I'm pulling my hair... and it just won't come off

Ok, not really but if I tried pulling my hair out, I really doubt that much, if any, would come off and the reason I wish to explain to you. It is now almost exactly one year to date since I left for paradise, Maui, Hawaii. The weeks leading up to my departure were basically spent sharing some quality time with friends and family. Sharing with them all how awesome it was that my dream was coming true but yet how I still felt confused and anxious because I wanted to make sure to only take with me a small amount of things I actually needed. I had one interesting conversation with a co-worker at Whole Foods while I was trying to find that one shampoo and conditioner to take with me to Hawaii, the one that had that wonderful "shine" quality, the one that was "all-natural", the one that would basically fix my fucked up hair. As we looked for the "right" one and read the information as to what kind of hair it treats and such, she looked at me and said "You know have you ever tried the 'no-poo' thing?" I wasn't sure if she was jesting about having a dog lick my hair or if she was talking about something I had heard before. She pointed out that she loved another co-worker's hair and was surprised to hear that she as used the 'no-poo' system for years; I was sold especially because I also noticed that other co-worker's hair and yeah, it was always shinning and looked amazing. I left that night straight to my computer for more information.

As I looked up the facts about 'no-poo' I was really excited to read that what I had been looking for for years might have actually have been in my kitchen for years! I mean realistically, when the hell am I going to use, let alone buy Baking Soda for something other than putting it in the fridge for odor control and forgetting about until 3 years later when you forget why you bought it in the first place and think "What the hell do I use this for?" and toss it out. Then I was really miffed at the other ingredient in 'no-poo', Apple Cider Vinegar? Really? It stinks! Or so I thought. (During my time in Hawaii I probably never used as much Apple Cider Vinegar, in my food, my drinks, and even on plants, as I did while I was there.) If I could count the times I have ever seen or tasted Apple Cider Vinegar in my food, I wouldn't be counting past 0. Alright, so I admit, I sure as hell was unhappy with the kitchen ingredients 'no-poo' recommended I put in my hair but as with so many other things, I gave it a shot, hoping it would give me the results I was looking for. And low and behold, the results are in, drum roll please... but before I tell you how this has faired out for me, I want to put you through the same thing I went through: the learning process. It's quick, I promise.

Baking Soda: As mentioned in Black Girl Long Hair (http://blackgirllonghair.com/2012/02/is-baking-soda-too-harsh-for-hair/2/) Baking Soda is a natural product. It comes from the earth and is in it's raw form. As well, Baking Soda is an alkaline, the weakest one of all alkalines. This means that unlike chemical-ridden shampoos, it has no power to ruin your hair. In fact what shampoos do with their strange and almost hard to pronounce chemicals is strip your hair of natural oils. Shampoos take out of your hair what it really needs leaving you to think that in order for you to keep up with whatever "shine" you think your hair is getting from this shampoo you must keep buying it. Well, there you have it, one part of of this 'no-poo' system and all you need is a .99 cent Arm & Hammer Baking Soda box and your expensive shampoo bill is no more. How much to use? Simple, for every time you wash your hair use only one tablespoon of Baking Soda in one cup of water. Shake it around and use it just as you would pour shampoo and massage it on your head. Got it? Good, now let's go onto the conditioner.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Once again, Black Girl Long Hair in this blog (http://blackgirllonghair.com/2012/01/6-ways-to-use-apple-cider-vinegar/) explains that hair's is on the acid side "Hair is on the mildly acidic side of the pH scale and has an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to that of an apple cider vinegar rinse (pH 2.9)." Let's move away from science and go into some common sense. If I were to tell you that I want you to turn on a helicopter, you would have to follow directions. Ok, so here they are: you have a cable in your hand that has a negative sign, in order to turn on the helicopter you need to touch the ignition with the cable but there are two signs on the ignition negative (-) and positive (+). If I told you to only use negative on negative, your common sense would follow. Now, if on the other hand, matching signs up is not your thing then you're not going to be able to turn on the helicopter. Essentially this is what has happened to many people's hair, as Black Girl Long Hair states"...many of the hair care products we use, such as soap-based shampoos, bleaches, hair colors, and permanents are strongly alkaline." Many people keep doing the same thing or in this case buying the same thing over and over again, hoping for a different result, it's insanity. Does it stink? Does hair smell with Apple Cider Vinegar in it? Nope, not at all. I've met others who use the same system and you cannot smell a thing. If you do want it smell, smell pleasant that is, just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and boom, you now have your own self-made conditioner, congratulations! (All royalties from your sales will first be collected by me before you get anything. Just kidding). Before you go out and buy it, here is the amount you will want to use: per hair wash, use one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in one cup of water. Shake it up and just as the Baking Soda, use it as you would pour conditioner and massage it around your hair. And that's it!

Here is the part where I get to tell you how this has worked for me, so, drum roll please... one year later and my hair has never been complemented as much as it has been this past year, it has never shined as it does, it's able to be combed in the direction I have wanted for so long, I can go a little longer without getting a hair cut because I enjoy the way it comes down more rather than grow upwards, and the best part is that I feel so happy and relieved that I have found the solution to my strange hair. Now, I love my hair! I don't wear hats, I don't have to gel it, I don't have to ask around for suggestions on what to use, nope, now everyone's asking me and guess what? I've been able to switch family members, friends, and even people I meet on the streets to this system. Most recently, my younger sister decided to make the switch because she was confused and also tired of trying to find the "right" shampoo and conditioner for her hair. A month and a half later, her hair looks so different than before, it's hair that she loves (and loves showing off), and it's shinning all by itself. Now, don't get me wrong, there will be a period of getting used to it, not only for you but for your hair. You may want to give up early because your hair will be more "greasy" or oily but this is just part of getting back in balance. So, try it, I can't change your hair preferences but I can sure tell you that I've seen changes not only in my hair but in others and the changes are bright!



With love,




Antonio