I'm a regular white vinegar user, like Avrilon. I find that it just adds softness and shine. ACV will add slight red tones so I don't use it since I want to keep my hair as ashy as possible. I use distilled water with the white vinegar. It get good softeness and good shine. I've never had the vinegar smell linger after my hair is dry. There are worse things to smell like other than vinegar