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There are many reasons to switch to a shampoo bar.
The shampoo you’re currently using contains as many as 12 synthetic chemical compounds.
The shampoo you’re currently using comes in a single-use plastic bottle that can’t be recycled.
The shampoo you’re currently using isn’t good for travel.
Not only are the toxins in your shampoo dangerous for you but they wash down the drain as well and end up in bodies of water where they pollute the wildlife.
Even if your shampoo is toxin-free, it still comes in a plastic bottle. And even if it is (which it rarely is) recyclable, only 9% of plastic actually gets recycled.
Related:
Plastic-free personal care products
How to switch to non-toxic beauty
So basically, there are no positives to using traditional, bottled shampoo.
But there are numerous positives to using shampoo bars.
1. They’re eco-friendly
Most bars come completely naked or with a paper wrapper making them quite sustainable. No liquids = no packaging!
2. They’re toxin-free
If you get them in the right place. I’m sure somewhere in the world there is a shampoo bar full of chemicals but I’ve yet to find one. Most are made by conscious people and companies who care about the planet and your health.
3. They’re great for travel
No more liquid limits!
4. Cost-effective
These bars are so condensed and a little truly goes a long way. One bar could last you upwards of 6 months!
It’s important to remember that making the switch from a toxic to a non-toxic product or a liquid to a solid product can take a little adjusting. Your hair won’t be used to it right away but with a little time, it should adjust no problem!
I’ve heard that it can take anywhere from two to four weeks for your hair to adjust. After using a shampoo bar for the first time your hair may look a little greasier than normal but not to worry! Your scalp is just going through a detox phase after all the years of chemical exposure!
For me personally, my hair didn’t have any kind of reaction once out of the shower. This could have to do with the type of shampoo bar.
Always try out a new bar for a solid four weeks to see how it works. if your hair is still quite greasy try switching to another bar. Not all bars are created equal and it may simply just not be the right one for you.
How to use a shampoo bar:
1. Wet your hair and the bar thoroughly and work the bar into a lather.
2. If you have short hair it might work best to rub the bar directly onto your head.
3. Any hair shoulder length and longer works better if you lather it in your hands and apply that to your head. (This method also works best to ensure you don’t miss parts of your scalp)
4. Rub, rub, rub! Massage the shampoo into your scalp. Shampoo bars foam up so well and make for a wonderful experience!
5. Rinse! (pretty straight forward, eh?)
And then you’re done! You can follow up with a conditioner bar as well (pretty much the same thing but your hair won’t need to detox and it probably won’t foam up as much) or an apple cider vinegar rinse!
You might notice that your hair feels a little stringy or coarse in the shower after use but that’s no reason to panic! This is normal and not at all harmful to your hair.
How to store your shampoo bar:
A lot of people would recommend to not store the bar in your shower so if that works for you then awesome! I don’t really like the idea of moving it to and from my shower every time I want to wash my hair because let’s face it, I’d forget.
However, it is important to not leave your shampoo bar sitting in a puddle of water or it will melt into a giant foamy mess on your shower floor.
If you can, find a dry area in your shower or use a raised soap holder so any excess water can drain. It’s really that simple!
Here is the number one shampoo bar I recommend for anyone making the switch to a shampoo bar!
Buck Naked Soap Company Rhassoul Clay Shampoo Bar
This bar is a classic and staple in the shampoo bar world so naturally, this had to be the first one I tried out and I’m so glad I did! This is definitely a great place for anyone making the switch to a shampoo bar to start!
For starters, it’s quite big so it will last for a long time. It also foams up really well and smells amazing. My hair had no trouble adjusting. That’s not a guarantee that yours won’t but that’s certainly saying something. It left my hair feeling really soft afterward and I honestly can’t say enough good things about it.
Switching to a shampoo bar isn’t as daunting as it may seem. And in the long run, the pros outweigh the cons. Scratch that. There really are no cons. So there’s no reason for you not to make the switch!
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Which shampoo bars do you believe are best for hair loss and oily hair? My hair is also dyed and the length is to my waist. I’ve had issues trying to keep hair from falling and fading? Rita AKA cat thanks for the info
I’ll admit I don’t know too much about oily hair or hair loss but I know Lush has a shampoo bar for oily hair which I believe is called jumping juniper.
These resources might be helpful for hair loss and coloured hair:
https://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/help-me-choose/hair-loss/
https://unwrappedlife.com/products/the-fixer-shampoo-hair-bar?gclid=CjwKCAjw1v_0BRAkEiwALFkj5q4muTASdmuxg4yvBiNw6B5cm1fU2PY_NYENzjdOycPycXAj43bpsBoC0I8QAvD_BwE