Close to two weeks ago, I embarked on an experiment in personal care on a level I have never before attempted. In the interest of of acquiring frizz-free, shiny, bouncy hair, and of regaining my natural curl, I bought a certain little book.
And then I stopped using shampoo.
You have to understand the relationship between me and my hair to understand what brings me to such a drastic measure. By most accounts, I've got terrific hair. It's got body and volume, it's healthy, thick, free of split ends. But lately, more and more, it's also been disappointingly free of curl. So what?
In the past, I've made reference to my naturally curly hair to my mother-in-law. She has, on more than one occasion, looked at me and said, rather delicately, "But your hair isn't really curly, it's more... wavy." And for reasons I cannot put my finger on, the idea that my hair is merely wavy torments me. And so I have set out to find my curls.
You see, curliness is a fundamental part of my self-image. It's possible, though difficult, for my hair to become mirror-straight, but it's just not who I am. I am the little girl who always looked like she needed to comb her hair because the curls sprang up again as soon as my mother's back was turned. I am the college girl who kept her hair back in a ponytail all the time because her shoulder-length blunt cut made her look like a pyramid-head. My hair, left to its own devices, does wisps and ringlets and fairy curls. At least, that's what I remember it doing.
But I've never had anyone to instruct me on the care and feeding of curls. I've known for a long time, for example, that I shouldn't really ever brush or comb my hair. And my hair never looks so good as the third day after I've washed it. But when I read Curly Girl, it was like someone shone a flashlight in my eyes and said "Hey, I'm talking to YOU!"
Mind you, I have not stopped washing my hair. I just wash it with conditioner, now. Every once in a while, I scrub my scalp with some conditioner mixed with brown sugar and baking soda. The first day after my first no-shampoo washing, my scalp itched like the blazes. But since then?
My scalp actually feels cleaner than it ever has. My hair is soft, softer even than Sasha's. And the curl? It's starting to perk up. And somehow, with my ringlets and wisps and fairy curls, I'm starting to feel a lot more like myself.
My kitchen is: Besplattered with applesauce. It's not pretty, but I guess there's no other way for her to learn.
Posted by andrea at August 22, 2003 08:13 AMI just ordered the book. While I certainly don't have the curls that you do, I do have my own curls. I am so glad you love your curls! I remember telling you when you were only 3 or 4 how wonderful curly hair was, and all the trouble women with straight hair endured to produce curls. I'm glad it "took" and you are happy with your hair. Your hair is something for other women to be jealous about!
Posted by: cathy on August 22, 2003 10:19 AMI couldn't agree more. I also read the book Curly Girl and stopped shampooing and brushing. I use only conditioner to cleanse my hair and after rinsing the conditioner out I put more in and leave it. My hair, and its curls, has never looked better. Since I have not found anyone who is willing to cut my hair dry, I have taken to trimming ends that start to go the wrong way. I can't thank Lorraine Massey enough for experimenting on her hair and writing about how she succeeded. I am 62 and finally enjoying my curly hair.
Posted by: liz on October 11, 2003 02:44 PM