Are Shampoo Bars Worth It? 5 Revealing Pros And Cons

Seven weeks ago I started to use a shampoo bar from Lush. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or if the price was worth it ($12 is a little too much for a shampoo if you ask me).

I was tired of the same shampoos and at that moment I was trying to control my dandruff.

Also, I didn’t want to put more chemicals on me; and even though those special shampoos were effective, I wanted something more natural. That’s one of the main reasons why I decided to try a shampoo bar.

*SOME OF THE LINKS IN THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS AND I WILL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE AFTER CLICKING ON MY LINK*

My Experience With Shampoo Bars

Like I said at the beginning, my journey with shampoo bars started the first week of August.

I didn’t have high expectations and I was super confused on how to use the shampoo bar. I mean, we can all agree it sounds weird at first.

Like, how do I apply it on my hair? It’s solid shampoo!

Jumping Juniper was the chosen one since I wanted to treat my dandruff. Apparently, lavender is perfect for that.

It sorts out oily hair problems by washing away grease and managing oil production. Again, I wasn’t sure if it was going to work.

The girl at the store was very helpful telling me about all the ingredients in each bar, also explaining how to take care of the shampoo bar. Which I have to admit, it was a little annoying at first.

Basically, the idea is that you shouldn’t leave the shampoo in the shower. You have to dry it with your towel or a paper towel. That way the bar won’t get all soft.

You know, just like any soap bar that you leave with all the water around. The product won’t dissolve and will last longer if you store it somewhere else.

Two weeks passed, and the dandruff was still a problem (not surprised since it is a natural way to do it), but let me tell you, is definitely one of the best shampoos I have used!

It left my hair clean. I felt it clean! Something that my last shampoo wasn’t doing. That was the first change I noticed.

Days passed and I was noticing more and more changes. I still had to wash my hair every other day, but at the same time, it helped to control the frizz and with the shedding.

I’m not kidding you, before shampoo bars, I would shed like a dog. You could find my hair everywhere and every time I washed my hair I ended up with a ball of hair in my hand (gross, I know).

Not only that, after using the shampoo bar, my hair was soft and looking all shiny. I felt like I was part of a shampoo ad.

What I have to add is that, my natural hair volume, decreased. That was a little disappointing, but nothing that a high ponytail can’t fix.

With all those benefits I already felt like the shampoo bar was worth it.

With all those benefits I already felt like the shampoo bar was worth it. The results I was seeing were amazing. Shiny hair, no frizz and I was shedding way less. I was a happy girl. Click To Tweet

Did this natural shampoo bar helped with my dandruff?

Five weeks passed when I noticed the dandruff was almost gone, or controlled at least. I’m one of those people that, when stressed, will produce more than normal.

I’m a happy gal now, and even though I’m still waiting for more changes (like not having to wash my hair every other day), is honestly one of the best products I have tried.

Shampoo Bars Pros And Cons

Shampoo bar pros: leaves hair clean, it last longer than other shampoos, helps to get back your hair to their original state, you don't have to wash your hair frequently, and you will use less plastic. Click To Tweet

Shampoo Bar Pros

1. LEAVES HAIR CLEAN. FOR REAL.

Before making the switch I was annoyed that after drying my hair, it would feel like I didn’t wash it at all.

That fresh feeling wasn’t there and after a day I wanted it to wash it again. That’s not good!

2. IT LAST LONGER THAN OTHER SHAMPOOS

Yes, it’s more expensive at first, but the average shampoo bar lasts the equivalent of three bottles of shampoo. Which is awesome!

In my opinion, that’s totally worth it.

My sister and I share the same shampoo bar and we still have more than half of the bar (we have been using it for almost two months).

3. HELPS YOU TO GET BACK YOUR HAIR TO THEIR ORIGINAL STATE

Shampoo bars are made with natural products, so when you avoid all those chemicals in normal shampoos you will start seeing the difference.

I can feel how little by little the state of my hair is changing. I don’t need to use as much conditioner as before. Sometimes I even feel like it’s not necessary at all.

4. YOU DON’T HAVE TO WASH YOUR HAIR AS FREQUENTLY

If you have oily hair, I know this is an issue. Mine is oily as well, but it’s getting better with time.

For starters, I try to avoid touching my hair too much. That always makes it greasy faster. If I can control that, I can wait between two or three days to wash it again.

Last time I waited three days to wash it (as an experiment), it didn’t feel so bad!

5. YOU WILL USE LESS PLASTIC

This is another important factor! I mean, we are talking about avoid buying three bottles of shampoo as an average. Similar with conditioner bottles.

It might not sound like a lot, but you have to start somewhere.

Shampoo bar cons: takes longer to see results, hard to pack for traveling (sort of), it requires more work to take care of it, they don't address specific hair types, and they are kinda expensive. Click To Tweet

Shampoo Bar Cons

1. TAKES LONGER TO SEE RESULTS

Like I was explaining, it takes longer to see results. For example, with dandruff. It wasn’t until two weeks ago that I could see the difference.

While you can go to a pharmacy and get a special shampoo for that and see results after a week, with shampoo bars you will need to be patient and wait until the natural ingredients help your scalp.

I had to use it for a whole month before the crazy dandruff was controlled.

2. HARD TO PACK FOR TRAVELING. SORT OF.

I mean, yes. It’s easy to pack, and because is small, it fits everywhere. But like I said before, taking care of the shampoo bar after a shower is a little bit annoying.

So if you have to take a shower right before packing your shampoo bar, it will be damp, and that bothers me a little.

In general, like my mom said, shampoo bars can be impractical for traveling.

3. IT REQUIRES MORE WORK TO CARE OF IT

The fact that you can’t leave it in the shower can be a little inconvenient.

I can’t tell you how many times I had to step out of the shower because I forgot the shampoo bar *inserts facepalm emoji*. Yes, I’m still not used to the process and I have a bad memory.

Besides that, having to dry it every time is kinda exhausting. Especially if you are in a hurry.

4. THEY DON’T ADDRESS SPECIFIC HAIR TYPES

Different hair conditions like dandruff and oily hair? Yes. Different hair types like curly and fine hair? Not so much.

Although I’m sure that will start changing once people start using more bars instead of the ones in bottles. We all have different hair types and we need more options besides the common “anti-oil”.

I have to say that now you can find more options for curly hair, and I linked two options below!

5. THEY ARE KINDA EXPENSIVE

You have to have in mind that you are buying three bottles of shampoo in one purchase. But I have to admit it was hard at first.

I mean, $11 for a shampoo when I’m used to pay less for normal shampoo? Yeah, it was hard but definitely worth the investment!

Shampoo Bars Options

Check out these shampoo bars options! There more brands besides Lush. Click To Tweet

1. Shampoo + Body Bar (Morning Glory) by Daughter of the Land

2. Grapefruit, Rosemary, and Lavender. Gentle Scalp + Hair Care by The Yellow Bird

3. Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Clay by SHEAMOISTURE

4. St Clements by Ethique

5. Neem & Tea Tree by Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve

Have you used shampoo bars before? Do you love them or nah? Let me know in the comments!

Also, remember that if you have more questions about shampoo bars, you can ask me right now!

Sincerely,