Chagrin Valley Soap: Ida's Shampoo Bars

[TroDous]

Heard about these from another board and since I'm having NO luck getting Anita Grant's shampoo bars, I decided to try these.

I gave these 5 stars! I've only tried 2 so far, the Babassu & Marsh mallow and the Carrot, Milk & Honey bar. I have the Lavender spice but haven't tried it yet.

The Babassu is nice, it's funny it doesn't moisturize as much as the Carrot bar but it does clean well and leave my scalp feeling good. I'll probably use this as the more clarifying shampoo. The Carrot bar is very moisturizing, so much so I didn't use my usual amount of leave-in..I only added the leave-in to the ends. My hair stayed nicely moisturized for the next couple of days. The scent is a nice herbal scent, not too overpowering. I only shampoo once a week but after the carrot bar, I actually want to shampoo more...that's how good my hair felt. But I'm stick to once a week.

The good thing about these is that you can get samples which IMO are pretty big. I ordered the full size babassu and I'm telling you, I'm pretty sure by the end of the year I will be just finishing this bar up. The bars are soft so I just cut off a little piece to keep in the shower.

These bars are affordable and I think will last a long time. Shipment came promptly and the owner does answer her emails. Here's the link: You are not allowed to view links.Register or Login

http://chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/shambar.htm#Shampoo%20Bar%20Selections

[pixie]

I had planned to try these.  I'm glad that you liked them because I was worried about how moisturizing they really are.  I want to do a month long challenge of just using a shampoo bar and acv rinses.  I think they have a mini-routine posted on their site somewhere. 
Thanks for the info!

[TroDous]

Pixie, there is a chart on her website that tells which one goes better with different types of hair...I really want to order a couple more samples but I am going to force myself to go through what I have before I order new stuff...I have to fight the PJ within!

ETA: It's stated on the website that some customers with dry hair also use some of the regular soaps that are made with extra oils and are actually very moisturizing. Sigh...so now I already picked out about 6 samples to get the next time I order...dammed PJ within.

[pixie]

I should be ordering tonight (gotta do the books first), but I want to get one of the body bars and one of the shampoo bars to see which I like best.  By the time it gets here my hair, hopefully, will have gotten it's moisture back.
Have you tried either bar as a leave-in?  I read one of the testimonies where a woman said that she used one bar for cleaning and the other as a leave-in.

[eccentric_kurlz]

It depends on what bar, Pixie. I've used the Rosemary Mint poo bar, and it was very moisturizing, but not enough to go without a leave in. But, my hair was in a different condition when I was using them. It may work even better on my hair now because it's in much better condition. The lather is creamy, as opposed to just foamy, if that makes sense. Because of that, it rinses off leaving the hair soft, but not necessarily moisturized.

I've purchased a few of the body bars in the past, but never really thought to use them on my hair.

Oh, and I give them 5 stars. 

[pixie]

It depends on what bar, Pixie. I've used the Rosemary Mint poo bar, and it was very moisturizing, but not enough to go without a leave in. But, my hair was in a different condition when I was using them. It may work even better on my hair now because it's in much better condition. The lather is creamy, as opposed to just foamy, if that makes sense. Because of that, it rinses off leaving the hair soft, but not necessarily moisturized.

I've purchased a few of the body bars in the past, but never really thought to use them on my hair.

Oh, and I give them 5 stars. 

I think I know what you mean when you say creamy vs. foamy.  I've got the Giovanni Direct as a back up, just in case the bars aren't as moisturizing as I need.  I'm just trying to limit my product usage during the summer.

[pixie]

Okay.  I ordered two samples (with my aversion to online buying that says a lot):  The Chocolate Almond Bar and the Rosemary Mint (shampoo bar).  I'll give a rating after I get them.

[SweetiePie]

I have been using Ida's bars for a couple of months now, I bought 5 shampoo bars and 3 regular body bars.  I love the Summer Sunshine (shampoo) and the Orange Creamsicle (body).  Right now, I'm using the Babassu and Marshmallow and I don't like the way it smells or feels for my hair.   I also used the body bars for shampoo and to be honest I liked the Orange Creamsicle more than the Babassu Marshmallow Shampoo Bar. 

[pixie]

I have been using Ida's bars for a couple of months now, I bought 5 shampoo bars and 3 regular body bars.  I love the Summer Sunshine (shampoo) and the Orange Creamsicle (body).  Right now, I'm using the Babassu and Marshmallow and I don't like the way it smells or feels for my hair.   I also used the body bars for shampoo and to be honest I liked the Orange Creamsicle more than the Babassu Marshmallow Shampoo Bar. 

Do you feel like you need products after you use the Orange Creamsicle?

[SweetiePie]

@ pixie, (Creamsicle): my hair is kind of thick, or maybe it's my conditioner training, I usually do a DC/DT when I shampoo.  I don't need as much when I use her body bars.  I guess they have more moisturizers in them? The shampoo bars I usually need my regular amounts. I tried the Summer Sunshine without anything else like she mentions on her website, but that is not for me or my hair --HTH 

eta-5 stars! really good selection, prices and quantity. I totally agree with TroDous, I could shampoo every day with the body bars! 

[jilangmartyl]

Thanks for this info, I will try them.  I ordered several of the Anita Grant bars as to I am waiting for them to come. I was pretty lucky as I was trying to get some of them for awhile.  I will order some of these and see how they compare.  Thanks 

[pixie]

Okay.  I'm ready to rate.

So far I've only tried the Chocolate Almond Bar (not a shampoo bar), but my hair loves it.  I have not used any other products in my hair except an acv rinse and my hair is so soft.  I kept thinking that it was still slightly damp today because my hair really only feels this way when it's damp.  I've got a lot of definition and not too much frizz, but that's to be expected on naked hair.  This morning I detangled my hair with my fingers and it was better than what I've ever done with the brush.
Delivery was quick and just over $4 because I only got two samples.  I ordered on Friday evening and got it Monday.  It smells so good.  The bar even has actual almond in it. 
Next week I try the Rosemary Mint bar (shampoo bar), the smell is strong and I can't wait to try it.

Ingredients -
Chocolate Almond Bar:  Saponified oils of safflower, palm, coconut, palm kernel, olive, unrefined cocoa butter; sweet almond, rice bran, wheat germ, and castor bean; coconut milk; filtered rainwater; cocoa powder; real chocolate; bitter almond essential oil; cornstarch; and vitamin E oil.

Rosemary Mint Bar:  Saponified oils of an elder flower, marshmallow, and rosemary infused castor bean, avocado, virgin hemp seed, and rice bran blend,  coconut, palm, cocoa butter, jojoba, palm kernel, and wheat germ; coconut milk; filtered rainwater; raw honey; essential oils of rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus; rosemary oil extract; and vitamin E oil.


My rating:  5 stars

[TroDous]

Ok, scratch what I said, Pixie & SweetiePie have forced my hand and made me order some of the body bar samples to try out on my hair...I guess i should try some on my body too since I have dry skin and that's what they are for...lol.

ETA: I will review all the bars I try

[pixie]

Ok, scratch what I said, Pixie & SweetiePie have forced my hand and made me order some of the body bar samples to try out on my hair...I guess i should try some on my body too since I have dry skin and that's what they are for...lol.

ETA: I will review all the bars I try

Yea!   

[TroDous]

I just wanted to update on the other bars I've tried so far. I ordered a total of 11 samples (couldn't help myself ) I gave the review for the Babassu Marshmallow & Carrot, Milk & Honey in the beginning of the thread. So far I've tried:

*Lavender & Spice: 5 stars--Don't need as much leave-in, great moisture
*Goat milk oatmeal honey: 3 stars--this was just ok, not as moisturizing as the others
*Honey Butter: 3 stars--this I thought would be a winner because it was superfatted...I will try it again to make sure but again it wasn't bad, just ok.
*Dead Sea Spa: 5 stars--flippin fabulous! I've been meaning to try some more but I am stuck on this one for now. It leaves hair really clean with a nice shine & softness

Ones I have yet to try are the Herbal Mist, Olive & shea, Shea Rose Clay, Grapeseed Shea, Orange Creamsicle & Chocolate Almond. I've been washing my hair only once a week even though I'm tempted to wash more, it just does better with once a week. I'll update again when I'm done with the next set