How to Use Shampoo Bars (and What to Expect During the Detox Phase)
From the apothecary: A return to simple, beautiful hair care.
If you’re making the switch from bottled shampoo to our handcrafted shampoo bars—welcome. These compact little blocks are packed with nourishing ingredients and free from the fillers, detergents, and harsh surfactants found in most commercial shampoos.
But switching to a shampoo bar is more than a swap—it’s a shift. And just like any ritual worth keeping, it may take a little time for your hair and scalp to adjust. That’s what we’re here to help with.
🌿 Why Choose a Shampoo Bar?
Our bars are gentle, concentrated, and made with plant-powered ingredients to cleanse without stripping your hair’s natural oils. They’re pH-balanced to support your scalp’s barrier and maintain healthy oil production—unlike traditional soaps, which can leave hair feeling dry or coated.
What’s inside:
- Butters and oils to hydrate and soften
- Marshmallow root for natural slip and detangling
- Horsetail extract, rich in silica, to support strong, resilient strands
- Herbal infusions to calm and soothe the scalp
- Natural cleansers that lather beautifully without sulfates
🔄 The Detox Phase: What to Expect
If you’re coming from conventional shampoo, your hair may go through a short transition period as it recalibrates. Here’s how that usually looks:
Week 1:
You may notice more oil than usual. That’s your scalp adjusting—commercial shampoos often over-strip the scalp, causing it to overproduce oil. Our shampoo bar gently cleanses without that cycle.
Week 2:
Hair may feel waxy or heavy. This is the stage where buildup from silicones, synthetic conditioners, and residues is working its way out. It’s the hardest part—but it’s temporary.
Week 3–4:
Things begin to shift. Hair becomes softer, lighter, and more balanced. Scalp health improves, and oil production slows to a more natural rhythm.
🌿 Stick with it. Most people fully adjust in 2–4 weeks.
💧 How to Use Your Shampoo Bar
- Wet your hair thoroughly. More water = better lather.
- Rub the bar directly onto your scalp in small circles or between your hands to build lather.
- Massage into scalp with your fingertips, not your nails.
- Rinse thoroughly. If needed, repeat.
- Follow with a conditioner bar or light vinegar rinse for extra softness.
✨ Tips for a Smoother Transition
- Use soft or filtered water if you can—hard water can react with natural shampoo and leave residue.
- Rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar (ACV): 1 tbsp ACV to 1 cup water. It helps balance scalp pH and smooth the hair cuticle.
- Clarify weekly during detox with a simple baking soda rinse if needed.
- Brush regularly to distribute natural oils.
- Be patient—you’re unlearning years of synthetic buildup.
From the Apothecary: Care for Your Crown
Your hair is unique, and your care should be too. Our shampoo bars are made in small batches with ingredients chosen not just for how they clean, but how they support the whole ritual of hair care—root, scalp, and spirit included.
Got questions? We’re always here to help. Whether you’re detoxing, thriving, or somewhere in between, we’ve got something for you.
Available in seasonal scents + signature blends like Black Currant & Jasmine, Bjorn, Sea Salt & Orchid, Cactus Flower & Jade, and Midnight Leather.