Are Shampoo Bars Worth the Hype? We Put One to the Test

When it comes to protecting our environment, I truly believe that a million small acts can make one huge difference. I’m that girl who converted to vegetarianism due to her love of animals and the one that will probably yell at you for littering. So as a full-time beauty editor, I find it disheartening to see how much plastic gets wasted in the packaging of different products. That’s why when I do come across a product that aims to counteract the waste, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement and curiosity. Most recently, shampoo bars have caught my attention. This buzzy hair-care product has been popping up on the heels of the resurgence of cleansing bars, which have made a comeback thanks to their sustainable, plastic-free packaging. But while cleansing bars seem self-explanatory, shampoo bars are weirdly still a confusing concept. Still, I knew I had to try one out for myself.  Read on for my full review. What is a shampoo bar?  For my first shampoo bar experience, I decided to go with the LUSH Honey I Washed My Hair. The brand has such a large selection of cute and colorful shampoo bars that the hardest part was probably deciding on which one to try first. I went with this LUSH bar because, tbh, I love the name, and to me, the honey-toffee scent was irresistible. Made with very minimal and natural ingredients, the honey-based shampoo bar claims to help moisturize and soften hair without weighing it down, which is exactly what I need for my sometimes oily strands. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that each bar from the brand is the equivalent of three medium-sized shampoo bottles and lasts for more than 80 washes. That is almost two times as much as your traditional shampoo — sans the use of extra plastic. 

So how do you use a shampoo bar?  There are two ways to use shampoo bars — you can either rub it between your hands until you work up a good lather and then use that soapy formula to scrub your scalp and hair, or you can directly apply the bar onto your head. I found it easier to massage the bar all over my head in circular motions. Immediately, I noticed that a little goes a long way. With traditional shampoo, I find that I have to use a lot of product to ensure that I’ve covered every inch of my scalp. This time, I was able to get an application that felt precise and evenly distributed with minimal effort and product. It was so easy to lather my entire head without fear of using too much or too little. If you’re looking for a deep, all-over cleanse, I recommend using it directly on the hair and massaging it through thoroughly. Are shampoo bars worth the hype? I think so! With a scalp that tends to get oily quickly, I found that this shampoo bar really gave me a deep cleanse without stripping my hair of its softness. Plus, my hair smelled great for days after the initial use. I’ll definitely be adding shampoo bars into my hair-care routine — both for their efficacy and the fact that it feels great knowing I’m doing my small part to help the environment one shampoo at a time.  Read More:  5 Mistakes People With Thick Hair Always Make Beach-Ready Hair Accessories You'll Actually Want to Wear 7 Hair Products That Are Really, Well, Makeup