This classic brand might not be the first that springs to mind when you think of shampoo bars, but our testers rated it highly. They liked its "nourishing effects", thanks to the moisturising coconut oil in the formula, and everybody said their hair felt cleaner after use. The design was also a hit; panellists said the protruding bumps massaged their scalps and the attached rope made it easy to hang up and dry. Show
Key specificationsFragrance freeYesSulphate free YesSustainable packagingYesSize70g 2 Joint runner-up Odacité 552M Soap Free Shampoo Bar 2 Joint runner-up Odacité 552M Soap Free Shampoo BarScore: 85/100 Our panel loved this gentle bar, praising it for lathering well and leaving their hair feeling clean, shiny and soft. This made it easier to detangle and more manageable to style, with some curly-haired testers saying it helped define their ringlets. In the lab, it also proved highly effective at smoothing hair. This sweetly scented bar is one of the largest tested and should last for at least 60 washes. Key specificationsFragrance freeNoSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize105g 3 Joint runner-up Lush Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo Bar3 Joint runner-up Lush Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo BarCredit: . Score: 85/100 Lush is proof that you don’t need fancy packaging to make a great product. This bar eliminates waste but still managed to give a thorough clean, leaving testers with softer, nourished lengths. It didn’t cause any irritation and lasted well throughout the six weeks, with one tester describing the yummy honey scent as "divine". Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingNo packaging Size55g Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 4 Best for a rich lather Object Moisturising Shampoo Bar4 Best for a rich lather Object Moisturising Shampoo BarCredit: . Score: 84/100 This diddy bar claims to hold the same amount of product as three liquid shampoo bottles, saving quite a bit of plastic! It was easy to distribute over the head, lathered up generously and rinsed out well, leaving the panel happy with how well it cleansed hair. It was extremely powerful when it came to smoothing frazzled strands in our lab test and left testers with better-looking hair. Fragrance freeNoSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable and plastic-freeSize5g 5 Best for colour-treated hair weDo/ Professional No Plastic Shampoo Bar5 Best for colour-treated hair weDo/ Professional No Plastic Shampoo BarCredit: . Score: 83/100 You don’t have to invest in an expensive bottle of shampoo to keep your colour in tip-top condition. This boosted the vibrancy of our testers’ colour-treated strands, leaving everyone content with the deep clean it provided. Everybody felt it would last them longer than their usual bottle, and it also improved softness and hydration. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable and recycledSize80g 6 Best for dry hair Amphora Aromatics Almond Shampoo Bar6 Best for dry hair Amphora Aromatics Almond Shampoo BarScore: 82/100 Designed for dry, dull and damaged hair, this affordable bar is packed with nourishing sweet almond oil to bring lacklustre locks back to life. It left our panel with squeaky clean yet thoroughly moisturised hair, including those with curls, and it smoothed brilliantly in the lab. Testers found the size and shape easy to hold and said it lathered up generously, but a reusable tin for storage between uses wouldn’t have gone amiss. Key specificationsFragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize50g Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 7 Best for oily hair Percy & Reed All Lathered Up Cleansing Shampoo Bar7 Best for oily hair Percy & Reed All Lathered Up Cleansing Shampoo BarNow 10% Off Credit: . Score: 82/100 Small but mighty, this bar aims to last up to 50 washes. It didn’t crumble, managing to keep its shape throughout the entire test, and impressed all testers with how refreshed it left scalps feeling. It was a winner in our lab for leaving ends silky-smooth too, while the panel were impressed with how great their hair felt after use. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable and plastic-freeSize50g 8 Best for smoothing Lush Angel Hair Shampoo Bar8 Best for smoothing Lush Angel Hair Shampoo BarCredit: Lush Score: 81/100 Our lab team declared this vegan shampoo bar the best for smoothing hair on test, describing it as “extremely effective” at calming frizz. Our panel agreed and said it left their hair feeling softer, shinier and more hydrated. Those with fine hair enjoyed "more body and volume", and it helped to reduce breakages by making hair less knotty. The bar’s “bitty” texture and “pointless” decorative flower raised a few eyebrows, but those were minor misgivings. Key specificationsFragrance-freeNoSulphate-freeNoSustainable packagingYesSize55g 9 Best budget shampoo bar Little Soap Company Eco Warrior Dry Hair Shampoo Bar9 Best budget shampoo bar Little Soap Company Eco Warrior Dry Hair Shampoo BarCredit: . Score: 81/100 Not only is the packaging fully plastic-free, recyclable and biodegradable, but this shampoo bar is also vegan and cruelty-free – and all for under a fiver. The formula itself turned up the shine and eliminated dehydration for our panel. Lengths looked softer and more nourished, with testers loving their “swishy” results. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable, plastic-free and biodegradable Size100g Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 10 Best for travel Foamie Hibiscus Shampoo Bar10 Best for travel Foamie Hibiscus Shampoo BarNow 28% Off Credit: . Score: 81/100 This travel-friendly shampoo bar comes with the option to purchase a sustainably-made watertight case, which helps drain out excess water to keep it in good shape. It gave an excellent performance in our lab test for smoothing, with testers noting how much easier it was to brush through their hair after use. The end result? The panel reported stronger, more nourished hair, including those with damage from colour treating or heat styling. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable and plastic-freeSize80g 11 Best for damaged hair Garnier Ultimate Blends Nourishing Shampoo Bar11 Best for damaged hair Garnier Ultimate Blends Nourishing Shampoo BarNow 51% Off Score: 80/100 Enriched with sustainably sourced honey, this 97% biodegradable formula aims to restore frazzled, damaged locks to their former glory. Though some would have preferred a string or tin to help store it, everyone agreed it lasted them throughout the test and left their hair looking and feeling fresher. It also worked wonders for those with colour-treated hair, helping to boost vibrancy. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable and plastic-freeSize60g 12 Best for heat protection Beauty Kitchen Intense Moisture Shampoo Bar12 Best for heat protection Beauty Kitchen Intense Moisture Shampoo BarScore: 79/100 For those that are prone to frizz no matter the weather, rest assured that our lab test found this moisturising bar great at smoothing hair. Testers noticed softer, more nourished lengths after washing, and some reported less fallout after switching to it. Our lab team recommended it for protecting against heat damage and providing moisture, and the eco-friendly compostable packaging will earn you some sustainable brownie points. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable, plastic-free and compostable packagingSize50g Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 13 Best for softening Klorane Nourishing Solid Shampoo Bar13 Best for softening Klorane Nourishing Solid Shampoo BarScore: 79/100 This mango-scented number was another star in our lab test for smoothing frizzy strands, while still creating a rich lather. It softened frazzled hair up a treat, leading one tester to say that hers "had never looked better". In fact, it was so impressive, the majority said they'd ditch their current plastic bottle for this bar. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable packaging and biodegradable formulaSize80g 14 Best for curly hair Only Curls Curl Cleansing Shampoo Bar14 Best for curly hair Only Curls Curl Cleansing Shampoo BarScore: 76/100 Those with curly hair might be sceptical of a shampoo bar that claims to treat their kinks and coils, but this blend of natural oils and emollients did an excellent job. The formula features a sulphate-free foaming agent to gently cleanse scalps, which testers found made their hair more manageable to style. Most were happy with the condition it left their hair in, and it was also a top pick for those struggling with frizz. Fragrance freeYesSulphate freeYesSustainable packagingRecyclable and plastic-freeSize90g 15 Best for daily use Davines DEDE Shampoo Bar15 Best for daily use Davines DEDE Shampoo BarScore: 76/100 If you need that "just washed" feeling daily, note that our testers found this bar gentle enough for frequent use. It left them with softer, more hydrated hair that was "noticeably fuller in volume", and some found it helped to soothe scalp itchiness. The oaty smell proved divisive, but overall, this is a trusty shower staple. Fragrance freeNoSulphate-freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize100g Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 16 Best for quick showers Pantene Nourish & Volume Solid Shampoo Bar16 Best for quick showers Pantene Nourish & Volume Solid Shampoo BarScore: 76/100 Packed with nutrients and pro-vitamins, this bar aims to give your hair an all-round health boost. Most testers said their hair felt “nourished and moisturised” after use, and everybody found it quick and easy to rinse — a big pro if you need to wash your hair every morning in a hurry. Its cleansing effects didn't last as long as hoped for some, but in our wet combing lab test, it did a decent job at smoothing. Key specificationsFragrance-freeYesSulphate-freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize70g 17 Best for children Aussie Nourishing Hug Shampoo Bar17 Best for children Aussie Nourishing Hug Shampoo BarScore: 76/100 Struggling to get children excited about hair wash day? This cute little koala-shaped bar is sure to change things. But its novelty design doesn’t mean it's all looks and no substance, as it still lived up to Aussie’s usual hallmarks, leaving testers with "silky feeling” hair. It lathered up generously and most found its shape easier to grip than the usual slippery circle — helpful for smaller hands. Key specificationsFragrance-freeYesSulphate-freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize70g 18 Best for detangling Faith In Nature Coconut & Shea Butter Shampoo Bar18 Best for detangling Faith In Nature Coconut & Shea Butter Shampoo BarNow 34% Off Score: 75/100 If you struggle with a tangled mane post washing, this bar is full of helpful ingredients that can make a difference, such as moisturising coconut and shea butter. The panel found they didn’t have as many knots in their hair as normal after using it, and our lab analysis found it extremely effective at smoothing. It left testers with hair that felt squeaky clean, but some noted that it took a while to fully rinse out all of the residue. Key specificationsFragrance-freeYesSulphate-freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize85g Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 19 Best for men L'Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Solid Shampoo and Wash19 Best for men L'Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Solid Shampoo and WashNow 50% Off Credit: L'Oreal Score: 75/100 If you like to keep your shower regime short and snappy, an all-in-one bar speeds up showers and takes out the fuss of having lots of products. Designed for men and formulated with a soft PH, it’s gentle enough to be used on the face, while testers said it kept their hair “cleaner for much longer”. It’s enriched with cedarwood essential oil, giving it an intense woody fragrance. Key specificationsFragrance-freeYesSulphate-freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize80g 20 Best for sensitive scalps Garnier Ultimate Blends Hydrating Shampoo Bar20 Best for sensitive scalps Garnier Ultimate Blends Hydrating Shampoo BarCredit: Garnier Score: 73/100 Some shampoo bars struggle to foam up, but not this one; our panel found it quickly produced a lot of creamy lather that rinsed out easily. It left most testers with smoother, more nourished hair, and many said it made their scalps feel less dry and itchy. It dried rapidly, minimising bathroom mess, but some found it crumbled slightly after a few uses. Fragrance-freeNoSulphate-freeYesSustainable packagingYesSize60g Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms. With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics. What are the benefits of Lush shampoo bar?Our perfectly formed, packaging-free, solid shampoo bars are a great alternative to liquid shampoos which take more energy and water to create and then transport, and of course, no empty bottles to discard! They are also entirely self-preserving, so no synthetic preservatives have to be added to keep them fresh. How many washes does a Lush shampoo bar last?This solid, self-preserving bar will last for up to 80 washes (that's the work of three bottles of liquid shampoo!) and requires no packaging. Are shampoo bars better for hair?In short, yes! Shampoo bars are very good for your hair. Most shampoo bars don't contain detergent based ingredients, sulphates or parabens, unlike liquid shampoos. Traditional liquid shampoos that many of us grew up using contain harsh chemicals. What are the ingredients in Lush Angel hair?Lush Angel Hair Shampoo Bar. Sodium Coco-Sulfate.. Rose Water. Also-called: Damask Rose Flower Water, Rose Hydrosol;Rosa Damascena Flower Water. ... . Perfume - icky. ... . Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter - goodie. ... . Sodium Bicarbonate. ... . Rosebud. ... . Ylang Ylang Oil - icky. ... . Titanium Dioxide - goodie.. |
