Low Cost Good Looks

Columnists Frank and Muriel Newman ask their contacts for their best tips on frugal living and pass them on to you.  This week they are talking natural and cost effective alternatives to shampoo and conditioner – which have you tried, or are tempted to try? 

Last week a reader from Mangawhai with backyard chickens and an abundance of eggs asked for tips for making great omelettes. Jaysee from Waikouaiti replies, “I don’t have an omelette recipe but I do have a use for spare eggs. Being an oily ragger myself I stopped buying shampoo nearly three years ago and now just wash my hair in warm water while showering. But once a week I beat an egg, pour it onto my hair and massage it into my scalp. Result – lovely soft and bouncy hair. Follow that with a vinegar rinse and you will be amazed at how lovely your hair is. But don’t have the water too hot as scrambled egg in the hair is not a good look!” We can certainly see how, if you’re not careful, Jaycee’s tip could add new meaning to the expression, “a bad hair day”!

It did however, get us thinking about low cost shampoo and conditioner, so we went searching in the oily rag archives – which is a whole lot easier on our new oily rag website at oilyrag.co.nz – and here are a few tips.

BMD from Christchurch says, “For hair conditioner I dilute 25mls cider vinegar with 250mls warm water, then rinse off with warm water. It leaves hair softer.”

Janis M from East Providence writes, “My daughter turned me on to a real gem! We use one to two tablespoons of baking soda in some warm water to shampoo our hair. We use it almost as a paste. Just massage it gently through your hair and scalp and then rinse with apple cider vinegar, distilled white vinegar or lemon juice. It may take a couple of days for your hair to adjust, but when it does adjust, your hair will look, feel and behave better than ever! I have thick, curly hair that is shoulder length and it works great on me! My daughter has long straight hair and she loves it too!”

Margs, from North Taieri is a convert. “I have been using this for some months now. My hair didn’t need to ‘adjust’ and I just mix the baking soda in a little warm water and add the white vinegar neat after rinsing the baking soda off with water- seems to work very well and saves heaps on shampoos and conditioners!”

Jean B from Nelson reckons you don’t need shampoo or conditioner at all! “Throw away your shampoo and conditioner! All your hair needs is a daily sluice with warm water while you have your shower. Before you do this, give your hair a good ‘head down’ brushing. It is almost a year since my hair was shampooed, and it is softer and silkier than it ever was. Also, my scalp is way healthier. If you have any doubts, just read the list of chemicals on any bottle of shampoo!”

Auntie from Timaru has sent in a suggestion for low-cost skincare. “This tip is actually from an English actress. The only product she uses to remove make-up and moisturise her face is grape seed oil.  Have used it myself for ages now and it’s perfect. I have also used baby oil, but my eyes always felt gritty afterwards. I have even used the grape seed oil on my hands and arms.  Don’t use too much and rub it well in.”

MEC from Dunedin has this tip to save money when shopping for vegetables. “Ask around and see if there are any vege buying clubs locally. I discovered one in my neighbourhood, and every week I pay $6 for enough fruit and veg for the three of us. I priced up this week’s selection at the supermarket and it would have been more than $20! ”

Oh, and by the way, we are still looking for answers for our readers. Happy Oily Ragger (with lots of eggs) is after a great omelette recipe, so please do drop us a line if you have a favourite you would like to share. We are also after soap making recipes, and a reader from Taranaki is looking for a ‘friendly’ way of removing damp mould off a very expensive bedroom suite.

Finally ET from Cantab has this question, “Does anyone have a suggestion for homemade eye cream or oil?” (See, even extra terrestrials read the oily rag column!).

Please send in your tips by visiting the oily rag website (www.oilyrag.co.nz) or by writing to Living off the Smell of an Oily Rag, PO Box 984, Whangarei.