"So do you just lather it up in your hands and rub it on your head?"
This is the most common assumption when a person is first introduced to the idea of solid shampoo and conditioner.
Lathering it up in your hands and rubbing on your head, however, is NOT the best way to use solids.
Using these bars is not necessarily intuitive, so I have put together a picture guide to demonstrate how to best use solid shampoo and conditioner bars!
HOW TO USE WFO SOLID SHAMPOO
STEP 1: Make sure you wet your hair completely. Since these bars are concentrates, they count on you providing the water for them to blend with in order to function. Once your hair is wet, rub the bar from the front of your head to the back of your your scalp just at your neck. Swipe front to back 3-4 times, depending on how much hair you have.
For example, I have a lot of hair, so I swipe about 4 times front to back.
Chris, however, has short hair. He swipes maybe 3 times and that's it.
If you have longer hair, there is a second part to Step 1. If you have shorter hair, continue on to Step 2.
STEP 1B: Swipe the bar a few times along the length of your hair. For thicker hair, you may want to swipe on the outside and inside.
STEP 2: Set the bar down on a rack or tray. Then, use your fingers to work in that lather!
Since our bars are emollient, you will have enough slip to finger comb it through your hair. You can also use your finger times to get all the way to the scalp.
*Note: If you swiped the bar over and over again until you see a rich lather, you've used WAY more than you need. Next time, try swiping fewer times then working the lather in with your fingers.
STEP 3: Rinse out the shampoo! If you use conditioner, go on to the next section. If you don't use conditioner, enjoy your fresh, clean hair.
HOW TO USE SOLID CONDITIONER
STEP 1: Hold the bar in the palm of your hand. This leaves your fingers out and able to rake through your hair as you do Step 2.
STEP 2: Glide the bar along the hair from root to tip. Work in sections of hair like you are painting the conditioner on. Make sure your hair is very wet for this part; Remember, the solid ingredients are counting on you to provide the water so they can emulsify into a cream!
I get into a rythm of gliding and raking with the conditioner hand then following with the opposite hand to rake through behind the bar. I repeat these motions all the way around my head.
*For short hair, just swipe the conditioner along the hair you've got!
STEP 3: Once you feel your hair has been completely worked through with the bar, set it down and continue working it in with your hands or a brush.
I usually just continue raking through with my fingers. You'll see a cream start to form.
*Pictured is the thick conditioner formed from the Smith Rock Solid Conditioner.
STEP 4: Leave the conditioner in for a couple of minutes. Your hair should feel slick and conditioned! Then, rinse it out to your preference.
I like to leave a little conditioner in my hair as a leave in; sometimes I'll even rinse it out, then run the bar through a couple more times for good measure.
HOW TO STORE YOUR BARS
Make sure your bars are kept on a tray or dish that drains.
To get the longest life out of them, they must be able to dry out in between uses rather than sitting in water.
Hanging shower racks are a good option as long as they are out of the direct stream of water and don't get dripped on constantly.
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