major surgeries and two smaller ones that either took out a battery pack or the next to install the nerve interrupter. His first was a fusion and when that broke he was given the 6 lag bolts and two vertical rods. Granted, he needed this at the time but the metal used back in 1993 is not used any longer since it interferes with MRI and CAT scans. I am hoping he will clean up his diet and start some exercising. He is not a health food buff even when I try to make my cooking as clean and healthy as possible.
Any comments on just how you succeeded and to what level of pain free living you have accomplished? Are you pain free? I realize every person is different and has a different set of circumstances but some things are universal and if they could help him I continue to try.
Donna
Oh no, Donna! That’s horrible. I hate to hear that. I am *mostly* pain free. And I am going to write A LOT about how I did it very soon! But the pain started going away VERY QUICKLY when I started oil pulling, taking turmeric everyday (just a teaspoon or 2 in juice or a smoothie. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory. I use a regular turmeric from the spice aisle at your grocery store. I suggest starting with this, it’s an easy step), taking fermented cod liver oil everyday, using essential oils for muscle spasms and eating clean food (raw milk, local grass-fed meats, etc). I get a little achy in cold weather or if I don’t stay active. But no real pain. I hope your husband can find some relief.
Ashlee, your hair looks great! Which makes me sooooo tempted to try this. I’ve tried other natural shampoos to no avail. Both me and my youngest son have sebhorric drematitis and we use a coal tar based shampoo along with a dandruff shampoo. My issues seem to be somewhat under control (I don’t lose nearly as much hair after combing), but sometimes I have flare ups. The itchiness can drive you nearly to madness. My son’s condition seems to be much worse. No hair loss, just extreme itchiness and flaking. No matter what I do, it looks like it has snowed on his head. I know coal tar is EXTREMELY poisonous, but it seems to be the only thing that gives us sweet relief from our insanely itch scalps. Oh, and I no longer color my hair either, I have finally embraced, eh … my “natural highlights.” *sigh* I guess I have nothing to lose by trying it. Well, except for more hair. ; )
Thanks so much!! And that’s horrible!! And your poor son. I love that you call it “natural highlights!” I have been taking pictures this month so I can share my 1 year anniversary of no shampoo. I’ll publish that next week so you can check out how it’s going for me. I am still doing no poo & still love it! Good luck & let me know how it goes if you try it.
Your hair looks beautiful! I would love to try going no poo, but I am really worried about the greasy transition. My hair gets oily at the roots the day after washing it even though the rest of my hair looks perfect.. I can’t imagine what it would look like without a shampoo wash! Did you happen to take any pictures of your transitional hair? I would be really interested to see what to prepare for!
Thanks so much! I don’t. I wish I did.I did not have a website then to share pictures, so I didn’t take pictures.
i went no-poo for about two and a half months. at the start it was an easy choice/experiment.. my boyfriend was away. he came back quite disappointed in the ACV, lol.. but that isn’t what really stopped me. towards the end i did go through a very staticy phase, which i was ok dealing with. but then my entire scalp was LOADED with dandruff… i couldn’t get it under control and just caved and have been using head & shoulders since đ pretty disappointed, i think more in myself. i think i was using too much BS.
Your hair looks amazing!!! Wow, very cool and very inspiring!!
What happens when you have grey hair coming through. I use a kelp slightly chemical mixture to cover the greys. Any advice on to what to do to cover your greys but remain chemical free?
Thanks so much,
Summer
Thank you! I haven’t had to deal with grey hairs yet. But I have heard great testimonies about greys and no poo. I’ve heard it keeps the greys softer & less stringy. As far as chemical free coloring, henna hair die is great. If you have dark hair, you can also do tea rinses (tea in a spray bottle) or coffee grounds (yep, rub your scalp with coffee grounds, let sit, rinse). I personally have not tried the tea & coffee dyes, but have heard they work great. They don’t last as long as other coloring methods.
Yep, that can be part of the transition period. And at 2.5 months, you could have still been transitioning (I took 3 months) Sometimes it is the chemical buildup from commercial products falling off. Sometimes it’s a result from using the baking soda too often (causing a dry scalp) or too much baking soda. Sometimes it is dandruff. A coconut oil mask helps heal the scalp. Coconut oil is anti-fungal and very moisturizing.
I have not used shampoo or conditioner for about 5 months now. As an alternative to the above I use Egg Yolks mixed with raw honey, good rinse, then rinse with Bicarbonate Soda /Baking Soda in US and rinse well again … then final rinse with ACV… (Hair is soft and manageable)
Thanks for sharing! I’ve heard great things about egg washes. I use eggs as an occasional mask, but not regularly like you. That’s awesome!
Hi Ashlee,
I’m looking forward to starting this! I just got my box of baking soda and avc. I’m wondering, though, about the every other day washing. I process firewood almost everyday in the summer (woodchips, sawdust, sweat..); is it ok to wash every day? Or is there something I can do on the between days?
Thanks!
Jessica
No, you don’t want to wash with baking soda everyday. That can damage your hair. The baking soda is too harsh. It’s best to wait at least 3 days between baking soda washes. I have been experimenting with other no poo ingredients. I am loving rye flour! It leaves my hair very shiny and thick. I have only tried it twice and haven’t written about it yet. Here’s a good article on it: http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2014/02/testing-diy-shampoos-rye-flour.html Here are some other options http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2014/01/10-ways-to-wash-your-hair-without.html. I have tried egg washes with good results. I hope that helps!
Hi! Such lovely hair of yours! I have been shampoo free for a week and it has been rough. I have wavy/curly hair. I had nice hair with commercial shampoo but wanted to give the “all natural” a try.
The first day I washed with Bs and Conditioned with ACV and it looked great.
After two days I washed again with the same procedure but it smelled like vinegar (like really bad) so I started to use less vinegar.
I made the mistake of putting hazelnut oil in my conditioner (for extra smooth hair) and I ended with oily hair.
I also tried to spray the vinegar intead of pouring it on my scalp and it didn’t work out as I got extremely dry hair.
Some days my hair looks better than others. I have been washing it quite frequently as I work out and it gets sweaty, which I just read is a mistake.
All in all, I am going through hell but I will not give up!
PS. For those asking about hair color, the vinegar does wash it off. I dye it red and it is washing off but I guess I will have to deal with that!
Hi. It seems people with oily hair get great results, but what about those with super dry hair? thanks!
You sound like you are right on track! The transition is very hard. And it takes lots of trial and error to get the right combo. I use more baking soda than a lot of people I talk to. In general, I apply the baking soda mostly to my scalp and the vinegar away from my scalp (the rest of the hair, not the scalp). But everyone’s hair is different.
You are correct. The baking soda can be too harsh for dry hair. I have recently been experimenting with other methods (I still haven’t used commercial shampoo. I’ll share my results soon, I’m still experimenting đ ). I have really been liking using rye flour for shampoo. http://onbeautyromanova.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/washing-hair-without-shampoo-rye-flour/ and http://myhealthygreenfamily.com/blog/wordpress/homemade-shampoo-with-rye-flour-natural-pro-v-for-thick-shiny-healthy-hair/ I have been using just a rye flour and water mix for shampoo and nothing for conditioner. I have only done it a couple times but my hair is extra silky afterwards. I have also tried an egg wash a few times. I can use that sparingly on my hair, but not for my regular wash. I have heard that egg yolks are great for dry hair. Coconut oil masks are also great for dry hair. Here’s some more options: http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2014/01/10-ways-to-wash-your-hair-without.html
Hi! Great, I am going to try the rye flower next. Do you find you need a conditioner when you use rye flower?
Even during the first 3 months you don’t do every other day? How often do you wash with flour and do the egg washes?
Thanks for all of your information! It helps knowing the transition period can take a while; I just put my hair in a braid and push through! ha
I have tired it both ways, using apple cider vinegar as a conditioner and without any conditioner. I’m still testing, but I don’t think I will need the vinegar conditioner.
Yep, even in the beginning. The longer you can go between washes, the quicker your transition will be. I did not use the flour and egg washes for the 1st year and a half or so. But now I do the egg washes about monthly and use the flour about once a week. Good look!
What do you do when you get your hair cut? Do you just ask them to not wash it?
Hi Jessica – I cut my own hair.
Hi!!! I’m on week 3 of the “no-poo” movement!!! I love not washing my hair everyday!! I’m just wondering though…is it normal for it to feel waxy? Is that from all the build up? Also, if my my hair near my scalp is more oily than usual, do I need to use more baking soda!?
I’m not giving up!!!
Thanks for your help!!
Rachel
You might have hard water or you might be detoxing. Hard water does leave a waxy buildup. There is a little about hard water here http://thenopoomethod.com/faqs/ (That is my new site that I just launched this week.). I have heard great reviews of using an apple sauce mask for waxy buildup. Apply a natural apple sauce to dry hair, leave for an hour, rinse. I have not personally tried this. For the oily part, that’s part of transitioning. You do not want to use more baking soda. Too much baking soda does damage your hair. It is very normal to be very oily while your hair detoxes and transitions. I use a dry shampoo for oily hair days https://thecrunchymoose.com/dry-shampoo/. Good luck!
I tried the no-poo method, but my hair just got all fly-away and weird and frizzy. So I going back to my regular ‘poo’ method – that stuff really makes my hair stay in place. The only drawbacks are the flies and the smell.