Learn how to go a week without a shampoo trip

Going three days without shampoo used to be an accomplishment to be proud of.

Now, women are boasting about washing their hair every five days or even once a week.

If all of this sounds like madness to you, allow us to show you how it’s done.

Stop the shampoo abuse

First things first, stop shampooing. By now you know that ditching traditional shampoos is not merely a passing fad, but rather a real, lasting change in the haircare world. And if you haven’t hopped on board yet, you should. The detergents in traditional shampoos strip your hair of its natural oils, thus causing it to overproduce oil. Ditching shampoo doesn’t mean you have to quit showering, you have a few options.

For fine hair type

Fine-haired ladies will find the most success with either the baking soda method, an apple cider vinegar rinse, or a combination of the two. Baking soda gently cleanses, removing dead skin cells, buildup, and dirt without chemically stripping your hair’s natural oils. Just mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 cup of filtered water, and massage the mixture into your hair. The ratio is flexible. If your hair is particularly fine or short, you may want to use baking soda. The other option for women with thin hair is the apple cider vinegar rinse. Some women like to first wash with baking soda then rinse with an apple cider vinegar mixture (same ratio—about 1 to 2 tablespoons of ACV for every cup of water). But you can also just do the rinse. ACV clarifies and softens hair while also balancing the pH of your strands and scalp.

For thick curly and frizzy hair

If you have thick hair, try cleansing cream. The mild formulas cleanse hair while still replenishing moisture. It’s a very gentle clean, meaning it won’t dry out your hair and cause frizz. Cleansing conditioners are to your hair what cleansing oils are for your face—oil-regulating, not oil-causing. If you’re just getting on a cleansing cream regimen, you may need to wash twice with the product to really feel clean. But after a few weeks, you’ll be ready to ditch the double-cleanse approach.

Ditching shampoo means ditching conditioner, too. Less greasy hair and fewer products to buy.

When its wet

After washing, go easy on the products. Skip anything with alcohol (which can dry out your tresses) or silicone (which can weigh down you hair), both can cause unwanted grease. Choose light formulas and steer clear of anything offering extra shine. When you do use products, try to avoid applying them close your scalp. Keeping your roots free of product will go a long way toward keeping your hair looking and feeling clean.

When its dry

This makes a bigger difference than you think. Your fingers carry a lot of oils, and every time you twirl your hair, readjust your part, or fluff your roots, you transfer those oils (and whatever else is on your fingertips) to your hair. So don’t touch and, also, don’t brush. Too much brushing stimulates your oil glands. Don’t brush if you don’t need to, and when you do, use a boar-bristle brush, Boar-bristle brushes are known to redistribute hair’s oils evenly.

Have a hair plan

When you’re trying to stretch the time between washing, you have to have a plan. Day one is easy: You have clean hair (lightly) styled however you please. Day two should go a lot like day one; those with fine hair or particularly oily scalps may need to add dry shampoo this day. Day three: Try a messy bun or loose braid. Tease the roots slightly, and muss up your part so it’s not perfectly straight (these tactics will help disguise any first appearances of grease). Day four can be a repeat of day three, or you slick your back into a low bun or a high pony. If you’re going for the sleek look, you will want to use product. Day five is probably wash day for those with fine hair.

Have a plan B

Around day three, four, and five, you may have to get creative. When you just need a little boost between regular washings, you effectively have two options: rinsing and the half wash. Rinsing is pretty self-explanatory. Let’s say you had a sweaty workout, but you just washed two days ago; simply rinsing your hair in the shower will take care of the extra grease and redistribute your scalp’s oils. Or when the rest of your hair looks fine but the roots along your hairline and part are looking greasy, try the half wash. Pull your hair back into a loose low bun, and just wet, wash, and rinse about a 1- to 2-inch section along your hairline and down the front portion of your part. Do this in the shower with a shower cap over the rest of your hair, but there are those who prefer to do this in the sink, too. It may sound odd, but both ways work. And you get to maintain that third-day texture we all love so much.

Learn how to use dry shampoo and go a week with out washing your hair with this video clip.