Ethique Solid Shampoo Review: Can This Bar Replace Your Bottle?

If you’re skeptical whether Ethique’s solid shampoo can really replace your standard plastic bottle? Let’s jump in and learn together!

For many people in fact, going from liquid shampoo bottles to a solid shampoo bar, like the ones at Ethique, is an increasingly favored choice for those who want a much more sustainable, environmentally-friendly hair care product. But behind the buzzwords and eco-friendly buzz, does the Ethique Solid Shampoo really deliver when it comes to performance, convenience and the feel-good factor?

Ethique is the brand to feel good about 100 percent plastic-free and zero waste with biodegradable bars made from thoughtfully chosen natural ingredients. Their shampoo bars are designed to provide you with a luxurious washing experience while making sure you’re taking good care of both your hair and the planet.

If you are contemplating a sulfate-free shampoo for women or you are looking for the best shampoo bar for travel, you won’t want to miss this review. For healthy hair naturally, check out my article on How to Get Healthy Hair Naturally.

Here, I’ll walk you through everything you should know — ingredients, packaging, user experiences and my no-holds-barred take. Ready to change the shampoo game and do some good? Let’s get started.

Did You Know?

Change to a more environmentally friendly option with Ethique solid shampoos, and you could reduce your plastic waste by up to 12 bottles a year – and they’re concentrated, too!

At a Glance: What You Need to Know

A Closer Look: Ethique Solid Shampoo

Ethique, a New Zealand-based business, makes a variety of solid hair care, skin care and other beauty products to use as more environmentally sustainable replacement for typical liquid products that are sold in plastic bottles.

Here’s what you need to know about Ethique solid shampoo:

• Reduces plastic waste through compostable packaging
• Stays good for 2-3 bottles due to the concentrated formula
• Natural, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Sulfate- and Paraben-Free Product Uses
• Is TSA approved, leak-proof, and travel-ready
• pH balanced and soap free, so it’s great for sensitive scalp and hair
• Comes from a B Corp certified brand with an emphasis on sustainability and ethics

Ready to ditch the bottle? You can get your Ethique Solid shampoo bar here and let us know the difference yourself.

Key Ingredients and Their Functions

Understanding the ingredients in ethique solid shampoo is crucial when experimenting with a new shampoo, doubly so when it’s a solid bar. Ethique’s shampoo bars usually include:

• Coconut Oil: Amazing cleaner and softener that doesn’t remove natural oils.
• Shea Butter: Provides deep moisturization; helps prevent moisture loss and conditions hair.
• Cocoa Butter: provides a smooth texture and antioxidant benefits.
• Essential Oils: Plant-based scent and scalp adjustments like tea tree for dandruff or lavender for calming.
• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: A mild surfactant with strong foaming and cleansing properties.
• Glycerin: A natural humectant that helps hydrate hair.

First Look: My Thoughts on the Packaging

At unboxing, Ethique wins major props for its ultra-simpatico zero-waste packaging. The ethique solid shampoo bar comes in a solid compostable cardboard box that vibes with eco-consciousness without sacrificing style. The earthy color palettes and stark graphics make for a fresh, clean aesthetic. I like that the box has basic product information along with usage instructions.

Compared with a bulky plastic bottle of shampoo, the bar is easy to take when you travel, and it also slips neatly into your shower, taking up very little space. The packaging fulfills Ethique’s zero-waste promise, and it feels good to throw the box straight in the compost bin once the bar is used up.

Ethique Solid Shampoo: A Symphony of Scents and Flavors

Ethique’s Solid Shampoo Bars – Available in a variety of delicious scents and flavors, each one is designed not only to enhance your hair washing experience, but are suitable for a variety of hair types. Here are a few of the best options:

1. Sweet & Spicy

• Ingredients: Sweet orange, cinnamon, and clove.
• Benefits: This cozy fragrance smells wonderfully warm and inviting while cleansing and nurturing your hair.

2. Mintasy

• Key Ingredients: Peppermint and spearmint.
• Benefits: Energizing through a cleansing wash, this luxurious blend revitalizes and refreshing your hair.

3. St Clements

• Key ingredients: Brightening citrus oils.
• Benefits: Uplifting and energizing, this bar offers a morning boost and turns your shower into a sunny getaway.

4. Coconut & Vanilla

• Key ingredients: Coconut oil and vanilla extract.
• Benefits: This soothing combination will hydrate your hair, while the smell of your favorite tropical fruit creates a calming and indulgent wash.

Who Should Try the Ethique Solid Shampoo?

Ethique Solid Shampoo is designed for those of us who want the best, irresistibly good looking hair, without any environmental sacrifices. It’s great for:

• Folks who want an eco-friendly option to liquid shampoo bottles
• Those with sensitive scalps, or who seek gentle, natural ingredients
• Those who don’t want to add to their pile of small plastic bottles in the shower.
• Anyone who wants vegan, cruelty free beauty products
• Those with a preference for sulfate- and synthetic fragrance-free products.

How I Use It for Best Results

Once you get the hang of it, using a solid shampoo bar is pretty straightforward:

• Wet your hair thoroughly.
• Either swipe the bar directly on your scalp and hair to lather, or rub the bar between your hands to build up a good lather before using.
• Work the lather into your scalp and hair.
• If necessary, use as a rinse twice in order to wash.
• Conditioner (dehydration recommended to follow).

Pair It With

For optimal results, pair up your shampoo bar with Ethique’s conditioner bars, made to complement the shampoo scents and handsomeness factor. Their conditioners enhance the shampoo’s natural oils and aid in detangling and nourishing your hair after washing.

User Reviews: What People Are Saying

Countless reviewers have noted that their hair feels cleaner, softer and less weighed down since making the swap to Ethique’s bar. The natural smells get good reviews for being faint but appealing. Travelers enjoy the convenience and mess-free aspect, and those who are environmentally conscious like that the packaging won’t make them feel guilty.

That said, some note a short adjustment period for their hair to adapt to sulfate-free washing, with a short spell of oiliness or dryness that their hair evens out after a few washes. People with very thick or curly hair occasionally recommend using a more hydrating conditioner afterwards to keep it soft.

Editor’s Note: My Skin Type & Experience

I’ve got combination hair with a sensitive scalp and occasional irritation. Three weeks in, after I had been using Ethique’s “Frizz Wrangler” shampoo bar, my hair felt clean, not stripped. The lather was acceptable, and the mild formula didn’t make my scalp itch. I also saw less shampoo build-up and a noticeable reduction in plastic waste in my routine — definitely a win in my books!

How It Stacks Up Against Other Shampoos

The Ethique bar is heavy in sustainability and travel-friendliness compared to traditional liquid shampoos but can feel alien in use, both in texture and the way it lathers. Compared with other solid shampoo bars, Ethique sets itself apart with its ingredient transparency, ethical sourcing, and a wider range of formulas for hair type.

Mini Shampoo Face-Off

Ethique’s solid shampoo is a leader in the realm of sustainability as well as ingredient transparency and an excellent option for those consumers concerned about the environment.

Pros and Cons

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Adding to Your Routine?

If you’re interested in using more sustainable options in your beauty lineup but don’t want to have to compromise on quality, Ethique Solid Shampoo is a great one to try. It scrubs thoroughly, feels nourishing and offers the most satisfying, environmentally friendly zing of knowing you’re minimizing plastic waste. Although there’s a bit of a learning curve for those new to solid shampoo, most quickly convert to it as their go-to.

Would you give the Ethique shampoo bar a go? Tell us in the comments! If you found this review helpful, please share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. Together, we can break the silence about cruelty-free and inspire people to switch!

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