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Shampoo bars are touted as a sustainable alternative to liquid shampoo in plastic bottles. But are they any good and do they deliver on what they promise in terms of sustainable hair care products?
Making the step toward conscious living is a journey that starts with small, mindful choices. For me, it began with looking at the everyday products I used, and replacing them with clean options. There is one big caveat though – I do not want to compromise on quality.
Based on great reviews from other users, I have recently tried the Kitsch Rice Water Protein Shampoo bar and wrote this kitsch shampoo bar review; I also decided to give the Rice Water Protein Conditioner bar a go as well.
In this review, I’m going to share how they worked for me and my particular hair type, and whether this natural hair care solution is worth trying for yourself.
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Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars Pros and Cons
My personal experience is with the Rice Water Protein bars, and I will focus on that when I talk about my personal experience further down.
Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bar Pros
- Eco-Friendly Design: Solid bars reduce plastic waste and environmental impact.
- Non-Toxic Ingredients: Safe for use, featuring gentle, naturally-derived components. Free of toxic chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, silicones, sulfates and artificial fragrances.
- Effective Cleansing: Provide a thorough clean without stripping natural oils.
- Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Ethically produced without animal products or testing.
- Convenient for Travel: Compact and solid, making them perfect for on-the-go use.
- Subtle Scent: The packaging states that it contains natural fragrance derived from plants, and the scent isn’t overbearing.
- Reasonably Priced: Some bars can be really expensive. This one has a high quality feel and look and will not break the bank.
- 4Ocean Certified: 4ocean pulls the equivalent of one shampoo bottle’s worth of plastic from the world’s waterways for every shampoo or conditioner bar.
Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bar Cons
- Storage Requirements: Need to be kept dry between uses to avoid mushiness or premature dissolving. It was also hard to remember which bar was shampoo and which was conditioner, although it looks like the company has addressed that now and they come in different shapes.
- Doesn’t last 100 washes: Although it states on the box that one bar = 100 washes, this wasn’t the case for me. And the shampoo bar was finished much quicker than the conditioner bar.
- Didn’t Reduce Frizziness: The rice water protein was said to counteract frizziness, however this wasn’t the case for me.
What are Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?
Shampoo and conditioner bars are just like regular liquid shampoo and conditioner, but in a compact, solid form.
So, same product + different shape and texture = sustainable beauty.
Compared to traditional bottled products, these eco-friendly shampoo bars are not only better for the environment but also incredibly convenient for travel and storage.
Who Created Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?
Cassandra Thurswell is the founder of Kitsch Hair and Beauty Products, a self-funded, female-founded brand that has made a significant mark in the beauty industry and is a favourite of many celebrities.
Established in 2010 in Los Angeles, California, Kitsch began as a small, ambitious project in Cassandra’s apartment. Her goal was to create a brand that offered high-quality, accessible, and affordable beauty accessories for women.
The brand started with a handmade hair elastic, and has expanded to include hair and body products, pillowcases, green beauty products, environmental-friendly hair care, and hair accessories.
Kitsch demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, both in their products and packaging.
By designing eco-friendly items like solid shampoo and conditioner bars, they significantly reduce plastic waste.
Their packaging strategy follows suit, emphasizing the use of recyclable or biodegradable materials to minimize environmental impact and maximize ethical hair care options.
This approach showcases Kitsch’s dedication to combining quality beauty products with environmentally responsible practices.
Top benefits of Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?
Kitsch make several types of bars with different ingredients to cater for a range of hair types and concerns, including:
Kitsch Shampoos
Rice Water Shampoo Bar for Hair Growth: repair damaged follicles, prevent split ends and increase volume
Castor Oil Nourishing Shampoo Bar: hydrate, balance and calm skin irritation and nourishes the scalp to decrease hair breakage
Clarifying Shampoo Bar: deep cleanse without drying out hair and includes tea tree essential oil to remove excess oil
Purple Toning Solid Shampoo: neutralizes brassiness and Biotin boosts shine and reduces dullness while strengthening hair
Ultra Sensitive Shampoo and Body Wash Bar: fragrance free multi-purpose to nourish hair, scalp and skin
Kitsch Conditioners
Rice Water Conditioner Bar For Hair Growth: repairs damaged follicles, prevent split ends and increase volume
Deep-Moisturizing Conditioner Bar for Dry Damaged Hair: includes coconut oil, shea butter, essential oils and bio-based ingredients to balance hair PH and restore softness and shine
Shea Butter Nourishing Conditioner Bar: hydrates dry hair, sels in moisture to reduce frizz and restores shine
Purple Toning Solid Conditioner: neutralizes brassiness and the Biotin boosts shine and reduces dullness while strengthening hair
Ultra Sensitive Solid Conditioner & Shave Bar: artificial fragrance free multi-purpose to nourish hair, scalp and skin
Strengthening Bond Repair Solid Hair Mask: weekly bond repair treatment with vegan protein to repair damage and restore dry and damaged hair
Best Features of Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Kitsch shampoo and conditioner bars stand out for their high quality, clean ingredients, and as sustainable hair care products.
These bars are made with non-toxic ingredients that ensure a gentle yet effective experience no matter what your hair type is. They are a great option for those looking for natural hair care solutions.
Their focus on sustainability means less plastic waste and reduced environmental impact, making them perfect for eco-friendly beauty routines.
Quality
When it comes to the quality of Kitsch shampoo bars, one thing that stands out is the luxurious lather they produce.
Unlike some other products on the market, this bar creates a rich foam that deeply cleanses your hair, without getting that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling, which means it’s actually stripping your hair of all its good natural oils.
The packaging is also high quality. Not surprising as this company has put thought into every aspect of their product design, ensuring that the packaging is not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly and functional. A true green beauty product!
Non-toxic ingredients
When looking at the ingredient list of Kitsch shampoo and conditioner bars, you’ll notice their commitment to non-toxic ingredients, despite some names that might raise eyebrows.
The following ingredients in their rice water protein bars may sound complex, but it doesn’t mean they’re harmful:
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate: a safe, coconut-derived cleanser, known for its gentleness on the skin and hair.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate: a surfactant derived from coconut oil that functions primarily as a cleansing agent in hair care and skincare products. It helps to remove dirt, oils, and other impurities from the skin and hair, creating a lather that makes products like shampoo bars more effective.
Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride: derived from guar gum, a natural substance obtained from guar beans. Serves primarily as a conditioning agent and helps to detangle hair, reduce static, and improve the overall feel and manageability of hair.
Hydrogenated castor oil: derived from the castor plant and is a non-toxic ingredient used in hair care products for its emollient and conditioning properties. It helps to soften and smooth the hair, enhancing moisture and manageability, while also contributing to the product’s consistency and application effectiveness.
Hydrolyzed rice protein: as the name suggest, this is derived from rice and is commonly used in hair care products for its strengthening and volumizing properties. It enhances hair’s natural shine and elasticity, making it an effective component for improving hair health and texture.
These are just some of the scary sounding ingredients, which aren’t that scary at all. Sometimes when we’re looking to buy natural hair care products, we can be put off by unfamiliar names, but it’s important to remember that complex scientific names don’t always imply harmful chemicals; often, they’re just derived from natural, safe sources.
As always, it’s important to be aware of what we put on our skin and in our bodies, and doing your own research can put your mind at ease when it comes to trying new sustainable hair care products.
A major bonus from this natural hair care solution is that Kitsch shampoo bars are free from parabens, phthalates, silicones, sulfates and artificial fragrances.
Safe for colour treated hair
Unlike traditional soaps that can strip hair color and lead to dullness, these bars are formulated to be incredibly gentle, preventing the build up that often plagues colored hair.
Eco-friendly
It is said that over 552 million shampoo bottles end up in our landfills yearly, adding to a huge environmental impact. These eco-friendly shampoo bars are a major benefit to your shower routine and to our planet!
Ditching the conventional liquid soap plastic bottles, these bars come minimally packaged, and add a sleek, clutter-free aesthetic to your bathroom.
Their solid form means significantly less waste, both in terms of eco-friendly packaging and product usage. Kitsch shampoo bars are an ethical hair care solution for our planet.
Vegan and Cruelty Free
Kitsch bars are a testament to ethical beauty, being both vegan and cruelty-free.
This commitment ensures that no animal products are used in their formulation, and no animal testing is conducted, aligning perfectly with a compassionate and conscious lifestyle.
Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars Pricing
The shampoo and conditioner bars are very reasonably priced. They compare very well to competitors on the market. Especially since the quality of these bars are better and more effective than many.
On the website, you can save 5% by purchasing a subscription, where you can choose to have it delivered every month, every two months, every three months or every six months.
Kitsch says that these bars should last for 100 washes, or two bottles of liquid product.
Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars Alternatives
- Grove Collaborative Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Eco-friendly, sustainably focused with a wide range of natural hair care products.
- Ethique Eco-Friendly Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Known for their zero-waste, 100% compostable packaging and natural, vegan ingredients.
- Love Beauty and Planet Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Offers a range of bars with ethically sourced ingredients, free from parabens, silicones, and dyes.
- Viori Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Inspired by traditional ingredients, these bars are crafted using ancient recipes and are available for purchase online.
- J·R·LIGGETT’S Shampoo Bars: A pioneer in the shampoo bar market, offering a variety of natural hair care bars, available through their website and online retailers.
- The Earthling Co. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Known for their environmentally responsible practices and high-quality ingredients, available online.
- Liv Nature Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Offers minimalist, sustainable personal care products, including hair care bars, available through Amazon.
- Naples Soap Company Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Specializes in natural skin and hair care products, with a variety of hair bars available online.
- Yellow Bird Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: A small-batch, artisanal brand offering a range of natural, sulfate-free hair care bars, available on their website and online marketplaces.
- Aspen Kay Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Handcrafted bars made with organic and natural ingredients, available for online purchase.
My Experience Using Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
I am always searching for a natural shampoo and conditioner that washes effectively, tames frizz, and adds shine. I came across shampoo and conditioner bars, which seemed to tick all the boxes and was an eco-friendly option.
I can’t remember where I heard about Kitsch, but as soon as I looked at the website I was excited to try it. I loved the story behind the company, and that it was female-founded and had a business model with a commitment to sustainability.
I decided to try the Rice Water Protein Shampoo and Conditioner bars as I’d heard that rice water added volume to hair. My hair is fine, but there’s a lot of it, and anything that would help with the limpness was worth a shot.
I would have to say that although this product made my hair feel clean and silky soft, it wasn’t the miracle product I was hoping for in terms of adding volume and reducing frizz.
The bars were easy to use, and I really loved the packaging, but I didn’t notice a standout difference compared to conventional products.
I don’t know if using it for a longer period of time would lead to an improved experience, although I will say I am still using the conditioner bar as the shampoo bar ran out much sooner.
Overall, I’m not disappointed, but I’m not totally over the moon either.
Kitsch Shampoo Bar FAQ
How do you use Kitsch Shampoo Bar effectively?
- Wet your hair, rub the bar between your hands to create lather, apply to hair, and rinse thoroughly.
Is Kitsch Shampoo Bar suitable for all hair types?
- Yes, it’s designed for various hair types, but individual results may vary.
Are there any side effects of using Kitsch Shampoo Bar?
- Uncommon, but some may experience mild scalp reactions. Perform a patch test if concerned.
Is Kitsch Shampoo Bar eco-friendly and sustainable?
- Absolutely, it’s crafted with eco-friendly ingredients and packaging, promoting sustainability.
Conclusion: Should You Buy Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?
I would say if you want to try a shampoo and/or conditioner bar, definitely give this one a go.
I don’t believe that all hair issues can be solved with a shampoo and conditioner anyway, and other products may be needed to address certain concerns like extreme dryness, or scalp conditions.
However, for a cleanse and boost, these bars hit the mark, offering a solid foundation for healthy hair care.
It’s not just a change in your hair care routine; it’s a step towards a more sustainable and beautiful you.
4 Responses
Very interesting concept. Currently, I use soap and mix my own up each time I wash my hair and rinse with a lemon solution I need to make up each time. This might be an interesting option, but keeping it dry might be an issue.
You covered the products very thoroughly and provided personal experience! All in all, a great article!
What a great invention! I always struggle when traveling not to be able to bring shampoo and conditioner but this would solve that issue for carry on bags. Will have to try it!
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