Shampoo Bar, Day 14
Ok, I admit it – I am SOLD on the shampoo bar! Day 14 marks the end of my trial period, and my hair seems much improved. It has more body and is also easier to comb through. Not to mention that it feels super clean and soft!
I have figured out how to work the bar into a really great lather that gets every part of my scalp and hair squeaky clean. First, I make sure my hair is good and wet. Then I get the bar wet and give it a few whirls in my hands. Finally, I take the bar and rub it directly on my hair – all over my head. Once the soap is rinsed out, I apply the vinegar rinse on my scalp only, followed by the tiniest dab of conditioner on the rest of my hair:
Advantages of the shampoo bar over the shampoo I used to use:
1. Obviously fewer chemicals.
2. Cleans my hair without leaving residue.
3. My hair feels so much softer!
4. I’ve heard that it will prolong my hair color, but I haven’t observed this first hand yet. Only my hairdresser will be able to tell!
5. I’m using way less conditioner.
6. This is just a theory, but I think the rosemary is promoting hair growth. It seems like my roots are growing out faster and the overall length as well. I don’t have a photo from 14 days ago, but here is a comparison from two and a half months ago:
I’ll be doing more experimenting with other shampoo bar recipes and I’d also like to try just using a tiny bit of conditioner without the vinegar rinse. The only downside for me has been the damage from using the bar those first few days when my hair was more tangled. I might recommend using a small bit of conditioner during the transition phase – especially for those with longer hair. Overall, it’s been a great experience and I would definitely recommend it to others!
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Looks great! There’s MUCH more body to be had with the shampoo bars. There was a point where we ran out and I went back to what was left of my old commercial shampoo… it was like night and day, and my hair was TERRIBLE ’til we could make more.
And yeah, I advocate conditioner for those of us with long, curly hair too.
So when will we be able to purchase these Amy?
I was wondering how things were going. Glad to know you too are a shampoo bar convert.
So interesting! That just proves a person really does have to stick it out for at least two weeks. Maybe I’ll get brave and try one soon.
@Dena – I still have more testing to do before I’ll be ready to sell them, but hopefully by this fall!
Thanks so much for posting updates about this! I had never considering using a bar for shampoo before…I’m definitely going to give it a go at some point soon.
I tried some flat beer as a hair rinse recently after using my shampoo bar (son had a 1/2 bottle left over lol) It really did work well, and I have not had to rewash my hair this week! Usually I wash it 2x weekly when using commercial shampoo and conditioner. That alone should help colour to last longer. Unfortunately I forgot to tell my son not to throw out the rest of the bottle of beer, so my ‘conditioner’ went down the sink, and I’m sure as anything not going to be opening and drinking any just so I can use it on my hair (yuk, I hate beer as a drink!)
Ohhh I’m so glad you’re sold on them! I totally find that they give my hair far more body, it hangs better and I think it’s easier to style (I don’t use any mousse for instance anymore either). I don’t use a vinegar rinse I have to say but I do use a dab of conditioner (the same amount as you). I have fine hair but lots of it and so it can get tangled very quickly so the conditioner really helps (now I just need to make my own conditioner of course!). I’m just going to try out a Rhassoul Mud & Goatsmilk one I made 6 weeks ago as a combo facial & hair bar and see how it goes… wasn’t too keen on the design but for a tester that doesn’t really matter. VERY pretty pic I have to say!
Your hair looks beautiful and soft! I think that’s what I discovered about shampoo bars. They make my hair feel softer too. More natural feeling. Good luck on your other experiments!
Yay! Thanks for sharing Amy. Your hair looks great. I’ll be interested in hearing how your color holds over time. Just amazing…now can I muster up the courage to deal with a two-week transition? hmmm.
Dawn
Thank you for all the lovely comments! Last night I tried not using the vinegar – just the conditioner, and it didn’t work as well. There is something about the vinegar that helps de-tangle the hair.
It is important to use a vinegar or citric acid rinse due to the high pH of soap bars (8-9) . Our scalps have a pH of 5. Shampoo bars are very alkaline so we need to balance not only our scalps but our hair, too alkaline a substance will dry your hair our, the vinegar makes it more an acid base which helps lower the pH to one nearer our own. Vinegar also will close the cutlicle of the hair and help it shine. During the transition stage use a stronger vinegar rinse, it will help loads!
I have hip length wavy hair and use no conditioner just a pinch of citric acid in a 2 liter jug of warm water and get all the conditioning i need. Shampoo bars are fantastic, ignore the initial waxy feeling, its how your hair dries that matters. I also agree with the author, my hair grows much quicker since ive been using, my only guess is the oils help condition my scalp as well as my hair.