Just Tried a Shampoo Bar for the First Time

**cxg231** · 07-04-2012, 07:22 PM

I tried a shampoo bar today for the first time, a QCS Peppermint Eucalyptus. "Loaded" my hair with the bar in my right hand rubbing it all over my head and working it in with my left hand, after about 15 seconds of applying the bar I had a HUGE amount of lather, a fist full in my left hand! I rubbed it in vigorously (watch the eyes, OUCH!) and left the shampoo in my hair while I washed my body. Rinsed it out at the end of my shower and WOW - hair is soft and clean and manageable without conditioner. So far, I'm a believer!

**cluelessdude** · 07-05-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by cxg231

I tried a shampoo bar today for the first time, a QCS Peppermint Eucalyptus. "Loaded" my hair with the bar in my right hand rubbing it all over my head and working it in with my left hand, after about 15 seconds of applying the bar I had a HUGE amount of lather, a fist full in my left hand! I rubbed it in vigorously (watch the eyes, OUCH!) and left the shampoo in my hair while I washed my body. Rinsed it out at the end of my shower and WOW - hair is soft and clean and manageable without conditioner. So far, I'm a believer!

I just used the QCS Peppermint today for the first time and I think it's really good! I just finished 4 bars from Chagrin Valley which was my first experience with shampoo bars. YMMV but for me they made my scalp itchy. So far QCS seems to be much better though it is still too early to tell. I think perhaps CV had an ingredient(s) that did not agree with me.

**jamesspo** · 07-05-2012, 10:10 PM

I'm curious about the shampoo bars, and will try one soon. What's the deal with the vinegar rinse I keep reading about - I'm not too into having to do that (even occasionally)..do these bars cause some kind of long term build-up?

**eyebright** · 07-05-2012, 10:46 PM

If you have short hair that gets trimmed regularly, as most men do, you probably won't feel the need to do it. The reason for using it is that all bar soaps are on the alkaline side, including any shampoo bars that are not surfactant based (like the Lush bars). Hair and skin, on the other hand, have a slightly acidic pH. What the dilute vinegar rise does is remove all traces of soap and returns your hair and scalp to the correct pH. It is also said to smooth the cuticle of your hair: smooth cuticle, more light reflected and hair that appears shiny rather than dull. The vinegar rinse can help you get over the initial "bad hair" days that some people experience when they first start to use shampoo bars. Not everyone experiences that but if you've used a lot of products with silicones it can take a few washes with shampoo bars to get it out. It's really not that much of a hassle, but it's a step that can be skipped if you object to it. I think it's more important with long hair - it helps make it easier to untangle and comb out.

**zeak** · 07-06-2012, 07:45 AM

i just started using a Liggets shampoo bar from whole foods and noticed some bad hair days but am willing to be patient. but if i have to add a vinegar rinse every few days or once a week to balance my hair/scalp pH, that doesn't really simplify things for me and adds another step. I'll give t his a few more days but if the hair doesn't liven up then I'll need to look for a "natural" liquid shampoo.

**cxg231** · 07-06-2012, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by cluelessdude

I just used the QCS Peppermint today for the first time and I think it's really good!

Agreed! Day three of the QCS shampoo bar for me and my hair is noticeably shinier and softer.

Originally Posted by zeak

I'll give t his a few more days but if the hair doesn't liven up then I'll need to look for a "natural" liquid shampoo.

FWIW - before I tried the QCS shampoo bar, I was using this stuff. I don't have scalp or dandruff problems, but I was looking for a "natural" shampoo. Way better than the mass-market shampoos, but not as good as the QCS shampoo bar, YMMV as always.

**namya** · 07-06-2012, 08:16 AM

Wonderful thread because now the wife has gotten interested in shampoo bars..

This is how you get them to read B&B, LOL.

**Gearoid** · 07-06-2012, 10:57 AM

I've been using a Chagrin Valley poo bar this week and it's going well so far. It's the honey beer one and it lathers up really well. I'm aware of the mixed reviews, but I have a few other of their bars to try out as well.

**JayHawkMechanic** · 07-06-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Gearoid

I've been using a Chagrin Valley poo bar this week and it's going well so far. It's the honey beer one and it lathers up really well. I'm aware of the mixed reviews, but I have a few other of their bars to try out as well.

I liked the Honey beer and egg bar, it worked well for me,but not as good as the Ayurvedic herb. I didn't like their Lavender Spice and Rosemary Lavender bars, it made my itch even worse. Their Neem and tea tree bar worked, just takes a little to get used to the scent. I also didn't like the way the coconut milk bar and butter bar conditioner bar left my hair, plus they did little if anything to combat scalp itch. The cafe moreno bar did help a bit and it smells great and I like the way my hair felt with it. Don't think it helped my hair get darker, but then again I have dark brown hair as it is :) I'm using the Babassu marsh mallow bar right now and I can honestly say it don't help much for my scalp it, it's not as bad but I might as well be using head and shoulders and that ain't gonna happen, I'll stick to the herb bar and keep trying different ones, I have several from QCS on the way and after those I'll try Mystic waters.

Chris

**Triad** · 07-06-2012, 04:40 PM

QCS orange spice is the only one i,ve used it is very nice!!

**skirby** · 07-06-2012, 04:59 PM

Just tried some Liggett damaged hair formula. Very nice amount of lather. Hair seems softer but scalp is a bit itchy, not to the point of disturbing so i will continue for a couple Of weeks to see how it goes.

**bastimret** · 07-08-2012, 11:44 AM

My wife is intrigued by these shampoo bars but was concerned about if it would work well due to the amount of hair. She has hair down to about 6" below her shoulders. She normally uses a large palm full of Pantene shampoo to get her hair well lathered and then another of conditioner. Do these bar shampoos provide enough lather to clean her hair without using 1/4 of the bar?

**cluelessdude** · 07-08-2012, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by bastimret

My wife is intrigued by these shampoo bars but was concerned about if it would work well due to the amount of hair. She has hair down to about 6" below her shoulders. She normally uses a large palm full of Pantene shampoo to get her hair well lathered and then another of conditioner. Do these bar shampoos provide enough lather to clean her hair without using 1/4 of the bar?

Yes!!! The lather is HUGE. If she is using a palm full of Pantene per use I seriously think shampoo bars offer greater value. More importantly if they work out they are the more natural choice and all that.

I'm really liking the QCS shampoo bars. Chagrin Valley bars are bigger and cost less per oz but they didn't work out for me. Got scalp itch which is now just about gone since using QCS. Remember YMMV but honestly I get so much lather from shampoo bars and you can just tell it's a more natural looking lather.

**bastimret** · 07-08-2012, 11:57 AM

Good to know, thanks!

**LegionPrime** · 07-08-2012, 01:31 PM

I just ordered my first today. I destroyed my weekly budget when I saw their post that they had a LE Iced Key Lime shave cream. It has the Vostok which I was already interested in, the Lime is my kryptonite, I can not resist much that is Lime. :D Because of this thread and others I seized the chance to snag one of their shampoo bars, Cedarwood Rosemary is on the way along with a tub of Iced Key Lime shave cream. i hope to give it a try by the end of the week.

**JayHawkMechanic** · 07-08-2012, 02:25 PM

You have no worries there. All but one shampoo bar Ive used produced more than enough lather, granted I have kinda short but really thick hair. You will be surprised at how much lather you will get out of a quality bar such as Chagrin Valley or QCS. Just keep in mind you might have to try a few to find what works best for you. The really cool thing is the average shampoo bar lasts me 3 months or so. Chris

**kingfisher** · 07-09-2012, 07:03 AM

A shampoo bar will lather up plenty for a person with long hair; the problem comes in the rinsing. It's much easier to rinse out when you have short hair.

So a person with long hair may have to do the vinegar rinse every other day or so. Tell your wife to rinse very thoroughly. It will take a few days for her hair to adjust to the shampoo bar.

I have only tried Liggett's and Mystic Waters. I found what I needed with the Mystic Waters, so I haven't felt the need to try other products. I've been using Mystic Waters about a year and a half. Good stuff.

**zeak** · 07-09-2012, 10:28 AM

Having given Liggett's several days and even trying a vinegar rinse (watch the eyes!), still not impressed. Hair feels "lifeless" and sort of weighted down. Ordered a sample of Mystic Waters and will give that one a week test as well with an update.

**eyebright** · 07-09-2012, 11:34 AM

For a woman with long hair, I recommend applying the shampoo bar only to the scalp, whether by rubbing it directly around the hairline and along the part, or by making lather in the hands and transferring it to the head (I do the direct rub application, myself). When she rinses the soap suds out through the length of the hair, that is enough to clean the hair. Long hair should always be treated gently to avoid split ends, both in lathering, drying and combing - this is in general, not just with shampoo bars. The vinegar rinse is especially important with long hair, and if it is dilute enough it is not drying - you are just returning the correct pH to the hair.

**JayHawkMechanic** · 07-09-2012, 11:38 AM

I used the QCS Tea Tree Lavender shampoo bar for the first time today and my first impressions are, I like it. Left my hair feeling clean and manageable, as well as my short thick hair can be managed :) Good scent, seemed to quiet down the scalp itch some but won't really be able to tell on that until a few uses.

Chris