Shampoo bar questions

[TessC]

I've been using shampoo bars instead of liquid shampoo for about a month now, and I'm hooked. I use a weak citric acid rinse after the wash, and haven't had to use anything else on my hair since making the switch.

Once I'm a bit more comfortable with the process of making my own soap, I want to work on my own shampoo bars, so I'm doing a ton of reading. I've searched through posts here, Googled recipes, and have read through most of the 245 page thread on shampoo bars here, and there really doesn't seem to be a consensus. Just from the 9-10 sample bars I've tried, there's a huge difference in the way my hair looks and feels from one bar to the next, and the ones I like the best seem to have more castor and less coconut. The bar that has coconut highest on the list of ingredients wasn't kind to my hair at all. :shock: The bar I currently like best has cocoa butter in it, which I was skeptical about at first, but my hair loves it.

I know everyone's hair and water is different, which makes it hard to find a one-size-fits-all recipe, but does anyone have a favorite or two that they'd be willing to share?

 

[beachgurl]

Castor is a considered much more conditioning that coconut, but the coconut is what gives you the wonderful bubbles and gets your hair clean. the bars with less coconut are less cleansing and more conditioning. Kukui nut oil makes my hair happy, but I don't make it for anyone but myself because it's rather expensive. Like you said, castor is a good choice as is avocado, hemp, and rosehips (all for conditioning).

 

[digit]

Lucky you!! I have tried several, but have as yet to find one that works for me, even with the rinse, which I use anyway. They either fry my super thin, fine hair or leave it too heavy and sorta greasy looking.

I have even seen several who say they can use whatever soap they have at hand at the moment. Good luck and let us know how things turn out!

Digit

 

[IanT]

I have even seen several who say they can use whatever soap they have at hand at the moment.

.....like me


i use every soap that i make on my hair and it turns out fine...havent had to use anything else other than my bars for a year now... woooohoooooooooo......hit the one year no soap from a store mark!!!

as far as recipes... Im not too picky so its hard to nitpick my own recipes... which is why i am going to get other people to do that lol...

(thats where Digit comes in ....)

 

[topcat]

I did lots of research and found exactly what you are finding...there is no one bar suits all solution....everyone's hair is just so different! I have short hair which has blonde streaks and I find that most of my soaps do fine for a few washes then I need to use a commercial shampoo and start over. I don't use a rinse though and that is probably a clue right there :wink:

I made a bar for my daughter who has an oily and flaky scalp and blonded hair so it needed to be balancing and nourishing....I ended up with about 8 oils and eleventy other additives and it smells like ginger (there is no ginger in it!) and works well on my two sons hair but not my daughters....oh well, back to the drawing board

P.S: I am currently using an 80% CO/20% Cocoa Butter unscented soap with a 20% superfat on my hair and it is working really well.

 

[heartsong]

x

i have fine, limp weenie hair and for the last 5 months i've been using glycerine soap and LOVE it! i almost have BIG HAIR!

when i am on the road i use a dab of aussie 3-minute miracle. at home i rinse in chamomile tea water with a little lemon or vinegar and a few drops of lavender, rosemary and tea tree oil.

no more itchy, flakey scalp and i've noticed less hair breakage.

i'm thinking of getting some m/p shaving soap as it has a higher castor oil content-more creamy lather.

 

[Jaaret]

Shampoo bars

I'm hooked on using castor oil in most all my soaps, but especially in shampoo bars. I'm also a fan of jojoba oil in shampoo bars.

I use a dilute vinegar rince once or twice a week. I have short hair so a little emolient soap residue in my hair doesn't bother me at all.

I use a tiny amound of blended cocoa butter, shea butter and myrrh EO as a pomade to help keep my hair in place. It does the job without being stiff or hard.

 

[TessC]

Thanks for all of the pointers and info, I really can't wait to try to make my own, but I'm going to wait until I have a couple more batches under my belt first. Plus I already have my next two planned, lol, this is addictive.

 

[digit]

which is why i am going to get other people to do that lol...

(thats where Digit comes in ....)

Well...........since you trusted me and tested mine, I will be pleased to test yours.

Digit

 

[Etelka]

I've tried so many times to use shampoo bars and for a few washes its ok then I end up with a wooly mess, most likely bc my hair is colored and highlighted, I've given up. From what I've learned it works well on virgin hair. Also from others I have heard to make a good shampoo bar one needs to add flaxeed oil.
Good luck, let me know if you come up with a good one
Etelka