To go back to shampoo in plastic bottles from shampoo bars (hairdresser POVs welcome)

[Handbaghag]

I am keen to reduce single use plastics in our house. I made liquid soap after my second attempt (the first attempt resulted in a very large bar of soap the size of an ice cream tub 😂) so am saving on plastic/purchase of replacements. I've gone to bar soap for the shower but have tried several shampoo bars that basically just feel either that I'm washing my hair with soap or something not lathery/ strong enough to clean it at all! Solid conditioner also want much cop either. I'm assuming this will improve as people try and develop it. My experience of people's comments about shampoo is that it shouldn't have salts in it or other stuff that's bad for your hair. I'm wondering if Cash and carry type places do bigger bottles of shampoo. I know it's still plastic but still wonder if it's less plastic per 100ml etc. I was buying the biggest bottles of Pantene and was quite happy with it as a shampoo.
My hairdresser would do refills on shampoo from the salon but I didn't like the last one I bought. I also would want shampoo for the whole family.
Comments and ideas/what do you do?

Are there any no waste shops in your area where you could refill your own bottles?

I don’t think you are BU.

I buy ‘salon sized’ shampoo & conditioner, 1 litre bottles, online from FeelUnique, LookFantastic, HQhair etc. It’s much cheaper per ml than than the same shampoo in smaller 250ml bottles. I don’t buy from Amazon or eBay because a lot of counterfeit product passes through there.

If you don’t want to buy online, supermarkets do the massive bottles of tresemme. I think they’re either 750ml or 1l.

If you could find a page on Facebook called Mauchit they have fantastic shampoo and conditioner bars they could send. I luffs them. Hair shines and sift and feels clean. Let me know if you do and what you think.

I buy 1 litre sulphate free shampoo from tkmaxx usually around 8 or £10

I would check Costco.

I’ve just gone over to bars from bottles - I was a bit dubious as my hair can be quite temperamental but so far I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I’m using the ones made by the Solid Bar Company because they don’t use soap based surfactants - a lot of other companies seemed to suggest that I would need to use a vinegar rinse because I live in a hard water area (to counteract the alkalinity and remove residue) which was far too much of a faff for me. The shampoo doesn’t lather massive amounts but my hair always feels clean and soft afterwards (I use the conditioner too) and looks as it did when I was using liquid shampoo. Having said that, if you can’t get on with it I think its fine to look for a pragmatic solution - maybe check out the Faith in Nature range as I know they do 5 litre refills though I’ve not tried them myself

I get mine off ebay...they are good. Also found a great conditioner at long last on ebay.

Like a pp, we have a shop in our town where we can refill shampoo and conditioner. I’ve used the same bottles for over a year now.

I use Lush shampoo bars, good god they lather even though I've got the one with least amount of sulfates and things (coloured hair. It's called Jason and the Argon Oil).

Could it be your water that causes them to not lather?

Soho soap company does great bar soap. Lathers up beautifully. Not so keen on the conditioner, takes lots of rubbing to get enough but the result is great.

The bars made by Sarandipity Soap Co are amazing. I wouldn’t go back to regular shampoo

NoWebbedFeet I went to the solid bar company web site, loved all their scientific spiel (which I appreciate as a scientist) and then clicked on the bars...£18 per bar! Wow, just wow. And unfortunately, it's a no from me ☹️.

Yes. Hard water area here 🚰

I use honey I shrunk my hair or something from lush. It’s really good.

I buy the massive bottles of Aveda, expensive but they last me well over six months!
The bars are really no good for me, hopefully they will get better.

I’m using the red bar of shampoo from lush, my hair looks better than it did when I used bottle shampoo. I rub the bar straight onto my hair and it lathers ok. I live in a hard water area. I want to make my own washing up liquid, do you know how? I googled it but gave up trying to find out.

Look in B & M, they sell most of the Tigi range of shampoo & conditioner in 1 litre pump bottles.

Are the any companies who produce shampoo in glass bottles?

I get either the Redken or Bedhead big salon bottles from TK Maxx - they last me about six months, so very little plastic. Then I turn them over and use them on canes on my allotment so that I don't have someone's eye out :-)

Shamelessly placemaking

Huge bottles of Tresemme are £5. I love Head & Shoulders 2in1 apple. I buy a huge bottle and use a tiny amount as it lathers really easily and genuinely leaves your hair soft so no need for conditioner on top (saving more plastic.)

I can't use bar shampoo all the time and the conditioners are useless. I think lush refill their plastic bottles so I'm thinking of trying their liquid shampoo.

You can get Faith In Nature refills from some health food shops, there’s a list on their website. You can also buy the 5l bottles direct if you want.

Faith in Nature shampoos and conditioners can usually be bought as refills.