Shampoo Bars: Are They a Better Alternative For Your Hair

Shampoo bars have been a hot topic on my blog since I posted my review of JR Liggett's Shampoo Bar a year ago. Since then, you guys have challenged me and pushed me with your emails, questions and comments (I LOVE IT!). I've learned a lot and I think it's time to revisit the subject!

Are Shampoo Bars Really 

the Best Shampoo for your Hair?

Many people have expressed to me that they are scared of switching to a shampoo bar and have a fear that it will mess up their hair. I don't blame them for their concern because switching your beauty routine is frightening! It took me months to build up the courage! If you're on the fence or just want to know a little more about how they work-- then let me explain!

Beauty and the Bees Shampoo Bars: Beer (light colored and cut into slivers) and Moroccan Mud (med brown)

What Are Shampoo Bars, Anyways?

Glad you asked. Shampoo bars are actually solid bars of soap that are made specifically for hair. In fact, they were commonly used before our traditional shampoo and conditions were invented (around the time of WWII).

Most people find benefits to switching to a shampoo bar such as increased volume, faster growing hair, reduced dandruff, shinier hair and less frizz.  If you have curly hair, most people say they that they have more defined curls with better control. Shampoo bars are good for all hair types and hair lengths. There are brands which are formulated for color treated hair.

The majority of shampoo bars are all natural and DO NOT contain SLS/SLES (sodium laurel sulfate / sodium laureth sulfate) or other harmful chemicals, but always check the label to make sure! SLS/SLES can cause dry, itchy and irritated scalp. It can also dry out your hair, and contribute to hair loss, especially if you shampoo every day!

So what is SLS/SLES? It cleans the oils from your hair and it allows you to get that really great lather with traditional shampoos. Unfortunately most shampoo bars do not lather very well, but they also do not strip your hair of your natural oils like SLS does.

Because it's gentler, using a shampoo bar allows your hair to retain color and moisture while reducing the instances of dry scalp and especially oily scalp. Removing SLS/SLES from your hair care routine really allows your hair to rebalance and produce adequate amounts of oils.

They are FABULOUS if you travel, but not so great for company (eck!). They are also very cost effective because they last for months and only cost a fraction of what you'd spend in shampoo during that time!

So Are There Any Side Effects or Problems?

Hard Water: One of the biggest issues I have heard from readers is that shampoo bars may not perform as well in hard water. It has mostly to do with a lack of lather. I have medium hard water and I don't have any complaints, so it really is going to depend on your personal situation and what you're looking for in a shampoo bar.

Expiration Date: Also, remember these are natural products so they won't last forever. Most expire within 6 months of purchase, unless otherwise indicated on the product. You don't need a lot of product, so most shampoo bars will last several months depending on how frequently you use them.

Dryness: Some people say that they feel that their hair gets dry especially at the tips with long hair when using shampoo bars. I think that this has to do with a need for more light brushing to distribute the oils from the scalp to the bottom of the hair, but that's just my theory!

People have told me that they felt that their dry hair had more moisture and many people who suffer from oily hair or scalp said their hair had changed to what they believed "normal" would be like. It's important to remember that we all have different hair which may respond slightly differently to the same product.

Transition: What most people are scared of is what I call THE PURGE {ominous music begins to play in the background}.

"The Transitional Purge"

There is a transition when you switch from the chemicals in traditional shampoos to a natural shampoo bar annnnd (I won't lie) sometimes it isn't pretty. When you first begin, your hair or scalp may become oily or dry or even switch between the two extremes. You may have increased tangles, or frizz and the hair shafts may feel waxy. This is your hair freaking out because it forgot how to do it's job. Own it. Like a boss. It will go away!

My hair AFTER the purge
using JR Liggett's Shampoo Bar
 (natural hair color)

This transitional period can last for just a week and up to six weeks. It really depends on how damaged your hair is, how frequently you used products with SLS/SLES and some has to do with your genetics. Using a Vinegar Rinse will help to speed up the process, balance scalp pH and remove build up.

During this transitional time or even a few months afterwards, your hair may begin to aggressively grow and you may have an exodus of old built up chemicals that has collects over the years from using traditional shampoos. It's slightly creamy, similar to dandruff, but more localized. It does not itch, burn or feel strange, but it freaks a lot of people out. DON'T WORRY! But if you freak out, shoot me an email and we can chit chat.

My Transition Story

For me, the transition lasted a couple of weeks. During that time my hair developed bipolar disorder as it would switch back and forth from oily to dry sporadically. I know that it was my hair's way of trying to figure out how to rebalance itself, but I admit-- it was a little frustrating. But once it found it's "sweet spot" I was hooked and since then I've not had any more dandruff!

Now I wash my hair every three days and I don't even need a conditioner. In the beginning I used ACV every wash to balance my scalp, but now I use an ACV rinse about once a week. I haven't used my blow dryer in months, I rarely use my straightener and I don't really use any styling products besides a few sprays of rose water for added moisture or a couple of drops of argan oil to smooth flyways. It really has been life changing for me.

There are lots of brands to chose from so knock yourself out. I simply suggest that you pick a company that uses quality ingredients and will stand behind their product. You can use the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to look at ingredients and the safety of popular products.

I've tried two brands: JR Liggett's and Beauty and the Bees. My original review to learn about JR Liggett's is available (by clicking the link) so I thought I'd post a little something below about Beauty and the Bees to give some perspective.

If you've tried a shampoo bar and liked it, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me about it in the comments!! I'm so curious! 

Beauty and the Bees: 

Shampoo Bar for Different Hair Type

Beauty and the Bees has many shampoo bars to choose from. I admit that I was a bit overwhelmed when I was researching all their bars. I contacted a rep for Beauty and the Bees to find out which ones are the best for different hair types and let me tell you what I learned!

• Real Beer Shampoo Bar: African American, wavy, straight, colored hair
• Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar : All Hair Types, but especially redheads and brunettes 
• Leatherwood Honey Hemp Seed Oil Shampoo Bar: African American, sensitive skin
• Henna Senna Shampoo Bar: Brunettes, colored hair
• Honey, Lemon Chamomile Shampoo Bar: blonde or gray, colored hair
• Moroccan Mudd Shampoo Bar: African American, curly, colored hair, damaged hair
• Voodoo Bamboo Charcoal Shampoo Bar: dandruff,  dry, curly, wavy, colored hair, damaged hair (lots and lots of moisture!)

Hair air dried after using Beauty and the Bees Beer Shampoo Bar
(Blonde color= dye)

If you want to try Beauty and the Bees and you're still not sure which is right for you, then you can purchase their sample pack and try six samples of their most popular bars: Beauty and the Beeas Shampoo Sample Box

They use ingredients such as mountain spring water, coconut oil, olive oil, soy wax Leatherwood Beeswax and honey, castor oil, seaweed extract. The different shampoos are custom made for different hair types depending on the mix of  various plant oils, herb infusions, herbs, essential oils, beer, etc.

Sooo… How Does It Work?

I tried the Moroccan Mud and the Beer shampoo bars. Annndd, I may or may not have coerced my dear sweet mom to try the Honey, Lemon and Chamomile Shampoo bar. I love that lady! She's been rocking the gray lately and I've had a lot of request to know about the effects on shampoo bars for gray hair, so she selflessly volunteered!

My mom was really happy with the Honey, Lemon and Chamomile Shampoo bar for her gray hair! She said that her hair behaved a lot better when she switched to shampoo bars from traditional hair care. However, when she tried the Honey, Lemon and Chamomile bar she was more than happy with how soft and moisturized it left her hair! She'd definitely use it again.

With the Beauty and the Bees shampoo bars, they provided more moisture and lather compared to the JR Liggett's shampoo bar. I also noticed that the Moroccan Mud bar seemed to keep my hair straighter while the Beer shampoo bar made my hair more wavy. The picture above is me after using the Beer Shampoo after letting it air dry with zero product-- see the wave! For me, I like them both, but Beauty and the Bees is more moisturizing for my dry hair.

Tips

• Use a vinegar rinse to help restore a healthy pH to the scalp and to remove old chemicals. Here is my recipe for a lavender ACV hair rinse.
• Brush your hair often to redistribute oils throughout the hair shaft. A brush with soft bristles is great for this! 
• If you have hard water, buy a new shower head that will help purify the water or soften it. I use Aquasana Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead, but there are many others to pick from! 
• For tangles during the transition person, you can use argan oil, extra ACV rinse (not extra ACV, simply more of the rinse) or a natural hair creme to help the reduce tangles.
• If you're worried about the bar getting wet and dissolving, you can cut it into slivers and only take a small section into the shower instead of the whole bar. 
• DO NOT WASH YOUR HAIR EVERYDAY! Don't do it. You need to let it transition so give it a few days in between washings.

Want More Shampoo Options?
I have heard through your comments and e-mails that you all want MORE OPTIONS! I have tested several methods and these are the others which I've liked or my friends have had success with. However, I have to say I'm really like DIY Herbal Hair Shampoo.  

Have you thought about...

• DIY Hair Gel
• The No'Poo Method
• Aloe Shampoo
• Rosemary Peppermint Shampoo

I can't wait to hear what ya'll have to say about your hair adventures! Have you used a shampoo bar before? Do you have any tips? Are you still using the shampoo bar? I'd love to hear your story!

Questions? Join my natural living group!

Disclaimer: I have not been paid for this review, but I did received the Beer Bar and the Honey, Lemon and Chamomile bar to test from Beauty and the Bees. This is my unbiased review of the products because you know I won't lie to you. I love you guys! {hugs}

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight