Buy local shampoo bars for sustainable hair care
I’ve just started using shampoo bars and conditioner bars and they’re amazing!
The first shampoo bar I used was from a bulk food shop and had no packaging so hence no instructions. I was flying blind guessing how I was supposed to use it. I tried rubbing it in my hands to create a lather and then wiping the lather onto my hair. FYI that is not how to do it.
The next shampoo bar I tried was Ethique that has excellent reviews and is made in New Zealand. It came in a box that thankfully had instructions explaining to rub the bar over your hair a few times and then rub in with hands to create a lather. That worked much better!
I’ve always found with any kind of shampoo that it does not lather very much until I rinse and apply a second time. Then I get a nice foamy lather that is easier to spread around my hair and work into the roots. This is the same with shampoo bars. I highly recommend washing hair with a shampoo bar twice before applying conditioner but of course everyone’s hair is different.
I’ve been really happy with Ethique but I always prefer to buy Australian products (even if New Zealand is a very close relative). So I’ve been researching all the Australian shampoo bar brands I can in order to support local.
Check them out below.
1. Viva La Body
Made in Darwin
Paper packaging only
Vegan and palm oil free
2. Beauty and the Bees
Made in Tasmania
Packaged in recyclable cardboard box with vegetable based inks
Palm oil free
3. Dindi Naturals
Made in Victoria
Packaged in a reusable and recyclable aluminium tin or unpackaged refills are available
Palm oil free and vegan
4. Urthly Organics
Made in Victoria
Packaged in a recyclable cardboard box
Palm oil free
5. Australian Natural Soap Company
Made in Melbourne
Packaged in recyclable cardboard box
Palm oil free, vegan
6. Hemp Collective
Made in Byron Bay
Packaged in a reusable and recyclable metal tin or refills are available in a paper wrap
Palm oil free and vegan
7. Biode
Made in Australia
Packaged in a recyclable cardboard box
Vegan
8. NueBar
Made in Sydney
Packaged in a compstable and recyclable card container
Palm oil free and vegan.
9. Shampoo With A Purpose
Made in Australia
Packaged in a compostable and recyclable cardboard box.
Palm oil free and vegan. A 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner.
10. Amor Luminis
Made in WA
Packaged in a compostable cardboard box
Vegan and free from palm oil, parabens and phthalates
11. Margaret River Made
Made in WA
Packaged in compostable and recyclable cardboard
Vegan
12. Biome
Made in Australia
Packaged in recyclable cardboard
Vegan and palm oil free
13. Perth Soapworks
Made in Perth
Choice of zero packaging or tissue paper/cardboard wrap
Vegan and free from palm oil and phthalates
Have you used shampoo bars? What do you think of them and do you have any tips? Let me know in the comments!
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Interesting! I’ve never used a shampoo bar before. I’m in Germany; would have to find out if something comparable is being sold locally.
I have never tried shampoo bars but after reading your post I think I will. Thanks for an interesting and informative post!
Thanks for all this information. I’ve been seeing more about these shampoo bars. I didn’t know if they would work good. But this was informative. I want to try the Nuebar. I’ll check the website out.
I have been using Seed & Sprout shampoo and conditioner bars for the past 12 months. They’re so good and my hair feels amazing. Also, I get a few more days between washes than I used to.
Awesome! I’ve finally found a conditioner bar I like from Margaret River Made but will have to try Seed and Sprout too. It took a little while for my hair to get used to but now it feels great.