amayakei

I'm the 2c/3a 20-inch long daughter of short-cut, wavy-haired parents. They and my boyfriend have been trying to talk me out of doing the no-poo method. No matter how much I explain about sulfates or how my co-wash massage probably cleans better than their shampoo, they are convinced that I am getting filthy. We went on a raft trip and I didn't wash my hair for three days and my scalp was perfect, not the least bit oily, but even that display of natural scalp health didn't convey the sensibility of the no-poo method.

I've compromised down to a diluted Dr. Bronner's wash every few days, but my hair seemed so sad afterwards. I do understand that it is hard for me to know if my scalp smells bad, so I want to respect that my peers may know more about that than I do. But at the same time, I've got the Curly Girl Handbook and the experiences of all of you to back up my 'madness'

Has this ever happened to you? What's your best argument? What's your best compromise?

missbanjo

I'd go one of two ways in your situation:

1. Keep a bottle of regular old shampoo (a scent you like but nobody else does so it's just yours) in the shower/bath area and squirt some out when you're in there so it looks like you're using it. AND don't mention the CG method anymore to them.

2. Get something like a Shea Moisture shampoo that's more mild. They won't know it isn't a regular one, just tell them it's more natural, AND it'll be a labelled shampoo they can see that you're using.


But yea I'm sneaky, what they don't know won't kill them, or nag you.

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Southern Colorado Curly
Mix of 2s med-low porosity, med-fine texture, lots of hair
Playing: Beautiful Curls curl activating cream & L/I
Clarify 1-2x a month, lo-poo once a week, cowash 2x a week
Regimen: dime SheaM C&H Milk, 2 nickels LOOB/Biotera Gel, dime SheaM Smoothie/dime SheaM C&H milk mixed, plop overnight, 2 nickels BRHG, diffuse 10 minutes

MKcurly

If your BF says your scalp smells then it probably does. What works for one person doesn't always work for another. I would take his word for it because he is likely to be more upfront then a coworker.

I follow a modified CG method. I switched because my hair became limp and uncooperative. Any of the lo poo's would be better for your hair then the Dr. Bronner's. You can do a search to see all of the options you have for that, I use mop-c. With lo-poo your hair shouldn't be as stripped or sad but you will need to use a good conditioner afterwards. I wash with a lo-poo every 2-3 days and if i have to restyle before then I just co-wash.
HTH

Angels3

I think the bf says its filthy b/c shes not using shampoo, not b/c it actually smells. OP its YOUR hair, if your bf doesn't want to take the time out to listen to you or look up the no poo method himself, then its your personal call in what you want to do. If your doing it right, there should be no reason why it smells. Its just ignorant (not in bad way) people talking about things they know nothing about. Most of us have had that happen before. Don't stop what your doin because somebody doesn't like it

michelleN

Stay strong, natural sister! I get flak from everybody about this, coincidentally, everyone except my boyfriend, who just accepts I know more about these things that he does (good boy, hehehe.) I don't only get these types of dirty looks and 'what are you, a hippie?' remarks from the no-poo method, many people act the same way when we get onto the topic of feeding my dog a natural diet of raw meat & bone. It's obviously hardest when those people are the ones you're closest too. I do not suggest lying to your boyfriend, though 'admitting' you're back on shampoo until the effects of the no-poo regime kick in and he comments on your beautiful healthy hair to break the news to him (because he cares so much he must be up in your 'do all the time to notice, right?) would be funny to prove him wrong if anything... If he and your pparents can't handle being told they don't actually know anything about what they're talking about, that's there problem. Don't sacrifice your hair's health because of these people. Join the revolution with us that know better, hahaha.

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3a/2c, coarse, high density, low-semi medium porosity.

Shampoo free since May 2012.
Baking soda + ACV regime

Growing out hair from 1-inch length since January 2012!
Goal: BSL-MBL

BlackAngelPlayah

I'm not sure why people feel the need to tell others that they are on the CG method. I don't even talk about my hair to "outsiders". They just don't get it. Buy shampoo, keep it in the shower, and just let them think you're using it...

AND NEVER SPEAK OF IT TO THEM AGAIN.

They'll never approve. Even if your hair is long and silky and flowing and healthy and smells like a field of ROSES, they will still say "Ewww!" because they don't get it.

That is all.


😜🍸Sent LIVE from my JPhone 4 using some CurlTalk app. 😜🍸

http://AfroCurls.wordpress.com

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FroZen

adthomas

I haven't discussed the CG stuff with very many people in real life because it would go over their heads. I have a friend who appeared to be 2ish and I tried to explain it to her but she said I didn't know about her type of hair. Then she went to a salon and they told her the exact same thing. Now she's following a different regime her hair like in the 3s
I'm not going to count the bf out if he says your scalp stinks. I've tried to go shampooless more than once and my scalp won't tolerate it. Plus I know people who go months without washing their hair period as in no shampoo and no cowash. And they don't seem to know their hair stinks. So sometimes other people can smell you better than you can.

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Transition your mind before you transition your hair.

dresdendoll

Ugh, yes
My mom has bone straight hair, and my dad has curly hair that could look really nice with CG and no more brushing! They both know that their hair is super dry, but my mother thinks CG sounds really gross...even with a cleansing conditioner. I mean, I guess I understand because of the no-lather factor, but she doesn't get why I can't use a low-poo. (We only use all natural products.) I finally caved and got a SM Moisture Retention, and that wasn't stripping at all, but my hair was so unbelievably dry. My hair HATES shampoo.

When people ask, I tell them that my cleansing conditioner is a 2-in-1...even though real 2-in-1's are just as drying as shampoos. I also say, if I'm desperate, that I am allergic to/can't tolerate surfactants such a sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates as well as cocamidopropyl betaine. Usually the big words make them stop badgering me (:

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2c/2b with some 2a, coarse, dense, thick, low porosity
Growing out a CL bob. Last significant haircut 12/2011.
CG again as of 7/20/12


Cleanser: BRÖÖ Hydrating Porter Shampoo
Conditioner: Darcy's Botanicals Pumpkin Conditioner
Styler: homemade coconut/aloe flax gel
Trying to make my own products!

all-natural products, MOISTURE, Mehandi henna, argan oil
PROTEIN, synthetic ingredients, heavy oils

BlackAngelPlayah

Actually she said her scalp MAY smell and she doesn't realize it. No one actually said it DOES. BF or otherwise. But you're right. Sometime others can smell you first. But in this case I think it's just "suggestion". Like they know she's not lathering up so she must be dirty.


😜🍸Sent LIVE from my JPhone 4 using some CurlTalk app. 😜🍸

http://AfroCurls.wordpress.com

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FroZen