Interviews with fellow No Poo'ers

I had never heard of No-Poo until about a year ago when I started reading about it on my timeline from two friends I went to High School with.  I've been so inspired by their journey that it inspired me to start my journey. Now I'd like to share their journey with you.

We now live about 1000 miles apart so I had to interview them over the internet via chat.  

1. What is your name? Mistie Snider
2. How long have you been No Poo? About a year.
3. How long was your transition period? 2 weeks. Me: "Wow that's pretty short."  Yea I was pleased with that lol.  
4. What are your favorite wash/rinse methods? Baking Soda/water, Honey/water  Rinse: Vinegar/lemon water + essential oils (coconut, caramel, plain cherry).
5. What are you currently using? "Are you using the methods above? "Yep. I love it. My hair has grown thicker and longer than ever.
6. How often do you wash/rinse? I do the dry poo too if my hair gets too funky. Usually a good brushing and a rinse with water will make it clean again. I usually only have to wash about once every 2 weeks or so.  The cocoa and baking powder is awesome and I've had so many people tell me I smell like a candy bar and they want to chew on my hair lmao!  I also do a deep conditioning with a smidge of coconut oil by rubbing it on my hands and running it through my hair.  Makes it silky soft.
7. Has going No Poo changed your life and if so how? I would have to say yes. I'm happier with my hair than I have ever been. I don't have to wash it every day just so I don't look like a grease ball.

Dry Scalp Treatment

1c warm water

1 Tbsp AC

1 tsp honey

dash of lemon juice

Coat scalp and let sit for a few minutes.

1. What is your name? Mandy L.
2. How long have you been No Poo? July will make 1 year.
3. How long was your transition period? Just a few weeks.
4. What wash/rinse methods have you tried? I used baking soda and a drop of tea tree oil the first few weeks because it was oily. I have used Apple Cider Vinegar and lemon. Now I buy organic conditioner and use only that.
5. What are your favorite wash/rinse methods? "So I'm guessing that so far the organic conditioner is your favorite?"  Yes, only because I don't take the time to make my own.  Work, home, and kids wears me out. lol.
6. What are you currently using? I use an organic conditioner. It's from Avalon Organics and has peppermint essential oil. It even helps me wake up in the morning. :)
7. How often do you use your co-wash (conditioner wash)? I use my conditioner every day. I have hard water.
8. Has going No Poo changed your life and if so how? Saved on money definitely! My hair grows faster and is thicker with body. Before shampoos and regular conditioner weighed my hair down.

Thanks to Mandy and Mistie for being kind enough to answer my questions and share your pictures and stories with me.  

Hair and Protein

I've currently switched my No Poo method to a once a week egg and honey mask/wash.  I have curly/wavy hair that is prone to split ends, excess sebum at the roots and dry ends.  
I've heard a mix of reviews from people using protein masks and washes.  Some types of hair seem to do really well with protein and others can suffer side effects from protein or excess protein.
Some popular protein washes are eggs, yogurt, and avocado and mayonnaise.  
Protein treatments are used to strengthen weak and damaged hair. If your hair is already healthy then you can easily over protein your hair.  Side effects of too much protein include; straighter than normal hair with a waxy or straw-like texture, difficult to detangle and often breaks during this process, the hair can be dry and the ends can be dry and rough. 
Different types of hair react differently to different types of protein and regiments.  Often those with very thin hair (baby fine) need protein daily whereas if you have medium coarse hair you may only need protein a few times a week.  If you have really coarse hair then your hair is already very strong and too much protein can cause the hair to be rigid and break easily.

If you'd like to try a protein wash/mask here are 3 great ones below.

Egg Mask:
You can apply this to wet or dry hair.  If you are starting with wet hair it must be cold and not warm or you will cook the egg.  You beat the egg until it is frothy then coat the scalp and all of the hair.  If you have long hair secure it on the top of your head with a clip.  Place a shower cap on top of your head and leave on for up to 20 minutes (I only leave mine on for about 10). You can add honey or other helpful ingredients or essential oils to add scent. Rinse with cold water.

Yogurt:
Massage about 3 Tbsp of yogurt into your scalp and hair. Let it sit for 20 minutes under a shower cap then rinse.  You can use this weekly.

Avocado and Mayo:
Mash 1/2 an avocado with 2 Tbsp mayo.  Apply this mixture through all of your scalp and hair and let sit and rinse out.




Sources:

• http://www.truehairgrowth.com/how-to-tell-if-your-hair-likes-protein
• http://www.curlynikki.com/2011/09/curl-whisperer-on-protein-friend-or-foe.html
• http://7beautytips.com/3-easy-homemade-protein-treatments-for-dry-and-damaged-hair/

"No Poo" Journey Hair Diary

DATE	WHAT I DID	RESULTS
1/5/2015	Regular Wash/Condition+leave in conditioner.	Hair felt normal but scalp was dry.
1/6/2015	Nothing	Itcy and dry scalp, minimal oil.
1/7/2015	Dry shampoo scalp using baby poder in my hair overnight	Not oily but scalp was still dry.
1/8/2015	Nothing	A little oily and itchy but front of scalp still dry.
1/9/2015	Baking Soda/Regular Conditioner	Worked great for removing excess oil from scalp but the conditioner left my scalp oily.
1/10/2015	Nothing	Hair is oily and scalp itchy, dry in front.
1/11/2015	Baking Soda/White Vinigar	Removed excess oil from scalp, a little oil in length of hair but looks good. Scalp dry in front.
1/12/2015	Nothing	A little oily around scalp but not itchy.
1/13/2015	Nothing	Oily and Itchy.
-------------	Lost Data	Lost Data
1/26/2015	BS/ACV and Plopping	Great results, beautiful wavy curls.
1/27/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
1/28/2015	Nothing	A little oily
1/29/2015	Nothing	Very oily and itchy.
1/20/2015	BS/ACV and Plopping	Again, amazing results!
1/31/2015	Clarifying conditioner only	Made hair a little oily.
2/1/2015	Nothing	Oily and Itchy.
2/2/2015	BS/ACV and Plopping	Great results! Good curls and waves.
2/3/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
2/4/2015	Nothing	More oil.
2/5/2015	Baby powder near roots to soak up oil.	Improved oily appearance of hair. Scalp still itchy.
2/6/2015	Nothing	Very itchy
2/7/2015	ACV and Plopping	Looks king of oily but really curly.
2/8/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
2/9/2015	Nothing	More oil and itch.
2/10/2015	BS/ACV and Plopping	Great results.
2/11/2015	Braid at night, BBB, light misting.	Good results, minimal oil.
2/12/2015	Braid at night, BBB, light misting.	Good results, minimal oil.
2/13/2015	Nothing	minimal oil
2/14/2015	Nothing	A little more oil.
2/15/2015	Nothing	Pretty oily and itchy scalp.
2/16/2015	Nothing	Very oily and not so great smelling. :(
2/17/2015	BS and Shea Butter Co-wash + plopping	Looks good but king of oily.
2/18/2015	Nothing	Still a little oily.
2/19/2015	Nothing	Same amount of oil
2/20/2015	Shea Butter Co-wash	Just made my scalp produce more oil.
2/21/2015	Nothing	Pretty oily and itchy scalp.
2/22/2015	BS/ACV+Tea+Plopping.	The tea is hibiscus, elderberry, and black currant and it made me smell like a red pixie stick in a good way.
2/23/2015	Nothing	Oily
2/24/2015	Cocoa Powder	Soaked up excess oil, scalp felt pretty good and it smelled amazing!
2/25/2015	Scritch and Preen and Aloe on dry areas.	I just discovered these maneuvers. This is something I will be continuing.
2/26/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
2/27/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
2/28/2015	Nothing	Pretty oily and itchy scalp.
3/1/2015	BS/ACV/Tea Rinse	Red pixie sticks again!
3/2/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/3/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/4/2015	Nothing	More oil.
3/5/2015	Nothing	Pretty oily and itchy scalp.
3/6/2015	BS/ACV+Plopping	Great results! Good curls and waves.
3/7/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/8/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/9/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/10/2015	Nothing	Pretty oily and itchy scalp.
3/11/2015	BS/Mask (Banana, aloe, coconut milk, and egg)+ACV+ Plopping.	Great results, hair feels really good and smells pretty good.  The mixture smells like banana bread, lol.
3/12/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/13/2015	Nothing + Braided hair at night	Minimal oil
3/14/2015	Added oil to ends.	Ends were dry.
3/15/2015	Mask/ACV	Another great result!
3/16/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/17/2015	Added oil to ends.	Ends were dry again.
3/18/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/19/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/20/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/21/2015	Nothing	Minimal oil
3/22/2015	Water Only Wash+Preen & Scritch.	I did a very thourough job scritching and preening prior to my water only washing. During the wash and preeened and detangled.  I was amazed at the results because I'm pretty sure I have hard water and sulfur in the water.  My hair was a little oily but by the end of the night it had soaked it all up.  It looked amazing.  Scalp wasn't as itchy.
3/23/2015	Nothing - Preened and detangled	Minimal oil
3/24/2015	Nothing - Preened and detangled	Minimal oil
3/25/2015	Nothing - Preened and detangled	Minimal oil
3/26/2015	Nothing - Brushed	Oily and Itchy.
3/27/2015	Nothing - Brushed	Pretty oily and itchy scalp.
3/28/2015	Braided and added Tea Tree Oil Blend	Hair is a little oily but the length and ends feel fabulous.  I purchased some tea tree oil from the store.  It's a blend of oils.  So far the itching has subsided from anywhere I applied it.
3/29/2015	Preen & Scritch+Water only watch+Tea Tree Oil.	dry scalp better with tea tree oil - felt nice and sort of dry afterwards.
3/30/2015	Tea Tree Oil at hairline	dry scalp.
3/31/2015	Water Only Wash+Preen & Scritch.	Still slightly oily but refreshed.
4/1/2015	Tea Tree Oil at hairline	A little oily.
4/2/2015	Cornstarch+Cocoa powder near my scalp and tea tree oil blend on my ends. Tied in a bun over night.	Was greasy at the scalp and weighed down.  Ends were dry and tangled. Brushed then treated.
4/3/2015	Braided it and added tea tree oil to ends and front of scalp.	A little greasy but mostly soft.
4/4/2015	Pony-tail and tea tree oil to ends and scalp	A little dry in length
4/5/2015	Braided and added Tea Tree Oil Blend	A little greasy.
4/6/2015	Water Only Wash+Preen & Scritch.	a little oily.
4/7/2015	Cornstarch+Cocoa powder near my scalp and tea tree oil blend on my ends. Braided overnight	pretty good hair day
4/8/2015	Nothing, Braided at night	a little oily
4/9/2015	Detangled and pulled back all day	pretty good hair day
4/10/2015	Nothing - braided	pretty greasy/waxy
4/11/2015	Preen & Scritch + AO with ACV	feels soft but maybe a bit waxy.
4/12/2015	Nothing
4/12/2015	Nothing	a little greasy
4/14/2015	Nothing	more greasy
4/15/2015	Wash w/ Dr. Bronners + ACV rinse and peppermint oil.
4/16/2015	Nothing
4/17/2015	Nothing
4/18/2015	Nothing
4/19/2015	Wash w/Cocoa and Cornstarch + Shea Co Wash and Vinegar Rinse w/cold water and plopping.	Great results! Good curls and waves.
4/20/2015	Nothing
4/21/2015	Nothing
4/22/2015	Nothing	Greasy in the back and top a little
4/23/2015	Wash w/Cocoa and Cornstarch and Vinegar Rinse w/cold water and plopping.	greasy on the ends and back
4/24/2015	Nothing	kind of greasy
4/25/2015	Nothing	Really greasy all over
4/26/2015	Egg and Honey mask/wash	Felt like "real hair."
4/27/2015	Nothing	Great
4/28/2015	Nothing	Great
4/29/2015	Nothing	Starting to get oily.
4/30/2015	Nothing	A little oily
5/1/2015	Cocoa Powder and Cornstarch - Shea live in conditioner. Plopping	Super curly and not oily but very shiny.
5/2/2015		curly and shiny
5/3/2015	Went Swimming in chlorinated pool
5/4/2015	Egg and Honey mask/wash	Felt great a little dry on ends
5/5/2015	No wash
5/6/2015	No wash
5/7/2015	No wash
5/8/2015	Cocoa powder and Cornstarch dry
5/9/2015	No wash	Itchy
5/10/2015	no wash	Really itchy
5/11/2015	Egg and Orange Blossom Honey Mask/Wash + Plopping	Great results! Good curls and waves.
5/12/2015	No wash
5/13/2015	No wash
5/14/2015	No wash
5/15/2015	Cocoa powder and Cornstarch Wash and Shea Butter CoWash Rinse + plopping.	Great, super curly results!
5/16/2015	No wash
5/17/2015	No wash
5/18/2015	Honey and Shea butter co-wash+plopping
5/19/2015	No wash
5/20/2015	No wash
5/21/2015	Shea Butter Co-wash + plopping
5/22/2015	Nothing
5/23/2015	Nothing
5/24/2015	shea moisture shampoo and leave in conditioner.	Just like regular shampoo/conditioner
5/25/2015	Nothing

How Everyone Views No Poo

No Poo Washes/Rinses

So I've been No Poo for since January 5th, 2015.  I've transitioned from having to wash my hair every other day to having 3-4 days in between washes.  The baking soda and apple cider vinegar rinse work well on my actual hair and this is also greatly improved with daily boar bristle brush(BBB) brushings nightly.  I also try to braid my hair at night which makes my wavy curly locks more manageable.
I'm still having one problem.  My scalp is still dry.  I still have dandruff and itching.  I'm considering trying other natural washes, masks, practically anything as long as it helps.  So I've been researching a variety of natural wash recipes.
I've decided to try a couple of the recipes to see how my hair and scalp react to them.  I'm fascinated by the recipes that contain honey.  Honey is a natural healing agent and has antibacterial/antiseptic properties.  It's a super food that has been used for many years in foods as well as for medicine.  It wasn't uncommon to find wounds dressed with honey to promote healing. I'm also quite fond of the recipes containing coconut milk.  I love coconut products and I already use oil on the dry ends of my hair. Below you will find a couple of the recipes I'm considering.  After I've tried them I'll update the article with the results.
Recipes:

My current wash/rinse is Baking Soda mixed with water and scrubbed into my scalp and then I rinse that out with water.  Then I dilute 1/8 c Apple Cider Vinegar with water and cover the crown of my head then repeat to cover the length of my hair.  I pin my hair up and let the ACV absorb and then rinse it out at the end of my shower.

Honey Shampoo:
Raw Honey
Filtered Water
A couple drops of essential oil

I've read that honey is really good for the hair and scalp.  Honey is a natural antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antiviral natural product.  It's very moisturizing to the hair and skin and great for healing the scalp. 

Coconut Milk Shampoo:
1 Can coconut milk
1 3/4 c aloe vera gel
Couple drops of essential oils

Combine and freeze into ice cubes.  Take one out as needed the night before use.  Rub into scalp and through hair until coated.  Leave on for 30 seconds at a minimum and rinse off.  If your hair feels waxy rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar.


Sources:

• http://empoweredsustenance.com/diy-honey-shampoo/
• http://www.thankyourbody.com/ph-balanced-shampoo-recipe/