It’s Time to Try the “No ‘Poo” Method of Hair Care

“Would you wash your favourite T-shirt every day?” asks Eli Halliwell, founder of Hairstory. “Probably not. Same goes for your hair. It’s just unnecessary to overwash.” Halliwell developed the “no ‘poo method,” which enables you to wash your hair just once a week. Think it sounds too good to be true? It’s not. Here, Halliwell shares what you need to know.

What is no ‘poo?

“When people hear the phrase ‘no shampoo,’ they immediately write it off. Traditional shampoos are formulated with detergents and, though they’re effective cleansers, they can be very harsh. We’re all about clean (and conditioned) hair and scalps; we just think it can be done more gently.

“If you are using a traditional detergent-based shampoo, you’re stripping away the benefits of the natural oils on your scalp every time you wash. They are there for a reason, protecting against environmental factors, UV rays and heat tools. To maintain the health and integrity of your hair and scalp, you need to treat them gently, just like your favourite T-shirt (which will also help your hair grow long). The current solution is conditioner. The problem with conditioners is that they act merely as a Band-Aid for the damage caused by detergents, so it becomes a vicious cycle.”

What’s the solution?

“Use a detergent-free cleanser. The ingredients that clean are gentle yet effective and remove what needs to go, but don’t mess with what should stay put.” (While you’re taking the right measures to be more gentle with your locks, make sure you’re not committing these damaging hair crimes.)

What are the benefits?

“A calm scalp and strong, healthy and conditioned hair. Without the crazy cycle of wash, condition, mask and detangle every day, many people find that they can go longer between washes.”

The downside?

“Some people go through a ‘transition period,’ where their hair feels greasy. This is normal – just your hair and scalp getting used to this new way of washing. If it happens, persevere through it – it should only last a week or so.”

Shop Our Favourite Gentle Hair Care Products:

One bottle to save them all, this formula washes, conditions and repairs strands.
Hairstory New Wash, $54, hairstory.com

Inspired by Japanese hot springs, this lightweight formula will cleanse any hair type without stripping it.
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo, $56, sephora.com

Tea tree and lavender water work to purify strands as you nourish them. Try swapping out every second wash for a condition-only routine.
Hairfood Sulfate-Free Purifying Conditioner With Tes Tree and Lavender Water, $10, ulta.com

Next, check out the secrets your hairstylist won’t tell you.