Lauren’s Morning Skin and Hair Routine… Exposed!
We haven’t posted one of these in a while! Today’s morning star is Lauren—and as a fellow dirty curly living in dry LA, I can relate to this simple (but lovely) routine. Do you wash your hair? And if not, what are some of your best tips for those looking to give the no-poo practice a try? I’ve personally taken to doing a very “light wash” with Acure once every three months or so—using a tiny bit of shampoo at the roots—just to kind of reset the clocks, without stripping. What’s your wash or not routine?
Name: Lauren
Age: 25
Current weather: The Valley outside of LA. Very hot with limited humidity.
Hair: Dyed shoulder-length curly hair.
Skin: Normal with occasionally breakouts on chin (usually hormone or stress-related), pale complexion.
Favorite star or icon from the past: Audrey Hepburn for her flawless style and sophistication (if only she didn’t have an un-diagnosed eating disorder, she would be the ultimate role-model!).
In the shower…
I switched to no-poo shampoo about 4 years ago and I haven’t looked back since. I switched because I heard it was better for curly hair. I used to just use conditioner with weekly baking soda rinses, but now I switched to baking soda and apple cider rinses about 3 times a week. I comb out my hair in the shower to detangle without causing frizz. I use Dr. Bronner’s Shikakai Peppermint Body Soap or Nubian Heritage Coconut Papaya Soap. I tend to focus it on my dirtier or smellier parts and save homemade coconut-sugar scrub for the rest. The coconut oil is also great as a shaving cream, although it clogs up my razor. It also lasts after my shower as a moisturizer!
Outside the shower…
I gently dry my hair with a microfiber cloth to minimize frizz. I spray a homemade hair gel of aloe vera gel, jojoba oil, vanilla extract, and essential orange oil into my hair to help define curls. On my face, I apply argan oil as a base layer, than DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer (SPF 30) to my face and neck. I use Badger Unscented SPF 30 lotion for the rest of my body for it. I use Weleda Skin Food to moisturizer throughout the day. I apply Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream or Badger Balm to moisturizer my nails and cuticles to keep them healthy.
Finishing touches…
I often only wear mascara and eyeliner (if that) and my current favorites are Zosimos Botanicals in Branch and Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Nautral Origin Lash Boosting Mascara in Ultra Black. I used to use benefit Babe Cake liner, but it doesn’t have clean ingredients and it was discontinued. I plan on buying Nvey Eco Organic Cake Eyeliner in Black when I get the chance. My favorite eye shadow is Physician’s Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Eye Shadow Duo in Hazel Eyes. It applies subtly, so I can build it up to the intensity I desire. I also have added RMS Living Lumizier to my routine. I have been using the Thai Crystal deodorant and really like it. I’ve tried Soapwalla and Lavanila Healthy Deodorant, but neither worked for me. I carry Weleda Citris Deodorant Spray to freshen up if I feel sweaty or stinky later in the day. I am currently switching to non-toxic nail polish and I love Priti NYC nail polish remover, which is a soy-based remover. I plan on trying HoneyBee Garden corn-based nail polish remover when I run out.
Thanks Lauren! And don’t forget to send in your routines to nomoredirtylooks at gmail dot com, with GOOD MORNING in the subject.
I have straight to wavy, shoulder length hair that has always been a pain in the butt to deal with. I switched to no-poo a little over two years ago, and since then my hair is back to what it used to look like as a kid. I have my gorgeous highlights back, and my natural wave has actually become more pronounced, and I’ve learned to embrace it!
I swim 3-4 times a week, and the chlorine actually helps to “wash” it, so I just do a dilute ACV rinse after swimming. Surprisingly, despite my dark blond hair, I haven’t had any issues with it turning green since going no-poo! On weeks when I’m not swimming as much, I do notice that it gets a bit greasier, so I’ll do a baking soda “wash” and ACV rinse on those weeks.
The best part about no-poo is that after a week-long backpacking trip, my hair still looked as good on the last day as it did on the first day! :)
I really have tried so many times to do no-poo, because my dandruff is a hassle and I thought it would improve my scalp. Unfortunately, my straight hair just gets too greasy after a week of baking soda. And the dandruff is just as bad, if not worse. After doing ACV rinse for a few days, my hair starts to smell bad too. What am I doing wrong? Or maybe I just don’t have the hair type for it.
I have to say that Audrey Hepburn did not have an eating disorder.
When she was a teenager (a very critical time in a child’s development), she lived through World War II in Holland, experiencing near-starvation privation. You can be very thin and healthy at the same time.
As for some people, no-poo just doesn’t work for me. One of the best clean shampoos for curly hair is Shea Moisture Curl Control Shampoo. It’s one of those that somehow manages to clean scalp really well but moisturize the hair. For those who’s hair doesn’t like protein it would make hair brittle. Not for everyone, though.
re: Liz
About how much do you make for your ACV dilution? Do you rinse afterward? I LOVE to swim but have been avoiding it (unless in a lake) lately because I thought I’d have to start washing my hair every time again….so I was SO intrigued to see your comment!
Also- do you put anything on your skin? I have sensitive skin and the chlorine tends to dry it out really badly. I’d be interested to hear if you have anything you do for that.
:)
I’m not a fan of ACV or baking soda rinses. I am curly/wavy so I thought I’d try it, but just really hated it. I shampoo with gentle shampoos, mostly at the roots, 2-3 times a week, and use conditioner on no-poo days. An occasional coconut oil mask too.
Hi!
I have wavy hair, fine, shoulder length, oilier at roots and drier at ends. I tried baking soda washes + ACV rinses for about 2 weeks, but finally gave up.
My hair looked better at first, but suddenly it started to get oilier, and i was scared that i ruined my hair color as well…(i have brown hair with bleached ends)
Has anyone had some problem with baking soda / ACV and hair color?
@Sara – I agree with you. It’s not fair to assume someone has an eating disorder just because they are thin.
Another curly haired girl here. I modify my “shampoo” formula pretty regularly. This week, I mixed about a teaspoon of Dr Bonner’s Peppermint, teaspoon of baking soda and a squeeze of lemon in about a cup of water. I mix these together and place them in an oil & vinegar dispenser and that is usually enough to wash my hair 2-3 times in a week if necessary.
I read that the ACV rinse can be drying and not very kind to colored hair, so I stopped using it and right now I am just using up some left over Aveda conditioner until it’s gone, then I plan on trying some clean brand.
I really think my hair looks great using this combo, but it takes some getting used to. Your scalp and hair need some time to normalize so for all you guys saying it doesn’t work for you, maybe give it a bit more time? i know it sucks walking around with greasy looking hair for a week, but it’s worth it in the long run!
I love these Morning Routine Exposed posts!!!
I have a tip for using baking soda:
First, I have semi-long, fine hair, lots of it, no colour. Used-to-be very greasy within 24hours of a hairwash (now I go 3-4 days with beautiful hair)
I tried baking soda several times last year, but it never seemed to work, and as some of you describes, my hair just got extremely greasy after a week or so.
Then, a few months ago, I ran out of shampoo (John Masters, which I am in no way rich enough to use, but I tend to ignore that, especially since they seem to last forever). I did buy a new one, and accidentally stumbled over my old baking soda the same day. And I got an idea: why not combine the two, to see if it works?
What I do is, I use the old JM bottle, squeeze in a little shampoo from the new one (I guess anything clean will do, so pick your favourite) just about 5-10 mL, then I add baking soda, 4-6 spoonfulls, water untill the bottle is 1/2-3/4 full, shake – et voilà!
A bottle like that last for 4 or 5 washes for me. I love it, particularly because it works and is so simple.
Of course, I have no clue whether it will work for anyone else. And I have yet to try the “mixture” without adding shampoo at all. Ps this wash also seems to stress my hair less, since I havent had any split ends or hay-like feeling since I started.
Oh, and I didn’t start on ACV yet, maybe it’s time to try that one out!
Lots of love!
Lea from Denmark (the country)
I just started to use backing soda and vinegard and I am happy for the moment. I will take your advice with the aloe vera hair gel and coconot oil used for shaving.