Maybe this is redundent because as I understand it the point of conditioner wash instead of shampoo is that its' less harsh?  I have been intrigued by the curly girl book and conditioner washing however I went all home made recipes last year and I love it.  I have tried a few recipes that one might say was a conditioner used as a wash.  My hair was the nicer.   I was using a diluted recipe with Dr. Bonners liquid castile.  Now, I have not  used "shampoo" for over two months.   My ends are softer and the curl and natural suppleness is something I have never had before.  Just searching for some ideas.  I use separately mid week a fruit ,or herbal or cider vinegar scalp wash.  Milk,water vodka or congac are some base ingredients with may be a brewed fruit juice added.  Always followed by a vinegar rinse and maybe a honey hair shine.  If you have any more ideas of what might moisturize and naturally clean I would be greatful.   When I can get Sweet William or Soap Wort in a bulk supply I will try that.

i forgot 2 mention this earlier but beer is a great hair shiner too

I stay to busy and don't get to post as much as I would like. 

     My natural conditioners were developed by my on likes of food and my being educated on natural products and their effects on the body from a natural beauty book.  Once finding out what my hair needed I could create the recipe to suit me.  I found that fruits like peaches, strawberries, grapes and apricots were natural moisturing for hair and skin.  Simmering these peeled and sliced fruits in hot water give a fruit juice.  Its not as messy to use as the mashed fruit and blends well with other ingredients like cream, yogurt, sour cream, and coconut milk.  I look to these for protein based conditioners.  Add a fruit oil and they make nice deep conditioners use with or with out heat caps. 

   Using these juices with vinegar softens my hair in my vinegar rinses.  Not to forget adding honey to any of the above recipes for extra moisture with the protein treatments.   

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Sorry don't know what I just typed. 

The pureed version of those fruits are excellent also, just harder to rinse out. 

I had experimented with avacado, and egg type protein condioners but found they left my hair hard for days after.  Since I now eat a balanced diet of protein I only use the dairy protein conditioners.  They also have the lubricants I need with out being to heavy. 

Mixing these juices with the honey hair shine recipe is also a nice added moisture.  By the way I steep my fruits in the vinegar for about two to three weeks then strain for a extra good blend of the fruit properties in the vinegar.  It keeps very well.  I think that you use white wine vinegar with fruits and red wine vinegar to make herbal vingar.  Steep in dark place for 3 weeks.  I then add a drop of essentil oil of the particular flavor for extra scent.  The vinegar smell is usually unnoticeable after this steeping. 

Thank you for reminding me about beer but I can only use it very diluted. 

Finally I do add a small amount of vegetable glycerin blended with the oil and vodka or congac in the conditioners.  Go ligth on the glycerin.  It will dry hair if used improperly. 

I have narrowed down that Hazelnut oil is best balanced for my hair and routine.  Grapeseed is very ligth and only helps me out for a day.  Walnut is to heavy and gummy and coconut oil made my hair stiff.  So the oils are different and have their on properties to experiment with. 

Having combination hair I have to balance and time where I leave conditiner on and how long.  I use the same moisture spay but need extra water spray for my crown during the week. 

My hair is natural 4a3b/c/a2b/cii  lite and airy/wispy  two layers waist to tailbone.  I can only were it in braids to expect to keep it from tangling.  That 's alright I like a nice long braid.  Its best for my hair.   

Went through some stress and lost alot but working to regain some thickness. 

This was fun to share.  I hope I can visit more often.  I sometimes just breeze through to see all the wonderful pictures the ladies post here.

   Vintagecoilylocks
     

Ditto what bikerbraid said - I'm impressed with how much time and effort you've put into your haircare! I only wish I had the time to be so loving. Right now I'm lucky if I have the energy to do a vinegar rinse once a week in between my normal shampoo/conditioning.

It's nice to meet you, btw; I see you've belonged to Longlocks for awhile, but I don't think we've met before. 

Hi, Maggie
I'll try to explain the benefit of Vinegar rinsing to you...

About every 4-5 washes I use about 1/4 cup vinegar in a .75 liter (used/empty) water bottle which I then fill with lukewarm water while I'm in the shower, washing my hair.
1. Shampoo.  Only to scalp, then let it rinse through the length.
2. Pour the vinegar solution slowly over the scalp and though the length - making sure to cover all hair.  It's very easy to know when the hair has received the vinegar, as it suddendly feels "squeaky" for want of a better word. 
3. Then, I don't move the hair too much, just let the plain shower water rinse through it for a couple of minutes.
4.  I apply my conditioner throughout
5.  After squeezing excess water out, I apply a leave in conditioner.

The purpose of the vinegar rinse in the middle of a "normal" washing procedure is periodic clarifying of the hair.  To remove the excess buildup from hair care products: shampoo, conditioner, oil, etc.  This buildup is what causes your ends to become dry, brittle, crunchy, or stiff.  Following clarification you will be pleasantly surprised at the new softness your hair will achieve, and the increased shine.  The vinegar does not change the color of your hair, and the "scent" doesn't last very long - on my hair only 30 - 45 minutes after the conditioner is applied, if that much.  I use apple cider vinegar, but I know others either make their own vinegar blends - for improved scent, or just through trial and error, have found different ones are more beneficial.  (white, rice, etc).  I use the cheap store brand cider vinegar and have had wonderful results!

I hope this helps!
nightowl

I've not had much luck with the baking soda clarifying, but I do use the vinegar rinse regularly (about every 4 - 5 washes).  With my hip length hair, I've found it works well to put the length of my hair into the bottle that has the vinegar and water solution.  I don't leave it in very long, but this helps me reduce the amount of vinegar I need to use to rinse all of my hair.  After swishing my hair in the bottle, I then pour the mixture over my head and hair.  A quick rinse under the shower then I condition.

My hair has never been so shiney and soft!