Ready to Try Solid Shampoo? We Answer Your Biggest Questions

Every now and then, your same-old routine needs a shake-up. Change can be scary, but it can also offer an opportunity to try something outside of your comfort zone. Thanks to the rise of sustainability, new products that aren’t just better for your body but also the environment are popping up everywhere — and making the process of "out with the old and in with the new" a thrill. While few eco-conscious trends have cut through the noise, one that’s ready to make a more permanent mark is solid shampoo.

It wasn’t too long ago that solid shampoos were hard to find; the plastic-free products were once almost exclusively found in local homegrown shops. Now, these sustainable shampoos are reaching the masses. Allow us to introduce Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bars. These zero-plastic-waste alternatives offer up the same foamy cleanse you love, but without the negative side effects of plastic pollution. Bonus: these shampoo bars not only use plant-based ingredients, they’re also certified cruelty-free — plus, three out of the four are vegan.

Like we said, the world isn’t used to this new product trend just yet, and in case solid shampoo still feels like a stranger to your routine, allow us to ask — and answer — the big questions so you don’t have to. Prepare to get acquainted with your new shower staple.

The rise of solid shampoo might be attributed to how helpful it can be to the environment. Although the industry has a ways to go, it is becoming easier to find beauty products that utilize sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging. Using a solid shampoo is one way to make a plastic-free change to your routine that doesn’t compromise on results. The Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bars, for example, utilize zero plastic in their packaging and are housed inside 100 percent recyclable FSC cardboard boxes.

Solid shampoos also help promote water conservation. Liquid shampoos require more water in order to create that fluid consistency we know and love, but solid shampoos simply don’t need as much. The less water there is in a product, the more room there is for concentrated hair-loving ingredients. Speaking of ingredients, Garnier optimizes plant-based sources to power their Shampoo Bars, so you get all of the nourishment without a lot of the typical filler ingredients, like silicones, preservatives, dyes, and soap.

Good news: they last just as long, if not longer! Shampoo bars are essentially solid versions of your usual shampoo, so they’re typically more concentrated than traditional liquid formulas. Because of this, a little bit of product can go a long way, thus contributing to the shampoo’s longevity. Typically, a product like the Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bar can last for up to about 40 washes, but that also depends on your hair length.

A common misconception is that some solid shampoos have little to no lather, also known as that fun, foamy effect that makes us feel like our hair is getting clean, but that’s not true. In fact, the Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bars are made to create a rich lather as they cleanse. And when they lather, they lather quickly! These shampoo bars offer up a fast-rinse experience that doesn’t sacrifice the effect of a good suds.