How to Use Shampoo Bars

Over the past several months I have noticed how my Shampoo Bar Epiphany post is one of my most consistently read posts.  But I’ve been feeling a little guilty lately because it isn’t the most up-to-date with my current shampoo bar routine nor does it really discuss all of the trials, tribulations, epic fails and light-bulb-coming-on-ah-ha-moments of “genius”.  If you’re thinking about giving shampoo bars a try, but don’t know what to expect or where to start, this post is for you.  If you’ve been at war with your shampoo bars, are at your wits end, and are just about ready to throw in the towel, this post is for you.  If you’ve been using shampoo bars but your hair is, well… just meh, this post is for you.  Everything i could possibly think about to help make shampoo bars a success with just about any kind of hair is in this post.  Without any further adieu!

Seabuckthorn Samples Review

A few months ago Nicole from EcoChicBeautyDiva hosted a giveaway for Seabuckthorn and I was lucky enough to win a huge sample set from the Seabuckthorn company.  I gave my first impressions in a post when they first arrived.  Now that I have had some time to give the products a good trial I though I’d share my thoughts.  My boyfriend has been helpful in giving some of these products a try too, so I have both of our experiences to share.

September Favourites

I haven’t done a monthly post like this yet, but I thought it’d be fun to start.  I’ve broken it down into categories and picked my favourite from each one.

Skin Care

I was completely blown away by Pai Organic’s Camellia and Rose creamy cleanser (review).  I didn’t know that a cleanser could completely clean my skin, remove all of my make up and not leave my skin feeling tight and dry.  It took only a week for my skin to adjust to this cleanser and the adjustment period only left me with one small zit.  Since that time things have been back to my normal, clear skin.  Will I repurchase? I already have.

Body

This month I kept reaching for my Hugo Naturals All Over Lotion (review) in Grapefruit and Shea Butter & Oatmeal.  The company has great standards, the lotion kept my skin moisturized and they smell so good!  These two are my favourite scents, but with such a wide range of scents to choose from there’s a scent to suit everyone.  And with an EWG rating of 1? Can’t get much better than that. Will I repurchase? Absolutely.

Hair Care

After a conversation with someone in the comments section on my blog I was intrigued enough to try the sample of the Extra Honey and Beer shampoo bar (review) by Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve and I am very happy that I did.  It has turned my hair around and has given me the silky soft hair I was used to while using conventional hair care products laden with sulphates and silicones.  The shine this bar has given my hair is incredible and it rinses so cleanly that I have been able to go for several days without shampooing without the slightest hint of greasy hair.  The scent is so subtle it’s virtually non-existent so that leaves tons of room for my conditioner and hair oils to take over.  Will I repurchase?  I already have repurchased it in the full size.

Makeup

Cheeky Cosmetics is a Canadian mineral makeup company that caught my eye with their vibrant on-trend eyeshadows that are highly pigmented and blend so well together.  This great pigmentation and long lasting staying power with minimal fall-out makes these shadows top the list of my favourite makeup for September.  This past month I was reaching for Frost, Hottie, Sugar Plum and Sultry to blend together a nice, feminine, summer look.  For a full review and swatches click here.  Will I repurchase?  Yes, and I already have purchased a few of my samples in the full size.  With so many shades to choose from it’s so much fun to mix and match and so hard to choose which ones I think I’d use the most!

My Hair Care Routine

It has been a bit of a journey, but I think I’ve finally found a good balance of hair care products that work well for my hair and have honestly given me the best hair I’ve had in my adult life.  I never thought I’d say this, but my hair feels softer, healthier and looks more smooth and has better shine than it ever did with conventional products or even the expensive salon-grade products.  Even though I have dyed my hair repeatedly for years, and have gone from very light blonde to very dark brown and back again several times, my hair now air-dries without any frizz.  I definitely couldn’t boast about that with my salon brands.

The transition from salon to natural products wasn’t pretty.  I nearly quit to go back to salon products so many times I can’t even count.  But now that I’m on the flip side (nearly two months later) I can honestly say I’d never go back.  I no longer expect my shampoo to lather like crazy, and understand that my hair can be just as clean without the stripping sulfate ingredients.  Like I’ve said, my hair has never been healthier.  Why would I go back?

Chagrin Valley Extra Honey & Beer Shampoo Bar

Surprise! Another shampoo bar review! I am using the Lavender Spice shampoo bar (review) faithfully, but I really wanted to find something that I could use without having to worry about conditioner.  I was talking with someone else who is trying out Chagrin Valley bars and she said that the honey, beer and egg one worked well for her fine, long hair which is exactly what I have.  I don’t mind using honey, or beer, but the idea of undeveloped animals on my head turns my stomach.  So I opted to try the Extra Honey Beer shampoo bar instead.

Chagrin Valley Butter Bar Conditioner Review

I love the idea of shampoo bars for travelling because you aren’t carrying around the extra weight in water, plus you don’t have to worry about it leaking everywhere all over your bag.  I have yet to find something that will work as a solid conditioner.  Coconut oil on it’s own is far too heavy for me, and cocoa butter, shea butter and mango butter on their own leave my hair a solid, greasy mess.  When I saw this bar on the Chagrin Valley website I wanted to give it a try.

John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor Review

If you’ve read my previous post on reviewing the Rose Milk Hair Treatment by Lavera you’ll know that I’m a big advocate for hair masks.  There is so much out in the skin care industry to support proper skin care with masks, serums, creams, oils, scrubs, you name it but when it comes to hair products, most people stick to shampoos and conditioners.  You spend that time cleansing, protecting and moisturizing your skin, you owe it to your hair to do the same!

Although I do like the Lavera hair mask, I am always looking for new products to try.  Plus, it doesn’t hurt to do a hair treatment more than once a week, right?  So long as it doesn’t weigh your hair down too much, I suppose.  When I found a natural beauty store an easy five minute bicycle ride from my house I was thrilled, and then when I discovered it carried John Masters Organics….well, let’s just say it made me very happy.  I purchased the Citrus and Neroli Detangler (review) because it works so well for my hair and is worth the price, and the Honey and Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor.  

Chagrin Valley Coconut Milk Shampoo Bar

Haha, you thought I was done reviewing shampoo bars!  On my most recent order for various full sizes and new products from Chagrin Valley, http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com, I added a sample size of the coconut milk shampoo bar.  It was one of the few shampoo bars on their website that didn’t contain the babassu oil which seems to be the one ingredient that disagrees with my hair.  So, I gave it a go.

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Water, Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide (used in the saponification process, none actually remains in the bar), Organic Sustainable Palm Oil, Non-GMO Canola Oil.

If scents bother you, this is definitely the bar for you.  It has very little scent on it’s own and really doesn’t have one either when it’s warmed up in the shower.  For me this is the only ‘con’ for this bar.  It did a great job controlling my frizz in the hot, humid weather and makes my hair feel silky soft.  I think this bar makes my hair feel the softest, actually.  It also has a high gloss shine with this bar.  The coconut milk bar works so well for my fine, long hair, but for my boyfriend’s thick, curly hair it definitely was a little light on hydration: his hair was a bit frizzy at the ends which only seems to happen for him in bars that don’t have babassu oil.  I will definitely be purchasing this one in the full size.

Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bar Review – Citrus Mint and Soapnuts, and Babassu Marshmallow

This is a combination review of my final two samples from Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve (www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com).  Up first: Citrus Mint & Soapntus.

Chagrin Valley Summer Sunshine Shampoo Bar Review

One more shampoo bar up for review by Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve (www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com).  This time I’ll be reviewing their Summer Sunshine shampoo bar.