Hair care hacks: switch to shampoo bars for healthier hair & a happier planet

People are becoming more and more aware of the environmental impact of the things they use, and it goes way beyond just food and travel. We also have the power to make a difference with the products we’re using in our hair. 

Hair care routines can get a tad too complicated – filling up your shower with so many plastic bottles, with the ‘big brands’ shouting about needing this, this and this product for good hair. 

But we’re here to cut down on the faff and make things simple once again. 

First up on our list? Shampoo bars

These little wonder bars are becoming super popular, and for good reason. They give you a plastic-free alternative to regular liquid shampoo. So, not only are you doing your hair a whole world of good, you’re also doing the planet a whole world of good, too.

Shampoo bars = healthier hair and a happier planet! 

What is a shampoo bar, you ask?

So, first things first, let’s talk shampoo bars!

Shampoo bars are essentially solid blocks of shampoo, and that’s all there really is to it. 

Our shampoo bars are handmade using combinations of cocoa butter, almond oil, cacao powder and many other incredible ingredients (depending on the type of shampoo bar). The use of natural ingredients in our formulas creates beautiful scents for locks that smell as good as they look. 

As we touched on at the beginning, they’re completely plastic-free, from the product to the packaging. Plus, unlike traditional shampoos, ours are made without any harsh chemicals like parabens and silicones.

And you know what’s even cooler? You can even take your pick from shampoo bars to better match your specific hair concern or hair types like shine boost and nourishing, so you can tailor your eco hair care routine to you.

The differences between traditional shampoo & shampoo bars

So, chances are you’ve been using regular liquid shampoo all your life. Now, here’s the thing: switching to a shampoo bar can seem pretty daunting. Maybe even a bit odd. You might even wonder if it’s really worth it. 

But once you start to understand the benefits of our solid shampoos over liquid shampoos, we reckon you’ll be pretty convinced to make the switch.

Totally plastic free

We all know how those clunky plastic bottles of traditional liquid shampoo can create annoying avalanches in the shower. But worry not! With our shampoo bars, your shower will be clutter-free. 

Our nifty 50g hår Shampoo Bar sits neatly on your shelf, ready for you to lather away the day every time. So you can say goodbye to the shower chaos!

har shampoo bar

Packed with hair-loving natural ingredients

Did you know that plastic isn’t just used for packaging in regular liquid shampoos? It can actually be present in the ingredients too, which is kinda scary.

A lot of top liquid shampoo brands out there include Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Nylon (PA), Polypropylene (PP), and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in their formulas, which are all microplastic ingredients. These are a huge no-no for your hair and for our planet.

Our shampoo bars are all proudly plastic-free in their formulas AND packaging, relying instead on the awesome power of Mother Nature herself to give you beautiful, healthy hair that doesn’t harm the planet.

Free from harsh chemicals

Alongside being plastic-free, our shampoo bars are free from harsh chemicals.

Traditional shampoos rely on ingredients such as silicone, phthalates, and parabens to help you achieve luscious-looking locks.

These ingredients are very harsh on your hair, and while they may give you the aesthetic results you’re looking for, they can cause long-term damage to your hair.

Our solid shampoo bars are packed full of natural ingredients, such as botanical plant extracts and oils, making them naturally free from artificial colourants and silicon.

Longer lasting (up to 60 washes, in fact!)

One of the most impressive things about a solid shampoo bar is how long it lasts. When you’re used to purchasing large, clunky plastic bottles once a month, you might be dubious about how long a 50g shampoo bar will last.

Our solid shampoo bars can last up to 60 washes!

This means that with a healthy hair care routine, these little bars can last up to 4 months (depending on how often you wash your hair, of course). This makes a shampoo bar a much more pocket-friendly product.

How to use a shampoo bar: grüum’s step-by-step

If you’re new to solid shampoo bars and wondering how to use them, no worries! It’s actually quite similar to using regular liquid shampoo. 

Below, we’ve got a super simple step-by-step guide on how to use a shampoo bar to make sure you’re getting all that goodness.

How to use our solid shampoo bars
Step 1) wet your hair thoroughly
Step 2) swirl the shampoo bar between your wet hands or over your hair to create a good lather.
Step 3) massage well into your hair.
Step 4) rinse out the product thoroughly.

Step 1) Wet your hair

As with traditional shampoos, the first step is to get your hair wet, even the best shampoo bars won’t work properly if you don’t have wet hair.

In order to create a good enough lather, your hair should be saturated with water.

Step 2) Create a lather

Once you have wet hair, it’s time to create a lather. This is where the process differs from liquid shampoo. Take the solid shampoo bar between your hands and gently work it into a lather.

You can take the lather from your hands and begin to work it into your hair. Make sure to focus on the roots and your scalp. 

Or, you can rub the shampoo bar directly onto your hair. When rubbing the shampoo into your hair, make sure to rub it in one direction rather than in circles. This will help to avoid tangles.

If the lather isn’t big enough, simply add more water to your hair. This will encourage the shampoo to lather up more.

Step 3) Massage your scalp

With a decent lather on your head, spend a couple of minutes massaging the shampoo into your scalp. This will help to remove any product buildup and leave your hair squeaky clean.

When massaging the product into your hair, make sure to only focus on the scalp, the lather will naturally cascade down the lengths of your hair (if you have long hair) to clean them.

Again, try to avoid piling your hair on your head or scrubbing your hair in circular motions as this can cause nasty tangles. Instead, you can use your fingers like a comb to distribute the shampoo throughout your hair. Our hårkam Bamboo Comb is great for this step.

Step 4) Rinse, rinse, rinse!

Once your hair is nicely lathered up, it’s time to rinse. 

Rinsing your hair thoroughly will help to avoid any pockets of soap that may be left behind. Just like the liquid shampoo, leaving behind any product can result in greasy or weighed-down hair, so make sure you rinse, rinse, rinse!

We recommend rinsing your hair for at least a couple of minutes

Step 5) Next up, the conditioner bar

When your hair is properly rinsed, you can go in with a glôs conditioner bar.

The process of using conditioner bars is the same as shampoo bars but focus on the ends more than the roots, and remember to fully rinse your hair.

Because our shampoo bars are packed with natural oils, finishing your hair wash routine with a conditioner bar will help to re-nourish and rehydrate your locks.

This can help to keep your hair in the best condition and add extra shine to your hair. 

Transitioning from lack-lustre liquids to beautiful bars

When you make the switch from a highly processed product to a more natural shampoo, there might be a transition period to get used to.

Don’t worry, it’s totally normal and just requires a little patience. Our bodies get used to the products we use, so a sudden change can take some adjusting.

A lot of bottled shampoos simply coat your hair, making it look shiny and healthy. But that’s just an illusion! You need to wash away all that product buildup before you can see the real effects of a natural product.

During this time, as all the excess oil and products are washed away, you might find that your scalp and hair appear more oily or dirty than usual. It’s just a short transition period and it’ll be totally worth it.

Resist the urge to wash your hair more than usual to avoid irritating your scalp or damaging your hair.

Thankfully, glôs shampoo bars are formulated with some ingredients which help to lessen this transition period meaning you can have beautifully healthy hair no matter your hair type.

Extra things to consider with shampoo bars

Gruum product image with 4x shampoo bars

Now you know how to use a shampoo bar, there are a few extra things to consider. Using a solid shampoo bar is a whole new experience for your hair, and we’ve got a few tips to help you make the most of these wonder bars

Don’t use too much shampoo, but shampoo twice

When it comes to shampooing your hair, creating loads of lather might make hair wash day feel more luxurious. But here’s a friendly tip: with a shampoo bar, less is definitely more

Applying too much product can leave you with a waxy residue, blocking your precious hair follicles and resulting in greasy-looking locks.

Instead, try shampooing your hair twice, just like the “lather, rinse, repeat” routine with bottled shampoos. The first wash will get rid of dirt and oil, while the second wash will let all the goodness penetrate your hair, leaving it healthier and happier. 

Trust us, your dry hair will thank you!

Find the right shampoo bar for your hair type

Shampoo bars work differently for everyone and every hair type. There are so many options out there but, at grüum, we’ve made it simple. 

Our shampoo bars..Ideal for hair types…
glôs Conditioner Bar – NourishingAll hair types
glôs Conditioner Bar – VolumisingOily & fine
glôs Conditioner Bar – RevitalisingCurly & damaged
glôs Conditioner Bar – Shine BoostDark & dyed 
glôs Conditioner Bar – BrighteningBlonde
glôs Conditioner Bar – Anti-Dandruff Anti-dandruff

Our hår Shampoo Bar – Nourishing is our best seller for a reason. This shampoo is suited to all hair types, thanks to the blend of hydrating coconut oil and soothing cocoa butter. 

If you have dry, damaged, or curly hair, our hår Shampoo Bar – Revitalising is ideally formulated to nourish your hair with cacao seed powder and cocoa butter. This cult hero will revive your hair and encourage healthy new growth.

Alternatively, for oily and fine hair, our hår Shampoo Bar – Volumising will help boost your tresses with a sea salt infusion.

Our shampoo bars are formulated using natural ingredients to make your beauty routine stress-free and help avoid pesky transition periods.

Shampoo bars = kinder to you, your pocket & the planet

Shampoo bars are the perfect way to make your hair routine plastic and cruelty-free. 

With our range of solid shampoo products, from fragrance-free to shine-boosting, you’ll find the best shampoo bar no matter what your hair type is.

Shop our range today to be part of the eco-conscious beauty revolution with us.

Love, grüum.

Instagram | @gruum_hq

Facebook | @gruumHQ


FAQS

Why is there a transition period with shampoo bars? +

When you’ve continuously used traditional liquid shampoo full of chemicals, the product buildup left behind needs to be removed by the shampoo bars. This leads to a ‘transition period’ where the illusion of healthy hair is replaced with actual healthy hair.

Are shampoo bars good for damaged hair? +

Shampoo bars are made using natural ingredients such as coconut oil and olive oil. They’re often free from the harsh chemicals and plastics that are found in bottled shampoos, which makes them much better for your hair. We have shampoo bars specially formulated for damaged, dry hair, so you can target your specific hair concern for the best results.

Can you use a shampoo bar on dyed hair? +

Some shampoo bars can be used on dyed or colour-treated hair. Our hår Shampoo Bar – Shine Boost is specifically designed to give coloured hair a shine boost. You should avoid shampoo bars with more acidic ingredients to protect the colour of your hair.

Do shampoo bars work in hard water areas? +

Yes, shampoo bars do work in hard water areas, but you might need to spend extra time creating a lather and rinsing your hair to prevent a build-up of minerals on your hair that can leave an unwanted residue. 

*Please note: not all our products are entirely vegan – please check individual product pages for details.

Keep reading…