Lately hair care companies are creating a plethora of new products designed to clean your hair differently than normal shampoos. This article about a new hair powder by Buttercream Cosmetics illustrates the latest 
example. They’ve even coined a new term “shampowder.” Well, 
Weird Ways to Wash Hair
1. Shampowder – Best Dry Shampoo
option?
What is it? We’ve previously discussed powder shampoos so read that for more info about dry shampoos. But basically, you spray or sprinkle a powder (cornstarch) on your head and it is supposed to absorb the oil. To finish the cleaning process you comb the product out.
Does it work? Yes, the dry shampoo works for absorbing oil. It also is scented so it’ll leave a bit of that fragrance behind. But it doesn’t clean your hair nearly as well as a regular shampooing. It also may leave a white residue and can leave hair feeling gross. However, if you want to skip a shampooing day or two this product is good in a pinch. It’s also good for color treated hair because it will help reduce the amount of color lost.
2. Conditioner Cleaning
What is it? Believe it or not, some people just wash their hair with conditioner. As some have figured out, conditioners contain surfactants just like shampoos. The difference is that they are used at much lower levels in the formula, they don’t clean as well, and there is more oily materials in the conditioner.
Does it work? For everyday cleaning you’ll likely be disappointed by using conditioner as your hair cleanser. It can start to 
build up on hair and feel heavy. It will also attract a lot more dust, pollen, and dirt from the air. But again, it will work. Your best bet is to use a conditioner that does not contain silicones. In this case, cheaper products like Suave and VO5 would work better.
3. No-Rinse shampoos
What is it? Here’s a weird way to wash your hair without water. The formula is a real shampoo except you don’t rinse it out. The most popular brand is No-Rinse. The formula is much runnier than a regular shampoo so you don’t need water to make it foam. Just put it on dry hair, work through with your fingers and watch it foam. Then wipe out the foam with a towel for clean hair.
Does it work? This formula will work better than the powdered shampoos. It can clean your hair better than a conditioner. But it won’t be nearly as good as a regular shampoo. But if water is in short supply or you just don’t feel like hopping in a shower, this no-rinse shampoo might be for you.
4. Body wash all over
What is it? As we discussed in this post, body washes and shampoos are similar formulas. If you wanted to, you could use your body wash to wash your hair.
Does it work? A body wash will clean your hair almost as well as a moisturizing shampoo. It’ll even provide a little conditioning. Don’t use it if you’re looking for deep cleansing but for everyday shampooing, it can work just fine.
5. No ‘Poo
What is it? Just what it sounds like…just stop using shampoo. According to the folks at Nature Moms, if you stop using shampoo your hair will be fine. (Unfortunately, this website propagates myths about toxins found in shampoos so feel free to ignore that scaremongering.) Here are some other interesting stories by people who have tried to go some time without shampooing.
Does it work? You don’t actually have to shampoo your hair. Of course, it won’t be clean either. It will be healthier and probably look more shiny. However, it may also look and feel greasy, smell funny, and be difficult to style in any way except laying flat on your head.
The quest for clean hair is never ending. Dry shampoo, No-rinse shampoos, and other products provide options Now you know that you don’t have to always be stuck using that same old shampoo.
Now that your hair is clean want to know what to do with it? Head on over to this fabulous site for the latest tips, tricks, and ideas about hairstyles.
Loading ...
{ 19 trackbacks }
{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
The forums at websites devoted to curly hair are filled with strong advocates of the “no poo” method of only using conditioner to wash hair. When you read what they have to say, it’s a sacrilige to use shampoo on curls. I personally find it just doesn’t clean well enough to get rid of that nasty dirty hair smell… and my hair and scalp aren’t even that oily.
I can’t see why anyone would rate great curls as more important than a clean smell. I know someone who also has curly hair and does the no-poo method. She hasn’t washed her hair with shampoo in over three years and wears that distinction like a badge of honor. I’ve come to the conclusion she’s not even aware that her hair smells.
I think a more reasonable approach is a condition-shampoo-condition cleansing routine on some days and then conditioner only on other days. Great body, great curls AND a nice clean smell!
i’m quite intrigued by this. grossed out in a way, because it’s just disgusting to me that people would want to get away with not washing their hair. but also intrigued by how many different ways you can actually go without ‘pooing.
i’m asian and have thick, long hair. i wash it every day, without exception! in the past, i have found that missing even just one day of ‘pooing will leave my hair too gross for its own good. so it’s an absolute must for me to wash my hair every day.
but based on this article, there seems to be an implicit opinion that one shouldn’t shampoo every day? is that right?
Well, I have used the Shampowder and the no-rinse shampoo before. The reason was not becuase i was too lazy to wash my hair, it was because i couldn’t. These products actually came in handy when i had surgery on my back for scoliosis and could not shower for several days. its not the best items to use but its a lot better than just sitting there without washing my hair for several days.
This article is fascinating. When I was a kid, I begged my mom for the dry shampoo, but she handed me the box of cornstarch and told me it was cheaper and I relied on this method through much of college when I was too broke to buy shampoo until payday. Luckily, my hair is ash brown so a little powder didn’t change the color, just absorbed the oils for a day or 3.
When my dd was 5, she got lice at school and rather than use the chemicals, I sprayed vegetable oil in her hair every day, combing it, the lice and nits out (chairs and pillows were covered w/ towels and the oil washed out of them easily). After 4 – 5 days, no more oil was needed, but her hair was starting to look and feel amazing, soft and silky with more of it’s natural curl appearing. Now that she’s a teen and into daily follicular torture, I have restrained myself from reminding her of how gorgeous she looked B.P.E. (Before Product Era) Someday…someday.
The personal anecdotes at the linked article about not shampooing don’t tell us much. For those whose hair improved, perhaps they also stopped doing other harmful things, such as using heat styling appliances, brushing it when wet, or allowing excessive silicone buildup.
Excellent point Pam. That’s why we “don’t put much stock” in anecdotal evidence.
I have found that conditioner-only works very well for me so far, I only took it up a couple weeks ago. I hated washing my hair before because no matter what kind of shampoo I used, my hair felt really… crunchy. Silicones helped some, but a friend said this had worked for her, so I’ve been trying it out. And it really is.
I just scrub as vigorously with conditioner as I did with shampoo, and use the massage setting on my shower head to rinse as thoroughly as possible. This is, in my case, all I’ve changed, and my hair is markedly softer and shinier now, and my scalp doesn’t feel like I haven’t washed.
Not everybody has the same hair, so trying to claim that one thing is good for everyone is obviously silly, but it’s done good for me. (And my hair, so far as I can tell, just smells like my conditioner. I’m not, however, in the practice of having complete strangers smell my hair, so as long as my SO doesn’t mind it I don’t care *what* it smells like.)
I’m convinced blow drying and products are what ruin my hair, not shampoo.
Adding my 2 cents to what others are saying about washing with conditioner only. I have curly hair which is also extremely dry. I’ve been doing the “curly girl” routine for a couple of weeks now. Like Susan, that’s the only thing I’ve changed in my routine. It’s working beautifully: my hair is softer, shinier, and much less frizzy.
I would add two notes: 1) stay away from conditioners containing waxes (someone already made a note about avoiding silicones), and 2) If you do get buildup from any styling products, you can rinse with a light solution of apple-cider vinegar.
See http://www.naturallycurly.com for more info on the “curly girl” method.
I only shampoo once a week with a sulfate-free shampoo. The rest of the week I wash my hair with silicone-free conditioner. My hair and scalp do not smell, and my curly hair has never looked or felt better. No method is going to work for everybody, but I think it’s irresponsible to stigmatize a method that works for people just because it’s unorthodox.
Hi Girls – This is Jayne the creator of Shampowder. I formulated this product because I have dry, brittle, fussy hair that takes an hour to wash and dry. The more often I wash/style my hair the drier it becomes. Shampowder has given me freedom from being a slave to my hair and my hair is healthier because of it. We are extremely proud to say that we’ve gotten overwhelmingly positive feedback on our product. The vanilla-scented powder comes in two shades for dark and light hair and blends beautifully into an array of hair colors (it does not turn your hair white like the article above claims). The all-in-one applicator features a short firm brush to deliver the perfect amount of product exactly where needed. Shampowder pigmented hair powder allows you to have freedom between hair washings and will refresh, volumize and deodorize your hair. For more information, please visit our site: http://www.buttercreamcosmetics.com. Thanks!
I absolutely love co-washing (washing hair with conditioner). As someone with relaxed tresses, I love the slip that co-washing gives and how the conditioner makes me my so easy to detangle. I usually use Bumble and Bumble Alojoba conditioner, but I’ve switched to Pantene Essential Nourishing Rinse. Does wonders for my hair. I put it on before I hop in the shower, place a shower cap over my head and rinse right before I get out.
My hair is so moisturized and its easier to handle.
I absolutely love co-washing (washing hair with conditioner). As someone with relaxed tresses, I love the slip that co-washing gives and how the conditioner makes me my so easy to detangle. I usually use Bumble and Bumble Alojoba conditioner, but I’ve switched to Pantene Essential Nourishing Rinse. Does wonders for my hair. I put it on before I hop in the shower, place a shower cap over my head and rinse right before I get out.
My hair is so moisturized and its easier to handle.
Hairs My Story.com
I like to use Thermafuse Eight Elixir for those days when I don’t want to wash my hair or I woke up too late.
It has yeast in it and they claim it gobbles up the skin flakes, dirt, etc.
I don’t know how true that is. However, my scalp feels refreshed and my hair smells nice afterward. It doesn’t look super fantastic but those are the days I wear my hair in a ponytail anyway!
Conditioner wash isn’t really that weird, now is it? I have waist length hair, and I only use very cheap White Rain conditioner to wash the length, but I can’t get away without shampooing my scalp though, since it’s quite oily.
I never looked back after I started conditioner washing my hair length.
My father always washes his hair everyday, but when he was hospitalized for over a month, I washed his hair with the dry shampoo. It works very well. You can usually find it in the gift shops of hospitals for that reason.
If you have curly hair — which I do — you will jump for joy to discover the conditioner-only method of washing. Contrary to some comments here, your hair will not smell bad if you’re using conditioner that’s free of silicone. I haven’t touched shampoo in 5 months and my hair has never looked, felt, or smelled better! Straight-haired people will not find this method suitable because their hair doesn’t need the moisture and conditioning that curly hair needs. Truly, I could not be happier with conditioner-only washing.
another option is a solid shampoo … check out http://www.lush.com for more details. i’ve used this for about 6 months now, and it works great! it is awesome for people who travel a lot as well … no worries about how many ounces of liquid you have when boarding an airplane.
I’m also a no-poo’er. I have wavy hair that tends to be oily. I use to *have to* wash my hair every day, otherwise it would just get, well greasy looking at the roots. yuck
Now instead of using shampoo I use baking soda that I mix up into a paste. I use it in my shower and massage into my scalp. For the first time in my life I don’t have an oily scalp anymore- nor do I have to wash my hair every day!
Now I go 2-3 days in between washings (which is unbelievably different for me).
The article was good until this:
“Of course, it won’t be clean either… However, it may also look and feel greasy, smell funny…”
Just because you don’t use shampoo, does not mean that it’s not being cleaned. Most use a mixture of baking soda & water followed by apple-cider vinegar & water to cleanse. It is *very* clean, no grease, and the only smell is a slight vinegar smell until the hair is dry. (Even this short time of a vinegar smell can be removed by adding a few drops of various essential oil drops.)
Frequent shampooing will most certainly rob hair of precious moisture. Conditioner washing is a great substitute. If you are worried about buildup and such you can wash normally a couple times a week and condition wash on other days.
I had surgery on the back of my head, and can’t get the back of my head wet for a week. My greasy hair was driving me INSANE, so I tried the cornstarch method. I ended up with cornstarchy hair. I couldn’t get it all out no matter how much I brushed. I finally had enough and just washed the top/front of my hair VERY, VERY carefully using my hand-held shower massager.
I can’t imagine a “lazy Saturday” ever being enough justification for using dry shampoo instead of taking a shower. To me a shower is MUCH less trouble and more effective in the long run!
i hvae very dry hair too. I just pantee pro v for woman of color. sure i am not a woman of color but the forumla is great!
Thanks so much for all this great tips!!!
I’ve got lots of strait, long, fine hair.
I hate washing it often.
So far i’ve only used traditional method of shampoo and conditioner but i hate washing with soaps and poos alltogether.
I wiil try corn starch
I let you know soon how it went
Your coverage of the no-poo method seems very uniformed. No-poo does not equate to not washing. The idea is to avoid shampoo, not avoid cleaning your hair. For most people, it’s a balance of everyday warm water rinses and occasional days of vinegar rinses and/or baking soda rinses. Some people find that daily warm water rinses IS enough for them, but they are a rare breed. The majority come to rely on the baking soda and vinegar method. Everyone arrives at their own formula, through trial and error, as we all have different needs. Hair is not oily and smelly. If it is, you’re doing something wrong. My hair is as clean as when I shampooed a couple times a week. It is shinier, more manageable and smells fresh. I am 100% sold on the no-poo method.
It’s not uninformed as some people do advocate not washing. Perhaps these people are the extreme. However, daily warm water rinses are not actually washing your hair. It may remove some water soluble elements of dirt but won’t have much effect on the oils & non water soluble pollutants in hair.
There is nothing wrong with the no-poo option. Some people, like yourself, are very satisfied with the results.
I like how you say “Unfortunately, this website propagates myths about toxins found in shampoos so feel free to ignore that scaremongering”. I would like to say “Unfortunately, this website propagates the truth about toxins found in shampoos”. I guess you have done absolutely no research on the contents of shampoo. It is completely toxic, most of the ingredients are used in stain removers, carpet cleaners, glues and they are used to degrease car engines. Do some research people. Your hair will be healthier, shinier, and more beautiful if you use a more natural approach to cleansing your hair.
@TurtleLove,
What are you talking about? I actually formulate shampoos (and other cosmetics & personal care products) and know exactly what chemicals are put in them. I’ve also read the Material Safety Data Sheets of all the chemicals I work with and am well aware of their safety profile. These things are not completely toxic. Where is your proof of this? What scientific research have you found that says these things are toxic? Please supply.
The fact that a chemical is used in carpet cleaners, glues, etc. means nothing. WATER is also used in carpet cleaners. Does that mean it is toxic and should be avoided?
The idea of white powder on hair just doesn’t sound great to me. But sounds like a quick fix.
To be honest, the idea of not washing hair on people with normal to oily scalps is kind of gross. As a person with extra dry hair and an extra dry scalp (I have eczema), I can get away with not washing my hair for at most five days. It’s not a problem for me since hair and scalp don’t get greasy/dirty/smelly easily, they’re both naturally dry, as I don’t use any styling products or appliances whatsoever. No-poo is the only way I can really control my hair and moisturize my scalp. But I’m an exception, I guess?
Shampoo strips the natural oils from your hair. Conditioner is a man-made chemical-based replication of the oils you replace. If you don’t believe, try shampoo without it and see the damage it does. By nature some people produce more oil than others in their scalps. If you have skin that produces a large amount of oil or hair that is straight, you’re going to notice oil build-up in a few days. If your hair is curly or dry, you can go without shampooing for a significant amount of time. Also if you are an avid brush user, then oils will spread out more evenly and your hair will feel better. Worst case scenario: straight hair + no brush = greasy roots + dry ends.
I first tried dry shampoo on a cruise around S.America. I sprayed it on, brushed it and didn’t even lose my professional style! Three weeks of this: by the 3rd wk. I washed it. Just returned from a Wyoming vacation for a month. Same procedure and my hair looks fabulous..(my sister was jealous!)
I absolutely love dry shampoo, both the spray-on and the “astronaut’s version” from K Mart. Try it, ladies! Good luck. DCK
I’m someone who’s splitting the difference between normal shampoos and the baking soda/vinegar/warm-water rinse peeps. I switched to a shampoo with no sulfates (Kiss My Face brand, Whenever type). I achieved silky hair for the first time in my life. I have normal-to-oily hair (have to wash every other day). A friend of mine switched to the baking soda/vinegar pattern and she’s never been happier with her hair. It doesn’t smell, it feels great, and a consistent acne problem she’d had on her forehead cleared up.
Everyone please keep in mind that different hair has different needs. I am of African descent and have very dry hair so most shampoos wreck my hair.
I like to “wash” my hair frequently and the only way that I can do this successfully is by limiting my shampoo usage (1x per week) and using silicone free conditioners to cleanse more often (1-2x per week). I have no problems with smelly hair and my hair is thriving like never before. Mind you I also use vinegar rinses, baking soda, and oils with anteseptic qualities (neem oil, etc) on a regular basis.
Different hair types often require different care.
“Unfortunately, this website propagates myths about toxins found in shampoos so feel free to ignore that scaremongering.”
Unfortunately, some people are ill-informed about toxins in our products. It’s true that many ingredients, such as sodium laureth sulfate, aren’t toxic. However, SLS is very drying to your skin and will increase the need for your skin to produce oil, thus giving you an oilier scalp. Plus, ingredients such as synthetic fragrance are VERY TOXIC. Synthetic fragrance is carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and harms the environment every time you rinse your hair out. You, the reader of my comment, probably own products with synthetic fragrance in it. It’s listed as “fragrance” or “parfum”. Go read the ingredients, and make sure that next time you buy something with natural scents or no scent at all.
And it won’t help to ignore the truth. Just make the right choice.
Feel free to contact me: raldiva@aol.com
Nonsense.
Yes, SLS is drying but where is your proof that it causes the skin to produce more oil? I’m not aware of any scientifically valid experiment that demonstrates this. I’d be happy to be proven wrong.
There is no such thing as a single ingredient called “synthetic” fragrance. Fragrances are all different and composed of a wide variety of chemicals. No 2 synthetic fragrances are the same. To suggest that all are VERY TOXIC is just wrong. Feel free to post any supporting proof you have for what you are saying. I’m in the industry & know how fragrances are produced. You’re suggesting things that are not supported by scientific studies.
a lot of shampoo’s are very bad for your hair. Especially a lot of generic supermarket ones. so quite a few of these sugeestions are good alternatives.
haha funny will that be comfortable with dry shampoos options,i don’t think i’ll withour washing with water..
There are other ways to emulsify the scalp’s dirt and oils. Try using Shakakai powder. It is of East Indian origin and can be found in East Indian stores or can be bought online. Take one teaspoon of the powder and add it to one cup of water. Boil it and strain. The liquid is what you will use to wash your hair. Apply to your scalp and make sure it is all covered and massage your scalp with your fingers. There is no need to wash the rest of your hair since the rinse water will take care of that.
I noticed that there are a lot of “environmentally friendly”, “defenders of the natural way” and however you want to call it on this forum.
But, people, don’t be ignorant AND arrogant! Even if you did your research and found that shampoos have toxic elements in them don’t panic and throw them out. Remember, maybe there is something toxic there, maybe not, it depends on the product, quantity of the substance and most importantly how it interacts with other substances. It can be toxic on its own but in small amounts and with relationship to other substances it does no harm. It’s your choice whether to use it or not, either way it’s fine- whatever works for your hair. Just try to think more from a scientific point of view and don’t try to prove your argument with false claims (most people here know what a fallacious argument is)
I’m not against any of your methods, I’m just against ignorance and poor education. It seems that this “organic new wave” is misinforming people who forgot what they studied in school.
I think it is very cool and I don’t like the lies though about alot of
shampoo! Like the kid shampoo it
say tear free my cosin put it in her
hair and it went in to her eyes and it really heart so test things out before you sale them!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do your research before publishing such a stupid article…just because you don’t use shampoo doesn’t mean you don’t use alternative methods to clear your hair! “No poo” doesn’t mean smelly, disgusting hair – quite the opposite.
She also left out no-poo/low-poo rinses.
These are shampoo-like products that don’t lather but still get the job done. I use the Brown Low-Poo by Deva when I’m at the gym because I never need to condition after(one less bottle to carry around). It cleans my hair and makes it feel wonderfully soft.
I read that a lot of Taiwanese artist like to use dry shampoo coz of their busy schedule..
I’ve just begun an attempt at going no poo. I’m keeping a diary here:
http://hennasuppliers.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=46&Itemid=93
BTW, no poo doesn’t mean not washing. Its not dirty at all. Also, have you read a shampoo bottle? I don’t want to argue about whether chemicals in there are poison or not and whether that discussion is fear mongering, but why would you want to put so many chemicals in your hair? I’m allergic to laureth sulfates anyway, so it is poison to me.
Even though washing with conditioner instead of shampoo makes my hair wonderfully shiny, I can’t help but feel greasy. The dirt and oil is not completely washed out,and the conditioner leaves build up on my hair. I tried this “hair care fad” for about a month, but then went back to my own ways. However, if you have dry, frizzy hair, I recommend using both. Wash your hair with conditioner most days, but use an anti-residue shampoo once a week to thoroughly clean your hair. To much conditioner can ruin your hair, so be cautious.
I think that this article did a good job of covering alternate ways to clean your hair, but it stops there. There is such a clear amount of bias here that it’s disgusting. There are different hair types in the world and all have different needs and ideal means of cleaning.
To label the no-poo method which cleans well because of small amounts of cleansing agents on those formulas and FRICTION (massaging your scalp and hair) as “weird” is just wrong. And to those people who say that just because you’re not washing with shampoo means your hair can’t get clean, stop being so ignorant. This is clearly just written from the perspective of normal/oily straight hair which in general holds onto moisture better but for us curly girls, low and no poo regimens work best. I’ve been using conditioner to wash my hair for years and it’s in the best condition it has been. I only use shampoo for clarifying or if something gets in my hair that makes it more dirty than usual.
Dry shampoo is great if you’re in a rush and is popular in many African-American natural beauty shops for locks, braids and twists because of ease of application and the ability to lift dirt and oil off of hair in tightly coiled patterns.
Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate cleansers clean yes but there is a price you pay. Unless your hair is oily (and sometimes even if it is), it’ll strip a lot of natural moisture from the hair leaving it with reduced strength, elasticity and if you have color treated hair, it fades more quickly. Please don’t take my word for it, do your OWN research.
And I also don’t like the whole attitude towards toxins in cosmetics. THEY ARE THERE. If you choose to be ignorant again, that’s your business but they are not myths. It’s NOT a myth that some brands of lipstick contain lead. It’s NOT a myth that young women due to their cosmetic use are at much higher risk of certain cancers and endocrine disruption than men of the same age group.
Go to EWG’s (environmental working group) Skin Deep report and get informed. There is NO regulation of cosmetic ingredients in the US, making it the wild west of concoctions. Even the high end brands will surprise you. It doesn’t mean all cosmetics are bad and it should be taken with a grain of salt, but it will give you an idea of the impact of certain cosmetics that you use.
I have long curly hair, and I hate to admit it… but I did NOT like the condition only no ‘poo method of cleaning my hair.
I tried it out for a month and a half and finally got fed up with it. Yes my hair was softer, but I had a build up of dandruff (really bad), my hair was more flat, and my hair actually felt greasier than before.
I did all the things people recommended: longer cleansing times, no wax conditioners, etc. I even tried using backing soda as a less harsh method of cleaning my hair, but I had a bad reaction and my scalp was itchy for a week and my dandruff got worse.
Now… I try a condition wash 2 days, shampoo one, condition wash 2 days, etc.
That seems to work best as my hair is soft and shiny, AND my hair doesn’t feel greasy, no dandruff, and my scalp doesn’t itch like crazy from so much crap build up from the conditioner not rinsing it out completely.
But switching over to only conditioner-washing was a no go for me.
I’m not saying it doesn’t work, BUT I think it’s good that some ladies know that some of us curly haired girls were not impressed with this method.
I have tried a “Shampoo Bar Soap” having found it at a craft show many years ago. I loved it! My hair was clean, soft and easily detangled. My skin felt extremely moisturized.
Unfortunately, I don’t live in that area any longer and the seller did not have a website. Great to hear Lush has a bar. Can’t wait to try it.
I have african-american kinky/curly type hair. Because I run or do some type of exercise that causes me to sweat, I wash my hair almost every day to get rid of the salt.
My hair stylist strongly advised me against washing my hair frequently. I have tried for two weeks using a conditioner to “wash” my hair. After each wash I found my hair limp, oily,…and more dirty than before the “wash”. …and the no ‘poo wasn’t any better.
Maybe I’ll experiment with the cheaper conditioners…
Next Comments →