another "no poo" question...

[mmhinton]

If you no poo, do you use hair products to style your hair? And if so, what products??? I do not do my hair often right now, but when I do, I have to put stuff in it if I want it to look at all "nice" (e.g., not frizzy, stay in place, etc).

And, if you do you product does the no poo (bs/acv combo) work well to get product out??

One last question, does anyone know how to test water for "hardness"?? I am guessing there are kits of some kind to use, but I really don't know!

Thanks for any input

[LeighB]

I don't use product in my hair, at least not very often. I have very fine and thing hair and any product weighs it down and makes it looks greasy. It does this with regular shampoo too though. I use baking soda and acv and it seems to get out the product when I do use it.
I can't answer your last question.

[inkedmamajama]

once my hair is 'detoxed' i find that baking soda works better at getting the grime out!

[inkedmamajama]

i meant the grime from regualr styling products, like silicone based frizzy stuff

[Noelle C.]

I don't even own any styling products. The natural softness and pieces that come loose are really pretty.

[Watershippy]

I use a drop of oil on my hands to smooth out frizzies. I make my own hair gel from flax seeds when I want to wear my hair curly (simmer 2 Tbsp flax seeds in 1 cup water for 10 mins while stirring, let cool and strain out seeds; keep gel in fridge).

Those are best alternatives I've found. I'd love to be able to buy hair products, but unfortunately I haven't found any that don't leave too much of a build up for no-pooing. Please post if you find a good one.

[mmhinton]

So much for me to consider with all this info! Now I just need to make the leap and go for it!

I do have another question though.... what is the benefit to no pooing vs using natural (ALL natural shampoos)?

[amber913]

The easiest (and least scientific) way i can think of to test the hardness of your water is by washing your hands--does it feel like the soap washes right off and you're squeaky clean or do you feel like you can't get all the soap off and your hands feel almost slimy no matter how long you rinse? If it's the former, you have hard water, the latter is soft. I wish i understood the chemistry of it all, but i don't. All i know is that there's something in hard water that reacts with the bs and leaves a residue on your hair, causing your hair to feel waxy.

The only differences i can think of between using bs vs. a natural shampoo/soap is that bs is cheaper and (correct me if i'm wrong, mamas) bs can train your scalp to produce less oil, thereby allowing you to no-poo less and less as time goes on. I've also noticed that bs leaves my hair shiny and manageable, whereas soap leaves it dry and frizzy--that's the main reason i no-poo.

If i had hard water or used product in my hair (which i will someday, when i "go back to work" as a hair stylist), i'd use Dr. Bronner's in my hair, like the rest of my family.