Why make the switch?
Swapping to a natural solid shampoo bar is an easy sustainable change to make. Most of them - and all the ones we sell - come in recycled packaging, usually cardboard. So in one easy move you can ditch the plastic shampoo bottles cluttering up your shower.
Shampoo bars are also good news for the hair. They usually contain less chemicals and use more natural ingredients to cleanse. Our range of solid shampoos use only plant-based natural ingredients, which rejuvinate the hair over time and reduce irritation of the scalp.
In contrast, most liquid shampoos and High St brands contain artificial detergents as well as silicone and plastics, which are used to create the illusion of shiny hair. However, these coat the hair and can cause damage over time.
None of the shampoos at Dancing Barefoot contain any plastic - inside or out! Finally, shampoo bars are a solid, concentrated form of shampoo, therefore they tend to last longer than a bottle of shampoo. And unlike liquid shampoos, which are at least 80% water, bars don't contain any water, making them a better environmental choice all round.
How to use a Shampoo Bar
There are two main ways of using solid shampoos. Different brands recommend different ways to apply their products, depending on the concentration, so it's always best to check.
Either: Wet your hands and lather up the bar and then apply the lather to your hair
Or: Apply the shampoo directly by rubbing it on the hair and then lather it up.
Alternatively, you might prefer Shampoo Cubes. These are are small solid individual shampoo bar portions and 1 cube = 1 wash.
After use, be sure to keep your shampoo bar on a soap dish or slated soap rack where it can dry off between use.
However, most brands agree that first time users of solid, natural shampoos will undergo a "transition period" as hair is stripped of the chemicals from liquid products. During this time hair may appear lank and waxy. But don't give up, there are ways to get through this period.
Shampoo cubes make it easy:
one cube per one wash.
What is the "Transition Period"?
Initially, when you make the switch to natural shampoo your hair will probably not feel or look great. Which is massively disappointing, right? But this is totally normally and there are good reasons for it.
It might feel oily or greasy. This is because your body is used to producing lots of natural oils to compensate for the goodness that was stripped out of your hair by the artificial detergents and plastics in liquid shampoos.
It may feel waxy or sticky. This is due to the residues of the chemicals in your hair left behind by the liquid shampoos.
These effects usually last for at least a couple of weeks as your hair adjusts to the natural product, however everyone's hair is different. The main thing is, don't give up! When you get through this phase the results are worth it. And there are things you can do to make the "transition period" easier.
Ways to get your hair through the "Transition Period"
We've got some natural tips and tricks to help get you and your hair through this tricky time.
Use a Baking Soda pre-rinse to avoid the waxy/sticky feeling. To make the pre-wash, mix together...
1 tbsp of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1 litre of warm water
To use...
Dissolve the bicarbonate in the litre of warm water using a bottle or a large jar.
Pour the solution on to wet hair, massage well but DO NOT rinse off before directly applying the shampoo.
This rinse is especially good if you live in a hard water area. Hard water can prolong the effects of the "transition period".
Use an Apple Cider Vinegar/Vinegar rinse as a conditioner. It restores your scalp's PH balance and helps banish those artificial chemicals. To make the rinse, mix together...
1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar/white vinegar or 1 tsp of citric acid with 500ml of water in a spray bottle. (If you're using vinegar, don't worry, the smell will fade once your hair is dry!)
After washing your hair, spray the solution on the roots and lengths.
Keep the rinse on the hair for 1-2 minutes before rinsing off well.
This rinse can be used regularly to naturally encourage shiny and soft hair.
Don't give up!
What with transition periods and homemade hair rinses, it might seem like just too much of a faff. But seriously, switching to a natural solid shampoo bar or cube is worth it in the long run. And the first shampoo bar you try might not be the best one for your hair. But then that's no different to liquid shampoos. Our bathroom used to be full of half-used bottles of shampoo, that after a few washes had obviously not suited my hair. Everyone's hair is unique and getting the right shampoo bar for you may take a few goes.
We've got many different types of natural shampoos and conditioners for you to choose at our online store. Our selection includes shampoos for different hair types and colours as well as 2-in-1 Shampoo Conditioners and intensive conditioning treatments. Once you get through that initial transition phase and find the right bar you will definitely notice a difference. Your hair will feel cleaner, softer and shinier. And your heart will be a little bit lighter knowing that you've cut down on a whole load of plastic too.
