yah pretty much SE gave you most of the tips. ive also noticed if you use shampoo or conditioner, you can mistake the residues and micro-oils they leave behind to make the shine/strength/smell as natural oils from your hair. try washing with baking soda a time or two and we'll see if its your head's oils or what youve been using in it for your entire life without thinking. you might just find youre not as oily as you may think :P and no, water only doesnt count, you need an agent like BS to dissolve and break up whats there before you can make an accurate product-free judgement.