Making the switch from conventional to natural hair products can be frustrating - really frustrating. It can take weeks of detox to get the results you want, but it’s so worth it in the end. You can make natural shampoo & conditioner work for you, it just might take a bit of trial & error to get the healthy hair you’re dreaming of.
Everyone’s hair is different, so the transition from conventional to natural hair products will be different for everyone. I’d been using $5 hair products from Walmart my entire life, so it took a bit longer for my hair to detox. The first two weeks after the switch was the hardest for me. My hair was oilier than usual for those two weeks, but I stuck with it because I knew the detox would take time. It took about four weeks for me to find my perfect hair care routine, but my hair truly feels & looks healthier than ever!
Most conventional hair products, & even a lot of natural hair products, contain water as their No. 1 ingredient, so the hair gets little to no nutrients. But Root’s hair products don’t contain any water, meaning they’re packed full of nutrients & a little goes a long way. First, here’s how to get the most out of Root’s Pretty Hair Day Aloe + Grapefruit Purifying Shampoo.
Using Root's Pretty Hair Day Aloe + Grapefruit Purifying Shampoo
1. Get your hair completely wet. The wetter your hair is, the better the shampoo will work.
2. Shake well & use a quarter-sized amount. The natural ingredients in this shampoo will separate, so shake well before each use. Use up to a quarter-sized amount & rub together in your hands. Work it into your scalp, get your hair a little wet & keep massaging it in. There won’t be much lather, but that’s completely normal for natural hair care. Think of it as an initial cleanse to get the dirt & oils out, & then you’ll repeat it again for a deeper cleanse later.
3. Rinse & repeat. Double cleansing is essential with this shampoo. After rinsing the shampoo out, take another quarter-sized amount of shampoo & massage it into your scalp again. This second cleanse will result in more of a lather & deeper cleanse for your scalp.
This is my current shampooing routine, but I had to make adjustments along the way. At first, the back of my head was especially greasy, so I tried to target that area better. I would split my hair into two sections, double cleansing the front of my head & then double cleansing the back of my head. As my hair adjusted, I no longer needed to use this method & stuck to the steps above.
Using Root’s Pretty Hair Day Avocado + Baobab Strengthening Conditioner
Since I’ve always had oily hair, I’ve been told time & time again to keep conditioner away from my scalp because it would make it greasier. So the first few weeks I used Root’s hair products, I only used the Pretty Hair Day Avocado + Baobab Weightless Conditioner on my ends. It immediately made my hair silky smooth & my ends look healthier - one of my friends even asked if I got a haircut because my ends looked so good, but I hadn’t had a haircut in months!
It wasn’t until about four weeks into my transition that I used the conditioner on my scalp & WOW I should have done it sooner. My roots actually looked less greasy than when I was only using the shampoo on my scalp. So don’t be afraid to use the conditioner generously. Use one pump, & work the conditioner into your hair, starting from the ends & working your way to the roots.
Our Pretty Hair Day Conditioner can also be used in so many different ways - here are some of my favorites:
As Detangler: Apply a pea-sized amount to wet or dry hair & comb.
As DIY Detangling Spray: In a 1 or 2 ounce spray bottle, mix 25% conditioner with 75% liquid (water or hydrosol) & use as a spray detangler. Use within 2 weeks.
As Styling Cream: Apply a pea-sized amount to hair to style & tame hair with a soft finish.
Using Root's Pretty Hair Day Arrowroot + Citrus Volumizing Dry Shampoo
Another product that helped me tremendously during my switch to nontoxic hair care was our Pretty Hair Day Arrowroot + Citrus Volumizing Dry Shampoo. During the start of my transition where my hair was extra greasy, it was a lifesaver for soaking up excess oil & keeping my hair looking fresh throughout the day.
Zero-Waste Alternatives
Looking for a zero-waste hair care alternative? Check out our Pretty Hair Day Shampoo & Conditioner Bars. If you're ne to hair care bars, it can seem weird or awkward at first, but after you use them a couple of times you will see why they are so popular!
It takes a lot of trial & error, but I finally found the perfect hair routine for me. It was a frustrating process, but now I can trust the products I’m putting in my hair & know they’re helping it look healthier than ever. You will find what works best for you, too! Just keep experimenting & most importantly, don’t give up.
