Hair Care Update

Howdy!
It has been over 6 months since I let go of my conventional hair care products and turned to the "no-poo" way.
It is time I report back on how my hair has changed and update you on how I adjusted my recipe.

I wish I had a way to let you feel the difference in my hair. I have always struggled with frizzy hair and I would be forced to use hair serums after every wash. Ever since switching to my own recipes for hair care it is like I have new hair. My hair has never been healthier, felt softer, or been this shiny. The best thing is, I no longer have frizz!! I used to wash every 2-3 days and now only need to wash every 5-7 days, Granted, we are barely entering summer so we shall see how this goes. The only thing that is a minor struggle are my bleached ends. I have had bleached hair on and off since I was 15... only taking a break when I needed to be professional here or there. You can imagine how hard that is on my naturally pitch black strands. The bleached ends have needed to get trimmed monthly because they feel frazzled. I imagine I could figure a recipe for deep conditioning but, the truth it, I am coming to one of those "off" times where I need to be professional in a few weeks and figured I may as well slowly trim the green away to start adjusting to "normal".

I have no had any issues with styling my hair. I am accustomed to wet sets for retro curls some days and flat ironing others. None of this had been thrown off by no-poo hair care.

Do remember! When you first start your no-poo journey the road will not be easy. Your scalp is used to (insert your age here) years of constantly stripping your natural oils. When you stop using "regular" shampoo you will experience oily hair for a few weeks-to-months. Everyone's experience is a bit different but once you get passed that awful stage, you will find your glorious strands that have been buried under conventional hair products your whole life.

Here is how I care for and style my hair now:

SHAMPOO
You can find my original post and recipe by clicking here.

Updated Shampoo Recipe:
2/3 cup Castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner's)
3 tbsp baking soda
1/3 cup water

What changed?
- I no longer add essential oils to my shampoo. Why? I feel like it was a bit pointless and a waste of precious oils. I use them so often in so many other things during my daily routines and decided I would rather not wash some down the drain. I am getting clean just fine between the baking soda and Castile soap... plus, the Castile soap already has essential oils included in it.
- I adjusted the amount of water added. Adjust this to your liking. Less water makes for thicker consistency but more water makes it more sudsy and helps stretch each batch.

I love using a plastic picnic ketchup bottle since the recipe makes for thinner-than-we-are-used-to shampoo. I feel like it helps control the flow and squeeze it directly to my head instead of into my hands.


CONDITONER
To condition my hair I always rinse with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.

I use a plastic picnic mustard bottle to control the flow and pour directly on my head instead into my hand. After I have the apple cider vinegar on my hair I use a wide tooth comb to make sure I comb it through every strand then rinse thoroughly.

FRIZZ SERUM
I hardly ever need to use serum on my hair now... hardly ever! However when I do, I turn to sweet almond oil  alone or with a few drops of "Joy" EO from Young Living added in. (I have some hair that is abused by bleach and needs some extra love sometimes.)

HAIRSPRAY
My secret sugar water! Find my post and recipe suggestion by clicking here.

XOXOX
Lily Bean

Naturally Sweet Hair Spray

Hello everyone!

I am stopping by to share a very simple, natural hair spray recipe with you.

I am one of those girls who had shelves full of hair products... all my prized possessions and all FULL OF JUNK. Since I have made such an effort to get rid of all possible junk in my life I knew the day would come for me to let go of my hair products. I will admit, initially I stopped using them but could not get myself to actually throw them out. I needed them on my shelf as a security blanket. 

Finally, one day while reading the labels AGAIN hoping they would have magically changed to safe ingredients over night, I decided it was time. I came out of that fog and got a big garbage bag and threw out every last bottle and can. 

For a good few weeks I walked around with the same pony tail everyday because I felt like I couldn't do any style. Then I decided to research what others are doing to tame their natural mane.

Huzzah!

Naturally Sweet Hair Spray

1/2 tsp sugar for every 1 ounce water

(Add the sugar to warm water to melt it in the bottle. I have 1 ounce glass spray bottles.)

Super easy, right?!

Want more hold? Add more sugar. Want less hold? Add less sugar.

I urge you to research for yourself and do what works best for you, your hair, and your health. Some people add some alcohol as a preservative to extend the life of the product. Remember, natural means it will expire. If it smells different dump it and make a fresh batch.

What I learned worked for me:

I only make 1/2 an ounce at a time using only 1/4 tsp. This way I use it before it turns without adding alcohol.

Now I can style my hair and I feel like myself again.

(I went to Cosmetology school, hair is important to me)

If any of you have the same question as my mom: no, bees do not follow my head around all day.

XOXOX

Lily Bean

DIY Shampoo - Safe and Sudsy

Hi there!

You may remember that I mentioned that I had made my own shampoo. I have now washed my hair a few times and feel comfortable sharing the recipe with you. I had to make one adjustment before I settled on a recipe that worked for me.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup pure castille soap (I use Dr. Bronner's)

1/2 cup distilled water

3 tablespoon baking soda

5 drops Peppermint essential oil 

5 drops Melaleuca Alternifolia essential oil

Add all ingredients to your bottle and shake gently. I say gently because it will bubble up a bit with the shaking. It would be a good idea to make a habit of giving the bottle a quick jolt prior to each use. This will be more watery than you are used to with conventional shampoo, but it's a small price to pay for the health benefits.

If you have not yet read the ingredients on your shampoo, I urge you to take a peek. Something you don't know? Lots of things you can't pronounce? Look them up here at Skin Deep. It may change your world.

It changed mine!! I am now researching a natural recipe to make lipstick. I love red lip stick more than any other make up... okay well maybe not more than my eyeliner but still ALOT. I would prefer wearing it knowing I'm not poisoning my body. I will keep you posted on this venture..

Until then!

XOXOX

Lily Bean