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I’ve written before about how I use homemade shampoo, but I’ve found that many people don’t do well with this option. I recently discovered a way to use bentonite clay and some other ingredients to detox and deep clean the hair. As I explained in a previous post:
“Turns out, clay can be very beneficial for hair in the same way it can be beneficial in the rest of the body: it removes toxins to leave hair super-clean and with a lot of shiny volume.”
I was contacted by a company, Morrocco Method, that manufactures a completely natural shampoo alternative that detoxes hair and leaves it clean without buildup or tangles. I’m all for the DIY when possible, but I often get emails from readers asking where they can buy various products I post recipes for, so I decided to try their products and share my experience.
How to Shampoo With Mud
There is a little bit of a learning curve with mud-based shampoos. They don’t lather like detergent based shampoos, and some people experience a detox period while the scalp adjusts. It is also beneficial to shampoo twice with this method, as they explain:
At first glance, the recommendation by the shampoo industry that we shampoo our hair twice each session sounds like a gimmick to sell more shampoo. However, there is value in this recommendation. A perfect shampoo is achieved in two parts. The first shampooing cleanses hair and scalp of dirt, dead cells and dust, which would otherwise be massaged back into the hair, scalp and follicle openings if only shampooed once. This clogging debris could retard new hair growth and severely damage the oil glands, upsetting the natural fall-out and reproductive cycles of your hair.
The second shampooing and massage of your clean hair and scalp stimulates the flow of blood to the scalp and opens the hair follicles, allowing the blood vessels to feed each root, bulb and hair shaft, nourishing the entire follicle and activating the sebaceous (oil) glands. This ensures the proper lubrication and distribution of your own natural oils to the entire scalp and hair shafts. A natural coating of oil is vital to the maintenance of a healthy scalp and hair. It keeps the outer layer of hair lubricated and prevents drying, which is the excessive evaporation of moisture.
- Step One: Wet your hair, then apply a nickel-sized portion of shampoo to your scalp. Massage it lightly into your hair and scalp, and then rinse thoroughly, using warm water.
- Step Two: After rinsing, take a quarter-size portion of the same shampoo and massage it gently into your clean hair and scalp for a second cleansing, then rinse thoroughly, finishing with a cool rinse. Towel dry hair and scalp thoroughly.
The Verdict
Of all the store-bought “shampoos” I’ve tried, this method left my hair feeling the most clean. I didn’t experience a transition period, but I had already been using natural shampoos and even clays in my hair for a while before trying this method. I can see how a detox period could be normal, just as the skin can take a while to adjust to oil cleansing when first starting.
I liked my homemade version too, but the Morrocco Method formula smelled a lot better (especially since I’m not a fan of the smell of vinegar, as much as I love the benefits) and is definitely easier to use while traveling and to store for longer periods of time. As only a small amount is used each time, it also seems like a cost-effective option.
All of the ingredients are great for skin too, so excess can be used on face or body and since all ingredients are not soap-based, this could be a great option for kids as well.
Update from Katie: My quest for my favorite natural, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner has ended… meet Wellnesse, my very own personal care products line! Try my Cleansing Shampoo for all hair types or my Smoothing Shampoo for wavy or curly hair.
Have you ever used mud shampoo in your hair? How did it work for you? Share below!
I tried t o use the discount code I could not get it to work for me any help would be greatly appreciated thanks. Susan b
What do you recommend using for dry and curly hair. I’m a little overwhelmed by the website! Thanks!
How long does the detox adjustment period usually take, Katie? I’ve been using either your mud recipe or your coconut milk recipe for several weeks, but it never feels like I can get any of it rinsed out. I’m getting tired of having gunky hair wound up in a clip on top of my head, because it is too grimy to style it any other way. Occasionally I use baking soda, but that only clarifies my scalp and doesn’t do much for the length of my hair. And it is difficult to get it around the sides of my scalp, also, so the top of my head always feels closer to clean than anywhere else.
Detox normally takes a month to two months unfortunately. its especially hard if you’ve been consuming chemicals or using chemicals on hair! Especially if you heat damaged and your hair is really porous… it sucks. It has to slowly come out over time. To help, you could try doing a hair mask with clay. after a few hours and then rinse it might help speed it up.
Just put in my order at Morocco Method. I’ve been looking for a shampoo/conditioner like this for a while – I just needed a reliable review 🙂 Thanks!
I started using Morrocco Method a little over two years ago and have been playing to come up with a DIY version that I like as well. My homemade versions are fine but not as good as the Morrocco Method so I intersperse my homemade version between my MM shampoos/conditioners to make them last longer since they are quite pricey.
It is recommended that you use the whole set of MM shampoos and conditioners in a rotating fashion. I can attest to the fact doing this leads to a lot less fall-out. The brushing techniques recommended on their site is very good too. I started with their healthy hair starter kit. They do run weekly specials so I watch for those to buy at a lower cost. The conditioners will last a lot longer than the shampoo does.
If I develop a better mud-based DIY shampoo recipe than my current, I will definitely share it. I am not sure I’ll ever be able to cut out the MM Diamond Crystal Mist leaven conditioner though! It is so wonderful on my fine, curly hair.
How big are a nickel and a quarter? We don’t have them in NZ & Australia.
Aim for a circle in your hand that is a couple centimeters wide..
Thank you
I use Morrocco Method shampoos/conditioner once in a while, but I really don’t like rotating between 5 different types of shampoo. First, it makes for a lot of bathroom clutter and next, since only a small amount is used, 5 bottles will last indefinitely, it seems. I used the “Blood of the Dragon Styling gel” on my daughter’s hair for her dance performance. It held her hair very well and it was soft, shiny and sweet smelling too! I am not too into hair products, but in my searches for the most natural, I keep going back to their products, even though I am on the fence about how well they work for my fine/straight hair.
I agree on that part… i just stick with one type (or the homemade) and haven’t had any trouble doing that…
Which one of the shampoos did you try?
Hey! Love your blogs and waiting for your book 🙂
About the Morrocco Method Shampoo, does it have perfume added? I am very, very sensitive to perfumes (chemicals) but I need a new shampoo. And if it doesn’t have perfume added, does the odor last in your hair after drying?
Thank you.
No perfumes, just essential oils and no remaining scent..
Thank you. Which one did you use?
It doesn’t have perfume, but the natural ingredients in the morrocco method products have an extremely strong smell. I ended up with a migraine from the odorl, and my boyfriend who never says anything complained about the smell from my hair!
Thank you for the review…I have been wondering about their product. I have tried the baking soda and vinegar method, also the shampoo from primal organics and none have worked on my hair. I really could not handle the ACV/baking soda because of the smell and gave up after about 6 months. Which shampoo did you try, did you use the conditioner and if not, did you feel you needed to have conditioner? Would you continue to use?
Just used the shampoo and would definitely continue to use this or the homemade version…
any discount code for new costumers?
Which one did they send you to try?
I meant which shampoo – they have several option on their website, but I’m curious which one you tested.