Making co-washing work for normal/thin hair types with oilier roots.                                      

Now, I have done a previous post about weather or not co-washing is worth the hype. I had conclude it wasn't for me. However, I believe my thoughts have changed.

 I had a bout of colitis that wrecked havoc upon my hair and skin. My hair went nuts. It seemed to beome thinner and just about every shampoo I used (except for a generic baby shampoo or baby body wash- both containing the milder sodium laureth sulfate and little to no conditioning agents) made my scalp itch and just about every conditioner left my hair feeling greasy, heavy or coated. (there was a few exceptions to that namely Sauve Naturals coconut which I did another post on.)

 I have been fasinated with WEN but am way to cheap to pay that amount for a hair product. My daughter had a cleansing conditioner by Salon Grafix which I tried on a whim, and was seriously impressed by (that is a future post) and I began researching again.

I have found that in all of these cleansing conditioners there is nothing special. They are basically just conditioners with little to no silicones, very mild, non-surfactant "cleansers" found in most conditioners anyway, and a bunch of herbal extracts. The process of how you wash your hair is much different than a traditional shampoo and condition, and there in lies the key to getting co-washing to work, especially if you have "normal" to thinner, straight to wavy hair with dry ends and an oilier scalp.


 First, I went out a bought a bunch of vo5 conditioners to try. In the past, I have used the ever popular Kiwi and Lime and Strawberries and Cream without much success so I bought the Extra Body, Split Ends formula, Blackberry Tea Therapy, Chamomile Tea Therapy, and Vanilla Mint Tea Therapy "flavors".  I also had Suaves Tropical Coconut on hand. ( I will do a future post and review each of these based on strictly a co-washing standpoint) I am cheap and  got each of these  (vo5) for less than a dollar (.66 to .75 cents) a piece on sale. Even at full price off $1.00 for 15 oz. it is much cheaper than the $8.00 for 12 oz. of Salon Grafix cleansing conditioner or $6.00 L'oreal Evercreme.

 Process:

   1. wet hair completely- not just a quick rinse- make sure it is soaking wet.

   2. Apply a palm full off the conditioner to your roots

   3. Massage it in very, very, very well.  I'm talking a few minutes. I actually turn my shower off during this process as it is lengthy and do not want to waste water.

  4. Add a tad more water if need be to make the conditioner "foam", it won't really foam per say but the water seems to help it "shampoo" better

 5. Add another palmful to the length of your hair, if your hair is longer than shoulder length

 6. Comb through with a wide tooth comb, starting at ends and working up to remove tangles, then comb root to tip.

 7. Do other shower duties, wash, scrub, shave etc.

 8. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE - I can't sress this enough you really do need a  long thorough rinsing, especially at the roots.


    Viola!!  you have just co-washed.

 Now, while this seems like a pain, and it does take longer, it is actually much, much easier than a seperate shampooo and condition once you have it down.

  I am still in the perfection process, but I have went 8 days till a shampoo, which is unheard of for me. Once I find the perfect combo of conditioners ( I still cannot use the same conditioner more than 2-3 days in a row as I feel its "building up") I may be able to go a month shampoo free which will be amazing.