Beauty

I stopped using shampoo to wash my hair.  Screech!  Yes, it's true.  I have not used shampoo on my hair in two weeks.  After doing some extensive and exhausting online research, I developed a system to clean my scalp and hair.  It is cheap; it is easy; it is effective.  Here is what I do:

Prior to showering, I fill a pint bottle with two tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar.  To that, I add  1 tablespoon of organic honey.  Then, I add about 10 drops total of essential oils.  For this, you can be creative and add what you want.  However, avoid using lavender or neroli if you have dandruff, as these have skin regenerative properties - not something you want for a flaking scalp.  You don't need the essential oils, but they help lessen the vinegar smell.  Lastly, I fill the bottle with water and give it a good shake to mix.  Next, I fill a plastic tub with about a cup of borax.  Try to keep it from filling with water in the shower.

Once in the shower, I wet my hair and then scoop up some borax and start gently scrubbing it on my scalp.  The amount you need will vary on the length and thickness of your hair.  No need to rub it into your hair - just the scalp.  I do this for about two minutes, or so.  Then, rinse.  Avoid getting the borax in your mouth or eyes.

After the borax is rinsed out, I proceed to pour my vinegar mixture onto my scalp and hair.  Let that sit for a few minutes after massaging it into your scalp and running it through your hair.

I am adventurous, and also use the borax to wash my face and body (using soap on the pits and bits).  My skin is now very soft.  I do this while the vinegar mix sets.

Now, rinse well with water - on the tepid side preferably.

My hair is soft and shiny, and my itchy, dry scalp is under control.  There is no need for suds to get your hair clean.  I know, it's crazy!

Note:  If your hair smells too vinegary (happened to me a lot) then reduce the amount of vinegar or use white vinegar, and rinse longer.  That's why the essential oils are so nice.  I've been using sage and lemon.

Let me know how it goes if you try it!

Update:  I tried it with Baking Soda, as I read that this also works.  Uh, no.  Not really.  The baking soda stuck to my scalp and made my head itchy and my hair feel dirty.