TALES OF LOCKDOWN HAIR
I hope this blog post finds you well and safe, we're certainly living in strange times at the moment. I'll definitely talk more about how we're dealing with the current situation as a family on here, but for now I want to talk about something a little more frivolous, but that was actually born out of the fact we're in lockdown at the moment. Let's talk hair.
To be precise, greasy hair. The greasy hair gang, a gang no one wants to be a part of, but sadly membership is thrust upon so many of us as we hit our teens. I'm a good twenty years on from my teens it's safe to say no matter how much money I've thrown at the problem I haven't found a solution for me that's worked until now.
Basically for a long time I know I've been in a vicious cycle when it comes to the fact I wash my hair every day. I wash daily due to the fact it's greasy, yet I'm well aware that each time I wash I strip the natural oils from my hair which then sends my scalp's sebaceous glands into overdrive. Which of course, makes the grease worse, yet when it comes to my hair it's always felt a bit like, what came first the chicken or the egg? I've tried to prolong washes with various products and dry shampoos but ultimately it just feels gross and it turns out trying to make hair look like it's not oily is much more time consuming than just actually washing it. The irony. So, inevitably in the past I've caved, and washed.
I've heard about the No Poo Method, which is ditching shampoo entirely, but when life is busy there just never felt like enough time to explore this as an option. The idea of being out and about with greasy hair as I tried to figure out the right balance did not appeal to me. Then suddenly we find ourselves in this utterly crazy situation, a pandemic, and for those of us that aren't key workers, that obviously means staying home until told otherwise.
As I washed my hair day two into lockdown, I thought sod this. I am not washing my hair every day to just sit in my house, and so my little hair experiment began.
Now firstly, everyone's hair and scalp is different, so what works for me might not work for you, but after a huge response on Instagram when I shared what I was doing I thought I'd go into more detail about my lockdown hair journey here. I also plan to answer and include all the questions you sent me too.
In this blog I'll explain how I've gone from washing my hair daily pre-lockdown to now only washing every four days. No shampoo involved but instead two household ingredients found in most kitchens, Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda to my friends across the pond) and Apple Cider Vinegar, and no one is more shocked than me.
To kick off my little experiment I decided to not wash my hair for a full week, you can skip this stage as it's not necessary, but I reasoned that after years of stripping my hair with each wash it was time to let my oil run wild, especially as I've got nowhere to go. For once the oil could naturally condition my hair, rather than be treated as the usual hinderance it is. By the end of the week my hair was greasy from root to tip, I was equally disgusted and impressed with myself. My very own deep oil treatment if you will.
Now, after reading more about the No Poo Method and scouring the web I came across the Bicarbonate of Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar method as a way to wash and condition your hair. I'd originally ordered a natural hair soap bar and conditioner while in lockdown, but our post has been really slow and I'd got to the stage where I desperately wanted to wash my hair. So I decided I'd give this method a shot, highly sceptical but what did I have to lose?
One thing you need to check before trying this method is do you live in a Soft or Hard Water area? If you live in the UK you can find that out HERE by simply putting in your postcode. If like me you're lucky to live in a soft water area (good old Scotland and it's water) you can try this method with warm water from the tap or shower, if however you live in a hard water area it's recommended to boil ( and cool) your water first to eliminate certain chemicals present. After that, the method is exactly the same.
FIRST STEP
Wet your hair as you usually would in your shower or bath.
Add one tablespoon of Bicarbonate of Soda into 250ml of warm water in a measuring jug and mix until it's a cloudy solution.
I then use my hand to scoop the solution and pat it onto my hairline and scalp, I tip my head over and do the same underneath. I then pour the remainder of the solution over my hair making sure I cover it all.
It doesn't lather like a traditional shampoo would but you can definitely feel the solution on your hair. Now Bicarbonate of Soda can be quite drying on the scalp so don't overly rub or leave on too long. Make sure to thoroughly wash out.
SECOND STEP
Time to condition. Now this is the part I can't wrap my head around, one of my favourite kitchen condiments just happens to be a natural hair conditioner, that's your apple cider vinegar! It's particularly good at getting rid of any product build up in your hair all whilst balancing out your scalp, which makes it especially useful for all of us greasy hair people.
Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into 250ml warm water. I apply it exactly how I applied the Bicarbonate of Soda, but this time I allow it to sit on my hair for a few minutes like I would a regular conditioner, and then thoroughly wash out.
I use Willy's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother, the Mother is known for its health benefits when used in food/beverage but its also known to help dry, frizzy hair. That said you can use any type of apple cider vinegar just stay away from any other vinegars.
I use Willy's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother, the Mother is known for its health benefits when used in food/beverage but its also known to help dry, frizzy hair. That said you can use any type of apple cider vinegar just stay away from any other vinegars.
THIRD STEP
Once out of the shower I towel dry my hair and comb, another benefit of apple cider vinegar is it's also a natural hair de-tangler too. Basically the stuff is like magic. You can then go on to use your regular styling products and style as usual.
I use a Wella Bodifying Foam, which is lovely and lightweight but gives my hair volume, and then a heat protector spray.
FOURTH STEP
That's the washing part done, now for my routine until I wash my hair on the fourth day.
The evening of the first day before I go to bed I pop a little dry shampoo on my roots and underneath, I then tie my hair loosely and wear to bed. I don't know why it's never occurred to me to sleep with my hair tied back before as it really helps prolong my wash if it's kept off my face and body.
I repeat this process on the second evening and skip on the third night as I tend to wash on the fourth day. However you may be able to stretch it further, I sometimes stretch to another day but find I need to wear my hair up if I do that.
OTHER TIPS FOR OILY HAIR
Dry your hair with a hairdryer, don't let it air dry. Using a hairdyer blows the root of your hair up from your scalp allowing the heat to soak up any oil. I've found this to be very true for me, as whenever I allowed my hair to air dry it would always be greasy and lank by the end of the day, especially underneath.
Try not to touch and play with your hair. Easier said than done but every time you do you're transferring the oil from your hands to your hair.
Don't overly brush your hair, and keep your brush clean and free of any hair. Old hair in your brush will simply transfer any oil it has to your fresh hair, and no one wants that.
Other questions you lovely lot sent me on Instagram which I haven't covered already in the post:
Does my hair smell of apple cider vinegar?
If it's properly washed out it leaves no smell which I was very surprised about. I'd say the only downside is you don't get that freshly washed hair smell. In fact, it smells of nothing but that doesn't bother me as I use other products on my hair anyway and I wear perfume.
Will I continue to use this process or will I alternate with shampoo?
Right now this seems to be working for my hair and never ever have I gotten so many days out of one hair wash. While it suits my hair I'll continue as I am.
Do I use purple/silver shampoo for my blond?
Before this I used a purple shampoo & conditioner once every few weeks. My hair however has not been coloured since last August, so I might need to consider introducing an occasional purple shampoo every few weeks once I get it coloured again.
How do I keep my blond looking fresh?
I actually feel since using apple cider vinegar there's a shine to my hair that I've never had before and my blond looks really clean. I have read that the blond could take a warmer tone with using apple cider vinegar but I'm not finding that to be the case at all with my hair. I have extremely porous hair too so I was careful to look out for this.
Will going the hairdressers reset all the work I've done as they'll use a shampoo?
I don't imagine it will as Bicarbonate of Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar method helps remove build up of product and balances the scalp. I will however do a hair blogpost update after if I have my hair coloured as I may need to tweak my routine.
Have I tried Shampoo bars?
My order has now come of the natural hair soap bars, but I'm going to hold off trying whilst this routine is working.
How long did it take to see results when it came to stretching out your washes?
The answer to this for me is, instantly. The first time I used this method I did not need to wash my hair until the 4th day. You can train your hair to go longer between washes if you wish, by simply not washing it as soon as it starts to gets greasy. For me though washing on the 4th day is a good enough stretch so I'll be sticking with that.
How long did it take to see results when it came to stretching out your washes?
The answer to this for me is, instantly. The first time I used this method I did not need to wash my hair until the 4th day. You can train your hair to go longer between washes if you wish, by simply not washing it as soon as it starts to gets greasy. For me though washing on the 4th day is a good enough stretch so I'll be sticking with that.
I think I've covered everything there, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, leave a comment here or over on my Instagram and I'll answer as quickly as I can.
This process may be a little trial and error as you find what suits your hair. As a guide I have fine, mid-length hair and live in a soft water area and the above process works perfectly for me, if you have thicker or longer hair you may need to adjust the measurements.
If it feels oily still after washing try a little more Bicarbonate of Soda, alternatively if your scalp is feeling quite dry afterwards try using a little less Bicarbonate of Soda next time.
If it feels oily still after washing try a little more Bicarbonate of Soda, alternatively if your scalp is feeling quite dry afterwards try using a little less Bicarbonate of Soda next time.
Good luck for anyone that gives it a go and let me know if it works for you. I'm delighted with how many days I can get out of my hair now before washing. A lockdown hair miracle for me.
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*THIS POST INCLUDES LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCEFUL WEBSITES. IT ALSO INCLUDES PRODUCT LINKS, NONE OF WHICH ARE AFFILIATE OR PAID LINKS.
