Cleansing Recs?

[pezzy]

Hi all,

I've been a no-pooer for the last year or so but am really feeling like I could use a good deep cleanser for my hair.  I don't use many products (only a natural leave-in and conditioner), so build-up isn't really an issue.  I do an ACV rinse every month (sometimes bi-monthly), but this only restores natural PH.  How can I deep clean my hair without stripping it?  I'm not totally opposed to shampoo use as long as the ingredients aren't too harsh (hopefully sulfate-free).  Any recommendations are appreciated!

[jeamaria]

Well, one shampoo I will not recommend is Curls Truly Hydrated; that stuff will strip your hair and I'm pretty sure it's sulfate free. The same for Blended Beauty's shampoo. These lines were amongst my main mistakes when I first started looking at hair sites (in the case of Blended Beauty, for more reasons than just the products' inefficacy on my hair).

I am about to try Creme Of Nature detangling shampoo, so I'll post my results on that shortly. I like to shampoo at least twice a month; it leaves my hair feeling more moisturized than just CO-washes.

There are quite a few recs on this thread:

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http://www.happycurls.com/index.php?topic=150.0

[Syb]

Curls Truly Hydrated Shampoo is not sulfate free.  Its ingredients are listed on the Curls website, for further review. But Curls Cleansing Cream is sulfate-free, and is better suited for drier hair.

[so1913]

I have the book "Curly Girl" and they recommend a few things to clarify.  I haven't tried them yet, but I plan to.

"Lemon Aid"

It says "more clarifying and cleansing tha any shampoo,  this moisturizing and neutralizing tonic adds shine to your hair and removes buildup.  It's especially good for very dry or damaged hair"

-Combine juice of 1 large lemon with your usual amount of conditioner, then rinse through hair thoroughly.

Also here's something for a weekly scalp treatment.  It says "since your scalp is also skin, give it a special exfoliating treatment once a week or s.  Exfoliating will slough off any dead skin cells or conditioner buildup, making your scalp healthier and relieving any itchiness.  Mix up and apply the exfoliating scrub"
-1 tablespoon brown sugar or quinoa (available at health food stores)
3 tablespoons of conditioner

Mix together to create a thick consistency

Wet your hair in the shower, then rub the paste on your fingertips.  Apply to scalp and massage gently in circular motion, starting at the nape of your neck and moving upaward.  Linger on any spots that seem tense or itchy. 

Rinse throughly, then condition.

[bubbles76]

I recommend Oyin's Head to Toe Body Wash.  You can use it on your hair too.  It's basically liquid castille soap gentled up with aloe, honey, and some other oils.  Very good!  Softens up my hair and leaves it feeling very cleansed.  The honey makes the curls pop too, which is a bonus.  You can actually smell the honey in this stuff.  Absolutely sulfate free.

I also like Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo Bar and J.R. Leggit's Old Fashioned Shampoo Bar.  But Oyin's is by far the best for my hair.

[pezzy]

Thanks for the link jeamaria--I appreciate everyone's responses!  I'll definitely have to look into some of these recs (especially the curly girl book)...