If you only wash your hair once a week

[JMAngel1]

So I only wash my hair once a week as it takes around 1 hour to wash and around d 6 hours to dry (thick curly long hair). I do curly girl so use sulphate/silicone free oroducts. If I wash it any more frequently, it gets dried out. I actually out leave in conditioner I the ends every day - it is the Sahara!
However, by about day 5, I feel like it doesn't smell very nice - a definite "scalp" smell.
Can anyone recommend me anything to rub into my scalp that smells nice and is CG friendly?

However, by about day 5, I feel like it doesn't smell very nice

The answer is very simple, you wash your hair on day 4 or 5.

I have curly hair and was mine on day 4/5, any longer and the smell is grim, too grim to use dry shampoo.

As a fellow "curly girl", I gave up on it because frankly I think it's a load of shit just to promote lots of different products and my hair looked absolutely no better for it.

You hair and scalp probably smell more because of how much oil and other stuff you are putting on it every day. It is probably also so tangled because you're only brushing it once a week. Don't even attempt to brush it before you wash it FFS. Wash it, conditioner and then comb (AKA drag the brush through it).

My hair looks, feels and smells a million times better when I only use shampoo, conditioner and curl cream on it and I wash it every three days.

Good grief. What an over complicated faff.

Simple tip: when your hair smells, it's time to WASH it. So grim

You use oil everyday but only wash your hair once a week? Doesn’t it just get all greasy? I couldn’t leave oil in my hair. I always have to wash my hair after a workout because my hair gets sweaty and yuck so I wash it nearly every second day. I make sure it only takes 5 minutes though - I’ve no time for faffing about with products.

Would a nape undercut help?
If there's so much of it. Could make it slightly easier to handle. Plus look quirky & stylish?

Depends on the oil,how much you use,and hair porosity
I can put oil on my hair and it absorbs well and isn’t greasy
I put marula oil on overnight and wash out in morning it’s v conditioning

If you do t understand OP's hair type, theres not much point telling her to wash it more often! For some people, that just doesn't work!

Op have you tried cocoa powder on the scalp, assuming it's dark hair? Or cornstarch or a mixture to match your hair. Sprinkle in the roots and rub.

Alternatively, what about a different regime where you wash with a sulphate and silicone free conditioner, no shampoo at all? You could do that every five days, perhaps.

Finger comb when the conditioner is in.

Drying takes longer because of the oils and natural oils in your hair. It may dry more quickly with a different regime.

Are you in any curly girl Facebook or Instagram groups? I would ask on there as you'll get lots of people posting here with very different hair to yours who won't understand your particular problem.
I have very thick hair too, wash it about day 5 or sometimes 6. Would have to wash after a hard, sweaty workout but I hardly do those 😆

OP I have the same curl type gotten way more defined since starting CG. I wash with shampoo once a week and a co-wash on day 3/4...co wash cleanses my scalp in the inbetween (focus on scalp not ends) but doesn’t ‘strip’ of all product/oil like shampooing - if I shampood x2 a week I’d be a dry, frizzy mess

Glad some more curly girls have joined the thread. OP lots of people on here who don't get it!

I have fine hair that I only wash once a week as it's quite dry. I use the Aveda botanical repair range and I don't get a smelly scalp in between washes - I think something you are using doesn't agree with your skin if it smells bad?

My hair is curly too btw.

Stop oiling it so much - oil goes off and stinks! Get one of these www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magic-Stay-On-Satin-Collection-Caps-Sleep-Caps-Save-Your-Hair-Smooth-and-Soft-/112490434839 and user it every night. It will clean your hair and scalp and also stop it tangling so much.

The cornstarch/cocoa powder idea is a good one. Thank you, will try it for sure.
I don't really want to use perfume sprays as I can't use alcohol.
I only use SLS free shampoo.
Yes I think that only curly girls can understand this - telling me to wash it more often will just end up in a frizzy halo. I'm really happy with curl quality/frizz control with once a week washing - any more frequently and it all goes to pot.
I do Pilates every morning and don't sweat really so not a huge issue.

I am similar. Long, thick, dry, curly hair. Takes me ages to wash it properly and it’s exhausting to make it look ok. I’ve got multiple sclerosis and have given up trying to wash it myself. I’ve got multiple sclerosis which makes it even harder. I go to the hairdresser every week now and have found that a good solution. I never have to do anything!!

@Moondust001

I've just ordered the bonnet style - if nothing else it may help me avoid getting ridges in my hair by not having to pineapple it at night.

Have you tried co-washing between full washes? It would stop your scalp smelling without drying out your hair and if you detangle while doing it would stop it getting so knotted.

I'm 2b / 3a, a lot of hair, takes ages to air dry, have found the Asiam co-wash to be really good for a twice a week wash without drying hair out. I can't leave it longer without scalp smell even if I put in essential oils or perfume, and I wouldn't want to. Don't like it not feeling or smelling clean

I love the way people are saying just wash it more,don’t put so much stuff in it ,it’s self imposed! They probably have straight fine hair with no frizz and a walk in a breeze would dry it! What about dry shampoo on the roots? Just to get through those couple of days

I have curly hair and seems similar to how OP has described her hair. Just because some of us think hair needs washing once or before it starts to smell doesn't me we don't understand curly hair. Other PPs have said they have curly hair too and have said the same thing.

Oil is not recommended by Lorraine Massey who founded the CGM, even natural oils. I’ve seen her talking about it on video and she explains why it’s drying. Brushing isn’t recommended either. I know people take bits and pieces from the method and adapt it to what works for them but it probably isn’t going to work as well.

I have her book and she recommends lavender spray. Just water and pure lavender essential oil to be sprayed onto the hair. She also suggests spraying it onto paper towel and running your scalp with it if it needs it. Lavender is a natural antiseptic.

Arghhh please don’t change to some of the advice here, it will ruin all your hard work!

I understand your issue completely as I have the same one. I’m having more layers cut into it when things reopen to hopefully cut down drying time.

I spray mine with water to freshen it up and use cantu custard which smells good for a few days.

What leave in conditioner do you use please?

Do you clarify regularly? Or use a rice water rinse?

I'm using Intensive Care Leave In Conditioner by Noughty.
Lavender oil - mmm bit scared of that as I have a sensitive dry scalp, it might irritate it?
Wasn't aware CG didn't approve of oil - I put avocado oil in it every night but only through lengths, not scalp.

I also have 3b hair (am mixed race) and totally relate with it taking one hour min to wash hair.

I also started on the CGM but adapted it as I felt my hair was getting to oily and greasy.

Now I co wash every two - three days with this co wash:
www.superdrug.com/Hair/Shampoo/Everyday-Shampoo/AS-I-AM-Naturally-Coconut-CoWash-Shampoo-454g/p/771231

Then once a week I do a proper wash with a sulphate shampoo (not curly girl approved but I think my hair needs a deep wash once a week) and deep condition after.

Hair seems happy!