Do Shampoo Bars Work For Curly Hair? A Zero Waste Hair Care Guide

Curly hair? No problem! Discover how to choose and use a zero-waste shampoo bar for curly hair with our complete guide. Join the bar revolution today!

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Want to try shampoo bars, but think they’re not for you?

We’re here to tell you shampoo bars can work on any hair type, including curly hair! It’s simply a case of finding the right one. Not all bars are created equally so we’re creating a series of zero-waste haircare guides to help you find one fit for your hair type.

Curly-haired kings and queens, this one is for you. From ingredient lists to the Curly Girl Method, here’s how to choose and use your shampoo bars, in a way that treats your hair type with the care it deserves.

It’s time to ditch the bottles, and join the bar revolution!

Why Switch to Shampoo Bars?

If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you already have a few reasons in mind. In case you needed a little more convincing…

We’re here to tell you shampoo bars can work on any hair type, including curly hair! It’s simply a case of finding the right one. Not all bars are created equally so we’re creating a series of zero-waste haircare guides to help you find one fit for your hair type.

• They’re zero waste, reducing the 550 million plastic shampoo bottles thrown out in the US every year.
• They’re long-lasting - the concentrated formulas can last up to 3 times as long as shampoo bottles!
• They’re cost-effective as they last longer, saving you money in the long run.
• They’re travel-friendly due to being compact, leak-proof, and cabin-bag-friendly.
• They’re (usually) chemical-free and made with plant-based ingredients.
• They’re suitable for all hair types! As the demand for shampoo bars has continued to grow, so have the options available and you can now find bars formulated for specific hair needs.

Read More: 5 Reasons To Switch To Shampoo Bars

It’s time to ditch the bottles, and join the bar revolution!

Which Shampoo Bars Are Best for Curly Hair? 

When looking for a shampoo bar for curly hair, they’re are a couple of things you should keep in mind…

Prioritize

Hydration

Curly hair is generally drier and more prone to frizz, so opt for deeply hydrating ingredients that define curls.

Gentle Ingredients

Curly hair thrives with gentle ingredients that allow it to do its own funky thing, so choose natural formulas over harsh chemicals.

Avoid

Harsh Sulfates

Harsh sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), strip natural oils from the hair and scalp which can lead to brittle and unmanageable curls. It’s better to opt for a gentler alternative, like Sodium Coconut Sulfate (SCS), or avoid entirely.

Silicones

Often used for smoothness and shine, silicones create a build-up on the hair and scalp. For curly hair, this can make curls look weighed down and less defined.

So in short, you want a deeply hydrating plant-based shampoo bar, free from Sulfates and Silicones.

What About Conditioner Bars for Curly hair?

Is a Peanut Butter sandwich the same without the jelly? Nope. Neither is a shampoo without conditioner. Just like shampoo bars, it’s best to opt for a deeply nourishing option free from harsh chemicals and sulfates. Since curly hair can often be dry, you might want to pair your conditioner pair with hydrating styling products and a regular deep-conditioning treatment.

Try ZeroWasteStore’s Maui Melon Shampoo Bar & Conditioner Duo

Our Maui Melon shampoo and conditioner bars are specially formulated for curly hair.

They are:

• Deeply hydrating, with ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and coconut butter
• Handmade in the US
• Vegan & Cruelty-free
• Plastic-free

And our curly-haired friends love them!

"I often struggle to find a shampoo and conditioner that nourishes my hair while not weighing it down and this set did just that!"
- Holly Canfield, Verified Customer

"This is the only shampoo that addresses my oily hair, helps my curls, and makes me feel good about sustainability-friendly hair care."
- Morgan Mehrer, Verified Customer

"The smell of this shampoo bar is heavenly! It's like a nice little getaway straight to the Big Island! Really liked how it worked with my little girl’s curls."
- Alyson, Verified Customer

Following The Curly Girl Method

Now you know what to look for in shampoo bars for curly hair, the next step is how to use them for your unique hair type. By adopting the Curly Girl Method, it’s easy and effective to use bars to care for your curls.

Popularized by Lorraine Massey in her book "Curly Girl: The Handbook’’, the method involves:

• Avoiding harsh sulfates and silicones (which we’ve already covered!)
• Using lots of conditioner and regular deep conditioning treatments
• Avoiding heat styling and brushing
• Scrunching and plopping

How to Use Shampoo Bars for Curly Hair

With the Curly Girl method in mind, we recommend the following steps in your shampoo bar routine:

1. Get it soaking wet

Curly hair loves water, and so does your shampoo bar. Drench your hair before you begin.

2. Lather in your hands first

You’ll know the nightmare of tangled curls, so create a rich creamy lather in your hands first, rather than rubbing it directly on your locks.

3. Massage your scalp

Use your fingertips to massage the lather into your scalp. Feels good, right? This cleanses and stimulates hair growth.

4. Rinse. Rinse again. Rinse one orme time.

It will take a lot more rinsing than you might be used to due to the concentrated formula. Make sure all the residue is gone so it doesn’t weigh down your curls.

5. Conditioner and detangle

Use a silicone-free conditioner generously, and use a wide-tooth comb or your hands to detangle your curls.

6. Scrunch out excess water

Once you’re out of the shower and smelling as sweet as your shampoo bar, use a microfibre towel or old t-shirt to scrunch excess water out of your hair. This reduces frizz and keeps your curls defined.

7. Apply a leave-in product and style

For an added hydration boost, apply a leave-in product and scrunch your curls to define them. We love this lightweight Aloe Vera Hair & Body Oil for curly hair.

8. Air-fry or diffuse

Last but not least, let your curls air dry (added sustainability points!) or use a diffuser on a low heat setting to dry your curls without disturbing their natural pattern.

Now go flaunt those curls!

Shampoo Bars for Curly Hair 

And there you have it - a complete guide to shampoo bars for curly hair!

The key thing to remember with curly hair is that it benefits from gentle care and deep hydration. As long as you choose natural bars formulated for curls, like our Maui Melon Duo, avoid chemicals and heat, and add extra conditioning products where necessary, you can absolutely use shampoo bars for curly hair.

We hope this post has shown you it’s possible to achieve healthy, bouncy, and frizz-free curls while living in alignment with a sustainable lifestyle.