5 REASONS TO TRY A SHAMPOO BAR

Bar soap has made a huge comeback in recent years as consumers seek to cut down on plastic use, but would you wash your hair with a shampoo bar?

You might think that a solid block can't cleanse your hair as well as your favourite liquid variety, but shampoo bars have come a long way since they first hit the hair scene.

With well-respected premium brands like Davines launching a range of bars for different hair types, you can be sure you're getting a quality product.

"A bar is the same as liquid shampoo but in a solid form. When you wet the bar it starts to emulsify," says head of colour Joe Savine.

"It has paper packaging so it's more environmentally friendly because you're not pumping more plastic into the world - for some clients that's really important."

A compact, waterless bar is also a great option if you're looking to travel light.

As the Davines Shampoo Bar range launches in the salon and online, here are five key reasons you should consider switching to a solid shampoo…

1. Shampoo bars are highly effective

A shampoo bar is simply a different way to distil the active ingredients needed to wash away dirt and oil from your strands and scalp.

Unlike many soaps, they won't strip your hair completely. Instead, shampoo bars gently but effectively cleanse and moisturise your locks.

Davines Shampoo Bars are infused with nourishing plant extracts such as red celery, yellow melon, turnip root and olive, as well as sunflower seed oil to provide lightweight hydration.

2. Tailored to your hair type

When shampoo bars first started becoming popular there was a distinct lack of variety, with many brands releasing just one designed for 'all hair types'.

Now, you can find a wide range of shampoo bars formulated for specific hair needs. The Davines shampoo bars are designed to fit within the brand's Dede, Volu, Momo and Love collections.

Dede is for daily use, Joe explains: "When my hair's short I wash it every day. Dede is your lightest one, it's not going to over-moisturise, it's just going to clean the hair."

The Love bar is for frizzy or coarse hair: "I used the Love range when I had a perm to make my curls really soft and smooth."

He continues: "Momo is the moisturising range for dry hair and Volu is to add volume to hair." 

3. Easy to use

Just like using bar soap, you need to wet a shampoo bar and rub it between your hands to activate it, then lather up your hair, rinse and repeat for a thorough cleansing.

"It emulsifies quickly and it's super easy," says Joe. "For guys with short hair they'll love that it's just super quick, just in and out."

Follow up with conditioner as usual, he adds: "Use the corresponding conditioner, so for example Momo or Volu, depending on what your hair needs are."

4. Better for the environment

Plastic pollution is a huge environmental issue, with research showing some 170 trillion particles are floating in the world's oceans, and only 9% of all plastic is recycled.

If you want to do your bit to help the planet without sacrificing on quality, switching to solid shampoo is a great idea. 

Not only do shampoo bars provide the equivalent number of hair washes as up to two shampoo bottles, they also help to cut down on the carbon emissions created by transporting heavy bottles around the world. 

In addition, Davines Shampoo Bars are packaged in 100% recycled paper verified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

5. Handy for travel

Did you know that solid soap and shampoo bars don't count towards your liquid allowance when travelling by plane from the UK?

Shampoo bars are also a lot smaller and lighter than full-size shampoo bottles, meaning you'll save space and reduce the weight of checked baggage too.

Simply store your shampoo bar in a net bag or travel case and pop it in your toiletry bag, leaving more room for other hair or skincare essentials.

Best bar none

When it comes to protecting the planet, small steps can help to reduce your environmental impact - and your eco-guilt.

Why not try a solid shampoo and discover how these brilliant bars can make your haircare routine a little bit more sustainable?

Jetting off for a sunny escape soon? Get your hair holiday-ready with a cut or colour refresh at Paul Edmonds London.