I have seriously neglected this blog but life has been hectic.

Okay, so running wise I did a very poor job over Christmas and really had to start building myself up again but now I can just about comfortably run 10km in about 1:15:00 - not the best time but I'm working on that. I have also entered the Baker Hughes 10km race in Aberdeen and am raising money for Alzeheimer's Scotland, if you are interested in sponsoring me, just go here. I've also been convinced into doing the 10km in Newham (the Great Newham Run) in July and taking part in a Colour Me Rad event in Aberdeen in early June.

Also, finally got around to investing in a proper sports bra which is magnificent and got some cute new running gear.

On the hair side of things I can now stretch to 9 days without doing a wash (yes, still no-poo). Last wash I did was last Tuesday and my hair felt BEAUTIFUL, I'll be washing it tonight as I've just been out for a quick 5km run.

I cancelled My Little Box as I was disappointed with the January one and thought it was too expensive for something I only really half-like.

Will be making my second trip in three weeks to London next week for some follow up unterviews for post-uni life. Wish me luck!

It has been three weeks since I stopped using shampoo from a bottle and sixteen days since I started using bicarbonate of soda and apple cider vinegar on my hair instead.

And I am certainly not disappointed with the results.

Day number 7 with no shampoo. Used bicarbonate of soda and apple cider vinegar to wash my hair this morning and damn it looks good. Suddenly looks so much blonder too.

Now this next one is probably the best selfie I have ever taken. Never will I take one as good.

                                      

Day 2 of new regime / Day 8 of no shampoo. Put my hair in a French braid last night (dry) and it came out like this. It also feels so soft!!

Apologies for the terrible lighting in this one. I think it makes my hair look a little greasy and I think by this stage it did need a little wash but overall it was still feeling super soft and light.

Day 4 new regime / Day 10 #noshampoo hair still not looking greasy and feels soft.

And finally, one I took this morning after a run. Lighting is completely different as I went for taking one by the window and profiting from that natural light.

                                     

So that photo is three weeks in and dayum it's still looking good. I need to get out of the habit of stroking my hair in disbelief, it's as soft as a puppy.


In future I'll take photos on my proper camera rather than on my phone. If you want real-time updates, follow me on instagram @annalouiseaway


One thing I've learned it that you really have to scrub that bicarb of soda into your scalp when you do it. I did a wash earlier this week where I didn't scrub it in properly and it looked cleaner but not as good as it had done on previous washes.


I convinced my housemate to try it for a while and she saw results too but has since reverted back to shampoo as she didn't really think it was for her. She's going to wash her hair with BS and ASV from time to time though.


As for me, I'm going to plough on, I love my hair.

Anna xx

I've been trying to wean my scalp off shampoo and after several weeks I have now joined the 'no 'poo revolution'.


I've never been in the habit of daily hair washing, normally it was every other day by I had bought into the double shampoo and condition routine. Last year I decided to ditch the two shampoos thing and conditioner and had only been having a dab of shampoo each time. Over the last few months I have increased the time between washes to the point where I can go a week without washing my hair and it still looking acceptable and just a water rinse doing the trick mid-week.

Today I finally took it that one step further and have decided to go ahead and give up that 'poo and use what Katherine Martinko suggested for long hair in her post on treehugger:

Measure 2 tbsp baking soda into a 500 mL/1 pint glass jar. Wet hair. Fill jar with water and stir to dissolve baking soda. Pour over head and scrub into hair. Rinse. Measure 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar into same jar. Add water, pour over head, and rinse almost immediately.

So I went out yesterday and bought bicarbonate of soda (I was assured that it's the same thing as baking soda) and some cider vinegar as Morrisons calls it.


I followed her very easy method with a pint glass and measuring spoon in the bathroom and I could instantly feel my hair getting cleaner. And Katherine is right, the vinegar smell disappears almost instantly, your hair will NOT smell like salad.

Right now it feels the same as when I wash with shampoo, definitely cleaner. My housemate has said that if I have success she'll follow suit, she's also down to about once a week washing hair. I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Anna xx