Merskank’s Hair Secrets

I love getting my hair cut.  It is kind of a ritual now for me.  I don’t get it cut that often– only twice a year– but I always go to the same little salon in Seattle and have the same stylist cut it.  Her name is Laura, by now we’re friends.  She always does a great job; she seems to understand my style, which is, of course, the low-maintenance, natural look.  Some part of me might like some-sort of slightly edgier hair-style but realistically I know I would never keep it up.  In my normal life I never curl my hair, or straighten it, or use mousse.   Actually,  I don’t use anything.

I titled this post Merskank’s hair ‘secrets’ because although it’s not really a secret it’s true: I don’t  normally broadcast my hair care choices, because, well, they’re heterodox.  But of course, I will confide in you readers, because here on Twenty-Something Condition there are no holds barred.  So here’s the truth: I don’t use shampoo.

Now, maybe you are freaking out, or maybe you’re not.  I am never sure how people will react.  Some people are basically unfazed, or maybe they are even interested in trying it themselves.  Others, however, well that’s a different story.  I haven’t told any Brits yet– I know that it is just the sort of thing that would freak them out. But listen readers, the truth is: my hair looks good.     It has shine and body– it’s not greasy or gross.  I actually tend to consider my hair my best feature.  And I haven’t used shampoo in… well… almost four years!

I honestly believe shampoo is a scam.  It’s so hard on your hair.  Of course, there are better and worse quality shampoos, and if you get something from a salon it is probably a bit more mild, but still, shampoo is bad for your hair.  When I was in  undergrad I had a friend– okay, wrong word; try crush– who didn’t wash their hair.  Now, being the hippie-inclined person I am; I decided to try ti myself.  Now here is the idea behind going “no ‘poo”: basically, your hair always seems oily, right?  Well that’s because your hair is suppose to have some oil in it, to keep it rich and nourished.  However, shampoo strips all that natural oil from your hair and then your scalp tries to over-compensate by producing more oil for your hair.  If you stop using shampoo, your hair should come back into balance and not be greasy while still being shinny.  It worked for me.  But there is one catch.  This change doesn’t happen immediately; if you give up shampoo you will probably have to endure a few weeks (probably between 3 to 6 of them) where you hair is greasy and just doesn’t look that good.  It’s the truth. But for me, I went through that for a while and now I not only have beautiful shinny hair, but I also save money every year buying hair-care products.  My hair takes care of itself.

But yeah, to bring it back top, I love my hair stylist.  She understands me and she has never, not even once, pressured me shampoo my hair.