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Original poster

Greasy hair wisdom please

26 replies

Claraoswald36 · 31/07/2016 19:55

If you are 30's and still have hair that really needs an every day wash have you managed to improve on that?
If so how?
I spend loads on dry shampoo but it makes me feel a manky and makes my scalp feel grubby.
Nothing has changed since I was about 13 and now I'm 37. It does my head I just want more than 2 days between hair washed!

OP posts:
violetbunny · 31/07/2016 20:07

I wish I could help but at 34 mine still needs washing every day. I have oily skin though so I think my scalp is just greasier than most people's.

gildedcage · 31/07/2016 20:14

Sorry my mum's still doing it everyday and she's late 60s. No help I'm afraid but I'm not sure it's an age thing.

Mamaka · 31/07/2016 20:34

The only way to fix greasy hair is to stop shampooing it! I'm sure I won't explain it right but basically the chemicals in the shampoo strip hair of its natural oils, making it dependent on shampoo for shine and volume.

I stopped shampooing my hair about a year ago. I did a few weeks of just water with various natural conditioners and now I wash once a week with a chemical free shampoo. People often say it looks nice and it's never greasy any more.

CoconuttyOil · 31/07/2016 20:44

mamaka please can you share more advise? What natural conditioners did you use in the transition from washing with 'normal' shampoo to chemical free shampoo and what chemical free shampoo do you use.

I also have to wash my hair daily and would love to stop shampooing. Was it manageable and how long was the transition phase?

Mamaka · 31/07/2016 21:45

I tried using various things such as these:
www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/
www.diynatural.com/homemade-conditioner/
as well as coconut oil and almond oil. There are various recipes you can try if you look online.
The transition was the hard part as my hair looked and smelt different to what I was used to but only lasted about 6 weeks before I was confident to only wash once a week. I tie it up probably the last 3 days of each week because it's a bit limp but still doesn't look greasy. In the end to save time I started using body shop rainforest shampoo (there's various ones for different types of hair) but these still contain more ingredients than I'd like so I'm thinking of going back to making my own.
I don't shampoo my DC's hair at all. We use water and oil before combing. Hair is supposed to clean itself but we don't give it a chance with our constant shampooing!

Mamaka · 31/07/2016 21:48

Oh and I weaned myself off gradually. At first going from washing every other day to every 3 days then 4 then 5 until it was once a week. Now I can get to day 7 and sometimes don't really think it needs a wash so can leave it another couple of days, unless I'm going out or something!

Ineversaid16 · 31/07/2016 21:53
Hmm
happyandsingle · 31/07/2016 22:40

I have super fine hair so unless I wash and style it every day it's a mess. been doing that since I was 16 and I'm now 37 so I share your pain! it's so time consuming

Original poster
Claraoswald36 · 31/07/2016 22:52

Thanks all - so no joy with clay shampoo or anything?
I'm a bit ocd I'm not sure I could cope with not washing but I will do some research thanks you

OP posts:
Puff42 · 31/07/2016 23:18

Um, this is the Relationships board?

Maybe your greasy hair is affecting your relationships? Grin

stressedoutnfedup · 31/07/2016 23:25

dd uses shampoo and conditioner from the body shop, they do one for oily hair,

Original poster
Claraoswald36 · 01/08/2016 07:15

Ha it's not! I was sure I posted in style and beauty oops!

OP posts:
HermioneJeanGranger · 01/08/2016 08:16

No advice here - my hair is really fine and looks like it's been dipped in oil if I don't wash it everyday!

I can't get on board with this not washing it malarky. I feel disgusting id my hair is greasy and I'm not really willing to spend weeks with filthy hair while it "transitions"!

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 01/08/2016 08:32

What do you mean 'a bit OCD'? Hmm

user1469803408 · 01/08/2016 08:47

Hi Clara,

Maybe , if you are washing your hair every day you could start by only using conditioner every other day and combing it all out then making sure you rinse really really well, It will be worse to start off with, but it will normally get gradually better, I've gone from a daily wash to a once weekly wash this year, and it was well worth the hassle of two weeks of my hair looking no so great!

So what I would do is just use conditioner in the shower, let it sit a bit and then comb it all out with a fine comb and then rinse rinse rinse. Then don't wash for as long as you can bear ( at least 3 days I would think). Than try to limit yourself to one full shampoo a week, using the conditioner method in-between if you need to. (For me it was more of having a clean feeling smell, but without lathering the hell out of my scalp)

Best of luck on your capillary adventures!

ladymarymoo · 01/08/2016 09:49

I used to use ice blue shampoo from the body shop or Lush solid shampoo. However mine isn't as greasy these days so just do every other day.

Original poster
Claraoswald36 · 01/08/2016 10:03

Yes, a bit ocd. I have some conclusive behaviours with quite clear triggers. If my hair feels even a tiny bit dirty I can't leave it alone. I also have tricotillomania which even though it's v mild now makes me fiddle with my hair a lot. Is that ok with you Livia?

OP posts:
MegFlyAway · 01/08/2016 10:29

I'm 30 and usually have to wash it everyday, I usually have oily skin. However I'm on medication for my skin at the moment and it's drying it out, a bonus side affect is my roots are dry! I can go days without needing to wash it now! I love it. Dreading going back to normal though.

IMO leaving it/trying not to wash as often didn't make any difference. I think it's because I have oily skin, so I just have to live with it unfortunately.

MNHQ
AmyGMumsnet · 01/08/2016 13:31

Hello! We're going to move this over to Style & Beauty at the request of the OP

OldJoseph · 01/08/2016 14:40

I've gone from once a day to every other day now, my hair looks better on day two (fuller) but my head still feels greasy. I use Batiste Texturiser rather than dry shampoo. Some dry shampoos and those oomph powders make my hair very static so I don't use those.
I started every other day recently because I noticed that my hair didn't look as bad as it used to in the mornings and I think it's to do with my hormones changing (I'm 47).

I don't use conditioner and my hair is fine and straight.

pinkieandperkie · 01/08/2016 14:46

Sorry I'm 50 and still have to wash my hair everyday. I do use dry shampoos but they make my hair so dull and feels grubby. I had my hair cut shorter recently and now have to blow dry every morning as it's a little too short to tie up.

PenelopePitstops · 01/08/2016 14:48

I started using lush solid shampoo bars or their tub shampoos which contain salt (called "big" and "Jersey bounce"). I then forced myself to wash every other day, usually tied up the first day and down on the second. My hair gets greasier underneath rather than on top. I have now got to a point where I can leave it 3 days and 4 if I'm not doing anything where I'm too fussy about how I look!

I have stopped conditioning it completely as I found this left a lot of rubbish in my hair.

I did have to persevere for about 4 weeks of every other day until 3 days became a possibility. I reckon now if I left it til 4 each time my hair would get used to it. I'm just not too bothered about washing every 3 days.

Fluffywuffyunicorn · 01/08/2016 15:04

I usually have to wash my hair everyday. But iv found if I shampoo, condition, then shampoo again. I get to leave it an extra day with out having to wash it again. Conditioner makes my hair greasy because it's so hard to wash out! Try only conditioning the ends of your hair aswel. Or just scrap conditioner all together and once a week or every other week, just allow your hair to become oily and condition it's self. Regularly clean your hair brushes, to get rid of any oil on it. Also talcum powder works well. If your dark haired add coco powder, if red head add cinnamon. Smells lovely.

Original poster
Claraoswald36 · 01/08/2016 16:30

Going to get q shampoo bar from lush there is a shop here.
I suspect that conditioner is problematic and I never put it in my scalp but my hair is dry and frazzled so I've always used it. Going to be brave and ditch it.

OP posts:
Mamaka · 02/08/2016 08:07

Ooh cocoa powder/cinnamon sounds lovely!