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Chagrin Valley Soap & Craft Shampoo Bars
Reviews Date of last review
16 Wed July 13, 2011
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Recommended By Average Price Average Rating
88% of reviewers $5.67 8.2
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Description: Chagrin Valley makes shampoo bars using the cold processed method-- this method retains the glycerin (which is a natural humectant/ moisturizer) produced naturally during the soap making method. The shampoo bars are generally superfatted (made with excess oil, which is moisturizing) between 3-5%. They contain no artifical detergents; only soap (produced by the combination of vegetable oils and lye) and essential oils, for their properties and scents. As they are solid bars, no preservatives are necessary.

From the Chagrin Valley website:
"Each of our shampoo bar selections contains a different blend
of natural plant oils, essential oils, and herb infused oils.
No two recipes are the same."

The difference in the formulas for each type of shampoo bar means that some will probably not work for a certain person's hair; but probably, some will.

There is frequently a transition period during the switch to shampoo bars. This transition is due to a number of issues: hair adapting to a more gentle cleaning method, build-up from pervious cleaning methods (especially if previous methods contained silicones), and a "learning curve" associated with learning how to best lather your hair using a shampoo bar. Also, finding a formula that will work for you often takes a few tries, which is why trying several sample bars in your first order is recommended.
To make this transition as painless as possible, diluted vinegar (or other acidic rinses) are recommended to remove any build-up from your previous cleaning method, and any initial build-up from the shampoo bar.

Shampoo bars do not work as well in hard water, where minerals can build up in your hair-- vinegar (or other acid) rinses are especially recommended in areas with hard water.

For more information, see the Chagrin Valley site, at http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/
Keywords: shampoo bars, solid shampoo, sulfate free, natural soap


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chloeishere

Humanist/Procrastinatrix

Registered: October 2007
Location: St. Louie, Louie
Posts: 2025
Review Date: Fri March 7, 2008 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $6.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Wide variety of choices, gentle but thorough cleansing, natural products, sulfate free, silicone free, minimal packaging
Cons: Adjustment period, Necessity of acid washes unless you have soft water, only available online unless you live nearby.

I have been using Chagrin Valley shampoo bars for about 7 months, and after an adjustment period of about a month, I have loved my hair for the majority of that time.
The gentler cleaning method leaves my hair feeling clean, but very healthy and happy, even right after I wash, before I've even applied conditioner. I get great shine, and extremely soft hair, with the Chagrin Valley bars. Some bars do not work well for me, though (see my list, below).

Generally, using shampoo bars is different for everybody, so the remainder of this review is based, and mostly discusses, my personal experiences.

The adjustment can be rough (but not all people have adjustment periods)-- first, your scalp has to adjust to producing less oil; before switching to shampoo bars, I was using shampoos containing sulfates, which are harsh detergents that strip your hair and scalp of natural oil. Because your hair and scalp are no longer getting stripped, your scalp needs to "learn" to produce less oil. In the end, gentler cleaning methods mean less oily hair, and generally less frequent washing is needed. However, the transition period can be a pain, since it takes a while for your scalp to stop producing lots of oil. Also, because the cleanser itself is more gentle, it takes more physical rubbing and lathering to get clean hair.
In my case, I initially did not want to use vinegar rinses; unfortunately vinegar rinses are not optional for me, as I live in a hard water area. Using some conditioner (which are generally slightly acidic) afterwards did help to reduce the "waxy" feeling I initially got. Eventually, I started using vinegar rinses, with great results. However, the scent of vinegar did not go away for me when my hair dried (the scent dissapears for most people), so I started using citric acid rinses, instead (about 1/2 teaspoon per 3 cups of tap water). Either of these options work really well for me, but the citric acid smells immeasurably better.

I have relatively fine (to medium) wavy hair, so my hair gets weighed down easily. My scalp was once oily, but is not any longer. My hair likes both protein and oil treatments.
The shampoo bar that works best for me is Chamomile & Citrus. Gentler cleaners for me are Nettle, Mud 'n' Clay, and Summer Sunshine (I prefer Chamomile & Citrus to Summer Sunshine). Extra Honey, Beer, and Egg works well (however, contains protein from the egg, so I don't use overly often).
Other bars that I have tried that did not work for me: Babassu & Marsh Mallow (too moisturizing), and "normal" honey, beer and egg (waxy, stiff hair). I have not tried any other formulations (I have a mild allergy to lavender oil), though I will continue to experiment in the future.
I continue to use a small amount of conditioner after using a citric acid rinse.

A big positive to this product, for me, is that it has a minimum of packaging-- and most of that packaging is biodegradable. The shampoo bars come in a small paper bag with a label (see attached images), that allows the soap to breath (and scents drawers quite nicely!); such minimal packaging also works out well for the environment.
Unfortunately, as I do not live near Chagrin Valley (where they sell their products at farmer's markets in the summer), I must order their products online. In my opinion, it is worth the minor inconvenience of ordering online, and they ship quickly, and provide wonderful customer service.
The bars are also an excellent value; I ordered 4 shampoo bars and a sample shampoo bar in early October of last year; as of March, I still have about 2.5 shampoo bars left, total.

I highly recommend Chagrin Valley shampoo bars (their soaps are also wonderful, but that is outside the scope of this review) for those who wish to switch to a more natural, gentle, and healthy hair routine!
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SweetPea88

Former Member

Registered: September 2007
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1031
Review Date: Sat July 5, 2008 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $6.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: natural ingredients, cone free, sulfate free, sample sizes, cost effective, wide variety, good customer service
Cons: online only, may require adjustment period

I absolutely love Chagrin Valley shampoo bars! The products have left my hair noticeably fuller, healthier, and full of shine. I love that these bars are a completely natural product which contain oils and herbs that are very beneficial to hair health. There is a wide variety of choices to select from and the website details full information on each of them, such as the ingredients and benefits of each bar. I have tried 6 different bars to date and this is a little description of them:

-Babassu & Marsh Mallow: great lather but extremely moisturzing
-Mud & Clay: good lather, added great volume, cleaned thoroughly without stripping hair, very strong smell
-Extra Honey Beer & Egg: nice smell, very nice lather, added good body and lightness to my hair, too moisturizing to use on a regular basis
-Nettle: one of my favorites, more of a cleansing bar, gives good volume and boosts my waves
-Summer Sunshine: another favorite, clean citrus smell, leaves hair feeling very soft and bouncy
-Cafe Moreno: another favorite, lovely strong clove smell (not at all like coffee!), creamy and smooth lather, moisturizing

For my routine I constantly switch between bars, lathering twice, and follow with an herbed vinegar rinse.

Please keep in mind that these bars vary greatly from person to person! I would recommend by ordering the bars you like in sample sizes and do not decide after one wash if you like it. Also, I recommend clarifying before you make the switch to these bars from commercial products with harsher ingredients. You will more than likely need to do a vinegar rinse (it is explained on the web site and on the thread here) and that also takes time to play with. I was lucky to not experience a transition period but do not be worried if you do not take to these bars right away! When you find the right routine they are absolutely wonderful and worth it!!

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mellie

I ♥ My Silvers

Registered: September 2007
Location: Land of Porch Swings (S. Indiana, USA)
Posts: 10264
Review Date: Sun October 12, 2008 Would you recommend the product? No | Price you paid?: $2.40 | Rating: 4 

 
Pros: all natural product
Cons: very strong smelling, didn't work for me

This didn't work for me at all, it left my hair very greasy (even greasier than before I washed, alarmingly!). An acid rinse didn't help. Also, it took my hair forever to dry, and actually it never really did feel dry, just really greasy and heavy. To be fair, I do have hard water which is a high pH, and naturally greasy scalp/hair.

The scent was just way too strong. I got the Cafe Moreno bar. My DH immediately had a sneezing attack when I opened the package and I had to hide it in a cupboard for a week or so till the scent dissipated some. When I did use it, I found it difficult to lather up and rather time-consuming in the shower. The scent lingered on my hair ALL DAY and it was not a pleasant scent, it was a very strong mix of patchouli (I didn't realize it was in there or I wouldn't have gotten it!) and cloves. It left me hair feeling so terrible and smelly that I had to wash again with shampoo afterward. It took two days of shampooing to actually get rid of the smell. I actually threw the bar away because both DH and I couldn't take the smell.

However, I understand that this could work for some folks as it does seem to be well made.
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healingsolitude

Member

Registered: September 2008
Location: PA
Posts: 467
Review Date: Mon October 27, 2008 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $6.50 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: natural ingredients, large bars, last long time, made hair thicker & healthier
Cons: can leave build-up on comb, some of the scents can take some getting used to

Sorry in advance for what is going to be a long review. My hair type? 1a, F, i/ii. I have stick straight, baby fine hair that is normal with an oily scalp.

Chamomile & Citrus - Leaves my hair soft and with the most shine. It is the most cleansing of the bars I've tried. Probably not good for dry hair unless you use a more moisturizing shampoo bar or soap as a conditioner afterward. I'm not sure if this one adds volume or if my hair has simply gained volume due to it being healthier after staying clear of commercial shampoo. I used this one one night and was amazed at a strand of my hair that had fallen onto my shirt. It truly looked like someone else's hair since it looked thicker and more smooth than I've ever seen any strands of my hair before. I actually had to compare two strands to be sure that was my hair. It reminds me of those pantene commercials I used to fall for because I wanted hair that looked that healthy when looking at just a strand. Anyway, back to the review. These bars are distracting. Oh, and I haven't noticed this bar leaving any scent behind on my hair, though I wish it did since it smells divine and exactly like the name. I also never use an ACV rinse with this bar anymore since my water is only moderately hard and I don't see a difference with or without when it comes to this bar. I follow this bar with a cold water rinse instead. You also shouldn't have a problem with suds when it comes to this bar. Sometimes I even worry that I wasted some of the shampoo by running it down my hair too much since it suds amazingly well.

Nettle - This one is just as cleansing on my hair as the Citrus & Chamomile. It doesn't give quite as much shine, but it does more than make up for that fact when it comes to volume. I haven't used this one in a while since I've been trying other bars. I'm really missing it since I didn't realize how much hair I had until I used this bar. I'll have to order this one in a full-size next time since I think it will end up being my favorite. I'm also loving how the scent remained in my hair when I used this bar. The scent is stronger than the Chamomile & Citrus one. It reminds me of those black jelly beans I ate as a child. The scent it leaves in my hair is much softer when compared to how it smells fresh out of the bag. I feel this one requires more effort to get the suds to work and it leaves my hair soft. This is another bar I use a cold water rinse with instead of a vinegar rinse.

Summer Sunshine - I used this bar for the first time without a vinegar rinse. Big mistake. I ended up with a terrible case of the waxies. I rewashed with the Chamomile and Citrus, which helped clear up most of it. My next wash involved a baking soda rinse, then I lathered this one up twice, rinsed, an ACV rinse, followed by a cold water rinse. The results were much better. I wasn't wowed by the volume since the Nettle gives me much more. The scent reminds me of the Nettle bar if it had a floral and citrus touch to it, which I actually prefer. I'm just not adjusting to this bar right now for whatever reason. I tried it without the vinegar rinse on the fourth and fifth wash to see if I could get as much volume as with the Nettle. Some volume did still appear, but my hair didn't feel nearly as clean as when I use the other two bars. It felt slightly oily around my scap area. I'm wondering if this is a bar I need to use the vinegar rinse with everytime or if my hair just doesn't react well to some ingredient in the bar since I'm not getting the results I was expecting from the description and reviews. I'm thinking it might have something to do with the coconut milk in this bar possibly weighing down my hair.

Cafe Moreno - I love this bar and the amazing softness it gives my hair! It is dark and smells very heavily of cloves. I wasn't too sure about the strong scent until I placed it in my bathroom for a few days. Now the scent has grown on me and I love it! My hair is soft and as shiny with this one as when I use the ACV rinse. Does it darken my hair? Yes, but only slightly. I did noticed that a week of using this had darkened my hair a small amount until after the second shampoo with a different bar. I don't find this bar either cleansing or moisturizing since it doesn't strip my hair or leave it feeling heavy or oily. It is a bar that I usually need to clarify more quickly with since it is not as cleansing as the C&C or Nettle bars that I usually use. The scent it left on my hair was barely noticeable to me, which is kind of disappointing since I love the scent now.

Lavender & Spice - I've only used this on once so far. It left my hair similar to how it was when I used the Summer Sunshine bar. I knew it also had coconut milk in it, so I prepared my scalp by doing a heavy baking soda rinse prior to lathering this bar twice and doing a final rinse with a lemon juice rinse. My hair felt as soft as it normally does with the other bars, but this time it was flat and dull looking like it was when I used the Summer Sunshine. I think the only reason I didn't have the oily feeling with this one was because I made sure my hair was squeaky clean with the baking soda and lemon juice rinses. The coconut milk ingredient just doesn't seem to work for my fine hair and oily scalp. I might try this one again in the winter to see how it does then.

Neem & Tea Tree - I couldn't bring myself to use this as a shampoo because I was worried about the scent lingering. It has a medicated smell to it that reminds me of a slightly toned down Bengay smell with a woodsy undertone. I'm trying it instead as a facial wash for my acne. If it doesn't work miracles, I think I'll just give up on this one. I have heard amazing things about this bar clearing up problem scalp, though. It would be worth at least a sample try if you have problem skin or scalp.
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Siava

Brump!

Registered: June 2008
Location: In the South where grits are a staple and frog legs are a delicacy.
Posts: 2534
Review Date: Wed December 10, 2008 Would you recommend the product? No | Price you paid?: $6.00 | Rating: 3 

 
Pros: Nice smell
Cons: Residue, drying

I bought samples of Lavender Mint and Summer Sunshine. The bars do smell pleasant, but both left my hair greasy. Unfortunately, my scalp itched after application as well. I found this product to be drying to the skin.
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venividibxtchy

Member

Registered: August 2008
Posts: 596
Review Date: Thu December 11, 2008 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Sulfate/paraben/preservative-free, company ran by family business, reasonably-priced
Cons: Some fragrances, allergic reaction to one, different reactions to my hair.

Overall, my experience with CV has been mixed, though I fear it is not a consequence of their service or product, but just the way my hair reacts to their product. Despite all of the negative things I will proceed to say, I still strongly recommend that you try these, as the benefits they come with can be enormous, if you're a good match.

I love the fact that these are all natural -- truly all natural (many claim to be, whilst still containing all sorts of monstrosities -- sulfates, parabens, preservatives out the wazoo...), made from quality ingredients, and made by a family business. I would much rather my money go there rather than a multi-million-dollar corporation. Their products are also reasonably priced. I wished there would've been some sort of a combination deal (especially around the holidays), or a discount coupon, but...in the end, it wasn't extravagant.
One tip to CV, if you are reading this: I realize that you are trying to be eco-friendly, and also thrifty about your packaging, but PLEASE consider something more resistant to spreading scents, as the combined fragrance of so many bars in a box for a few days is a bit much, even for the stoic.

When I first received my box, I panicked, as the box had smelled just...ineffably grotes after being shipped to me. I gagged as the miasma of "dirty hippie" filled my home. Everyone commented on the horror that was the air around us.
Surprisingly, it went away after a few days, and wasn't as pungent when wet -- bearable, some even "nice". I am a fragrance-lover, though, and I still honestly prefer the scent of my traditional shampoos over these. These scents (exc. Chamomile and Citrus -- most people wouldn't find this offensive) are not for everyone; I shall say that, but none of them are necessarily "bad".

Honey, Beer & Egg: This made my hair RIDICULOUSLY thick. I could barely fit my hand around my hair in a ponytail. It was full, and wonderful...except for the fact that the texture felt...waxy, and off. It didn't feel like my hair, and for that reason, I shan't continue to use it. This might be a sign that my hair does not respond well to protein treatments, at least those containing egg. It didn't seem to bother me Mam's hair, though, so it's worth a try for the thickness alone. I wish my hair were that thick everyday.

Chamomile & Citrus: Pleasant scent, washes clean...almost too clean. I'd definitely say it was one of the best bars from my purchase.

Nettles: This scent was very reminiscent for me, though I cannot place the note. People seem to say, "licorice", but I didn't think so. Nonetheless, it washed clean, similarly to the Chamomile & Citrus, though a bit less "squeaky". Another one of the best bars from my purchase.

Neem & Tea Tree: This might just be my favorite. It washed the cleanest of all, without being too "squeaky". The scent, though...it's...well, it's Neem and Tea Tree. Again, not necessarily bad, but nothing glorious.

I have a few more to try, and I do hope to find my "holy-grail" shampoo from this batch, but I am not encouraged so far. I'll maybe purchase more in the future, for gifts and family and the like, but I'm not so sure about myself.
It's been several weeks now, and my hair does not seem to want to adjust. While the volume of my hair increased, frizzy, matted hair has decided to rain on my parade. Sometimes, it gets so bad that it looks...unkempt.
I am not interested in doing ACV rinses, as I cannot stand vinegar, and I can't find citric acid locally, so my opinion in this regard may be limited.
I'm also not so sure that I like the texture of my hair whilst using these, but I realize I am used to -cones and how "slick" my hair used to feel.

I don't notice a significant difference in my seborrheic dermatitis, but that is not to the fault of the product. If you have allergies, I would advise that you be careful with CV's Lavender, Oatmeal, & Spice bar -- it's a regular soap bar, and the ingredients seemed totally innocuous (I've used all of them in isolation, oddly enough), but I got an allergic rash from it...go figure. I'm still not sure what on earth from.

Do try their body butters/lotion bars -- I think my dry/dark elbows are improving a bit, and I've tried a lot of lotions and such for them.
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myotislucifugus

Member

Registered: April 2009
Posts: 603
Review Date: Mon April 27, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $2.60 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: all natural, moisturizing, many hard to find combinations
Cons: I have to order it online, I'm not near Ohio...

My first set of samples was actually not my first set of choices. Their apparent popularity led me to get shampoos I would not normally have picked.

Carrot, Milk, and Honey- My first experience with these bars. I had done a vinegar rinse prior to it, but it left my hair soft and smooth, and I love the veggie garden smell. Most people seem to be hesitant to try it, but it is wonderful if your hair tends to be greasy (I have to wash every other day to look good) and still needs moisture.

Beer, Egg, and Honey- My hair didn't become as monstrously voluminous as I'd hoped, but oh well. There is no real smell, and my hair seems much shinier after a good washing with it.

Summer Sunshine- I love the smell! Makes my hair soft and shiny, although the carrot milk and honey one left it softer

Generally, I have to be careful about build up. Vinegar rinses don't do it for me, so I have to use a baking soda rinse every month or two when I get attacks of the "waxies." The upshot to the waxies is that it leaves soap with moisturizing oils stuck to your hair, so while it looks hideous, when you finally get the soap out it feels and looks amazing.

The website is wonderful, and I recomment visiting. The great part is that they offer reasonable shipping, and also offer sample bars. It is important to remember that not all shampoo bars are good for everyone, so they are all worth trying. The sample bars also last quite a long time, perhaps a sample per 2 months, if I wash every other day. I highly recommend these. Also, all the ingredients are listed on the website, so if you read the article accompanying each shampoo you won't be suprised by unwanted ingredients/smells.

Good luck to all that try them!
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Aer

Member

Registered: February 2009
Location: Southern Appalachians, NC
Posts: 680
Review Date: Sun August 2, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $6.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Great customer service, fast shipping, works good.
Cons: online only, the smell may be less than lovely to some

I got the Herb Garden Shampoo bar from them, at first I was apprehensive, because it had a very strong smell, it went away in the shower and it didn't stick in my hair. Then I worried again, because when my hair was still wet after I washed it, it felt draggy, and I had a slight case of the waxies, but so slight that when my hair dried, they disappeared or were easily brushed out. And when my hair dried, my hair was a shiny, volume laden mane, I got all sorts of compliments in public that day, it was awesome. I recommend this bar to those who do well with nettle infused shampoo bars. I liked this bar, but if you have hard water, be armed with some ACV or other acidic rinse in the shower. I also liked the way it made my scalp feel, and it lathered pretty good.
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Aries_jb

Member

Registered: September 2008
Posts: 426
Review Date: Sun August 9, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: packaging, selection, price for quality of product
Cons: price of shipping, not the easiest method of cleaning hair

This is my absolute favorite sulfate free cleanser for hair. I didn't think there was that big of difference between CV and other sulfate free shampoos, but boy was I wrong. I no longer feel the need to look for something better out there because I think I've found the best for my hair.

I know it can be a battle for some to use CV bars because of the adjustment period, but before CV I was CO washer and never had a real transition period. I love these bars and this company and Ida has a life-long customer in me.
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Tinose
Member

Registered: September 2009
Posts: 227
Review Date: Sat October 17, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $6.75 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: generally good smelling, the price, the fact that they're in bar form, all natural
Cons: Adjustment period, internet ordering

I've been using these shampoo bars for some months now, and have yet to find a bar that I dislike. I had a few days of waxiness at the beginning, but herbal-infused acv rinses pretty much got rid of that. Now, after I've adjusted, I can skip the acv rinse entirely and not have a problem.

One thing I would note is that a lot of their bars contain darkening ingredients. I go back and forth on whether I'd like my hair to be darker or lighter, so I really don't mind, but for those of you who do...well, considering their shampoo bars all contain castor oil and that alone has been reported to darken hair, you might want to consider something else.

That aside, I don't think my hair's ever been happier than with their shampoos. Individual shampoo bar reviews follow:
Citrus and Chamomile: The first bar I tried. Probably their most cleansing bar, and I think a good one to start on. It smells good and cleans well and seemed to do well with my hair once I adjusted.
Herb Garden: My absolute favorite of the bars I've tried so far. Still rather on the cleansing side, but didn't strip my hair and mostly left it nice and soft. Very strong herbal scent that I like.
Extra Honey Beer & Egg: The only bar I've had any issues with. Apparently my hair gets really dry and brittle when faced with too much protein. That said, it's amazingly volumizing and I'm still using it as an occasional supplement.
Mud & Clay: Nice smell, nicely cleansing. For some reason, though, my bar got way too moist and melted onto my soap dish. It got the same treatment as my other shampoo bars, so I'm not sure what was up with that.
Neem & Tea Tree: Honestly, I mostly use this as a face wash, for which it works brilliantly. It works fine on my hair, too, but nothing special. If you want an all in one bar for hiking or camping, this seems like a good bet, though.
Rosemary Mint: My current bar. It's nice, about middle of the road in cleansing versus moisturizing, and has a nice smell. I like it, but it's not one of my omg love ones.
Summer Sunshine: My second favorite after Herb Garden. It definitely leans more towards the cleansing end of the spectrum, but it still is fairly moisturizing and it smells downright yummy.
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Sissy

Member

Registered: November 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 2701
Review Date: Sun December 13, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: natural, good ingredients
Cons: some leave waxy buildups

I have used only a handful of the shampoo bar varieties. The ones I have tried I have like so long as I use an ACV rinse or Conditioner afterward. I have tried the Nettle, Babassu & Marshmallow, Cafe Moreno, and Herb Garden shampoo bars. I have also tried the Honey Butter Soap Bar on my hair. I did not like the regular soap bar on my hair but the shampoo bars were OK. My favorites are probably Cafe Moreno and Babassu and Marshmallow. I would love to try some more and have asked for some for Christmas... especially interested in trying the new Ayurvedic Herb Shampoo Bar. Good stuff!
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SlightlySoprano

Member

Registered: December 2009
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 917
Review Date: Tue March 23, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $2.95 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: cleans very well, sulfate free, smells fabulous!
Cons: ordering online

I was very hesitant at first to try a sulfate free shampoo, none the less a BAR shampoo! So I decided to go ahead and buy a few sample bars. Now I'm HOOKED!!!

After I shampoo I always use an ACV rinse or (cone free) conditioner, because otherwise my hair is dry

Cafe Moreno - Cleans hair very well, DOES have darkening agents, so be careful if you don't want your hair to get any darker, leaves a strong scent, which I personally love, but could be upsetting to those who are sensitive to intense smells

Herb Garden - Fabulous scent, but the scent doesn't stay in the hair, cleans VERY well, leaves hair soft and shiny

I have the Nettle bar as well but I have yet to use it, I will come back and update when I do!
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aenflex

Member

Registered: September 2010
Posts: 1275
Review Date: Mon November 1, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $7.00 | Rating: 6 

 
Pros: No packaging, no unecessary ingredients, smells
Cons: Overall my hair didn't like it

I haver tried Honey, Beer and Egg, Cafe Moreno, Coconut Cream and Shea, Butter Bar Conditioner, Soapnuts and Sunflower, Babassu and Marshmallow, Nettle...and I think that's it. I've used them a few years ago and recently again bought 3 sample bars and have been playing with them.
I normally use an SLS poo 2 times per week. I have moderately hard water, but use a quality shower filter.

Good: little packaging, small, family business which I love supporting, good quality ingredients, made in small batches, good smells and GREAT soap for the body, gentle on hair.

Bad: Not cleansing enough. Causes me to manipulate my hair (when wet) much more so than when I use an SLS or surfactant-based shampoo. All but requires an ACV rinse which over time becomes very drying to my hair. Seems to define my curls more than I like. Tendency to leave my hair texture a bit lank, waxy and kinda clumpy. I don't really love them, though I want to.
How I use:
Run the bar through my hair and scrub until a good lather comes. Let lather set for about 2 mins. Rinse well. Follow with about 2 tbsp conditioner mixed with about 8-10 drops of straight ACV, let that set for about 3-5 mins, rinse.

Than why did I buy them again? Bought them again because I am using Lush Caca lately, and I want to cut my SLS-based washes down to once per week. And despite CV bars not being my favourite - they still give me the best results whem compared to to other non-SLS poos.

Why would I recommend to a friend? Because everyone's hair is different, and many people love these bars so much. I say give it a go and see what happens !
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CarpeDM

and your little dog too!

Registered: November 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 1910
Review Date: Wed April 13, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $7.15 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Variety, packaging, natural ingredients, smell
Cons: Burns your eyes

I have tried most of the CV body soaps and all of the shampoo bars. Like others I have had more luck with certain types than others. What I like about CV is that there are many different types of bars available and I enjoy their natural ingredients and packaging. I have fine hair with an oily scalp so my favorites are the honey, beer and egg and soapnuts and sunflower shampoo bars. I also like the carrot and honey complexion bar. I would highly recommend these bars but be sure not to get any soap in your eyes
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MercuryChaos

Member

Registered: June 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 26
Review Date: Fri May 6, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $7.10 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Minimal packaging, sulfate-free, gentle
Cons: none

This review is mostly for the Rosemary Mint shampoo bar. I've used other CV bars off and on for a few years, but I finally got around to this one last year and I've stuck with it ever since. My hair's pretty short compared to most people here (but long for a guy.) It's pretty thick and tends towards being dry, as does my scalp... but if I skip a day of washing then my scalp gets rather oily and itchy, so I have to wash pretty much every day and normally have to use conditioner.

This shampoo bar has not fixed all of my weird hair/scalp issues, but it's made them more manageable. This bar has honey in it, which is very moisturizing – I find that it's enough to use conditioner every few days now. I've previously used other CV bars with honey (Honey Beer and Carrot Milk and Honey) which were also very moisturizing, but they did nothing for my itchy scalp. The rosemary and mint (as well as eucalyptus and tea tree) essential oils in this shampoo bar helped with this a lot – I've previously tried the Rosemary Lavender Aloe and Neem and Tea Tree shampoo bars, and they both works for this issue as well, but they weren't as moisturizing as the Rosemary Mint bar.

tl;dr - if you have dry hair and scalp issues, you should give this bar a try.
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