{"id":626684,"date":"2017-08-24T21:18:44","date_gmt":"2017-08-24T21:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hauteliving.com\/hautebeauty\/?p=626684"},"modified":"2025-04-08T01:41:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T05:41:20","slug":"going-shampoo-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hauteliving.com\/hautebeauty\/626684\/going-shampoo-free\/","title":{"rendered":"We Tried It: Going Shampoo Free For Healthier Hair"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/h3>\n

Let the record show: going shampoo free will not make you a dirty, smelly person.*<\/h3>\n

*I can say this with confidence because for the past two weeks I've tried it.<\/p>\n

\n

I put my hair through a lot <\/i>during the week. Usually, it goes something like this: regular shampooing\u2014sometimes even twice a day, blow drying, curling, straightening, covering with a shield of hair spray, pulling it back tight for work outs, and reaching for the dry shampoo on those morning when I'm running late (hey, it happens).<\/p>\n

After all of that, it's no surprise that my\u00a0over-worked tresses start to hang tired, and heavy. The\u00a0ends start to look like straw, my scalp itches, and my color\u2014sadly, this blonde is not natural\u2014dulls.<\/p>\n

So, I set out to find a way to give my hair and scalp some TLC.<\/p>\n

Over the past few months I've noticed an increase in the number of bloggers and lifestyle sites jumping on board to become advocates for, and tout the benefits of, going shampoo free and oil training<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While it certainly isn't a new topic, having it continuously show up on my news feed felt like a sign from the Universe that it was time to \"get off the bottle\" and start reaping the benefits of 'poo free living.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Benefits of Going No 'Poo\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

-For starters, no more chemical-ridden shampoo on your precious tresses<\/p>\n

-Shinier hair<\/p>\n

-More tame hair\u2014we're talking less frizz, relaxed curls<\/p>\n

-Healthier hair\u2014less build up, stronger, thicker, and possibly even faster-growing\u00a0(Remember: benefits aren't always<\/i> immediately visible\u2014be patient!)<\/p>\n

-Healthier scalp\u2014no more shampoo stripping away your scalp's natural oils!<\/p>\n

-You'll save some money! Using shampoo less frequently = having to buy <\/i>shampoo less frequently<\/p>\n

Enter: All The Shampoo Alternatives I Could Get My Hands On<\/h3>\n

As someone with semi-thin, easily-made-greasy hair, ditching shampoo was something I was willing to try...But\u00a0not<\/em> washing my hair at all was not. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, I set out to find the best 'poo free\u00a0alternatives out there. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here's what happened...<\/span><\/p>\n

Lemon Juice<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

First up, lemon juice. With its natural anti-bacterial properties, and a naturally delicious scent, I assumed lemon juice would be sure to give me a clean, fresh look.<\/p>\n

It did, but there are a few things to point out.<\/p>\n

One<\/em>:\u00a0I have psoriasis on my scalp, and while lemon juice is supposed to be good for combating the condition it did\u00a0sting quite a bit in those areas.<\/p>\n

Two<\/em>: For color treated blondes (like me), sun + lemon juice = a potential change in hair color. Be careful!<\/p>\n

Three<\/em>: The fresh lemony scent didn't\u00a0last as long as I'd hoped it would.<\/p>\n

All in all, though, the lemon juice\u00a0proved to be a suitable shampoo alternative with results that lasted! My hair looked\u00a0clean and shiny, and I was able to go an extra day without washing.<\/p>\n

For the lemon juice rinse, use equal parts lemon juice and warm water. Remember, it won't lather like shampoo! Massage through hair and\u00a0scalp for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.<\/p>\n

Baking Soda<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Baking soda is arguably one of the most popular 'poo free alternatives, and a\u00a0household staple for most\u2014so no need to run to the store for this one.<\/p>\n

For this rinse I mixed 3 tablespoons of baking soda + 9 tablespoons of water.<\/p>\n

Like the lemon juice, the baking soda won't produce a lather. As soon as I poured the mixture onto my scalp I figured\u00a0this would be one of my least favorite alternatives. I did not<\/em> like the consistency.\u00a0It felt instantly drying, and almost chalky, making my hair incredibly knotty.<\/p>\n

When it came time to brush out my hair post-shower it was like brushing through straw.\u00a0However<\/em>, I was\u00a0incredibly<\/em> impressed with how my hair dried! What a twist! It was shiny, felt thicker than usual, and voluminous, too. Like the lemon juice, these results lasted, too, keeping the grease at bay.<\/p>\n

Conditioner<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On the in-between\u00a0days when I don't wash my hair I like\u00a0to condition it. So, I wanted to keep that routine going during this experiment\u2014especially<\/em> after the baking soda trial left my hair feeling a bit rough.<\/p>\n

For my somewhat thin and prone-to-grease hair, using conditioner in lieu of shampoo leaves my hair feeling a bit heavy, and flat. It\u00a0doesn't give my hair a clean and refreshed look for long, and my hair gets greasy fast. Conditioner-only days tend to be 'up-do' days.<\/p>\n

Personally, I like to opt for a natural, vegan conditioner, like Veganese<\/a> <\/span>by Lush Cosmetics.<\/p>\n

Water<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rinsing with just water definitely appealed to my lazy side. No muss, no fuss, but no luscious locks afterward either. Downside: rinsing with water didn't do much to combat grease for me.<\/p>\n

Beer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Non-conventional, for sure, but not exactly a new alternative in the hair care world. Beer has been said to make hair extra shiny\u2014and it did not disappoint! The smell did not bother me at all, and my hair was unexpectedly smooth and soft, too. Sadly, this didn't combat grease for long, though. Probably wouldn't opt for this alternative again.<\/p>\n

For reference, I used Heineken. Pro tip: Let the beer sit in a glass and go flat before using it on your hair.<\/p>\n

Apple Cider Vinegar \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I saved the best for last! Apple Cider Vinegar is undeniably the MVP of the 'poo free movement.<\/p>\n

Yes, I was\u00a0totally<\/em> put off by the smell. No, the smell does\u00a0not<\/em> cling to your hair\u2014well, not mine at least. Thank. God.<\/p>\n

For this rinse I mixed 4 tablespoons of ACV with 1 cup of water and massaged the mixture into my scalp, leaving it on for a few minutes (until I could no longer stand the smell) before rinsing.<\/p>\n

I was completely shocked, and thrilled, with the results. My hair dried full, shiny, and so<\/em> smooth. Like, Drybar worthy results (For me at least! Everyone is different.). The results lasted longer than any other alternative I tried, and I was able to go\u00a0two\u00a0<\/em>days between washes.<\/p>\n

\n

All in all, the two weeks proved one major thing to be true: shampoo is\u00a0not <\/em>an\u00a0essential. With so many alternatives hiding in your pantry, it's worth trying new things and giving your hair a change in routine.<\/p>\n

Did I miss shampoo? A little bit, but mostly because I missed the way it made my hair smell. Apple Cider Vinegar could easily go up to bat against my tried and true Maui<\/a><\/span> shampoo, but there's no denying that it doesn't smell nearly as good.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The no-poo movement is gaining popularity as people ditch shampoo in favor of natural alternatives. This blog explores the reasons behind going shampoo-free, its potential benefits like improved scalp health and less oil production, and tips for transitioning smoothly to a no-poo routine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":174,"featured_media":626696,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[947,943],"tags":[976,1518,1895,2452,2451,2450,2361,2448,2449,1596],"class_list":["post-626684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-wellness","tag-haute-100-beauty","tag-hair-care","tag-healthy-hair","tag-natural-beauty","tag-oil-training","tag-poo-free","tag-self-care","tag-shampoo","tag-shampoo-free","tag-wellness"],"yoast_head":"\nThe No-Poo Movement: Going Shampoo-Free Explained<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ready to give your hair, and scalp, a mini-vacation? 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