Our natural 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.
Also since natural shampoo bars are so gentle, it may take a while to remove all of the silicones and petroleum-based products used on your hair for years.
Technique #1: Use The Bar Directly On Your Hair.
- One of the most important steps is to begin with thoroughly wet hair--I mean a lot of water. Be sure that the water saturates your hair all the way down to the roots.
- Gently rub wet the shampoo bar directly onto your hair from scalp to ends in a combing motion. Continue to add water as you create the lather.
- 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, rinse and rinse again. I cannot stress how important this step is to shampoo bar success. The rinsing should take longer than the washing and lathering time. If your hair is long or thick, lift up sections of your hair to ensure that all of the shampoo bar residue is rinsed clean.
- Repeat if desired
Technique #2: Create The Lather in Your Hands
I think this is the best technique if you are new to shampoo bars, having adjustment issues or have long or thick hair.
Use your hands, a puff or a sponge to create a foamy lather, and only use the lather to wash.
This technique helps prevent pockets of soap in your hair that can make hair feel tacky.
- One of the most important steps is to begin with thoroughly wet hair--I mean a lot of water. Be sure that the water saturates your hair all the way down to the roots.
- Rub the wet shampoo bar between your wet hands or puff to create a nice lather.
- Using your fingers like a comb, smooth the lather down the length of your hair. If you the lather is not foamy enough, add more water.
- Gently massage it into the scalp and hair, as you would with a bottled shampoo.
- Work up a really good lather
- Rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse again. I cannot stress how important this step is to shampoo bar success. The rinsing should take longer than washing and lathering time. If your hair is long or thick, lift up sections of your hair to ensure that all of the shampoo bar residue is rinsed clean.
- Repeat if desired but I found that as my hair adjusted I only needed one round of shampoo.
Relax, you can wash your hair with natural shampoo every day if you desire! It cleans thoroughly without drying or coating your hair or scalp. Dry and style your hair as normal.
