Dirty Hair Challenge

I am and have always been the person who showers every morning.. and yes, I must admit that included washing my hair.  I know, I know … that’s soo bad for your hair.  It’s a horrible cycle, you wash your hair because it’s becoming greasy, but it’s becoming greasy so often because you wash it often.  Over the past little bit I have been trying to become better.  I must also say, me attempting to become better has also been because of the mass increase of dry shampoos, even drug store product lines are jumping on the bandwagon!  So, having access to affordable, good quality dry shampoos has helped!!

I was playing around on the internet a few days ago and came across an online article (click here to read the article) about the Dirty Hair Challenge.  The article talked about how people had been challenged to go an entire week without washing their hair.  Don’t worry, they were still able to shower, just no cleansing of the hair.  This seemed interesting and definitely doable.  Especially since I was trying to not wash my hair as often.  So.. I decided to try this!!

This is where I must share with you that a filed as a blogger … I only have pictures of the final day’s hair style.  Somehow over the week, I lost the photos of the hair from previous days.  The best I can do is explain what I did.  Nothing was fancy, so I’m sure you can get the picture.

Sunday night – I started off the week with my shower on Sunday night.  During this shower I made sure to take extra care to ensure that I removed all build up on my hair.  Don’t want to be starting off the week with buildup already!  I put my hair up in a top knot to sleep in while it was still wet and headed to bed.

Monday – When I woke up, my hair was dry at the roots but still damp at the ends that had been wrapped up in the top knot.  This is nice because it helps with adding volume to you hair because of the way the strands of hair dries.  Also, because the hair had started to dry while wrapped up in a top knot, there is a nice bit a wave and volume to you hair.  After I finished my make up, I took down my hair, sprayed a tiny bit of dry shampoo at the ends and used my blow dryer to finish drying my hair.  This didn’t take much and still left a bit of wavy-ness to my hair.  I twisted my bangs back, added a little hair spray to tame the little hair that always seems to fly away and I was good to go!

Tuesday – This day I knew was going to be a busy one for me at work, so I just wanted something simple with not fussy.  I twisted back my bangs and then pulled all my hair back in a ponytail.  Nothing fancy, but it worked to keep my hair out of my face during the day.

Wednesday – this day’s hair style I found on Pinterest and then I just added a little twist (click here to visit the website), I've included the picture below of where I got the idea. This style reminds me of something my mom use to do to me when I was younger.  I pulled the first 1/3 of my hair back, twisted the hair tie over itself. I think pulled back the next 1/3 including the pony tail from the first one, and twisted the hair tie again.  Then I pulled the last 1/3, including the pony tail from the first, this was all of my hair pulled back, turned the hair tie over itself.  I finally twisted the pony tail into a bun and secured it with bobby pins.  I’ve included a picture below that I was able to find on Pinterest, it’s hard to explain.

Thursday – The final day.  I had to cut the week short because on Friday I have a going away party to go to and I want to have fresh, clean hair.  This day I just did a simple sock bun.  See pictures below.  I used a teasing comb to add a little volume framing my face so my hair wasn't pulled tight to my face.  Love this simple and easy updo!

Now it’s your turn.  I challenge you … can you go a week without washing your hair?! … Here are a few tips the I learned over the week.

1. Find yourself some good dry shampoo.  Without dry shampoo, this week wouldn’t have been possible.  I tried out a few new this week and am getting ready to do a review on the few I have tried … You’ll also see some dry shampoo bottles making an appearance in an upcoming empties blog!
2. Make sure that you aren't giving yourself a white cast with you dry shampoo.  After you’ve given some time for the dry shampoo to work, run your hands through your hair and rub in the dry shampoo.  This helps it do its job and rub in any excess you may have.
3.  If you have dark hair and the normal white dry shampoo is just too much, investigate in finding some dry shampoo made especially for dark hair.  This type of shampoo has a brown tone instead of the white tone.
4. Unless your hair craves products, try to avoid adding too many products.  You’re not washing your hair for an extended period of time, so you won’t be removing any of the product and it will just add to the buildup.
5. On the subject of buildup – if you are going to attempt this challenge, make sure you do a good cleansing of your hair when you are done.  Just to make sure you remove any buildup that has accumulated.
6.   Using your blow dryer after you have applied some dry shampoo but before you style your hair can add some volume and shine when your hair starts to look drab.
7.  Remember, most second (or third, fourth…) day hair tends to hold style a little better. Style that hair and gets some great volume and staying power.  I unfortunately have to get over the feeling of second day hair before I will be able to take advantage of this benefit!!
8. Avoid any hair styles that have the front part of your hair, the section framing your face, flat against your head.  This will bring attention to the dirty/greasiness of your hair.  Another excuse to add volume!!