Let’s talk about Shampoo Bars & why you

should make the switch!

 

Have you heard all the hype about Shampoo Bars but aren’t exactly sure what they are or if they’re a good fit for you? Have no fear! We’re here to break down the ins and outs of a shampoo bar and talk about all the pros and cons of using one.

So, what exactly is a Shampoo Bar?

Well, to make things simple, it’s a solid version of your traditional liquid shampoo. It has the exact same function as liquid shampoo but is so much better for you and the planet!

Now that we know what a shampoo bar is, let’s go over some of our most commonly asked questions.

• Are Shampoo Bars different from Soap Bars?

Yes! Absolutely! Soap Bars are made of Oils and Lye which makes for an extremely high pH (9-11). Soap Bars can leave your hair feeling heavy & dull. Shampoo bars should have a much lower pH (5-7).

• Do I need to use a conditioner after using a Shampoo Bar?

Whether or not you need to use a conditioner after using a shampoo bar depends on a few things: Your hair type, the shampoo bar brand, your location, and the ingredients used. We can’t speak for other brands, but we can most certainly speak for our own! We have carefully formulated our shampoo bars so that they contain a conditioning aspect to them. After many tests, we have found that most people haven’t needed to use conditioner afterwards but again, this may not be the case for everyone. We recommend testing the bar without using conditioner afterwards to see how your hair reacts.

• What if I have hard water?

Not a problem! We recommend using an apple cider vinegar rinse after shampooing to help remove any possible mineral build up. This is completely up to you though and may not be necessary. Test the bar, see how your hair feels, and go from there.

• How long does a shampoo bar last?

There are many factors that play into how long your bar will last. It depends on how often you wash your hair, how long & thick your hair is, how many people use it and how your bar is stored. If stored properly 1 shampoo bar can last approximately 50-80 washed, equivalent to roughly 2-2.5 bottles of liquid shampoo.

• How do I store shampoo bars?

To ensure a longer shelf life, it is important that your shampoo bar can fully dry in between uses. In the shower, store bar on a soap dish or in a soap saver bag that allows the water to drain. If your shampoo bar stays wet/sits in water, it will dissolve much quicker than it would if it was able to fully dry. When traveling, put your bar directly in a cosmetic bag, Ziplock bag, or other bag of your choosing, after it has fully dried. If you are unable to let your bar dry fully before placing it in a bag, we recommend leaving the bag partially open to allow airflow in the bag, so the bar is able to dry.

• Can I take a shampoo bar on a plane?

You sure can!! Shampoo bars make for great travel companions as they’re compact and leak-proof. Since it is not a liquid, there are no restrictions to bringing your shampoo bar on a plane! They’re super easy to pack and totally TSA-friendly! (one of the many pros!).

• Can I use my shampoo bar on color treated hair?

Of course!! Shampoo bars have a very acidic pH, which is perfect for colored hair. Soap bars on the other hand will likely strip your hair of its color though so be sure you don’t accidentally grab your soap bar.

Now let’s cover the pros and cons of using shampoo bars!

PROS:

Plastic Free: (This is easily one of the biggest pros of shampoo bars!!)

Shampoo bars are fantastic for people who want to adopt a more sustainable/eco-friendly beauty routine! It’s no secret that we should all be doing our part to save the planet but unfortunately our shower routines have caused an enormous plastic problem… Because they don’t contain water, shampoo bars don’t require a plastic container! It’s estimated that over 552 million shampoo bottles end up in our landfills yearly, which is enough bottles to fill 1,164 football fields. And that’s just the shampoo bottles… Think about all the bottles of conditioner, bodywash, water, and so much more… To make things worse, roughly 85% of plastic ends up in landfills or in the ocean (data from 2022). It obviously won’t solve our plastic waste problem, but switching to shampoo bars can drastically reduce plastic bottle waste and can be a great way to reduce the carbon footprint while improving hair health and hygiene.

Non-Toxic Ingredients:

Unlike commercial liquid shampoos, our shampoo bars do not contain all the toxic synthetic ingredients and additives that commercial shampoos have (i.e., detergents, parabens, preservatives, dyes, phthalates, petroleum-derived ingredients, & SLS/SLEs.) which strip the hair of its natural oils and leave it feeling fragile and dry. Instead, they are made up of natural, gentle cleansers and are jam-packed with nourishing, top-quality, plant-based ingredients like oils & butters that will leave your hair feeling soft & nourished. Since they don’t contain all the harsh chemicals, shampoo bars will help restore your hair by teaching it how to nourish itself and remake its natural oils leaving it shinier, healthier, and happier!

Waterless:

Fun Fact- Did you know that liquid shampoo is approximately 80 % water? What a rip off!  Shampoo bars have concentrated high-quality ingredients so if you want to get more bang for your buck, opt for a nutrient-packed shampoo bar instead.

Long-Lasting– A Shampoo bars is highly concentrated and last much longer than liquid shampoo. If stored properly 1 shampoo bar can last approximately 50-80 washed, equivalent to roughly 2-2.5 bottles of liquid shampoo. (This number may vary depending on the length & thickness of your hair.)

Save Shower Space- We all know how bulky bath product bottles can be, taking up an excessive amount of space in your shower. Switching to shampoo bars means there will be at least 1 one less bottle lining your shower wall.

CONS:

Adjustment Period-

(This is easily the “biggest” con). When switching from shampoo that contains synthetic detergents to a shampoo bar, you may notice a transition period. Remember, you have used chemical-based products for most (if not all) of your life, which means your hair is accustomed to chemically formulated products so it will freak out when it encounters clean ingredients.  This can take days, weeks, or in extreme cases, even months.  Some factors that influence this are how damaged your hair is, how much build-up you have, and your hair type. During this time, your hair may feel waxy, heavy, greasy, extremely dry, dull or a combination of all of these. As your hair adjusts to the new ingredients and pH levels, it will start looking and feeling cleaner & healthier. It pays to be patient and I promise it’ll be worth it in the end!

**It is said that apple cider vinegar rinses lower pH levels of your hair and scalp and help remove extra build-up in your hair which can help move your transition period along quicker.** (Add 1tbsp of ACV to a large cup or mason jar (Please be extremely cautious if using any type of glass in the shower), fill with shower water, dump solution all over your hair, thoroughly massage throughout your hair, and let it sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing it out. ~ACV is safe for color treated hair. Don’t worry, the smell will fade as your hair dries.)

Shampoo Bars can get mushy:

This may be a problem if you live in a humid environment. If this is the case, place your bar near a windowsill or open window preferably during the day. (place bar on a soap dish with holes or slots that allow airflow). Avoid direct sunlight or exposed to extreme heat though, as this can cause the bar to melt or become mushier.

Shampoo Bars can melt:

It is important to store your shampoo bar away from direct sunlight and heat because to avoid melting.

More Expensive Up Front–

You may notice that the upfront cost of a shampoo bar is more expensive than 1 bottle of commercial liquid shampoo. However, one bar is equivalent to approximately 2-2.5 bottles of shampoo, so they are cheaper in the long run. And let’s not forget how much better they are for both you and the planet!

 Well, there you have it! Hopefully that gives you a pretty good idea about what a shampoo bar is and got you one step closer to finally making the switch! If not, that’s ok! Change isn’t always easy! If you’re still on the fence about Shampoo Bars feel free to reach out with any questions, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

How to use a Shampoo Bar:

So how do you even use one of these things?? Really and truly it’s not all that difficult. Here is a step-by-step guide to using one of our lovely shampoo bars!

• Wet hair thoroughly.
• Run water over shampoo bar.
• Use hands to create a nice lather.
• Begin to gently rub your shampoo bar in a circular motion starting at the roots of your hair and running down to the ends.
• Set bar away from water stream.
• Use hands and gently massage your scalp and hair to ensure you have covered all areas. (You’ll quickly notice a little goes a long way.)
• Rinse thoroughly
• When done, set your bar on a soap tray with holes/slots so it can dry.

If you have short, non-greasy hair we recommend using your shampoo bar every 2-3 days. If you have longer or greasier hair, we recommend using your bar every other day or every 2 days. Don’t over wash your hair during adjustment period. The more you wash, the more your hair and scalp will get used to this new routine and the more your hair will need to be washed. Don’t be tempted to reach back for your old shampoo either as this will set you back in the process. Try brushing or combing your hair at least twice a day to help spread the natural oils through your hair.

And that’s it! Easy peasy lemon squeezy!