A Hair Experiment
Some of the funniest shampoo advertisements I’ve seen over the years have gone like this;
A beautiful, young lady walks through a vibrant rain forest brimming with life and colour, wild birds, exotic plants and the sound of water cascading over a waterfall. It evokes purity, cleanliness, nature and harmony. The young lady walks out into a clearing in the forest by a beautiful, clear turquoise pool of water.
Then she gets out her plastic bottle of shampoo, and washes her hair with goodness knows what and I wince as it trickles down her into the pool. How absurd!
I’m sure today, somewhere in the world, there are people who still live in harmony with nature. I’d like to think they still exist. In my own little romantic mind, there are people who still use ancient and traditional methods for their haircare. I’d love to know what. It’s easy to find information about old remedies and recipes and concoctions without too much effort, yet I like to hear personal experiences.
Here’s mine -
Over the last 2 years, I decided to become my own experiment and let my hair return to it’s natural state, as much as possible, just by following my gut instincts.
In my younger years, my teens and my 20’s, I had done the same thing. I only used natural products and my hair was healthy. Was it only because of my age I wonder?
So, a couple of years ago I decided to stop using hair colour and returned to using henna. Last year, I decided as I wasn’t going out much (at all in fact), I had a great opportunity to let my hair colour grow out. I’d been sprouting grey hairs since my late teens, and was born with a streak of blonde hair, which is now white. In my teens I would bleach my long fringe either side of my face, and it would be either left white, coloured green, pink or blue. Funny when I think about it now!
On my quest to return my hair to it’s natural state, I also stopped using harsh shampoos last year and started trying out various ‘Natural shampoos’. Then even better, I moved on to organic shampoo bars. I bought a lovely rosemary infused one from my friend Naomi’s shop ‘These Two Hands’.
My friend Paula, in the meantime, had developed her own certified organic shampoo bars for her own business ‘hipipipi’, so I started to use that. I would wash my hair only once a week, and gradually it became softer and needed less washing. It smelt lovely! I continued using it for quite a while.
Then a couple of months ago I decided to just stop using soap on my hair altogether. The only harsh chemicals that get on my hair now are from the tap water or from the air, but that is another topic. I’m not going to be too extreme about it, I would go mad.
I remember in my youth it being much harder to go through this process, but I probably rushed it in less time. This time - I have taken my time. And the best thing is; I don’t smell like a sheep.
I shared my latest escapade in the Carry Forth Tradition Facebook Group asking people if they had any experiences and Here’s what people said - thank you! -
“I’ve very little hair so I’m no use in this experiment. If ever I need any conditioner ( dry hands & face from work), coconut oil is great. Very natural, organic & no nasty additives. I try to use healthy or organic. I know hair starts to self clean after 6 months.
You sure you don’t smell like a sheep.”
“When my hair was a lot longer I didn’t wash it for a very long time. If you don’t use styling products then it doesn’t need to be washed. Your natural oils will take care of it. I very very rarely was mine these days. Shampoos just strip it and then you have to condition it which makes it greasy and the cycle goes on 😩 I think your hair is looking great xxx”
“Becky James perhaps a natural soap once in a while.. let us know how it goes and I’ll join you. I haven’t colored my hair for a long time and I am still very blonde with white and dark roots”
“I tried two stints of not washing hair , a seven and a six month. Went to my baby’s shower smelling of vinegar I’d dabbed on for the special occasion haha. It didn’t seem to work for me but I’ve very fine very long hair .”
“Try vinegar and soda-bicarbonate..??”
“Number one, you look charming and gorgeous, two your hair looks great. Three, you are generally awesome and your husband is a lucky guy.”
“When I was a boy, our hairdresser told me and dad to only wash our hair once a week with shampoo. No more than that because of the chemicals in it. He told me to just use cold water to damp down my curly hair. I’ve been doing it since I was 12.”
“You look lovely! Thanks for sharing hair tips. My hair is thinning, need a natural remedy before it’s all gone.”
“I used to wash my hair with a banana mixture. I liked it. I didn’t make it but I bought from some natural health store. Used to use when I had long hair. Made it really smooth and soft. I’m sure it was mostly bananas in it.
https://beautymunsta.com/make-banana-shampoo-shiny-hair/”
“Kudos Becky. I do use shampoo and hair coloring product. Wash my face with water only since forever. Use body lotion on my face. I found an inexpensive one that seems to do the trick. I’m back to Chandrika auyrvedic soap for body cleansing. I have sensitive skin so when I find a product that works I stick with it, banana peels et al. Experimentation is fun and I like change also. Thank you Becky for sharing yours and our experiences.
PS I just remembered we used to catch rain water and rinse our hair with that as it makes the hair softer😊”
“Er..we need to talk!”
“I’ve been curious about this, but my hair gets really oily. They made me an honorary member of OPEC.”
“Interesting”
“Why?”
“Hi, in ancient times they used their own urine for washing hair. Research urine therapy, it’s used by super models, also to keep ‘em looking young and beautiful and no, I ain’t taking the piss. lol. IF YOU LOOK UP ‘UREA’, which is in lots of beauty products, you will understand that THEY put animal urine into guess what? So who is taking the piss now???😊”
(Not sure if I’d ever be brave enough to try, or even admit if I ever attempted the urea treatment.)
“I live in a hot climate and am sometimes physically active. If I don’t wash my hair it becomes a home for mold and mildew and very noxious bacteria colonies. I heard people mention “Hair is self-cleaning” but I have no clue what they are talking about —- nine months a year if I don’t wash my hair I grow stuff which could be classed as biological weaponry. Fine with me if it works for others, though.”
a friend told me ‘hair is like a tree
- It falls out a lot more than normal in autumn and goes through a transitional, resting phase over winter then shoots out new growth in the spring. It’s typical to lose 100-200 hairs a day as old follicles die off and new ones develop.’
I was also reminded by my mum that this happens to me every year in Winter - each time I fret. So, trust those who know you best and don’t worry if a few hairs fall out!
My conclusion
I really appreciate other people’s experience, advice and opinions. The responses in the Carry Forth Tradition Facebook group made me laugh and were also really interesting. The discussion was great as I love people joining in.
I also appreciate that to be true to oneself involves an element of discovery and finding your own way.
One of my favourite pass times is deep pondering. I wonder, could it be that simplicity is the key to returning to tradition?
Could it be that if I follow my instincts, to do what comes natural to me, quite often the way with the least effort required is the way to go?
I’ll just stick to water for now.
