Originally published 2022, updated 2026.
Washing your hair with a shampoo bar is simple once you know how to use it properly. The right technique can help your shampoo bar lather better, rinse cleaner and leave your hair feeling soft, fresh and manageable.
Quick answer: Wet your hair thoroughly, wet the shampoo bar, lather it between your hands or directly onto your scalp, massage through the roots, then rinse very well.
Use less product than you think, focus on the scalp rather than coating the lengths, and store your bar somewhere dry between uses.
Shampoo bars are concentrated, plastic free and easy to travel with, but they do work a little differently to bottled shampoo. Using the right amount, rinsing thoroughly and choosing the right bar for your hair type can make a big difference to the result.
At Biome, we carefully choose shampoo bars that are palm oil free, plastic free, free from harsh petrochemical ingredients and designed to work well in everyday routines.
What is the correct way to use a shampoo bar?
Using a shampoo bar is easy, but a few small technique changes can help your hair feel cleaner and lighter afterwards.
How to use a shampoo bar:
- Wet your hair thoroughly before applying the bar.
- Wet the shampoo bar under warm water.
- Lather the bar between your hands or glide it gently over your scalp.
- Focus on the roots and scalp, where oil and buildup usually sit.
- Massage with your fingertips, not your nails.
- Let the rinse water carry the shampoo through the lengths.
- Rinse very thoroughly until your hair feels clean.
Shampoo bars are concentrated, so you usually need less product than expected. Using too much can make hair feel coated or heavy, especially if you are new to shampoo bars.
Do you rub a shampoo bar directly onto your hair?
Yes, you can rub a shampoo bar directly onto your scalp, or you can lather it between your hands first.
If you are new to shampoo bars, lathering in your hands first can help you control how much product you use. If you prefer direct application, glide the bar lightly over the scalp rather than rubbing it heavily through the lengths.
The goal is to cleanse the scalp without over-coating the hair. This can help reduce the chance of waxy buildup, dryness or heavy-feeling hair.
Why is rinsing so important with shampoo bars?
Rinsing well is one of the most important steps when using a shampoo bar.
If shampoo is left sitting on the hair, it can make the hair feel coated, heavy, waxy or difficult to brush. This is especially noticeable with soap-based shampoo bars or in hard water areas.
Take a little extra time to rinse the scalp, roots and underneath layers of hair. Hair should feel clean and comfortable afterwards, not sticky or coated.
Do shampoo bars need conditioner?
It depends on the type of shampoo bar and your hair type. Some soap-based shampoo bars feel conditioning enough on their own, while surfactant-based shampoo bars often work best when paired with conditioner.
To understand the difference between shampoo bar types, read: Choosing Between Soap-Based and Surfactant-Based Shampoo Bars: What’s the Difference?
Longer, curly, dry, damaged or colour-treated hair often benefits from extra moisture after shampooing. Without it, hair can sometimes feel dry, rough or like straw.
A popular low-waste option is an apple cider vinegar rinse, especially after soap-based shampoo bars, as it can help soften the hair and improve manageability.
Apple cider vinegar rinse: mix one part apple cider vinegar with four parts warm water, pour through the hair after shampooing, then rinse thoroughly.
You can also use a solid conditioner bar or natural conditioning treatment if your hair needs more moisture and slip.
We generally do not recommend regular commercial conditioners alongside shampoo bars, particularly silicone-heavy formulas, as they can leave the hair feeling coated, heavy or dull — especially with soap-based shampoo bars.
You can find our DIY herbal conditioning hair spritz recipe here → or our DIY coconut hair conditioning treatment recipe here →
Why does my hair feel waxy after using a shampoo bar?
Hair can feel waxy after using a shampoo bar if residue is left on the hair, if too much product is used, if the bar does not suit your hair type, or if soap-based formulas react with hard water minerals.
This does not mean all shampoo bars will feel the same. Soap-based and surfactant-based shampoo bars behave differently on the hair.
Some people notice a short adjustment period when first switching to shampoo bars, especially if they previously used silicone-heavy haircare products. Hair can temporarily feel different while buildup lifts from the hair over time.
If your hair often feels waxy, heavy or like straw after using a shampoo bar, read our full guide here: Why Does My Hair Feel Like Straw After Using A Shampoo Bar?
What shampoo bar suits different hair types?
The best shampoo bar for you will depend on your hair type, scalp, water conditions and personal preference.
- Dry or curly hair: often benefits from richer surfactant based formulas and conditioner afterwards.
- Oily hair: lighter cleansing formulas may feel best.
- Sensitive scalps: gentler, minimal formulations are often preferred.
- First-time shampoo bar users: surfactant-based shampoo bars can feel easier to transition to because they rinse more like liquid shampoo.
How should you store a shampoo bar?
Keep your shampoo bar dry between uses. This helps it last longer and prevents it from becoming soft, mushy or dissolving too quickly.
Store your shampoo bar on a draining soap dish, soap saver, rack or holder where air can circulate around it.
If you are travelling, let the bar dry before placing it in a tin or container where possible.
Cutting a shampoo bar in half or thirds and using one piece at a time can also help prolong the life of the bar.
Read→ how to make a soap bar last longer
How long does a shampoo bar last?
Shampoo bars are concentrated, so they can be very economical and long lasting when stored properly.
Depending on hair length and washing frequency, many people find one shampoo bar lasts significantly longer than a bottle of shampoo.
How long a shampoo bar lasts depends on your hair length, how often you wash your hair, how much product you use and whether the bar is allowed to dry between uses.
Using one small piece at a time and keeping the rest dry can help reduce waste and make the bar last longer.
Which shampoo bars are easiest for beginners?
If you are switching from bottled shampoo and want a familiar feel, a surfactant-based shampoo bar may be the easiest place to start.
These bars are designed to lather and rinse more like liquid shampoo, which can make the transition feel more familiar.
Viva La Body shampoo bars are a great option for people wanting a shampoo bar that feels more like liquid shampoo while still being plastic free and palm oil free.
Soap-based shampoo bars can also work beautifully, especially for people who prefer a more traditional, minimal formulation.
Why switch to shampoo bars?
Shampoo bars are popular for more than just reducing plastic waste. Many people switch because they want hair that feels cleaner, lighter and less weighed down by heavy silicone-based products.
Well-formulated shampoo bars can help leave hair feeling soft, fresh and full of body without the stripped or coated feeling some conventional shampoos can create.
The shampoo bars we choose at Biome are designed to:
- reduce plastic bottle waste without compromising on performance
- cleanse without harsh detergents like SLS that can leave some scalps feeling stripped or irritated
- support softer, lighter-feeling hair rather than coating the hair with heavy residues
- avoid palm oil and harsh petrochemical ingredients commonly found in conventional haircare products
- travel easily without spills, leaks or liquid restrictions
- last a long time because shampoo bars are highly concentrated
- offer a lower-waste alternative for people trying to reduce unnecessary packaging in their bathroom routine
Not all shampoo bars are the same. Some still contain SLS, synthetic fragrances, petrochemical ingredients or palm oil derivatives. At Biome, when we say natural shampoo bars, we genuinely mean it — carefully choosing formulations that are palm oil free, low-tox and plastic free.
Top tips from Biome founder, Tracey
- Give your shampoo bar a little time before deciding whether it is right for you. Hair and scalp can take time to adjust, especially if you are switching from bottled shampoo.
- If your hair feels heavy or dull after using conditioner with a soap-based shampoo bar, try an occasional diluted apple cider vinegar rinse instead.
- Cut the bar in half or thirds and use one piece at a time to help it last longer.
- Be open to your hair feeling different. Some people notice more fullness, body and bounce after switching to shampoo bars.
Once you understand how to use a shampoo bar properly, the switch can feel much easier. With the right shampoo bar and routine, hair should feel clean, comfortable and easy to manage — without the plastic bottle waste.
👉 Still deciding? Read our guide to the best shampoo bars for different hair types and find the right bar for your hair, scalp and routine.
Ready to try shampoo bars?
Explore Biome’s range of palm oil free, plastic free shampoo bars for different hair types and routines.
FAQs
How often should I use a shampoo bar?
Use a shampoo bar as often as your hair and scalp need washing. Some people find they can wash less often after switching to shampoo bars, while others keep a similar routine to bottled shampoo.
Do you need conditioner with a shampoo bar?
Not always, but many hair types benefit from conditioner after shampooing, especially dry, curly, damaged or colour-treated hair.
How long does it take for hair to adjust to a shampoo bar?
Some people adjust quickly, while others notice a short transition period over a few weeks, especially when moving from silicone-heavy bottled haircare to shampoo bars.
How many washes do you get from a shampoo bar?
This depends on hair length, washing frequency and storage, but many people find shampoo bars last significantly longer than bottled shampoo.
What is the point of shampoo bars?
Shampoo bars help reduce plastic bottle waste, are concentrated and travel-friendly, and can offer a lower-waste alternative to bottled shampoo.
Are shampoo bars healthier for hair?
Many people find well-formulated shampoo bars feel gentler and less stripping than conventional shampoos, particularly when free from harsh detergents and heavy synthetic ingredients.
Can shampoo bars replace liquid shampoo?
Yes, shampoo bars can replace liquid shampoo when you choose the right formula for your hair type.
Why is my shampoo bar not lathering?
Your hair may not be wet enough, the bar may need more water, or your local water type may affect lather. Surfactant-based shampoo bars usually create a richer lather than soap-based bars.
Do shampoo bars work in hard water?
Some do. Soap-based shampoo bars can sometimes leave residue in hard water, while surfactant-based shampoo bars usually rinse more cleanly and perform more like liquid shampoo.
Related reads
Choosing Between Soap-Based and Surfactant-Based Shampoo Bars: What’s the Difference?
Why Does My Hair Feel Like Straw After Using A Shampoo Bar?
How To Transition To Shampoo Bars Successfully
Are shampoo bars actually good for your hair?
