Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bar Journal

[plpenn]

Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bar Journal

After hearing about shampoo bars and suffering from a touch of a dry scalp from time to time I decided to give them a shot. I have never done business with them before and did not get anything for free or at a discounted rate. I am going to use this thread as a way for me to keep track of my experience and thoughts and also a way to share information with others who are thinking of giving them a try.

Chagrin Valley seems to be fairly well respected around here so I thought I would pick up a few of their samples. I ordered :

Cafe Moreno - original weight on 1/20/12 is 52 grams/ 1.8oz
Ayurvedic Herb - original weight on 1/20/12 is 57 grams/ 2.0 oz
Chamomile & Citrus - original weight on 1/20/12 is 47 grams/ 1.8oz
Butter Bar Conditioner (a shampoo and conditioner in one from what I understand) - original weight on 1/20/12 is 52 grams/ 1.8oz

From their website:
"Sample bars are approximately 1.5 to 2 ounces"

The four samples and shipping cost around $16. I ordered them on 1/14 and they arrived on 1/20, I could be wrong but I think I ordered them very late at night on the 14th. Their website was full of information and easy to use. My novice nose agrees with their descriptions.

I get my hair cut high and tight normally once a month, I last had it cut 3 days ago. If I need to use a styling product when my hair gets longer I use Axe or Suavecito pomade. For the last several years I have used Irish Spring bar soap from head to toe. It has always worked well but from time to time I get a little bit of a dry scalp. I will not be using any sort of vinegar rinse or anything else like that (unless noted)

Below is a picture of all four of the samples with a quarter to give you an idea of the size. They came well packed in a small flat rate box from the USPS, in individual small brown paper sacks with additional brown paper filling the box so they were secure.

I will use one bar at a time and start with the Chamomile & Citrus. I am getting ready to jump in the shower so I will update soon!

[plpenn]

I love the fresh out of the shower clean feeling!

Just tried out the Chamomile & Citrus shampoo bar and my hair feels no different then if I had used Irish Spring. There is a very slight lingering scent but I bet it will disappear shortly, if not it goes well with the Irish Spring
It lathered very well. I just rubbed the bar on my wet hair for about 15 seconds then set it on the soap saver and continued to lather and check out the progress in my shaving mirror, it produced a TON of lather.

My hair is now mostly dry and feels clean and soft. To be fair my hair is less then 1/2" long on the top so it doesn't take much to keep it clean.

First reactions: I like it. Good scent, easy to use. Its more expensive then my Irish Spring but maybe it will be better for my scalp, only time will tell...

Oh, I put the other samples in a zip-lock bag in the closet until I am ready to use them.

The pictures below give you an idea of the size of this sample bar compared to a US quarter.

[cluelessdude]

I also ordered the herb and cafe along with nettle and extra beer and honey. So far still on my first knew (ayu herb) and I think it will last me 3 months (full size)!

I really like it!

[DustMite]

...I just rubbed the bar on my wet hair for about 15 seconds then set it on the soap saver and continued to lather and check out the progress in my shaving mirror, it produced a TON of lather

15 seconds is quite a long time for these shampoo bars. I keep my hair pretty short too and all it ever takes is about 5 swipes on my head. That is more than enough to work up a lot of lather and cover all the hair.
When I first switched over to shampoo bars, it took several washings before I noticed a difference. Now, I don't think I'll ever go back to regular shampoo. My hair is so soft now that it is free of all the build-up from using regular shampoos all these years.

[Techichi]

Seems like it would be difficult to apply. Especially for longer hair. I'LLC be trying it anyway.

[tchudson]

I haven't used Chagrin Valley shampoo bars yet, but I do use a shampoo bar. My hair is longer than a military cut - probably more like the length of a Beatle's mop-top cut when they first showed up in the US. I have no problems with applying the shampoo and lathering.

Seems like it would be difficult to apply. Especially for longer hair. I'LLC be trying it anyway.

[john parker]

I started with Chagrin Valley's shampoo bars several months ago. First tried Coconut Cream and the coconut conditioning bar. Seemed to leave a waxy residue, but otherwise nice. Then tried the beer and honey one; nice enough. Then sort of settled on the Soapnut and Sunflower Seed; very nice, leaving my hair soft and silky. But I always end up with an itchy scalp after several days. That condition has always happened over the years regardless of the shampoo. So I bought and just received new samples. This morning I tried Babussu and Marsh Mallow for the first time. Hair is soft, seems to have more body; will wait to see how it affects my scalp but after four hours it is still good. Will also try the aray..... to see how that is. Would note to prospective users that I personally have not found the vinegar rinse to be necessary after the first use. Did it once, found no advantage, and stopped doing it. I have soft water (our own in-house softener) and my hair rinses clean.

[eyebright]

Seems like it would be difficult to apply. Especially for longer hair. I'LLC be trying it anyway.

When using a shampoo bar, it's only necessary to soap your scalp. The sudsy water that runs through your hair when you rinse should be adequate for cleaning it.

[TankCommander1554]

I've been using CV Soaps for the last 6 months in Iraq and Kuwait and they are awesome. I am currently using the Honey Beer Soap - not an overwhelming fragrance, but pleasant and manly. I have never used any other rinse but I do like the way they work - simple and uncomplicated.

[plpenn]

1/21/12- I rubbed the bar on my head for 10 seconds, did not need that much. Really worked it in this time. Thick creamy lather, smelled great (I wonder if I could shave with this?) I still have not used any pomade in my hair but this seems to be working well. I still don't see much difference between this and Irish Spring, results wise, but the wife said my hair seemed softer (as she was pointing out that my white hairs are multiplying fast)

1/22/12- I rubbed the soap on my head for 10 seconds and produced more then enough lather. I worked it into my scalp for a few minutes and it just kept making lather. I really like the smell of this stuff. My hair feels clean and seems to be laying down better then normal. Sometimes the hair on top gets a little puffy while I sleep but it has not over the past few days. It could be a good hair cut or a result of this product. I don't know if it is getting my hair cleaner or weighing it down. Feels the same to me as it did last week.

1/23/12- Just got out of the shower and I see no need at this point for a vinegar rinse on my short hair. I rubbed the bar across my hair about 5 times and it made plenty of lather. Good smell, seems to me to work like a cross between my regular bar soap and bottled shampoo, lather wise at least. I can't see signs of use on the bar, I have been keeping it on a soap holder my wife got at Walmart for less then a dollar and it seems to be working well. Again the citrus scent is great and goes well with the Castle Forbes lavender I used in the shower for today's shave.

[plpenn]

15 seconds is quite a long time for these shampoo bars. I keep my hair pretty short too and all it ever takes is about 5 swipes on my head. That is more than enough to work up a lot of lather and cover all the hair.
When I first switched over to shampoo bars, it took several washings before I noticed a difference. Now, I don't think I'll ever go back to regular shampoo. My hair is so soft now that it is free of all the build-up from using regular shampoos all these years.

I finally figured out that it only takes a few swipes!

I like it so far and as long as they last a while I don't see me switching back either!!

[plpenn]

1/24/12 - 3 swipes of the soap is more then enough for my short hair. Still performing the same, I noticed a touch of a dry scalp today but the weather is crazy so who knows....

1/25/12 - same as the day before.

[Jawaburger]

The shampoo soaps are certainly easier on the hair than liquid shampoos, but if you are getting dry scalp, you may consider only shampooing every other day to let your natural hair oils replenish themselves. I only shampoo once or twice a week, and I have very good luck. I still get the hair wet and rub my head a little under the water every shower, but YMMV.

[plpenn]

The shampoo soaps are certainly easier on the hair than liquid shampoos, but if you are getting dry scalp, you may consider only shampooing every other day to let your natural hair oils replenish themselves. I only shampoo once or twice a week, and I have very good luck. I still get the hair wet and rub my head a little under the water every shower, but YMMV.

I think it is mostly the weather. I get really grungy so I don't think that not using some sort of soap is an option.

[plpenn]

Over the last 2 days I have been doning the same thing but have not had the dry scalp. I guess with all the rain and humidity everything is balancing out!

[plpenn]

For the last few days I have been using suavecito pomade and have had no issues with not being able to wash it out with the shampoo bar. I really worked up a thick lather because I wasn't sure if it would come out easy but there were no issues, could be because it is a water based pomade....

I have not been having any further issues with dry scalp. I have been using the bar every day.

[cluelessdude]

Good to hear. Damn these last like 3 months, I want to use a different scent already lol.

[plpenn]

Good to hear. Damn these last like 3 months, I want to use a different scent already lol.

I like the Chamomile & Citrus I have been using and I am actually glad it seems to be lasting, but I hear ya.

[cluelessdude]

Try the herb next. It's the only one I've used so far and it's great.

[plpenn]

I may do that, I like the idea of the coffee one just wish it smelled stronger.