How To Use A Natural Shampoo Bar

For those of us who grew up with shampoo in a bottle, shampoo bars are a relatively new hair care product. I have written a lot of information in blogs, FAQs etc. about shampoo bars.

There is a list of links at the bottom of this page that may help answer your questions.

Shampoo bars are quite easy to use. This page is dedicated to some shampooing techniques. If you have a technique that works for you, please leave a comment to share with others. 

Why Is A Shampooing Technique Important?

Shampoo bars are superfatted and thus contain extra oils and butters to nourish your hair. If you do not lather up really well, you will have areas that remain coated with the soap oils, which will; make it look “gummy.”

If you are used to commercial shampoo and shampoo twice, you will have already noticed that the second wash produces a lot more lather. The first wash is mixing with the dirt and excess oil in your hair so the second wash is working on cleaner hair. The same is true for our shampoo bars.

So lather up, once, twice, maybe even three times at first. Then be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse!!! Again, if you have long hair, pay special attention to the middle back of the hair so that you rinse all of the soap out of your hair.

Technique #1: Use The Bar Directly On Your Hair

• Begin with thoroughly wet hair.
• Gently rub wet the shampoo bar directly onto your hair from scalp to ends in a combing motion.
• Cover each section of your hair. Gently massage scalp and hair, adding more water as needed, until a good lather forms.
• To prevent tangles, be sure to always work from the top down, don't pile your hair on your head and use your fingers like a comb, not a mixer.
• If you rub the shampoo bar directly on your hair, remember you are washing your hair with superfatted soap.
• The most common trouble spot, especially for people with long hair, is at the nape of the neck. 
• It is very important to work the shampoo into your hair with water and really build up a good lather on your head so there are no patches of soap left on your hair.
• Lathering up also allows the dirt and extra oils to be washed away.
• Rinse, rinse, rinse! 
• Repeat if desired

Technique #2: Create The Lather in Your Hands
Some find it helpful, especially in the beginning, not to rub the bar directly on their hair. They use their hands, a puff or a sponge to create foamy lather, and only use the lather to wash. It can be very helpful in making the hair less tacky until the adjustment takes place.

• Begin with thoroughly wet hair.
• Rub the wet shampoo bar between your wet hands to create a nice lather.
• Using your fingers like a comb, smooth the lather along your hair.
• Gently massage it into the scalp and hair, as you would with a bottled shampoo.
• Work up a good lather
• Rinse, rinse, rinse!
• Repeat if desired.

Relax, you can wash your hair with natural shampoo everyday if you desire! It cleans thoroughly without drying or coating your hair or scalp. Dry and style your hair as normal.
 
Ida's Technique for Long Hair
Men and women with short hair seldom have hair adjustment problems. Folks with long hair have to experiment a bit and I have found that often times the technique can make all the difference. The most common spot for build-up, especially for people with long hair, is at the nape of the neck. 

You have to experiment with your unique hair type. I have long, fine hair.

Below is my technique for using a shampoo bar.   I...

• tie my long hair into a loose ponytail
• thoroughly wet my hair 
• wet the shampoo bar and rub the bar across the top of my head in strokes from front to back until I have covered the entire scalp area. (I have found that if I rub any shampoo vigorously in all directions, my fine long hair gets very tangled)
• massage my entire scalp in a combing motion to work up a really good lather. I do not rub the bar or work the lather on the length of my hair.
• take out my ponytail and rinse, rinse, rinse allowing the shampoo to drip down the length of my hair. (I have found that this rinsing is enough to clean the length of my hair.)
• rinse for at LEAST one minute as I rub my fingers through my hair to be sure that all of the shampoo is rinsed away
• squeeze gently on the length to remove excess water and cover with a towel while I dry off the rest of me. I do not rub the towel over my wet hair because it causes nasty tangles.
• use a wide-toothed comb and gently comb from the bottom up
• dry and style your hair as usual

This "How To" is from Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve Company

Still more here >>>
Everything You Want To Know About Shampoo Bars!