Cavewoman Beauty Methods - Who's In?!

[LumpyLatimer]

RIGHT!

As mentioned elsewhere, I am ditching chemicals and bottles and packaging for natural, herbal and Ayurvedic stuff, and wondered if anyone wanted to join me, so we can basically end up look like this

Bit of background - this all kicked off when I used some henna. Turns out that dying your hair red is the least of its properties - it has turned my depressingly straight bleached frazzle into thick tumbling locks

I am going to continue wth hair experimenting by using some Indian/ayurvedic stuff - shikakai, cassia, amla oil etc. Just waiting for my parcels to arrive. I can post loads of links/info if anyone is interested.

Also doing the OCM and amazed by my skin. Not used castor oil yet as my ebay seller is stupidly slow, but exerimenting with various other oils.

Not yet got round to thinking about deodorants and shower gels

I wondered if anyone else is in. So far I really just feel like I'm screaming SCREW YOU! at Unilever and turning into a really really hot witch with amazing hair.

Disclaimer: you don't actually have to wear velvet dresses and crap sandals to do this stuff. It's good for the planet and good for your bank account, both of which are pretty compelling reasons to give it a shot....

So...anyone joining me?

And now I'm going to lunch because I'm scared of rejection

YY the OCM has transformed my skin. but have given up with natural hair - it needs silicone

Where do you get the stuff from?

I tried sweet amond oil from h and b and was v disappointed (also disappointed that it does not smell of marzipan, booo)

I'm in, to a certain extent anyway. I was bought up in a hardcore hippy family in the 70's / 80's so couldn't bear to take it all the way. Goose grass salad anyone?

Anyway, I've been OCMing for a while now, 3 weeks maybe, and it's working a treat. My skin looks better than it has in years. Have also swapped my facial and body moisturisers for oils with excellent results. Have been using gelatine on the black circles my under eyes and that's fab too. Also used coffee grounds as a hand and body scrub. That is lovely but damn messy.

Tell me about henna, you can get non-colouring stuff, right? Or is that a different beast? Pretty sure I used some to great effect as a teenager.

Just about to eat my goose grass salad, and will be back properly later mostly to persuade Val to stay - but - non-colouring henna is what's known as neutral henna, and it's not really henna at all but cassia oblovata. I'm waiting for mine to arrive

Back in a bit

Oh, can I also shout: ROSE WATER. Stuff of the gods. Great toner and does loads of other things too.

So it's AKA senna, the well known laxative

Well, if it works, it works.

Non colouring Henna ? seriously?

Must order some rosewater - like the sound of that!

RIGHT, I'm back.

Re supplies - I am ordering from Henna Boy, which stocks pretty much everything. The guy who runs it is very knowledgeable and gave me some good advice by email recently.

If you live in a big city, you can pop to an Indian store for things like shikakai and amla oil, and for cheap coconut oil too.

Re. rosewater - I have been wondering about using it as a toner post-OCM actually - you have inspired me to give it a go!

Yes, cassia is senna . Val, here is a good link to what cassia/non-colouring 'henna' does. I am really excited about trying it 'cos it binds to the hair in much the same way as actual henna, making it stronger and thicker etc., but without colouring it.

I am also pretty excited about trying out the Indian hair washing technique, which involves an oil scalp massage/oiling the ends first, leaving it to soak, then washing out with shikakai (a ground seed pod). Val I think I have read somewhere about people needing silicone and wanting to try herbal stuff - there is bound to be something to try

I do coconut oil head and scalp massage then leave it overnight and wash the next day - my hair is GORGEOUS the next day!

Will have a read...

A friend of mine came over from India a few years ago and lives near me now. She uses soapnuts after the oil on her, stunning, luscious hair. She nearly pissed her self laughing when I told her they're only ever used here by hippies for laundry. She says strictly for hair and body...

Oh wow, can't wait to give it a try.

I vacillate between long and short hair, and am currently shoulder length (growing out an ill-advised crop). I have heard Great Things about what Indian techniques and esp. oil massages can do to speed up growth...and whilst more than aware this is probably bollocks, I need veyr little inducement to spend money/make potions up in the bathroom

Hetty that's really interesting - soap nuts are the next thing I want to try after shikakai (an India seedpod that I think comes from a kind of acacia). Hadn't clocked that you can use them on the body

I can't use soap nuts - allergic ds, I do my OCM in the small loo he never uses but we share the shower - too risky.

The traditional european natural soap is chestnuts, can't remember if it's horse chestnuts or sweet chestnuts. Leaves and nuts are both good IIRC. Google will know.

ooh I'm in, I love hippy shizzle? like this

My mum used to mix up her own leg wax think it was sugaring. She had a special saucepan for it

Yay Pinot, how are you?!

Yes it feels GREAT dunnit. I think it taps into that stuff we all did as kids, you know, making rosewater 'perfume' that stank like a cat's anal glands and selling it to the neighbours

Hetty There is now a very real risk that I will forage for chestnuts in the local park . There is no use pretending otherwise...

lol. My mum was Very Hairy (although she's fair haired to be fair).

Any idea how it's done?

Will ask her but I expect she's forgotten - she just gave up in the end and went very hairy

Hello pinot

I'm really quite possibly a bit OK thanks love :)

'ello mate

Yes I'm in and I would like to second HennaBoy as being fabulous.

Hurrah, there is a whole GANG of cavewomen

I must must go now as my boss is looking searchingly at me. More later...

you tease!