rsqrott

I really miss flying. When I start travelling regularly again my goal is carry on only. So while I've been effectively grounded over the past 2 years I have been planning what will go into my bag when I'm finally in the air again. Keeping liquids under the minimum won't be an issue, save for shampoo and conditioner. So I've been looking into shampoo bars. I have recently started using the Kitsch rice water protein shampoo bar which is actually really nice and works well on my hair. I was so pleased with it that I've picked up the conditioner bar and will be trying that tonight.
Prior to finding Kitsch at Ulta I had only heard about Lush but going a google search shows me that there are loads of different options.
Does anyone else use these and have a brand that they like?

slidergirl

I've been a Lush user for years and years. The shampoo bars I have has been discontinued - Godiva and something with an orange scent. I've got to get a new one for my summer travels and I'll probably get Coconut Rice Cake or Honey I Washed My Hair. Buy the Case for it - well worth it!!

Redhead

I've gone 100% plastic free for all bathing needs. I really love the conditioner bars from Silver Falls Sustainability - https://sfsustainable.com/collection...32373319696438

For shampoo bars - I like the rosemary mint one from Trader Joes, I like Silver Falls options, Lush are nice but sometimes they have stuff in them that catches on your hair, and Naples Soap Company https://www.naplessoap.com/hair/shampoo-bar

Yay for going plastic free!

rsqrott

Thank you both. The Kitsch conditioner bar isn't nearly "enough" for me so I need to look at alternatives for conditioner bars at least. I'll definitely check these others out. I also like the bars because I am able to use as much or as little as I need without having to worry about running out.

gretchendz

Anyone have anything good or bad to say about Kitsch? I'm thinking of trying the rice water shampoo and conditioner bars.

copperfield27

As an alternative to bars, I've started condensing my favourite conditioner - basically pouring it into a shallow dish and leaving it in a warm place for a week or so. That concentrates a 250ml bottle into about 75mls so then I just decant it into a TSA friendly container and I have a month's supply. Currently experimenting with doing the same to aloe vera gel although this seems to be less successful.

rsqrott

I really like the rice water shampoo bar. I'm not a fan of the conditioner bar because it doesn't seem to generate enough conditioner for me. My hair is fine and dry so I tend to need a lot of conditioner and rubbing the bar on my hair just isn't working.
You can get Kitsch at Ulta but I have found the best price to be on the Kitsch website, even better when they're running a sale. Kitsch also has a really great return policy.

Redhead

Interesting. But it doesn't solve the going plastic-free goal for me.

freecia

Have you also looked at a bulk refill store or aluminum bottles? https://byhumankind.com/products/conditioner

The largest Whole Foods near me had a few shelves of bulk beauty goods. Not sure it is still there but might be worth checking for a bulk refill/zero waste store near you? If not, I try to get the larger size and decant into a pump bottle as it helps me use less product.

Hoyaheel

I have long looked for the refill bags of shampoo that are available commercially (eg for salons) but I haven't found them to be able to purchase (for me ;-) I can barely find them for hand soap (I use bars in the bathrooms but prefer liquid in the kitchen - but also would prefer not to keep buying the bottles - esp because the pumps cannot be recycled)

Fashionista editor buys from March listed a bar shampoo brand I hadn't heard of before - Nole (there should be an accent aigu on that last e but I can only do that on my phone ;-)
https://fashionista.com/2022/03/fash...cts-march-2022
https://nolecare.com/products/bundle...oner-horsetail

rsqrott

L'occitane offers these for their shampoos and some of their other products. Their F&F sale is going on right now (20% off) plus I'm fortunate enough to be close to one of their outlets so I'll always check for the refill bags when I'm in the area. Their aromachologie products are lovely.

As far as aluminum bottles go I have some old travel sized bottles from Phyto products that I use. Plastic lids, though. In Phtyto's "last chance" section they have a travel sized shampoo in the aluminum bottle for 5$ right now. Two birds with one bottle?

Redhead

If you want bottles for hand soap, definitely check out Blueland. I have them in every bathroom and the kitchen. Love their stuff https://www.blueland.com/

Hoyaheel

I have bottles, thanks. Will look at l'Occitane - when they discontinued my favorite scent (tilleul) years ago, I haven't really used them much - haven't found a replacement scent I like as much ;-)

freecia

#7 Refill film bags can't be recycled in many parts of the US. I think TerraCycle will take them? A friend also purchases the TerraCycle mask recycling box so going in together with some friends for a small box might work for the really hard to recycles. I also want to consider packaging and transportation waste vs product waste (sealed bags rarely leak!). I buy pouches when shipping conditions are a concern. Here's a list of pouch refills https://www.lucismorsels.com/sustain...efill-pouches/ and I've also noticed some bulk size beauty products & detergents on costco.com from time to time.

Need a calculator with carbon offsets to help "less waste" decision making these days.

ETA: I sometimes reuse empty pouches and plastic shipping pillows as small trash bags or for sorting. I'd save a few more to reuse if I could figure out a tidy way to store them. Mylar type bags can be resealed with a flat iron. Zero waste isn't always pretty. This aspect is something I'm trying to learn to appreciate since I love love love containers and am more a consumer than a minimalist. But enjoying matching containers, storage with empty space, and rainbow sorting is much less expensive by admiring it on instagram.

Redhead

I already am plastic free for my bathroom - solid shampoo, solid soap, solid conditioner, and Blueland hand soap.

I need to try the toothpaste tablets but haven't found a fluoride one yet