Rotating Shampoos for Effectiveness

If you're like me and you have a special scalp condition or you have a tempermental scalp, then you may want to consider rotating shampoos. I got the idea from my dermatologist when he presented me with a plan to use medicated shampoos and switch every 2-3 weeks. Each shampoo contained a different beneficial ingredients for my scalp condition. The reasoning behind the shampoo rotation was to keep my scalp from getting too used to the shampoos and then, they lose their effectiveness. However, my main reason for shampoo rotation is to suit my hair's needs.

How do you rotate shampoos? Well, you can either set a schedule for rotation or allow your scalp to dictate it. Whatever schedule you choose, you will need to keep track of which shampoos you use for that particular week.

To get started rotating shampoos you will need a clarifying, itchy scalp relief, moisturizing, and light protein shampoos. If you are using a shampoo bottle then you can label them 1,2, 3, and 4. If you are a shampoo bar user like me then you can separate your bars and label the ziploc bags.

Your clarifying week will be to clean your scalp of any build up. Clarifying is important because if product continues to gather on your scalp then you can risk scalp irritation, fungus, and even hair loss. Clarifying shampoos are usually clear and lighter than other shampoos. They will leave your hair feeling squeaky clean. I use Chagrin Valley Aryvedic Herb shampoo bar to clarify.

During my itchy scalp weeks I choose shampoos that have stimulating ingredients such as tea tree, peppermint, and rosemary oils. Lathering and leaving the itchy scalp shampoo on my scalp for several minutes is very soothing before rinsing it out. Giovanni Triple Tea Tree Treat shampoo gives a great tingle and helps with itchy scalp. Cafe Moreno, Rosemary Mint, and Neem and Tea Tree Hair/Body bars are also excellent for getting rid of the itchies.

If my hair feels extra crispy, then I reach for an extra moisturizing shampoo. These shampoos are creamy and thicker than regular shampoos. You can turn the bottle upside down and it pours slowly out. Extra moisturizing shampoo bars include coconut  milk, castor, and olive oils. My favorite moisturizing Chagrin Valley shampoo bars include Olive Babassu and Butter Conditioner bars. My favorite moisturizing Shampoo is Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Coconut Hibiscus Shampoo.

On weeks that I need more protein then I am sure to add shampoos that contain vegetable protein. One of my favorite shampoos is Shea Moisture Yucca & Aloe thickening shampoo. In addition to making my hair feel stronger, it also gives my hair more volume. It is especially formulated for fine and thin hair.

Disclaimer: I am not against co-washing but it is not a method that I chose because of my scalp condition. People with special scalp conditions, such as seborrhea dermatitis, eczema, and psorasis will need to shampoo to cleanse the scalp of dandruff flakes.

Henna Shampoo Bar: HIT or MISS?

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Chagrin Valley shampoo bars! When I saw that Ms. Ida (creator of CV Soap and Salve) decided to make Henna shampoo bars, I literally squealed with delight. Yep, I love her products that much! So, I scrolled down the page and I saw that the henna bars come in three assortments: chestnut, auburn, and strawberry. I figured that since I was curious about henna, then what better way then to try a shampoo bar. Through some research I learned that henna is a natural dye. I was intrigued by the concept of putting henna in a shampoo bar. I wondered if the shampoo bar would have the same effect as actual henna.

Since I could hardly wait to order these shampoo bars, I ordered them on the date they were available,Friday,
January 4,2013. The service is excellent and my order arrived on Wednesday, January 9th. I could smell the herbal scent of my order even before opening the package! The shampoo bars come in a small paper bag with a neat label on the front stating the name and ingredients. The ingredients are saponified oils of babassu, sunflower, coconut, castor, organic palm, water, organically grown henna; organic coconut milk, indigo; organic black walnut hulls; cloves; and rosemary oil extract.

I took the bar out and I noticed that it was about the same color and consistency as the Cafe Moreno bar but it was a little darker. I sniffed it and the herbal scent was very light. I began to cut a strip of the bar, so that I could efficiently save it. It is common knowledge that the best way to use a shampoo bar is to cut it and store the rest for later use.

1st Trial: Wednesday, January 9th
I prepooed/ deep conditioned with Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Grow & Strengthen Treatment Masque. While smoothing it down I detangled my hair and twisted it into about 6 loose twists. Then, I let it sit in my hair for about 30 min. Next, I hopped in the shower rinsing it thoroughly from my hair. After all traces of my prepoo were gone, I took the Henna shampoo bar and rubbed it clockwise on my crown of my head. Bubbles burst forth instantly and I massaged my scalp. Per the Chagrin Valley website advice, I left the Henna shampoo bar lather on my head for several minutes. Finally, I rinsed my hair then used the Butter conditioner bar. Rinsed and added my TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture conditioner (mixed with aloe vera juice, Jamaican Black Castor oil, and grapeseed oil).

Please note: I noticed that my hair felt VERY soft after rinsing out the Henna shampoo lather. With ingredients such as organic henna, hibiscus, and coconut milk, it is no wonder my hair felt like silk. Also, I noticed that my curls were drooping slightly. I began to wonder if it was the henna, because someone (I can't remember who) mentioned that it might loosened the curl pattern. Once my hair dried (a la white t-shirt turban style), I felt VERY soft hair.

2nd Trial: Sunday, January 13th
I decided to prepoo with TRESemme Luxurious Moisture mixed with Jamaican Black Castor oil and grapeseed oil. I detangled and put my hair into about 6 large twists. I let the mixture stay on my hair for about 30 minutes then I hopped into the shower to rinse it out. Next, I rubbed the henna chestnut shampoo bar clockwise on my head several times. My hair ended up with more lather on my head this time. I let the henna lather stay on my head for several (maybe about 10 minutes) then I rinsed it out. My hair felt clean but not squeaky clean like the first time. This time instead of using the butter conditioner bar and then the rinse out conditioner, I went straight to the rinse out conditioner. I used Yes to Blueberries Healthy Hair Repair conditioner. I was able to easily detangle and my hair felt very soft and moisturized. It seems as though my curls are slightly looser but they still apprar to look like little spirals the size of coffee stirrers.

My final verdict? I absolutely LOVE the new Chagrin Valley henna bar. Although it is too early to tell if it will highlight my hair, I can say that it works well to cleanse and soften my hair. Detangling was almost as easy as when I use my beloved Babassu Marshmallow shampoo bar by Chagrin Valley. Since using the bar, I have not had itchy scalp. That's a great bonus! The only other CV bar that helps me specifically ward off the itchies is the Cafe Moreno bar, so I'm definitely a new fan of this Henna Chestnut bar.

I plan to use the henna shampoo bar in my rotation. Currently, I rotate the use of the following shampoo bars: babassu marshmallow, neem & tea tree hair/body bar, cafe moreno, olive babassu, and butter conditioner bar. Shampoo bar rotations are based on the condition of my scalp and hair for that particular week. I plan to give a more detailed description of how to rotate shampoo bars in an upcoming post. Also, I purchased Chagrin Valley Rosemary Mint and Coconut Milk shampoo bars. I will post detailed reviews once I use them.

For more information or to order Chagrin Valley shampoo bars please visit http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/

Are you a shampoo bar user? If so, which shampoo bars do you enjoy? If not, then share which shampoos you use to highlight your natural color.

Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bars

How Shampoo Bars Changed My Natural Journey

I remember reading about these awesome Chagrin Valley shampoo bars on another natural hair blog and saying "I've gotta try these shampoo bars!" I had seen various reviews on YouTube, but I was apprehensive about using a soap bar on my head. Like many others I mistakingly thought that shampoo bars were just like regular shampoo... WRONG! They contain a variety of oils that cleanse, but leave my hair moisturized and tangle free. I have been using these lovely shampoo bars since September of this year and I'm glad I did!!!

Natural shampoo bars contain ingredients that soothe and  calm my scalp. Chagrin Valley shampoo bars do not contain any artificial colors or synthetic ingredients. With luscious ingredients like castor, coconut, and olive oils my hair receives the spa treatment EVERY time I cleanse and condition my hair. It is suggested that one uses an apple cider vinegar rinse after using these great bars, but I chose to use regular conditioner.

Babassu Marshmallow, Olive Babassu, Cafe Moreno, Neem & Tea Tree Oil, and Butter Conditioner bars are among my favorite Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bars. They all left my hair clean and soft. Out of all the bars my favorite has been the babassu marshmallow because the marshmallow root tea extract cuts my detangling session down to almost half the time. Meanwhile, the cafe moreno and olive babassu bars leave my hair soft. The neem and tea tree oil bar is excellent for my acne prone skin and itchy scalp. The butter conditioner bar is a wonderful co-wash or conditioner bar to follow up a cleansing session or use on its own.

Announcing Chagrin Valley Henna Shampoo Bars!

I've decided to ring in the New Year with a new addition to my shampoo bar obsession- Chagrin Valley henna shampoo bars. As a self proclaimed natural product lover, I was overjoyed to learn that my favorite soap and salve company is releasing Henna shampoo bars on January 4, 2013. I have always had a secret curiosity about henna, but I've been too scared to try henna. Well, fitting henna into an awesome bar with added wonderful oils is a bonus. I can't wait to do a review on these bars. But, in the meantime I'll hug my collection of Chagrin Valley's other bars closely to my chest sniffing in their addictive herbal smells.

For more information on Chagrin Valley's awesome shampoo bars please visit http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/products/48/49/for-the-hair/shampoo-bars