Comments on Crunchy Chicken: The shampoo dilemma solved

I have been using Giovanni since 2003. My version...

2009-09-08T17:02:23.829-07:00

I have been using Giovanni since 2003. My version is the tea tree option. I got tired of it after so many years, thinking how much tea tree oil can one put on there hair! It is an astringent. So, I took a trip to the local whole food market, and after many experimental bottles, have found a few close favorites, than decided to use Giovanni tea tree interchangeably.

Recently, scanning an ad for Rite Aid of all places spotted a B1G1 free sale on Giovanni. While in the store noticed some bottles had a clear tint and others a yellow tint. To my disgust, after I returned home, glanced at the label and noticed a BIG PROBLEM. The INGREDIENTS ARE NO LONGER THE SAME, and have horribly changed. I wish I knew what happened to what used to be a hugely successful product. DOES ANYONE KNOW ??

I agree with anonymous about the labeling. If your shampoo product doesn't have the USDA Organic Seal on it, your only getting a loaded bottle of deception. If your going to pay extra to have a good quality shampoo, may as well make sure it is really genuine natural/organic that you are forking over the greens for; otherwise what’s the point.

So . . . I wonder what is going on, chemically, wi...

2009-08-24T14:22:07.811-07:00

So . . . I wonder what is going on, chemically, with the baking soda - ACV? It seems like baking soda would almost be turning the natural oil on your scalp and hair into soap - the alkali saponifying the oils (which is how one makes soap) and then the ACV rinse neutralizes everything.

Wow.Is there a real chemist out there that knows?

I just have one comment for you all. If you'r...

2009-08-02T20:42:10.176-07:00

I just have one comment for you all. If you're buying a product and it has the word "organic" or "organics" somewhere on the label, but if it doesn't have the USDA Organic Seal on the front label, then you are NOT getting what you think you're paying extra for. Health food store-type bubbly shampoos are not certified organic products. If a product really were USDA certified organic it would proudly bear the USDA Organic Seal on the front label.

So, what the heck is the stuff that you are rubbing into your head and washing down the drain?

Whoo Hoo! I have been trying Organic Shampoo Avalo...

2009-06-17T05:55:04.204-07:00

Whoo Hoo! I have been trying Organic Shampoo Avalon Perpermint with Babosau Oil. The problem is that both my 11 year old daughter and I look greasy as soon as our hair dries. We have exactly the same hair as Crunchy so I know exactly what she is saying. I am all for protecting myself and my kids from toxins, and saving the planet, but I won't do so at the expense of personal hygene. The no poo thing sounded to harsh for my hair to be honest. So I am going to go out and get this shampoo. If my Co-Op doesn't carry it, I am going to order it in bulk. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

i have been using either j. r. liggetts, grandpa's...

2008-12-13T12:18:00.000-08:00

i have been using either j. r. liggetts, grandpa's pine tar soap, or chandrika soap to wash my hair for some time now. the j. r. liggetts works very well but sometimes i just want to use something that smells better and so then i use the chandrika. actually, now if i try to use shampoo - even natural shampoo - my hair rebels and gets very fly-away and weird. and if you want to prove it to yourself that natural soap doesn't remove all the oil from your hair just try washing dishes with it - LOL
djh/texas

Hi Crunchy, great posts, I have been using Solay S...

2008-11-24T21:42:00.000-08:00

Hi Crunchy, great posts, I have been using Solay Shine Organic green tea shampoo, its worked wonders for my oily scalp and itching, doesnt leave a film either, leaves my hair really, really nice and my daughters who has very thick hair, its a great company, the url is http://www.natural-salt-lamps.com/natural-shampoo.html, they have also 2 oz sizes for samples to try,

Hi Crunchy Chicken:)

Love your site! I welc...

2008-11-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Crunchy Chicken:)

Love your site! I welcome you to visit my Go Green blog.

HAIR COLOR:
For those brunettes looking for a safer alternative to conventional hair color--try Aubrey Organics Color Me Natural. This rates a healthy 0 on the Skin Deep database (www.cosmeticsdatabase.org) and is NOT linked to cancer-per the database. This is super affordable at only $9.57 on iherb.com and when you use my Coupon Code (CEL445) you get $5 off if you are a first time customer on iherb.com. Wahoo! I can't wait to try it myself.

I just picked up the Giovanni 50:50 balancing and the tea tree shampoo so look forward to using.

Also, consider a 100% natural boar bristle brush to keep hair healthy looking:)

Well, I see everyone has there own personal favori...

2008-09-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I see everyone has there own personal favorite shampoo and conditioner.

I happen to love theRock Star Organics line. They make everything from shampoo to hair pomade. They say it's for kids, but I use it on my hair and love the smell and how soft it leaves my hair.

Plus if I ever squirt a bunch of it in my eye it won't burn.:)

I love Ilumina Organics Spicy Citrus shampoo and c...

2008-09-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

I love Ilumina Organics Spicy Citrus shampoo and conditioner. I have tried many others but theirs is great. This is why: It smells great and makes my hair feel sooo good. Sounds stupid, but my hair feels like it did when I was in my 20s. I am breastfeeding and am trying to limit the estrogenics in my bloodstream (and in milk for my daughter) and the shampoo and conditioner have none! Also, I am a life-long runner and just had a squamous cell cancer (SCC) removed from my forehead. I take good care of myself but all of the sun damage finally took its toll. Anyway, I was reading about SCC and found a study that showed that mice with sun damage got more skin cancer tumors when lotions with mineral oil or laureth sulfate were applied. Sooo, I thought I am so glad I am not using other shampoos anymore because they all have laureth sulfate in them. Maybe using Ilumina Organics shampoo and conditioner will reduce the chance I will get more skin cancer on my forehead!

Giovanni products are the BEST! Interestingly enou...

2008-08-31T23:35:00.000-07:00

Giovanni products are the BEST! Interestingly enough, I work for a rather well known hair care company who uses SLS as well as parabens, so I stopped using their products (even though they were free) and went back to using the entire Giovanni line of shampoos and conditioners which I was using before my job with the hair care company.

My next concern is hair color. I know it's not good, but the natural alternatives are horrible. I can immediately spot someone who uses it on their hair. Black ends and brown roots and an overall dull finish. So unattractive.

My salon has just started carrying Purology shampo...

2008-08-06T05:57:00.000-07:00

My salon has just started carrying Purology shampoos and cond. I like the fact that they are sulfate free and 100% vegan.
I've been playing with the ACV rinse instead of washing my hair traditionally. I've discovered that I like it for about 2-3 days, then I feel I need to actually shampoo because my bangs look greasy and my hair feels a little dirty. (Especially if I've had a sweaty workout and product in my hair.) I have an "anti-gravity" hairstyle and use a paste type product in it daily. ACV does a decent job cleaning over all...I was surprised.

Aveda will refill their bottles . . .

2008-08-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

Aveda will refill their bottles . . .

Oh, how I tried and tried to be a no-poo kinda gal...

2008-08-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I tried and tried to be a no-poo kinda gal. Three summers in a row I've tried but this year after my longest attempted transition (2 months!) I finally came to acknowledge that I have one greasy scalp.

So I'm back to poo. Well, actually body wash - the stuff that washes my body does just fine on my hair. I have cut back shampooing to every other day and am limiting the amount I bathe my scalp in.

One part of the no-poo experiment that did work though is the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse. I've got long (halfway down my back) hair and in the summertime we drive around with the Jeep lid down -- lots of fun, but lots of tangles. The ACV just used towards the ends, away from the scalp, does a nice job of smoothing the mess out. And, I really (REALLY!) don't smell like a salad bowl once I'm out of the shower.

-nicole

I had a hard time trying the baking soda washes wi...

2008-08-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

I had a hard time trying the baking soda washes with the vinegar rinses. NO suds just didn't work for me. The good thing about that interlude of "try something else", however, was that I stopped using "dandruff" shampoo. Head and Shoulders and Selsun Blue have been making $$$ off me for FORTY years. D'OH! One would THINK that using these products for forty years would have eliminated the problem. It was a real "DUMBASS!" moment for me.

Started using the cheapest shampooo I could find that gave a little suds. I have ONE little place on my scalp (right next to my face) that still has a sore-like itchiness. I've been using my face cleanser/lotion and reaching into my hairline to accommodate that twice/day while I still wash my hair only every third day. I think that's working, but would be interested in hearing how others overcame dry/itchy, flaky scalps.

I've been using the baking soda and apple cider vinegar rinse method for nearly four months now, and it works fine (the link above details how to go about using this method).

In fact, when I went travelling and used some shampoo and conditioner samples that were in the motel room, my scalp and hair rebelled and I ended up with a case of scalp zits :-( Not good.

My hair is just past my shoulders, and tends to the dry side. I don't tend to get dandruff, but do get eczema (if this helps people decide whether to give it a go or not).

The best thing about the baking soda / vinegar alternative (apart from the cost) is that I don't get the itches. Im obviously allergic to some of the chemicals in standard shampoos and conditioners, and have found my skin has improved with this alternative.

As an aside, my body rashes from eczema have improved as well. I think this may be because there is no 'run off' in the shower of the chemicals from the shampoo and conditioner.

So now I just use baking soda (for shampoo), apple cider vinegar (for rinse), and Dove soap bars (or similar no-name brands) for my body. Cheap, and very effective.

AND NO PLASTIC! :-)

Hey, I totally had a whole shampoo dilemma last ye...

2008-07-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hey, I totally had a whole shampoo dilemma last year too, and SO many people left their suggestions, and I also tried that vinegar stuff and it SUCKS. And just like you, I found Giovanni products in bulk, and am happy with 'em. My personal fave, though, is the 50/50 one (or the protein something-or-other). Takes a good sized dollop to get a lather, but it works just perf.

genetic greasy head... How familiar I am with that...

2008-07-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

genetic greasy head... How familiar I am with that. Day one. lovely fresh fluffy hair. Day two. the 'perfect' hair that a person can actually do something with. Day three. eww gross what's that on my head?

I think it's the real reason my ancestors wore braids, buns and bonnets.

:P

Just posted to commiserate, wonder how many others with scandinavian /british isles heritage deal with this.

I haven't tried no-poo either. The caveats about hard water, and month-long grease, and so on, have me very leery. I just don't have time to fiddle-fart around with figuring out the ratios of stuff, nor do I want to wear hats for weeks on end.

I'll probably do it eventually, but right now isn't a good time.

Rob--I use Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap too (in a...

2008-07-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

Rob--I use Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap too (in a bar)! Though, maybe you shouldn't trust a girl with a boy's haircut for advice either... haha.

Crunchy--I found my transition time (back when I had mid-back length hair) wasn't too bad when I first weaned myself off shampoo slowly, and then started using a glycerin-based soap (nice lather and not harsh at all). But I also only showered 2-3 times a week... Now I use Dr. Bronner's and a baking soda rinse every once in a while when I'm feeling the need for some extra cleanliness... As for styling products, I bought some "texturizing" gel right after I got my hair cut off--I was at summer camp and couldn't do much else--but I've seen recipes for a flax seed gel that I'm planning on trying out. Apparently it's what they used to use back in the 20s? Anyway, it should be interesting!

You know, if you use the shampoo bars properly--as...

2008-07-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

You know, if you use the shampoo bars properly--as in, washing your WHOLE head (not just trusting the lather to do its thing) and rinsing with diluted ACV--you'll have a lot less transition time ;) Seriously, I've been using shampoo bars for a couple of years now and didn't have any transition time. The big thing the ACV does is to balance the pH of your scalp and hair. Without it, your hair is not going to act at all like it does with ordinary shampoo.

Anybody have any experience with Druide? Their web...

2008-07-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

Anybody have any experience with Druide? Their website is undergoing some changes, but I've thought about ordering from them in the past, when I could. I hear really good things about their products. http://www.druide.ca/ (May be easier to read in French. Forgive them, they're Canadian.)

Until this post I had forgotten about the dreaded ...

2008-07-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

Until this post I had forgotten about the dreaded stinky scalp. I haven't had it for a while and have no idea what changed in my life to stop it. Age? Luck? I'll cogitate and let you know if I come up with something useful.
I've switched to twice a week shampooing (still using up what I have) and my hair looks amazing on the morning I shampoo - glossy and wavy with some bounce - very irritating. I am considering the baking soda acv route but I am so not a morning person that the thought of mixing things up in the shower gives me the heebie jeebies. I was leaning towards shampoo bars because of the less packaging and I have a bar that is supposed to condition as well as clean -- if it's like the crappy conditioning shampoos I've tried I'll probably still need to do some conditioning. Coconut oil sounds like it would work for my hair but the whole putting it on for 15 minutes+ before shampooing . . . again not such a great idea for someone who must adhere to a strict schedule of morning tasks or she finds herself without deodorant with unrinsed conditioner in her hair at work.

I've seen Giovanni's in bulk-sized bottles (32oz) ...

2008-07-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

I've seen Giovanni's in bulk-sized bottles (32oz) at Costco from time to time. I'm east coast though, so your stores may vary.

I think I'll try the baking soda and acv thing. L...

2008-07-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

I think I'll try the baking soda and acv thing. Like you, Crunchy, I have a very oily scalp, and have for (years) have had the problem of it stinking! Alot! If I don't wash it everyday....yuck! Well, just two short months ago I did a web search on "stinky scalp" and found some folks who swear by using sulfur soap one to two times per week. The theory is that there's bacteria lurking in that oil on the scalp, and the sulfur kills it (for a while.) Well, wouldn't you know, a 99 cent bar of surfur soap from Walgreens, used once a week (use on weekend or day when you won't be around too many people - the sulfur smell is as strong as a new perm!) -sulfur kills the stink for a week! I can actually get by washing my hair every other instead of every day! I'm still a greaseball, so it doesn't reduce the oil. The sulfur soap is very sudsy, makes lots of lather, but once water hits the hair for rinsing, the lather vanishes and the hair feels like horse hair. Drys kinda fly-away but its worth it to tame the stinky scalp! The next day, just go back to using your regular routine. For me, that's using cheapo shampoo, and less than a pea -drop of conditioner for ends only. But like I said above, gonna try that baking soda and acv thing.

i tried going no-poo for 3 months and it never wor...

2008-07-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

i tried going no-poo for 3 months and it never worked for me. one evening i had to go to a wedding and was like "ok im going to use regular shampoo for one night because it's a special occasion" BAM! back on the shampoo train because i realize in hindsight that i looked like an utter greaseball. it isnt right for everybody's chemisty and unfortunately it wasn't right for mine. wah wah wah.

i use the burt's bees soy pomegranate and really like it. esp how it smells. YUM. i agree it doesnt have much of a lather but i dont feel that is important - i mean suds aren't making it more or less effective anyways.

I tried that shampoo a while back, and liked it bu...

2008-07-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

I tried that shampoo a while back, and liked it but have since moved on. The main thing I remember about the bottle is that on the back it said "When you laugh I can see you smile." What was that about? Who was watching me in the shower? Creepy.

Comments on Crunchy Chicken: The shampoo dilemma solved

I have been using Giovanni since 2003. My version...

So . . . I wonder what is going on, chemically, wi...

I just have one comment for you all. If you'r...

Whoo Hoo! I have been trying Organic Shampoo Avalo...

i have been using either j. r. liggetts, grandpa's...

Hi Crunchy, great posts, I have been using Solay S...

Hi Crunchy Chicken:)Love your site! I welc...

Well, I see everyone has there own personal favori...

I love Ilumina Organics Spicy Citrus shampoo and c...

Giovanni products are the BEST! Interestingly enou...

My salon has just started carrying Purology shampo...

Aveda will refill their bottles . . .

Oh, how I tried and tried to be a no-poo kinda gal...

I had a hard time trying the baking soda washes wi...

Hey, I totally had a whole shampoo dilemma last ye...

genetic greasy head... How familiar I am with that...

Rob--I use Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap too (in a...

You know, if you use the shampoo bars properly--as...

Anybody have any experience with Druide? Their web...

Until this post I had forgotten about the dreaded ...

I've seen Giovanni's in bulk-sized bottles (32oz) ...

I think I'll try the baking soda and acv thing. L...

i tried going no-poo for 3 months and it never wor...

I tried that shampoo a while back, and liked it bu...

Hi Crunchy Chicken:)

Love your site! I welc...