Super nourishing, super kind to the planet and super gentle on your color, that’s why we all adore shampoo bars at Coloured Hair Care HQ.
They’re bursting with natural oils which help to condition your hair, and are totally free of the sulphates which are the paint strippers for your color.
And we’re here with the best shampoo bar money can buy to transform your hair care routine, and your locks!
This year, more and more brands have begun introducing natural shampoo bars specifically designed for dyed or colored locks.
The best part is these eco-friendly alternatives also cleanse your hair without stripping off those hues, all while being kinder to the environment.
Here are our expert opinions some of the top shampoo bars on the market – prepare to make everyday haircare a breeze!
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Table of Contents
- 1 TOP PICK!
- 2 J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo, Virgin Coconut Argan Oil
- 3 What is a shampoo bar?
- 4 Why use a shampoo bar?
- 5 What is the best shampoo bar for color treated hair?
- 6 Best shampoo bar for colored hair at a glance.
- 7 #1 Faith in Nature Natural Dragon Fruit Shampoo Bar.
- 8 #2 Ethique Eco-Friendly Solid Shampoo Bar for Normal-Dry or Frizzy Hair.
- 9 #3 Shine On Shampoo Bar for dry and damaged hair.
- 10 #4 J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo, Virgin Coconut Argan Oil
- 11 #5 Aussie Moisturising Vegan Shampoo Bar
- 12 #6 Clovelly Soap Co Handmade Natural Shampoo Soap Bar, Eucalyptus Mint & Lemon.
- 13 Buyer’s guide: How to choose the right shampoo bar for you.
- 14 Is a shampoo bar good for colored hair?
- 15 How do I use a shampoo bar?
- 16 Do I need to condition my hair too?
- 17 How do you store shampoo bars in the shower?
- 18 Can I make my own shampoo bars?
- 19 Parting words.
TOP PICK!
J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo, Virgin Coconut Argan Oil
Best for: Much-needed moisture
J.R Liggetts offering is a charmingly old fashioned looking bar that resembles a pack of butter! It smells good enough to eat too!
We found this one hard to get the quantity right so as not to leave a residue, but if you nail it, the results are fab. This bar is infused with argan oil which our stressed coloured tresses loved and left them feeling superbly soft and moisturised. There’s also a handy mini version for travelling too.
Pros
- Restores smoothness, strength, and shine to dry and tangled hair.
- Contains Vitamin E, beneficial for color-treated hair.
- Made with organic Virgin Coconut Oil, known for its moisturizing properties.
- Retains hair moisture and keeps it soft and shiny.
- Positive reviews highlight effectiveness, hair fall reduction, and natural cleaning.
- Charming and unique packaging with a pleasant scent.
- Available in a convenient mini version for travel.
Cons
- Difficulty in getting the right quantity to avoid residue.
- May require some experimentation to use effectively.
What is a shampoo bar?
They’re firm, they’re pretty, they smell out of this world. AND it’s official, shampoo bars can outlive your favourite colored hair shampoos by three bottles!
They look like soap but are packed full of cleansing ingredients for your hair and are not as drying for your skin as traditional soap bars can be.
We love them because they contain high-quality, all-natural ingredients with no nasty chemicals or additives like sulphates that can dry your hair and damage your follicles.
They smell amazing too!
Your hair needs some time to get used to using them, so you may find your hair feels ‘coated’ or waxy at first. But push on through and you’ll never look back.
Why use a shampoo bar?
There are lots of benefits for using them for dyed hair in place of your normal color shampoo – at home or while travelling:
- They’re a compact size and handy to carry around to work, the gym and on your travels.
- They contain no nasty chemicals or additives.
- Some can be used on your body.
- They’re eco-friendly with no plastic packaging.
- They’re budget friendly too.
- They last so much longer than bottle shampoos.
There can be some downsides to using them too, but it can depend on the type and texture of your hair:
- It can take some time for your hair to adjust to using it.
- Some have a waxy consistency which can build up in your hair.
- They can cause tangles in very long or fine hair.
- They can leave you hair with a ‘coated’ feeling.
What is the best shampoo bar for color treated hair?
They’re cheap, they’re eco-friendly and they last 3 x as long as bottle shampoo. We’ve searched and scrubbed the land to find the best one for colored hair. These are the best of the best!
Best shampoo bar for colored hair at a glance.
| Shampoo bar | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faith in Nature Natural Dragon Fruit Shampoo Bar. |
| Long-lasting bar. | |
| Ethique Eco-Friendly Solid Shampoo Bar for Normal-Dry or Frizzy Hair. |
| Soft, silky hair. | |
| Shine On Shampoo Bar for dry and damaged hair. |
| Clean, shiny glossy locks. | |
| J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo, Virgin Coconut Argan Oil |
| Much-needed moisture. | |
| Aussie Moisturising Vegan Shampoo Bar |
| Travel | |
| Clovelly Soap Co Handmade Natural Shampoo Soap Bar, Eucalyptus Mint & Lemon. |
| Hard water and great value. |
#1 Faith in Nature Natural Dragon Fruit Shampoo Bar.
Features & ingredients:
- Leaves your hair incredibly soft, shiny and free from build-up.
- Suitable for normal, dry, curly and color treated hair.
- SLS, SLES, Paraben Free
- Cruelty Free, No animal testing
- Works well in hard water
- They also condition your hair.
Reviewers say:
“I’ve tried other bars which have left my hair feeling greasy and waxy. I’d almost given up on the idea of shampoo soap bars until I came across this! I’ve liked these so much I’ve ordered more!”
“I live in a hard water area and washing other ones out was a nightmare. After the reading the reviews I thought I’d give these a try and so glad I did! It lathers up well, washes out easily and leaves the hair clean, all with a great smell.”
“I do need to use a little conditioner on my hair after using these, but I have colour treated hair so it’s always dry. The soaps do last ages so I should be set now for a long time, which is better for the environment too!”
Our experience:
These cleansing bars from Faith in Nature are gorgeous and come in a range of smells and rich formulas to suit every whim – from Lavender and Geranium, Shea and Argan, and Coconut and Shea butter.
It lathers really well compared to other bars and our hair felt soft afterwards and not at all waxy. The reviews all talk it lasting really well too. What’s not to love?
Best for: Long lasting bar.
#2 Ethique Eco-Friendly Solid Shampoo Bar for Normal-Dry or Frizzy Hair.
Features & ingredients:
- For those of you with beautiful curly hair, or who abuse your hair with hot irons, curlers, hair dryers or bleach.
- 100% soap free, pH balanced and safe for color treated hair.
- Perfect for very dry or frizzy hair.
- Equivalent to 3 bottles of liquid shampoo.
Reviewers say:
“After just one use of Ethique’s Frizz Wrangler, my mind and hair is blown. I will never use another brand now!! You know the feeling of having a fresh hair cut? Your hair is light and healthy feeling? That is the only way I can describe how my hair feels after using this bar. Love it!”
“This smells amazing and leaves my hair soft and silky!”
“I found this so soft and gentle on the bleached ends of my hair. I have no product build up anymore after using this and I love that it’s safe for the whole family to use too.”
Our experience:
What’s great about Ethique’s range is that you can choose the right bar for your hair type – from Oily to normal to dry and frizzy.
We picked the one for frizzy, dry damaged hair as the best for colored hair.
It smells amazing and the coconutty goodness felt super luxurious on our hair.
It washed out great with no residue and left our hair feeling super soft and our scalp feeling moisturised. This is the best one for softness.
Best for: Soft, silky hair.
#3 Shine On Shampoo Bar for dry and damaged hair.
Features & ingredients:
- No fuss, no mess.
- Simple, solid (SLS & SLES-free) shampoo
- Does away with over-packaging and environmental worries.
- Perfect for everyday use and ideal in the wash-bag for visits to the gym, at the swimming pool or to take on holiday!
Reviewers say:
“Having tried other products I’ve found this to be the best, leaves my hair soft and shiny, with no need for conditioner.”
“I adore this! It’s lasting really well. I bought ‘Bounty Hunter’ as I have highlighted hair, it leaves it super clean and shiny.”
“Smells so great and it’s really easy to use. Cleans my dyed hair without stripping the color.”
Our experience:
The Shine on range comes in the most delicious range of scents for all types of hair – from mint to coconut to cinnamon to citrus.
There’s one for swimming, one for blondes and even one for all the family to share (although you might not want to!) Shine On have got it covered.
Best of all, they really work! And that’s why the reviews are awesome too.
We chose Shine On Bounty Hunter for dry and damaged hair and the results were clean tresses with gallons of gloss.
The dinky bar contains lemon oil which smells amazing adds the shine and sleekness. Coconut oil nourished our hair so well, we only needed a light conditioner.
Best for: Clean, shiny glossy locks.
#4 J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo, Virgin Coconut Argan Oil
Features & ingredients:
- Gives new life to dry, tangled, flyaway hair and restores smoothness, strengthens, and gives your hair luster and shine.
- Vitamin E is also added and is excellent for color-treated hair.
- Organic, luscious, moisturizing, sweet-scented, delicious Virgin Coconut Oil.
- Retains hair moisture, and keeps hair soft and shiny.
Reviewers say:
“I have been using this shampoo for 3 months now. Absolutely love it. No conditioner required and leaves my hair clean and super soft. Stopped my hair fall completely.”
“I’ve been using these for about a year now. I’m still loving it. My hair is naturally clean without being stripped or gunked up with chemicals from typical shampoos. Love knowing this!”
“If you have dry hair or if you color your hair or if you are out in the sun a lot, this is an amazing product. Nothing I have bought in a plastic bottle no matter what the cost has compared to this!”
Our experience:
J.R Liggetts offering is a charmingly old fashioned looking bar that resembles a pack of butter! It smells good enough to eat too!
We found this one hard to get the quantity right so as not to leave a residue, but if you nail it, the results are fab.
This bar is infused with argan oil which our stressed coloured tresses loved and left them feeling superbly soft and moisturised.
There’s also a handy mini version for travelling too.
Best for: Much-needed moisture
#5 Aussie Moisturising Vegan Shampoo Bar
Features & ingredients
- A magical 100% natural shampoo.
- Pure & nourishing for your hair.
- Rich, creamy formula for clean and soft hair
- Made with Australian Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil to moisturize and nourish hair
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Reviewers say:
“Has a really good lather and smells delicious. This is one of the better ones but still leaves my hair a little waxy.”
“My hairdresser noticed that my hair is in fabulous condition. Love this shampoo.”
“I love how gentle and nourishing this shampoo bar is on my curly hair. It’s also a great option for travelling.”
Our experience:
We are obsessed with this vegan shampoo bar – it’s a teeny koala! Not only does it leave your hair feeling clean and soft, but it also smells amazing. The combination of Australian Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil helps to moisturize and nourish hair without weighing it down. This is a great option for those with curly hair or anyone looking to try out a shampoo bar, especially while travelling.
Best for: Travel.
#6 Clovelly Soap Co Handmade Natural Shampoo Soap Bar, Eucalyptus Mint & Lemon.
Features & ingredients:
- Gentle non drying soap bar with added castor oil.
- For normal – dry hair and scalp.
- Washing your Hair with our bars can help you reduce your plastic consumption.
- You may benefit from a vinegar rinse after each wash or your standard conditioners.
Reviewers say:
“Love the packaging, love the smell, love the shop! Love everything about this new bar and I’ll never switch to anything else now.”
“You have to push through the first few washes until your hair adjusts but I’m so glad that I did! It really lathers well and my husband keeps commenting on the smell. It’s so lovely!”
“This gave me a sticky residue on my hair at first but I loved the smell so kept on using it. After a while your hair becomes fluffier and starts to look and feel amazing. Well worth with it.”
Our experience:
This gorgeous, wholesome brand comes from Devon and they are real artisan masters of all things soap.
We found some of the fragrances a little too ‘granny’ but this one smells lovely and fresh, with notes of citrus and mint.
Don’t be put off with advice of putting vinegar in your hair. This is a top tip to restore the ph balance in your hair.
We didn’t need to but we used this on hair that wasn’t too dry or damaged. This is the best foamer of the bunch so is great for hard water areas. I
t’s bigger than other bars too so a little goes a long way and you get more to boot.
Best for: Hard water and great value.
Buyer’s guide: How to choose the right shampoo bar for you.
People are finding shampoo bars to be a great way to care for their hair and scalp while being eco-friendly.
However, like any other beauty product, shampoo bars aren’t one size fits all. That’s why we’ve put together some tips on how to choose the right shampoo bar for your hair type and lifestyle.
#1 Know Your Hair Type
Before buying any shampoo, you need to determine what hair type you have.
Just like traditional shampoos, shampoo bars are created for specific hair types.
If you have oily hair, look for bars with ingredients like tea tree oil and rosemary.
If you have dry hair, find a shampoo bar with argan or coconut oil.
If you have curly hair, look for bars that contain shea butter or avocado oil.
You’ll also find bars made for color-treated hair, fine hair, and even dandruff.
#2 Check the Ingredients
One of the benefits of using a shampoo bar is that it typically contains fewer ingredients than a liquid shampoo.
However, that doesn’t mean that all shampoo bars are created equally.
Check the ingredients carefully to ensure that there are no harsh chemicals or irritants.
Avoid bars with ingredients like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
Instead, go for bars made with natural, plant-based ingredients.
#3 Consider Your Lifestyle
Your lifestyle can also play a part in choosing the right shampoo bar.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you might want to try a bar with neem oil to repel insects.
If you’re a frequent swimmer, choose a bar that removes chlorine buildup.
If you’re on the go, try a multi-purpose bar that works as a shampoo and body wash.
#4 Trial and Error
It’s important to remember that not every shampoo bar will work for everyone.
It may take some trial and error to find the right one for you.
If you’ve never used a shampoo bar before, start with a sample size or travel size bar.
Use it for a few washes to see if it works for you.
If not, try another shampoo bar until you find the best one for your hair type and lifestyle.
#5 Storage
The last thing to consider when choosing a shampoo bar is how you will store it.
Proper storage will help prolong the life of your bar and prevent it from getting mushy and melting away.
Store your bar on a soap dish with drain holes, or use a shampoo bar tin or travel container for on-the-go. Keep your bar dry in between uses to keep it firm and solid.
Is a shampoo bar good for colored hair?
Yes, shampoo bars are very good for colored hair actually!
These all-natural products are great for all hair types and colors because they don’t contain any of the harsh chemicals that can damage your color or dry out your locks.
They’re also eco-friendly and last much longer than liquid shampoos.
However, there is one catch: it’s important to find a one with high-quality ingredients in order to prevent build-up on your scalp which can lead to dandruff and scalp issues!
We get asked a lot of questions about Lush shampoo bars which come in a variety of gorgeous scents and colors.
Unfortunately, they also contain sulphates which strip your color. So we won’t be featuring them here!
How do I use a shampoo bar?
Shampoo bars are easy to use! Just follow our quick guide below. You read more in How to use a shampoo bar for colored hair.
Do I need to condition my hair too?
You’ll still need to condition your hair after you use the shampoo bar to keep your hair supple and your color locked in.
Some people find that they can be quite drying until your hair gets used to them, so it’s important to give it some extra love.
Check out our top recommended conditioners for colored hair to find the one for you.
Once a week, use a deep conditioner to restore any lost moisture and bounce.
How do you store shampoo bars in the shower?
We all know the struggle of trying to hold onto a slippery wet block in an awkward position with one hand while you’re lathering your hair with the other. It’s not easy!
It may be solid, but it’s not going to stay in one piece forever.
It will eventually start to separate and you’ll need to mix up your bar with some oil or conditioner before using it again.
The question is: where do you keep it?
When there are so many bottles of shampoo on the floor, can’t we just have a place for our soap?
Luckily, there’s a way to make it easier on yourself. We recommend a good old soap dish like this one from Amazon to protect your bar in between washes.
Ones with a lid make them handy to carry around too and take them with you easily when you travel.
Can I make my own shampoo bars?
If you feel inclined, you can also make them yourself! Here’s a great video tutorial that shows you just how to DIY shampoo bars step-by-step.
Parting words.
So, there you have it! If you’re looking for a cruelty-free, natural hair care routine to nourish your locks and protect the planet, why not try these out?
With so many different products on offer now it’s never been easier. Regardless of your hair type or preference for natural products, we’ve found the best ones for colored hair.
We hope this post has helped to answer some of your questions and given you a better understanding on how these bars can nourish your locks without stripping color.
Now go get yourself some natural goodness and start feeling good about what’s in store for your gorgeous mane!
