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Ditch plastic bottles in favour of these nourishing bars that pack a punch
When so many bathroom products are housed in plastic packaging – from roll-on deodorants to face wash and even toilet paper – shampoo bars mean fewer plastic bottles being thrown in the recycling (hurrah!).
Having said that, those of us in the bottled shampoo camp may be wary of shampoo that could (at a glance) be mistaken for a bar of soap – but we don’t need to be sceptical. These formulas can pack a seriously nourishing punch, often without some of the harsher ingredients you might find in their bottled counterparts.
Whether you’re looking for mostly natural ingredients or trying to avoid sulphates and silicones, which can be drying over time, there’s no shortage of formulas that will work with your hair type – from curly and coily hair to colour-treated and bleached, oily, balanced or dry.
It goes without saying these bars are super concentrated, so, while they may be more of an investment in the first instance, they’re often billed as lasting longer than bottled shampoos – which are largely made up of water – so you can hope to get more washes for your buck too.
To get the best from your bars, remember they’re activated by water, so keep them dry in between uses, if you can, lest they turn into a mushy mess – we found washing away any remaining suds before leaving them to dry out worked best. If you can store them somewhere with proper drainage (such as a riveted soap tray), even better.
While putting these shampoo bars through their paces, our testers considered the different formulations, with attention paid to the ingredients used and whether the formulas were sulphate and silicone-free, which, while not something everyone looks for, can be beneficial for your hair.
We looked at how easy the bars were to lather into a foam, and how easy this was to spread through hair and rinse away. Their scent (or lack of) and whether they were vegan and cruelty-free were also noted. If they showed any sign of cracking or crumbling after use, rest assured, they didn’t make the cut.
Eco Warrior’s deeply nourishing shampoo bar is our favourite for its ultra-creamy lather, high percentage of naturally derived ingredients and nourishing formula that left our tester’s hair feeling healthy, smooth and refreshed. Bonus points were awarded for ticking the sulphate- and silicone-free box, while still delivering a satisfying cleanse. We can’t knock it for its size or price either.
The Only Curls curl cleansing shampoo bar delivers a sulphate-free hit of hydration and shine for curly hair, meanwhile the Okiki Skincare’s olive oil and neem shampoo bar is easy to foam and delivers long-lasting moisture to afro hair.
We also really like Davines’s Dede shampoo bar for its velvety smooth lather and silky results, and we loved the Ethique’s St Clements clarifying solid shampoo bar for its zesty scent and thorough cleanse.
We’ve also found the best leave-in conditioners for taming flyaways and frizz