Just Tried a Shampoo Bar for the First Time

**sulkhogan** · 03-07-2012, 12:44 PM

Michelle threw in a sample sized shampoo bar with my last Mystic Water order and all I can say is WOW! This is pretty awesome stuff, leagues better than the sulfate-laden Pert I've been using my whole life. So now I'm hooked and switching to shampoo bars. Has anyone tried Michelle's wonderful bar? Any others worth trying? I've got my eye on one or two of Queen Charlotte's. Also, your thoughts on a diluted vinegar rinse after the bar? I didn't do one today as I don't have any vinegar handy and got great results, but who knows.

**DFSDAILY** · 03-07-2012, 01:23 PM

My water is super hard and it's my understanding they don't do well with hard water, or else I'd have tried them long ago.

**Austin** · 03-07-2012, 01:38 PM

Hard water does not mix well with shampoo bars. Unfortunately.

**strop** · 03-07-2012, 04:15 PM

I've used both QCS and Malaspina. Both work well. I've never done a vinegar rinse. Maybe I should to see what I'm missing

, but I can't tell any difference from what I was doing before. Going on 6 months now with the bars.

**JeffM** · 03-07-2012, 04:34 PM

Chagrin Valley has a selection of about 20 different scents and I have tried several with good success. They get a lot of love on this forum.

**shaverjoe** · 03-07-2012, 05:48 PM

I use shampoo bars from QCS (tea tree lavender is my favorite) and Mystic Waters. I have hard water here and both work very well. Just my opinion. I use a diluted lemon juice rinse about once a week but I have very short hair.

**sulkhogan** · 03-07-2012, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by DFSDAILY

My water is super hard and it's my understanding they don't do well with hard water, or else I'd have tried them long ago.

Originally Posted by Austin

Hard water does not mix well with shampoo bars. Unfortunately.

Really? Because we've got relatively hard water here in New Brunswick and I got great results. Maybe the water isn't as hard as I thought

Originally Posted by strop

I've used both QCS and Malaspina. Both work well. I've never done a vinegar rinse. Maybe I should to see what I'm missing

, but I can't tell any difference from what I was doing before. Going on 6 months now with the bars.

I personally noticed a difference instantly, from the second the bar hit my head, and even now my hair is softer and more manageable than it's ever been! I can only imagine what the vinegar rinse will do for me.

Originally Posted by JeffM

Chagrin Valley has a selection of about 20 different scents and I have tried several with good success. They get a lot of love on this forum.

As a matter of fact, right after I started this thread I found a few others praising the Chagrin Valley bars. I'll have to pick one up. Are they typically available in any brick-and-mortar places or just online?

**Dlskier** · 03-07-2012, 07:28 PM

I'm going to give a Mystic Water bar a try. If it works for me, the hard water thing is a myth. According to Wikipedia, Very Hard water is anything over 181 mg/L or ppm. My city has on average 310 mg/L.

I'll post back with my success/failure.

Edit: Ok maybe not, should've tacked it onto my soap order. It'd cost more for shipping than it would for the bar.

**rickboone1** · 03-07-2012, 07:31 PM

I've yet to try one of these, though I keep saying that I am going to. Just haven't. Yet. Honestly, I go to purchase a $5 shampoo bar and spend near that or more in shipping, thus being unable to justify my purchase.

**Dlskier** · 03-07-2012, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by rickboone1

I've yet to try one of these, though I keep saying that I am going to. Just haven't. Yet. Honestly, I go to purchase a $5 shampoo bar and spend near that or more in shipping, thus being unable to justify my purchase.

Haha, exactly what just happened to me. $7 shipping for a $6.60 bar.

**Dlskier** · 03-07-2012, 07:47 PM

Doing my hard water test with a J.R.Liggett's off of Amazon. If it turns out I can use it, then I'll tack on a bar to a future soap order if my Mystic Water Limes shaving soap has me craving more.

I couldn't justify the shipping cost without know it'd work, and Liggett's is Prime eligible for amazon so no shipping/tax.

**slugg77** · 03-07-2012, 08:18 PM

CVS is made about 30 minutes from me. I have emailed the owners and they offer it at one B/M in the Greater Cleveland Area. I am a huge fan of their Cafe Moreno shampoo bar.

**rickboone1** · 03-07-2012, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dlskier

Haha, exactly what just happened to me. $7 shipping for a $6.60 bar.

Exactly! And, I don't want to have to spend $40 in soap at one site to make it worth my while.

**cluelessdude** · 03-07-2012, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by rickboone1

Exactly! And, I don't want to have to spend $40 in soap at one site to make it worth my while.

They should have some shampoo bars at Whole Foods.

**dliden** · 03-08-2012, 06:21 AM

I'd never used a shampoo bar until two weeks ago. I got a Bay Rum sample bar from Ogallala and I think it's amazing. Then last weekend, I found a Liggetts bar in Whole Foods. So now I've got to go out and buy a bunch of others - just to make sure I'm not missing out on something. QCS, Mystic, Chagrin.

**xXClockwork** · 03-08-2012, 06:26 AM

How are these bars for someone who has had to use Head and Shoulders? I'm guessing there is nothing to treat dandruff in them.

**Hayden** · 03-08-2012, 06:28 AM

Ive been using JR liggets exclusively for the last year and half and I will not be going back to regular shampoo ever. I usually just buy 5 bars at a time so shipping's worth it.

**slugg77** · 03-08-2012, 06:40 AM

I used to use head and shoulders, my flakes went away after three weeks of shampoo bar use, YMMV.

**urr-lord** · 03-08-2012, 07:42 AM

I'm using a Liggetts bar followed with a dilute vinegar rinse.It leaves my hair soft ,very nice.However it does nothing for my dandruff.

I may have to experiment with other rinses etc.

**eyebright** · 03-08-2012, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by xXClockwork

How are these bars for someone who has had to use Head and Shoulders? I'm guessing there is nothing to treat dandruff in them.

It depends on what's causing your dandruff - if you have dry flaky skin on your scalp that medicated shampoos aren't clearing up, then maybe you just need a good shampoo bar even if it's not "medicated". FWIW, artisan soap makers are not allowed, by FDA rules, to state that a product will mitigate or cure any medical problem (like dandruff). That pushes the product over the line into OTC drug territory, which requires very expensive testing and red tape.