Dreadlocks and the three shampoos
A few weeks ago I fell victim to a particularly unfortunate phenomenon: one bad hair day turned inexorably into four.
It all began on the first night of my holiday. As it was very late when I arrived at my accommodation I did not wash my hair. It did, however, get splashed with water whilst I showered. Upon waking the next morning, I noticed that it had got FAT!
“I’ve got beach hair!” I exclaimed to X. Unexpectedly, after I washed and dried it the same result occurred.
“It must be the weird, desalinated water in Dubai,” I informed X knowledgably.
However, over the next couple of days my hair did not improve. In fact, it became progressively worse. X politely listened while I railed against the water.
“I might have to do something princessy!” I declared to him ominously, as he forced me to socialise with lank, greasy locks. (I had adopted a headband as an ineffectual disguise.) “... Like wash my hair in bottled water!”
“You don’t think it could be the new shampoo and conditioner you’re using?” X queried mildly.
“No!” I was indignant, and curled my lip. “That’s good quality stuff I’m using – not some supermarket detergent.”
Wanting to travel lightly, I had brought a travel pack size of MOP C-System Hydrating Shampoo for Moisture Replenishment and C-System Hydrating Intensive Conditioner for Medium to Coarse Hair that I had scored in a fashion show goodie bag back in September. I had hoarded them especially for my holiday.
I learned the hard way that free is not necessarily good. They ought to have been labelled ‘especially formulated to promote the creation of dreadlocks’.
Finally, on the fourth day, I experimented with a bit of X’s industrial strength anti-dandruff shampoo, thinking that should get the grease out if nothing else could. I waited breathlessly for it to air-dry (not having brought my hair-dryer with me either)...
Eureka! My hair was back to normal: fine, soft and silky smooth.
That afternoon I went to the closest supermarket and bought the best detergent I could find: John Frieda’s Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Volumizing Shampoo for Fine Hair and Light Reflecting Conditioner for All Hair Types. I used them before I began colouring my hair, so I knew it would be Just Right!
The moral of this tale of woe is: leave that organic stuff for hippies. It's branded MOP for good reason.