Soap bars have quickly gone from the thing that only dads use to being a prized item among beauty fans thanks to new formulas that celebrate clean ingredients, small-batch production, delicious scents and sharp shapes. Add in the fact that soap bars are portable and don’t take up precious space in a shower caddy and it becomes apparent why they are changing many people’s beauty routines. Building on the bar revival, shampoo bars are showing that liquid shampoo isn’t our only option.
Shampoo bars, or solid shampoos as they are sometimes called, are specifically formulated for use on hair. They not only help you achieve soft, shiny hair, but solid shampoos also show the often-neglected scalp some TLC by boosting circulation and exfoliating to remove buildup and flakes. Even better, many double as body soap for the ultimate all-in-one convenience.
Since solid shampoos don’t need to be stored in plastic containers, they get a green star for being eco-friendly. Most formulas are also natural, cruelty-free, organic, vegan and free of known irritants. Additionally, the solid composition doesn’t require the preservatives liquid formulas often need. And because a shampoo bar is made with little-to-no water, it has a more concentrated formula, which means less product is needed when shampooing. In fact, a solid shampoo bar can last longer than a couple of bottles of liquid shampoo.
There might be an initial adjustment period going from a liquid to a solid shampoo bar, but it should be a smooth transition — for your beauty regimen and hair. Grab one of these best shampoo bars, massage it into hands or directly on your scalp and see why good things do come in small packages.
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Why You Should Trade in a Liquid Shampoo for a Portable Shampoo Bar
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J.R. Liggett's
Original Formula Shampoo Bar, $7.49 at J.R. Liggett's
Shampoo bars may be a new thing for a lot of us, but the recipe for this one was discovered in an old New England cookbook many years ago by J.R. Liggett himself. The 100 percent vegetable oil formula still holds up today. It cleanses without stripping moisture from locks thanks to six oils. It rinses out easily with no telltale greasy residue left behind, but it's rich enough that you could skip conditioner.
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Rocky Mountain Soap Company
Natural Shampoo Bar With Rosemary, $4.64 at Rocky Mountain Soap Company
This shampoo bar produces a lather that will satisfy liquid shampoo users. Rub it in hands to produce suds, then apply the formula to your scalp. Rosemary boosts circulation while creating a pleasant herbaceous scent. Castor oil ensures strands stay soft and silky.
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Meow Meow Tweet
Rosemary Avocado Shampoo Bar, $12 at Meow Meow Tweet
Like everything in Meow Meow Tweet's collection, this shampoo bar features adorable packaging. Take the obligatory photo of the box, then start lathering up with the shampoo bar. It's rich, nourishing and has a refreshing sweet herbal scent from the avocado oil, aloe vera and rosemary. Continue with the usual lather, rinse, repeat routine and the result is shiny, nourished locks. Get more mileage out of the bar by using it in place of your body soap.
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Christophe Robin
Hydrating Shampoo Bar With Aloe Vera, $22 at Sephora
This is one bar that can be used on skin and hair. The artisan formula is 100 percent natural and free from synthetics. Hydrating ingredients including aloe vera and castor oil make it suitable for all hair types. Be aware that there might be an adjustment period when switching from a traditional liquid shampoo to the solid bar. After about two to five washes, you'll be glad you made the swap.
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Lush
Godiva Shampoo Bar, $12.95 at Lush
The shampoo bar may not have anything to do with chocolate, but we don't mind because the two-in-one bar cleanses and conditions. Even overprocessed, frizzy locks will become smooth and shiny after using the shea butter and nut oil-rich formula. Get a rich lather by rubbing the golden circle between hands or massage it directly on your scalp. The heady jasmine scent smells as good as any perfume.
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Daughter of the Land
Hair + Body Shampoo Bar, $19 at Anthropologie
You have full permission to use this bar on your hair and body. The formula is handcrafted from rich oils and fresh goat's milk sourced from a small, certified humane farm in Ohio. The combination cleans hair without stripping it. Only a small amount of product is needed to coat locks so the bar will last a lot longer than the average liquid shampoo. Choose from two uplifting floral scents.
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SheaMoisture
Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Clay Shampoo Bar, $9.99 at Ulta Beauty
Attention curly-haired people: solid shampoos will not weigh locks down. This mineral-rich bar actually makes tendrils extra springy. The combination of clay, neem oil, coconut and hibiscus provides a deep cleanse while hydrating tresses. The curved bar is designed to remove buildup and provide major scalp exfoliation. Thanks to the solid format, it can be transported anywhere for good hair days every day.
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BRÖÖ
Craft Beer Bar Shampoo Energizing, $5.99 at Amazon
A craft beer shampoo bar? It's not a practical joke. The cruelty-free bar really does have craft beer in it along with other good-for-hair ingredients, including coconut oil and shea butter. What it doesn't have is sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, dyes, artificial fragrance or harsh preservatives. There's no skunky brew scent here, just two uplifting formulas: Cactus Lime & Ginger and Sea Salt & Bergamot. Choose one, then use the nubby side of the bar to massage your scalp or skin.
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Ethique
Heali Kiwi Solid Shampoo Bar, $15.57 at Ethique
Don't let the portable size fool you. This solid shampoo bar is equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo. It's formulated for those dealing with dandruff, psoriasis and other scalp problems. The palm oil-free bar helps kill microbes that cause scalp problems while reducing flakes. Try it out and say goodbye to that itchy scalp.
