HAIRCARE
1 | FOAMIE INTENSELY REPAIRING SHAMPOO BAR FOR DAMAGED HAIR, £6.99
The tester Gabrielle Dyer
Hair type Curly and coloured
The promise Research shows that intricate haircare routines have a large carbon footprint. Foamie bars are plastic-free, contain no parabens, silicones, mineral oils or SLS (a foaming agent that cleanses but can irritate skin). Instead, the formulas are made with synthetic detergents (syndets) comprised of raw materials including coconut oil, hibiscus flower and nettle leaf extract – all of which have a similar ph level to your skin, so they won’t dry out your scalp.
The verdict I’m particularly picky with my hair products and assumed a bar wouldn’t measure up to my go-to formula (Virtue Recovery Shampoo, £36) because it contains far fewer ingredients. But it surpassed my expectations. The hibiscus oil is packed with amino acids and it nourished my hair so much that, after just one use, my curls felt smoother and bouncier. The hardest part of using a shampoo bar is handling it (slippery little buggers), but this one comes with an integrated cotton loop that you attach to your wrist. The bar rivalled mainstream shampoos that are twice the price and, a month in, I’ve still got half of it left. Sold.
Aesthetic appeal 3/5
Lather-ability 4/5
Effectiveness 4/5
Total 11/15
2 | HAIRY JAYNE SHAMPOO BAR, £9
The tester Keisha Reid
Hair type Afro curls
The promise This range was created by a former hairdresser called Jayne (although she’s not actually hairy) after she grew tired of listening to her friends complain about how dry their hair was. It’s a complaint that troubles 60% of British women. To help tackle parched strands, this bar is made with hydrating ingredients, such as mango butter and olive oil (staples found in afro hair care). It’s also Sls-free and available in floral, citrus or musk scents, so you don’t miss out on the sensorial experience (think: that Herbal Essences advert) of shampooing.
The entire range is plastic-free, too.
The verdict I normally use a co-wash [conditioner-only] to cleanse my hair, and then opt for a foaming shampoo every two washes to remove product build-up, dirt and grime. Because this bar is Sls-free, I didn’t think it would lather up enough for me to work it through my afro but, happily, this wasn’t an issue. The bar was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand and I didn’t have to work too hard to coat my curls. It didn’t foam, sadly, but the emulsifying olive wax binds water to oil to create a creamy consistency that gives an even spread across the hair. That said, I won’t be switching from my traditional shampoos. Frizz-fighting ingredient keratin can only be formulated with water, meaning bars aren’t able to contain it. After a few washes, my hair didn’t feel as smooth as it usually does.
Aesthetic appeal 3/5
Lather-ability 1/5
Effectiveness 5/5
Total 9/15
3 | BIOVENE BARCELONA MOISTURE VOLUME BIOTIN & APPLE CIDER, £4
The tester Perdita Nouril
Hair type Fine and straight
The promise Said to be the antidote for fine, limp-looking hair, this pastel green bar contains natural apple cider vinegar, which combats grease, apple extract, moisturising shea butter, biotin and beeswax, which help to beef up strands so that hair becomes fuller and healthier-looking. This formula is biodegradable, so won’t harm waterways, and the entire range is free from plastic, sulphates, parabens and palm oil.
The verdict I usually have to wash my hair at least every other day or else the grease piles up and I look slicker than the Fonz. Yet, the apple cider vinegar really helped to slow the flow of oil on my scalp because of its astringent (read: oil-reducing) properties, and I found after a week of using it that I could go four days without looking like I’d just finished a workout – a major achievement. Granted, my hair didn’t feel or look thicker but, because it was less weighed down by grease, it had more swish to it, so I actually enjoyed wearing it down. After a few uses, I figured out that it was better to rub the bar directly on to my head as it just didn’t lather up in my hands.
Aesthetic appeal 4/5
Lather-ability 2/5
Effectiveness 3/5
Total 9/15