I may give this another try…sometime. Anyone tried going NO ‘POO? I did this several years ago after someone on a discussion board mentioned it. Of course, I had to try it; I’m just too curious for my own good sometimes 
My results were less than stellar; however, it could be I did not give it long enough to work…I couldn’t afford “to wait a few weeks” with nasty hair to see if this works!
I did the baking soda thing, followed by apple cider vinegar (no, I did not create a sizzling foam reaction!) The vinegar is great as a conditioner, by the way, whether or not you ‘Poo. It leaves hair nice and soft.
My hair just didn’t respond in the — four days? something like that — time I did it.
**
I’m as paranoid about putting poisons in and on my body as any other loon, so I prefer to use Morrocco Method shampoos and conditioner, by Five Elements.
Sometimes you wonder about the “natural” part on the advertising of products, but one look at this stuff and there’s no doubt, Lol! This is serious mud:
I read about it online and the ingredients list sold me; This is for the “Sea Essence Shampoo”:
Our Simply Pure Fair Trade Ingredients
- kelp; nori; kombu; fucus; sea silk & Irish moss; red, brown & white algae
- :: revitalizes, stimulates hair growth
- Klamath Lake blue green algae
- :: nourishes heals
- natural soapbark from Chile, Chinese green tea from Shanghai, cactus from Mexico, & yucca
- :: 100% natural foaming botanicals
- aloe vera, organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- :: enlivened enzymes
- 92 trace minerals
- :: natural preservative
- essential oils of frankincense and myrrh
This synergistic blend of enlivened, charged botanicals and hand-picked herbs are mixed, blended, and bottled according to the moon cycles used by ancient farmers.
Animal cruelty free.
All Morrocco Method 5 Elements products are gluten free.
Now, admittedly this will take some getting used to. When I first tried this it disappeared into my hair! It felt like I was putting nothing on, and so I added more and more until it felt like I might get a tiny bubble or two. This is not a sudsing shampoo. Of course, I was irritated. This stuff ain’t drugstore-priced junk! It seemed like I couldn’t get it throughout my hair and I was sure my hair wasn’t clean. But it was. It took a few more times to realize I did not need so much of it — maybe a bit more than others — but, really, the need for it is probably just in my head (ha!) It will not lather up like you’re used to; but you find out quickly, you don’t need it. Some of that foaming action in regular shampoos, comes from SLS, “sodium laureth sulfate”), which some say is carcinogenic; while others aren’t so sure. Even Dr. Fuhrman’s response to a question on the Dr. Fuhrman.com Forums to its safety, “… likely to be safe enough to be used on your skin, but not safe enough to eat ” is rather dubious. Hmmm…not very comforting! I’ll stick with the natural stuff, for now. Anyway, have you read the list of ingredients on some of these things? Too many “glycols” such as propylene glycol which comes from petroleum, and other questionable additives. No thanky.
Here is the back of the Apple Cider Vinegar. You see it says to shampoo twice! I did this for a short time, but not for long. You don’t need to. Maybe it’s just to put people at ease when first trying it — I don’t know, but I certainly do not need to shampoo twice, nor use a lot like I used to.
I like the conditioners, too. I’ve used the conditioner and the sprays; I have not tried their styling gel or Hair and Scalp Therapy. I do have their oil, but I only used it a couple times because I make my own; and don’t really need it, anyway.
I get a little worried when a product gets “big” and then starts to expand: They’ve got these new Elixirs I’ve not tried, but I get antsy when I read about such dramatic claims, such as “Grow luxurious hair in 90 days!” You know? On the other hand, so far, the Morrocco Method has not disappointed…there goes my curiosity gene 
Maybe, I’ll try it (!) And then there’s cutting your hair by the moon 
well, hey, who knows?
Before this product came to my attention, I hadn’t even thought of shampoo as a possible cause for gluten sensitivities! I wonder if there is gluten in some products like this that people don’t know about and are suffering needlessly. I swear you have to be Sherlock-friggin’ Holmes nowadays!
Back to their ‘poos, they are also a very nice face wash; my skin is left very soft,clean, and never dry or oily. It’s gentle and has a very soft exfoliation action, which I like because I don’t like those harsh ones that feel like you’re scraping your skin raw with corn kernels or something! I like the cider vinegar best for that. I feel much safer with ingredients like seaweed rather than diethanolamine (DEA).
I like this stuff now, and am used to it. Even with long hair, I don’t use loads of it. My hair also seems to not need to be washed often; which makes me wonder if I’ve sort of done a semi-No’Poo, since this stuff does not contain what other shampoos do. My hair is left clean without perfumes or feeling weighted down by who-knows-what, nor stripped of all its oils.
~ *** ~
Hennaing for the body can be quite beautiful. It can be extravagant, as in for weddings, or quite simple in design.
I’ve always liked the look on feet…
"Becky's Henna Feet" on FlickR
Perhaps this summer
But there is also hennaing for hair. I’ve never colored my hair, but, wanted to try the henna; So, I bought some once and never did use it! I did some internet surfing and found some cautions about henna being dangerous…Sigh…then I read that only *certain* henna products, made with some cheap, substitute, posing as real henna is what to avoid…Sigh, some more…so, back and forth, back and forth. I admit it, I was propogandized! I really didn’t know what to believe. Normally, since henna has been used for the ages, and there has been no major warnings about it, that I know about, then I would try it (though, having been used for centuries doesn’t always = safe, of course!) However, the whole thing about not knowing what is the good henna, and which is the bad, well, it just gets ugly ( ) — will the real henna please stand up? More sighs.
Anyone have experience with henna? I’d love to know your experience. If you know about the controversy (or maybe it’s all phooey ??) and/or know a good source for the “good” henna, please, do tell!
~ *** ~
Final word on all this “No ‘Poo” business — no one mentions smell! Many moons ago, I worked my way through school and supported myself in restaurants. Let me tell you, you *will* smell like the blue plate special at the end of your shift, whether you like it or not. Still, I rarely cook now, and I still get the smell of food in my hair! Plus, isn’t the hair absorbing a lot of the junk in the environment? Just going into downtown makes me feel like a good shower when I get home.
Perhaps the baking soda method would be enough. The vinegar, I’m sure rids most of the smell…but some of these methods say you need never wash your hair, only rinse with water!
I had a friend who never washed his face, only rinsed with water twice a day. Never would have known! He had great skin. Hmmm…Sure would be nicer on the wallet…Maybe I’ll go no-’poo sometime, but I’m thoroughly happy with my Morrocco Method.
Anyone try going No ‘Poo or willing to to give it a try?
O, and, lest ye thinks me remiss me smoothies, I shall leave thee with today’s GJGS — Dino Kale-Collards-Baby Spinach-Strawberry-Lemon Green Jucie Green Smoothie 
Strix
Argent said,
January 13, 2009 at 6:15 am
Great post!
I use Pert Plus because a fancy hairstylist told me that’s all I needed for my fine hair. I think he would have advised NO ‘POO, frankly, if he was bold enough. Now I’m intrigued by your Morocco Method.
Psst . . . I don’t wash my face!
poxacuatl said,
January 13, 2009 at 7:40 am
That is so cool, haha. Does it take a while to adjust like the no ‘poo thing? It makes sense in a way, I guess, since it’s sort of the same issue about stripping all the oils. I guess you have to be makeup free, though! I think I’ll try it, since I don’t wear it often.
Argent said,
January 13, 2009 at 8:39 am
I don’t know if non-face-washing takes time to adjust to because I’ve never really not done it. (How ’bout that for a confusing train of negatives?!) I use Dr. Bronner’s for general soaping in the shower and just skip my face (and don’t rinse my face other than in the daily shower.) Ya, I don’t use make-up except for Burt’s Bee’s lip shimmer — occasionally.
My skin’s clear except I pretty reliably get one pimple ’round that time of the month.
laurabruno said,
January 14, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I’ve used henna on my hair for years since living in the desert, which gave it huge “witchy” knots. The henna coats your hair so that it doesn’t tangle as easily. It’s definitely messy and you need several hours. I enjoy the ritual of it, though. To my knowledge, it’s just the “black henna” that’s dangerous. If you want to use henna to die your hair black, you need to use indigo and then henna, so it’s a 2 step process. “Black henna” sold as a 1 step process is the dangerous stuff. I love just plain old henna, and it makes my brain feel calm and nourished. I sometimes add essential oils to it for a better smell, too. It thickens your hair, and depending on your natural shade will either not change the color at all or will give you varying degrees of red.
poxacuatl said,
January 14, 2009 at 2:15 pm
laurabruno, hi.
And, of course, black is what I wanted — figures! lol. But thanks for the info. I had wondered why black seemed to be in a different category and labeled Indigo…So if it’s not a two-step process, then something’s amiss? And I should look for “indigo” *and* “henna” in the ingredients; correct?
Thanks!
laurabruno said,
January 14, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I think you need to get indigo and then also henna. Some people use indigo and then neutral henna.
poxacuatl said,
January 14, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Thanks, Laura
Barb (kneecap) said,
January 15, 2009 at 12:42 pm
At first I thought this post was about not pooping! okay, once I figured it out, that sounds so intriguing! I’d love to go no poo and no soap for that matter. it seems water ought to be enough. I wonder what I would smell like. I notice I don’t smell as much since I started eating healthy. I might have to try this. I have really short hair so I imagine it would get really greasy fast.
-barb
poxacuatl said,
January 15, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Haha!
I think it is supposed to get greasy/dirty at first; but then it somehow “fixes” itself or something. I know a woman who only rinsed her hair, too, but hers was very short. I thought, at the time, that, that may have been the difference because mine was long then too. But now, I’m not so sure; and, it’s most likely that I didn’t do it long enough to give it a fair chance. BUT, I couldn’t go for weeks on end at that time, with dirty hair, waiting!
Yea, the smell thing is true! I noticed it first when I exercised; and now I notice that I don’t have even have to worry about it at all, really, even smack in the middle of a humid summer. So that’s another great benefit to ETL’ing
Thanks for commenting!
By the way, you should put your blog link to your name so when someone clicks it they go to your blog (which is veganbarbie.blogspot.com/
)
Barb (kneecap) said,
January 15, 2009 at 7:56 pm
you mean like this?
Barb (kneecap) said,
January 15, 2009 at 7:57 pm
cool, thanks for the blog link tip.
poxacuatl said,
January 15, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Yep
. You’re welcome
gon2be said,
January 16, 2009 at 3:22 am
Hey, I tried to go no poo, but with long hair and lots of running, I guess I wasn’t patient enough to wait for the “greasy” to turn into “soft and shiny”. I have been thinking about getting a dry shampoo as an alternative to lathering up. Know any good ones?
poxacuatl said,
January 16, 2009 at 8:00 am
gone2be, I think I know what you mean — those shampoos that travelers use? Hmmm…no, I don’t know if there are any good types. That’s a good question! I’m sure someone has come up with a non-toxic one.
I just did a search and apparently you can make your own! But it sounds “iffy” to me. Cornstarch? Cornmeal? Hmmm…maybe I’ll give it a try
I’ll keep searching and see if I can find a good available product. Most seem to have toxic stuff like triclosan, and come with butane for the spray ones.
poxacuatl said,
January 16, 2009 at 9:14 am
Ha! I found one.
Hair Fix. It’s vegan and non-toxic!
Barb (kneecap) said,
January 16, 2009 at 1:56 pm
what if you went 1 day, then 2 days, then 3 days, then 4, etc. until you get up to a big number? I might have to try this. my hair is short so I think it will be less noticeable. I can pretend I have gel in it or something. I didn’t use soap in the shower today. haha. this sounds too fun to resist.
poxacuatl said,
January 16, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Barb, you’re so funny
I think short hair is easier. Keep us updated. I’m curious about how long you could go without soap in the shower hee hee. Let’s put it this way, if you start growing green stuff out of your nails, don’t attempt to put it in a smoothie :^P
gon2be said,
January 17, 2009 at 4:36 am
Awesome! Thanks. I usually try to go three days between shampoos anyways, now I may be able to s-tr-e-tch that out with the dry stuff.
Barb (kneecap) said,
January 17, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I’ve been wondering about soaps in general. Now I that I don’t cook with oil and burn food, I notice clean up is really easy. When I camp, I don’t use dish soap to clean the dishes. I’m not sure I need it at home, at least not most of the time. Then there is the hand soap. I’ve read that the water washes off the germs and soap helps with that, but I’m not sure it’s necessary. hee hee. think of the money we’d save. okay, not much probably. but less things to put on the shopping list.
Barb (kneecap) said,
January 20, 2009 at 6:33 pm
So I’ve gone a week without shampooing and it actually works just fine. Rinsing my hair with water and then blow-drying it works really well. I have really short hair though. I also tried the experiment of no soap anywhere, and I’ve decided I will have to discontinue that one, haha. ASAP. haha.
-barb
poxacuatl said,
January 29, 2009 at 8:43 am
Hey, Barb, you are in celebrity company, lol. I’m sure you’re thrillllllled!
poxacuatl said,
January 21, 2009 at 10:36 am
Oh, wow, cool
I’ve gone a few days and my hair is okay so far. A ponytail goes a long way!
xanaluna said,
February 27, 2009 at 10:00 am
Hi, I just found your blog yesterday when I was looking for info on sprouting. I’m in heaven – your blog is completely awesome. Mountain Rose Herbs (.com) has a wide selection of henna. Organic, but not certified organic.
poxacuatl said,
February 28, 2009 at 7:17 am
Hi, Xanaluna! Yes, I love MRH; I shop there way too often.
The henna I have, that I still haven’t used is theirs. Some day, I’ll do it, haha.
Thanks for stopping by and welcome