conditioner only washing

I've been conditioner washing for about 18 months now and it's been fab for my hair. Whenever I use shampoo now, like when I'm stripping colour, my hair feels so nasty afterwards - almost sticky? I use Tesco own brand coconut shampoo or Inecto and then Alberto Balsam intensive conditioner (honey and almond flavour). My hairdresser says my hair is in the best condition he's ever seen oon bleached locks!

Thanks for your reply. That's very encouraging to hear. I'll keep going with it then. Is the conditioner you use silicone free? I'm wondering whether that makes a difference? Xx

Yes, if you want to CO-wash you need silicone-free conditioner. All the ones I use are cone free - and cheap!

I'm gonna give this another go!! So we put the first conditioner on and scrub, wash out then put the second on the ends then rinse?

I've been conditioner washing for about 18 months now and it's been fab for my hair. Whenever I use shampoo now, like when I'm stripping colour, my hair feels so nasty afterwards - almost sticky?

Mine is the same.  I did a low sulphate shampoo the other day and I was a little freaked out because my hair felt just awful!  I couldn't believe how dry and stuck together it felt.  I don't use serums or cones, so I know I don't have masked damage.  My hair just hates shampoo now!  Ha ha!

Thanks for your reply. That's very encouraging to hear. I'll keep going with it then. Is the conditioner you use silicone free? I'm wondering whether that makes a difference? Xx

You do want to use silicone free for co washing.  You also want to make sure you're not loading your hair up with silicone in your styling products. Check here for the basics of co washing.  Check here for a list of silicone free conditioners for co washing.

I'm gonna give this another go!! So we put the first conditioner on and scrub, wash out then put the second on the ends then rinse?

Yup!  😀  I found I used about twice as much conditioner for the "scrubbing" portion than I would if I were just conditioning... and I used a lot of water.  You want to suds up the conditioner as much as possible.

I put my "shampooing" conditioner (Tesco/Inecto) on, do my other stuff in the shower, add water and lather it up and rinse. Then I put on my "conditioning" conditioner (Alberto Balsam), leave it in for about two minutes and rinse. Finally I do a vinegar rinse, dry it and put in a teeny bit of coconut oil to tame any dry bits. Usually once, maximum twice, a week.

I have been CO washing for about a year now - I use sulphate free shampoo before dying / protein treatments etc - I use "Faith In Nature" hemp and meadow foam shampoo) but the rest of the time I use Tesco Coconut conditioner (99p odd) to wash and Tresemme Naturals to condition. I read some bad stuff about Alberto Balsam on the long hair forum so I try and avoid it.

I still use some "cones" (they're in 99% of styling products) but even CO washing and the odd Sulphate free shampoo I don't find it builds up at all. I wash it twice with the thin conditioner (and lots of water and scalp scrubbing) then condition as normal with the Tresemme.

I would have never thought to use conditioner only washing if I hadn't stumbled upon this post just now! Is it really much better for your hair? Does your hair feel just as clean as when using shampoo? Doesn't it make it a little greasy?

Sorry, lots of questions, but I'm intrigued! 🙂

It's better for your hair *colour* because it's not as stripping as some shampoos - that's why a lot of us do it here. My hair feels just as clean, although in a slightly different way, as shampooing. My hair is already naturally quite dry even without me slapping a load of bleach on it though, so greasiness has never been a problem for me.

I read some bad stuff about Alberto Balsam on the long hair forum so I try and avoid it.

What was that?

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I've been shopping this afternoon and picked up Asda coconut conditioner for 80p and fructis smooth and sleek for £1. Both appear to be cone free 🙂

I'm also about 18 months in & only use shampoo when stripping. I totally agree Tabitha, it makes my hair feel crazy nasty. When i used to shampoo i was SO frizzy! My hair was like a triangle lego piece. Now i use a *teeny* bit of baby oil & naked's leav in conditoner & my hair is a bazillion times nicer! I really can't recommend changing enough. I use wilko blue conditioner & fructis for the second one =)

i really think i'm going to try it too 🙂 how do you go about the first time, i'm guessing you need cleaner hair, maybe 2 days unwashed, rather than a week old?

i went straight from 7day dirty hair.

All right, thanks for your answers guys. I think I will give it a try next time I wash my hair and see how I go! Kind of excited to switch actually, keeping brighter hair for longer and having healthier hair definitely sounds VERY good! 🙂