Shampoo Bars

Everywhere you go you get told to reduce your use of plastics, whether it's drinking straws or coffee cups. There seems to be a sustainable alternative for nearly everything but have you ever thought of using a shampoo without a bottle?

What are shampoo bars?

Lush has been making and selling plastic free alternatives to regular shampoo for years. It was made by accident by Lush's founder, Mo Constantine and cosmetic chemist, Stan Krysztal. Their shampoo bars can be used again and again, much like a bar of soap, but for your hair.

How do I use I shampoo bar?

I like to jump in the shower and make my hair wet. I then grab the shampoo bar and either rub it directly onto my scalp a bit, or I create a lather in my hands (like a bar of soap) and then rub it onto my hair. You then wash it away like normal shampoo.

What ones have you tried?

The shampoo bars I have used are Trichomania (as mentioned in our March favourites) and Honey I washed my hair.

I bought Trichomania in the January sales and got a big lump for £5. I wanted to give it a go as it is coco-nutty and I love coconut flavoured products. When I first tried it I was a bit unsure as it didn't lather up as much as I'd like. I also have long thick hair, so I felt like it took me a while to get it all covered. When I was in the shower, it felt like it made my hair quite greasy. Fortunately when I got out and dried my hair it made it feel soft and bouncy, so there was no need to worry.

I bought Honey I Washed My Hair when I was going to be going away for a few weeks over the summer and didn't want to buy miniatures to take with me. I popped this in a little tin and off I went on holiday. It made lots of bubbles and made my hair smell amazing. This became a firm shampoo favourite. Even after a couple weeks away the bar had barely shrunk. This bar went on to last me nearly a year (not with constant use). That being said, if I had used it non-stop, it definitely would have lasted more washes than a regular bottle of shampoo does.

Is it only shampoo bars?

No, Lush also make conditioner bars. These work in exactly the same way as the shampoo ones, but are conditioners instead. I have tried Sugar Daddy O. I bought this when I had bleached the ends of my hair, it helped prevent the ends from going brassy and kept them a pretty shade of blonde.

So, are you going to try to reduce your plastic and give a shampoo bar a go?