How to use a shampoo bar

Bar VS Bottle 
When switching from bottle to bar it is often difficult. After the first few washes it is common for your hair to feel gummy and waxy. Sometimes after brushing it may go frizzy, it can also dry out or the become very oily.

This is referred to as the adjustment period. This can last anything from a few days to a few weeks (normally longer when in a hard water area). This is because your hair will be used to using commercial detergent shampoos which normally strip away natural protective oils and your scalp produces more oils to compensate. Your scalp then conditions its self to this vicious cycle of excess oil production.

When using shampoo bars you must lather well! All of our shampoo bars foam up nicely and give you a really good clean.

Tips on how to use it:

1) Rub shampoo bar on hands instead of applying straight to your hair in the first couple of uses. This will help your hair adjust.

2) Try an apple cider vinegar rinse. Add 4-7 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (try to a use an organic unfiltered one) to 500ml of warm water. Experiment to find a dilution that works for you, normally for dry hair you will need less apple cider vinegar and for oily hair you may need more. After using a shampoo bar pour this all over hair, be careful not to get it in your eyes! Massage it in and leave for 2-3 minutes then rinse thoroughly. This treatment will help restore your hair to its natural pH level.

3) Try a baking soda rinse. Mix 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 300ml of warm water. After using a shampoo bar pour this all over hair, be careful not to get it in your eyes! Massage it in and leave for 2-3 minutes then rinse thoroughly. This rinse should not be used more than once every 4 weeks. This rinse helps remove any build up of oils and soaps giving your hair a deep clean leaving it soft and shiny.

My experience:

The first time I used a shampoo bar was around 2 years ago, I noticed straight away it made my hair really dry as well as irritating my scalp. I felt like it left a lot of residue on my hair even when it was dry so as a result I quickly went back to using commercial shampoo. A few months later I stumbled upon many articles explaining the benefits of using natural shampoo bars and the effects that commercial shampoo has on your hair so I thought it was time to give it another go.

I remember after the first few washes my hair didn't like it. It felt waxy, dry and made my hair look greasy very quickly. However I knew I had to persevere to get past this point. I began to use an apple cider vinegar rinse about once every two weeks or so and really made sure all of the shampoo was out of my hair before I moved on to conditioner. A few weeks later my hair adjusted to the bar and began to feel softer than ever. I don't think I will ever switch back to using commercial shampoo.

So if you are thinking of giving shampoo bars a go just remember... be patient and your hair should adjust!!