Going Natural - Sulfate-free, Baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar

I've been on the hunt for a better hair regimen for a few years now. I wrote about my new hair adventure almost 2 years ago.

The Final Hair Change - For Now

I stopped making changes to my hair after that experience. I could never get the texture back that I was used to. I usually let my hair air dry, but it would always have this dry texture. 

Hair Adventure - Part 1

I am back to my natural dark hair color now, grey hairs and all. It took a year and a half to grow out the dried colored hair. My hair was getting better, but I couldn't find the right hair products.

I finally cut most of the colored hair off, and now it's time for a change with my hair products. 

I started hearing about sulfate free shampoos and conditioners. After my last coloring I bought Redkin Color Extender Shampoo and Conditioner. I liked the way my hair was looking, but it was expensive. I started going back to the Garnier Fructis products, especially liking the "Damage Eraser Reconstruct Butter". Before long, it was making my hair dry and waxy.

I started going back to sulfate free products. I did some more researching online, and I found the less expensive L'Oreal Sulfate Free products.   

I first went with the EverSleek Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner. I really liked this product, although I would use a lot more to get the clean feeling I wanted.

I still felt bad about using shampoo, so I tried the EverCreme Clensing Conditioner. I read some negative reviews on it when I started the search. I decided to try it, but I was wrong. It smells like wax, and I did not like the way it worked on my hair. It still made it feel dry!

All that drama led me back to DIY. I talked to some friends that told me how baking soda and apple cider vinegar does a pretty good job. I actually tried apple cider vinegar the first time I colored my hair, but the smell was overpowering.

I kept on searching for some measurements to use for the baking soda wash and apple cider vinegar rinse, and I stopped on this post from Mind Body Green. One part baking soda to 3 parts water, and one part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water. I ended up using 1 3/4 cup of water with 4 tsp of baking soda, and 1 cup (8oz) water with 2oz of vinegar. That was it. 

I was so surprised how the baking soda/water mix actually cleaned my hair! I sprayed half of the small spray bottle of liquid and massaged my scalp. I went to the Ren Fest over the weekend, and I knew there would be some visible dirt/dust residue. When I squeezed some of the water out, I saw the dirt run off. When I rinsed with warm water, my hair felt cleaner!

Now for the apple cider vinegar rinse. Adding it to water cut the strong smell dramatically. I poured it on and rinsed with cold water.  I added some coconut oil to the ends and went to bed. 

This is my hair now. I straightened my bangs because they looked crazy (I'm still learning how to style them). But I only swiped the straighter on them for a few seconds. I'm loving that my hair feels clean, and it doesn't look too dried out. I didn't even put any mousse in it. I'll have to see how long my hair will last until I have to wash again. I heard the oil buildup might increase.

I'm going to continue using the baking soda wash and apple cider vinegar rinse. If I ever felt like using a shampoo/conditioner, I would continue using the L'Oreal EverSleek line. 

Have you tried the no 'poo method? How's it working out for you?

I have not been paid or compensated for any of the products mentioned in this blog post. I am just sharing my experiences.

The Final Hair Change (for now)

Last night I went back to my stylist friend to add more brown tone to the top of my hair, so that the lighter colors could show through.

So here is the final progress:

Last month

Last week

Now

I feel a lot more comfortable now with the brown tones than the blondish in my hair.

The funny thing is, I started getting used to having lighter hair. Maybe next month I will add more blond to the tips or more highlights overall. Everyone says once you start coloring you can't stop, and I think it's true now!
(But I won't go extreme and dye my hair to a crisp. My hair is already naturally big!)

I even got the bang I wanted. I'm a really happy camper now! No more hair crisis! All I have to learn now is how to style it. That means more Pinterest tutorials and Youtube videos for me!

Now to grow my hair longer and practice putting waves in it (thanks to Fashion, Love & Lauren for the great tutorial!)

 

I linked this blog entry to:

Hair Adventure: Part 1

I say this is part 1 of the "adventure" because she needs to do some touch-ups on my hair this week.

I am getting used to the color. It is something completely different than what I thought it would be.

Let me stop talking and show you:

This is how my hair looked when she cut it last month.

Here is what my hair looks like now.

After looking at pictures of my new do, it's not looking as bad as I thought. It is a lot more brighter, but not like the picture (I figured it wouldn't be). All she needs to do is define the darker roots and cut the bangs shorter. 

This is what it looks like when I washed my hair this morning.

We'll see the difference once she adds the bangs.

Everyone else is liking my new hair. Guess I have to get used to it. And I hope my hair gets past this crunchy phase soon. Any suggestions on a good conditioner?

I linked this blog entry to:

New hair adventure

I've been wanting to do something different with my hair for a while now, but I didn't know what to do with it. I also did not want to do something too extreme or shocking. Now I'm getting tired of it.

Last week I wanted to chop it all off and do something crazy, but after I put my thoughts together I decided not to. Especially if I decided to go to a salon and a stylist I did not know.

So I am deciding to keep the length of my hair (give or take an inch), but I want to try ombre coloring with a side bang.

This is what my hair looks like now:

My hair is a little overdramatic, mostly big and wavy. I've been coloring it dark brown lately. I remember having it a lighter brown color and loving it, especially when it was summer time.

I've decided to color my hair the way Mila Kunis has it, with the bangs from Vanessa Hudgens.

What do you think? I should be getting this done this Sunday! I'm really excited about it!

I linked this blog entry to: