Shampoo Bar: 1 week in and I look like Stig of the Dump

[TalkingIntoTheEther]

I made the switch to bar shampoo and conditioner last week and my hair looks and feels disgusting! the roots are covered in a greasy, waxy residue. I tried the apple cider vinegar wash and now i also have a subtle chip shop aroma.

I've read about this supposed 'transition' period, but this sounds like marketing crap to keep you using the products, AIBU or does the bar suddenly and miraculously stop making your hair look like shit? or am i doing something wrong/using a crap bar?

Any experiences/advice welcome!

Try a different shampoo bar. The first one I tried made my hair a bit like a sheep's fleece but it's great with the one I use now. I'm abroad so no point recommending the one I buy locally, but it was recommended to me by a colleague so maybe get a recommendation if you can, from someone with a vaguely similar type of hair if possible.

Lush and shine on were lovely for my hair but the friendly company left me unable to get a comb through it. It might just be the type your using

From my experience, you need to -
*Brush your hair before you wash it
*Make sure your hair is wetter than normal when you wash your hair
*Don't use too much shampoo (I use Bain and Savon's milk bar, it lasts ages).
*Rinse more than you normally do but be gentle

I mostly leave mine to dry itself so it's never going to look very groomed but I've never had any problems. I like Friendly Soap Company conditioner, you can turn it into a liquid if you want.

Which bar are you using?

What on earth is “wetter than normal”?! Nobody washes their hair when it’s half wet, it’s not possible.

Which bar are you using? I had no trouble with Lush - but as my hair is quite fine I dont bother with conditioner.

What are you using? Sounds odd

When I use liquid shampoo @NewStreet I wet my hair and shampoo it a minute or two later when the excess of the water has drained off, with my bar shampoo I wash it straight away.

Oh. I don’t do that.

Thanks everyone, im using Amica which is SLS free so was expecting less lather but feel like this has no cleaning power whatsoever. Im rinsing it loads so don't think its that.

I think the lush one has sulfates in it (probably why it does such a good job!) which im trying to avoid as i have curly hair, when i used liquid shampoo that was SLS free (shea moisture i think) it still cleaned my hair but left less of a synthetically smooth feel, which is what i was expecting from the bar.

I use one from The Soap Mine and it's fab. Brilliant lather. Needs a thorough rinse, has apple cider vinegar in the bar already. I also use their conditioner which makes me hair silky smooth as if is used a liquid one.

It's a one woman band based in North Wales so good for keeping local and supporting small businesses.

bain-savon.co.uk/collections/shampoo-conditioners/products/coconut-milk-shampoo-bar

I can recommend this one, the orange one is nice too. Local and ethical like the Friendly Soap Company.

Do you put the bar directly into your hair?

You should lather it in your hands first

human i lather it first a;though i must say a barely get a lather. Just been reading how this could be related to hardwater which we do have in my area.

Thanks for the recommendations, will check them out.

This sounded like my experience with a shampoo bar. I was left with a horrible heavy claggy feeling so I gave up.

I rub mine directly on my hair. Lathers beautifully. I'm in Gloucestershire so mid to hard water.

Directly rub on my hair too.

You could try Suma’s Alternative shampoo bars.
They have several fragrances to choose from. I like the sandalwood one and the Rose one.

They are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Free from palm oil, parabens, SLS/SLES, phthalates, triclosan, certified cruelty free with no animal testing.

Also local to you- Handmade in the UK, packaged in plastic-free recyclable cardboard packaging.

I used a Lush one first and got on really well with it.

I then changed to another one from the funkysoapshop only but I really didn't get on with it at all. DH did but for me it made my hair feel and look greasy (something I have never suffered from) and it was wet looking, especially near the roots. Using an apple cider rinse didn't help either. I tried lathering it in my hands and using it directly on my hair to no avail. Interestingly I can use their conditioner bar no problem.

I have gone back to the Lush shampoo one for myself now.

I don't need the apple cider rinse with the Lush ones. BTW - make the rinse much more diluted to avoid the vinegar smell.

Forgot to mention, I do not use conditioner. I find my hair is best if I just wash it every other day.

I struggled too. Barely got any foam, was a nightmare to rinse out as I couldn't even get my fingers through my hair. I’ve given up but I have kicked my conditioner habit by using a couple of drops of argan oil instead.

www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/beco-spring-meadow-shampoo-bar/812614-707138-707139

I use this one and I love it! Worth a bash to see if it suits you better.

Try Gruum or Soul and Soap. Both are fab.

I tried a few before I found one I liked. I use the Yorkshire soap company for mine. They do a few different ones.

Lush do do one which I think it SLS free- a pink one with a rose on top. It's really gentle- my wavy hair is certainly liking it- nice waves rather than dry fluff.

I've stuck with lush shampoo bars and always found them fine but have been struggling to get conditioning bar that suits my hair.