Revisiting the Shampoo Bar

[carldamnit]

I have to say, I really like the convenience of using a shampoo bar over goopy old shampoo. To this point I have used QED Cedar and Bay, and Dr. Harris Arlington. While both are better than using shampoo out of a bottle neither really looks to be staying in my bathroom permanently.

The QED smells great, great price. It kind of strips my hair like using prell. This can be mitigated a little by rinsing imediately.

The Dr. Harris does great things to my hair, it is softer and feels really healthy. The cost is terrible IMHO and the smell.....Lets just say I'm not that into Arlington. I am still going to finish it mostly because I paid twice as much for it compaired to the QED.

Could you share your experiences with shampoo bars you have used, I am so tired of blind purchases.

Thanks

 

[stryker4526]

I've used Chagrin Valley's cafe moreno and chamomile and citrus... they both smelled good and performed well (and honestly left my hair feeling better than the shampoo I use), but I get free shampoo from a family member who runs a hair care business, so I haven't purchased any shampoo bars.

 

[Silence!]

I've used shampoo bars from Chagrin Valley, Queen Charlotte Soap, and Mystic Water. I would rate them like this:

1) Chagrin Valley
2) Mystic Water
3) QCS

The Chagrin Valley is definitely superior to the other two. I've used a number of Chagrin Valley's shampoo bars like the Ayurvedic Herb, Coconut Milk, Herb Garden,
and Olive & Bassu. For myself personally, I like the Olive & Bassu best.

I have terribly hard water where I live, and only the Chagrin Valley shampoo bars leave my hair soft and feeling clean. The QCS leaves my hair rock hard, and the Mystic Water shampoo bar lathers well and does its job, but it doesn't leave a clean feeling.

The guys over at Chagrin Valley have been doing this the longest and I think it shows in how well their products work. If you haven't tried Chagrin Valley, I highly recommend it. It's the only shampoo bar I use now.

 

[cluelessdude]

I tried Chagrin Valley, QCS, and Mystic Water and all of them made my scalp itchy and showed flakes! Folks here recommended Grandpas Pine Tar body soap to use as a shampoo. I already had the soap from before so decided to use it on my hair and it's the best thing I've used yet! The smell is god awful though...so I would only go this route if other shampoos are causing you to flake.

Otherwise you might want to try Chagrin Valley. I think they are the most economical as their bars are huge.

 

[mistercitizen]

I've thought recently about using a shampoo bar but I was a little worried that they would not get all the oil based pomade I use out of my hair and leave it feeling clean.... but from what the OP says, the QED shampoo bars might do a pretty good job of that. It's peaked my interest again.

Ben

 

[skleice]

I've only tried Liggetts and QCS. The liggetts lathered well, but left my hair feeling dry and full of residue. I also had some dry scalp and itchiness issues. I've been very happy with the QCS bars. My hair feels clean, residue free and I have no itchiness at all. The bar also seems to last forever so I'm probably set for bars for a year+.

 

[stryker4526]

I've thought recently about using a shampoo bar but I was a little worried that they would not get all the oil based pomade I use out of my hair and leave it feeling clean.... but from what the OP says, the QED shampoo bars might do a pretty good job of that. It's peaked my interest again.

Ben

Allow me to be pedantic, but it's "piqued," not "peaked."

 

[bladebuff]

I tried Liggetts and used up a couple of bars only to head back to shampoo (Trader Joe's Refresh Shampoo and Conditioner). Liggetts seemed to dry out my hair and scalp and left my hair hard to manage and style.

 

[mistercitizen]

Allow me to be pedantic, but it's "piqued," not "peaked."

Hey, that's okay. As they say you learn something new everyday. Now I just have to look up what pedantic means and I will have learned two things .

Ben

 

[pdillon]

I've used several bars of Chagrin Valley and now I've been trying a few bars of QCS.

I prefer the CV. The main reason is that it seems like they last longer than the QCS, but I don't have any hard data to back this up. My wife and I have used up about 1 QCS bars per month, which seems really fast.

I would really like to try the Dr Harris, mostly because it comes in a tin and I think it would be good for travel. Now that I've been using shampoo bars, if I use normal shampoo while traveling it seems to make my scalp tingle quite a bit.

 

[pdillon]

This thread caused me to check in and I see that Mike's is finally out with a shampoo bar, which I have been waiting for. It's a 4-5 oz bar, which I think is similar in size to QCS (can't find a weight on the website). CV is a full 7 oz, which explains why it would last longer than the QCS. Mike's is definitely next on my list to try.

 

[babydials]

I have used a few shampoo bars from various vendors. They do a good job, but every so often they benefit from a vinegar rinse and for travel I actually find it easier to pack a tube than a bar that can get mushy if not completely dry when packed.

 

[john parker]

Started off a couple years ago using Chagrin Valley; ran through at least six samples and three full bars. While they (mostly) left my hair feeling soft, manageability was so-so and my scalp itched (but no flakes). Just started using Queen Charlotte Soaps (tea tree); hair feels soft, manageable, and the itching is greatly reduced.

 

[carldamnit]

I've used several bars of Chagrin Valley and now I've been trying a few bars of QCS.

I prefer the CV. The main reason is that it seems like they last longer than the QCS, but I don't have any hard data to back this up. My wife and I have used up about 1 QCS bars per month, which seems really fast.

I would really like to try the Dr Harris, mostly because it comes in a tin and I think it would be good for travel. Now that I've been using shampoo bars, if I use normal shampoo while traveling it seems to make my scalp tingle quite a bit.

You won't be disapointed in the Dr Harris, but don't expect much from the tin. Mine got dented in shipping, but because it is very thin it was easy enough to straighten out. My only real gripe is the small puck you get for the money.

 

[carldamnit]

This thread caused me to check in and I see that Mike's is finally out with a shampoo bar, which I have been waiting for. It's a 4-5 oz bar, which I think is similar in size to QCS (can't find a weight on the website). CV is a full 7 oz, which explains why it would last longer than the QCS. Mike's is definitely next on my list to try.

There is alot to like about Mikes bar. One suggestion on the large shampoo bars, cut it into quarters. I just used a butter knife, it was pretty easy. This makes it more convenient to use, will make it last longer as less of the bar is subjected to the shower everyday, and allow you to rotate soaps sooner(if you are into that).

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Got a sample of shampoo bar from Mike's. Had never heard of such a product. Have been using it and you know, I like it. Squeaky clean hair.

 

[Katia]

Those of you who get the itchies and residue... do you ever do a rinse with apple cider vinegar to follow the shampoo bars? Most people I know who use them (or any soap-based shampoo) insist it's a must. Fill up a pitcher or bowl with water, add a tablespoon or two of the vinegar, and dump it over your head. (No, it doesn't smell once your hair's dry, but if you really worry, let it sit for a few seconds and then have a quick rinse.)


(I'm intrigued by them, but I feel my hair's too long to use them efficiently. I know a lot of other longhairs who would beg to differ, but I can't imagine how I'd manage it. I seem to recall that even when I was young and had short hair and tried them, the result was not-so-great...)

 

[banditman]

Those of you who get the itchies and residue... do you ever do a rinse with apple cider vinegar to follow the shampoo bars? Most people I know who use them (or any soap-based shampoo) insist it's a must. Fill up a pitcher or bowl with water, add a tablespoon or two of the vinegar, and dump it over your head. (No, it doesn't smell once your hair's dry, but if you really worry, let it sit for a few seconds and then have a quick rinse.)


(I'm intrigued by them, but I feel my hair's too long to use them efficiently. I know a lot of other longhairs who would beg to differ, but I can't imagine how I'd manage it. I seem to recall that even when I was young and had short hair and tried them, the result was not-so-great...)

This is a good point. I'm using a JR Liggett's shampoo bar right now with an apple cider vinegar rinse and not having any problem at all with itch or residue. In fact, my hair doesn't seem to need a separate conditioner either. I just keep a small spray bottle of solution that is spritzed on, left a minute or so, and then rinsed out. Granted my hair is short but maybe a vinegar spray would be workable for longer hair.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

I won a bar of Taconic shave shampoo bar. It's great stuff. The smell is slightly swampy but doesn't last (I think this was the Eucalyptus mint flavor), my hair looks full and my chronic dandruff is in remission.

 

[Hayden]

Ive been using Liggetts shampoo bar for about a year and half and have about another year of it in stock. I dont use any cider rinse or conditioner and it seems fine, I do have short hair if that makes a difference. I doubt I will ever go back to shampoo again.