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Original poster

Shampoo bars

108 replies

FiddleFigs · 12/01/2018 10:35

Does anyone use shampoo bars? I've very happily moved from shower gel to bar soap, and am pondering the next step to shampoo bars for my hair (which will also, hopefully, help me continue to reduce plastics this year). I'm especially interested in SLS and paraben free options.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
LemonadePockets · 17/01/2018 20:42

I love the one from Lush, always makes my hair and scalp feel really clean. Neil’s Yard do one too I believe.

Want2beme · 17/01/2018 21:03

Was listening to the owner of this shop on the radio on Saturday, talking about reducing use of plastic.

littlegreenshop.ie/?product=dr-bronner-soap-bars

The shop's in Ireland. Am gonna give some of her products a go.

marko2002 · 20/09/2018 07:17

I found a great little online store selling sulfate and plastic free shampoo and body bars, very reasonably priced and their bars are brilliant, just Google them, Amica Soap :)

Thatstheendofmytether · 20/09/2018 07:21

I used the seanik volume shampoo bar from lush. It did strip the colour out my hair but I loved it so much I didn't care but have stopped using it for a while because I have a suspicion it may have been making my hair fall out. It could be due to something else but I don't want to risk causing it if that is the problem.

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 20/09/2018 07:31

Interest thread, I'm sorry I missed it in Jan.

I use the friendly soap company - zero plastic packaging. I love the shampoo bar I've got, as it gives volume to my very thin, fine hair.

My current problem is conditioner. I switched to a spray on leave in conditioner on advice from my hairdresser. I got the Aussie branded one (can't remember the name but it has a kangaroo outline on the bottle). It's dreadful. Make my hair sticky, and matted and instead of going several days between washes, makes my hair feel disgusting within 6 hours.

Has anyone found a spray in conditioner that worked well?

carr1e1977 · 20/09/2018 07:54

I have been using shampoo bars for the last 6 months or so and think they are fab. I buy from small businesses rather than Lush as I wanted bars that don't contain SLS. I did wonder how much of a lather I would get from the bars, but its quite amazing how much of a lather you do get. No idea why Lush feel the need to add SLS in?

marko2002 · 20/09/2018 08:26

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater - I was the same, but the bars I use now have Apple Cider Vinegar in them which leaves my hair amazingly conditioned and soft, and are even more useful in hard water because they also contain sodium citrate to neutralise the minerals in hard water and let the lather through without the need for chemical sulfates!.
carr1e1977 - talking of sulfates, the reason Lush and everyone else use SLS is both for convenience, cost and the effect it has on producing lather. I wouldn't give Lush my money any longer, I mean £8 for a shampoo bar when I'm currently paying £3 for a bar nearly double the size and twice as good ! No brainer!!!

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 20/09/2018 10:10

Thanks @marko2002
I will check the ingredients of the other bars and see if I can find one that will do the job. We have hard water too.

glasshalfsomething · 20/09/2018 10:56

@MrsAnamCara - can I ask about the logic of rinsing with vinegar? I'm about to start using a shampoo bar and wondering if I need this to incorporate to my routine?

Bananaramaboat123 · 20/09/2018 17:35

use vinegar after washing with shampoo bar, hair and scalp is naturally slightly acidic and helps to balance ph

ChishandFips33 · 20/09/2018 17:49

I have fine hair too and either use the Tresseme heat protector or the kiddies pink bottle of anti tangle spray!

I'd like to start using bars - could you link to the companies you use please Carr and Think?

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 20/09/2018 18:14

I used www.friendlysoap.co.uk

I ordered their selection box to give them all a go before sticking with my favourite

carr1e1977 · 20/09/2018 18:48

I have used Juliet rose soaps, think she runs a stall at Covent Garden? and most recently bought a goats milk shampoo from amazon that I also like. Have tried the friendly shampoo bar which was fine but it’s smaller so I had to replace sooner. I don’t use any conditioner now, just the shampoo bar. I have mega dry/frizzy hair and it seems to work fine in keeping it looking as good as it ever did with shampoo and conditioner

ChishandFips33 · 20/09/2018 19:46

That's great, thank you

Didn't want to give Lush my hard earned pennies - would rather support small businesses

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 24/09/2018 06:32

Apple cider vinegar conditioning spray is a bloody revelation. Smells lovely, doesn't leave any sticky residue, hair feels soft and light. Thank you for the recommendation

Squiz81 · 24/09/2018 07:41

I use friendly soap company too. It took weeks for my hair to adjust, it felt oily after washing, I was determined to stick with it though and now I would never go back.

@marko2002 which bar do you use? It sound great! I've been rinsing with bicarb in water as I live in a hard water area. I was doing the cider rinse but wasn't sure it was doing anything.

Squiz81 · 24/09/2018 07:42

Also, I have really fine hair and shampoo bars give me more volume than I've ever had before. So many people have told me my hair looks thicker!

marko2002 · 24/09/2018 07:57

@Squiz81 I've used all their shampoo bars, the Shea butter one I found just a little drying for my fine hair, but the argan oil one is fantastic, like many people I had to go through the transition period but after a week or so my hair was ridiculously soft and shiny, they have also just released a high glycerin bar now as well so I've ordered that one to give it a try, the lady who runs it is also the nicest person I've ever dealt with online, she answers questions so quickly and efficiently it's like having an old school shop next door!

Squiz81 · 24/09/2018 10:54

Thanks @marko2002 I will look them up. I do love soaps!

ChishandFips33 · 24/09/2018 20:59

Thanks Marko bought the glycerin and the Argan oil bars - can't wait - free postage too!

marko2002 · 24/09/2018 21:18

@ChishandFips33 Only too glad to help, I tried many different products before stumbling across these guys and as I say, the customer service is fab, delivery is quick and I'm sure the lady running it (Helen) does not sleep because as soon as I ordered, they sent a message telling me the order was being processed and it was shipped early the next morning lol!. I ordered my Glycerin bar yesterday so chances are it will come tomorrow, I'll post back with my thoughts on that one, but so far there bars have been really good for me :)

MarthaArthur · 24/09/2018 21:29

Pros: environmentally friendly. Good lather smell lush no sls or parabens and cleans hair really well. Cons? My hair was like straw after 2 months and has split ends.

marko2002 · 24/09/2018 21:47

@MarthaArthur Are we talking about the same shampoo bars I'm using Martha from the same guys?

hownowpowpow · 25/09/2018 08:13

Took the plunge and ordered some soaps and shampoo bars from Amica. Have never tried shampoo bars before so am looking forward to giving it a go. Trying to reduce my plastic usage. Hoping this is the way forward for me. I'm across the pond so I think delivery takes 7 to 10 days. Will report back after a few days use.

MarthaArthur · 26/09/2018 12:50

Maybe its just my hair badly affected? I want to try another but im worried about it breaking more.