So, are you, "If it ain't from a tree it ain't touching me!", "I'm OK with the lab, synthetics ain't bad." or "Hey, whatever works!" when it comes to your hair? (My apologies to LisaJaney for my prolific use of the word ain't. ;-) )

I use both, alternating according to my mood or my hair's needs.

I've had luck with natural and synthetic, and I've had nightmares with natural and synthetic. I use what works. Just 'cause its natural doesn't mean its good.

Belladonna is natural ;)

--cheryl

I really like natural things over 'regular' stuff, but I would use the latter if I had to. I have to be careful what I use, skin or hair, or else it triggers my eczema. :(

First I meant to vote "synthetic only", but then remembered that henna, although only used about every two months, is an essential part of my routine that I couldn't do without. So I voted "whatever works". I'm not really biased either way.

Other than that I've never used any truly natural products. I prefer silicones over oils and I wouldn't touch soap based shampoos cause I get nasty itchies and dry skin from soap even if I only wash my hands with it.
But some time I'd like to try a shampoo with soapbark or shikakai.

I have a slight bias toward natural ingredients. I think I imagine fresh air and flowers, little birdies singing, etc. ;) But I freely use cones when I think my hair needs them, and most of my shampoos are not soap-based, either. Maybe I'm just a product junkie in general.

Don't care where it comes from, long as it works. 8)

I'm a definite "whatever works" unless I'm bored ...:DD...g

I swing back and forth. I love the idea of all natural but my hair doesn't look it's best with all natural products. So I switch around all the time. It's all about whatever works and what ever mood I am in. My hair loves a varied diet of products.

I use all natural products on my hair because I find that they are more gentle on my scalp and skin. I used to suffer from itchy scalp until I decided to switch to Nature's Gate Original Conditioner and their Jojoba shampoo, and have not had any problems since.
take care,
Angela

Right now I'm using exclusively natural products because I prefer the smell, mostly. I use Giovanni and I've always been happy with the results I get with their shampoos, plus they smell great to me.

I do prefer the idea of using natural products, but all around I don't know that one is better than the other. I can't use natural skin care products without major problems, so I guess it depends.

since we have hard water, the synthetic stuff just works much better. Have tried several natural lines and they leave my hair filmy and gunky. So...whatever works for me!

I'm natural all the way bay-bee! :D I need "chemicals" for my complexion these days (gawrsh -- the hazards of being a Menopausal Warrier!), but since I don't need them for my hair (no zits or wrinkles there that I'm aware of! ;)) I'm going as natural as possible! :D

LOL!

Melusina

I have a slight bias toward natural ingredients. I think I imagine fresh air and flowers, little birdies singing, etc.

And I agree with....

Pixna

I'm natural all the way bay-bee! I need "chemicals" for my complexion these days (gawrsh -- the hazards of being a Menopausal Warrier!), but since I don't need them for my hair (no zits or wrinkles there that I'm aware of! ) I'm going as natural as possible!

I'm for the natural products too. There are a couple of reasons I prefer this route.

1. It fits in better with my life outlook and environmental concerns.
2. I LOVE making my own products, so I get the double bonus of having fun, and keeping things natural.
3. I have a number of chemical sensitivities and allergies with synthetic products that I don't seem to get with natural ones (and I mean the real deal, not 90% of the stuff at the health food store that uses 'natural' as a a selling point). I do also stay away from natural ingredients that can tend to be sensitizers though.[/quote]

I am a 100% natural girl.

To wash: Shikakai, amla, areetha, orange peel powder and methi(Fenugreek).

To condition: Coconut, almond, avocado and various essential oils.

As a treatment pack: Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba) and Brahmi (Thyme) pastes with Orris root water or rose water.

I love using this stuff and the results are excellent.
Only problem is the amount of time it takes and the mess that ensues.

The results are woth the trouble, however.

I am a 100% natural girl.

To wash: Shikakai, amla, areetha, orange peel powder and methi(Fenugreek).

To condition: Coconut, almond, avocado and various essential oils.

As a treatment pack: Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba) and Brahmi (Thyme) pastes with Orris root water or rose water.

I love using this stuff and the results are excellent.
Only problem is the amount of time it takes and the mess that ensues.

The results are woth the trouble, however.

Hi epiphanee,

that sounds quite interesting! I'd love to hear about your recipies and routine in more detail if you don't mind sharing :)

I use both. Synthetic is better for my hair, natural feels better on my skin.

I'm natural and organic all the way...

Over the years, I've become sensitive to both SLS and SLES...having your scalp breaking out in sores is not cool. :(

And, well, the idea of coating my hair with polymers is just, ugh.

If it ain't from a tree it ain't touching me :D ;)

The harshest shampoo I actually have is Avalon.

Natural things have actually helped my hair so much.

I use both but I prefer to use natural. I am experimenting now with herbal washes and conditioners, not sure how it will work but we'll see.

I try to use natural products as much as possible. Currently I'm using Everyday Mehndi herbal shampoo/conditioning powder for some washes. I've used Rhasshoul clay, but need to experiment more with it. I use AO and Giovanni shampoos and conditioners and BWC or shea butter leave ins the most.

No gels, hairsprays or styling aids.

I will use Suave Naturals (not too natural though ;) ) for CO and the first C in CWC and sometimes White Rain EB.

I also use Wella Flash Flood or Nivea conditioners sometimes, but always a more natural shampoo.

I'm planning to try some Indian Herbs soon, I have an order in with FNWL. I also use Jojoba, Amla, Coconut and other oils on my hair. Oh, also honey and EO's. I like experimenting, obviously!

I use a lot of different things in my hair. :suspect:

I would love to go ALL natural, but I have no idea what to use. Suggestions?

Currently I am a VO5 conditioner junky, but I use baking soda, ACV and soon chamomile rinses. NO MORE POO! I'd love to find a good bug repellant and a sunscreen that are natural and I could use on my hair.

Irishred

Hi epiphanee,

that sounds quite interesting! I'd love to hear about your recipies and routine in more detail if you don't mind sharing :)


So would I! I voted "both, but I prefer natural," because it's true for the various reasons others have posted here. To some extent, I just really like it as an idea: as a little mini-protest against all the chemicals and commercials; as a kind of connection to people in the past. (When I use the birch infusion, I think of native peoples out here in teh arboreal forests of the past.) .... There's something romantic about it....

I've had luck with natural and synthetic, and I've had nightmares with natural and synthetic. I use what works. Just 'cause its natural doesn't mean its good.

Belladonna is natural ;)

--cheryl
In total agreement here. Ammonia is natural, too. We all know how harmful it is for hair.

Everything is made of chemicals. Just 'cuz it's created in a lab doesn't mean it's inherently bad.

Jennifer Eve

I'm not sure when the last time I used an all-natural product was. Are J/A/S/O/N products all natural? If so, they didn't work for me anyways.

It doesn't matter one way or the other. As long as it does the job - Doesn't kill my scalp, cleanses or conditions well and smells good.

I would love to go natural, but 1) I need to do more research on options, and 2) I have to wait and see how my financial situation will be in the next few months before getting too carried away.

I've gone all natural over the past couple months. I either wash my scalp with baking soda and follow with ACV, or I just massage my scalp in the shower with plain water to de-grease a bit. I have a bottle of Mode De Vie shea butter conditioner that has no chemicals in it as far as I can tell. I use a small amount of that every few days. For deep conditioning, I use egg yolk/EVOO/honey and it makes my hair super soft and shiny. I've been trying to eliminate as many chemicals as possible from my life and I'm really happy with everything so far.

I've had luck with natural and synthetic, and I've had nightmares with natural and synthetic. I use what works. Just 'cause its natural doesn't mean its good.

Belladonna is natural ;)

--cheryl

This is my feeling as well. I had a migraine at work a few weeks ago and someone recommended chamomile tea because it's relaxing. For me, it might be a little too relaxing because it would kill me. :gabigrin: The way I see things, nothing can possibly exist outside nature. We're part of nature and it's in our nature to go into labs, make chemicals and use them. As long as it works for me, I'm using it.

I use both, but I prefer natural, when my financial situation allows it. And the only reason I prefer it is because I just like the idea better.

What is really important to me is that a product and the ingredients are not tested on animals, so that usually means (here in Holland anyway) that you have to choose between either the cheap brands or the more expensive, natural ones. Like I said, I like the last option best.

i use only 100% all natural products, i never change brands because i dont know of any other natural products other then Aubrey Organics.they have quite a selection to choose from.since i almost always condition only using A/O, i usually have to condition only once,not twice, to get beautiful results.i then use an ACV with aloe vera rinse. lastly, i will pour the green tea cream rinse then rinse.that green tea cream rinse works wonderfully.Of course most all of A/O's stuff is top notch.

my scalp breaks out if i use anything synthetic. i mean really breaks out with crusts and oozing sores.and itches like the dickens! ive tried all of the synthetic conditioners, they are all the same when it comes to my allergys.

i love my natural oils,too. monoi,jojoba,olive oil are my faves.

ive yet to try essential oils.

First I meant to vote "synthetic only", but then remembered that henna, although only used about every two months, is an essential part of my routine that I couldn't do without. So I voted "whatever works". I'm not really biased either way.

Other than that I've never used any truly natural products. I prefer silicones over oils and I wouldn't touch soap based shampoos cause I get nasty itchies and dry skin from soap even if I only wash my hands with it.
But some time I'd like to try a shampoo with soapbark or shikakai.

I can quote Madeleine word by word - with the exception of experimenting with soapbark/shikakai.

/Fia

Baking soda is synthetic. It's manufactured in labs (though for all I know, originally there used to be sources of it in nature).

Yes, it's been around for centuries, but that doesn't make it natural. :twocents:

(But I'm one of those who believes that no product or ingredient is good or bad just because it's naturally-occurring or synthetic. :wink: )

I would love to go ALL natural, but I have no idea what to use. Suggestions?

Currently I am a VO5 conditioner junky, but I use baking soda, ACV and soon chamomile rinses. NO MORE POO! I'd love to find a good bug repellant and a sunscreen that are natural and I could use on my hair.

Irishred

lemograss EO is supposed to be a decent insect repellant.

I am finally using all natural products. I have great concerns over the increasingly synthetic world we are living in, and I'm not just talking about hair care. I do not want to be sticking this other stuff on my skin just because it's cheap and convenient. I actually like that things like henna and the ayurvedic herbs are a bit time consuming sometimes. That it's not just in a bottle and you can squeeze it out. Everything now seems to be about getting things as cheap and as convenient as possible, despite what the costs may be to ourselves, others, and to the environment.

Hmm, I let myself get a bit carried away there. Eh.

I try to avoid cones and sulphates, but I generally use both. Only natural stuff doesn't do much for my hair, so I make compromises. ;)

lemograss EO is supposed to be a decent insect repellant.

I've heard that lemongrass and citronella are the same - does anyone know if that's true?

I've heard that lemongrass and citronella are the same - does anyone know if that's true?
Here are two links that show they're not the same species, although they are from the same genus, so may be related:
Lemongrass (http://www.allnaturalsoaps.com/lemongrass/)
Citronella (http://www.allnaturalsoaps.com/citronella.html)

Here's another link about their antibacterial/antifungal qualities (http://www.angelartbyeve.com/lemongrassoil.htm), fascinating!

Jennifer Eve

I would love to go ALL natural, but I have no idea what to use. Suggestions?

Currently I am a VO5 conditioner junky, but I use baking soda, ACV and soon chamomile rinses. NO MORE POO! I'd love to find a good bug repellant and a sunscreen that are natural and I could use on my hair.

Irishred

I don't have any suggestions myself but I wanted to bump this up so I could learn too if anyone else has suggestions.

I've heard that lemongrass and citronella are the same - does anyone know if that's true?

Lemongrass smells much nicer IMO. both are supposed to deter mosquitoes.

I'm happy w/ whatever works. I would, however, choose natural over synthetic if given a choice between the two.:)

I am making the transition to natural products but there are some synthetic products that I just love like the Mega Moisture. I will keep it on hand to help when needed.

Meg