As if to prove that the trend towards bar soaps was slowing, shampoo and conditioner bars have arrived. These alternatives to bottles reduce plastic waste and promise 100 washes without cluttering your shower shelf. Hair bar soap intrigued me by its eco-friendly qualities, but I was skeptical about its ability to cleanse and moisturize.
Here are the good, the interesting, and the unexpected parts of swapping out traditional hair care for bar soap to decide if the switch is right for you.
The Good
As someone with naturally curly hair, I had very low expectations when I started using bar soap. I could not fathom how such a small soap bar would be able to clean and moisturize thick, drier hair. But I was pleasantly astonished.
Kitsch’s clarifying shampoo bar washed off with water, and I rubbed it between my hands to get enough product on my scalp. The bar was milder than my normal shampoo, which is very soapy. Low-to-no lather shampoos work better on curly or dry hair because they do not strip the strands of moisture. Thankful for the small amount of lather I created, I focused on my scalp while letting the excess product run through my hair as I rinsed.
My hair is usually very dry after washing, and I need to use a lot of conditioner. My hair felt soft and hydrated. I attribute this to the rich mixture of castor oil, essential oils, and other ingredients.
After being pleasantly surprised with this shampoo, I felt hopeful about the conditioning.
The Interesting
I knew that I would be in for a tough time after lathering the Conditioner Bar and running it underwater. I could not get any product. The bar was a little scrubbing battle for me, and I tried to get something that looked like my regular conditioner.
The bar softened slowly but surely as I applied the milky formula. Then, I lathered again, applying the little amount to the ends. The bar was so thin that I could only use a paintbrush to run it through my hair.
After I felt I had used enough product, I started to detangle. This bar is not for you if you do not detangle before showering, and you rely heavily on conditioner to loosen knots.
I detangled my hair before I showered, which made the whole process much easier. I used less conditioner than usual, but my hair remained hydrated. I attribute this to the coconut oil and shea butter ingredients in the bar.
The Unexpected
To ensure proper airflow, I placed the bars in mesh bags for beauty bars. But I also tried to dry the bars and then store them in their original perforated boxes. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they dried without leaving any residue.
After using the bar shampoo, I noticed my hair was softer and had a lighter level of moisture. This did not weigh down my curly hair. The shampoo bar’s low lather and sulfate-free formula helped preserve the natural moisture in my hair while also cleaning my scalp thoroughly. This environmentally friendly shampoo bar actually worked better for my hair.
Although I’m not sure I could completely give up my favorite conditioner, co-washing the bar with it will help me save money and reduce how much I use it. It’s not necessary to shampoo your curly hair every time you get in the shower. In fact, this can strip hair strands of their natural oils and make them more susceptible to breakage. I’ve added more co-washes to my routine as a lightweight hydration for my curls.
The verdict: Try shampoo and conditioner bars if you want to save money and achieve a completely clean result with balanced hydration.
It was also a big difference to start while I lived in Boston. Everyone is so excited about handmade! Boston magazines always share local items, which helped me to let people know that I was in the area and part of the community. After establishing myself in Boston, I knew I would be fine moving back to my little slice of heaven in northwestern Connecticut. My shop is still associated with New England because I travel there to attend markets. But I am so happy that technology allows me to live wherever I want.
As a small company, you must realize that there is a delicate balance between being an online shop and selling to the public in person. Indie craft markets are a lot to do, but they’re so rewarding. I love to see strangers react to my work. **
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who make handcrafted beauty products?
I believe that handcraft artists need to be hungry for knowledge, regardless of their medium. I read a lot of soap-making and business articles, Etsy forums, and forums on Etsy. Today, starting a business is not as expensive as it used to be. You need to have the guts to do so online. When it comes to skincare, makeup, and soap makers, you need to be unique and pay attention to ingredients and quality. It’s important to be knowledgeable and skilled in your craft, as these products will be applied to someone’s face.
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