“My real hair colour, after 4 years of growing out years of dye and damage, never going back.” Image: Kayleigh Conway

The idea of giving up shampoo is, for most, horrifying. The feeling of leaving hair too long between washes, to the point where you can smell your own scalp, is enough to send most people screaming into the shower. But that’s exactly what one woman, in search of a more eco-friendly lifestyle has done. In fact, she hasn’t shampooed for a year (and counting).

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“Four months in and by then nobody could tell I wasn’t using commercial products!” Image: Keyleigh Conway

28-year-old Kayleigh Conway decided to go ‘no ‘poo’ after reading an article in Cosmo. Already pursuing a “greener and healthier lifestyle”, the idea of ditching commercial shampoos made sense to her. Kayleigh has been documenting her experiences on her ‘back to basics’ lifestyle blog Blue Jeans White Tee.

“For the first time in my life I can literally roll out of bed, run a brush through my hair and my hair looks and feels ready to go.” She says on her blog.



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“Got my hair cut for the first time since I stopped using shampoo and conditioner and I’m thrilled and relieved with the result.” Image: Kayleigh Conway

The Digital Marketer experimented with clay, vinegar, eggs and coconut milk-based conditioning masks, among other things. Her new haircare regimen has allowed her to go longer between washes, and since her hair now tends to naturally look and feel ‘ready to go’ she rarely has to use heat styling tools .

But the ‘no ‘poo’ method isn’t for the fainthearted, “it requires a lot of hard work and willpower, along with a certain degree of letting go of the desire to have perfect, advert-worthy hair,” she says on her blog.

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