I had long suspected that washing my hair every day to get rid of oil was compounding the problem instead of solving it. But I was never sure until I read “No-Shampoo Regimen Replace Suds” in the New York Times.
In the article, Michael Gordon, founder and former president of Bumble and Bumble hair salon, said: “It sounds insane, but you should never use shampoo again.”
The process, referred to as co-washing, is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and is favored by people who believe that surfactants, commonly found in detergents, are too harsh for daily use.
So, while a cleansing cream may sound counterintuitive because it doesn’t foam, just think of how effectively oils have removed your makeup, and apply the concept to your scalp. In fact, most hair stylists already recommend using conditioners to remove styling products from your hair before shampooing.
Cleansing creams are also great for getting saltwater out of your hair.
In the US, many cleansing creams have entered the market, care of L’Oreal, Shu Uemura, Kerastase and even Pantene. However, they still haven’t been introduced locally.
But I’ve found two options that you may want to consider.
Flawless by Macadamia Natural Oil
The product: Infused with macadamia and argan oil, this product was created for frizzy and coarse hair. Apart from eliminating frizz and cutting down blowdry time in half, it also provides UV
protection.
Directions: Lightly emulsify two pumps between your hands, then massage into your damp scalp area. Gradually work the product down to the tips of your hair, splashing a little water to assist spreading. Wait five minutes before rinsing off.
The experience: The product comes out like a thick mousse and has a faint, pleasantly nutty smell. Depending on how thick your hair is, you may need more than two pumps, but spreading it throughout your hair and scalp shouldn’t be a problem, even though the product doesn’t foam.
Price: P1,640/250ml
Snoe Beauty Hair Heroes Intense Argan 5-in-1 Cleansing Conditioner
The product: There are actually four different variants for Snoe’s Hair Heroes Cleansing Conditioner line, each one addressing issues like thinning hair, distressed hair, and scalp problems, like dandruff and psoriasis. The Argan version works with all hair and provides deep moisture with argan oil, wheat protein, moringa extract, and cucumber extract.
Directions: Much like Flawless, this product requires you to apply liberally on damp hair, starting with your crown, then leave on for five minutes. It is also recommended that you comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb after applying to distribute the product evenly, a pro tip that would work even with Flawless.
The experience: The scent of this product is a little stronger and more cloying than Flawless. It’s also a little difficult to pump the product out, unlike the convenient nozzle of Flawless, but it’s a minor inconvenience. Hair Heroes is also a lot thicker, and it felt more moisturizing.
Price: P599/250 ml
The verdict?
As much as I wanted to prefer one product over the other, the truth is, both worked really well in keeping my hair soft and my scalp oil-free. Another added benefit: Hair fall was further reduced! While Flawless does have better packaging and a more pleasant scent, it’s difficult to argue with the price point of Hair Heroes, especially when you consider the different variants available, depending on your hair type.
However, I will admit that I wouldn’t use these products every day to wash my hair. They’re ideal for days in-between shampoos when you can’t be bothered to use both shampoo and conditioner, but still feel like you can’t get away with just dry shampoo. In this heat, who can?
Macadamia Natural Oil, available in all Piandré salon branches and on www.seektheuniq.com
Snoe Beauty, available at www.snoebeauty.com