Getting healthy, soft, shiny hair can be a real challenge, especially if you have curly hair, use heat styling, or dye your hair. However, there is a secret trick that will save you lots of money from styling products while giving you that beautiful natural hair you wanted.

NOTE: I have personally used this method for several years and share it because I have found it to work.

Step 1: The Problem and Solution

The problem with commercial shampoo is its drying effect. Shampoo contains sulfates, which strip your hair of its natural oil and leave it dry and frizzy. To compensate for the drying effect, the scalp starts producing more oil with the risk of oily hair as a result.

The solution is to stop using shampoo and use conditioner instead to wash your hair. Conditioner contains fat which will dissolve the excess oil in your hair without the drying effect, thus leaving your hair healthy and clean.

Step 2: How to Do It

When using only conditioner to wash your hair, it is important not to use any products containing silicone, as conditioner cannot remove silicone from the hair. If you use silicone-containing products when washing with only conditioner, the silicone will build up and start to stink. You must make sure the conditioner you use does not contain silicone. Words that end with -cone, -conol, and -xane are generally names for different types of silicone. The Alberto V05 conditioner is silicone free, and I have found it to work very well. In fact, it is my personal favorite.*

To start using this method, wash your hair with a shampoo containing sulfates to remove any silicone residues and then use the silicone-free conditioner. Next time you wash your hair and for all future washes, use only the conditioner to wash the hair. For the hair to get clean, you must rub some more than is needed when using shampoo. Rinse well and do not apply any styling products containing silicone.

The first few weeks, your hair might seem oily. That should go away when your scalp has adjusted to the less drying effect of the conditioner and started to produce less oil. You might also experience some frizziness if you normally use a conditioner with a lot of silicone and moisturizing ingredients in it. That is because the silicone coats the hair to give a sleek feel, and when you stop using silicone, you realize how dry your hair actually is. The dryness/frizziness should also go away after a few weeks when the hair has had time to absorb the fat from the conditioner.

* I have not been sponsored to promote this brand but mention it only because I have personally found it to work well for me.

Step 3: The Results!

After a few weeks, your hair and scalp will have adjusted to the conditioner. As time goes on, you will find that the hair gets more and more natural, silky, soft, and moisturized. If you have wavy or curly hair, it will most likely start being curlier because it is no longer being damaged by shampoo.

If, after using the conditioner method for a few weeks, you still find that your hair is dry, you can try applying a bit of nourishing oil, for example almond oil. Place your hand over the opening of the bottle and turn it upside-down to get a little oil on your palm. Rub your palms together to spread the oil and then distribute the oil in your hair, working from the ends and upwards. Do not apply too much, or your hair will become oily. You can also experiment with different conditioners to see which one works best for you. Among the V05 conditioners, I have found that the Shea Cashmere (white color) is the most moisturizing, and the Kiwi Lime Squeeze (green color) seems to be more cleansing.

I know following this method is a big step, but you can always step back if it doesn't work for you. However, it just might be the key to your hair's health. Enjoy your natural hair!

NOTE: In the picture above, I have not applied anything to the hair after washing. I just brushed the hair and let it air dry without messing further with it.