i'm pretty new here and trying to figure out what routine will work best for me. i've been doing CO cos i've had really dry hair and a lot of hair loss due to hormone/thryoid/ autoimmune issues, but the ingredients in a lot of the cream rinses concerns me so i'm beginning to consider shampoo bars. the ingredients seem simpler less toxic, more natural than what's in most cream rinses.

i'm wondering-- why did others decide to go with shampoo bars?

bgarrison, I decided to give shampoo bars a try mainly because I saw so many good reviews over at the old LHC (there was a massive thread). When I first joined I was a sulfate and cone user, mainly just out of habit, and never realized that my hair doesn't really like those ingredients. I then experimented with shampoo only because I learned that conditioners cause shedding for me. Since the shampoo only route was pretty effective, though a bit drying for long term, I figured that shampoo bars would be a good solution. I was looking for something completely natural but also cost effective (college student budget!) and easy to use. I absolutely fell in love with the bars instantly and they have really helped my hair become healthier and more manageable.

I had been doing "no poo" or any other products except for one slip up since May 26th. This past weekend, I went out of town and my hair became atrocious looking. It was a greasy and stringy. I have a bar of Lemon Verbena soap from Trader joe's and used it on my hair this morning. I used a vinegar and lemon e/o rinse and my hair is soooooooooo soft and fluffy!!! I love it and don't even know the actual ingredients in the Lemon verbena soap. Guess I will have to go back and buy some more!!!

bgarrison, I think alot of us here are wary of sulfates, since they are known to be rather dangerous to health. That, and they really strip your hair of natural oils. I for one didn't want to keep using them regularly. Still, you can find liquid shampoos without sulfates but typically that means they are also very expensive. I'm not a long hair yet but I've got thick hair so using a ton of expenisive shampoo is not an option!

Like SweetPea88, I'm on a college budget, trying to be healthy and have gorgeous hair along the way :)

I read that some of you have used CV regular bars as a shampoo bar with good results. But I couldent find out wich you used. Which ones is the best to use as a shampoo bar?

HappyKarin, I´m afraid you´ll have to find out for yourself which bars your hair likes. Some bars mentioned were Cucumber Lime Yogurt, Lemon Lavender, Rhassoul Yogurt, Grapeseed Shea, Shea Rose Clay. And more, I´m sure, only I can´t remember them all. :)

Just a quick note to let everyone know that now seems a good time to place an order at Chagrin Valley. Most shampoo bars are in stock - Ida seems to have caught up with things.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that now seems a good time to place an order at Chagrin Valley. Most shampoo bars are in stock - Ida seems to have caught up with things.

Thank you, Calista. :flower:

A quick update on my shampoo ventures...

I live in NYC, where we have relatively soft water. I've been in Boston the past few days. Boston has relatively hard water. My hair hates hard water. :demon:

The first day, I followed my usual shampoo bar/vinegar rinse routine. The length looked great, but my crown was a mass of uncontrollable, hideous "barbed-wire" hair. I felt quite unattractive.

The next day, I shampooed and conditioned with a bottled shampoo and conditioner and got similar results.

Day 3, I followed my usual shampoo/vinegar rinse routine. This time, I did not apply any of the vinegar rinse to my crown. The results were much better. My crown was smoother. Having said that, it looks nowhere as good as it does when I'm in NY.

I followed the Day 3 routine this morning. My hair is still wet, so I don't know how it turned out, yet.

My point is that there really is a difference between hard and soft water when it comes to shampoo bars. If I lived here, I'd have to get a filter or something in order to continue using my shampoo bars.

i'm pretty new here and trying to figure out what routine will work best for me. i've been doing CO cos i've had really dry hair and a lot of hair loss due to hormone/thryoid/ autoimmune issues, but the ingredients in a lot of the cream rinses concerns me so i'm beginning to consider shampoo bars. the ingredients seem simpler less toxic, more natural than what's in most cream rinses.

i'm wondering-- why did others decide to go with shampoo bars?

I'd been avoiding shampoo with sulphates first, and then also parabens which was narrowing the field quite a bit. I also dislike strong artificial scents, making even less for me to choose from! (Desert Solutions I'm looking at you! Woof!) When I read about the shampoo bars in the thread on the old forum, they sounded like the perfect solution, plus I'd be supporting small, non-corporate businesses too! Yay! I'd have loved to have found a local bar even more, but sadly the only ones I could find did not play well with my hair when I lived in Oregon. I stocked up on CV bars while I could still get cheaper shipping and not deal with customs but I do hope I can find a Canadian bar that my hair likes just as much when I run out!

Thank you, Calista. :flower:

A quick update on my shampoo ventures...

I live in NYC, where we have relatively soft water. I've been in Boston the past few days. Boston has relatively hard water. My hair hates hard water. :demon:

The first day, I followed my usual shampoo bar/vinegar rinse routine. The length looked great, but my crown was a mass of uncontrollable, hideous "barbed-wire" hair. I felt quite unattractive.

The next day, I shampooed and conditioned with a bottled shampoo and conditioner and got similar results.

Day 3, I followed my usual shampoo/vinegar rinse routine. This time, I did not apply any of the vinegar rinse to my crown. The results were much better. My crown was smoother. Having said that, it looks nowhere as good as it does when I'm in NY.

I followed the Day 3 routine this morning. My hair is still wet, so I don't know how it turned out, yet.

My point is that there really is a difference between hard and soft water when it comes to shampoo bars. If I lived here, I'd have to get a filter or something in order to continue using my shampoo bars.
this is good to know-- thanks for saying this. i live north of boston and i keep telling people my hair is so much nicer when i travel, but they think i'm nuts. i have a water filter on my shower head, but i don't think it makes the water softer, just removes chlorine etc? not sure , i need to check.

isn't there something i can add to my rinse water to make it "soft"?

i just ordered some shampoo bars from plh, because i wanted to try to coco free one. (i'm *very* excited, lol!)

thanks to all who answered my questions. seems like i'm on the same page. chromis, i too am trying to avoid parabens and phthalates (artificial scents are often phthalates i've read) and adore supporting small business, so health wise and ethics wise, poo bars seem like the perfect choice. I just hope my hair likes them!!

I just posted in the swap thread; some CV shampoo and soap sample bars that I would like to swap. I hope to get some others to try. Thanks!

this is good to know-- thanks for saying this. i live north of boston and i keep telling people my hair is so much nicer when i travel, but they think i'm nuts. i have a water filter on my shower head, but i don't think it makes the water softer, just removes chlorine etc? not sure , i need to check.

isn't there something i can add to my rinse water to make it "soft"?

i just ordered some shampoo bars from plh, because i wanted to try to coco free one. (i'm *very* excited, lol!)

thanks to all who answered my questions. seems like i'm on the same page. chromis, i too am trying to avoid parabens and phthalates (artificial scents are often phthalates i've read) and adore supporting small business, so health wise and ethics wise, poo bars seem like the perfect choice. I just hope my hair likes them!!

Technically, you COULD rinse your hair with distilled water; but I imagine that would get expensive and wasteful of all those plastic bottles... Most people use a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse, and I used to before I switched to diluted lime juice (at Islandgrrl's prompting) and I like it better. Just for smell pleasantness reasons. If you dont like strong smells you definately won't like rinsing your head with vinegar.

ETA: I've been trying all the soap bars out and so far they moisturize about the same; none as much as the babassu marsh mallow (yet) and none as little as summer sunshine. Except lemon lavender; my hair was FURIOUS at me after that one. It's like it got angrier and angrier as the day went on..

In continuing my quest to find what my "real" hair likes (as opposed to the blow dried/fried and dyed hair I usually wear), I ordered 3 CV bars (chamomile, nettle and herb garden).

Thanks to everyone for posting your reviews - it really helps newbies like me.

Oh yes, Olive & Babassu is a god among poo bars. I am in lurve. We are BFFs.

I had to housesit for my parents Thursday - Saturday. While there I tried to do a molasses soak to darken my hair (yeesh, didn't work, left my hair ratty and crunchy to boot). I was having no luck COing with mom's Kirkland (Costco) condish (CONES) so I went to the store. I ended up buying Garnier Fructis for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. Figured it was worth a shot, when else do I buy shampoo? Well, that kind of fixed the molasses problem, but my hair was kind of "meh" so I bunned it most of the time.

Finally, come Sunday and I'm home with my present from Ida (I love how my mailbox smells with this stuff in it!) I left my hair alone until last night (since I washed it like 4 times in 3 days).

Lathered up last night.....heaven. Thick, glorious, dense, luxurious lather. It's like comparing whipped cream to non-fat foam on your coffee. Olive & Babassu is the whipped cream of CV bars.

Did a vinegar rinse, followed by a squirt of condish in a bowl dumped over and rinsed. My hair felt insanely different while soaking wet.

Followed with my standard squirt of Giovanni Direct Leave in and only 4 (as opposed to my usual 8.) drops of coconut oil.

All dry this morning and I'm greeted by the softest, silkiest, shiniest, and waviest hair I've seen in months.

I want to elope with Olive & Babassu and have it's babies.

That is all.

Lathered up last night.....heaven. Thick, glorious, dense, luxurious lather. It's like comparing whipped cream to non-fat foam on your coffee. Olive & Babassu is the whipped cream of CV bars.
Manderly, I hope you don´t mind, but I sent this quote to Ida, because I thought it was just too, too cool! And so true - Olive Babassu is da bomb! When I first tried it I thought it was awful, and now I´m in love, just like you.

Maybe you could spare one of the soap babies for me? ;)

Manderly, I hope you don´t mind, but I sent this quote to Ida, because I thought it was just too, too cool! And so true - Olive Babassu is da bomb! When I first tried it I thought it was awful, and now I´m in love, just like you.

Maybe you could spare one of the soap babies for me? ;)

That's so awesome that you did that! It was a really awesome quote. :D

I am personally loving the Extra Honey Beer and Egg bar at the moment. Anyone else feel the same?

Ok, so, now Olive & Babassu & Extra Honey, Beer & Egg go on my list. This is sheer torture-it's almost as bad when too many things work as if nothing worked... or something like that, anyway :confused: ... I really want to try the regular soap Honey Butter, so will wait until that is available to order anything else. But I used the Carrot, Milk & Honey today followed by ACV rinse, and a teeny bit of Kinky Curly Knot Today followed by Kinky Curly Curling Custard (love how natural KC products are), and I have terrific hair (even though it's thunderstorming!). I "think" the Babassu Marshmallow is more moisturizing and I love it, but this and the Rosemary Mint work almost equally as well. If this keeps up, I may never buy full bars-just rotate samples. I am hesitant to try the ones that people say are more drying, or are touted for oily hair, but I've had such great luck thus far I want to order, and order, and order...Oh-I've seen a great improvement in my scalp as well-not that it was bad, but since I started using henna, I've had some itchies and occasional bumps right after I apply & it lasts awhile. The itch stopped immediately :smile: ... good thing they're inexpensive, relatively speaking.

Does anyone think it's damaging to do the ACV rinse after every shampoo? I have been shampooing everyday, sometimes every other, since that's what my hair likes. These rinses are new to me, too, and I can't get over how great a substitute this is for heavy, slimy conditioners!

I want to elope with Olive & Babassu and have it's babies.
manderly, you made me smile. See? :D

Oh yes, Olive & Babassu is a god among poo bars. I am in lurve. We are BFFs.

I want to elope with Olive & Babassu and have it's babies.

That is all.

Is it strange that quotes like this make me reallyyy want to try it? :p

Do the Chagrin Valley shampoo bars remove cones? I am a cone user (my hair loves 'em) but this shampoo bar concept is interesting to me. Hmmm!

Okay Manderly that does it, next was I'm breaking out that sample! I've been a bit leary of it since I'd heard it was very hit or miss, but dang if I wouldn't love me some soap babies! This water is so hard I can barely get soap eggs much less any hatchlings!*

* This comment brought to you by the letter "!"

Do the Chagrin Valley shampoo bars remove cones? I am a cone user (my hair loves 'em) but this shampoo bar concept is interesting to me. Hmmm!

No, the shampoo bars will not remove cones. If you decide to give them I try I would recommend using a clarifying shampoo first (I like VO5 Mint Tea Therapy) or do a baking soda wash, making sure to clean all of your hair very well. Then you can just rinse and follow up with a shampoo bar!

Manderly, I hope you don´t mind, but I sent this quote to Ida, because I thought it was just too, too cool! And so true - Olive Babassu is da bomb! When I first tried it I thought it was awful, and now I´m in love, just like you.

Maybe you could spare one of the soap babies for me? ;)

No I don't mind at all :D Thank you! I'll save one of our love-children for you :cheese:

That's so awesome that you did that! It was a really awesome quote. :D

I am personally loving the Extra Honey Beer and Egg bar at the moment. Anyone else feel the same?

I've got me a bar of that bad boy too. That one was my favorite earlier on. It makes my hair more fluffy though, so I use it once and a while, rotating between my bars (Olive & Babassu, Rosemary Lavendar Aloe, and Extra Honey and Beer)

Ok, so, now Olive & Babassu & Extra Honey, Beer & Egg go on my list. This is sheer torture-it's almost as bad when too many things work as if nothing worked... or something like that, anyway :confused: ... I really want to try the regular soap Honey Butter, so will wait until that is available to order anything else. But I used the Carrot, Milk & Honey today followed by ACV rinse, and a teeny bit of Kinky Curly Knot Today followed by Kinky Curly Curling Custard (love how natural KC products are), and I have terrific hair (even though it's thunderstorming!). I "think" the Babassu Marshmallow is more moisturizing and I love it, but this and the Rosemary Mint work almost equally as well. If this keeps up, I may never buy full bars-just rotate samples. I am hesitant to try the ones that people say are more drying, or are touted for oily hair, but I've had such great luck thus far I want to order, and order, and order...Oh-I've seen a great improvement in my scalp as well-not that it was bad, but since I started using henna, I've had some itchies and occasional bumps right after I apply & it lasts awhile. The itch stopped immediately :smile: ... good thing they're inexpensive, relatively speaking.

Does anyone think it's damaging to do the ACV rinse after every shampoo? I have been shampooing everyday, sometimes every other, since that's what my hair likes. These rinses are new to me, too, and I can't get over how great a substitute this is for heavy, slimy conditioners!

I had no love for the Summer Sunshine, Herb Garden, or those other lighter more popular bars. I've managed to narrow down to my 3 faves (listed above). I cut the bars into 1/2 or 1/3 and rotate them occasionally, though I use certain bars more than others (I have 3 O&B, 1 Extra Honey & Beer, 1 Rosemary Aloe (I used to have 3 of these))

I use a white vinegar rinse after every poo, about ever other day or so. I like to squirt some of my suave coconut into the rinse, makes my hair sooooo silky.

manderly, you made me smile. See? :D

You've fallen prey to my master plan :eyebrows:

Is it strange that quotes like this make me reallyyy want to try it? :p

Probably. When people are enraptured with a product we get delusional and post insane quotes on the internet proclaiming our love in the wee hours of the night.

Do the Chagrin Valley shampoo bars remove cones? I am a cone user (my hair loves 'em) but this shampoo bar concept is interesting to me. Hmmm!

Not very well, but I think they eventually do. That is why lots of people experience wonky hair in the beginning, ropy and gunky. It doesn't strip as well as SLS. I would recommend clarifying really well like SweetPea said prior to poo bars. This wont necessarily eliminate the wonkies though, you might just have to adjust.

Okay Manderly that does it, next was I'm breaking out that sample! I've been a bit leary of it since I'd heard it was very hit or miss, but dang if I wouldn't love me some soap babies! This water is so hard I can barely get soap eggs much less any hatchlings!*

* This comment brought to you by the letter "!"

I really hated the O&B bar when I first used it. I couldn't get the damn thing to break a lather at all. Left me with the wonkies. I washed my hair again with another bar after clarifying if I remember correctly. I think bars are hit and miss at different times. I would have never bought them unless I had tried out the sample bar again and had glorious results.

Manderly, I hope this isn't a rude thing to ask, but since you have a quantity of the O&B bars is there anyway I could buy a little slice of one from you? The two poo bars that I want to buy from CV aren't ready to ship until late August/early September so I would have to wait til then to order a sample of O&B. Just thought I'd ask, thanks either way!

Manderly, I hope this isn't a rude thing to ask, but since you have a quantity of the O&B bars is there anyway I could buy a little slice of one from you? The two poo bars that I want to buy from CV aren't ready to ship until late August/early September so I would have to wait til then to order a sample of O&B. Just thought I'd ask, thanks either way!

Oh really? I didn't know I wiped Ida out :oops:

Hehehe, sure, I can send you a normal sample size. PM me with your info.

Well, I can't send a pm yet, I think you have to be be a member for awhile before you are allowed. But if you email me at lutyalapo@gmail.com I'll send you my address and you can tell me how much you'd like for it.

And I didn't mean that O&B wasn't available but that the two full size bars that I *know* that I want aren't available for quite awhile; so I would have to make myself wait until then to get the sample too to make the shipping charge worth it, you know? Anyway, thank you so much!

Well, I can't send a pm yet, I think you have to be be a member for awhile before you are allowed. But if you email me at lutyalapo@gmail.com I'll send you my address and you can tell me how much you'd like for it.

And I didn't mean that O&B wasn't available but that the two full size bars that I *know* that I want aren't available for quite awhile; so I would have to make myself wait until then to get the sample too to make the shipping charge worth it, you know? Anyway, thank you so much!


Did you email Ida? I understand she will allow purchase of bars that are still curing if you *promise* not to use them until then.

Maybe you should email her first (since you know you want them anyways) and see if she can accomodate you so you can save on the shipping?

If that's a no go, let me know and I'll be happy to send you a slice.

My email is astrauser@hawaii.rr.com.

I'll try that, thanks!

Sapphire-O – it’s been a few days since you asked this but I’ve only just got my Serpentine bar, so I hope this is still relevant – it weighs 3oz. So it is weight for weight about a third more expensive than CV, but about half the price of H4H. The owner Kim is really nice and helpful.

I was thinking of trying the Serpentine bar while waiting for my CV bars to arrive, even though I have heard the serpentine bars are richer (even though they don’t contain butters – the label on my Vapor unscented bar says Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Jojoba Oil, Canola Oil). It seems like most people have success when starting with the more cleansing bars and working up in richness, but I want to get started! If it is terrible I might tuck it away and try it again in a few months. My CV bars may take another couple of weeks to arrive.

I’ve got a shower filter (Sprite Royale), which is supposed to soften the water, I really hope it works.

I’ve been using a cheap sulfate shampoo and cone free conditioner while waiting for the bars. Does anyone think it would be a good idea to do a Baking Soda rinse to prep my hair for the bars or is that only necessary to get rid of cones? I did a BS rinse after the Shea Shampoo fiasco a few weeks ago and since then just the shampoo and conditioner – which have left my hair rather tangly and dryish so I’m not keen to do anything harsh to my hair at the moment.

okay, so I used the babassu and marshmallow bar for about a week and liked it, but today I tried the extra honey, beer and egg and I think I like it even better! I think it makes my hair shinier than the B&M.

Sedonia, how does the honey beer and egg smell in comparison? Does it smell just like all the other soaps? I think I need the scent of the babassu marsh mallow.

I am seriously contemplating putting up all my more drying soaps on the swap board; Summer Sunshine, Chamomile Citrus, etc... I've *just* about given up on those. :rolleyes: I'd only want something heavier, though...

Sedonia, how does the honey beer and egg smell in comparison? Does it smell just like all the other soaps? I think I need the scent of the babassu marsh mallow.

I am seriously contemplating putting up all my more drying soaps on the swap board; Summer Sunshine, Chamomile Citrus, etc... I've *just* about given up on those. :rolleyes: I'd only want something heavier, though...

Ooh, can I butt in?? HB&E basically doesn't have a smell at all. It may have a VERY mild scent, but it's not particularly scented. I second the recommendation for it, though. I can't use it more than 2 or 3 times in a row, though.

I have a Summer Sunshine sample that I have not even USED (from my first order) because my hair has been WAY too dry lately to even contemplate putting that on my hair.

I don't know what the deal is, but the babassu and marshmallow actually felt dry when I used it the last few times. I'm already using a lot of the soap bars on my hair since those are more moisturizing, but the babassu and marshmallow had been one of my favorite shampoo ones. So I was worried that shampoo bars weren't working for me anymore and in desperation I tried the extra honey and beer again (even though my hair didn't like it much when I first used it because it made my hair feel coarse and dry), and omg my hair is now soft and smooth and shinier than ever! :disbelief

This is just mind-boggling, because something that was moisturizing now seems dry and something that was drying now works amazingly well. I haven't changed anything else in my routine either. So now I'm wondering what other bars that I might not have considered before could actually be great for my hair.....and I'm tempted to place yet another order for a bunch of samples again. ;)

I don't know what the deal is, but the babassu and marshmallow actually felt dry when I used it the last few times. I'm already using a lot of the soap bars on my hair since those are more moisturizing, but the babassu and marshmallow had been one of my favorite shampoo ones. So I was worried that shampoo bars weren't working for me anymore and in desperation I tried the extra honey and beer again (even though my hair didn't like it much when I first used it because it made my hair feel coarse and dry), and omg my hair is now soft and smooth and shinier than ever! :disbelief

This is just mind-boggling, because something that was moisturizing now seems dry and something that was drying now works amazingly well. I haven't changed anything else in my routine either. So now I'm wondering what other bars that I might not have considered before could actually be great for my hair.....and I'm tempted to place yet another order for a bunch of samples again. ;)avraea, perhaps the weather is a factor? My hair behaves differently in hot and/or humid weather. :flower:

Ooh, you're probably right! I didn't even think of that. This could be a good thing, since it means that I can possibly use more bars than I previously thought I could, depending on how my hair changes with the seasons.

This is of course an excuse for me to go place an order immediately. :lol:

Ooh, can I butt in?? HB&E basically doesn't have a smell at all. It may have a VERY mild scent, but it's not particularly scented.

Yes, that was my experience also.

No scent, huh? I'm a sucker for strong scents. I dont ever use perfume or anything so I like strong scented soaps.. Then again, that can be a good thing; I used to love the Aussie products because they worked well but the SMELL was overpowering and horrible.

I'm also not using any oils on my hair. Perhaps I'm going to need to keep using the "drying" shampoos and soaps for my scalp's sake and use some oils. I have been deathly scared of starting it, though, because I break out easy and these shampoo bars have absolutely eliminated the acne I used to get on my back from hair conditioners.

Oskimosa, maybe you could try the occasional deep oiling treatment, with your hair put up so you don't have as much skin contact?


I'd previously had CV samples of barbassu marshmallow and the honey, beer and egg, but both of those left my hair heavy and almost (but not quite) oily. I almost gave up, but last week went ahead and ordered the Herb Garden and Chamomile & Citrus.

I haven't tried the Herb Garden yet, but so far I love the Chamomile and Citrus. It has been sudsing wonderfully, with really thick lather, and my hair feels nice and clean, but not too dry. I think I'm in love!! :o

Ooh, you're probably right! I didn't even think of that. This could be a good thing, since it means that I can possibly use more bars than I previously thought I could, depending on how my hair changes with the seasons.

This is of course an excuse for me to go place an order immediately. :lol:
Hehe... avraea, it doesn't take much prompting to get me to order, either. Enjoy!

Oskimosa, maybe you could try the occasional deep oiling treatment, with your hair put up so you don't have as much skin contact?


I'd previously had CV samples of barbassu marshmallow and the honey, beer and egg, but both of those left my hair heavy and almost (but not quite) oily. I almost gave up, but last week went ahead and ordered the Herb Garden and Chamomile & Citrus.

I haven't tried the Herb Garden yet, but so far I love the Chamomile and Citrus. It has been sudsing wonderfully, with really thick lather, and my hair feels nice and clean, but not too dry. I think I'm in love!! :o

I'll have to at least TRY oiling my hair to see if it's worth the hassle. I might not ever have hair like some of the silky beaming hair on the ladies in this forum :)...

And Mishka, it almost sounds like you and I need to trade samples.

No scent, huh? I'm a sucker for strong scents. I dont ever use perfume or anything so I like strong scented soaps.. Then again, that can be a good thing; I used to love the Aussie products because they worked well but the SMELL was overpowering and horrible.

I'm also not using any oils on my hair. Perhaps I'm going to need to keep using the "drying" shampoos and soaps for my scalp's sake and use some oils. I have been deathly scared of starting it, though, because I break out easy and these shampoo bars have absolutely eliminated the acne I used to get on my back from hair conditioners.

Darn! Conditioners was going to be my suggestion because it's solved my problem with slight dryness. :confused: Most of my length was loving the shampoo bars except for the very tips which felt just a bit crunchier and drier than the rest of my hair, so I added a squirt of conditioner to my ACV rinse (Neoma's suggestion on this board, I believe), and it's worked wonders!

Oiling might help? Or maybe just saving it for use on your scalp but not the length? Or as a sort of "clarifying" bar to be used every so often to rinse any possible residue left over from the moisturizing ones? :flowers:

Thanks, Cantabile! I did clarify last night with baking soda. Bit of itchiness in the scalp, I guess from the dryness since I followed with a drying bar. My hair really looks nice though, lots of body (which is good since it's so short now) and you can still tell it is much softer and healthier than with regular shampoos. I really love the fact that I no longer have that "slippery but dry and dead inside the silicone shell" feeling. But, maybe I'm just not going to be able to have the gorgeous hair I see on these ladies (and some gents!) here...

Thanks, Cantabile! I did clarify last night with baking soda. Bit of itchiness in the scalp, I guess from the dryness since I followed with a drying bar. My hair really looks nice though, lots of body (which is good since it's so short now) and you can still tell it is much softer and healthier than with regular shampoos. I really love the fact that I no longer have that "slippery but dry and dead inside the silicone shell" feeling. But, maybe I'm just not going to be able to have the gorgeous hair I see on these ladies (and some gents!) here...

Hmmm, have you considered using the CV soap bars instead? Or using them as a conditioner? They do have a Marshmallow Lemongrass soap bar? ;)

I have tried tons of bars on my head so far, you can read about all my reactions on the CV Soap bar thread... somewhere in here. The only one I have adored on my hair has been the babassu marsh mallow. I need to order more after next payday. The only one I really hated was lemon lavender, that one trashed my hair for some reason. It was ANGRY.

Angry...that can't be good.:ponder: Sorry about missing your earlier posts, I've been having website issues that kicked me from my account to frequently to comment (or remember my intended comments). :p

Looking at the ingredients though, Marshmallow babassu has some lemon EO in there, so that may not be an issue with the marshmallow lemon soap, as the only lemon ingredient in there is the lemon EO. Lemon Lavender however has lemon peels...Hard to say which ingredient triggered your reaction though :confused:

Perhaps the thing is that lavender wasn't enough to counter the drying effect of the lemon? Maybe I dont need an acidic rinse after it because it's acidic enough? I just know that it felt good in the shower, and right after it felt bad, and continued to get worse and worse as the day went on.

Oskimosa, 2a/C hair will never be as silky and shiny as e.g. 1a hair. So it might just be a matter of hairtype. Your hair looks silky and shiny enough in your avatar pic, I must say.

:o Thanks, Calista! :o I think you're right, my hair type has something to do with it. I think my bathroom lighting sucks and that's where I get to feeling bad because in here it looks so dull and lifeless, barely red. In any other room (where there are no mirrors) it seems to look bright. In the camera it always looks shiny....

Hi all,
I have used the Herb Garden CV bar and the Juniper Z bar from H4H. They had a similar result on my hair - lathered nicely (I rubbed the bar in my hands and ran them through my scalp area) and both smelled nice. The Herbal Garden had a little more scent, but both were very mild and non-offensive. (I hate stinky hair products.:tbear:) Rinsing felt "waxy" for both, but I do an ACV final rinse and my air-dried hair has been fluffy, clean and soft. No great body to rave about so I'm hoping to find one that gives me that.

I have a sample of the Marshmallow Babassu just waiting for a "drier" hair day.

I'm fairly new at shampoo bars but I know I like these much better than regular shampoo - I was using Kiss My Face "Miss Treated."

I had bought the H4H bar before discovering CV and while I do like its results well enough, I do not feel they were better than the CV bar so the price isn't justified for future orders.

I'm sorry... I missed what H4H stands for. Can someone please clue me in?

oops, H4H = Henna for Hair, actually the Mehandi shop.

Okay, I'm really frustrated with my hair and the CV poo bars. I've been using them for a couple months now and tried about 8 different ones. I have been using the Chamomile & Citrus for a couple weeks now. The thing is, I can't seem to get consistent results with any bar. I get nice hair like 1 out of 5 days (I wash every day). The other 4 days is either lank and greasy, or waxy and dull...and ALL of the time it is incredibly staticky. And it is mid-summer in upstate NY, which means hot and HUMID. Static is unheard of at this time of year.

I lather twice and follow with a citric acid rinse. I don't use conditioner because I never have. I have naturally oily hair and scalp and have never needed conditioner. To me, it kind of defeats the purpose of poo bars (reducing the amount of products and bottles used) if I have to ADD product to my routine in order to use them.

So, I'm about to give up. My last idea is trying one of the really moisturizing CV poo bars, which I have yet to do since I thought I didn't need it, having oily hair. But because of the static issue, I wonder if for some reason the Olive & Babassu or something similar would work. Is it worth a shot or should I give up? Any ideas?

Oh, and if anyone is willing to sell me a sample of a moisturizing CV poo bar, email me at naomiking@yahoo.com. Or I could swap for a Chamomile & Citrus sample (off my full size bar). Since I'm close to giving up, I don't want to place another CV order just for this one additional sample. Thanks!

Okay, I'm really frustrated with my hair and the CV poo bars. I've been using them for a couple months now and tried about 8 different ones. I have been using the Chamomile & Citrus for a couple weeks now. The thing is, I can't seem to get consistent results with any bar. I get nice hair like 1 out of 5 days (I wash every day). The other 4 days is either lank and greasy, or waxy and dull...and ALL of the time it is incredibly staticky. And it is mid-summer in upstate NY, which means hot and HUMID. Static is unheard of at this time of year.

I lather twice and follow with a citric acid rinse. I don't use conditioner because I never have. I have naturally oily hair and scalp and have never needed conditioner. To me, it kind of defeats the purpose of poo bars (reducing the amount of products and bottles used) if I have to ADD product to my routine in order to use them.

So, I'm about to give up. My last idea is trying one of the really moisturizing CV poo bars, which I have yet to do since I thought I didn't need it, having oily hair. But because of the static issue, I wonder if for some reason the Olive & Babassu or something similar would work. Is it worth a shot or should I give up? Any ideas?

Oh, and if anyone is willing to sell me a sample of a moisturizing CV poo bar, email me at naomiking@yahoo.com. Or I could swap for a Chamomile & Citrus sample (off my full size bar). Since I'm close to giving up, I don't want to place another CV order just for this one additional sample. Thanks!I just emailed you. I'd be happy to give you the rest of my Olive Babussu bar. I've settled on Cafe Moreno!

Lutya, to me it sounds like you have some kind of buildup going on. Try a baking soda wash and see if it gets better. In any case do a BS wash before you try the Olive Babassu.

I absolutely need to rotate my bars; if I use any one bar for the second time in a row it´s not as great as the first time. Third time is awful. I have about seven different bars, and I use a different one every time I shampoo.

I'll keep that piece of advice in mind. I washed for the first time with hair soap today, a hand made soap I bought from a private seller. It's a herbal soap especially for hair. I've also put some orders online and was worried that I might be over-stocking again ;-) but if you say it's best to rotate, then I"m at ease.

It's not dry yet but it feels a bit, um, weird....

Count me in.....

Recently on another site that I'm on (that I see some people here on too!) We've been discussing poo bars and terresentials hair wash. I decided to get some samples of CV Bars and give it another try, since several years ago I had a horrid time with the PLH one I got. We do have hard water.

Here's what I got:

Honey Beer and Egg shampoo sample
Extra honey beer and egg shampoo sample
Whipped shea body butter 2 oz jar unscented
whipped cocoa butter 0.5 oz jar
carrot milk and honey shampoo sample
carrot and honey complexion soap sample

I plan on placing another order soon. I have some issues with sensitivities so I have to be careful but I'm planning on samples so it's all good. I'll do an acv rinse each time too in order to prevent build up. We have hard water but I have a filter on our shower head now, I didn't the last time I used bars, and I am not adverse to doing a monthly or bi-monthly clarifying shampoo. Ida's site even says she has some that go back to shampoo for a day or two once in awhile and it works for them.

I've seen lemon juice mentioned a few times as an acid rinse alternative to ACV. Do you rinse the lemon juice rinse out? If you don't, it doesn't leave your hair sticky?

I don't mind the ACV rinses and they seem to work well, but sometimes I don't have enough time to let my hair totally dry (i.e. for the ACV smell to dissipate) before I have to be somewhere, like work. So I want to find some other acid rinses to try because the acid does seem to work really well on my hair.

Those of you that use Citric Acid - where do you buy it? It's a powder, right?

Thank you in advance for your help!

1MegMeg, I rinse my vinegar out of my hair. I have no perceptible smell while my hair is wet.


Ok, I rotated with my extra honey and beer. Whoa, I forgot how 8) shiny this stuff makes my hair. Of course it's not as soft and moisturized as the O&B bar, but shine shine shine.

It's always a good idea to rotate your bars, especially if you are using a very moisturizing one like O&B. I wasn't as in love on my second wash as I was on my first, so using a lighter bar in between resolves that problem.

Another thing about O&B I love.....I can detangle my hair while it's full of lather. I don't have to wait for the conditioner step!

1MegMeg, I haven't been able to find citric acid at any of the vitamin or health market shops around me. I just strain the juice of one key lime (you could use bottled) into a 16oz water bottle and fill almost to the top with shower water. That's what I use, and I try to work in the rinse as I slowly pour and then rinse it out. It leaves a tiny bit of a lime smell, but it's fresh and I adore the smell. The scent works well with any bar that has citrus in it.

So far, on my second wash with Chamomile Citrus, my hair isn't as BLAH as it was with summer sunshine. I'm still using Chamomile Calendula on the ends, though. Something else I've noticed is that on only one area, on the back of my head, is a patch of hair that seems to stay waxy and greasy. Last night I made a point to wash really well there and get extra rinse there, and a few nights ago I clarified carefully. Why is this spot still goopy?

Oskimosa, that seems to be a problem spot for most poo bar users. I don't really struggle with this anymore, but I fixed it with my method of washing when I started:

1: rub bar around perimeter of hairline
2: part hair ear to ear and rub bar
3: part hair down the center and rub bar


You can lather between these steps (that what I used to do) or do all 3 steps then lather. This makes sure you're getting soap in all the "danger zones".

HTH.

Sectioning hair makes so much sense. I strictly avoid rubbing it on my hair, despite temptation, because Ida says it coats the hair with the stuff, and I imagine horrible buildup occuring with excess product on my hair. Will it wash off ok if I do that?? Or, is that my problem; not using enough of the soap?

Pft. I'm such a miser!

Sectioning hair makes so much sense. I strictly avoid rubbing it on my hair, despite temptation, because Ida says it coats the hair with the stuff, and I imagine horrible buildup occuring with excess product on my hair. Will it wash off ok if I do that?? Or, is that my problem; not using enough of the soap?

Pft. I'm such a miser!

I've always rubbed it directly on my hair. I think I tried lathering in my hands once and found it sooooo inefficient for getting enough in my hair that I gave up.

And I'm not like scrubbing it into my scalp or anything, I'm just wiping it across these areas.

I've also had little luck with wiping it down my length, that just doesn't seem to work for me.

I get my scalp nice and lathery then I work the lather down my length. That's how I've been doing it and I don't get any crazy buildup or anything :)

Just a friendly suggestion for shampoo bar newbies...

It might be useful to think of "gliding" the bar over your hair rather than rubbing or wiping it. :flower:

I get my hair really, really wet, then glide it over the surface of the hair. Then I massage it in really well, but gently with the pads of my fingertips.

:flowers:

Just a friendly suggestion for shampoo bar newbies...

It might be useful to think of "gliding" the bar over your hair rather than rubbing or wiping it. :flower:

I get my hair really, really wet, then glide it over the surface of the hair. Then I massage it in really well, but gently with the pads of my fingertips.

:flowers:
thanks for the advice. i just got my first bars in the mail and am looking forward to trying them. i've been co for a while, and i don't think that's the best for me for some reason, so I thought i'd try shampoo bars. i hope my scalp likes them!!!

i cut the bar into four chunks thinking that would not only be easier for my smallish hands to handle, but also make them last longer because only that section would be getting wet. my experience in the past with homemade soaps is even when using a soap holder to elevate them, once wet they stay pretty damp. any thoughts?

thanks for the advice. i just got my first bars in the mail and am looking forward to trying them. i've been co for a while, and i don't think that's the best for me for some reason, so I thought i'd try shampoo bars. i hope my scalp likes them!!!

i cut the bar into four chunks thinking that would not only be easier for my smallish hands to handle, but also make them last longer because only that section would be getting wet. my experience in the past with homemade soaps is even when using a soap holder to elevate them, once wet they stay pretty damp. any thoughts?

I've never had any trouble with damp soap or shampoo bars. I use slotted dishes and keep them out of path of any stray water on the other side of my shower curtain. Mine dry completely in between uses. I also tend to keep my bars whole, that leaves just one hard to work with sliver at the end! (I stick the sliver of soap onto the next bar when it becomes too hard to use)

I've never had any trouble with damp soap or shampoo bars. I use slotted dishes and keep them out of path of any stray water on the other side of my shower curtain. Mine dry completely in between uses. I also tend to keep my bars whole, that leaves just one hard to work with sliver at the end! (I stick the sliver of soap onto the next bar when it becomes too hard to use)
are the dishes ceramic? maybe that's my problem..... mine have always been wood. the wood gets wet from the bar and stays wet which keeps the bar wet which keeps the wood wet......

like a dr. suess story!

I have not read all 100 pages of this thread, just a few, so forgive me if these questions have been asked.

I have been experiencing scalp problems for the past 9 months. I have tried various oils, shampoos, conditioners, essential oils... I have not tried shampoo bars though and they were recommended by Calista as helping others with scalp issues, and I am willing to try!

My concern is my curls which really need TONS of moisture. I was happily enjoying a conditioner only wash routine for about 6 months before the scalp problems cropped up.

I guess I associate shampoo bars with shampoo and while I see in the article from the first post that bars are gentler and some bars are more moisturizing than others - I am wondering if some people use conditioners in addition to shampoo bars with success, instead of vinegar rinses to provide more moisture for curls.

bgarrison - Nope! One dish is wooden and the other metal. The metal dish is slatted and the wooden one has deep grooves. To be honest, I much prefer slatted ones if you can find them. I have to clean soap scum out of the grooves of the wooden one.

allyall - Some people do indeed use conditioner along with their shampoo bars. My hair is not curly but it can get very dry and I have not needed to do this, I just oil my hair after it dries instead. (Some people have better luck oiling wet and some dry.) I definitely need to use an acid rinse though! My hair is horridly dry and coated feeling if I skip that step!

Allyall, you will definately want to give the bars a try. 1MegMeg has curly hair and I think she is having success with the bars so far. You may want to order samples of bars that are very moisturizing, mildly moisturizing, and lightly moisturizing to chec out how they react with your hair. You might find you don't need conditioner, then again a little bit might help.

In unrelated news, I just tried the Chocolate Almond soap bar on my hair last night. So far it's ok, I've got a good amount of moisture, so in comparison to other soap bars I'd say this one is more heavily moisturizing than most I've tried. (I was also picking out lime pulp turds forever last night; I guess more got through the strainer than usual. I have a suspicion that as I combed them out, they burst, leaving excess lime juice in my hair.)

Lutya, to me it sounds like you have some kind of buildup going on. Try a baking soda wash and see if it gets better. In any case do a BS wash before you try the Olive Babassu.

I absolutely need to rotate my bars; if I use any one bar for the second time in a row it´s not as great as the first time. Third time is awful. I have about seven different bars, and I use a different one every time I shampoo.

Thank you for that advice. I have done a baking soda rinse about every week or two, in the three months or so that I've been using the poo bars. I don't use any conditioner or hair product so I shouldn't have too much buildup other than from the bars themselves. I do notice that I get much more lather from whatever bar I'm using when I do the BS rinse before.

I never thought of rotating bars EACH time I wash. I guess each person must be different because some people here use the same bar all the time, right? But that's a good idea, to try a different bar each time. Unfortunately, I just swapped away most of my samples. But I'll be getting another one in the mail soon (the O&B) so I'll try doing a rotation of that, the Cham&Citrus and the SS. Thanks again!

So far I really like how CV shampoo bars make my hair feel. I just have one question. I still have flyaway (not much but you know...) I don't know if it's because I need more moisture or more protein? Currently I use cafe moreno (later twice), then olive bassasu on canopy and ends once. I have water softener installed in my house but I do vinegar rinse every time I wash my hair.

Thanks.

Just wanted to say I used the Eggnog and Spice soap (not shampoo bar) on my hair tonight and my hair is so soft and sleek. Maybe a little too sleek but it feels incredibly moisturised! I had ruled out using the soap bars on my hair but after this I am going to try some of the others :)

Just wanted to add some additional comments on rotating the bars. I figured that regular rotation would be necessary, but learned first hand today that it definitely is for me! This morning was my third wash in a row (not third day, third wash) with the extra honey, beer, and egg. Despite doing my usual ACV rinse, there is definite build-up going on. My scalp is a tad flakey and my hair just feels heavy...not necessarily weighed down, but heavy and thick. Next time I wash I will use a different bar and hopefully that will correct the problem.

Just got my first batch of shampoo bars!!! I'm going to try herb garden this week. :)

I've never had squeeky clean hair like this. It literally squeeked in the shower lol...
Here's what I did...
1. CO with clarifying conditioner, rinsed
2. Lathered the shampoo bar in my hands and ran it all down the ends and massaged in my roots. rinsed
3. Deep Conditioning Cholesterol treatment ..left in for a minute and rinsed.
4. Vinger rinse with cool water.
I can't wait until it dries so I can see the results!

Thank you for that advice. I have done a baking soda rinse about every week or two, in the three months or so that I've been using the poo bars. I don't use any conditioner or hair product so I shouldn't have too much buildup other than from the bars themselves. I do notice that I get much more lather from whatever bar I'm using when I do the BS rinse before.

I never thought of rotating bars EACH time I wash. I guess each person must be different because some people here use the same bar all the time, right? But that's a good idea, to try a different bar each time. Unfortunately, I just swapped away most of my samples. But I'll be getting another one in the mail soon (the O&B) so I'll try doing a rotation of that, the Cham&Citrus and the SS. Thanks again!

Wow!! Is it just me or is that alot to clarify?? If you're not using any other product, it just seems like that would make your hair dry and frizzy. I wash either every day or every other day, and I only clarified after about a month of using the bars. I might could've of done it a bit sooner, but still... I'm sorry if you already answered this before, but are you lathering more than once? Usually I get pretty flat lather the first time around, and by the second or third time I've got good suds.

It might just be that you need a more moisturizing bar, though. Guess you'll find out :)

Has anyone tried both HB&E and Extra HB&E? Is there a very big difference between them? I've been using HB&E for a year now, with a WV rinse. My hair is a little bit on the dry side, and I was thinking about experimenting a little.

Kimberly, I've tried both the HB&E and the extra HB&E. My hair has hated the extra honey version each time I've attempted it which I'm chalking up to too much humectant which just makes my hair WEIRD. :silly: The regular version was a bit drying for me but I haven't used it in several months now.
My current 'poo bar faves:
Rosemary Mint: refreshing scent, not too heavy but cleans well and leaves my waves nice
Summer Sunshine: I love the smell of this but it is drying so I use another bar as the final lather (currently Marshmallow & Lemongrass soap)

Wow!! Is it just me or is that alot to clarify?? If you're not using any other product, it just seems like that would make your hair dry and frizzy. I wash either every day or every other day, and I only clarified after about a month of using the bars. I might could've of done it a bit sooner, but still... I'm sorry if you already answered this before, but are you lathering more than once? Usually I get pretty flat lather the first time around, and by the second or third time I've got good suds.

It might just be that you need a more moisturizing bar, though. Guess you'll find out :)

My hair is super light, and soft now. I know it seems like a lot, but it really needed it. It did however unearth some major splits. I'm on a S&D mission tonight :luke:

ETA: Oskimosa, your siggy is adorable. I used to have a ferrit... he passed last year. I loved him :'( They are the silliest, cutest little buggers. okay done hijacking

I tried a bar today for the first time - a CV nettle bar followed by my first ACV rinse.
I wish you all could feel my head.
My hair looks and feels better than it has in 25 years. I'm going to load some photos right now into my album.

I am amazed.

(it also took much longer to dry. My hair "normally" dries in about 15 minutes, not good, I know. It's 45 minutes later and still damp. My hair feels more moisturized than it has in a long, long time.)

My ends have starting to get verry sticky when I use the bars.
I don't now if it's the conditioner I use or if it's because that I lather all the length.
Mabye should I starting to CWC wash again.
I relly want the to work because my scalp loves them.

My ends have starting to get verry sticky when I use the bars.
I don't now if it's the conditioner I use or if it's because that I lather all the length.
Mabye should I starting to CWC wash again.
I relly want the to work because my scalp loves them.

I was doing CWC with the shampoo bars and it was working really well. My ends felt great and my scalp felt great. I just started experimenting because I wanted to stay all natural but the CWC did work well with the bars for me. I may revert to it again.

I still am impressed but not as :cheese:as I was earlier. My hair feels a little waxy. I used conditioner; I think that was a mistake.


I'm going to try (from the CV website) doing a baking soda rinse before shampooing tomorrow (or tonight if I just can't stand this waxy feeling anymore). I'm also wondering if I didn't lather well enough (I ran the soap down my hair and then just washed like I normally would - I can't say if I actually 'touched' all of my hair, you know?)

So, I've been using poo bars for the last few weeks and my results have been so all over the place, it's just crazy.

I've come to the conclusion that poo bars and my well water at home do not mix well. Every single thing I've tried has left my hair feeling somewhere between a little sticky, waxy or really gunked up. With ACV rinses (gag me), with lemon or lime juice rinses, with conditioner and without. It just doesn't seem to matter. And I've clarified. I'm very discouraged.

So this brings me to the results I'm getting with the poo bars and the water at the gym. Not from the same well. I definitely get different results, but not consistent results. Not even using the same bar. Some bars leave my hair really awful and some don't but even the ones that don't are tending to give me buildup issues fairly quickly. I don't want to have to constantly be clarifying - the whole point is to make my hair care routine as simple as possible.

While I stand by the reviews I've given to SarieQ's bars (because I've gotten the best and most consistent results from them), I think I need to go back to CO for a while and revisit shampoo bars in a few months. :(

Unless, of course, anyone has a brilliant idea about what I'm doing wrong!

Has anyone experienced henna colour-run-off from Chagrin Valley bars? I henna'd a couple of days ago and am now paranoid, after tonight's wash, that I've 'pulled' some of my henna. Of course I could be being ridiculous and it could just be washing the henna dust out of the hair and scalp.

I just used 2 different bars in one wash which was weird and yet fun. I clarified with BS to get rid of some cones which I hadnt stripped properly, then lathered x2 with Honey Beer and Egg* and once with Cafe Moreno. My hair is so soft!

I'm going to London tomorrow for a week, so I've packed an old baby shampoo bottle with 200ml ACV in it, and two squirts of VO5 extra body conditioner. That should do for a few rinses, if I use maybe 75ml rinse mix in a litre of water. I usually use 50ml but London has harder water.... I'll let you know how I get on. I want to move to London eventually so I may as well start experimenting with their water on my hair now, hehe.


* Re HB&E and Extra HB&E - Kimberly, I also have different results with these bars. My hair loves the former but is left seriously waxy-sleek by the latter. I think the Extra Honey just kills my hair, whereas the amount of honey in the first bar is (as Goldilocks said) just right ;)

Has anyone experienced henna colour-run-off from Chagrin Valley bars? I henna'd a couple of days ago and am now paranoid, after tonight's wash, that I've 'pulled' some of my henna. Of course I could be being ridiculous and it could just be washing the henna dust out of the hair and scalp.


I get that as well, but I got it with a regular mild shampoo and conditioner too. I think it's just dust though, doesn't seem to affect the colour much.

I tried a bar today for the first time - a CV nettle bar followed by my first ACV rinse.
I wish you all could feel my head.
My hair looks and feels better than it has in 25 years. I'm going to load some photos right now into my album.

I am amazed.
lawyermom, put the tea kettle on, because we're all coming over to touch your hair. :flower:

I'm glad that the CV bar/ACV combo worked so well for you. How about posting a pic for us to see, since some of us may not be able to make it to your house?

My ends have starting to get verry sticky when I use the bars.
I don't now if it's the conditioner I use or if it's because that I lather all the length.
Mabye should I starting to CWC wash again.
I relly want the to work because my scalp loves them.HappyKarin, I lather all over the length, and it doesn't cause sticky ends. :flower:

Islandgrrl, I'm sorry they're not working well for you :( I wish I had advice but it sounds like you're doing everything right. How are your lathers? Do you get lots of suds or no? Maybe installing a shower filter is the only option for you.

Loviatar, I was thinking the same thing... the bars seemed to lighten and brighten my henna, which is great because I hate when it looks toward the dark side. It also seemed to lighten somewhat after my heavy baking soda clarifying wash. I could be wrong, but I think it was just more vibrant.

You're using Cafe Moreno? I thought that was supposed to darken hair somewhat. So is rosemary. I dont know if any of the CV bars have enough rosemary to darken hair, but the cafe moreno is sure supposed to. I wonder if that is making your color look more dull and cool?

This one's for you, Neoma :)
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/alaska26/th_IMG00143.jpg
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/alaska26/th_IMG00141.jpg
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/alaska26/th_IMG00145.jpg
My hair is still wet in the pics and it dried well, but feels a little waxy. I don't think I lathered well - I lathered like I do when I use drugstore shampoo, which the CV site says is incorrect. So, I'll try again tomorrow :)
I was pretty psyched, I must admit, when I loaded these pics up to my album - I can see definite hair growth from the pictures taken 2 weeks ago!

This one's for you, Neoma :)
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/alaska26/th_IMG00143.jpg
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/alaska26/th_IMG00141.jpg
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/alaska26/th_IMG00145.jpg
My hair is still wet in the pics and it dried well, but feels a little waxy. I don't think I lathered well - I lathered like I do when I use drugstore shampoo, which the CV site says is incorrect. So, I'll try again tomorrow :)
I was pretty psyched, I must admit, when I loaded these pics up to my album - I can see definite hair growth from the pictures taken 2 weeks ago!lawyermom, your hair looks awesome! It looks super soft (I can almost feel it!) and is sooooo shiny! Yay! This calls for dancing cheese! Cheese for everyone!:cheese:

Darya and Loviatar, thank you both so much for your comparison of HBE and Extra HBE. That helps a lot!

I have considered trying Cafe Moreno but I fear my silvers will go yellow or something, because of its darkening effect. Anyone have problems like that with it, or with the Rosemary Mint?

Hi - I'm new to LHC, and new to shampoo bars, but really excited about both. All the info/advice on here has been SO helpful! I've been using natural shampoo/cond (no sulphates/silicones) for a while, but still clarified w/baking soda at the beginning (lazy, just added to 1st poo-bar lather). So far, in 2-day intervals (my usual): 1) Chamomile/Citrus, Nettle, 2), 3) Babassu Marsh Mallow, tonight. ACV rinse was already part of my routine, continued. Hair is a bit different w/each bar, but nothing bad so far. With each bar, my scalp has been so happy/comfortable, no itchies on 2nd day. 1st C/C bar left hair very tangly, but better when dry. Used a drop of cond in ACV rinse after 2nd Nettle bar, nice results. No cond after 3rd bar tonight - felt odd/waxy till dry, but full & great now. Yippee! But I have a question about shine ... or lack thereof. I use a 'blow-dry' type hairbrush with pretty sparse plastic bristles - the slight waxy feel when wet feels protective, but makes me wonder if a different type of brush would 'polish' it better, make my hair shinier? Any suggestions? Thanks! :)

All of these posts have me interested too! Do you need to do an ACV rinse after each and every use?:)

All of these posts have me interested too! Do you need to do an ACV rinse after each and every use?:)

I do :) But I don't use ACV, I use simple diluted lime juice.

Which makes me wonder... if the acidity of ACV is suitably interchangable with amla and chamomile tea for releasing dye in henna, couldn't one presumably rinse with chamomile tea instead of ACV or citric acid? Something to think about... I'd love the possible lightening side effects (after sun exposure!)

Hey! Loviatar, maybe that's lightening your henna; doesn't lemon juice or chamomile tea left on the hair cause it to lighten in the sun? Maybe the acidic rinse is making the hair susceptible to lightening... Hrrmmmm... I wonder. :eye:

Oskimosa.......I just wanted to address your last comment. Acid is not necessary for dye release in henna, that seems to be a dogma that many LHCers have debunked time and time again. I get release with plain tap water. The chamomile tea and amla don't do anything for release (and I have no idea of their acidity in comparison to vinegar).

I don't know what effect they would have on your hair following a poo bar. Let us know if you decide to experiment. :)

I do not know what is up with my hair....... Could be related to my postpartum shedding starting and my hormones settling but I am not really happy with it. It is knotty (especially the canopy after sleeping), I have a lot of whisps/halo, and it is sort of sticky.
Could it be buildup? It is going on for a while. And I have been using CV exclusively for a year now.
I have never ever clarified...... So is it a good idea? Are these symptoms maybe buildup? Can I use a SLS shampoo to clarify? I do not know if my old permed ends will agree with baking soda so I want to clarify as gentle as possible....
Also I noticed that coconut oil as a leave in does strange things suddenly to my hair. It makes it crunchy which is a problem I never had with coconut oil. Shea butter and cocoa butter leave my hair nice soft and moisturized but I do not know for certain if long term usage will lead to build up...

Definitely sounds like you could benefit from clarifying. An SLS will work fine, you may want to lather a couple of times. Remember to remoisturize your hair, it will probably be dry from the SLS.

My hair gets wonky every so often....soooooo tangly. Usually clarifying with my Neutrogena anti buildup or bs fixes that right up.

Can I just use a normal conditioner? Or should I wash once/twice with shampoo and then use a shampoo bar?

Melian, if I need to clarify I use a baking soda rinse, followed by a moisturizing CV bar such as Olive Babassu, and I don´t find this procedure overly drying. I try to avoid commercial products, so SLS shampoo and conditioner are not an option for me. Although I don´t have perm damage my ends are also damaged by colouring and careless handling in the past, and they take the BS quite well.

Just an update in case it helps other newbies:

I skipped the clarifying. I decided it wasn't necessary as I've cut out products with silicone and I just used the Vanilla Mint VO5 earlier this week. Today I used the Chamomile Citrus; lathered 3 times but instead of running the bar down my (relatively speaking) "length", I lathered the soap in my hands and then washed my scalp, and then down the length. I did that 3 times, then did an ACV rinse. My hair felt a little strange in the shower but I think that can be chalked up to the difference between the bar and drugstore shampoo.

My hair looks and feels great today. My hairline curls are popping out, it's soft, full of body, very manageable. I REALLY like the chamomile/citrus bar.

i've been using the coco-free from plh for a few days. since i'd been co for a while, and had clarified before that, i didn't bother for right now. maybe later. i've been rinsing w/ acv and finishing with a tiny bit of coconut oil when wet. so far, so good. my hair feels a little waxy while drying, but very full and fluffy after drying. the second day it's much smoother and softer, almost too much, but still nice. my scalp seems less itchy so far, too.

I'm still waiting for my t-shirt for going through this entire thread lol. I did see that some ladies use citric acid for a rinse, and lo and behold I actually have a huge baggie of the stuff in my supply closet. So err, how do you use this? And does it sting if it gets near your eyes? The word "acid" sort of daunted me when the citric acid was given to me so I haven't used it. Then again...I didn't really know what to do with it!

Oh, and I wanted to share that I alternate between black soap and the CV bars on my body and face, BUT I tried the bar of black soap on my hair last weekend and wow!!! My hair is soooo silky. I even oiled my hair a bit last night and the slip and silky feeling intensified. Conventional shampoos just do not do it for me.

I received my second bar of Anita Grant's ylang and kelp shampoo bar, and that goes in the stash. That soap is GREAT also but I hardly use it because it's expensive and it only comes from the UK.

Lawyermom, I hadn´t realised you didn´t shampoo your length. Yes, you need to really lather up a lot and massage your entire hair. It feels scary when all one is used to are commercial shampoos, doesn´t it?

I think very few bar users get away without lathering up the length.

Thanks Calista for your answers.
And about lathering the length I find that the most difficult....

Melian, I hate lathering the length too but if I don't I end up with sticky weird hair. What I've been doing with some success is lathering my scalp well (sometimes twice) and then sectioning my hair and working the lather on down my length one section at a time, supplementing as needed from the bar as I work my way down. I usually need to repeat the process, sometimes twice, but I only wash every 5-6 days. I've also been using a stronger acidic rinse on my length that seems to be really helping without the scalp irritation I get if I use the same rinse for scalp and length.
Hope that helps and is somewhat coherent...

That was exactly what I did wrong the first time, Calista, definitely. When I lathered down the "length" (hard to call it "length" when it isn't past my ears yet ;)) it made a huge difference.

I used Giovanni 50/50 today and my hair doesn't feel half as nice. (It's still a HUGE improvement over what I used to use but it definitely isn't as nice as the shampoo bars.)

I have a question though - right now I pretty much need to wash every day. I am patiently awaiting when my hair gets long enough that I can put it up and I envision easily being able to stretch out the shampooing then. But right now, when it's so short, if I don't shampoo it really doesn't look very nice.

So my question - can I use a shampoo bar every day or is it better to rotate the bar with a (non-sulfate) liquid shampoo? And if I can use it every day, can I/should I use an ACV rinse or is that not really necessary?

(Someone did ask the same question about ACV rinses here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=200787&postcount=1017) but I don't see an answer yet)

I'm the opposite of Darya, it seems. I lather my scalp, work it down my length (not lathering the length specifically), and then later my scalp again only and rinse. I've been using shampoo bars for about 8 months and lathering primarily scalp-only for a little over a month, now. I find that when I lather the length, my hair feels overly dry and even crunchy, but when I do a scalp only, it's much lusher and more manageable. Also, my scalp needs more washing than my length, so...

I don't use conditioner, just a good deal of coconut oil on dry hair. :) I've just put about 6 or 7 drops on, and my hair feels AMAZING. :flower:

It took my two days to read through this thread :). Loads of new information about shampoo bars for me.

OK, I started washing hair with soap a while back. We live in a soft water area so switching from organic shampoo to soap wasn't a huge problem.

Thanks :) for the tip of using a few drops of oil with the vinegar rinse (somewhere in the beginning of this thread). Will try this next wash day. I hate the vinegar smell so I always finish off with a good splash of cold water to get rid of the smell.

I only lather my scalp, never the entire length. So far, this seems to work fine. My hair seems a tiny bit thicker and is much softer and with less frizz.

And there's more space in the bathroom, too, after getting rid of bottles and bottles of stuff.

Angellen - Some time ago, I bought coconut oil for my hair, but it's a solid consistency, in a jar, you have to melt it in your hands. I keep reading here about using x-number of drops - is there a form of coconut oil available that's liquid at room temp? If so, where or where do you get it?

Still loving CV bars, no itchies this 2nd night & feel fresh enuf to wait at least another day to shampoo - amazing!

Angellen - Some time ago, I bought coconut oil for my hair, but it's a solid consistency, in a jar, you have to melt it in your hands. I keep reading here about using x-number of drops - is there a form of coconut oil available that's liquid at room temp? If so, where or where do you get it?

Still loving CV bars, no itchies this 2nd night & feel fresh enuf to wait at least another day to shampoo - amazing!

Well, I live in a very temperate area (9:30pm, and it's still 80 degrees) so unless I keep it refrigerated all the time, my coconut oil is frequently liquid. I use Spectrum Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil (443ml). I got it at our local organic grocery. HTH! :flower:

ETA: When I first got the coconut oil it wasn't really liquid. I found that the easiest way (for me) to do this was to touch the solid oil with a clean, dry finger. It melts very quickly and leaves a nice 'puddle' in which one can get liquid coconut oil.

I'm the opposite of Darya, it seems. I lather my scalp, work it down my length (not lathering the length specifically), and then later my scalp again only and rinse. I've been using shampoo bars for about 8 months and lathering primarily scalp-only for a little over a month, now. I find that when I lather the length, my hair feels overly dry and even crunchy, but when I do a scalp only, it's much lusher and more manageable. Also, my scalp needs more washing than my length, so...

I don't use conditioner, just a good deal of coconut oil on dry hair. :) I've just put about 6 or 7 drops on, and my hair feels AMAZING. :flower:

I think I may try lathering the length only once. My hair has been really dry lately, and it's making me nuts.

I just tried a Serpentine shampoo bar tonight. My hair was lightly oiled and not too dirty. Lathered up my scalp 3 times and once on the length as usual and followed by an ACV rinse. I think it's rather moisturizing, probably comparable to some of the more moisturizing CV bars. My hair didn't squeak at all during wash and feels soft and silky during drying. If my scalp seems OK later then I'll keep it in my stash and alternate with the more cleansing ones. I think this bar would be good for someone with dry to normal scalp. As my scalp is a little oily I don't think I can use this too much. My hair sure seems happy, though.

...about lathering the length I find that the most difficult....
Melian, strangely enough this is not a problem for me anymore. When I started using CV bars I could hardly get any lather on my length. I don´t know if I tweaked my technique or what, but these days the best lather I get is on my length!

My theory is that shampoo bars don´t work as well on damaged hair. My hair has gotten much healthier throughout the time I´ve been using shampoo bars (I´ve been trimming quite a bit), so that might be the reason my length lathers up much better now. Do you have any damage at all?

Oh, and I also lather the scalp one time more than the length, like sapphire-o does. If my hair is really greasy and well-oiled (as it usually is on wash day), then I need to lather twice all over, or else my hair doesn´t get clean. The third time I wash "scalp only".

Melian, strangely enough this is not a problem for me anymore. When I started using CV bars I could hardly get any lather on my length. I don´t know if I tweaked my technique or what, but these days the best lather I get is on my length!

My theory is that shampoo bars don´t work as well on damaged hair. My hair has gotten much healthier throughout the time I´ve been using shampoo bars (I´ve been trimming quite a bit), so that might be the reason my length lathers up much better now. Do you have any damage at all?

Oh, and I also lather the scalp one time more than the length, like sapphire-o does. If my hair is really greasy and well-oiled (as it usually is on wash day), then I need to lather twice all over, or else my hair doesn´t get clean. The third time I wash "scalp only".

This is true for me as well. When I first started using shampoo bars in March, I had a hard time getting a good lather. Now I get a great lather every time! I suspect some of it is due to technique and the fact that we got a shower filter, because I doubt that my length is appreciably less damaged than it was 4 months ago, but who really knows?

I am still having some dryness issues, although I think I figured out that part of the problem was protein. I mean, I still think my workouts were the original trigger, but then I've used the HB&E and Extra HB&E shampoo bars and also did deep treatments with a protein conditioner a couple of times before I realized what a stupid mistake that was. I'm kind of mad at myself for that (if anyone has bright ideas for how to reverse over-proteining more quickly, please PM me).

I have been oiling more and also stretching out my washes a bit longer. However, I think I'm going to start lathering my length only once instead of twice and lathering only my scalp the second time. We'll see if that helps. :)

I'm the opposite of Darya, it seems. I lather my scalp, work it down my length (not lathering the length specifically), and then later my scalp again only and rinse. I've been using shampoo bars for about 8 months and lathering primarily scalp-only for a little over a month, now. I find that when I lather the length, my hair feels overly dry and even crunchy, but when I do a scalp only, it's much lusher and more manageable. Also, my scalp needs more washing than my length, so...

I don't use conditioner, just a good deal of coconut oil on dry hair. :) I've just put about 6 or 7 drops on, and my hair feels AMAZING. :flower:

I just wanted to clarify my routine.... I shouldn't write this stuff when I'm half asleep. I don't lather my whole length every wash. If I'm lathering the ends, it's because I got food in it or some such. When I'm doing a "length wash" I usually just lather about to my shoulders/armpits, wash length determined by how greaseball my hair is. I put Giovanni Direct Leave in on about the last foot or so of my hair whenever I get it wet and then mist it daily with a mix of DLO and distilled water. For a full wash, I lather and rinse my scalp and hair about down to chin level, then I can lather well on my scalp and work it down my hair to about shoulder to APL then rinse well, if I've over-done the condish up near my neck I sometimes have to lather that twice but not always. I finish with a WV rinse then a cool water rinse. I condition the end length before any wash and then again afterward. I have incredibly hard water and live in a very dry climate so this would leave my hair very weird when I travel but it's awesome when I'm here. If I'm washing with soft water, like while on vacation - I usually have to lather just once total.

lawyermom - I think whether or not you need an acidic rinse following each wash is determined by your hair and your water - trial and error is probably the only way you'll find out.

Hope that somewhat helps

I am going to give the CV bars another try -- am going to order a few more sample bars -- I remember using them awhile back and liking them, but never ordered more -- I'll keep you all posted as to what I order and my results!

Here is what I ordered:

Cucumber Lime Soap sample
Carrot Milk and Honey Shampoo sample
Chamomile Citrus Shampoo sample
Nettle Shampoo sample

Can't wait to try them out!

I still don't understand how someone can get dry hair from working out and sweating. I know something was said about salt combating... alkalai... or something... But whenever I work out, or just get hot where I am, I have stringy clumpiness at the first 3 inches of hair and a smelly scalp. Also get more sebum buildup that I can get in my nails with a tiny bit of scratching. I have to wash sooner.

Again with inconsistent results, but I think I'm getting the hang of it... I washed with Summer Sunshine again just to be fair because I was thinking about sticking it on the swap board. I lathered twice, then finished the ends with chamomile calendula. I've got nice soft hair today, LOTS of body, good shine, and no gooey waxy areas. Last time I shampooed with a bar (I forget which one...MAYBE cham citrus) and finished with the babassu marshmallow sliver I had left. I think my key will be to alternate a drying bar and a moisturizing bar to get consistent results, from what I'm seeing.

Oskimosa, I have never ever smelled my scalp in my entire life. I mean, my nose is so far away from my scalp it would have to be really stinky in order to smell it. I do get sebum-y smelling hair, though, after a few days, but I wouldn´t call that stinky.

For me it is quite true that I can go longer between washes if I work out regularly. My theory is that it is the salt, but who knows? At least one other member (aisling) also found this to be true.

Thanks Darya :) I figured that was probably the case, but wanted to make sure there wasn't any obvious "rule" against using ACV every day.

I tried CV Herb Garden this morning. My hair is much better than it was yesterday (which in turn was much better than pre-LHC days), when I used Giovanni 50/50, but it wasn't as nice as it was with the chamomile/citrus bar. I have 2? 3? more samples on order. I think I'm going to stick with the bars for awhile :)

I still don't understand how someone can get dry hair from working out and sweating. I know something was said about salt combating... alkalai... or something... But whenever I work out, or just get hot where I am, I have stringy clumpiness at the first 3 inches of hair and a smelly scalp. Also get more sebum buildup that I can get in my nails with a tiny bit of scratching. I have to wash sooner.

I don't know, but it is a pain in the butt. Last summer (when I was doing a BS/ACV no-poo routine), my hair started to get a little stringy on top and I had to start washing it more often. I wasn't working out then, but I assume it was due to the hotter weather. I was actually expecting that this summer, but apparently not.

Angellen - Thanks very much for the info! Sounds like what I already have will work fine.

I guess I have a strong sense of smell. I have been told that before. That, and my hands are in my hair alot. If I itch my scalp and my fingers stink, that is unnacceptable to me. I am also short and I'm sure my scalp is closer to peoples noses than mine. Waiting an extra day or more to wash isn't worth being offensive to them :oops:! My husband is also 10 inches taller than me, so his head is up there, I don't want him to have to smell stinky hair and scalp!

I also know I have an oilier scalp than others, so I sweat up there a good deal more than most, probably leading to the stinky stringiness more than a small amount of perspiration would.

Here is what I ordered:

Cucumber Lime Soap sample
Carrot Milk and Honey Shampoo sample
Chamomile Citrus Shampoo sample
Nettle Shampoo sample

Can't wait to try them out!

Seeing the hair in your avatar, I would have suggested more moisturizing bars like olive marshmallow & olive babassu. But you're getting off to a good start, be sure to report back and ask any questions, there is a learning curve with these bars :)

Thanks all for giving advice. Today I am gonna search more for baking soda (haven't found it yet) and if I cannot find it I'll look for a clarifying shampoo (I found out Pantene should have one and Neutrogena as well). I'll also try lathering my length only once. I have a lot to try! :)

Thank you, that is good to know!! I'm sure I will *have* to place another order soon and I will check these out! :) I almost got that olive babassu one, I should have just got it!! Thanks for the advice, I'll add these to my list!Seeing the hair in your avatar, I would have suggested more moisturizing bars like olive marshmallow & olive babassu. But you're getting off to a good start, be sure to report back and ask any questions, there is a learning curve with these bars :)

Melian, here in Germany the baking soda comes in a green cardboard package, and it goes by the brand name of "Kaiser Natron".

I found it yesterday. It is sold by the name of "zuiveringszout". I used it this morning in a rinse ( 1 tbsp baking soda per 2 cups of water) left it in for a minute, rinsed it out and washed twice with Babassu & Marshmallow. It felt a lot lighter and fluffier, but I think I did a little too much three butter stuff in it after washing. It is not dry yet, so I will report back once it is totally dry.

I washed with CV Tea Tree Nettle earlier in the week and CV Lavender Rosemary Aloe yesterday. My hair and scalp seem to be enjoying both, but my hair seems a touch dry so I think I need to pick up some more moisturizing samples to incorporate into the mix. I don't think I could use a moisturizing bar exclusively, but I think I need to rotate with it. And I think I need to go back to lightly oiling my ends.

I also started rinsing with water after the ACV rinse and that has cut down on the stink quite a bit. :p And, I live in a very very hard water area so I installed a filter on my shower. For anyone else that lives in a hard water area, it's worth considering. It was $22 at home depot and the replacement filters are $10. The $22 gets you the unit and the first filter; filters last about 6 months. It was super easy to install too. :) I've only showered/washed once since I installed it so it's a little early to tell for sure, but my hair looks and feels really good after yesterday's wash.

I just came to praise the cafe moreno. After much deliberation I finally tried it and it left my hair so soft!

I guess I have a strong sense of smell. I have been told that before. That, and my hands are in my hair alot. If I itch my scalp and my fingers stink, that is unnacceptable to me. I am also short and I'm sure my scalp is closer to peoples noses than mine. Waiting an extra day or more to wash isn't worth being offensive to them :oops:! My husband is also 10 inches taller than me, so his head is up there, I don't want him to have to smell stinky hair and scalp!

I totally understand. I have a strong sense of smell, too. I know they say that you're not supposed to be able to smell your own odor, but I really think I can.

My scalp just doesn't seem to get that much sebum buildup.

Oskimosa, if you have a really stinky scalp you might want to have your physician check for some kind of bacterial infection. Other than that all you should have is a natural sebum smell which shouldn´t be offensive.

Yes, I think sebum stinks. I don't have a condition, my scalp smells like anyone elses I've ever met (and had the opportunity to smell their scalp.. er, that would be family and good friends). Dirty hair just stinks to me, it seems ungroomed. I suppose some people don't, but that's me and I don't want to walk around smelling stinky the way another person wouldn't douse themselves with a perfume they thought stunk.

I got Nettle in the mail today and tried it. So far, it feels like usual, not lots of flyaways, not overly conditioned, not overly dry... It really smelled like artichokes!! For a few minutes I was smelling it, trying to figure out what the smell was. I've gotta go look at the ingredients again. What a funny thing to have my hair smell like. Not that it's bad, just highly unusual...

My BF's scalp smells NASTY when he needs to wash his hair. Ew. I know what you're talking about.

I had to call Ida today, and bless her heart she is such a sweet lady. Al the more reason why I don't mind spending a portion of my check on her goodies hehe.

Slightly off topic but I'm trying to take better care of my ends now, so I bought a small whipped shea from her to use for that purpose.

Artichokes, really now? When I took a sniff of my Nettle bar, I just thought it smelled really strongly of herbs. I'm kind of nervous about using it now :laugh: I'm still working away through the two bars I've been using: Rosemary Lavender Aloe and Marshmallow Babassu. I like clean, floral scents like lavender :cloud9: For some reason, I'm not too crazy about the marshmallow babassu smell, it's not really strong, but it doesn't smell all that great to me. :shrug:

I just want to report that shampoo/soap bars have become my main staple and are absolutely amazing. It's unreal. Today I used the CV regular soap Cucumber Lime Yogurt, ACV rinse, and just KCCC. That's it. No conditioner, no leave-in, no shea, no oils. My hair is light, curly, not frizzy in this humidity. I posted on another forum that I'm oddly disappointed that my shea butter and oils no longer work as leave-ins-before my hair just drank them in, but now they weigh me down a bit & cause surface frizz. The 'poo bars have enough moisture & conditioning for the summer, I suppose, so now I'm down to using 2 products in total. Hell, at times I was using 2 or 3 just to style, never mind cleanse, condition, soften, etc...

My new favourite is Rosemary Lavender Aloe. I don’t know why it took me that long to try it, but it has become my favourite :cloud9:
It’s been ages since I used a shampoo bar with only ACV as final rinse and no conditioner (I always use cones) and I did it like that yesterday. My hair feels great today, soft and shiny :inlove:
I have to give a second chance to Babasu Marshmallow. I tried a couple of weeks ago with not very satisfactory results. Maybe next time :shrug:

This may seem like a stupid question i have been trying to follow this thread really interested in the poo bars< i am thinking i need to get away from protein and use just moisture i have read about the transition time that really doesnt bother me i am allergic to eggs and some other stuff are there bars that someone could reccomend for there moistureizing abilities sorry long winded here>

The olive & babassu and babassu marshmallow ones are really moisturizing, and I just used the olive & shea soap bar and that one is the heaviest creamiest thing I have ever used. I don't care put it on my hair, unless I just barely touch the ends. But if you are looking for high moisture, that's it.

Thing is, most people who need alot of moisture in liquid shampoos find that a mild or lightly moisturizing bar works best, at least at first. I think all these products out there have half a drop of anything good for your hair, making you use more of them. The bars aren't like that at all. :cool:

thank you oskimosa i will look at those online, is the vinegar just the regular big vottles ou can get at the grocery store?

Heatherainsley, it depends on what you like. I use the cheapest white vinegar available, it is about 35 Euro-cents for a one litre bottle. If the smell bothers you you can use apple cider vinegar or even citric acid. For me the white vinegar is just fine, I rinse it out anyway, and once my hair is dry there is no smell.

Yes, I think sebum stinks. I don't have a condition, my scalp smells like anyone elses I've ever met (and had the opportunity to smell their scalp.. er, that would be family and good friends). Dirty hair just stinks to me, it seems ungroomed. I suppose some people don't, but that's me and I don't want to walk around smelling stinky the way another person wouldn't douse themselves with a perfume they thought stunk.

I got Nettle in the mail today and tried it. So far, it feels like usual, not lots of flyaways, not overly conditioned, not overly dry... It really smelled like artichokes!! For a few minutes I was smelling it, trying to figure out what the smell was. I've gotta go look at the ingredients again. What a funny thing to have my hair smell like. Not that it's bad, just highly unusual...

I agree that dirty hair/scalps stink. I think men and those with ultra short hair tend to smell bad faster only because the long hair holds on to good smelling shampoo or products more.

And I thought the Nettle bar smelled like pine trees!

My new favourite is Rosemary Lavender Aloe. I don’t know why it took me that long to try it, but it has become my favourite :cloud9:
It’s been ages since I used a shampoo bar with only ACV as final rinse and no conditioner (I always use cones) and I did it like that yesterday. My hair feels great today, soft and shiny :inlove:
I have to give a second chance to Babasu Marshmallow. I tried a couple of weeks ago with not very satisfactory results. Maybe next time :shrug:

This was my favorite bar for the last 9 months or so :D The only one I used pretty much. Love it. Now I've switched to some more moisturizing ones as that one seemed to leave me a tad dry. I still have one bar that I'll mix in with the olive and babassu, but I love that bar so much :D

I have been using PHL's Rosemary and Nettle poo bar for about 5 months now and I absolutely love it. I am never going to use any other shampoo. I tried CV poo bar but i experienced more shedding.

thank you oskimosa i will look at those online, is the vinegar just the regular big vottles ou can get at the grocery store?

Sure is. I can't stand it anymore, though. On top of a poo bar, it doesn't leave a smell, but just dumping it on my head and smelling it the whole shower is unpleasant enough. I strain a key lime into a 16oz bottle of tap water and rinse with that. You can use bottled lemon/lime juice too. Reason being, none of my vitamin shops had any citric acid and I didn't want to buy online and pay for shipping.

I agree that dirty hair/scalps stink. I think men and those with ultra short hair tend to smell bad faster only because the long hair holds on to good smelling shampoo or products more.
But unwashed hair does not equal dirty hair. And washing does not necessarily mean washing with good smelling products.

We have many members who either wash with water only or who do not wash at all, and they have lovely hair. Do you really think they walk around with a stinky head?

Stink is caused by bacteria. Washing with product removes the bacteria along with the stuff they feed on, i.e. excess sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells. The longer one goes without washing the more important it is to manually remove the debris - by combing, scritching, massaging, brushing.

However, sebum does have a natural odour,and I guess that´s what some people refer to as "stink", because we´re all so used to strongly perfumed products that natural body odours are thought of as "gross". Personally I think that´s a shame. :twocents:

So as discouraged as I've been by my inconsistent results with poo bars, I decided last night to give another of SarieQ's bars a try. Here's the results: :)

I used her Lavender Rosemary bar. Followed usual poo bar procedure. Three lather ups followed by three good rinses and then.....dun dun dun.....the dreaded ACV rinse (the smell!!!).

My scalp feels amazing. No itchies! Yay!
My hair smells really nice.
My hair is super soft & really shiny.
I have no icky stickiness.

From me, SarieQ's Lavender Rosemary bar gets a definite thumbs up. I love my results!

Now if I can just duplicate them......forever......

While I was waiting for my sample of O&B to arrive, I took a break from the CV poo bars and went back to my Whole Foods Herbal Mint Shampoo for about a week. My hair felt fine but I noticed that my scalp got really itchy! So, yesterday I did a BS rinse and used the Cham&Citrus bar again and things feel much better. I just got the O&B today and can't wait to use it tomorrow.

Right, I was thinking we were still talking about shampoo bars and not flaming others for their opinions here. I'm perfectly happy knowing that not everyone in the world will agree with me, which is why it's important to say things like "I think..." or "to me." Otherwise, we're just trying to force feed our own opinions to others, now aren't we. Cheese, anyone? :gobblecheese:


Lutya, I might have detected a hint of pine in there too. I think it was just the combination of the herby smells and the cedar that reminded me of artichoke. Either way, it seems to be a really good level of moisture for me!

My mother takes blood pressure medication, and I know she can't use anything with horsetail but she should be able to use the nettle soap right?

Alright so I got some poo bars from Serpentine Hair to try out. I am addicted to the smell!! And I love that the scent stays in my hair. However, I think I need to do some more experimenting here. I lathered and did an ACV rinse. The front of my hair looks awesome but the back lacks movement and looks a little... clumpy? But my hair feels absolutely amazing! I can't figure out if it's waxy or greasy though. :)

Alright so I got some poo bars from Serpentine Hair to try out. I am addicted to the smell!! And I love that the scent stays in my hair. However, I think I need to do some more experimenting here. I lathered and did an ACV rinse. The front of my hair looks awesome but the back lacks movement and looks a little... clumpy? But my hair feels absolutely amazing! I can't figure out if it's waxy or greasy though. :)


I had that problem, too. Now, I grab portions of my hair and run the bar down each portion, sectioning it up and down and then left and right. Lather twice, works like a charm. No more gooey spots (thanks to advice here, including manderly! thanks!) No matter how thoroughly I thought I was washing, it seems impossible to get every spot without sectioning. Then again, I have too much hair.

Okimosa - thanks for your advi