Whenever I watch anything set in the past, back 100 years or more, I always think, 'I wonder if everyone's hair was greasy back then?' I heard a quote once (I think it was attributed to a former queen) that went something like "A woman should only have three baths in her life. One on the day she's born, the day she marries and the days she dies." I've also heard that about how many times a lady's name should appear in the paper so I may have my facts skewed. At any rate, I know Pantene only came along in the late 80s or early 90s and that means the Little House on the Prairie ladies and Marie Antoinette had to make do with something else and I doubt they were shampooing every day.
So my friend, who is a master hairstylist thankyouverymuch, has been after me for years to wash my hair at least every other day rather than every day like I have for years. It's taken about two years (yup, 2 years) to level it out but I now know the secret to hair that's not greasy every single morning. The secret is only washing it about 2-3 times per week.
About a month ago I saw on the Today show they did a story about a lady who hasn't washed her hair in a year. Kathy Lee Gifford was incredibly rude about it and suggested the lady doesn't bathe, period. I'm sure this is untrue, but I think this is the common belief that you have to wash your hair every day or you're "dirty". Not so. I also have seen a ton of those homemade baking soda/ACV recipes online. I have rinsed with ACV (apple cider vinegar) and it does help seal the cuticle and smooth and soften your hair. On the downside, it also makes your hair dye disappear in just a few washes. As for baking soda, I can't understand why anyone thinks it will clean your hair. It's something I use as a mild abrasive and an odor absorber when I clean my house. It also sometimes leaves a chalky residue behind. I don't need to "scrub" my scalp or hair and I imagine it can't be easy to rinse clean because I've seen how it gets trapped in a rug when I've used it to freshen them before vacuuming.
My skin, hair and nails have always been on the oily side. The way oily side. Every decade or so I forget this and cut bangs. After a week I remember I can't wear them because they look like they were dipped in mayonnaise by the end of the day. I actually have trouble wearing nail polish or acrylic nails because my nails are so oily. I won't even start on my skin. Let's just say I needed Accutane. Twice. I was sure I'd never ever adjust to not washing my hair every day. It felt like it took forever but it actually just took a few months and now I've transitioned to just twice a week! Occasionally I've even gone a full week between washes and yes, Kathy Lee, I took a shower every day even when I didn't wash my hair!
While I was transitioning I learned a few tricks. On days 2 or 3 I use a little dry shampoo at the crown and around my face. On days 3 or 4 I usually wear a ponytail, a topknot or a bun etc. I also try not to wear it straight after day 3 because it really draws the eye to your scalp and sometimes it wants to lay really heavy around your ears which is a telltale giveaway that you didn't wash that day.
Here are some photos in case you're wondering what "dirty" hair looks like.
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Day 2, I rolled it on hotrollers here
but sometimes I sleep in a sock bun the night of Day 1 |
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| Day 4, not bad but I usually pull it up |
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Day 6, believe it or not!
It still has a little wave from the day before |
