Home›
Introduction to the no-poo method
Gretchen
AdministratorModerators Posts: 10,840 Curl Virtuoso
Thank you VERY MUCH to esteemed CurlTalker HalfWavyHalfCurly (Raquel J. Aguiar) for writing this wonderful explanantion for us.
INTRODUCTION TO CG:
"CG" is a CurlTalk abbreviation for "Curly Girl," a book written by Lorraine Massey and Deborah Chiel, which advocates embracing our natural hair. With this objective in mind, Massey describes a new and revolutionary routine to accomplish healthy, well-behaved waves, curls and coils.
Although the very best way to do this routine is AFTER reading the book, we understand that many people just can’t wait another day because their hair is begging for help, so in order to make this easier here’s the basic guidelines of the routine:
Ia. The first step is to either totally eliminate or seriously limit the use of shampoo to cleanse our hair and scalp, the second is to use a clear gel to help keep frizz out, and the third to handle the hair in a very gentle manner; the book included many pictures that illustrate how it’s done.
The premise for this is tri-fold: 1) the fact that most commercial shampoos contain surfactants that are too harsh for our hair and tend to rob our hair of moisture, 2) that our hair tends to be more porous than straight hair, which makes totally rinsing out all traces of shampoo virtually impossible and that residue causes frizz, 3) the fact that most conditioners (COs) contain mild surfactants that paired up with a little manual friction are more than able to lift off dirt, debris and excess oil from our scalp and hair.
It is necessary to eliminate the use of most silicones (‘cones for short) from our hair care routine because most can only be removed from the hair with rather harsh shampoos. Washing with a CO while using them would cause them to quickly build up on the hair and this results in dull, matted hair and poor curl definition.
Ib. Choosing a good CO for CG - here is what we should look for in the label:
Emollients - soften, smooth the hair and give it shine. There are hundreds of them, natural ones include all vegetable oils and nut butters, others more widely u sed are glycerides and liposomes.
Proteins - temporarily “repair” the hair and/or protect it. Occasionally proteins will build up on some people’s hair, this is really more likely to happen on healthy or relatively healthy hair. In case of any concern, just alternate with a protein-free CO. Examples of them are silk, soy, wheat, keratin or individual amino acids (components of proteins).
Humectancts - absorb water and hold in moisture. They are absolutely crucial in a CO for curly hair. Panthenol, vegetable glycerin, sorbitol and honey are just a few humectants to look for on the label.
Moisturizers - add softens and control to curly hair. Amino acids and aloe vera are two great moisturizers.
Ic. HOW TO DO A CO-WASH:
After wetting your hair thoroughly, pour a dime sized amount in your hand and using the pads of your fingertips apply to one spot of your scalp and massage well, just as you would with shampoo. Repeat until you've scrubbed all over, then rinse ALL the CO off with plenty of warm water, still gently massaging with your fingertips so the friction will dissolve any residue. Next, pour more CO in your hand (sometimes another richer CO is necessary for this step), rub your palms together and apply over the length as you normally did in the past. Try to detangle with your fingers or with a very wide-tooth comb. For extra moisturizing clip your hair up and continue with your shower, then when you're done set the water as cool as is comfortable to you and rinse your head for just a second or two, gently squeeze the excess water off.
II. Choosing a gel - must be 'cone-free and preferably clear so it will allow the natural shine through.
III. Styling our curls - The main points are: 1) to NOT ever brush our hair; 2) to detangle it only when wet and soaked in conditioner, using a wide-tooth comb or whenever possible just our fingers; 3) to NEVER rub our hair with the towel* but to gently blot the water off using scrunching motions with it; 4) to apply product gently preferably by scrunching; 5) to air dry our hair whenever possible or diffuse only partially to avoid frizz and 6) not touch it while it's drying.
*microfiber towel works best.
IV. Clarifying - Sometimes it can happen that all residue from our gel, oils, etc. may not rinse off with with water and CO and we get a little "buildup". Very often it's easy to notice right away that our hair feels "gunky" but other times our hair just seems to stop responding to the routine, it may begin to tangle easily or our curls loose definition and shine; clarifying will refresh them and usually bring the bounce back. The recipes for natural clarifiers can be found in the forum section titled “Recipes – for hair and body”.
MODIFIED CG FOR WAVIES:
The author concedes to the fact that some people may have to continue using shampoo (hopefully a lot less often than before) because of an oily scalp, this is usually more common in those with wavy hair. To avoid drying the hair, here's the CG way to use shampoo:
1) Wet hair under a gentle shower. 2) Take a tablespoon of CO and using your fingers, lightly coat your hair from the ends to the midshaft. This hair has been around longer than the hair at the roots and needs more lubrication. The CO protects the hair by not allowing shampoo to penetrate and dehydrate the shaft. 3) If you're using shampoo, squeeze a half teaspoon* (no more) onto your fingertips and apply it gently to the scalp and roots only. don't use your nails. Start at the forehead and work around the scalp, then rinse thoroughly. 4) Add a half teaspoon of CO to your hair and work it through with your fingers. Then rinse quickly, for just a few seconds. No you're ready to blot-dry your hair.
*Diluting this amount in an ounce of water or so makes it much easier to distribute and gentler to the scalp.
Thank you VERY MUCH to esteemed CurlTalker HalfWavyHalfCurly (Raquel J. Aguiar) for writing this wonderful explanantion for us.
INTRODUCTION TO CG:
"CG" is a CurlTalk abbreviation for "Curly Girl," a book written by Lorraine Massey and Deborah Chiel, which advocates embracing our natural hair. With this objective in mind, Massey describes a new and revolutionary routine to accomplish healthy, well-behaved waves, curls and coils.
Although the very best way to do this routine is AFTER reading the book, we understand that many people just can’t wait another day because their hair is begging for help, so in order to make this easier here’s the basic guidelines of the routine:
Ia. The first step is to either totally eliminate or seriously limit the use of shampoo to cleanse our hair and scalp, the second is to use a clear gel to help keep frizz out, and the third to handle the hair in a very gentle manner; the book included many pictures that illustrate how it’s done.
The premise for this is tri-fold: 1) the fact that most commercial shampoos contain surfactants that are too harsh for our hair and tend to rob our hair of moisture, 2) that our hair tends to be more porous than straight hair, which makes totally rinsing out all traces of shampoo virtually impossible and that residue causes frizz, 3) the fact that most conditioners (COs) contain mild surfactants that paired up with a little manual friction are more than able to lift off dirt, debris and excess oil from our scalp and hair.
It is necessary to eliminate the use of most silicones (‘cones for short) from our hair care routine because most can only be removed from the hair with rather harsh shampoos. Washing with a CO while using them would cause them to quickly build up on the hair and this results in dull, matted hair and poor curl definition.
Ib. Choosing a good CO for CG - here is what we should look for in the label:
Emollients - soften, smooth the hair and give it shine. There are hundreds of them, natural ones include all vegetable oils and nut butters, others more widely u sed are glycerides and liposomes.
Proteins - temporarily “repair” the hair and/or protect it. Occasionally proteins will build up on some people’s hair, this is really more likely to happen on healthy or relatively healthy hair. In case of any concern, just alternate with a protein-free CO. Examples of them are silk, soy, wheat, keratin or individual amino acids (components of proteins).
Humectancts - absorb water and hold in moisture. They are absolutely crucial in a CO for curly hair. Panthenol, vegetable glycerin, sorbitol and honey are just a few humectants to look for on the label.
Moisturizers - add softens and control to curly hair. Amino acids and aloe vera are two great moisturizers.
Ic. HOW TO DO A CO-WASH:
After wetting your hair thoroughly, pour a dime sized amount in your hand and using the pads of your fingertips apply to one spot of your scalp and massage well, just as you would with shampoo. Repeat until you've scrubbed all over, then rinse ALL the CO off with plenty of warm water, still gently massaging with your fingertips so the friction will dissolve any residue. Next, pour more CO in your hand (sometimes another richer CO is necessary for this step), rub your palms together and apply over the length as you normally did in the past. Try to detangle with your fingers or with a very wide-tooth comb. For extra moisturizing clip your hair up and continue with your shower, then when you're done set the water as cool as is comfortable to you and rinse your head for just a second or two, gently squeeze the excess water off.
II. Choosing a gel - must be 'cone-free and preferably clear so it will allow the natural shine through.
III. Styling our curls - The main points are: 1) to NOT ever brush our hair; 2) to detangle it only when wet and soaked in conditioner, using a wide-tooth comb or whenever possible just our fingers; 3) to NEVER rub our hair with the towel* but to gently blot the water off using scrunching motions with it; 4) to apply product gently preferably by scrunching; 5) to air dry our hair whenever possible or diffuse only partially to avoid frizz and 6) not touch it while it's drying.
*microfiber towel works best.
IV. Clarifying - Sometimes it can happen that all residue from our gel, oils, etc. may not rinse off with with water and CO and we get a little "buildup". Very often it's easy to notice right away that our hair feels "gunky" but other times our hair just seems to stop responding to the routine, it may begin to tangle easily or our curls loose definition and shine; clarifying will refresh them and usually bring the bounce back. The recipes for natural clarifiers can be found in the forum section titled “Recipes – for hair and body”.
MODIFIED CG FOR WAVIES:
The author concedes to the fact that some people may have to continue using shampoo (hopefully a lot less often than before) because of an oily scalp, this is usually more common in those with wavy hair. To avoid drying the hair, here's the CG way to use shampoo:
1) Wet hair under a gentle shower. 2) Take a tablespoon of CO and using your fingers, lightly coat your hair from the ends to the midshaft. This hair has been around longer than the hair at the roots and needs more lubrication. The CO protects the hair by not allowing shampoo to penetrate and dehydrate the shaft. 3) If you're using shampoo, squeeze a half teaspoon* (no more) onto your fingertips and apply it gently to the scalp and roots only. don't use your nails. Start at the forehead and work around the scalp, then rinse thoroughly. 4) Add a half teaspoon of CO to your hair and work it through with your fingers. Then rinse quickly, for just a few seconds. No you're ready to blot-dry your hair.
*Diluting this amount in an ounce of water or so makes it much easier to distribute and gentler to the scalp.
Thank you VERY MUCH to esteemed CurlTalker HalfWavyHalfCurly (Raquel J. Aguiar) for writing this wonderful explanantion for us.
Gretchen
NaturallyCurly.com co-founder
3A
You are beautiful!
0
Comments
Red
Xtramoist shampoo, Fastfood leave on, Recoil, varnish Gel-Herbal Essances, Totally Twisted
Irish-American Curly
Never try to be something you are not, and never be afraid to be who you are.
RedheadCurly
thx
I did a BC
Hair type:3C\3B
Multi-racial hair
Hair length:Started at neck and ears(in its curly state).In Dec 08 (2 years natural) My hair was somewhere near armpit length with bentonite clay in my hair.
Mission: to obtain healthy hair every day!!
Hair products:homemade products.....
:angel1::love5:
"Man tries to exaggerate what nature has given him," Charles Darwin (1809-1882).
"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful." -Sophia Loren
http://members.fotki.com/Lorrnae/ (still editing)
PW:curlygal
I think i get it now...:)
Shampoo: Giovanni 50:50 Balanced
Conditioner:Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner
Leave-In: still looking...
Styler: KCCC
2B-2C - very wavy with loose ringlets
____________________________________
:wav:
2B-2C - very wavy with loose ringlets
____________________________________
:wav:
Let me know what you find out.
2B-2C - very wavy with loose ringlets
____________________________________
:wav:
Maybe we'll get some helpful tips from that! The folks on here seem to have really helpful information!
I posted it this morning.
2B-2C - very wavy with loose ringlets
____________________________________
:wav:
-
full CG routine works for my hair!
Sorry for my mistakes in english! This is not my main language. I'm still learning!
Fine & plentiful, no dyes
bioInfusion the Gentle One Shampoo
Currently loving:
Deva ArcAngell
Deva Set it Free
Curly since 6/17/2008.
http://public.fotki.com/UTgal/
PW: browncurls
Shampoo- JC Hydrating Invigorating poo, Alaffia Shea & Virgin Coconut Enriching Shampoo, CV poo bars
Rinse out- Natures gate hemp, GSAS
Leave in- GDLI, Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Leave in
DT- Still working on that
Styler- Ecostyler Crystal, Queen Helene Royal Curl Creme
Sealer- castor, Shea butter,jojoba oil
I don't know how well I'll keep it up, my blog The Lions Mane
Laura P.
type 3A/3B
I want to try the no-poo but I have a question. I did try to search for the answer as I know it has been asked before.
Do I use a daily conditioner or a deep conditioner ? and do I condition everyday or every other day or what?
I'm confused.
I'm supposed to use no poo and only conditioner ? I wish there was some product finder to tell me exactly what to order, I am so excited about this site but overwelmed!! I don't know what to buy!!
please help me....... I so what to try a curly cocktail but don't have 80 bucks right now!! I did hint to the hubby for a present however.
3b
Thanks
Isabel
Thanks
Isabel
Though I've been here for many months now, I actually re-read the no-poo sticky because someone on another thread had mentioned that going CG meant no shampoo at all.
From my understanding, it's because of the surfectants in the shampoos. Does that include non-sulfate shampoos?
I'm currently using an organic, non-sulfate shampoo because though my 3C curls are dry, my scalp is oily. (I have a bad case of dandruff or "chronic seborrheic dermatitis" as my dermatologist called it.) This shampoo has helped my scalp, and I feel that my hair is still quite healthy.
So... is this CG? Is it modified CG? Am I going against the CG bible and thus deemed a curly heretic? :roll:
"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.' "
- Charlie Brown
HEY!!! Follow me at http://www.twitter.com/kurleeedna
It depends on the ingredients, really. A shampoo without 'sulfates' but with other detergents would be considered a "low poo" and you'd be modified CG. I'm GUESSING that's where your product falls, but it's hard to say for certain without knowing the ingredients.
That being said, if you find something that works for you, go with it. Don't worry about the labels
HATE: plopping, FOTE on wet hair, BRHG
Purified Water, Aqueous Herbal Extract (Glycyrrhiza Glabra* (licorice) Root, Tussilago Farfara+ (coltsfoot) Leaf, Achillea Millefolium* (yarrow), Salix Alba+ (willow), Tabebuia Impetiginosa+ (pau díarco), Arctium Lappa* (burdock) Root, Berberis Aquifolium (mahonia), Calendula Officinalis* (calendula), Equisetum Arvense* (horsetail), Urtica Dioica* (nettles)), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate (coconut derived surfactant), Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (coconut derived surfactant), Sucrose Cocoate (sugar/coconut emulsifier), Coco-Betaine (coconut derived surfactant), Leptospermum Petersonii (lemon tea tree), Melaleuca Alternifolia* (tea tree), Lavandula Angustifolia* (lavender), Pelargonium Capitatum* (geranium), Rosemarinus Officinalis* (rosemary), Oryzanol (rice extract), Hydrolysed Soy Protein (hair strengthener), Glycerine (vegetable source), Panthenol (pro vitamin B5), Sodium Chloride (solar sea salt), Macadamia* Ternifolia (macadamia) Seed Oil, Parfum (fragrance of plant origin), Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Palmitate (vitamin C ester), Aloe Barbadensis* (aloe vera) Leaf, Mixed Tocopherols (plant derived GMO-free vitamin E).
* Organic + Wildcrafted
So... I guess... that would make me a modified CGer.
For those who feel the need to shampoo, I highly recommend this stuff! :thumbright:
"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.' "
- Charlie Brown
HEY!!! Follow me at http://www.twitter.com/kurleeedna
LOTS of people really like the coco-betaine stuff. I've actually convinced my mother to use a shampoo with that instead of SLS, and used it once... feels quite nice
HATE: plopping, FOTE on wet hair, BRHG
I'm all set to throw out my shampoo bottles. But do I need to shampoo one last time before I start CG?
Styling: GDLI, CK and any gel
VISIT MY ETSY SHOP: www.dreambelledesign.etsy.com
fotki pw: hair
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
2. I read in a couple of places that with this method you only need to wash your hair with conditioner once to two weeks. The other days of the week, are you wetting your hair and conditioning?
Thanks for the help.