The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Hair in 2022 Is Use Solid Shampoo — Here's Why

When a new trendy product launches, you have to make a decision: do I buy it, or do I let the trend pass? This is probably a question you've asked yourself a lot lately, especially as the hype for leading a more sustainable lifestyle grows. For example, composting and going vegan are signs of the times, but there's no telling how long the buzz will last before innovations evolve or fizzle out. Now, beauty consumers are asking the same question, but not about counter-waste bins — they're wondering about solid shampoo.

Solid shampoo isn't just another eco-friendly gimmick. In fact, these plastic-free formulas are the new wave in hair care, one you're going to want to become well acquainted with. Ahead, we outline exactly what solid shampoo is, how it'll work for you, and why it's actually better for the environment.

Solid shampoo is the bar, or solidified, version of liquid shampoo. It typically comes in plastic-free or zero-waste packaging (more on this later). Since solid shampoo requires less water to create, the ingredient lists are condensed and concentrated. Many products, like the new Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bars, utilize formulations that front-load plant-derived ingredients, which can immediately nourish and cleanse hair without unnecessary fillers, like silicones, preservatives, soaps, and dyes. In some cases, these shampoo bars boast the added benefit of being vegan (three out of the four formulas in the Whole Blends range are vegan) and cruelty-free.

Solid shampoos, like the Whole Blends Shampoo Bars, prioritize special environment-friendly packaging. These shampoo bars are technically naked products — so, they don't require plastic bottles — but they're also housed in 100 percent recyclable FSC cardboard boxes.

But what about the formula? Like we said, solid shampoo requires less water to produce, and in 2022, water conservation is a high priority. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 1.8 billion people are predicted to be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025. For context, some traditional shampoos can be made of up to 80 percent water, which poses an environmental issue during production.

It's no secret that a lot of the products you use — shampoos, makeup, cleansers, etc. — eventually get washed down the drain, ending their life cycle in a water supply that could be home to a whole ecosystem. With this in mind, we'd ideally use products that prioritize biodegradable ingredients and aren't packed with chemical fillers. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case, but for the Whole Blends Shampoo Bars, it is. Save for some fragrances (six percent in each bar, to be exact), these solid formulas are 97 percent biodegradable. To put it simply, if you're looking for an easy sustainable tweak to your everyday routine, shampoo bars are the answer.

There is a little bit of a learning curve when first using a solid shampoo bar, but it's not as complicated as it might look — once you get the hang of it, you'll never look back. First, you need to wet your hair like you would when using a traditional shampoo. Next, soak the shampoo bar in water to help it foam — this can help create a thick, sudsy lather once the shampoo is on the hair. If you have curly hair, you may want to lather the shampoo bar in your hand before shampooing your scalp to avoid knotting or tangling. If this isn't a concern, you can massage the bar directly on the scalp and rinse as usual.

We recommend storing your shampoo bar on a tray or plate outside of the shower. While you can definitely store it inside the shower — ideally in a dry place — keeping it on your counter can help extend its life. Typically, a Whole Blends Shampoo Bar can last up to 40 washes, depending on hair length.

Yes, solid shampoo looks really different from what you might be used to, but the results are not. Just like any other shampoo, you can choose a bar based on your unique needs. For example, Garnier offers four different shampoo bars that utilize a range of ingredients to tackle specific concerns. If you're struggling with damage and are looking for help with repair, you might opt for the Honey Treasures Repairing Shampoo Bar, which uses honey to help nourish, but if you're more concerned about dryness, you might be interested in the Coconut & Aloe Vera Hydrating Shampoo Bar because it uses coconut water to hydrate. No matter which formula you choose, solid shampoo will leave your hair feeling clean and looking healthy.