Switching to shampoo bars can feel a little confusing at first, but it’s actually pretty simple. The key is choosing a bar designed for your hair type, using it correctly, and giving your scalp time to adjust. The right shampoo and conditioner bars can help reduce plastic waste, support healthier hair habits, and simplify your routine too.

Key Takeaways

• Shampoo bars are concentrated haircare, not soap in disguise
• Choosing based on your scalp and hair type gives the best results
• A short transition period can happen when switching from conventional products
• Plastic-free, natural haircare helps reduce waste and often avoids unnecessary ingredients
• The right accessories and treatments can make your bars last longer and work better

Thinking About Switching to Shampoo Bars?

You want less plastic in the bathroom, cleaner ingredients, and a haircare routine that feels a little kinder to both your body and the planet. Love that! But then comes the slightly overwhelming part. Suddenly you're standing there staring at a shampoo or conditioner bar thinking, "Wait… how do I actually use this thing?" Or maybe you're wondering, "Which shampoo bar is right for my hair?" If that sounds familiar, trust us, you're definitely not alone.

Switching to shampoo and conditioner bars can feel a little confusing at first, but once you find your match, it all starts to click. Haircare bars have come a long way from the early days of crumbly bars and awkward waxy hair experiences. A well formulated bar is simply real shampoo and conditioner in solid form, without the plastic bottle and water filler.

Let's break it all down!

First… What Exactly are Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?

A shampoo or conditioner bar is just concentrated shampoo or conditioner in solid form. Not soap. Not a body bar pretending to be haircare. Traditional liquid shampoos can contain around 80 to 90% water (yikes). Shampoo and conditioner bars remove that extra filler and focus on concentrated cleansing ingredients instead.

That means they are:

• Plastic free
• Travel friendly
• Longer lasting
• Less bulky in your shower
• Often able to replace multiple bottles of liquid shampoo
  

For anyone trying to reduce waste without completely overhauling their life, it can be one of the easiest swaps to make.

How Do You Use Shampoo Bars Properly?

The good news? You don't need a special degree in shampoo-bar science. However when it comes to using shampoo bars, a few small tweaks can make a big difference though.

• Step 1 - Fully wet your hair: Really wet it.  Shampoo bars work best on completely saturated hair.
• Step 2 - Apply the bar: There are 2 methods
  • Option one: Rub directly onto your scalp. This works best for most people. Gently glide the bar over your roots a few times, then massage with your fingertips to create a lather.
  • Option two: Lather in your hands first. Rub the bar between your palms and apply the foam to your scalp. This can work well for shorter hair.
• Step 3 - Focus on your scalp: Massage with fingertips, not nails. Your scalp is where oil, dirt and product build-up live.

• Step 4 - Rinse really well:  And then rinse a little more.Most shampoo bar issues come down to not rinsing thoroughly enough.

How Do You Use Conditioner Bars?

Conditioner bars work a little differently. Instead of focusing on the scalp, focus on your mid-lengths and ends. Apply the bar directly to wet hair or rub between your hands first and leave it for a minute or two before rinsing. If your hair feels dry, curly, heat-styled or damaged, conditioner bars can make a huge difference.

Why Does Hair Sometimes Feel Weird When Switching from Liquid Shampoo to a Shampoo Bar?

Ah yes. This is what we call the transition period... the shampoo bar version of "trust the process."If you've used conventional hair products for years, your hair may need a little time to adjust. Many mainstream products contain silicones and synthetic ingredients that coat the hair. They can create a temporary feeling of smoothness, but sometimes they build up over time.

When switching to shampoo and conditioner bars, your scalp starts finding its natural balance again. During the first couple of weeks, you might notice your hair feeling heavier than usual, a waxy or sticky texture and your scalp becoming oily faster. A common misconception is that your hair is "getting worse", but it actually just needs some time to adjust.  This usually settles within 2 to 4 weeks, however there are a few things that can help:

• Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly
• Avoid over-washing
• Brush before showering
• Try a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse (mix 2 tbs apple cider vinegar + 1 cup warm water and pour through your hair after shampooing. Leave for 2 min and rinse out. The smell disappears, piny promise!)
  

Which Shampoo and Conditioner Bar is Best For My Hair Type?

With so many shampoo bars available now, choosing one can feel surprisingly tricky. Pretty packaging and tropical scents can definitely catch your eye, but your scalp is usually the best place to start when finding your perfect match.

1. Best shampoo & conditioner bars for NORMAL hair

Lucky you. If your scalp sits comfortably in the middle (not too dry, not too oily), look for balanced everyday formulas that are great for normal hair and scalps, family bathrooms and low maintenance routines. 

Our new Viva La Body Everyday People Shampoo & Conditioner Bars were created for exactly this type of routine. Think fresh, soft, healthy-looking hair without overcomplicating things.

You can also check out of full range of normal hair shampoo and conditioner bars here. 

2. Best shampoo bars for DRY or DAMAGED hair

Dry hair often loves ingredients that support moisture and softness. So make sure to look for things like shea butter, argan oil and other moisture providing plant oils. Pairing with a nourishingconditioner  bar can help restore hydration too.

See all of our dry or damaged hair shampoo and conditioner bars here. 

3. Best shampoo bars for OILY hair

If your roots become greasy quickly, resist the urge to strip everything away!  Harsh cleansing can actually encourage more oil production (not what you want). Instead look for bars that provide balanced formulas.

Check out our full range of balanced shampoo and conditioner bars for oily hair here. 

4. Best shampoo bars for CURLY or WAVY hair

Curly hair usually needs hydration without heaviness. Look for nourishing ingredients that support definition and reduce frizz.

Our new Viva La Body Creamy Curls Shampoo and Condition Bars are made to help curls stay soft, hydrated and bouncy. They're great for curly, wavy, thick and frizz-prone hair.

Find our full range of normal hair shampoo and conditioner bars here. 

5. Best shampoo bars for COLOUR-TREATED hair

If your hair is colour-treated, it’s usually craving a bit of extra care. Think gentle cleansing, plenty of hydration, and formulas that help keep your colour feeling fresh for longer without stripping it away.

See the full range of shampoo and conditioner bars for colour treated hair here.

6. Best shampoo bars for SENSITIVE SCALPS

If your scalp tends to react easily, less is usually more. Gentle, simple formulas are often the sweet spot here, especially ones without fragrance or lots of essential oils that can feel a bit too much for sensitive skin.

You'll find all of our sensitive scalp shampoo and conditioner bars here.

Not All Shampoo Bars Are Created Equal

This one really matters! Some bars sold as shampoo are actually soap bars (no thanks!) Soap-based bars can sometimes leave residue or dry out your hair and scalp over time, especially if you have hard water. A quality shampoo bar should:

• Lather properly
• Rinse clean
• Match your hair type
• Last well
• Feel like actual shampoo

Why Is Plastic-Free and Natural Haircare Better?

Throughout life, we all wash our hair a lot (some probably more than we need to).Which means the products sitting in our shower can quietly create a lot of waste.Every year, billions of shampoo and conditioner bottles are discarded worldwide but plastic-free haircare bars are a simple way to reduce that footprint.

Natural haircare products can also reduce your exposure to harsh and toxic ingredients many people actively choose to avoid, including: 

• Sulfates
• Silicones
• Synthetic fragrances
• Parabens

Everyone's preferences are different, but transparency matters. At Go For Zero, that's why we stock a wide range of 100% natural shampoo and conditioner bars from multiple Aussie & NZ brands because no two scalps are exactly alike.

Other Natural Hair Treatments & Accessories Worth Trying

If your hair needs a little extra support, there are a few simple additions that can really help your routine feel more complete.

Natural hair treatments can give your strands a boost when they’re feeling dry or in need of repair, while natural rinses can help to refresh the scalp and keep everything feeling balanced, especially when your hair is adjusting to new products or just needs a bit of a reset. We've also got a variety of plastic-free hair brushes and accessories to help make everyday care gentler and reduce unnecessary breakage. 

   

Natural Haircare Made Simple

Cleaner ingredients, less plastic and happier hair? We're into it!

Switching to solid shampoo and conditioner bars doesn't need to feel overwhelming. Start with your scalp, give your hair a little patience during the transition period, and remember that finding your perfect match can take a bit of experimenting.

The exciting part? We have just welcomed the iconic Viva La Body Haircare range to the Go For Zero family, with Everyday People and Creamy Curls now available while more of the range and the packaging is getting ready behind the scenes (we are soooo excited)! We also stock a growing range of shampoo and conditioner bars from other beautiful brands because haircare is personal and one size definitely does not fit all.

If you ever have questions, or need some help choosing the right shampoo or conditioner bar for your hair and scalp type, please send us an email to askusanything@goforzero.com.au. We're always happy to help.

With love,
Ellie xoxo

Your Shampoo Bar FAQs, Answered

1. How do I use a shampoo bar properly?

Fully wet your hair, apply the shampoo bar to your roots or lather in your hands, massage your scalp thoroughly and rinse well.

2. Why does my hair feel waxy after switching to shampoo bars?

Your scalp may be adjusting after years of conventional products. This transition period usually settles within 2 to 4 weeks.

3. Are shampoo bars better than bottled shampoo?

A well-formulated shampoo bar can last longer, reduce plastic waste and avoid unnecessary water fillers.

4. Which shampoo bar is best for curly hair?

Curly hair usually benefits from hydrating shampoo bars that support moisture and reduce frizz without weighing curls down.

5. How long does a shampoo bar last?

Most quality shampoo bars can last around 60 to 80 washes when stored correctly between uses.