A growing number of women are interested in making or buying a shampoo bar and using it to clean their hair. These bars are simply a solid block of shampoo that you can scrub on your head like hand soap. They have a variety of benefits and disadvantages.



The Pros and Cons
Using a shampoo bar won't leave your hair feeling stripped the way you might experience with liquid shampoos. They also lack most of the additives that are common in liquid cleansers. As a result, your hair won't dry out. Beyond that, they are easy to store and to take with you on trips.

However, there are some drawbacks. First of all, their consistency can make them rather scummy if you have hard water. A water softener is a must when using these bars. Some bars can cause issues with long, thick, or curly hair by creating tangles and frizz.

How to Use This Shampoo
Simply rub your shampoo bar against your wet hair to start creating suds. As you rub, the shampoo will spread along your hair. Use the bar to massage your scalp and to create a consistent foam. Work it along the length of your hair and scrub to manage split ends and other problems.

When you're done, rinse off the bar, store it in a soap container in your shower, and rinse the shampoo out of your hair. You can also repeat the process. Remember that these bars lack the kind of harsh chemicals common in other shampoos, making them a little healthier to use.



Buying Shampoo Bars
There are many different bars you can buy. One popular suggestion is from Lush. This shampoo is advertised as lasting as long as 80 washes and including multiple essential oils and ingredients to provide your hair with a healthy sheen.

You Can Make a Shampoo Bar
Many people choose to make bars by mixing various items together. One popular recipe includes mixing 10 ounces of coconut oil, palm oil, and olive oil. These oils combine with six ounces of castor oil, five ounces of lye, 12 ounces of distilled water, and 1.5 ounces of essential oils to create a pleasant odor.

Start this process by adding the lye to your water and mixing it in a heat-safe bowl. After it has cooled down, pour the 10-ounce serving of your combined oils into a separate pot. Warm them up to about 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit on a stove and then add the water and lye mixture to the oil.