The most plastic-free packaging is no plastic. And that is not possible when you use liquid shampoo, says editor Trudi Brewer. Here are four new haircare bars that tick more than the planet-friendly box.
Beauty bars are in the spotlight right now and for a good reason. For cleansing your hands to your hair, they're not only effective, but they are also light on plastic and kind to our ocean. If you haven't tried a haircare bar, these new solid sudsers are poised to give their liquid counterparts a run for their money. Here are the latest haircare bars from the nature-loving New Zealand brand ecostore
What's in it?
Made from plant and mineral-based, vegan ingredients, the new ecostore Haircare Bars are designed to clean and condition your hair without the need for nasties. Each solid bar is 100 percent soap-free but triple-milled like a luxe-y soap to offer that silky lather we all crave when shampooing our hair. There are three Shampoo Bars tailored to suit your hair type (including those with coloured-treated, permed, and bleached hair), as well as a solid Nourishing Conditioner Bar enriched with nourishing ingredients to smooth and protect while locking the moisture into your hair and scalp.
Here's the range
ecostore Volumising Shampoo Bar, $18.
If your hair needs some va-va-voom, and you care about the planet, this bar is a beauty. It's thanks to the kale protein that strengthens your locks, the antioxidant-rich blend of radish, carrot, extracts, and almond oil that feed the scalp. Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the fragrance, sweet orange, and green apple - it's an ultra summery combination.
ecostore Dry & Damaged Shampoo Bar, $18.
ecostore Dry & Damaged Shampoo Bar, $18.
Perhaps my favourite from the range, some shampoo bars tend to leave my thick, curly, and bleached hair tangled, not in this case. It offers softness, with the body and bounce I need. That is thanks to Shea butter and jojoba oil, in the formula, but it's the pear and cedarwood scent that leaves me wanting more.
ecostore Normal Hydrating Shampoo Bar, $18.
Ultra-gentle, it was specially made to keep your hair looking shiny and feeling healthy. The blend of Argan and coconut oils nourish both your locks and scalp, and the fragrance, a blend of apple, jasmine, and vanilla, is the perfect balance of fruit and floral - expect to be asked what perfume you're wearing after using this bar.
ecostore Normal Hydrating Shampoo Bar, $18.
ecostore Nourishing Conditioner Bar, $18.
ecostore Nourishing Conditioner Bar, $18.
Once you get your hands on this solid conditioner, I doubt you will want to share it. For anyone with parched locks (like me), the chia seed, coconut, sunflower seed, and Japanese camellia seed oils work wonders to smooth and perfect your hair or a sensitive or easily-irritated scalp. The fragrance is ideal for the heat; it's a tropical, vanilla combination that lingers for hours.
How to use a shampoo bar
Granted, it's a bit to get your head around switching from liquid to bar haircare. Just like you would use a liquid shampoo or conditioner, your hair and the bar must be wet to create a lather; I rub the bar in my hands first to make the suds. Massage your scalp and then your hair from the roots to the ends; the formulations rinse clean in warm water. Ecostore says you can expect around 60 washes from each travel-friendly bar; there is also a soap holder, perfect for keeping the bar in the shower. Finally, for anyone looking for a chemical-free haircare with no nasties like silicones, parabens, and synthetic dyes, and synthetic fragrance, these bars are also sulfate-free (it's the coconut in the formula that creates the suds). This zero-waste brand places a particular emphasis on minimising its environmental impact, with a formula that delivers. From a beauty buy perspective, these shampoo bars are where it's at.