I have tried to give up shampoo A LOT. At least twice, I have tried to cut down on my consumption, hopeful that I would eventually be able to completely eliminate my need. I have to wash my hair every day, although many people can survive by washing their hair every other day. I have tried to go from washing my hair every day to washing six times a week to five, etc., with the belief that I could eventually be at a place where I either never had to wash with shampoo, or at least only infrequently. It never worked, I always ended up looking like a greaseball. And several times I have tried to switch using plain regular soap, at first switching completely, and then; trying to slowly alternate between soap and shampoo until I was only using soap.
Multiple attempts at each of these, and no success. I just assumed that I needed shampoo, that a good scrub with my nails at the scalp either with or without soap just couldn't compete with the cleanliness that came from real shampoo. I know there are brands out there that make "no-poo" but to me that just seemed beyond the point. Until recently.
I picked up the latest edition of Bust in New Haven for reading material (honestly, more for Paul-John than for me) on the train to NYC. I don't even read it that much anymore because it doesn't have as much meat, as say, Bitch. But I picked it up. And there was a recipe for homemade deodorant that totally caught my eye.
I have not worn deodorant for about a year and half. That includes my wedding day, wearing a strapless dress, a day that was 95 degrees, with incredible humidity and no air conditioning at the reception site. Before I gave it up I had been using Tom's, but just kinda got sick of it. When I saw the recipe, I had a revelation. I would love to make my own deodorant.
Of course, when I finally had the time to go shopping for some of the ingredients, I couldn't find my magazine. No problem, I could look it up online. Luckily, the same recipe had been posted on the author's blog, where she also mentions and references her alternative to shampoo -- washing with baking soda and rinsing with apple cider vinegar. Even more perfect! I would like to make my own deo, but I would love to find a viable substitute for shampoo. I've only been doing it for a few days, but I am already infatuated. I love that my hair still looks actually clean - I assumed it would work but that there would be an adjustment period. So, here is the site for the homemade deodorant, which I will make as soon as I get a couple more ingredients, and further down in the post she references the site about the shampoo substitute.
Knitting News: restarted endpaper mitts with great yarn. One done, slightly before thumb separation on second mitt, hope to be done soon!
