What is cowashing?

    Cowashing simply means to just wash your hair with conditioner only ans no shampoo.  When I first heard of this method, I thought ,"No way!  My hair and scalp gets waaay to dirty for that!"  But I really started to look into it a little deeper after my big chop.  I was using a sulfate free shampoo, and my hair was doing "okay."  It definitely was not holding onto moisture for very long.... I had to moisturize my hair several times a day or else my hair would feel like an old carpet :D lol.    I knew that I did not want to start my journey off on the wrong foot, so I decided to look into the "curly girl" method created by Lorraine Massey. This method is based around cowashing the hair, using conditioner to style the hair, and staying away from ingredients like sulfates, mineral oils, and silicones. (Castor oil is said not to be curly girl friendly, but I have not had a problem using it to deep condition :) This is why I say I do a "version" of the curly girl method lol.) 

  I have been doing this version of the curly girl method since September 2012,  and it has changed my hair for the better for sure!   I no longer have such a hard time keeping moisture in my hair! In fact, I moisturize my hair on wash days and that's usually it!  I cowash my hair every 3 -5 days now :)

---

This is what I have been doing for my fro :)

1. Avoiding  silicones 
2. Avoiding mineral oils, petroleum
3. Avoiding products high in protein :)  
4. Avoiding glycerin in cold weather
5. Using  fingers most of the time when detangling
6. Using conditioners as "stylers"

    I like to use Alberto VO5 conditioners for cowashing because they are crazy CHEAP!  lol  They also create a slight lather which tricks my brain into thinking I'm shampooing lol.  They also have only a little protein which helps keep my hair balanced.  I plan on sticking with the curly girl method for a lonnnng time :D  I have only had to clarify my scalp with apple cider vinegar once since I have been cowashing!  Not bad for almost 6 months! lol (BTW, I'm still learning about using apple cider vineger for clarifying :D  )  I'm not necessarily against shampoos, silicones etc. lol, but the fact that my hair has done better with me avoiding these things, has definitely made me stick with it.  Listen to your hair :D  It will always tell when it doesn't like something lol!



Check out Updated Cowashing/Moisturizing Routine- NaturalMe4C  video on Youtube :D