[jenoline]

So, I decided to try the baking soda/honey, ACV rinse instead of shampoo. It sounded intriguing.

I've been doing it about a month now. In some ways I like it, but I'm not convinced that I should do it indefinitely (instead of shampoo). It definitely gets my hair clean, and it does seem to stay cleaner longer. But my ends feel brittle, and my hair looks darker than usual. I have brown hair, with reddish highlights; after shampooing my hair is really shiny and my red shows up more. I really LOVE my red highlights, and I feel sad that I don't get that "shiny-ness" with the no'poo. Also, if I have to blow-dry my hair it gets really frizzy, and I don't know how to calm it down. I don't want to use my usual frizz control cream, since I'm avoiding chemicals by not using shampoo.

So, to all you experienced no-'pooers, any thoughts? Also, I understand the role of teh baking soda and the ACV, but how does the honey contribute?
Thanks!

 

[Maeve]

I know that you can use a little aloe vera to help with the frizzies, maybe a *very* small amount of almond oil just at the ends?

 

[girlndocs]

It sounds like your bs mixture may be too harsh. I made that mistake at first, too. What is the ratio of bs to water & how long do you leave it in?

My ends are fragile, and I oil the last 2" of my hair before I wash to protect them from further damage/drying.

The honey seems to be a moisturizing agent. It might have something to do with the type of sugar? It makes a huge difference for me, not only in softness and shine but in how thick my hair feels. Maybe you could also experiment with adding more honey to your mix.

Blow-drying is just really bad for your hair, there's no way around it. A tiny drop of a liquid oil like jojoba or grapeseed, or a tiny speck (think match head size) of coconut oil, smoothed only on the hair below your chin, might help. It won't actually repair whatever's causing the frizz, though.

Have you considered henna to enhance/return your red highlights and condition your hair? (If I had darker hair, I think you'd never get the henna off my head, I love the stuff so much!)

 

[Maeve]

Kristen,
What ratio do you use of bs to water? And how much honey do you add to the mix (you do add it to the mix, right).

 

[girlndocs]

Drop a heaping tbsp baking soda in a pint mason jar.
Pour over about 1/2 c boiling water.
Stir till it stops fizzing.
Add a good tbsp or 2 of honey. Stir.
Fill mason jar to top with cold water.
Stir again just before using.

 

[Maeve]

Now is that one shower? Do you use the whole amount?

So its not supposed to be a paste then, right? It's more something that you just pour over your hair?

And about using acv, do you dilute it (when using it as a rinse, not a leave in)?

 

[jenoline]

Hmm...maybe it's the baking soda. I make a paste, using probably as much as 1/2 cup of baking soda, and 1/2 to 1 TBsp honey, with just a bit of water. I leave it on for a couple minutes. Compared to the description of what you do, I'm using WAY too much! And not enough honey.

So, disolving the baking soda doesn't take away it's cleansing properties? I've always been under the impression that once baking soda fizzes it's lost it's effectiveness.

I know blow drying is bad

. I try not to do it too often, but I have very thick hair that holds onto water and just drips, drips, drips...So every now and then (if I've showered just before bed, or just before going out) I will blow dry.

I have thought about henna, but I've always liked that my highlights were natural. Although now I'm wondering exactly what the shampoo was doing to my hair that brought the red out. I may try henna - I need to look at that link some more; looks like there's some neat stuff there.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[girlndocs]

Yes, it's a very watery mixture and I only make enough for one shower at a time (I think some people mix up bigger batches but I've had bad luck with it precipitating in a big lump on the bottom). I used to make a paste, but that was what dried out my hair. I have much better results with the weaker mixture.

I use a tbsp red wine vinegar (supposed to bring out red highlights & the smell seems milder to me) to a pint of water for the rinse, then I rinse it out with plain water. Last time I washed with bs & honey, though, I forgot the vinegar and my hair was really really soft