Solid shampoo was my introduction to a healthier and chemical-free treatment for my hair. I wanted to switch to henna to dye my hair, and the only way to conserve my hair, according to my friend and hairdresser, was to leave my "detergent" liquid shampoo. She opened my eyes to what I thought it was a good hairdresser branded shampoo, for at least 5 years in Ireland.

As I was also interested in reducing my plastic consumption, it all went together for a good end: to really know my hair once it detoxed of all the silicones and parabens that masked it. So after a DETOX PERIOD of 2 weeks to 1 month, in which I had to wear my hair in a ponytail while serving people, I discovered my real hair.

I also entered a new world of Solid Shampoo bars and their differences: there are so many shampoo bars around made with pressed powders (these bar are not soap) that personally crumbled in my hands while using it or left my scalp too greasy. 

Other bars of shampoo that I used before this one, were simply soaps with another name, same amount of ingredients, so they left my hair dull and dry. It just wasn’t enough.

So after many tests, I ended up making an extra nourishing and gentle Tallow & Goats Milk based bar of shampoo soap. This one was the perfect introduction to an ancient herbal remedy, horsetail. Added to Rosemary, they help to bring to the scalp (and hair) all the help that it needs to be nourished and cared for.

Soft enough for your whole body, Horsetail is more than 300 million years old and used to grow 30 meters high. I just love the fact that it is so resilient and grows wild in gardens and lands during the Summer.

But it’s no “weed” for me! I loved this plant because it helped me as a potent Hair & Nails supplement, even before I knew how it looked like. Added to its high silica and calcium content this wild plant adds sheen and strengthens hair shafts. So it makes the hair stronger and stimulates it to grow longer.

The way that I crafted this bar was to simplify the hair routine and ditch the need of a Conditioner by making the bar less over-cleansing, making it appropriate for sensitive scalps. This bar takes out the extra oils without stripping out your scalp, with a creamy lather that adds protein to it.

For me, there is no sense in leaving our scalps out of oils to later add another product that contributes to a quicker need of wash. Also, our scalps are well capable of producing oils without us adding it in excess. I believe that we don’t need that many steps in our hair routine if we just take enough out and let it be. You might end up seeing that the need for washing your hair extends to about once a week!

If you still need that extra, there is some tips I have for you in my blog post. There are Hair oils that can be added once the hair is dried, that also add to our scalp health. Either way I would give a go to a more minimalistic and natural way to care for our hair, enjoying the path of falling in love with it again.

HOW TO USE: Only on scalp, where the oils produce. Lather in between the hands and add to the head, massaging in circles. Add directly to the sides of the forehead if needed for extra goodness.

Leave it 5min if you can while washing the body, etc.

Once you rinse, the soapy water will run down you hair (if long), cleaning the excess. Do add a bit from the scalp if you think you need it but I would try this way first if your hair is dry.

Now, we are not done. THE LAST OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED RINSE should be of filtered water or previously boiled. We are looking for free of chlorine water. And for an extra clarification I give the option of 1 part of Apple Cider Vinegar for 7 parts of filtered water. Apply a glass of it on the scalp and whole hair and leave it on. I promise, your hair won’t smell like salad once dry. Instead, it will shine and will be stable.

Enjoy the path to Old Heritage Ways to care for our hair.