To use, thoroughly wet your hair with warm water. Gently rub the shampoo bar directly on your hair along the hairline or lather up in your hands first (our preferred method) and apply to your head. Then, massage the scalp as you work the lather through. Rinse very well.

Many people find a diluted vinegar OR citric acid neutralizing rinse beneficial after cleansing with a shampoo bar, to rebalance the pH and eliminate any buildup (especially if you have hard water). The easiest way to do this is to put 1 tsp - 1 Tbsp of regular white OR apple cider vinegar into a cup or glass, small spray bottle, or plastic squeeze bottle, and top with 8-10 oz of warm water. Then, simply pour / apply this slowly over your hair and allow to sit for a minute or two while you wash other parts of your body. Some people prefer 1/4 tsp citric acid dissolved in 8-10 oz of warm water (especially if you don’t like the smell of vinegar). Either way, be sure to rinse well afterwards with plain water.

You may have to experiment a little to find the right balance for your hair type. The soap maker’s hair is fine and straight, tending to oily; she prefers the citric acid rinse, but folks with dry / curly hair may prefer the vinegar option.

Some folks like an herbal rinse instead - brew a cup of chamomile tea and allow to cool, then use this as a final rinse. Peppermint tea is also quite nice (and refreshing on the scalp!). And some folks use a regular conditioner. Whatever floats your boat.

We have found that natural soaps work best on short, natural hair - untreated, uncolored - because the hair shafts are not damaged and therefore aren’t as “needful” of a coating conditioner. If you have been using products that leave a coating on the hair, such as silicone or dimethicone, it can take quite a few washes with soap to remove; we call this the transition period and it can be frustrating for some. Patience and experimentation with rinses will reward you.