Need a new hair cleaning routine - any recommendations?

[Mama2Xander]

I'd like to try something different with my hair but I'm a bit confused about the different options!

Background: my hair is fairly long (a few inches past my shoulders), VERY heavy/thick/straight, and has always been pretty oily but is getting drier. I've had to wash every day for most of my life (well, since puberty I guess, lol) but in the last couple of years I've been able to wash every second day - by that point it really needs it though, as it's pretty greasy by then. Lately it's also been getting really frizzy on top which I am not thrilled about.

Right now I shampoo twice, every second day. I don't use any conditioner now. I used to use some conditioner on the ends (could never put it anywhere near my scalp) but I realized it didn't really make any difference so I stopped using it.

I've just been using whatever cheap shampoo is on sale but I think it's drying out my hair too much now. I guess it is over-drying it and then the oil comes back to try to catch up... I don't know. Anyway, any recommendations? I'm thinking about trying baking soda and ACV but seem to be reading conflicting reports on what type of hair those are good for.

[amber913]

i've heard so much against bs/acv and i'm not sure why. i have a license in cosmetology, so i like to think i know a thing or two about how the scalp and hair works.

A couple facts (and forgive me if i'm stating the obvious):

In any case, cheap shampoos are simply detergents designed to wisk away as much oil as possible. Bs loosens the oil and the water washes most of it away, lightly coating the strands on its way down (which is why advocates of bs say their hair is shiny and healthy).

That oil is there for a reason and bs lets it accomplish its job.

The less you wash your hair (including bs), the less oil you'll produce over time. I call it "training my scalp to produce less oil".

There doesn't have to be an adjustment period to bs: just do it once your hair gets oily.

You need to have soft water for bs to work.

If you still want to shampoo, i suggest something natural and organic. In my house, it's Dr. Bronner's.

Please let me know if you have any questions--i've spent entirely too much time researching this stuff!

[Freedom~Mama]

Someone on this board recommended this shampoo and OMG it is the best thing ever. Trust me it is awesome. I have super long and very thick wavy hair and I use it every day with no conditioner and my hair is always sooo soft and clean. It is by far the best thing I have ever used. The only bad thing is that it is pretty expensive for the size of the bottle (I think it is 10Oz and is like $10 or more a bottle plus shipping) but it is worth it!

Here is the place I bought it from:

http://www.genuineafricanformula.com...p?idproduct=52