Back to Co-washing: Baking soda, Apple cider vinegar and Tresemme Naturals Conditioners

Long time readers may remember that I went on a no-shampoo, curly hair fling 3 years ago (click here if you need to refresh your memory). It worked really well and my hair was sporting really pretty waves. I ended up giving it up once I got back to Malaysia as I couldn't find the right silicone-free products and it was too hard to maintain as I was on the go all the time.

I wasn't planning to jump back on the conditioner-cleansing bandwagon but my scalp has been all kinds of funny after coming to Australia. Maybe its the dry weather or the water, but my scalp started itching really badly and it was even worse after washing my hair. My roots suddenly turned oily and I started seeing dandruff flakes on my clothes as well. 

Never had dandruff before in my life. I freaked out.

I tried different shampoo brands. Washed my hair more frequently. Washed less frequently.

It got to the point where I had scabs all over my scalp and was scratching in my sleep. It was really just that bad. I will never join a "Shave your head for Cancer" drive because I have scars all over my head.

Desperate, I tried washing my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar.

My hair went, "Aaahh...!" - Dove hair therapy anti-hairfall shampoo and conditioner (green label)

This may sound crazy but for the past year and a half I've been struggling to find the right shampoo and conditioner for my hair in Hong Kong. 

See in Malaysia, my dad installed this massive filter that purifies all the water before it even enters the house. Every time I return there, no matter what shampoo and conditioner I use, my hair is happy shiny floaty and bouncy. 

In Hong Kong where the water is slightly harder than in Malaysia, no such luck.

I tried my old standbys at first, Dove for regular hair - too dry.

Dove for dry hair - too heavy

Dove Nourishing Oil Care - too weird (a bit sticky, hair oils up fast, yet a bit dry)

L'Oreal shampoos - too dry and made me shed like the beagles.

This is the problem when you have an oily scalp and dry ends on fine hair. Argh!

I was about to just give up when Dove launched THIS range in Hong Kong. Remembering the luck I had with the old brown bottled ones, I gave this a whirl and I felt my hair just go, "Aahh!"

Favourite Things: My Top 6 Hair Treatments

Helloo lovelies,

The good thing of having gone through a phase of buying insane amounts of haircare stuff, is that you will actually find some products that your hair just loves. A short post today, I thought I'd just share them with you.

Before we start, just a note to say that I have normal to greasy hair. I wash my hair on alternate days, and that's about as long as I can go without a hairwash. Anything longer and you'll think I just stepped out of the set for Grease.

Old Faithfuls: Products that have stood the test of time

Hey lovelies,

While we beauty bloggers always love to check out new products and see what else we can get our manicured nails on, sometimes, I believe it's good to take a step back and look at the good old products that have served us well over the years.


You know, good friends that have never left our bathroom cabinets or bedside tables.

Review + Rave: Sunsilk Hair Fall Solution Shampoo & Conditioner

Sunsilk is really starting to grow on me.

Big time.

After my fruity indulgence, I turned my attention to their Hair Fall range instead, and I'm definitely loving it!

Found It! Cheap 'Cone-free Conditioner

After searching high and low for a cheap 'cone-free conditioner in Malaysia, I finally found it in, of all places, a supermarket in Sabah. I ran in to stock up on some food and emerged triumphant with a bottle of conditioner in my hand.

Dad gave me a long look when I hopped into the car. "I thought you said no more toiletries?"

Uh, whoops.

My curly girl heart did a pitter-pat of happiness when I saw Suave and VO5 bottles on the shelf. Note that the Asian VO5 conditioner is full of silicones and not CG-friendly. When I saw the US packaging, my face lit up like a light bulb.

I should have checked Merdeka supermarket from the start. It's one of my favourite supermarkets as it happens to stock a wide variety of imported goods (only place in Malaysia where I can get English Lemon Curd and Betty Crocker Devil's Food cake mix). It only makes sense that they would have shampoo and conditioners from the US.

I bought the largest bottle of conditioner I could find in there: a family sized bottle of Suave (665ml) in aloe and waterlily for RM 12. The other conditioners came in 440ml sizes for RM 8.

So, if you are Sabahan (or a Bruneian who visits Sabah frequently) and want to give conditioner-only washing a go, hop over to Merdeka Supermarket on Jalan Penampang. It's across the road from Lido and quite hard to miss.

Spotted: Guardian Grapefruit Shampoo & Conditioner

Guess what's shown up at last? The delicious smelling grapefruit shampoo and condi by Mannings (HK ) / Guardian (MYS)! It smells the same and at RM15.88 costs pretty much the same as well.

Now I know I didn't recommend the shampoo very highly as its' too heavy for my hair, but bear in mind I have pretty damned greasy hair and most girls who prefer gentler shampoos may love it.

I picked up the conditioner today by the way hoping it will impart its scent (unlike the shampoo which washes away, boo!) when used after Happy Hippy or Clairol Herbal Essences So Shiny with Grapefruit gifted to me by the lovely Beetrice. Only she knows where to get it in Singapore - apparently it's a China exclusive! I'm road testing it and so far, so good!