What Is a Shampoo Bar?

A shampoo bar is a solid, waterless alternative to traditional liquid shampoo—created to cleanse your scalp and hair just as effectively, but with low-tox ingredients and zero plastic waste.

Instead of coming in a plastic bottle, a shampoo bar is compact, travel-friendly, and activated by water and friction. It lathers just like a liquid shampoo (honestly most times better) but with way less waste and way more intention.

What Makes It Low-Tox?

Shampoo bars skip the sulfates, silicones, and synthetic additives found in many traditional shampoos. Instead, they rely on gentle, biodegradable ingredients that clean without stripping your scalp’s natural balance.

So you’re getting a fresh, healthy scalp and soft, manageable hair—without the unnecessary chemicals.

🌿 How Does It Work?

When activated with warm water, shampoo bars release a rich lather that lifts buildup, excess oil, and impurities from the scalp, leaving your hair refreshed and your conscience clear.

Key ingredients often include:

• Plant-based surfactants (like our coconut-derived cleansers) to foam and cleanse gently

• Soothing botanicals (like chamomile or marshmallow root) to calm the scalp

• Natural powders (like rice protein) to detox and strengthen

• Essential oils to support scalp health and leave a clean, natural scent

At Color + Blow, we formulate our shampoo bars to make sure they would lather from the most dense texture all the way to fine hair, color treated, or even dry hair—so they lather richly, rinse cleanly, and leave your scalp feeling nourished, not squeaky.

✈️ Why People Love Shampoo Bars:

• Low-tox + sustainable: No harsh ingredients, no plastic bottles

• Perfect for travel: No spills, no TSA issues

• Long-lasting: One bar replaces 2–3 bottles of shampoo

• Minimal buildup: Formulated without fillers, so your hair stays lighter, longer

💡 How to Use a Shampoo Bar:

1. Wet your hair thoroughly and wet the bar.

2. Rub the bar between your hands to create lather, or swipe it directly onto your scalp.

3. Massage into your scalp and roots using fingertips.

4. Rinse well and follow with your Color + Blow conditioner bar.

5. Let the bar dry fully between uses by storing it in a well-draining container or soap dish.

Remember that when you make the switch from traditional liquid shampoos to a solid shampoo bar made with clean, low-tox ingredients, your hair and scalp go through an adjustment phase. This is completely normal and temporary.Your scalp starts to rebalance its natural oils, so it takes a few wash days for your hair to adjust. Stick with it, and you’ll soon notice: A more balanced scalp, softer, cleaner hair and less overall  product use.

Click here to shop our best-selling shampoo bar, and experience the clean beauty swap that your hair (and the planet) will love. 🌎

Have questions? DM us on Instagram or email us anytime—we love helping you on your low-tox hair care journey. 🌱

Wash & Go Routine: Defined, Moisturized, & Full of Volume ✨

📸 Swipe through each step of this easy wash & go for curly hair using my go-to combo of Color + Blow solid shampoo + conditioner bars and The Doux stylers.

Step 1:
Start with a clean slate using the Color + Blow Solid Shampoo Bar to gently cleanse your curls without stripping moisture. A great lather with clean, non-toxic ingredients that your scalp will love.

Step 2:
Follow up with the Color + Blow Solid Conditioner Bar to detangle and deeply hydrate. I melt a little into my hands and apply root to tip for smooth, bouncy curls.

Step 3:
Apply The Doux 808 Base Gel to soaking wet hair in sections to begin defining your curls and locking in moisture.

Step 4:
Layer in The Doux Mousse Def Mousse for extra hold, definition, and a frizz-free finish. Rake it through each section and let your curls clump naturally.

Step 5:
Diffuse on low/medium heat or air dry. I prefer diffusing for faster drying and extra volume!

Step 6:
Once fully dry, I gently pick at the roots to lift and fluff. The result? Shiny, soft, defined curls with movement and volume!

 Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Also known as: Marigold petals

🌿 What It Is:

Calendula is a bright golden-yellow flower in the marigold family, often used in herbal medicine and clean beauty products for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. It’s commonly found in skin salves, teas, and hair treatments due to its calming effects on irritated or sensitive skin.

 Why It’s Beneficial for Hair + Scalp:

• Soothes Scalp Inflammation: Ideal for dry, itchy, or flaky scalps—calendula helps calm irritation caused by product buildup, weather changes, or scalp sensitivity.

• Supports Healing: Naturally antibacterial and antifungal, it promotes a healthier scalp environment and may help reduce dandruff or mild scalp conditions.

• Moisture Retention: It helps support the scalp’s natural barrier and retain hydration, which in turn supports stronger, more resilient hair.

• Gentle for All Hair Types: Especially beneficial for sensitive, textured, or color-treated hair, since it doesn’t strip or overstimulate the scalp.

🧼 Why It’s Perfect in Shampoo Bars:

Calendula enhances the calming, low-tox profile of solid bars. It pairs well with gentle surfactants and plant oils to create a soothing, scalp-nourishing cleanse that feels more like a treatment than just a shampoo.

💙 Blue Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Also known as: Bachelor's button petals

🌿 What It Is:

Blue Cornflower is a delicate wildflower native to Europe. It’s often used in natural skincare for its toning, calming, and antioxidant-rich properties. It also adds a visually beautiful touch to herbal and beauty products.

 Why It’s Beneficial for Hair + Scalp:

• Soothes Sensitive Scalps: Cornflower contains natural compounds that help reduce scalp discomfort, redness, or inflammation—especially after heat styling or color treatment.

• Balances Oil Production: Its astringent-like properties can help refresh and tone the scalp without over-drying.

• Enhances Shine and Softness: By supporting scalp health, it indirectly promotes shinier, more manageable hair.

• Rich in Flavonoids: Antioxidants help protect the scalp and hair follicles from environmental stress.

🧼 Why It’s Perfect in Shampoo Bars:

Aside from its soothing properties, cornflower adds a visual storytelling element—creating a sensory, spa-like experience when using your bar. It reinforces your brand’s clean beauty positioning and draws attention to the ingredient-forward nature of your product.

🍄 Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes Versicolor)

Also known as: Cloud mushroom, multicolor polypore

🌿 What It Is:

Turkey Tail is a medicinal mushroom known for its powerful immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and now popular in wellness, and supports skin and cellular health.

💆♀️ Why It’s Beneficial for Hair + Scalp:

• Scalp Microbiome Support: Turkey Tail helps promote a healthy balance of beneficial microbes on the scalp, which is essential for reducing inflammation and supporting long-term hair growth.

• Antioxidant Protection: Neutralizes stress that can damage scalp tissues and weaken hair follicles over time.

• Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse: Especially valuable for those with itchy, flaky, or reactive scalps, it helps calm irritation and promote overall scalp comfort.

• Promotes Hair Resilience: By supporting scalp health at the cellular level, it helps create the ideal conditions for strong, thriving hair from the root.

🧼 Why It’s Perfect in Shampoo Bars:

Turkey Tail brings a functional, wellness-first edge to your bar. It signals that your formulation isn’t just about clean ingredients—it’s about scalp health from the inside out, aligning perfectly with your low-tox and wellness lifestyle message.

Your scalp deserves more than just a basic cleanse. That’s why we’ve packed Color + Blow’s solid shampoo bars with powerful botanicals that soothe, nourish, and protect. Discover the shampoo bar infused with these botanical powerhouses.

👉 [Shop the Botanical Shampoo and Conditioner Bars Here]

What Is a Conditioner Bar?

A conditioner bar is a solid, waterless alternative to traditional liquid conditioner—designed to moisturize, detangle, and smooth your hair, just like the bottled version, but with cleaner ingredients and zero plastic waste.

What makes it low-tox? It’s made without harsh preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or silicones,so you're giving your hair the hydration it needs without coating it in chemicals. It's a smart swap for anyone seeking a cleaner routine.

Instead of coming in a bottle, a conditioner bar is a compact, handheld bar that’s activated by the warmth and moisture of your hands and hair. It glides on after shampooing, coating your strands with nourishing, plant-based ingredients that help soften, seal, and protect—without weighing your hair down.

🌿 How Does It Work?

When you rub the bar between your hands or directly onto wet hair, it releases rich conditioning ingredients like:

• Plant oils (like coconut, argan, or broccoli seed oil) to seal in moisture
  
• Butters (like shea or cocoa) to smooth and soften
  
• Botanical extracts (like calendula or daikon root) to soothe and nourish the scalp
  
• Cationic agents (the conditioning part!) that help detangle and reduce static or frizz
  

At Color + Blow, we formulate our conditioner bars with textured, color-treated, and dry hair in mind—so they’re lightweight, buildable, and safe for everyday use.

✈️ Why People Love Conditioner Bars:

• Low-tox + eco-friendly: No harsh chemicals, no plastic waste
  
• Travel-ready: TSA-approved and leak-free
  
• Long-lasting: One bar can last 2–3 bottles worth of conditioner
  
• Customizable: You can apply more where you need it (like ends), and less where you don’t
  

💡 How to Use a Conditioner Bar:

1. After shampooing, wet the bar and rub it between your hands or glide it directly over your hair (focusing on mid-lengths to ends).
   
2. Massage the product through with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
   
3. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
   
4. Store it in a dry place (like a soap dish or draining travel container) to extend its life.
   

Click here to shop Color + Blow shampoo and conditioner bars and if you any any questions about the benefits of conditioner bars, feel free to shoot us an email or a dm on instagram to keep the conversation going. 🌱

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do shampoo bars actually lather like liquid shampoo?” you’re not alone. One of the biggest misconceptions around solid shampoo is that you’ll have to sacrifice suds (and cleanliness) for sustainability. The good news? That couldn't be further from the truth. We’re breaking down exactly how shampoo bars lather, clean your hair, and in many cases, outperform their bottled counterparts.

1. Let’s Start with the Lather: Do Shampoo Bars Foam Up Like Liquid? Yes, they absolutely do. High-quality shampoo bars, like those from Color + Blow, are formulated with gentle, plant based ingredients that create a rich, satisfying lather when activated with water. Coconut-derived cleansers are especially effective at foaming without stripping natural oils.

In fact, many of our customers say they’re surprised at just how luxurious the lather feels.

Why the myth? Because early bar formulas were often soap based, which didn’t lather well (and sometimes left hair waxy). But clean beauty has come a long way, and modern solid shampoo bars are now just as sudsy, if not more than liquid options.

2. The Science Behind the Suds: What Makes a Shampoo Bar Lather?

It’s all about ingredients and activation. Liquid shampoos are all more than 80% water and solid bars are made of all concentrated active ingredients. In liquid shampoos, lather usually comes from sulfates (like SLS), which are known to cause dryness, irritation, and even strip color. In contrast, Color + Blow shampoo bars use:

• Coconut-based surfactants – Create creamy, bubbly foam without harsh effects

• Hydrating butters and oils – Help balance moisture while cleansing

• Powdered botanicals and extracts – Support scalp health and strengthen strands

All you need is warm water and a bit of friction — rub the bar directly onto your scalp or between your hands, and the lather comes to life. You'll be surprised how far a little goes.

3. Real Clean, Not Just Foamy Feeling

Let’s be honest: lather feels good, but it doesn’t always mean your hair is clean. Some traditional shampoos rely on synthetic foaming agents that offer bubbles, but not real benefits.

With solid shampoo bars, the lather works alongside nourishing ingredients to:

• Remove buildup and excess oil

• Refresh the scalp without irritation

• Leave hair soft, not squeaky or stripped

Your hair will more than likely experience an adjustment period between 3-5 washes as residual silicones and sulfates work their way out of your hair. Consider it like a hair detox period. Your scalp will rebalance its oil production and your hair will feel cleaner and lighter. After wash 5 most people experience softer texture, better moisture balance, and a little less frequent washing.

4. Conditioner Bars: Can a Solid Bar Really Replace Creamy Conditioner?

 Yes! Conditioner bars work differently but just as effectively. When warmed between hands or applied directly to wet hair, the bar melts into a silky coating that helps detangle, smooth, and hydrate. You can also apply them directly to your hair. If your hair is on the fine side, stay away from your scalp, rub product in your hands, and work it through more of the mids and ends of your hair. Color + Blow bars are packed with:

• Butters (like kokum and mango)

• Plant oils (like baobab and broccoli seed)

• Strengthening ingredients (like oat protein)

No plastic bottle required, and no slippery, heavy residue left behind.

5. Objections, Debunked: Why You’ll Love Solid Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

• "Will it lather enough?"

  • Yes. Richly and satisfyingly.

• "Will it clean as well as liquid?"

  • Yes. Better, actually — with fewer harsh chemicals and no unnecessary filler ingredients.

• "Will it leave my hair greasy or dry?"

  • Neither. The formula is balanced for softness, hydration, and bounce.

• "Will it work for my hair type?"

  • Color + Blow bars are formulated with all textures in mind — from straight to coily, and don't forget color-treated hair.

6. The Final Lather: What to Expect When You Make the Switch Switching to shampoo bars is a simple ritual shift with a big payoff. Expect:

• A rich, gentle lather that feels like a spa day

• A cleanser that works with your scalp, not against it

• A lower-waste routine that still delivers luxury

And yes — plenty of suds.

Ready to Try a Bar That Lathers Beautifully? Shop our bestselling shampoo and conditioner bars SHOP HERE and discover how good clean can really feel.

Still have questions about switching to solid bars? Browse our FAQs, Email, or DM us anytime on social media!

💨 5 Quick Steps to Straighten Your Hair Like a Pro

Step 1: Cleanse + Prep
Start with a solid shampoo bar from Color + Blow to remove buildup and gently cleanse the scalp without stripping moisture. Follow with the conditioner bar to hydrate and detangle. Deep conditioning goes a long way before straightening. Covering with plastic cap under a hooded dryer or steaming for 15-30 minutes helps your hair to stay smoother longer.

Step 2: Gently ring hair out + Place towel around neck + Section
Gently ring out hair instead of towel drying because it keeps more moisture in your hair and keeps cuticle smooth. The towel around your neck will catch the excess water. Then, divide your hair into 4–6 sections for easier and more even drying.

Step 3: Apply Heat Protectant
Before using heat, i like to apply a light weight leave-in spray like the Kenra Pearl Detangler and the their Blow out spray to guard against damage and preserve your hair’s strength and shine.

Step 4: Blow Dry with a Paddle Brush
Work section by section using a paddle brush and a blow dryer with a nozzle. Brush downward while following with the dryer to smooth and stretch the hair.

Step 5: Finish + Seal
Once fully dry, run a flat iron over each section for a sleek finish if desired. Some looser textures can be smoothed and styled in one pass and others may take one pass to straighten and another to style. Using more than two passes of the flat iron is never necessary. Use a lightweight shine spray at the end  of your finished style like Mizani shine hairspray. You'll love the long lasting finished look!

Ready to simplify your natural hair routine? This wash-n-go method for curls helps you achieve juicy, defined curls without crunch, flakes, or endless steps. Show you how to cleanse, hydrate, and style your curls using clean beauty products and techniques that actually work — even in humidity. Save this post and try it for your next wash day!

💧 Step 1: Start with a Clean, Hydrated Scalp

Why It Matters:

Your scalp is the foundation for healthy curls. Buildup, sweat, and styling products can clog follicles, stunt growth, and cause dryness or flaking. A clean scalp improves curl performance and allows your products to work more effectively.

What to Do:

• Begin your wash day by thoroughly saturating your hair with warm water to loosen dirt and open the hair cuticle.

• Gently massage your scalp with the pads of your fingers — never your nails — to encourage blood circulation and stimulate natural oils.

• Use a clean, sulfate-free formula (like Color + Blow’s solid shampoo bar) to cleanse without stripping.

• Focus on the scalp first, then let the lather rinse down your strands.

💡 Tip: If you're prone to dry scalp, consider massaging in a scalp serum or oil the night before and doing a double cleanse.

🧼 Step 2: Use a Moisturizing Solid Shampoo + Conditioner Bar

Why It Matters:

4A/4B curls need moisture at every step. A moisturizing solid bar gives you a concentrated formula (no filler ingredients) that nourishes without weighing your hair down. The bonus? It’s travel-friendly and eco-conscious.

What to Do:

• After cleansing, glide your Color + Blow conditioner bar directly over wet hair or rub between hands and apply to mid-lengths and ends.

• Detangle gently using a wide-tooth comb or fingers, starting from the ends and working your way up.

• Let the conditioner sit for 3–5 minutes to penetrate and hydrate before rinsing with cool water to help seal the cuticle.

💡 Tip: Rinse only 90% of the conditioner out if you need extra slip and moisture for styling.

🌀 Step 3: Rake + Shake to Define Every Curl

Why It Matters:

Curls thrive with definition, and the rake + shake method helps separate and define your natural curl pattern while minimizing frizz.

What to Do:

• While your hair is still soaking wet, apply your curl cream, leave-in, or gel in sections.

• Rake the product through your hair using your fingers like a comb, ensuring even distribution.

• Once a section is fully raked through, shake your hair at the ends. This helps curls clump and bounce into their natural shape.

💡 Tip: Work in small sections and avoid towel drying before applying products — moisture helps the curls “set” properly.

🌬️ Step 4: Air Dry or Diffuse for Volume + Hold

Why It Matters:

Drying method = final results. Whether you want volume, definition, or a mix of both, how you dry your curls makes a major difference.

What to Do:

Option 1: Air Dry

• Let your curls dry undisturbed. Avoid touching while drying to prevent frizz.

• Once fully dry, scrunch out any cast (if using gel) to reveal soft, defined curls.

Option 2: Diffuse

• Use a diffuser attachment on low to medium heat.

• Flip your head upside down to boost volume at the roots.

• Gently cup sections of your hair into the diffuser and lift toward your scalp.

💡 Tip: To reduce frizz, apply a light oil to your hands when scrunching out the cast after drying.

🌙 Step 5: Protect Overnight with a Satin Bonnet or Pineapple Style

Why It Matters:

Preserving your curls overnight keeps your wash-n-go looking fresh for days. Cotton pillowcases cause friction, breakage, and dry your hair out. The right nighttime protection helps maintain moisture, definition, and shape.

What to Do:

Option 1: Satin Bonnet or Scarf

• Put your hair into a loose pineapple (high puff) and tuck into a satin bonnet or wrap with a scarf.

• Make sure it’s not too tight — you’re protecting, not pressing your curls.

Option 2: Pineapple + Satin Pillowcase

• If bonnets aren’t your thing, at least sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction and moisture loss.

💡 Tip: In the morning, refresh your curls with a light mist of water or aloe spray and fluff with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.

Let’s talk about something most people ignore until there’s a problem: your scalp.
We spend so much time and money on styling, coloring, and treating our hair, but if the foundation isn’t healthy, everything else struggles too.