clean shampoo and haircare

haircare is probably the hardest thing to switch over when trying to go natural with products. we're addicted to super saturated fragrances in our shampoos as well as the "clean" feel we get after a wash. buuut it turns out that the "clean" feeling we get is part of the problem. pretty much all shampoos that you have heard of and used [regardless of price. i'm talking drugstore quality to high-end salon quality] are made with nasty chemicals that seep into our scalps [your scalp is basically a sponge]. not only do these chemicals strip our hair of its needed, natural oils but they also act as hormone disruptors and skin irritants. these same chemicals can be linked to some cancers and reproductive/developmental toxicity. scary stuff, right?

so. what natural shampoos are the best? i have tried about four different kinds, but there are SO many more than that. it seems like, as the natural thing catches on, there is a new brand out there every day. [all of my shampoo recommendations listed at bottom]

of the natural shampoos that i have tried so far, my favorite is Acure Organics. i have tried all three shampoos+conditioners from their line, and i have enjoyed every single one. i think the green one is my favorite though. here are the things that i love about it:

• it has a strong and delightful scent. it's different, but it's good.
• IT LATHERS. this is particularly hard to find because the lathering agent in regular shampoos is actually one of those not so great chemicals. so finding a natural one that has even the slightest bit of lather is a rarity.


it's only about $10 depending on where you get it. less expensive than salon brands and only slightly more expensive than drugstore shampoos.
it gives more of a "clean" feeling than some other natural brands do.

some of the biggest complaints i've heard about making the switch to natural shampoos are 1) the lack of lather issue and 2) the feeling of not having clean hair. i think this shampoo conquers both of these pretty well. it's true that natural shampoos leave a little oil in your hair, but that's because your hair needs it. all you girls who say "i have such greasy hair that i have to wash it everyday, sometimes even twice a day" - the washing of your hair is causing the problem [and probably the kind of shampoo you are using as well]. when you are constantly stripping your hair of its natural oils, it goes into over-time, producing more and more oil to make up for what you have just washed out. it's a vicious cycle that can't be stopped until you back off a little and let your hair calm down. so, whether you are cutting back on washing as often, or switching to natural shampoos altogether, there is a little bit of time where your hair will feel weird or dirty before it readjusts to the change. PRO TIP: wash your hair backwards! meaning, use conditioner first and shampoo second. this is especially good for us fine-haired ladies who get weighed down and greasy from conditioner.

natural shampoos won't feel exactly like your herbal essence, and you'll have to get used to it for sure. but i think we can all move past that for the sake of health, right? right.

also, if you guys aren't using a dry shampoo, you're doing it wrong. dry shampoo is a great way to deal with having a little more oil, whether from less washing or from changing to a natural shampoo. it's also a fantastic way to gain volume and to cut down on getting ready time if you don't want to wash your hair [all my dry shampoo recommendations listed at the bottom].

so what is my personal hair routine? right now i wash my hair about once a week. [and for all of you thinking that i can get away with that because i have short hair, you're wrong. when my hair was long, i was only washing it twice a week. and i know plenty of ladies with longer hair than i ever had that only wash it once a week.] anyways, i wash it once a week and then, twice each week, i use conditioner only. the rest of the time i just use dry shampoo along with a little texture cream for style. and honestly, that's about the same thing i did with long hair as well.

have you all ventured into natural haircare? have you had trouble switching over? have a favorite brand? think everything i am saying is bull****?

<3 jojy


natural shampoos i have tried and liked:

• Rahua
• Acure Organics
• evo [this is the brand they use at the salon i go to]

the one that i have not liked:

• John Masters

brands that i want to try that have gotten great reviews:

• Yarok
• Intelligent Nutrients [made by the founder of aveda]

dry shampoos:

• Lulu organics [you can also find it in travel size for cheaper]
• The All-Nighter [comes in different colors to suit your hair color so as not to leave a white residue. GREAT for  some serious volume]
• Acure Organics [haven't tried this one but i'm sure its great.]
• or just use regular ol' organic corn starch. i have the lulu and the all-nighter but i typically just reach for a little corn starch and rub it in real good on my roots.

all of the links lead to where you can buy each product. if you don't do online shopping, i reccomend checking your local whole foods and vitamin shoppe. 

[images from spiritbeautylounge.com]