Using a shampoo bar

Using a shampoo bar for the first time may feel a bit disconcerting; your hair will simply not have that reassuring, slimy sensation that we have become so accustomed to, being raised on commercial products.

The first time you use a shampoo bar you may get that  “Oh-no-maybe-I-should-use-the-regular-shampoo-and-conditioner-just-in-case!” sensation. Fear not.

For best results, you may need to get into new habits, particularly if you have long hair.  First, if you’re not already in the habit, brush your hair before washing. If your hair is long, start brushing a few inches from the bottom, then go back and begin brushing a few inches higher, and so on. Next, get your shampoo bar wet and use plenty of water when working up a lather. Rinse. For a natural and economical de-tangler, simply use cider vinegar (nothing fancy or expensive; the cheap stuff is perfect): one tablespoon to a cup of water. Pour through your hair, then rinse again. And no, you won’t smell like a salad!

Finally, you want to take special care in keeping your shampoo bar high and dry between uses, like all homemade bath products. Put a few polished stones in a fancy dish or abalone shell for this use. It’s simple, pretty, and a great use for those odd bowls or saucers that you love but couldn’t find a use for. Polished stones that come in those little mesh bags seem to be in every crafts store now, and in different colors and sizes.

I am in the midst of formulating a recipe for  a shampoo bar... it seems the one I have used for years has gone missing... I remember most of the ingredients, just not quite sure of the quantities... working on that! It's a favorite of mine... a wonderful Peppermint Rosemary Shampoo Bar made with an addition of avocado oil, which has a number of nutrients that can benefit the growth and the health of hair. It contains essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins A, D, E and B6, magnesium, copper, iron, amino acids, and folic acid, all of which is extremely essential for hair growth and nourishment. It is also a rich source of Lecithin which gives it good penetrative qualities. It is also known to have natural sunscreen properties that can protect the hair and scalp from the damage caused by the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun.


~~First, they sell us a product that strips our hair of the good oils, then sell us something else to simulate what their first product has taken out. That, I suspect, is how empires are built.~~