Oh my gosh!!! :grin: :grin: :grin: I'm on cloud 9!

I got off work today and had just taken my hair down after it being in a figure 8 all day when my husband picked me up to go shopping at the local health food store for some much needed stuff. He was holding the shampoo and conditioner that I was paying for and a man asked us what kind we were buying. Then he said that I should be an advertisement for it! Hubby said I turned bright red, but I only remember saying thank you and then we left.

He must have been a true long hair lover to brave the husband! It seems like most guys are intimidated (especially by my hubby :wink: ) and don't say anything unless a woman is alone or with other women. I wonder if he knows about this site.

Also, I have to tell a funny story: When dh and I were looking for shampoo and contitioner, we did smell tests on a lot of products. Both of us prefer little or no perfume/fragrance and, unfortunately, most products have one or the other added. So he was not a happy camper and his nose actually started bleeding just a little. :bigeyes: So after we decided and left, he proceeded to tell me that I should make my own using some soapwort for suds and marshmallow for "greasiness" and maybe some lemon for smell. (He's been paying attention to some of my experiments!) I asked him whether that would be for shampoo or conditioner and his response was precious - "I don't know. Now you're trying to confuse me!" with a somewhat puzzled frown on his face. I sure love my sweetie!! :flower:

By the way, I bought Giovanni's Smooth as Silk conditioner (a staple for me) and the Golden Wheat shampoo. I've not tried the shampoo, so I hope it works.

justme

Wow! Congrats on your compliment! That's so cool!

Hmm, you'll have to do that experiment your hubby spoke of, and tell us how it works!

That was a nice compliment that guy gave you, and you're right; it was brave of him to say that with your husband right there. :rockerdud

I'm curious about something else you wrote. You said your husband was talking about making your own shampoo and conditioner using soapwort and marshmallow root. My question is have you tried soapwort? Have you gotten suds from it? My soapwort concoction doesn't have suds, it's more like a tea. If you have indeed gotten suds please tell me how you did it.

Anouk, I have not had any success with getting suds with soapwort. I think that dh thinks because there is soap in the name that there will be suds, but no such luck. So I don't think the concoction would work unless it was pretty strong. I have only used soapwort a couple times, though, so perhaps I just haven't quite gotten it right yet.

justme

That is wonderful, Justme!!!! :wethree:

I hope you enjoy your Golden Wheat! And I am always thrilled to hear others like their Smooth as Silk! :love: Have you tried (or feel the need for) Direct Leave In? It gives great slip!

Thanks a lot for replying, Justme.

My last soapwort batch was fairly strong, but still no suds. However, it did still clean my hair. So I guess the suds are not particularly necessary. Just can't have it all, I guess! :grin:

Excellent! Hair compliments ROCK! :grin:

Mandi - Thanks!

Anouk - Thank you for replying! Sometimes I am shy to post thinking that no one will really be interested or respond. But it is good to hear that the soapwort works for you. Do you use it by itself, or in combination with other herbs?

Teacherbear - Thanks! I tried one of the leave-ins, but I don't remember which one. I tend to just not rinse out the SAS completely and use jojoba oil on top fo that. Do you use the Direct Leave-In regularly? And does it make your hair feel coated? I would rather have greasy feeling hair than coated feeling hair, which I guess is why I use more natural products and oils instead of products with cones in them.

justme

I don't know if this will help any with the soapwort or not but here goes :)

Are you buying your soapwort in an already powdered form? If so, that could be the reason why you get no real suds. In the old days soapwort was pulled up by the roots and then the plant was pounded out on a rock with a little bit of water added (preferably one with a bit of a declevity :) ) and most of the saponin being released from the root. Mild suds will occur when the saponin is freshly released...less to no suds will release from a dried plant. Doesn't mean it won't still clean...just no suds :grin:

Old-fashioned reg soap doesn't lather up a whole lot either and it doesn't contain any saponin. Most modern day soaps and shampoos contain a lathering agent. I think this is pretty much an esthetic thing (marketing ploy :silly: )...people dont' believe it is working unless it makes a lot of suds :grin:

Of course...I might have my plants mixed up too :)

Zoo - I have dried pieces, not powder. That's interesting about the fresh root, it makes me want to plant some and experiment with it when it grows enough. Ah, someday I will have my dream garden full of hair herbs and culinary spices, not to mention wonderful fruits, berries, and vegies!

Dancingbarefoot - Thanks!

justme

Justme, I feel like that about posting sometimes too. But everyone here is really nice and someone always has an idea about stuff. I've only used my soapwort with distilled water. But I'm sure adding some other herbs wouldn't hurt.

Zoo, mine is chopped, but it's dry. I'm sure it would be even better fresh, but it still works.

Suds or not, it's better than some of the cheap mass-produced commercial shampoos out there! 8)