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Hairstyle How To's: The 4 Days, No Washing Experiment

Posted by Alexandra C. | Thursday May 17, 201220 comments


Yup, you read that title right. Today, we're going to show you how you can get away with not washing your hair for four, whole days. Ok, so maybe four days is a bit much but skipping a shampoo every other day (or two days) is actually encouraged to maintain healthy hair. The natural oils in your hair need to distribute themselves to condition your hair, actually keeping it stronger. And I promise, you won't be gross and look like something the cat dragged in, I swear. 
 
Day 1: Cleansing
The night before, wash your hair and let it dry overnight so you wake up and you are ready to go. Use a fortifying shampoo that won't weigh down your hair. Try a shampoo that focuses on healthy hair that doesn't contain silicone. Sulfates are found in some shampoos and can dry out your hair, use a sulfate free one to keep your hair hydrated. Basically, you want to clean your hair and get rid of dirt, without over stripping your natural oils. Wear your hair as you would normally, try to to play too much with it though. Oil and dirt from your hands can transfer. Use as little styling product as you can and if you do use any, use it when your hair is wet if possible.


(clockwise from top left) Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo, Conditioner and 2-in-1 (US$6.49 each)
Marc Anthony Salon Expert Color Care Shampoo, Conditioner
Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Shampoo, Conditioner (US$6.38)
Live Clean Professional Healthy Balance Shampoo, Conditioner (C$8.99)

Day 2: Style Hair 
Beachy waves are the perfect summer hairstyle but what's also excellent about them is that they actually look better when your hair is dirty because your hair has more texture and grip to it. On day 2 of your no-wash experiment, try out our easy to achieve beach wave style. This will keep for at least two more days. As your hair gets dirtier, your beach waves will look more natural and boho. Here's how to get them: 

Step 1: Use a heat protecting spray. We listed the product we used below. 
 


Step 2: Curl your hair. After curling your hair, while it is still warm, comb your fingers through lightly. Don't worry too much about getting ringlets instead of loose waves.



Step 3: Straighten over your curls. Try not to stretch or pull your hair as your straighten. Go over any pieces as necessary. After straightening, while the hair was still warm, we combed through with our fingers again and pulled lightly.



Step 4: Doesn't Mandy look gorgeous? We love this care-free and laid back wavy style on her. It adds volume to hair and is a casual, never over done curl.



Tip: I would suggest forgoing any styling products, besides the heat protecting spray for this. You don't want to produce more oils or layer dirt in your hair. 

Day 3: Dry Shampoo 
Oh dry shampoo, where would I be without you? We've sung the praises of dry shampoo over here and here but I will never shut up about how great it is. You want to use dry shampoo to absorb any oiliness on your scalp. With your beachy styled hair on it's second day, you'll want to use dry shampoo on your roots and around your hairline. This is where hair gets greasiest. Most dry shampoos leave a white powder behind that needs to be combed through. We love these products for their non-residue producing properties:


(from left) Dove Refresh and Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo (C$7.49), Herbal Essences Set Me Up Heat Protection Spray (C$4.99), L'Oreal Texture Expert Fresh Dust Dry Shampoo (US$14.00)

Day 4: Bun It Up! 
On the last day, you'll want to put your hair up and keep it away from your face. If you are anything like me, your skin can get oily and this oil can transfer to your hair, or vice versa. This means, break outs ensue. Yuck. If your roots are getting greasy, feel free to spray some more dry shampoo on them. This will also help to give it a nice, fresh scent. Then pull all your hair together into a top knot or chignon. May we suggest some of these styles? 
 
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20 Comments

on May 23, 2012  KatelynRose1984  20,704 said:

I wish that my hair could look like that! Anytime I involve a curling iron in my routine, it ends up being a complete hot mess. I'm definitely going to try out these tips though. Wish me luck!

on May 22, 2012  Aliza  13,966 said:

Great tips. I find after I dry shampoo I need to wash my hair the next day, I can't even put it up because it just looks too greasy.

on May 19, 2012  TammyK  1,073 said:

Unfortunately even with dry shampoo, my hair gets very greasy by the end of second day :(

on May 18, 2012  GoneBatty  3,196 said:

I so wish this was do-able for me, but my hair is SO greasy by day 3 that it needs a real scrubbing!

on May 18, 2012  mamaluv  STAFF said:

If washing your bangs only is ghetto, then I guess I'm guilty of slumming it with y'all too :)

on May 17, 2012  beachbabe  4,164 said:

@mamaluv, my hair behaves exactly the way yours does. I am normally a 3-4 day shampooer and that's because my hair is so thick and long and a pain to wash, condition, dry, treat, style, etc, etc. and also because I find my hair actually gets drier if I wash it more often. My hair has gotten used to this routine so it rarely gets oily - unless I REALLY pushed it but by then I'd feel gross anyway. So it definitely depends on your routine and scalp/hair behavior.

i have to say I've done this exact article for the last like 3 years. Works for me!

on May 17, 2012  shiorim  982 said:

I admit I've done the 3 day no wash (exam grunge) and I pretty much go through these same stages except my hair is generally wavy already so I just polish it up. Then next day it is doing okay and then the third is usually a top bun. I sometimes cheat and just wash my bangs (ghetto I know) and blow dry to freshen up the front.

Side note but if you do use dry shampoo, its a good idea to use a clarifying shampoo every once in a while to remove build up.

on May 17, 2012  Becky  13,128 said:

Great breakdown! I try to wash my hair at least every other day so I don't dry it out too much. Also sometimes shampooing makes my hair fall out worse! I use Garnier for dry / damaged / coloured hair and I never thought to check for sulfate ...but I guess i'll have to check that now! Perhaps its the sulfate causing this?

on May 17, 2012  farouknabela  3,469 said:

These are awesome coping tactics! Haha. Thanks! I personally wash my hair once every 2-3 days. It gets tough sometimes!!

on May 17, 2012  AlexJC  50 said:

@ladyflash On a related note, I used to have bangs and I did the "bangs wash" all the time, you know where you are too lazy to wash your hair so you only wash your front bangs??? Haha- does anyone else do that?

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