I started my shampoo-free journey in May of 2014. It was the summer after my junior year of high school, and I had been reading about the financial and personal health benefits of being shampoo free on different blogs (thanks, Pinterest). Of course, you still take a shower every day if you're shampoo free. I think that the most common misconception about using alternative or natural care products is that people aren't as conventionally "clean." It does not work for everyone, but my hair was extremely healthy and it was probably the cheapest way I could wash my hair (unless only used water all the time).

I chose to use baking soda and vinegar rinses on my hair, first for a few times a week, and later only once per week or less. On summer days where I'd been to the beach or spent extra time in the pool, I would use castile soap or honey to give my wash an extra boost.

After the first few months, I got a trim and my hairdresser did not notice the change in my hair at all, and was extremely surprised when I told her how I had been caring for my hair. After the first year, my hair grew faster and was much stronger. My hair has a natural wave, and this was much more obvious in the absence of harsh chemicals. I do not claim that there is any science behind this, but it worked for me. (I was also nearly completely heat-free during this time, and I have never colored my hair).

Other than the social implications of explaining being "shampoo free" to friends, family, and some strangers, this was a great experience. When I moved to college, I had to get used to using city water rather than the well water from my home.

I would still be shampoo-free, but I gave it up in March 2016 after an ongoing battle with my hair and the pool chemicals that I work in every day. I had to work shampoo and conditioner into my budget again, and I recently invested in a nicer hairdryer to cut down on heat and chemical damage from drying my hair after a few hours in the pool every night.

There was a certain challenge in living more economically and reducing my environmental footprint by opting for more natural care options, and I think that I have carried over that mindset of sustainability since quitting the shampoo-free life.