My Shampoo Alternative: Baking Soda

I've been using shampoo religiously for years and years. Then, three months ago, I heard of "No 'Poo Revolution", where you stop using shampoo and look for a more organic and all-natural way to care for your locks. My first reaction was "Eww!! Gross!". I have been raised to shampoo my hair as part of my daily bath routine. On days when I don't wash my hair, I'd literally feel sick. So imagine how I felt after I was forbidden to take a full bath for 10 days after I gave birth!!

Anyhoo, as I read through the "No 'Poo" article, I was slowly converted to their side. Foregoing daily shampoo actually made a lot of sense. For one, commercial shampoo contains a lot of chemicals. And I mean a LOT!! Among these hard-to-pronounce chemicals are Sodium Laureth Sulfate (probably carcinogenic), Methylchloroisothiazolinone (a preservative, and is restricted in some countries), Ammonium Chloride (an eye irritant), Propylene Glycol (a skin irritant), and a host of articial fragrances. With daily use, these chemicals pile up on your hair and can even affect your health in minute ways.

Second, shampoos are expensive. Well, the ones that I like are, anyway. ^___^ By banishing shampoo from my grocery list, I could save by the thousands in a year.

People approach the "No 'Poo Revolution" in varying ways. Some totally stop using shampoo; others use an alternative, like baking soda and apple cider vinegar. Others only wash their hair once a week with commercial shampoo or baking soda & apple cider vinegar.

This is the approach I chose to take: I use baking soda on my hair every other day. I hold out til the last possible moment to use commercial shampoo. I went for 3 months with just the baking soda but I noticed that my hair tend to build up on oil. By the third month, my hair was healthy but heavy with oil. I know that this is supposed to happen,and the scalp will eventually adjust the production of sebum as need by the hair. This can take up to 6 months. Unfortunately for me, I am not a patient person. Thus, I give in to commercial shampoo occasionally.

Here is my baking soda shampoo recipe:

1 tbsp of baking soda
8 oz of warm water
1 bottle

Instructions:

1. Mix the baking soda with water. Stir and let cool to room temperature.
2. Pour into the bottle.

Viola! Baking soda shampoo

No brainer right? And this probably costs less than P10! Granted that this could only last you 3 or 4 days.

Caution: The solution may sting when it comes in contact with eyes.

If you find that the baking soda dries out your hair, you can forego its daily use and wash your hair with it only every other day. You can also decrease the amount of baking soda you put in.

Let me know how you did by posting your comments below.

**Update: One of my Facebook friends, Sheila, shared her 'no poo' experience:

"I loved 'no poo' especially the effects it had on my hair & budget! 

I was already on the EVERY 4 days of using baking soda & vinegar (as my conditioner). Well, I have naturally wavy fine strands that lack luster but with 'no poo' my strands felt thicker, my natural waves started to have body & shine, which my mom, sisters & hubby noticed. The start wasn't easy especially on the oily phase that lasted 3-4 weeks plus my brother made fun saying that I was into voodoo. But mamang, sisters & hubby were very supportive. Also, I was able to convince my mom & youngest sister to try & they loved the results.

Aside from the mentioned improvements the idea of not having all those chemicals (from shampoo & conditioner) in my system plus the "cheapness" of BS & vinegar were major major major bonuses! Since I was on the every 4 days of using BS & vinegar phase already I had extra minutes to snooze comfortably every morning. Yes, the idea of not having to wash my hair everyday was gross at first but then after the "oily phase" all else became hassle & tangle free.

However, I decided to stop to observe 'cause I started to experience hairfall after 3 months of 'no poo-ing.' Anyhow, the hairfall was NOT related to 'no poo' but to a medical condition. Thanks God I'm now completely healed. But then again I might give 'no poo' another shot soon. Very soon. " 

Overnight Hair Mask with Oil of Argan

Most of you probably don't know this, but I've quit using shampoo two months ago. I figured that with less chemical build-up in my hair, I'll have healthier and hopefully, thicker hair. In lieu of shampoo, I've been using this baking soda and water mixture to wash my hair. I will discuss my experience with 'No Shampoo' in a separate post. Anyway, for today, I'll tell you all about my experience with Argan oil as an effective hair conditioner and treatment.

See, when my  hair adjusted to my 'no shampoo' routine and went past the oily phase, I saw how healthy it became. I'd go 2-3 days without washing my hair. I know. I can hear y'all say "Ewwww!!". But really, daily washing strips the hair of its natural oils. The myth of daily washing is just being perpetuated by shampoo companies for obvious reasons. And it has worked! But on to my narrative.... After 5 days of not washing my hair, it became heavy with oily build-up. I decided to try out Argan oil as an overnight treatment. So, this was how my hair looked like:

Just to clarify, Argan Oil is not a hair straightener. My hair is naturally straight. Aside from the hair cellophane and coloring treatment that I had done more than a month ago, I do not do anything to it. It is therefore perfect for an experiment with Argan oil.

Argan Oil is a natural and organic skin, hair, and nail nourishing agent. It is astoundingly rich in Vitamin E and has revitalizing, sun-protecting, hydrating, age-defying, and moisturizing properties. The brand I used is Oil of Argan, a Philippine brand (learn more here). It is 100% pure Moroccan Argan oil, unadulterated with other oils and perfumes. In my previous use of this oil on my face, I haven't had any allergic nor adverse reactions to it. Therefore, I had no qualms on trying it out on my hair.

What I did was that I applied a good amount of Argan from the roots to the tips of my hair. This was on Sunday night. I did not bother to wrap it or cover it. Come Monday morning, I rinsed my hair with commercial shampoo. I let it air dry and viola! Smooth and tangle-free hair! Almost like a salon blowdry.
Here are some photos:

Argan oil is extremely effective for re-hydrating dry hair, split ends, and treated hair. Although I had neither dry hair nor split ends, I want to get rid of the build-up of oil on my hair. There are just two steps to this process:

1. Apply Argan oil to hair and allow it to be absorbed overnight.
2. Rinse with tap water. Or if you prefer, rinse it with warm then cold water. You may choose to rinse out your hair with shampoo to remove excess oil. Any shampoo you prefer will do.

Argan oil is a cheap and all-natural solution for your hair health needs. Oil of Argan (the brand) may not come cheap at P600 per bottle, but think about the hot oil treatment sessions, cellophane, and other similar treatments you can skip. You can do it on your own and it's easy-peasy!

For orders, just text 09062066904 or Like this Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OilOfArganZC.

My first chocolate chip cookie attempt

After weeks of researching the best chocolate chip cookie recipes and months of  scraping together the ingredients, I finally got the nerve to bake these goodies.

I found the perfect recipe here and took a screen shot of it. I don't like writing down recipes only to lose them one way or another. I made a lot of improvisations, though because I didn't have some ingredients and equipment. Here they are:

1. I ran out of brown sugar, so I just poured in 1 cup of white sugar instead of the 3/4 brown sugar and 1/4 white sugar recommended.
2. I used imitation vanilla instead of real vanilla extract.
3. Since I have no hand mixer or stand mixer (Oh Kitchen Aid, my dream!), I scoured the kitchen for a mixing device. I fretted that I'd have to use the egg beater to beat the cookie batter, but my salvation came in the form of an antiquated hand-cranked mixer. 
   
4. Since we had no oven, I baked my cookies in our Turbo Roaster. I figured since it's an oven roaster, it'll work the same way. 
   
5. I baked them cookies on a greased plate instead of the recommended baking tray lined with parchment paper.
6. In lieu of chocolate chips, I chopped pieces off of a block of chocolate. The chocolate block was a cheaper alternative to a small package of chocolate chips.

Despite these major overhauls, I was able to make pretty darn delicious and chewy chocolate chip cookies.

Huge and chewy 

The first batch came in too big, palm-sized actually. I wanted to make big cookies so that each person gets one huge cookie instead of numerous small ones. 

When I pried the cookies off of the plate, I was somewhat dismayed that they had the consistency of cake. Nonetheless, I laid them out on the cooling rack. When I got back to them after a few minutes, the cookies have hardened to normal cookie consistency and I was pacified.  

I made a few more batches, trying different things: rolling them up like burritos(without the stuffing), folding them in half, baking a batch of normal-sized ones, etc. 

Folded up 

At the end of the day, I had fun and everyone said that they tasted good. Cate even woke up when she smelled the cookies. Only Jac refused; he consistently said no to all my offers of cookies. It's okay. I'll find something to bake for him.

Lesson learned: What I don't know now, I can always learn.

Cheap Thrill: SanSan Nail Polishes

Brand: San San Nail Polish

from left: Sea Green, Warm Blue, Cloudy Gray, Red Gleam

I purchased these nail polishes a week ago as I was window-shopping with a friend. I was overjoyed to find just the right colors I wanted: mint green, pale blue, pewter grey, and vivid crimson. I was initially attracted to the mint green but seeing the other colors, I couldn't stop myself from buying the rest (I rarely get to go window-shopping).

I found these on an hbc branch as we were passing by the public market (of all places!). It was a small store, obscured by other stores and public utility vehicles. But boy were we in for a surprise! It was a kikay girl's dream: rows of nail polishes, makeup, mascara, lotions, and the like. I am now an hbc fan.

But I digress. Now, on to the review.

• Smell- It was really strong. I don't care much for it, but I'm sure you can't avoid that with nail polishes.

• Color- The nail polish stays true to the color on the bottle. With San San, what you see is what you get. Even when I applied only one coat, the color quality is good. With some nail polish brands I tried in the past, I had to put on around 3 layers to get the desired color. 

• Brush- The brush captures a good amount of nail polish and distributes it evenly on the nail. 

• Drying time- It dries pretty quick. Not totally dry dry, but after a minute or two, if you want to apply a second coat, the first layer becomes quite tacky and the next layer adheres better so that the finish looks glossy and awesome. 

• Duration - Lasts a day then chips. To be fair, I did not apply base and top coats. Also, the chipping was on my left index finger, which usually gets the better share of work and washes. Manicures typically last one week, and I'm positive that San San nail polishes can extend yours to more than that. I'm sure that with the base and top coats applied, your manicure will be worth it.

• Price- Affordable. At P37, the San San Nail Polish range is in the lower end of the price spectrum. If you, like me, have a tendency to collect (read: hoard) nail polishes, then San San is a brand that you must add to your collection. 

Verdict: If you want fun, eclectic colors, San San has a whole range of nail polishes for you. They are pretty good and can last quite a while. I am just put off by the odor, but aside from that, San San offers a great deal.

San San has a nice glossy finish

Book Review: Enchantment

Author: Orson Scott Card. 

This is a fairy tale retelling of Sleeping Beauty and what happens after the spell is broken. A young boy stumbles upon an enchanted clearing where he finds a beautiful sleeping princess. However, he was chased away by a creature that guards her. The boy grows up to be a scholar of Old Russian languages and returns to the enchanted place. He kisses the princess awake and defeats the bear. What follows is an adventure of magic, true names, time travel, love, and sophisms of patriotism, love, history, and Russian literature.

This is a tale for grown-ups, not because of adult content, but because it has Russian and Jewish historical and political references. It merges the tale of Sleeping Beauty with the Russian fairy tale figure Baba Yaga in a way that you won't expect. A very enjoyable read, nonetheless.

Being well-versed in fairy tales from all over the world, I was delighted to see how the typical French or English story of Sleeping Beauty was given a Russian makeover. It was hilarious how the princess adjusted to modern America when she sought sanctuary there, and how a modern fit and athletic male miserably fails when compared to the prowess of the warriors of old. The story is imbued with magic and wisdom that you will want to go on reading until the last page.


Lesson Learned: Heroes rise out of the strife of adversity.

Book Review: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Captivating. Enthralling. Whimsical. 

Set in late Victorian England, The Night Circus introduces readers to a wandering and wonderful circus, and its cast of unforgettable characters. From the clock-maker, Herr Friedrich Thiessen, to the mysterious tattooed contortionist, and the endearing, talented twins Poppet and Widget: the cast is as fantastical as the story itself. Most of all the the pair of starstruck lovers: Celia and Marco, who despite the adversarial circumstances, find love and redemption.

Narrated in descriptive, almost lyrical prose, the story unfolds much like a movie. Trained in magic by two father figures, the pair of protagonists try to outdo each other in their special blend of magic, against the chess board that is the circus, which continues to evolve as their skills and emotions do. It is a story of a struggle for power, of families formed and estranged, and of adventure. And in the heart of it all is a love story whose courtship takes place in the magic of the circus-- a story that continues to blossom amid the adversity of certain death and loss. Told in fragments and in various character perspectives, the author affords her readers the 360-degree view of the story, and leaves them satisfied to have all knots unravelled in the end.

This book was one that I found very hard to put down, and harder to see end. Yeah, I cried when it ended. 

Lesson learned: Love will find a way.

Product Review: Oil of Argan

I first heard of Argan oil in an episode of "America's Next Top Model". Described as "the hottest beauty trend in Morocco", this extremely rare oil has a host of beautifying and restorative properties. It has piqued my curiosity right then and there. But when I heard that it is very rare and super-expensive, I shelved it off to my "When I'm Rich, I'm Gonna Buy This" list. So imagine my delight when I was given a sample to review.

Argan oil is derived from the Argan nut that is endemic to Southwestern Morocco. Used by women of the Berber tribe, Argan oil has a multitude of uses for the hair and skin: moisturizer, toner, age-defier, bath and facial oil, hair treatment, skin softener, treatment for skin disease, leave-on hair conditioner, and make-up enhancer among others. It takes hours of manual labor  (or days when done by a lone worker) to eke out a liter of Argan oil. The effort, the scarcity, and the usefulness of Argan oil has earned it the moniker "Liquid Gold".

Unboxing

The Oil of Argan came in an unpretentious package: a black cardboard box decorated in a Moroccan theme. The oil itself is encased in a thick frosted glass container. Around 90% of the bottle is swathed by the black label. I wondered about this at first but as I researched more, I got why the manufacturers did it that way.

Simple packaging

The oil is contained within a chic sea-glass container.

The oil is dispensed through a pump. You only need a drop or two at a time, so be wary of the pressure you exert when pressing it. 

A paper insert goes with the product, detailing its benefits, how to use it, and the myriad ways of how it can be incorporated in your beauty routine.

Note: Don't throw away the black box. You need it to store the bottle in to prevent the oil from breaking down.

My Impression

To start off, I don't have really bad skin. I have a breakouts every now and then. My skin, however, is oily, especially in the T-zone. And since having my second child, my skin has been evidence of sleepless nights, stress, and the haggard-ness typical of new mothers. Just a few weeks ago (before I started using Oil of Argan), I was inspecting my face and was grieving for its loss of luster and tone. 

I first tested the product at the back of my hand, to see how fast it is absorbed onto the skin. To my surprise, it took less than 5 seconds for the Argan oil to disappear into my skin. I waited a few hours before applying it on my face to see if I had any allergic or adverse reactions to it. I had none.

I pumped two drops onto my fingers and applied it in small circles on my face. The first thing I noticed is that it did not have any strong artificial odours. Rather, the smell is reminiscent of nuts. The second thing is that it is viscous. It delivered just as the label says: 100% Moroccan Argan Oil. After putting it on, the oil was readily absorbed into my skin, without leaving any greasy residue.

As a night serum, I apply it after I wash my face and before I go to bed. I wake up with moisturized skin, I actually see the sheen when I look in the mirror first thing in the morning. 

As a day serum, I put it on before I pat on pressed powder onto my skin. To avoid shine, let the oil sit on your face for a few seconds so that it can get thoroughly absorbed. One time, when I was in a hurry, I applied it too soon. I was left with a slightly oily feeling on my eyelids (my skin normally gets oily there). Though it was neither obvious nor unsightly, I just didn't like to feeling.

Since using Oil of Argan, my makeup routine was streamlined to less than five minutes: 60 seconds to apply the oil, 5-10 seconds to absorb, and the rest for applying pressed powder, eyebrow pencil, lipstick, cream blush, and eyeshadow (optional). I now see no need for concealer, foundation, BB cream, toner, astringent, etc. 

 Before: Oily with dry patches and uneven skin tone

Now: Glowing, taut, and with better tone

The photo above was taken after I attended an Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support course, where we had to do CPR, run through a simulated emergency situation, and sweat out a pen-and-paper test. Later, I walked under the heat of the afternoon sun to ride the public jeepney. I was pleasantly surprised that after all that activity, my skin looked this great. It was dewy, not oily. No wonder my co-commuters kept on giving me sidelong glances.

These past few days, I see people giving me a double take. Friends and acquaintances remark on how great my skin looks and feels. I have noticed that my skin is now taut, whereas before I was dismayed to find early signs of wrinkles. Gone are the days when I have to worry about oily skin. In the 13 days since I started using it, I haven't had a breakout yet. My pores feel unclogged and liberated.

I now have the confidence to wear minimal to no makeup. And it is liberating to face the world without having to pile on my war paint. 

Cost-effective

As this blog post says, there is no such thing as cheap Argan oil. At P600 per 30 mL (SRP), you're basically buying just the 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil. Costs for packaging is quite minimal considering that it doesn't come in fancy containers and boxes. You don't pay for the name of the brand, nor any additional chemicals and artificial ingredients. You may wonder why it only comes in 30 mL bottles. If you only need at least 4 drops a day, 30 mL will last you quite a few weeks already. 

Oil of Argan is the cheapest 100% pure Moroccan Argan oil in the market. It is undiluted with other oils and perfumes. 

What Other People Say

My 54-year old mother bought a bottle for herself. After a week of using it, she said that her scars have faded. Mind you, those scars are not very deep, so don't expect miracles. They are just your usual facial scars from pimples, scratches, nicks, and the like. It's not like she's hacked in the face or something. Suffice it to say, her skin looks plumped up and rejuvenated.

Another satisfied customer updated me. "I love how Oil of Argan just lightens the dark spots caused by pimples. My face is smoother too. I love it." She went on to say that compared to other products she used, Oil of Argan lightens dark spots faster, and she now has less breakouts.

Final Verdict

As a beauty product, Oil of Argan is a multi-tasking gem. In the 2 weeks that I have started using it, my skin has improved visibly. I use it as a day and night serum, moisturizer, and make-up base. I am yet to test it on my hair and nails, and as a makeup enhancer.

Oil of Argan is an organic solution to your beauty needs. If you have sensitive skin, you have a good bet that this product will work on you. One of my friends, who has extremely sensitive skin, is an avid user. She reports that she has had no adverse reactions to the product. For those who want to see obvious results, Oil of Argan delivers on its promise.

Interested? Text me for orders at 09062066904.