Word has finally caught on that shampoo isn’t the most ideal cleansing method for your hair. The more a shampoo suds, the more sulfates it contains and the drier your hair will become. For women with wavy, curly or coily textures, dry hair means undefined, frizzy hair often reminiscent of the eighties.
Today, women are embracing their natural textures, showing off the beautiful curves that come with natually wavy, curly or coily hair. And to do that, following a no-poo regimen is key.
Thankfully, no-poo is no longer reserved only for the natural hair elite. Women all over the world are clamoring to the method as a way to combat early on-set hair loss and to regain control of their hair, learning how to keep it moisturized to keep it looking beautiful and frizz-free.
Unlike in the heydays of the past, following a no-poo regimen doesn’t have to break your bank. In fact, you can even try out the method without spending too much – starting with what you already have in your shower.
MORE: 9 Coily Cleansing Conditioners Under $20
No-Poo on a Budget
Using What You Have
If you are just beginning on road to a no-poo lifestyle, you probably already have a shampoo and conditioner in your shower. Using what you already have, start getting used to recognizing the ingredients in the bottles.
To err on the safe side, anything that contains the suffix “ate” or “cone” is generally not good for your hair.These are most often silicones and sulfates that will dry out your hair and caused build up on your scalp.
Despite what your current conditioner contains, though, start using only it to wash your hair. The no-poo method involves a different washing technique than you may be used to, so now is a good time to start practicing.
Noodling
The no-poo method technique for washing hair is called noodling, and is properly done by sectioning your hair off and then running your fingers, coated in conditioner, from your scalp through the end of the hair shaft over and over, progressing in speed. This will remove the dirt from your scalp and cleanse the rest of your hair while coating it in a moisturizing conditioner.
Test this out until your current conditioner runs out, and then you’ll be ready to move up to a cleansing conditioner or cowash.
Clarifying Shampoos
In the early days of moving from shampoo to none, your scalp can get a bit itchy as the build up of sulfates and silicones on your scalp begins to shed. This is a good thing – but it is a process. Plus, depending on whether you have thin or thick hair, a cowash can weigh your hair down a bit after repeated use. This is easy enough to solve though and is by no means a reason to forgo the method.
How to Use a Clarifying Shampoo
How often: Clarifying shampoos should be used once a week, month or bi-monthly, depending on your hair texture.
When: When you begin to notice that you hair is becoming weighed down or is losing definition, this is the time to use a clarifying shampoo.
How much: Clarifying shampoos are still very drying, though, so only use them as little as needed and in a small dime size amount each time. Because you don’t need very much, one bottle of a clarifying shampoo can last you for a very long time.
Where are the suds?: Clarifying shampoos contain no silicones or sulfates and thus do not suds. They do, though, remove all the excess product from your hair and put you back at point zero for your cowash treatment.
Cheap Cleansing Conditioners
In the past, the only companies producing cleansing conditioners were sold either exclusively online or through specialty stores. This often resulted in higher prices and inaccessible products. Now, however, larger companies have hopped on the cleansing conditioner (or “cowash””> bandwagon.
L’Oreal Paris EverCurl, for instance, has a $7 Cleansing Conditioner that you can purchase at any drugstore. The product also has a 3.7 out of 5 rating on NaturallyCurly and has won the Editor’s Choice award for 2013. According to reviews, the cowash works best for extremely dry hair and is a bit heavier, meaning that for thinner hair types, it might not be your best option.
The small guys are still a huge part of the cowash industry, though, and they often provide the most natural cleansing alternatives, paying very close attention to all ingredients used.
No-Poo on a Budget
If you follow these tips, a 10oz bottle of Elucence Clarifying Shampoo will run you $6 and last you the better part of 6 months to a year. A smaller bottle that you can easily find at a drugstore though is Suave Clarifying Shampoo, which will run you about $2.
You can pick up As I Am’s cleansing conditioner for a mere $8. This product has a 4.1 out of 5 rating, working for women with all hair types, from wavy to coily.
Overall, the no-poo method should hardly touch your bank account and may actually end up saving you money in the long run. After all, it certainly will save your length!
MORE: Clarifying Shampoos & Co-Washing Conditioners
