We tend to freak out at the thought of going more than a few days sans shampoo (and always reach for the dry shampoo bottle in between). But there are women (and men) across the country abiding by a "no poo" principle, meaning they've eschewed shampoo entirely. Yes, no shampoo at all.
One woman, Jaquelyn Baers, hasn't used shampoo for five years. So we just had to talk to her and get the scoop on HuffPost Live: How does she keep her hair clean? What does it look like? And why did she ditch shampoo in the first place?
Baers, who runs a blog called LittleOwlCrunchyMomma, first blogged about her life sans shampoo in 2012. She expressed concern for the "paraben, phthalates, petroleum byproducts, and other dangerous toxic chemicals" in the average shampoo, an unpronounceable cocktail of mysterious ingredients she'd never think to ingest -- so why would she put them on her hair?
So she moved on to "the more expensive, more 'organic,' more 'natural' shampoos for ten to fifteen dollars." But those, she said on HuffPost Live, got expensive. Seeking alternatives, "I came across using baking soda and apple cider vinegar," Baers said, and gave that a go. "But it wasn't working for me -- it was making hair dry, and greasy, and back and forth."
So she just stopped with everything. And she's not the only one. Hanna Brooks Olsen, a writer who went sans shampoo for six months, told HuffPost Live that she was also prompted to ditch shampoo after reaching disturbing research on the chemical ingredients in shampoo, particularly sodium lauryl sulfate, "that are really pretty questionable."
The results? "My hair was really shiny, it grew way faster and it just looked awesome." The only issue, she says, is that going on and off shampoo usually comes with an adjustment period in which your hair doesn't look great -- "rough patch," as Olsen describes it. "It's kind of a weird, awkward hair puberty."
Would you try it? Watch the clips to hear from the women who did, and catch the full segment on HuffPost Live.
Hair Mistakes That Make You Look 10 Years Older
Mistake #1: You Have An All-One-Length Cut(01 of06)
Open Image ModalMistake #2: You Have Shelves Full Of Styling Products(02 of06)
Open Image ModalIf you're using more than one styling product in an effort to make your hair look fuller, your plan may be backfiring. "Mousse and gel and hairspray can give the hair lift for a few hours, but they also make it look stiff and sap its shine -- a very aging combination," says Scrivo. If you have a well-layered haircut that's not too heavy at the bottom, you won't need to load up on styling products to achieve volume. One dollop of lightweight mousse will do the trick; once hair is dry, use a drop of silicone serum to add shine. (credit:Thinkstock)
Mistake #3: You're Very Blond(03 of06)
Open Image ModalMistake #4: You Have Dry, Frayed Ends(04 of06)
Open Image ModalAs you get older, your hair loses not only pigment but also its ability to retain moisture. Keeping it smooth and glossy -- hallmarks of youth -- requires a little more effort. Do a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week, don't shampoo more than every other day, and get frequent trims to avoid split ends. (credit:Thinkstock)
Mistake #5: You Have A Deep, Dark Hair Color(05 of06)
Open Image ModalSolid black or brown hair can highlight shadows on the face, drawing attention to lines and bags. If you're fair-skinned, a dark hair color also accentuates the contrast between your hair and scalp, which makes thinning more noticeable. A few highlights around the face and at the crown of the head add softness and make a dark hair color appear more natural. "You don't want to look like you're wearing a wig," says Chiccine. Her rule of thumb: Don't dye your hair as dark as it was in your teens and 20s; a shade or two lighter will be more flattering in your 30s and beyond. (credit:Thinkstock)
Mistake #6: Your Hair Is Super-Straight(06 of06)
Open Image ModalA lank hairstyle makes your face look long and drawn. (Plus, if you have naturally wavy or curly hair, the hot tools required to achieve straightness leave your hair dry and dull.) If you have naturally fine, straight hair, ask your stylist for long layers and comb a lightweight mousse through damp hair from roots to ends before airdrying or blowdrying (avoid heavy styling creams or serums). If you blowdry, use a round brush to create soft curls at the ends of the hair; setting dry hair with Velcro rollers will also create softness and add volume to offset any drooping in the lower face. (credit:Thinkstock)
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