Soap On Hair

Did you know that your hair does not need shampoo or conditioner?

We have been ‘conditioned’ to think that this is the case. Well, guess what folks? Our hair is just fine without it!

 

If you have used ‘shampoo bars’ before and found them difficult or struggled to familiarise yourself with them, you are not alone. 

Let me tell you about my very unique journey of the hair, the grease, the frustration, the loss and re-growth. Routines and hidden secrets.

It might clear up a few things.

 

When I first started using shampoo bars, the transition was something to bare with. But I was committed. I knew that it was going to get worse before it got better.

I was a heavy user of hair care products (hair product junkie).

My hair was regularly bleached and dyed; I would blindly choose commercial conditioning treatments to keep my hair ‘silky’ and intact. 

The burden of guilt that I was slowly killing my hair weighed down on me, and I knew that I needed to make a change for myself and my environment. 

So I started to educate myself on better ways to treat my hair, to choose more natural dyes and coconut/olive oil hair masks.

After I had finished my last bottle of shampoo/conditioner, the decision was made: I invested in a really good shampoo bar.

One week in, my hair seemed okay.

I was using the shampoo bar three times a week.

Gradually using it once a week. 

Two months in, changes were occurring. 

The grease! Oh the grease! 

My hair was getting out of control, but I carried on, scraped it back into a ponytail and looked on. 

 

 

During the grease I was quite self conscious about it, but deep down it was a good challenge. I had my intentions and I knew that it would pass. 

Strangely, individuals commented positively on how shiny my hair was and wanted to know what product I used. 

I proudly stated in all true confidence:

 “natures essence of my own grease” 

 They were interested in the name and asked where I bought the product from….

I was so happy and proud about what I was doing. To others, my hair was not greasy at all, it had a sheen and style to it. I had not realised that before.

The people wanted in!

After 3 months of 'high shine’, my hair was rebalancing and coming to a final change.

Alas, it was at the point where it wasn’t too greasy and not too dry but just right!

Then something happened, a dark twist to the journey of my hair.

I was diagnosed with an illness which meant that I would undergo a treatment of chemotherapy. Pfffffffffffffffttt! F@cK!

The inevitable happened: My hair fell out.

I was left with a smooth egg and a few little soft sprouts hanging on for dear life!

It's very cold up there with no hair on your swede!

I honestly get shivers when I see bald fellows with no hat on (I know chaps…I know).

One of my sisters bravely came to my saviour and chopped off her beautiful locks. 

We had a wig made and I was warm again! 

The amazing donations from people around me helped make this happen and I am forever grateful. It truly was an inspiring moment in my life.

After my treatment I was given the words of recovery: Remission.

My next journey was about to begin. Soap Feels Good was born!

I made a vow to myself that when my hair grows back, I would only use natural products and from my own making. The same went for my skin too!

I have never looked back. My hair and skin are in the best condition, if I was to compare it to that of a new born baby. Legit!

Also good diet and exercise is a huge contribution. When I say diet, I don’t mean go on a fad diet and start starving yourself. 

That word has really done a number on you folks.

It's a mentality, eat healthily and drink plenty of water. Get your heart pumping every day. A good varied diet… There are so many different cuisines to try!

So back to the hair…

 

I wash my hair twice a month with my soap. In between, I use an apple cider vinegar rinse. Details on how to do this below.

 

1. Apple cider vinegar with the mother

Pop to your local health food shop or supermarket and look for Apple cider Vinegar with the mother. The mother is the bitty goodness that is very nourishing (the weird drifty particles swimming around inside the bottle). I use Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother.

Please do not use any other vinegar, a table vinegar just doesn’t have the same effect. It’s like using a spoon to cut a tomato… It’s crap.

2. Soap

My favourite is Lavender & Oats!

 

Day 1: Commitment! 

This is the day that you will have washed you hair with your regular shampoo/conditioner for the last time.

 

Week 1: Keep strong!

Don’t even think about regretting your decision. Remember why you are doing this. Look forward to effortlessly healthy hair.

 

Week 2: Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse.

• Shake the bottle, mix one part Apple cider vinegar with two parts water (temperature as you like).

• Over a bucket/sink/bath, pour slowly onto the hair and repeat with the mix that has fallen into the bucket/sink/bath until your hair is saturated.
• Squeeze out the excess and prop your hair up into a towel and leave for 10 to 30 minutes.
• After the elapsed time, rinse thoroughly with fresh water.
• Grab the soap with a little warm water and rub between the hands creating a luxurious lather. Massage the lather into the hair lengths and gently into the roots... Make sure to avoid putting the soap directly onto the hair, it will cling and no lather will develop.
• Rinse and style as normal.

Week 3: Enjoy the changes, do nothing. 

 

Week 4: Wash the hair with soap.

Don’t forget, create the lather in the hands first, then massage into the hair. Don’t get caught with clingy chunks in your locks!

 

• Every body is different, it can take 1 month to 6 months for your hair to rebalance, this is why I say 'commit'. But I assure you that after that time has lapsed, you will be encouraging others to do the same. It’s like a dangerous bridge to cross, a fantasy or a door to somewhere unknown. Once uncovered, there’s no forgetting. The truth is real. It's physical now and it's awesome!
• When I go to my hair salon for a tidy up, I take my soap. My hairdresser understands and enjoys using the soap on my hair.
• Not all ‘shampoo bars’ are good, some disguise themselves as being eco-friendly and natural for your hair via their misleading zero plastic themed packaging. This is great as it's one less plastic product in the world but… The product itself may not be what you are looking for (keep reading to find out why). A product which is good for the hair and is chemical free will usually boast about it… Like me!

"Soap Feels Good is all you need, from head to toe" 

 

• Any natural soap can be a shampoo bar, the branded shampoo bars are just a marketing tool.  

To find the earth and body loving brands, here is a helping hand for the jargon:

Find these on your packaging and you are heading in the right direction:

NO Palm oil (responsibly sourced palm oil is ok), NO detergents, NO SLS, NO alcohol, NO parabens, NO sorbates, NO silicones, NO sulphates, NO preservatives or artificial fragrances -

 

‘The breakdown, drop it like its hot!’

Palm Oil 

Palm oil heavily contributes to deforestation. The palm oil industry plays a large role in human induced climate change as palm oil plantations have cleared some of the world's most precious, carbon capturing forests.

These are detergents that give body cleansers, shampoos, hand washes, etc. foaming and cleansing properties. As cleansers, SLS and SLES are great. Too good, in a way, because they can be a bit aggressive in stripping and drying the skin & hair.

We need to protect our skin's microbiome and keep it healthy. If your skin is stripped from its natural oils, it can cause an imbalance which leads to skin problems.

The highest risk of using products with SLS and SLES is irritation to your eyes, skin, mouth, and lungs. For people with sensitive skin, sulfates may also clog pores and cause acne.

The microbiome is a term used to describe the specific collection of microorganisms (such as fungi, bacteria and viruses) that exist in a particular environment. The word is often used to describe the community of microorganisms that live in or on the human body (e.g., in the stomach or on the skin).The microbiome is essential for human development, immunity and nutrition. The bacteria living in and on us are not invaders but beneficial colonizers.

You just need a balance!

 

Ethyl alcohol & isopropyl alcohol are created in a lab and are widely used in many soap products. They have different qualities for soap making, one adds a shine to the finished soap and the other helps bind the layers of a soap. Using them would contradict my value of only using what nature has to provide. I have alternative natural techniques…

‘Drinking’ alcohol, however, is a very different ingredient all together, it’s been around for centuries and can be found in nature. This intrigues me somewhat, so keep a keen eye on Soap Feels Good, a new bar of soap with a twist!

These are preservatives commonly used in bars of soap. According to the FDA, “the most common parabens used in cosmetic products are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.” Parabens have a tendency to mimic hormones, which can be found to disrupt the function of hormones naturally found in your body.

 

Silicones have long been known to provide a light, silky feel on hair and skin. That residue that you feel after a dollop of your favourite conditioner is most likely due to a silicone in the ingredients.

Synthetic fragrances are made in labs and are unnatural. They have overpowering scents, often very sweet. They can disturb the skin and cause imbalances which lead to ache and eczema. 

 

 

On a final note, Soap Feels Good can proudly state that none of the above ingredients are used.

Through personal experience and true facts, I created a soap with values that are close to my heart. A story has bloomed into something beautiful. The balance of natural ingredients forged from nature, providing a healthy cleanse with plenty of honest bubbles, delicately scented and visually stunning. A bar of soap kind to all environments. Skin & hair.

 

-Kayleigh