COW-C, C-COW-C, etc : new wash method

might I suggest if you are going to dilute shampoo or conditioner with water, use it the same day. Don't leave diluted shampoo or conditioner sitting around. The preservatives in the products don't work as well diluted. Bacteria and yeasts can grow in your diluted mix when you let it sit. You could get a very bad eye infection or illness.

Rinse out your diluting bottle every time you use it. If you dilute too much, throw it out. Some might say you could keep leftovers in the fridge but are you really going to put COLD diluted shampoo on your head?

i wil definitely try it. thanks Anais. I was told an ACV rinse wont remove buildup from some silicones. So do you think this method would work?

Wow, such a scientific method! I don't know if I will start putting conditioner in my shampoo, my hair gets too oily too fast...though I will indeed try it one day when I don't have to leave the house!

I have to say that I've had EXCELLENT luck with diluting my shampoo. Thanks Dave! My hair gets clean, and stays clean until the next wash day, but there are no longer any dry scalp issues. I can't believe this problem was actually caused by shampoo, given that they only sell more HARSHLY DRYING shampoos to fix it! (I dilute 50/50 of regular herbal shampoo with water, I still like a good lather).

Hey Folks

(cross posted)

COW-C, C-COW-C, and other variations (C - CO+W - C, C-"cow"-C, or C--C
(can be pronounced in any of the above ways)
This fusion method is basically a combination CO, CWC, and Dilution-a-la-Dave (diluting shampoo in plain water). The grease goes away, but the moisture can stay!

The method begins with the basic CWC, but it is modified by the addition of conditioner to your shampoo. Cutting shampoo this way added moisture and you get the best of both worlds (the CO and the CWC), since oftentimes people can only go one way or the other. C-COW-C is a middle ground.

This method works best for the following kinds of people:
Those who itch from CO but would like a gentler method of cleansing anyway
Those who get too greasy from CO and have a difficult adjustment period - [may help] Those with dry scalp, but who still have dead skin buildup that can be removed only by a detergent (???).

You will need the same stuff you'd use for a CWC:
- The same C-onditioner you'd normally use for CO or CWC (e.g. any of the V05 regulars, any Suave Naturals, White Rain)
- your regular shampoo (W-ash)
- a plastic squeeze bottle, ~24 oz or less
- seamless rake comb, if you use one
- your favorite final C-onditioner

(1) The first C (optional): Wet scalp and entire length. Work the light conditioner into your ends or into the "bottom half" of your hair.
(2) Make your COW mix: In a squeezie bottle, add 1 dose (a dose is your regular amount of shampoo) of shampoo and 1-2 heaping tbsp of the same light conditioner. Add 8-14 oz of water and shake well. This isn't scientific by any means. Some people could end up preferring less water, if they use less shampoo. As long as you end up with a nice cappuccino froth. Just today (02/16/2005) I made two separate COW mixes, each one being about 6 oz. Each mix contained 1 tsp of C and a nickel-sized dollop of shampoo.
(3) Apply your COW mix: Squeeze contents onto wet scalp, massaging the scalp lightly as you would with a CO wash. Finger comb only in this step, even though there is conditioner involved.
(4) Rinse very VERY well.
(5) Apply your regular conditioner normally; generally from the ears down. Comb, rinse, etc.. as usual.

updated to add "variations"

With this method, I get a "clean" feeling that still has the bounce of CO or CWC. This method does differ from CWC in practice, since the shampoo is made more gentle by the addition of light conditioner.

There hasn't been enough doc*mentation of this method. If anyone has anything to add, I'll be happy to edit this entry.

Hugs and blessings :)
Anais

Edited to change all the c.ocktails to "mix" because of the censor : P

Edited by AnaisSatin