“Ewww….Really?” That is usually the first response I get when I tell people that I use egg yolks to wash my hair. Then they start studying my hair looking for signs of eggs. I’ve gotten used to it, but I’m here to tell you, egg yolks–they ROCK. I started using the egg yolks a year ago, as I was experimenting with different no-shampoo methods. While I loved the simplicity of baking soda to wash my hair, it wasn’t quite as thorough as I wanted during the detox period. So I tried eggs–and I’ve never looked back!
Full of protein and all kinds of good things for your hair, they also contain lecithin, a natural cleanser. Washing with egg yolks conditions your hair as it cleans it. It has been revolutionary in my journey to ditch shampoo. My hair is silky, soft, and even fluffy. I don’t know that “fluffy” is a word normally used for hair, but my hair is fluffy and light!
So here’s how it works: for my long hair I take one egg yolk and place it in a plastic cup. I poke it with a fork, to break the yolk, and scramble it for about five seconds. In the shower I will add about a quarter cup of hot water to the cup, so that it spreads evenly over my head. (Added benefit: it warms the egg so it isn’t cold against my scalp.) I pour over my head, concentrating on my scalp and the back of my head. I gently scrub it into my hair, as if I was lathering shampoo. (It doesn’t lather, but it is the same motion.) Rinse as usual. Sometimes I follow it with my usual lemon juice rinse, but it really isn’t necessary. I feel my hair getting cleaner and smoother even before I rinse it. It’s THAT good.
One of the most common questions I’m asked is “Doesn’t it feel gross?” Actually, no. I’m not much of one for slimy things, but shampoo and conditioner is pretty darned slimy themselves. The egg yolk feels a lot like thin conditioner in my hands.
Even if you’re still using shampoo, this is a great hair treatment to use once in a while! It will replenish your hair with natural proteins and make your hair really silky. If you’ve got thicker or longer hair, two yolks might be needed–but for my shoulder-length fine hair, one yolk generally is enough. I don’t recommend using the egg white to wash with. While it won’t hurt your hair, it can cook in the hot water–leaving you with rubbery white bits in your hair. Egg yolks don’t do that. I simply save my egg whites in the freezer, for use later in cakes and meringues.
If you’re interested in learning more about ditching shampoo, you can read my posts about going no ‘poo here. (No shampoo, that is.) I’ve been doing this for over a year now, and I can’t see a time when I will ever go back to washing with shampoo again. My hair is cleaner, it is healthier, it is shinier. I only have to wash it once every week or two, because I’m not putting yucky stuff into it. And I’m not having to use any products either to style it, which is a huge change from before. Sometimes I just can’t believe it is this simple!
hi I just tried it for the first time. I actually decided to colour my hair and completely forgot that I didn’t have any shampoo.
My hair looks and feels wonderful. Thanks for this tip. And thank you God!
http://blogs.cincysavers.com/naturally-frugal-egg-yolk-hair-wash/
Went on a search and found this article…think someone may be copying…I would trust your post is your own words…not this other…sorry.
Actually Brandy, I used to be the Senior Editor over at cincysavers! That is my blog post, before I moved here. Both are written by me. 😀
Did you use the egg yolk just as shampoo and then use something else as the conditioner? Or did you you use the yolk for the shampoo for both the conditioner and shampoo?
It is both! The egg yolk is high in protein so it conditions it as well. But if you’d like to use something else, use a squirt of lemon juice. Believe it or not it does not damage your hair, and since you rinse it out it doesn’t lighten it either. The acidic ph is the same ph in conditioner, which acts to seal the hair shaft. You’ll have fewer tangles and smooth hair!
Thanks for this! I just tried this and my hair is still wet so I can’t see the results yet, but it feels really clean. My hair was a little tangly but not too bad. I needed a switch because I’ve been doing no-poo with baking soda for about 3 year now and my hair was feeling rough and my scalp felt dry and itchy. Your hair looks so healthy and clean!
How did it turn out Teresa?
My hair is very clean, as is my scalp. I love egg yolks for washing my hair. LOVE.
I stopped using shampoo 4 months ago and had this huge build up.. I started washing it with an egg after 6 weeks and it feels so nice and fluffy.. the only thing is that I need to wash with more egg 5 days later. I read somewhere that its not good so often cos of too much protein.. will this get bettee? Not washing my hair for 4 days is a huge thing as I needed a daily wash before.. at day 2 and 3 it still feels like I just washed it. How do I get to a wash with egg every one or two weeks. And how often do you wash it with water in between? Thanks
Here’s the thing–I read that same warning, but I’ve been washing weekly with egg yolk and I’ve never had anything like what they describe protein damage as being. My hair has stayed fluffy and clean. I am up to 10 days between washes now, unless something happens to make me particularly sweaty or dirty.
how about the egg smell？I am afraid it would have an eggy smell…
You know, I don’t think I have ever had that issue. My husband and son are both extremely sensitive to smells and they have ever mentioned it. Since its yolks only, and rinsed out well, I have never had a smell issue. In the last year I began adding essential oils to my yolks for washing–simply because I like how they smell, like shampoo did.
So you only use egg yolk? No morr baking soda/apple cider routine? Would you suggest this for someone beginning on no poo? I want to cut out shampoo, but am afraid the baking soda ans vinegar routine will dry and damage my hair…i alreay only shampoo once a week, and wonder if egg yolk only is for me…any tips?
I truly only use egg yolk! Nothing else is really needed for my hair. I actually started the egg yolk about three weeks into no-poo, so it might work for you!
Would you still suggest only using once a week if you’re going to the beach constantly?