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How to Use a Solid Shampoo Soap Bar

How to Use a Solid Shampoo Soap Bar

Are you ready to start using an all natural Solid Shampoo Soap Bar? 

Solid soap shampoo is a wonderful green alternative to plastic packaged, SLS and chemical laden standard shampoos.  They are filled with nourishing organic oils like jojoba, shea butter, castor and sweet almond oil.  The shampoo soap bar is detergent free, preservative free and free from artificial colors and fragrances. By using a solid shampoo, you will also protect our environment from plastic waste.

  • Shampoo bars will work best if you have soft water - Shampoo bars may hold the minerals in hard water to your hair shaft resulting in heavy deposits.
  • Biodegradable and green - A great choice for camping when using in natural water sources or as a lightweight travel soap.
  • Great for curly hair - Leaves curls soft and manageable
  • Lather, Lather, Lather -  Lathering the soap well is a critical step to making sure all of the soaps oils rinse cleanly from the hair.  So suds it up and make sure it gets nice and bubbly before rinsing it away.
  • Use an herbal vinegar rinse or citric acid rinse periodically -  Using a vinegar rinse helps to remove build-up on the hair shaft and close the hair cuticle.  Depending on your oily/dryness level you will need to adjust how often you use the rinse.

Transition period

Using an all natural product you will have a uniquely personal experience.  I have customers who have the best hair of their life with my shampoo bars and others who have not been able to get it to work for them.  This is all ok and normal!  We are unique beings with individual chemistry.  It may take time to find what works best for you.

It’s very important to notice that when you start using a soap based shampoo bar there might be a transition period depending on your hair type, the condition of your hair and how much residues and build up there is from previous products. During the transition your hair can feel oily, waxy or sticky, your scalp may also feel different. Remember, this WAXY feeling is temporary!!

Depending on your current hair care routine you may not experience a transition period at all, while others can take longer to adjust to a soap based product. 

Experimenting to find your ideal routine is necessary.  Once you are able to successfully use a shampoo bar I doubt you’d want to ever switch back to the oil-stripping chemical versions.  I have been using a shampoo bar for the last 5 years and I love it.  I wash my hair much less frequently and it feels healthier and more manageable.

Hard Water

Hard water contains minerals (calcium and magnesium) which will reduce the cleansing ability of soap and can cause a sticky or waxy feeling on your hair. If you have hard water, it’s better to use a water softener in your shower. If this is not an option you can create your own "soft water rinse" with baking soda.  Use 1tbsp per cup of water. Applying this prior to shampooing helps prevents the minerals from depositing on your hair shaft.

You can follow these instructions to speed up the transition period and get rid of the waxy/sticky effect:

  • Lather very hair carefully, including hair strands, hair roots and especially tips. Always do a quick rinse in the middle of shampooing. Remember to use warm water with soap based products.
  • Rinse hair thoroughly with warm water.
  • Towel dry gently.
  • Use a homemade ACV rinse. Using an acidic hair rinse will remove the soap residue, and make your hair shiny and easy to comb. If you have a lot of waxiness in your hair, use a stronger solution of the rinse. 
  • Try rinsing with baking soda before washing the hair: 1tbs of baking soda and 250 ml of water. After that shampoo as usual.
  • One trick is to lather the hair with a sponge, which makes it easier to apply thoroughly.

Final Thoughts

One of the best things you can do for your hair and scalp is to practice dry brushing or using a gua sha tool like the ones I have here.  This will increase circulation and promote healthy sebum production for the happiest, healthiest hair and scalp of your life.  Ideally you would do this several times a week before jumping in the shower. Follow with the "Lush"  Hair tonic for superior scalp health and hair growth!

Listen to your body's rhythms it is innately intelligent and will communicate what it needs.  You may need to shampoo more or less frequently depending on your own chemistry.

Skip the heat and air dry hair when possible.  Committing to a natural shampoo means using natural products for styling. This hair oil is ideal for nourishing and taming locks.  Using synthetic stylers may prolong the waxy feels.

As always, my products are made with organic, fair-trade and wildcrafted ingredients.  Nothing but the best for our bodies and our planet!

Enjoy this journey of connecting to your body and it's nuances.  Enjoy your road to a healthier, more sustainable life!!

Aug 12, 2020

Thank you so much for the helpful tips…. the water in my apt here in San Diego is so hard that a filter doesn’t last long. Adding baking soda has changed my life and saved me money!

Jamie Kromm
Jul 13, 2020

Hi Rhiannon,

I like to use the following ratios for both vinegar or baking soda:

1 Tbs. per cup of water

Hope this helps!!

Apryl
Jul 11, 2020

Recipe for herbal vinegar rinse or citric acid rinse?

Rhiannon

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