Buying Handmade FAQ: Shampoo Bars

Shampoo in a bar?
Many people haven't heard of bar soaps that can also be used as shampoo. Before I started making soap I hadn't either. Now bar shampoo is all I use. With handmade shampoo bars you can have a totally natural product that's great for your hair. It's a good option to keep in mind when shopping for shampoo. We're not stuck with always using liquid!

Why buy handmade?
Many commercial shampoos have levels of toxicity and/or contain certain chemicals that can be harmful over time. Go to Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database to check the safety of the products you use. While not all handmade shampoo bars are completely natural (some have chemical fragrances or color), in my opinion they are safer options than many commercial products.

How do you use it?
To use a shampoo bar make sure your hair and the bar are wet and then rub the bar onto your head until you build up a good lather. Then spread around the lather and work it into your hair and scalp. Then rinse. Trust me, this works even with long hair. Some people (like myself) use conditioner after shampooing. Some also find it helpful to use a special rinse a couple times a week to get rid of any build up. You can buy special hair rinses or make them yourself. If you buy them, I would recommend Tamara's Herbes. I don't find any build-up with my shampoo bars, but this is something that occurs with some handmade shampoo products.

What's the difference between a bar of soap and a shampoo bar?
Any handmade soap can be used as a shampoo bar. But the type of soap will make your results differ greatly. Also, I wouldn't go with a handmade bar that has extra additives meant for exfoliation. I wouldn't want bits of oatmeal or cinnamon in my hair! A good shampoo bar will have ample lather, and will contain oils and other ingredients that are known for being especially good for hair. There are several of these ingredients. The ones I currently use are castor oil, olive oil, and hemp oil. But these are just a few of the ones out there. Do your research! If there's a bar you're considering buying, check out the ingredients to find out their properties.

What about handmade liquid shampoo? What's the difference?
Handmade liquid shampoo is also a good natural shampoo option. Liquid and bar shampoos perform differently though, and in the end it comes down to personal preference. Handmade liquid shampoo will have natural hair-healthy oils and additives. But it generally doesn't lather very well, and has a tendency to leave more residue than bar shampoo. The reason the storebought liquid shampoo lathers so well is because it's not actually "soap". It's a detergent and while not necessarily harmful, many people prefer handmade because it's more natural. There are liquid shampoo bases available that some crafters will use as a base and add extra scents and additives. These liquid shampoos will have more lather and leave less residue but will have extra chemicals.

Any other Questions?
Just leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer them!

Blog Special: Free Lip balm!

Visit my shop (Dragon's Den on Etsy) and get a free Honey Bee Mine lip balm with any order!

Click on the link or picture for more info about this lip balm. It is a new product for me and I'd like to get people to try it. I know you'll all love it! I have to admit I make the nicest lip balms our family has ever tried. :)

There is no minimum order for this special. This is totally free with no extra shipping added to your order. You will receive the Honey Bee Mine flavor unless you specifically tell me that you'd like the peppermint or unscented instead. Don't add the lip balm to your shopping cart. I will add it to your package when I see the code. Put "lip balm" in the message to seller box on checkout.

This special is good until Feb 14th, 2009.

Featured Shop: Tamara's Herbes

Tamara's Herbes is one of my all time favorite shops on Etsy. I've been buying teas from her for over a year and I'm always impressed by her amazing product and packaging and wonderful customer service. Twice I asked for her to make me custom herbal teas and each time she surpassed my expectations!

Not only does Tamara have a great selection of herbal teas but she also has other all natural products including lotions, salves, hair care, perfumes and more.


Face of a Goddess Beauty Set



Peach Orchard Herbal Tea



Hair Therapy and Rinse Combo

Here is a little background from Tamara:

"I am Tamara and my love of herbs started more than a decade ago. Personal health problems led me to seek answers outside the sphere of Western medicine and nature provided me the answers. In the last ten years, I have sought to develop a relationship with each of the herbs I use and have repeatedly been awed by the massive power contained within a single plant. I live in the beautiful Ozark Foothills of Missouri with my wonderful husband, three teenagers, 3 rats, 2 cats and a mouse."

Tamara's Herbes
On Etsy at http://tamarasherbes.etsy.com
Blog http://tamarasherbes.wordpress.com/

And check out Tamara's sister shop for gorgeous photography, artwork, and zines.
On Etsy at http://MyVeiledEgo.etsy.com

Handmade Soap Giveaway!

I'm in love with my most recent soap and I wanted show it off. And I also wanted to do a soap giveaway in honor of this newest soap.

First ... I'm proud to introduce my new Dragonsblood Shampoo/Soap. This vegan soap has a gorgeous earthy sweet scent that my husband says smells like walking into an incense shop.

This soap/shampoo is made from scratch by me using the hot process method. It’s made from olive oil, palm kernel oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, water, lye, hemp oil, grapefruit seed extract, Dragonsblood fragrance oil and color.


Dragonsblood Shampoo/Soap

How can a bar of soap be a shampoo?

Haven't used a bar shampoo before? They work great! Just wet your hair and then build up a good lather on top of your head and work it into the rest of your hair. Many people even find they don't need to use conditioner when using handmade shampoos.

Technically you can use any handmade cold processed or hot processed soap as a shampoo. What makes this one so great as a shampoo is the castor oil and hemp oil. Both are highly recommended ingredients for hair products.

Sometimes, with all types of handmade shampoos, you'll get a build up of soap residue. My family hasn't experienced this with my soaps but your mileage may vary. If you're interested in trying a handmade shampoo you can get special rinses to remove any buildup. I highly recommend you try out Tamara's Herbes for great natural hair rinses!

Soap Giveaway!

And now for the free stuff ... this giveaway is easy! Here's how to win a full-sized bar of soap:

1. Just check out the soap section in my shop.
   
2. Between now and Friday Aug. 1st leave a comment here saying which soap you like the best.
   
3. Remember to include an email address or your Etsy name so I can reach you.
   
4. Then on Saturday, Aug. 2nd I'll randomly pick a winner. That person will win their choice of any full-sized bar of soap or shampoo bar from my shop! This will be completely free - I even cover shipping.

UPDATE: Due to overwhelming response I've decided to do an extra drawing! There will now be TWO winners instead of one!