Warm boot recommendations please

[Guest]

Not very likely this evening! We're not really selling it are we? Got to find the right spin . . .

[Sheilaz]

...or some headscarves.

With chickens on.

[Sheilaz]

Yuk, hair looks worse after vinegar rinse last night. I think it would suit straight hair, shiny & sleek. But, my hair looks best with a bit of body to it, sticking out all over the place.

I don't want to have to use oatmeal the day after a rinse.

PS, long term, the condition should be good..2 years 10 months to go....

[Guest]

Oh dear, now I don't know what to do. I was going to stick with water today, as I did last Friday which wasn't very successful. But I have S-I-L coming on Monday, so then I thought I'd try vinegar. Also my scalp has been quite itchy this week, I don't know if that is a reaction to the bicarb, but just in case there's anything living on my head vinegar would be good for that too. Now you tell me that it won't look good, so I'm left in a quandary.

 

Actually, if I accept that my hair is not going to look good whatever I do, then there isn't a problem is there?

[Guest]

OK, I did the vinegar. And I didn't get any in my mouth! I will report back later when I discover how closely my hair is stuck to my head!

[Guest]

My hair is at last dry - 5 hours!

 

As long as you don't look too closely it looks and feels newly washed. I have to clip the sides back though or I have a very sleek, stuck-to-the-head look. It is just the very top which is greasy in a sheep wool sort of way. I don't think the effect will last long and I will almost certainly be using oatmeal over the weekend.

[Sheilaz]

Sorry I've been a bit down about it, but I decided that it looked so bad this morning, after last night's vinegar rinse, that I did resort to the oatmeal.

Still only made it OK, not wonderful, and I felt cross at being caught out getting late for a train, brushing oatmeal snow all over my brown clothes.

I miss the knowing that I can rely on it looking OK, when needed.

I think I did the just ignore it approach to start, and now I'm fed up with it (do I sound it? )

May is full of events where I'd like to look my best, not worst. I'd like that daily too, looking in mirrors is part of being well groomed, not just vanity, but I have been avoiding them.

Oh, I meant to say, when I did the 2nd bicarb, it did make my skin a bit sensitive around the edge of the hairline, perhaps it is a stonger reaction than we thought for our delicate skins.

Greasy hair, spotty skin, I'm so glad we're doing this!

[Guest]

I think you've had enough and now you're just fed up with it. You're doing this on your own whereas my poor DH has to endure 'how does my hair look now?' every night before we go to bed. So I do discuss it and I have an honest opinion whenever I want one. (Of course, being female, I only believe him when he says it looks dirty! )

 

I am still , possibly stupidly, convinced that the results of all our endurance are just around the corner. You have done 7 weeks now. Another week and I'm really hoping for some improvement. We should be on the home stretch very soon. You've certainly come too far now to stop, that would be a terrible waste of all this effort. (I'm not implying that you're thinking of doing this though! )

[Sheilaz]

Thanks, Ginette, you're right, I'm not talking about it as I want to surprise everyone one day. Which means that my usual supports, OH (but not if it's about looks! ) sister, daughter, friends & colleagues aren't there to lean on.

So, don't you stop either (not that you're going to! ) or I'll be chatting to myself over here.

Also, I could imagine your friendly smile in the above post, and feel motivated again.

Might try a s"Ooops, word censored!"ed up bun tomorrow, good for the summer, and it gets away with looking flattened to scalp, as if it's intentional.

Thanks for listening.

[spott]

i'm just going to assume that ia m doing this right... i have no back up. in a way this is nice, hubby is partially sighted and can't tell greasy hair from good looking, anyway. except by tpouch , of course, but that is deceptive if not too greasy, and he is a man... and at work i wear a hat, all hair covered up. so i only rinse when too itchy, but tat is still every 2-3 days!! one thing i have found, though is that my hair doesn't electrify anymore, and thatn is great... i am on week 5 but i only have anpother 3 weeks and then i have to go to a wedding, so i am hoping it will be at least acceptable by then, but i am packing bicarb just in case still can't figure out the vinegar, though, it just seems to make my haor look worse. or maybe you guys use it neat, that might work rub in, and rinse out... any thoughts on that?

[rachel19]

Wow, you guys are all so brave!!! I wash my hair every day and really suffer from split ends..........am going to try making my own shampoo and conditioner tho in an attempt to be kinder to my hair. I did use an egg on it today and have to say it's v v soft and shiny!!!!

[Sheilaz]

Hi Rachel, you caught me at a low point on this, but the split ends are certainly something that I'm hoping this method should improve. How about cutting down, if you don't want to stop? Maybe shampoo only alternate days instead of daily?

The egg sounds interesting! I've heard of it as conditioner before, but not tried. I wonder if I dare. What with oatmeal, vinegar & egg, I'll have a whole meal on my head!

Spott, just read yours, I'm glad you're doing well at 5 weeks. I think I'm mainly struggling because I had a panic about which thing to use!

I do use the vinegar diluted, but I think it perhaps takes a couple of rinses with it to look better for me.

However, do not use the vinegar undiluted, or indeed too much. It will make the hair too flyaway again, & perhaps too dry.

You're right, since stopping shampoo, I do not have the dry, flyaway hair which was a problem before!

Edited April 28, 2006 by Guest

[Linda]

Don't forget the avocado!!

[AnnieP]

I would just like to add that I think you guys are amazing. Speaking as somebody who wimped out after 10 days, I really admire you for going so long. You certainly deserve the rewards which I am sure are just around the corner!

I have been reading this thread all the way along and go from "I am so glad I am not doing it" to " I should be doing it" at least every other post it seems!

I would like to add that since I gave up I have at least reduced the amount of times I wash my hair. I used to do it daily and now only do it every 3 days and only use shampoo once during the process, instead of twice, so I have cut down my useage by 5/6, so that's some small step I like to think.

For those of us who aren't as brave as Ginette, Sheila and Spott (is Anne still in this too?: If so, and Anne), maybe you should consider just cutting down as an option.

Keep going girls!

[Linda]

I think you girls are doing brilliantly too! As another one who wimped out after not getting very far , (and I know how hard that was!), I am full of admiration for those of you still sticking at it. AnnieP, like you, I have cut down on the number of times I wash my hair and use little shampoo. I'm interested in Rachel's idea for making her own shampoo.....I wonder what she'll come up with?

[AnnieP]

I used to do that as a child:

My recipe was something like: Take rose petals off Mum's favourite rose. Go the the water butt and get some water. Find a stick that the dog has left off chewing and mix thoroughly.....

Seriously: I use Ectopia:

http://www.ecotopia.co.uk/index.php?cName=body-care-hair-care

I buy my shampoo from them now, and also they sell Ecover shower gel! Its a fab site! Hmm...will go and post this in the green section too!

[rachel19]

Hi, if you're interested in making your own shampoo there's a really good book called 'Natural Beauty at home' by Janice Cox. It has loads of recipes for everything including moisurisers, toothpastes etc etc. The basic shampoo is really easy to make.......1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup liquid soap (im using soap flakes) and 1/2 teaspoon light veg oil. The you can add things to this eg beer to add body and bounce, chamomile to lighten etc etc. It's a fantastic book and i'd really recommend it.

 

If you just mix up an egg and rub into your hair before you wash it (cool water only otherwise you'll be picking scrambled egg out of your hair forever!!!) it does make it increadibly soft and shiny.

 

I have a party tonight and i'm trying a honey hair pack (basically putting honey on and leaving for 30 mins before washing) as it's very good for damaged hair and putting moisture and colour back into your hair. It also lightens it slightly apparently!

 

Anyway.........fantastic book

[Happymama]

I am not saying that you shouldn't wash your hair (meaning wet) of course. It's just that I've not go around to it for a couple of weeks, and it doesn't seem to make a difference!

 

Right the way through, I only 'washed' my hair on Monday nights, after getting sweaty at step, and used vinegar in it for the content of two bottles but never got around to buying a third, well, I did but DH used it to disinfect his dive kit.

 

Now my hair's dead stable, I started a year ago last October, and to be honest, it was acceptable after about three months, (at it's worst at 9 weeks) dead good after that until suddenly I can 'forget' to wash for weeks and it doesn't seem to look different.

 

And I'll tell you something - it's not at ALL greasy and my scalp is strangely without muck too. I want to straighten it again, that's all, and I'm wondering what it'll do to my straighteners (and what it'll smell like!) if I don't rinse it first. I'm off for a haircut in two or so weeks so may just wait until then. I've only got one Step class next week before I go, but even when I get all sweaty it passes in a day or two and hair's back to normal. It's really weird, it really seems to be able to take anything I throw at it with aplomb.

 

And no, this isn't some kind of have-on. I actually enquired about the principle of not using shampoo on another forum (sorry, closed membership now) and someone on there encouraged me to give it a go, told me that I would probably want to give up after about a month, and to keep going.

 

I'm sooooo glad I did.

 

I've not used bicarb or oatmeal, so can't comment. Bicarb, like bleach, is an alkali, whereas vinegar is obviously an acid. Both can strip fats. The oatmeal just soaks up surface oils.

 

Maybe those of you who are lingering in the doldrums are doing too much?

 

I'm a lazy cow at the best of times, it's all I can manage to remember to put moisturiser on, let alone change my contact lenses once a month (three days overdue already), so not using shampoo or having to wash my hair suits me down to the ground.

 

[Happymama]

BTW I'm up here and there's no one about to view my luscious locks - pity! But i'm off to Cornwall at the end of August if anyone wants to meet up.

 

Don't think I can make the get-togethers, sadly. DH has no holidays left.

 

I'm not sure a photo will do justice. But will get my DH to take piccys soon, he''s in the Lakes at the moment diving and hill walking (hence no holidays left to spend with his family!)

[Sheilaz]

8)Thanks Linda, Annie & Rachel for your support & other interesting info.

Also to Happymama, who got me into this mess in the 1st place!

It's all very confusing though. I understand the principles of vinegar/bicarb etc, but have no idea now whether to use more, less, which one, or not at all, it's a muddle. This is now outside the experience of Happymamma, but I'm spurred on by the promise that yours looks great, so I'll just have to work out my own plan.

My hair looks at it's best about 3/4 days after rinsing (of any sort). Now, this is just when I'd be thinking I should rinse again, to remove city grime. At this rate, I only have one day a week where it looks good (or even OK!)

I'm wondering if the reason it looks so gross for 2 days after rinsing, is that it has retained moisture for that long! Good for the hair, but looks awful to me. I'm amazed that anyone finds theirs dries quickly. Mine used to be quick drying & now takes hours. Perhaps 2 days! Healthy hair but not a great look! I think that's it though.

However, I'm still positive about giving it a go, & wish it would grow quickly so I can cut off some of the old & really see the new unharmed hair! That's what I'm aiming for.

On the downside, in 4 weeks time I'm going to 2 once in a lifetime parties (followed by Omlet @ Burghley ). I'll feel rubbish if my hair lets me down, particularly as there will be lots of memorable photos taken. It matters about that, even if I can "get by" for the daily hairstyle.

PS. I must see some photos! Please ensure we can see the head part, esp. the top, and part nearest ears. Please!!!!

[Louise]

I am still going strong with this and so far have bicarbed once only because my mother was coming to stay and that is it

 

I nearly did it again last week as I was going to my parents but stopped myself and there was nothing said to me I even broached the subject with my mother in response to her complaining how itchy her scalp is at the moment and how expensive t gel shampoo is

 

I even rinsed this morning before going to work and to be honest it looks and feels fine I will be halfway there tomorrow

[The Dogmother]

A quick update from us; Rosie is still going strong on the rinsing only, with an occasional touch of conditioner if needed. I am mostly rinsing, with the occiasional shampoo after colouring or a massage (oily). Both of us feel that our hair is in better condtion with less shampooing, although I would be loathe to give it up completely.

[Guest]

Thanks Clare! My daughter (11) and son (8 ) are also doing absolutely fine with just water. They've been going about 8 weeks now and rinse once a week.

 

I had a good week last week after my bicarb rinse. This week is not so good and I am just about to go into the garden to do some oatmeal before I go out

 

Sheila I have an idea for an impressive looking hairstyle for your special days/nights out! What about a French plait? They can look very elegant and with all those strands making lines across your head, I don't think slightly greasy hair will show. Indeed it will be easier to work with dirtier hair than with newly washed hair!

 

I've done 7 weeks and 2 days now!

[Sheilaz]

Well, I finally succumbed, & my hair looks great today! Two compliments in one day, after a barren 7 weeks! I picked up Esther from school & she said "You look pretty!" I was stunned, we're usually straight into discussing the trials & tribulations of the school day.

Then, even more surprising, LSH returned and greeted me with "Hello Curly Tops". Praise indeed, it means he noticed my hair (which isn't curly, just very slightly wavy).

 

No silly, not shampoo! After 2 weeks using a couple of vinegars, & having spent 5 days looking like a greaseball, with only one OK day in the middle, I finally succumbed. Used the bicarb. again! It worked! Phew.

I think the last fortnight has been the worst, nothing seemed to work, the 2nd bicarb was prob. too soon & everything went wrong.

Now I'm confident again, I think I mustn't use the bicarb more often than fortnightly though, but I can cope if I know it will work when I do.

I might be able to go out to parties & Omlet get togethers at this rate!

 

I'm also spurred on to hear how well Louise is doing, and the difference this has made for Clare & Rosie.

Ginette & family, an inspiration as usual. Thanks for the French plait idea, it's one of my favourite styles but I'm hopeless at doing it on my own hair, so haven't done for ages. Also, last time when I posted about trying a bun, it unfortunately drew attention to the worst part, around my ears. Maybe an oatmeal & then tie back though...

But, today, I'm happy!

PS.

[Guest]

 

That has brightened up my morning Sheila. Thank you!

 

I did oatmeal last night which worked well, though I can still feel bits of it stuck to my scalp and worry that some of it might show! At least I feel clean. I agree entirely with the fortnightly bicarb. We might need it once more or, hopefully, everything crossedly, our hair may start to manage itself!

Spent last night at the hospital with DD1 who has a UTI. Got to bed at 1am and consequently have a bad migraine developing every minute! And it's hot already and I don't like hot!