You don't wash your hair...?

Dear Kathie Lee & Hoda (but mostly Kathie Lee) – Don’t Wash YOUR Hair!

This post was written by Leslie Erin of Crunchy Betty, in response to Kathie Lee and Hoda regarding the “No Poo” post on LittleOwlCrunchyMomma’s “no poo” by Jacquelyn Byers. In support of our dear blogging friend Jacquelyn many bloggers are showing our support by posting this article (with permission).

You can view their video here at 6:30.


This makes me sad and angry.

Now, of course…I am certainly guilty of judging (I am human), BUT it is something I work on everyday and something of which I am very mindful.

We are all different; we are all unique; we are all amazing in our own ways. Please, before people are so quick to judge another person for their weird or bizarre different ways, try to walk a mile in their shoes. Try to think about WHY they might do something differently than you.

I am sick and tired of people thinking that I and my crunchy friends are crazy for our crunchy ways.

…and this was bullying…pure and simple.

Women, can we please, please start building each other up Up UP instead of pushing each other down?

Please, pass this post on and share some crunchy love, my crunchy friends. <3

No, you do not have to wash your hair. Go No 'Poo!
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Dear Kathie Lee and Hoda (but mostly Kathie Lee),

Shhh.

Just … shh.

For a minute. Let me talk. Let someone else talk. Please.

Shhh.

Yesterday, with the exceptional display of journalistic prowess only the two of you can pull off, you publicly shamed a woman. You know, just a little good-natured name calling of a commoner, in between Kathie Lee’s cringe-worthy lyric-forgetting and the best hair evah (EVAH) popular girls circle jerk. No harm, no foul, right?

I get it, girlfriends. I really do get it. You live in a world where you’re plied with products and serums and perfumes and creams made of extracts of baby albino tiger tears mixed with space-aged polymers coated in 200 karat gold. You don’t really know what’s going on *out here* unless your producers shove a bottle of wine and a paper covered in words in front of your face and say, “Don’t think. Just talk.”

I know there’s an in-touch part of you somewhere, it just happens to focus on things like the latest stiletto-wedge-ballet-pump from Jimmy Choo or what Lady Gaga ate for breakfast yesterday morning (extracts of baby albino tiger tears, no doubt).

But out here, ladies, something else is going on. And it’s something your producers won’t hand you a script for (something that would never please the overlord advertisers).

So even though you’re not in touch with it, it does exist. And the beautiful women you made fun of yesterday is a part of it. You can call it “crunchy” (cue Kathie Lee eye roll) or natural or alternative or big bang boopsie. I don’t care. Call it whatever you want, but to look down on it any longer doesn’t fly.

You see, there are thousands of women who have learned one very important thing in the last few years:

We’ve been lied to. We’ve been bamboozled. We’ve been hoodwinked. We’ve been hypnotized by a billion synthetic fragrances slowly stripping us, from the day we’re born, of every shred of the true *natural* humanity we’re a part of.

And because hundreds of women as brave as Jacquelyn Byers of LittleOwlCrunchyMomma have spoken out about their no ‘poo lifestyle, we know something you don’t:

Not washing your hair with shampoo doesn’t make you stink. Oh, maybe the first few days are rough, and then any whiff of off-putting smell is gone. It’s gone, and you know why? Because human bodies are designed to work in concert with nature, not battle with it.

We’ve also learned that the stink you cop to having after not washing your hair, Kathie Lee, has more to do with the things that you put IN your body than the things that you put ON your body.

A clean diet, more often than not, equals a cleaner smell. And that cleaner smell is quite easy to remove (and be free of), even if you only wash with water.

You can still bathe regularly, Kathie Lee, so you don’t have to worry about smelling like the people “back in the day before shampoo” who only bathed once every few weeks, at most. You can still enjoy other comforts of modern day life. Like, you know, razors and toothbrushes and those little family stick figures you put on your car’s back window. Except not the last part. Please, not those.

I don’t know why I expect more of you, but I do. I expect women in the media to be conscientious about the way they talk about new ideas and, even more so, the way they talk about people. About other women. And, for heaven’s sake, about other women and their relationship with their children.

The disrespect you showed Jacquelyn, simply because she does something you’re not brave enough to learn about, much less try, was nothing short of schoolyard bullying.

I have a friend, you know, who has two girls: ages 5 and 7. And when she caught her children making fun of another kid for having curly hair, do you know what she did? She curled their hair. For a week straight, the girls had curly hair, just so they understood what another person was feeling.

So I know that one of you – I’m guessing Hoda, because she seems to be the bravest of the gang – is going to swallow your pill and do the right thing now. If a 5-year-old and 7-year-old can do it, you can muster up the emotionally responsible fortitude to do it, too.

Don’t wash your hair.
For six weeks.

Do not wash your hair with shampoo. Heck, you could even go the no ‘poo with baking soda and apple cider vinegar route. But either way, no shampoo. For six weeks.

And then come back and talk to us about how awful it is. Then you can talk from an experienced point of view. Then, perhaps, you won’t sit up there on your ultra loud thrones and set the tone for other people to feel like it’s okay to be mean. And many of your viewers were mean. Nasty. Bleh.

Until then, it would be ever so kind if one of you would have a sit down with your producers and schedule a few interviews with women who don’t use shampoo. Get them in your studio. Right next to you. In your face.

So you can smell them. And eat crow.

(I hear it’s delicious this time of year.)

And goodness knows I’m not saying it will work for you. It may not! I mean, let’s be honest, it won’t, because it takes exquisitely detailed spritzing and teasing and coiffing to get you camera ready all the time. But what’s six weeks going to hurt, right? Time flies when you’re a celebrity.

Try it. It’s not like you’ll lose your job – unlike the way you do when you anger the masses by being heartless and snarky.

The worst that can happen is that you’ll stink. The best that can happen is that you’ll gain our respect – and a naturally beautiful head of hair in the process.


Is there anything that YOU would add to this letter? I’d love to hear.

Until next time…

xoxo,
Jess, aka Scratch Mommy
(A crunchy mommy who is not ashamed to say that I wash my hair every 2-3 weeks on average)

Comments 11

  1. Thank you Jess for writing this letter. These two women really don’t care who they may hurt or insult because it is the only thing they know. I am sure that if they had a family member doing this they wouldn’t say a word. Possibly because they would be embarrassed or possibly because they actually understand. What they have done is caused more curiosity into the no-poo method and I for one am impressed with the woman they have belittled on tv. Many women due to health reasons such as cancer in themselves or in their family are giving up chemicals and going as natural as possible in everything. Food, body care etc. There is nothing wrong with trying to be healthy. I for one have been using natural shampoos and ran out and did try the baking soda and apple cider vinegar method and love the way my hair feels. I will continue with this for many reasons. One is it is healthier for me and the environment, two it is much more cost efficient and I am on a very tight budget. I do hope someday that Hoda and Kathy Lee can apologize for their behaviour from their heart and not because they are told they have to do it. I don’t watch their show because I find them offensive and they act like they are perfect. It is easy to do when everything is handed to you and you are in the spotlight but behind closed doors when no one is watching do they think about the way they act. Again thank you for this letter. We can thank them too but only for bringing more attention to the no-poo method and hopefully getting more people on board. Many blessings Jess. Have a great day!!

  2. Well, I watched the video and am unfortunately not shocked at the ignorant comments of Kathie Lee. Since going no poo almost a year ago, I have been met with disbelief and ridicule about not wanting to use commercialized beauty products from most of the women around me. Thankfully I’ve never been told I stink, but I’ve been labeled as “the weird natural girl”, as being paranoid, or even as being obsessive because I actually read labels & research what I’m putting in my body & the bodies of my family. It’s unfortunate that women in the high positions as the hostesses could have such a positive influence in the lives of their audience, yet they chose to use their words carelessly and their focus is on topics that have no value. So glad that I don’t watch tv much less that show, but that also makes me weird according to the world’s standards. Thank you for the stand you have taken in your letter. I hope that what Kathie Lee meant for harm (rudeness) is used for good and helps to peak the curiosity of more people about researching the health hazards of commercialized products, foods, and so on. Have a blessed rest of the week!

  3. Wow!!! Well said Jess… I haven’t seen the clip of this yet, but I will be looking it up now. I go sometimes 2 weeks with out washing my hair, Im a curly girl, it actually looks better the longer I go without washing!!! and it does NOT look dirty or smell bad! Great letter!!!

  4. I know this is a few months old, but just had to comment. I’ve never heard of anyone going completely “no-poo”; it’s always not using conventional shampoo and using something natural instead. I checked out Jacquelyn’s blog. Her hair looks great! I love the idea! I actually only wash my hair once a week, but I still use a “natural” shampoo and conditioner. I spray conditioner on my hair every day, besides the day I “wash”, because my hair is dry. I’ve told a couple people that I wash my hair once a week and one person cringed and gave the “I can’t go longer than a day before I need to wash mine” answer. Well, my hair had to adjust, too. But, it didn’t take that long; maybe a couple weeks.
    Anyway, what Kathie Lee said about not washing anything else since you don’t “wash” your hair, that’s just dumb. Just because one doesn’t bathe in chemicals doesn’t mean they’re dirty! And another thing, my husband doesn’t use deodorant. I know! *gasp!* Get this: He doesn’t stink. When he does stink, he showers instead of just trying to cover it up! What a novelty. I use a natural deodorant, once in a while.
    Modern man has been duped into thinking that “smelling good”, i.e. chemicals, is preferable to “natural”, i.e. clean. Clean and perfume are not the same thing.
    Very good post. =)

  5. I haven’t bought or used shampoo with all the chemicals since about August of 2013, and even the stuff I made really didn’t make my hair as nice as the baking soda and ACV, so I recently went back to the total no ‘poo! What a great way to keep the toxins OUT and the $$ IN (the wallet), right?? They should try it before they slam it, then their hair could be nice too!

  6. Thanks for writing this! Kathy Lee has been out of control with her mouth for years! Even Dr. Oz spoke to them about boozing at 10:00 a.m. in the morning and how irresponsible it was for them to influence the hoards of women who follow them. I posted this on my FaceBook page – in hopes that people read it!

    I am learning to follow many of the things that are written about by the new pioneers (the “Crunchy Gals”) of living chemical free – at least as much as humanly possible. I am learning to make deodorant and hairspray, even beautiful creams and lotions from these women. They are very intelligent women! I am still going through commercial deodorant detoxing that has taken months – I’m 60 years old and the stuff I put on myself has undoubtedly been horrendous to say the least! It has taken a mind-set that is unshakable to over come having to wash several times per day because detox has been difficult. (I’ve tried this several times over the years and gave up each time before this)

    I’ve learned about the chemicals in my laundry soap that I wash my families clothes with – I now make my own laundry soap powder. I love it! I think it is fun to do and I feel so good about protecting them from further chemicals.

    We’ve made face cream with beautiful hemp oil and it has changed my skin! I have no wrinkles and have been told I look like I’m in my thirties! My granddaughter and I have even made face powders and I have created a killer tooth powder that whitens and protects teeth by remineralizing and can preventing and reverse cavities! No commercial product has reversed the damage on my teeth – ever!

    We are learning ways to cut wheat out of our diets, making the homemade granola again, coconut flour is in larger supply in my home than wheat. Organic raw honey and stevia are flavoring our foods. We are learning how to eat more “real” foods instead of the pre-packaged chemical laden foods they try to ply us with. We feel better. We enjoy learning new things! Essential Oils are in abundance in our home, as I collect them like I love to collect jewelry!

    This is truly a new way of life. What people do not understand – they make fun of. With that said, thank you for standing up against Big Bully Kathy Lee! Bully’s always have a big mouth and loud voice and don’t bother to think they should learn about something before they flap their gums against what they have absolutely no knowledge about. It shows their lack of knowledge and limited intelligence right away.

    The “Crunchy Gals” are heroines in my opinion. They have the backbone to go against the norm, and not be “sheeple.” Hooray for them! I love it! Never be afraid to stand up for what is right! I have asked questions all of my life and sometimes it ruffled feathers. Yes, it was uncomfortable, but I got the desired results if I just hung in there long enough. I’ve taken on entire school districts and spoken out against things that were going on that no one was willing to address. I was banned and barred but I didn’t care, I knew I was doing the right thing. Not out of meanness, but caring concern to stand up for what was right. This is no different. Our society always mocks what they don’t understand instead of learning that, wow, there’s something new, lets learn about it. See what it’s all about.

    Good for you girls! Daring to do what’s right for your families! Daring to do what is best – to the best of your abilities! You go! You’re amazing! I support you and stand with you!

    Blessings!
    Carol S.

    1. Carol, would you mind sharing more about your “killer tooth powder that whitens and protects teeth by remineralizing and can preventing and reverse cavities”? I am sincerely interested.
      Thank you!

  7. Wow. I just came across this. I couldn’t see the video, so I read the transcript. As an expat, that was unbelievably appalling. I’m embarrassed to admit I’m American. Not only are they rude, they’re ignorant. These are some of the people the rest of the world have to use as a guide for what Americans are like, and it’s BAD. One of them summed up how bad they are when she said, “…this is NBC news. We don’t take responsibility seriously.”

    SO embarrassing…

  8. Very interesting. I haven’t washed my hair for the last seven years – just plain water – and it’s never looked better. Teeth are much better for no toothpaste – baking soda usually, green clay w essential oils – ditto my face without commercially produced products – the wonders of coconut oil, essential oils, carrier oils, etc. I don’t normally tell others of my ‘beauty regime’; unless you’ve “been there, done that”, you don’t know what you’re talking about.

  9. I have just found this post and I love it. Personally most of the no poo methods did not work for me but I know several people that wouldn’t do it any other way. What does work for me is my homemade soap, I wash my hair about once a week with it and I love the results.

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