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Not only do I love telling you about the places I love to travel, I also love introducing you to products that help make those travels easier and more enjoyable. That's why I was so excited to partner with Chagrin Valley Soap on my recent trip to Nashville to try out their shampoo bars. They are a Midwest family-owned company, located in Cleveland, Ohio that got their start in the kitchen while trying to find a more natural solution for how many chemicals were present in their family's skin care products. Today, they offer a wide range of products including handmade soap, shampoo bars, lotion bars, and more. All of their bars are made with natural and organic ingredients and contain no artificial fragrance, color, preservatives, or detergents. They are also scented with natural essential oils and are very fragrant - I could smell them before I even opened the box that came in the mail!
So let's face it, there's no easy way to travel with shampoo and conditioner - or any liquid for that matter. Even with the convenient travel bottles you're still faced with the hassle of removing them from your luggage to go through TSA security. And I can't be the only one whose had the dreaded bottle open or explode all over everything?! Seriously my purple shampoo for color-treated hair once leaked all over my duffle bag on our anniversary trip to northern Michigan - talk about a mess! Shampoo bars eliminate both of those problems and instead, everything you need is right there in one solid bar. The bars are also a more environmentally friendly option as there is no plastic bottle to throw away when you're done. How long the bars last will depend on how often you wash your hair, but on average, since they are so concentrated, shampoo bar can do the job of 4 to 5 bottles of your typical commercial shampoo.
One thing I was impressed with the first time I used the bars was how easy they create a fluffy lather. This is because of the lathering oils such as coconut, babassu and castor bean each batch contains. While a lather isn't required for clean hair, I still think it's essential for a good shampoo experience so I was happy to see that I didn't lose this effect with the bars. I'll admit the first time I tried them it was a bit different and I wasn't exactly sure what to do. Thankfully, each bar contains a small instruction card with helpful tips. When you're in the shower after wetting your hair like you normally would, you can either use the bar directly on your scalp and rub it in a combing motion, or create the later in your hands first and then apply to your scalp. When you're done showering be sure to store your bar in a dry place - don't let it sit in a puddle of water in the shower and give it plenty of fresh air before the next use.
It's important to know there will likely be an adjustment period when you begin using the bars - at least there was from me. The first time I used the Summer Sunshine bar it left my hair feeling coated and waxy. This is because Chagrin Valley only uses natural ingredients in their shampoo bars so your hair is going through a sort of detox as all the buildup and chemicals from your normal commercial shampoos have to be stripped out. If you plan to take these on an upcoming trip, I would recommend starting to use them a couple weeks before you leave to help your hair adjust. It may take some time and patience, but once I used them regularly I could definitely tell the difference and was left with healthy, soft and silky hair. Still not sure where to begin? I've included three of my favorite shampoo bars below. Chagrin Valley also offers a guide to help you choose by product type or condition. **Product descriptions below provided by Chagrin Valley website
**Disclosure - this post was sponsored by Chagrin Valley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2 Comments
7/2/2019 09:11:35 pm
Shampoo bars just seem really absurd to me. I mean, think about it, the way that shampoo works is that you put a little bit of it in your head. Shampoo bars are the exact opposite of what shampoo is. Not only can it cost you more money, but shampoo bars will really deplete your resources, especially when you are traveling. This is just my opinion, but I do not see shampoo bars as the next best thing for travelers.
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AuthorI love creating detailed travel guides to ensure you get the most out of your time. On this blog I'll be sharing some of my past trips in hopes that it helps you plan your next adventure. Pack your suitcase you never know where I'll be heading next! Archives
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