When the coronavirus lockdown was enforced and we were told to stay in our homes for 3 weeks, an opportunity presented itself- one that I've wanted to try for years but never had the courage.
That opportunity? Not washing my hair.
I can hear a few of you expressing disgust but hear me out.
I've washed my hair every second day (give or take) for as long as I can remember.
That's years and years of stripping away my natural oils, replacing it with nice smelling chemicals because we're told that's what we're supposed to do.
Last year I really started getting into more eco friendly products and so have been using more natural shampoo bars to wash my locks with. But this would be entirely different. No shampoo, hair-care products or heat for 3 weeks (or as long as I can manage).
As I wouldn't be venturing out the house much (except to walk the dog or a quick jog), I thought this was the perfect time to see if I could rebalance the barnet books.
I've read up on a few people doing the "no poo challenge" but I felt I couldn't relate to most people as they were fair coloured with hair that went greasy at day 5, whereas this chip pan gets greasy the very next day after washing it. So I wanted to put my mop to the test. Here's how I got on during my hair-care locksdown (get it? lockSdown..)
Day 3 (March 25)- I wore my hair up today out of ease as I started my day with a little yoga before heading (down some stairs and across the hall) to work. After my quick jog outside in the evening I felt like there wasn't a more appropriate time to take a nice hot shower. I let the water run over my hair without touching shampoo or any hair product and left it to dry naturally. I did feel a lot cleaner after doing this.
Day 4 (March 26)- Definitely greasy on top but my ends have never felt so soft! I've struggled with realllly dry ends for years now, especially when I leave it to dry naturally, leaving me sporting that fresh frazzled look. I also felt my hair had added volume to it when it's usually very flat and limp on top. (I just have sh*t hair okay?)
In saying that, while it was all party at the front, it most definitely wasn't business at the back and I certainly would not feel comfortable leaving the house with my hair in this state. I could feel the few greasy strands stick together as I combed through so I dread to think what it physically looked like. Ew.
Day 6 (March 28)- Rinsed my hair under hot water and left them in pletes to dry.
Day 7 (March 29)- I caved and used dry shampoo. I was trying to see how long I could muster without using dry shamp but after a week of not washing my hair and heading to Tesco for a food shop I'm struggling with some self esteem issues. I defo don't wanna bump into (2 metres apart) from someone I know looking like I've just dipped my heed in a fryer.
Day 12 (April 3)- Well we're into double digits. I don't think I'd feel any cleaner unless I shaved my head and started again.
Day 17 (April 8)- This is who I am now: a permanent state of grease. This is truly disgusting. Constantly reminding myself I don't HAVE to do this and I could just... simply... wash my hair.
Day 18 (April 9)- Only four more days until I can officially wash this mop and I could cry with happiness. I've decided since the big wash is four days away I’d give a bicarbonate soda rinse a whirl and see how that turns out. I mixed 2 tablespoons of bicarb with water into a paste and added some chopped up fresh mint from the garden (see if this can give a whiff of freshness). Paste the scrub mixture onto your 'dry’ head (in the shower as it gets a lil messy) let it soak for 2 mins then rinse off. I'll admit in the shower I wasn't feeling the benefits and still felt like a greaseball. Butttt a couple hours later I couldn't believe my glorious grease free roots! Slept with my hair in little space buns so I could get a natural curl in the morning.
Day 19 (April 10)- DAY 19. DAY NINETEEN. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! I'm shocked I've went that long without washing my hair with shampoo and my hair looks this fresh! That little bicarb mix worked wonders. I actually feel clean and like I could go out in public/ answer the door to the delivery guy.
Day 22 (April 13)- Glorious wash day has finally arrived! I couldn’t wait for my wee pamper night in the evening. Before using my normal Lush shampoo and conditioner bars, I used Lee Stafford’s Hair Growth Scalp Scrub which contains pink exfoliating beads and helps unblock the hair follicles of gunk and grime. I massaged that into my roots before washing and on stepping out the shower I already felt like a new woman. I think my hair-care locksdown has taught me that I certainly don’t need to wash my hair as much, if you tell people your hair is just wet they won't question you and bicarbonate soda really is the handiest household product known to man.
Speak soon,
Wee Eb
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