no 'poo for you?

So you know how I've been going Simple this year?

Wellllll...

Apart from beginning my oil cleansing regimen (which, by-the-way, is something I recommend to everyone who will listen to me), I tried going "no 'poo."

I began the process of "no shampoo" by switching from regular shampoo to an organic, ph balanced one, which I then weaned off of by watering down (more and more). After I was at about 1 tbsp of 'poo to 2 cups of water, I transitioned to baking soda (1 tbsp/1 cup water). For conditioner I sprayed the ends my hair with apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp/1 cup water).

To be honest, I really didn't like it.

My hair lost it's luster completely and became Static Central. After each wash, I never knew if my hair would look dead or oily (but no shine) and dead. My roots were horrendous. The only praise I had about it was that my hair was far more obedient. Where I put it, there it remained; something I've never achieved with my silky thin locks. But, that wasn't a good enough reason to stick with ugly hair.

After about two months I anxiously switched back to my very-watered-down shampoo.

Now I am happy!

I wash every-other day with my watered-down-'poo, and finish off with a tiny dab of conditioner, along with a little splash of apple cider vinegar (I let it sit as I bath/shave, then rinse completely). I figure that my mixture is way better on my hair and scalp than what I was doing to it before. I think it's my official new way of managing my hair.

My hair looks great, from the roots down. No static. Yes shine!

So, shall I call it sham-ter or wa-poo?

Have you tried no 'poo? How did it work for you?

update: OCM

So, I think it's time to provide you with a follow up to my post about The Oil Cleansing Method.

It has been over a month now and my face is erupting.

       Just kidding.

It's doing wonderfully! I definitely recommend the OCM.

I'm still using the same bottle that I made in the first place (50% castor oil to 50% olive oil). But I do think that the next batch I make will lean more heavily on the EVOO -- since I'll get a teensy bit flaky on the nose and cheeks (maybe 40/60?).

I am thoroughly impressed with this method of cleansing. My face has not had one blemish in over a month now (two months including the miracle month before trying the OCM.) I feel so much more confident about the skin I'm in. I've grown to enjoy the massage I give myself as I gently - but firmly - rub the oil on. I have already had a number of very stubborn pores clean themselves out and I see a lot of open pores that are making towards the same progressive goal - clean, empty, and functioning! [TMI: Seriously, I had this one by the side of my lip that I thought I'd have to live with the rest of my life -- but no! - it cleaned out just last night!] The hot "steaming" with the washcloth is probably my most favorite step. I take deep slow breaths and try to let go of all the stress of my day. An added bonus is that this stuff removes all my make-up! Hooray!

I look forward to the future; hoping that my skin will purge out the gunk and I'll be left with a brilliant complexion!

For now, I'm enjoying the supple skin and healthy glow I see in my reflexion each night.

Click here for an update! 

the Oil Cleansing Method

As part of my Simple new life, I've started a new regimen for my skin. So, let's face-talk!

Through my teenage years, my complexion was fairly clear. A monthly blemish wasn't unusual; but that was really the extent of it.

Around the age of 19, however, something changed. Between the climate change from CA to CO, new side bangs I was sporting, extra compulsive face-washing, and maybe some stress or hormonal changes(?), my face gradually began to bump up. I'll spare all the details, but years later, I am still mourning over the imperfections that the post-teen bout brought me.

Things have toned down considerably. Though, I can't tell you a definitive reason. The only possible contributing factor I can associate is - my second pregnancy. I lost interest in (cow's) milk. My hormones changed. I stopped using strong face cleansers. So, for almost a year now, I've had increasingly healthier skin. You pick a reason.

But there is still room for improvement!!! Hence the Oil Cleansing Method.

HERE is the site that I originally stumbled upon.

After vamping into my Simple Year, I've finally braved up enough to try it. But everything in me tells me

 oils + face = a no, no

I guess it does make sense. Water repels oil. Thus we need strong chemicals to strip the oils. So our face freaks out and tries to [over]reproduce oils; face gets oily, dirty, clogged. Buuuut, take a cleansing oil, and help draw out the natural oils to clear the clogged pores. Voilà! (Or so they say...)

http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2010/11/gimme_an_m_how_the_higgs_gives.php

Tonight will be day three of my oil cleanse [I've chosen to do 1 part Castor oil to 1 part Olive oil]. But let me tell you about day one. I poured a dollop of the thick oil into my palm, heart pounding, I slowly began to apply the oil to my face, targeting my problem areas. The terror of what I was doing made me physically sick to my stomach. After I steamed and blotted off, my face felt great. And still does! I haven't had to use any lotion and, more importantly, I'm not an erupting grease ball (my worst fear).

So far, so good. I'll keep you posted.