Rethink Your Hair Routine: Better Hair Care with Less Plastic
Vol. 1, Article 11
Rethink Your Hair Routine: Better Hair Care with Less Plastic
Healthy-Looking Hair Starts at the Scalp.
Walk down the hair-care aisle of almost any store and you'll find shelf after shelf of plastic bottles.
Shampoo.
Conditioner.
Leave-in conditioner.
Scalp products.
Styling products.
Products for dry hair, oily hair, curly hair, fine hair, thick hair, color-treated hair...
Before long, caring for your hair can feel like it requires half the bathroom.
But what if we simplified things?
What if instead of starting with another bottle, we started with two better questions:
What am I actually using to wash my hair and scalp?
And...
Does it really need to come in a plastic bottle?
At Mammy's Soap Co., we believe good hair care starts with understanding what you're using and choosing products intentionally.
That's why this week's Wellness Journal is taking a closer look at Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bars, Solid Conditioner Bars and Scalp & Hair Oils, along with natural hair-care options we carry from Rowe Casa Organics and Earthley.
We're going to talk about hair.
We're going to talk about the scalp.
We're going to talk about ingredients.
And we're going to talk about something that often gets overlooked when we're standing in the shower:
What happens to all those bottles when we're finished with them?
This week, we're building a routine around:
CLEANSE → CONDITION → NOURISH → PROTECT → STYLE
With another goal in mind:
BETTER HAIR CARE. LESS PLASTIC.
What If Your Next Shampoo Didn't Need a Bottle?
Before we even talk about what's inside a shampoo, let's talk about what surrounds it.
Plastic.
Think about how many plastic containers can pass through one household bathroom in a year.
Shampoo bottles.
Conditioner bottles.
Body wash.
Face wash.
Styling products.
Then multiply that by millions of households, year after year.
The numbers become enormous.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that approximately 19–23 million metric tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems—including lakes, rivers and seas—each year.
And according to NOAA, plastic is the most common type of marine debris found in the ocean and Great Lakes. Plastic doesn't simply biodegrade like many natural materials. Instead, larger pieces can break into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics.
Those numbers can feel overwhelming.
After all, what difference can one household possibly make?
We prefer to look at it another way:
Start with one bottle you don't need.
That's one of the reasons we love solid hair care.
When your Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar is finished, there isn't an MSC shampoo bottle left behind.
When your Solid Conditioner Bar is finished, there isn't an MSC conditioner bottle left behind.
The bar is simply...gone.
ONE BAR. AT LEAST TWO BOTTLES.
And No MSC Shampoo Bottle Left Behind.
Here's one of our favorite facts about our Solid Shampoo Bars:
One Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar lasts as long as at least two regular-size bottles of liquid shampoo.
Think about what that means over time.
1 Shampoo Bar → at least 2 bottles' worth
3 Shampoo Bars → at least 6 bottles' worth
6 Shampoo Bars → at least 12 bottles' worth
That's one person.
One product.
One bathroom.
Now add another member of the family.
And another year.
Then consider making the switch from bottled conditioner to a Solid Conditioner Bar, too.
Small swaps add up.
We're not going to tell you that switching to a shampoo bar will solve the world's plastic problem.
It won't.
But reducing packaging we don't need is something we can actually do.
And we think that's a pretty good place to begin.
From Our Bathrooms to Our Waterways
It's easy to think that what goes into our trash can has nothing to do with rivers, lakes or oceans—especially when we don't live anywhere near the coast.
But our waterways are connected.
NOAA explains that marine debris can enter water through pathways including littering, poor waste management, stormwater and streams and rivers that carry debris downstream.
And once plastic enters the environment, it can persist for a very long time while fragmenting into increasingly smaller pieces.
That's why reducing unnecessary plastic matters alongside recycling.
Before we ever ask:
“Can I recycle this bottle?”
there's another question worth asking:
“Did I need this bottle in the first place?”
With our solid shampoo and conditioner bars, the answer is:
No.
Your Hair Routine Should Start at the Scalp
Now let's talk about what's happening underneath all that hair.
We spend a lot of time thinking about the ends.
Are they dry?
Frizzy?
Tangled?
Flat?
But every strand begins at the scalp.
A shampoo's primary job is to clean the scalp and hair, removing accumulated oil, sweat, styling products and everyday buildup.
But cleansing doesn't have to mean trying to remove every trace of the natural oils present on the scalp and hair.
Clean doesn't have to mean stripped.
And that's an important part of the Mammy's Soap Co. approach to solid hair care.
1. CLEANSE: Meet the MSC Solid Shampoo Bar
If you've never used a solid shampoo bar, you may be wondering:
“Isn't that just a bar of soap for my hair?”
No.
Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bars are specifically formulated for cleansing the scalp and hair.
And here's an important distinction:
We do not use added synthetic detergents in our MSC Solid Shampoo Bars.
They're designed to cleanse the scalp and hair without unnecessarily stripping away their natural oils.
They're suitable for a variety of hair types.
And because they're solid, there's no MSC plastic shampoo bottle to dispose of when the product is gone.
Clean hair. Simple routine. Less plastic.
What About Color-Treated Hair?
Color-treated hair often requires a little more thought about how it is washed.
Water temperature, washing frequency, the particular coloring process and the cleansing system you're using can all affect how hair color looks and how quickly it appears to fade.
Aggressive cleansing can be particularly undesirable when you're trying to maintain color-treated hair.
Because MSC Solid Shampoo Bars are formulated to cleanse without unnecessarily stripping the hair's natural oils, they can be a great option to consider as part of a color-conscious hair routine.
Individual color processes vary, of course, so always follow the care recommendations appropriate for your particular professional or at-home color treatment.
Rice Protein: A Small Ingredient with a Job to Do
One ingredient worth highlighting in our shampoo bars is rice protein.
Hydrolyzed rice protein is used in hair-care formulations for conditioning and film-forming properties and can contribute to the feel and manageability of the hair.
We don't choose ingredients simply because they sound impressive on a label.
Ingredients should have a reason for being there.
Rice protein does.
What About Different Hair Types?
One of the questions we hear about shampoo bars is:
“Will this work with my hair?”
MSC Solid Shampoo Bars are designed to work across a variety of hair types.
Straight.
Wavy.
Curly.
Fine.
Thick.
Natural.
Color-treated.
Blonde.
Gray.
The supporting products you use afterward—conditioner, leave-in conditioner, Scalp & Hair Oil and styling products—can then be adjusted according to what your particular hair needs.
Because natural hair care doesn't have to mean everybody follows the same routine.
And Then There's Argan... 💜
One of our shampoo bars is particularly easy to spot.
The Argan Solid Shampoo Bar is purple.
And there's a reason.
Our Argan bar uses a Violet 2 purple tone for blonde, silver and gray hair.
Purple-toned hair products are commonly incorporated into blonde, silver and gray hair routines because violet tones can help visually counter unwanted yellow or brassy-looking tones.
That doesn't mean every blonde or gray-haired customer needs a purple shampoo every time they wash.
How frequently you use a toning product depends on your hair, your color and the result you're trying to maintain.
But it means you don't have to give up the advantages of a purple hair-care product simply because you've decided to make the switch to a solid shampoo bar.
2. CONDITION: Yes, Conditioner Can Be Solid, Too
Once you remove the shampoo bottle from your shower, you may start looking at the conditioner bottle differently.
Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Conditioner Bars allow you to continue the solid hair-care routine through your conditioning step.
And again:
No MSC plastic conditioner bottle left behind.
Shampoo and conditioner have different jobs.
Shampoo cleanses.
Conditioner improves softness, slip and manageability.
Think of them as a team:
CLEANSE → CONDITION
Simple.
How Do You Use a Solid Conditioner Bar?
If you're used to squeezing conditioner from a bottle, the first use may feel different.
After shampooing, wet the Conditioner Bar and your hair.
Glide the bar over the lengths of your hair, concentrating on the areas that need conditioning most, or work some product between wet hands before distributing it through the hair.
Follow the individual product directions, then rinse.
And here's an important tip for both shampoo and conditioner bars:
Let them dry between uses.
A draining dish or storage method that keeps the bars out of standing water can help them last longer.
And when we're trying to reduce waste, taking care of the products we already have matters, too.
3. NOURISH: Don't Forget the Scalp
Our routine doesn't end with shampoo and conditioner.
We're going back to where healthy-looking hair begins:
The scalp.
Mammy's Soap Co. offers two versions of Scalp & Hair Oil, providing options for incorporating oil into a hair and scalp routine according to individual needs.
Depending on the formulation and product directions, a hair oil may fit into your routine as a scalp-care step, a pre-wash treatment or a small amount applied to the hair.
And this is one of those areas where:
More isn't automatically better.
Someone with fine hair may need only a very small amount.
Thick or coarse hair may respond differently.
Start small.
Pay attention to your hair.
Adjust from there.
4. PROTECT: Choose Leave-In Care for Your Hair Type
After washing and conditioning, some hair benefits from additional leave-in conditioning.
That's where the Earthley Natural Leave-In Conditioner products we carry can become useful.
There are options designed for:
Fine/Thin Hair
and
Thick Hair
And we like that distinction.
Someone with very fine hair may not want the same amount of weight or conditioning feel as someone with thick or coarse hair.
Leave-in conditioner can be incorporated after washing and before styling according to your hair's needs.
The goal isn't to pile on another product.
It's to choose the right product when your hair actually needs it.
5. STYLE: Natural Hair Care Doesn't Have to Stop in the Shower
One of the challenges people sometimes encounter when transitioning their personal-care routine is that they rethink their shampoo and conditioner...
and then automatically reach for the same styling products they've always used.
That's why Mammy's Soap Co. also carries Rowe Casa Organics Natural Hair Styling Products.
They allow customers who want a more naturally minded routine to carry that philosophy beyond cleansing and conditioning.
Because you may still want:
Hold.
Definition.
Texture.
Control.
Manageability.
Choosing a more intentional hair-care routine doesn't mean giving those things up.
Do You Need Every Product?
No.
We want to be very clear about that.
More products don't automatically create a better routine.
Your routine may simply be:
Shampoo Bar → Conditioner Bar → Done.
Someone else's might be:
Shampoo Bar → Conditioner Bar → Leave-In Conditioner → Styling Product.
Another person may incorporate one of our Scalp & Hair Oils periodically.
Someone with blonde or gray hair may use the purple Argan bar according to their needs.
Fine hair and thick hair may respond very differently to oils and leave-in conditioners.
Build the routine your hair needs.
Skip what it doesn't.
How to Make the Switch to Solid Hair Care
If you've reached for bottled shampoo your entire life, using a bar may feel a little unusual at first.
That's okay.
Wet your hair thoroughly.
Then, according to the product directions, gently work the Shampoo Bar over the wet scalp and hair or build lather between your hands before applying.
Massage gently.
Rinse thoroughly.
Follow with your Solid Conditioner Bar as needed.
And remember:
More product doesn't necessarily mean cleaner hair.
Use what you need.
Rinse well.
Then allow both bars to dry thoroughly before the next wash.
BETTER HAIR CARE. LESS PLASTIC.
This may be our favorite part of the entire conversation.
The benefits of solid hair care don't end when you step out of the shower.
When an MSC Solid Shampoo Bar is finished:
No plastic shampoo bottle.
When an MSC Solid Conditioner Bar is finished:
No plastic conditioner bottle.
And because one MSC Shampoo Bar lasts as long as at least two regular-size bottles of liquid shampoo, that small bar represents the opportunity to eliminate multiple bottles from your personal routine over time.
This isn't about being perfect.
It's not about throwing away everything in your bathroom tomorrow and replacing it.
In fact, please don't.
Use what you already have.
Then make a more intentional choice when it's time to replace it.
That's how sustainable habits actually become sustainable.
Build Your Wellness Routine
This week's routine is:
CLEANSE → CONDITION → NOURISH → PROTECT → STYLE
CLEANSE
Use your Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar to cleanse your scalp and hair without unnecessarily stripping their natural oils.
CONDITION
Follow with your MSC Solid Conditioner Bar according to your hair's needs.
NOURISH
Incorporate one of our Scalp & Hair Oils according to the product directions and your hair type.
PROTECT
If your hair benefits from leave-in conditioning, choose the Earthley Natural Leave-In Conditioner appropriate for Fine/Thin or Thick Hair.
STYLE
Finish with the Rowe Casa Organics Natural Hair Styling Products that fit your routine.
You might use all five steps.
You might use three.
Your routine should serve your hair—not the other way around.
This Week's Wellness Challenge
The Two-Bottle Swap ♻️
Tonight, walk into your bathroom and look around the shower.
Count the bottles.
Don't throw them away.
Don't feel guilty about what's already there.
And don't replace a perfectly usable product just so you can call your bathroom more eco-friendly.
Instead, choose one bottle.
Use it until it's empty.
Then ask:
“Could I replace this with a solid option?”
If it's your shampoo, one Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar can replace the equivalent of at least two regular-size liquid shampoo bottles.
When your conditioner is finished, consider the Solid Conditioner Bar.
One change becomes another.
One bottle you don't need becomes one bottle you don't throw away.
That's progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a solid shampoo bar just soap for my hair?
No. Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bars are specifically formulated to cleanse the scalp and hair.
Do MSC Solid Shampoo Bars contain synthetic detergents?
No. We do not use added synthetic detergents in our MSC Solid Shampoo Bars.
Do MSC Shampoo and Conditioner Bars come in plastic bottles?
No. One of the advantages of our solid hair-care products is that there is no MSC plastic shampoo or conditioner bottle to dispose of when the bar is finished.
How much liquid shampoo can one bar replace?
One Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar lasts as long as at least two regular-size bottles of liquid shampoo. Individual use varies depending on hair length and thickness, washing frequency, number of users and storage.
Can I use a Shampoo Bar on color-treated hair?
MSC Shampoo Bars are formulated to cleanse without unnecessarily stripping the hair's natural oils, making them an option to consider for a color-conscious routine. Because coloring and chemical processes differ, follow the care recommendations appropriate for your particular treatment.
Why is the Argan Shampoo Bar purple?
The Argan Shampoo Bar uses a violet-purple tone designed for blonde, silver and gray hair routines. Violet tones can help visually counter unwanted yellow or brassy-looking tones.
What does rice protein do?
Hydrolyzed rice protein is commonly used in hair-care formulations for conditioning and film-forming properties and can contribute to hair feel and manageability.
Are Shampoo Bars suitable for different hair types?
MSC Shampoo Bars are designed for a variety of hair types. Your conditioner, leave-in, oil and styling routine can then be adjusted according to your individual hair.
How should I store my Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?
Keep them out of standing water and allow them to dry thoroughly between uses. A well-draining dish or similar setup can help extend their useful life.
Do I need Scalp & Hair Oil?
Not necessarily. It depends on your hair, scalp and routine. MSC offers two versions so customers have options appropriate for different needs.
Which Earthley Leave-In Conditioner should I choose?
Choose the option designed for your hair characteristics—Fine/Thin Hair or Thick Hair—and follow the product directions.
Do I need shampoo, conditioner, oil, leave-in conditioner and styling products?
No.
Start with what your hair actually needs.
You can always build your routine from there.
Rethink Your Hair Routine
Maybe you're considering a solid shampoo bar because you want to know more about what you're using on your hair.
Maybe you want a cleanser that doesn't rely on added synthetic detergents.
Maybe your hair is color-treated.
Maybe you're blonde or gray and interested in our purple Argan bar.
Maybe you like the addition of rice protein.
Maybe you're simply tired of plastic bottles accumulating in the shower.
Or maybe you've started thinking about where all of that plastic eventually goes.
Whatever brings you to your first bar, the change doesn't have to be complicated.
CLEANSE → CONDITION → NOURISH → PROTECT → STYLE
Use what your hair needs.
Skip what it doesn't.
Take care of your bars so they last.
Use up what you already own before replacing it.
And when your MSC Shampoo Bar finally disappears, notice what's missing:
Vol. 1, Article 11
Rethink Your Hair Routine: Better Hair Care with Less Plastic
Healthy-Looking Hair Starts at the Scalp.
Walk down the hair-care aisle of almost any store and you'll find shelf after shelf of plastic bottles.
Shampoo.
Conditioner.
Leave-in conditioner.
Scalp products.
Styling products.
Products for dry hair, oily hair, curly hair, fine hair, thick hair, color-treated hair...
Before long, caring for your hair can feel like it requires half the bathroom.
But what if we simplified things?
What if instead of starting with another bottle, we started with two better questions:
What am I actually using to wash my hair and scalp?
And...
Does it really need to come in a plastic bottle?
At Mammy's Soap Co., we believe good hair care starts with understanding what you're using and choosing products intentionally.
That's why this week's Wellness Journal is taking a closer look at Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bars, Solid Conditioner Bars and Scalp & Hair Oils, along with natural hair-care options we carry from Rowe Casa Organics and Earthley.
We're going to talk about hair.
We're going to talk about the scalp.
We're going to talk about ingredients.
And we're going to talk about something that often gets overlooked when we're standing in the shower:
What happens to all those bottles when we're finished with them?
This week, we're building a routine around:
CLEANSE → CONDITION → NOURISH → PROTECT → STYLE
With another goal in mind:
BETTER HAIR CARE. LESS PLASTIC.
What If Your Next Shampoo Didn't Need a Bottle?
Before we even talk about what's inside a shampoo, let's talk about what surrounds it.
Plastic.
Think about how many plastic containers can pass through one household bathroom in a year.
Shampoo bottles.
Conditioner bottles.
Body wash.
Face wash.
Styling products.
Then multiply that by millions of households, year after year.
The numbers become enormous.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that approximately 19–23 million metric tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems—including lakes, rivers and seas—each year.
And according to NOAA, plastic is the most common type of marine debris found in the ocean and Great Lakes. Plastic doesn't simply biodegrade like many natural materials. Instead, larger pieces can break into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics.
Those numbers can feel overwhelming.
After all, what difference can one household possibly make?
We prefer to look at it another way:
Start with one bottle you don't need.
That's one of the reasons we love solid hair care.
When your Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar is finished, there isn't an MSC shampoo bottle left behind.
When your Solid Conditioner Bar is finished, there isn't an MSC conditioner bottle left behind.
The bar is simply...gone.
ONE BAR. AT LEAST TWO BOTTLES.
And No MSC Shampoo Bottle Left Behind.
Here's one of our favorite facts about our Solid Shampoo Bars:
One Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar lasts as long as at least two regular-size bottles of liquid shampoo.
Think about what that means over time.
1 Shampoo Bar → at least 2 bottles' worth
3 Shampoo Bars → at least 6 bottles' worth
6 Shampoo Bars → at least 12 bottles' worth
That's one person.
One product.
One bathroom.
Now add another member of the family.
And another year.
Then consider making the switch from bottled conditioner to a Solid Conditioner Bar, too.
Small swaps add up.
We're not going to tell you that switching to a shampoo bar will solve the world's plastic problem.
It won't.
But reducing packaging we don't need is something we can actually do.
And we think that's a pretty good place to begin.
From Our Bathrooms to Our Waterways
It's easy to think that what goes into our trash can has nothing to do with rivers, lakes or oceans—especially when we don't live anywhere near the coast.
But our waterways are connected.
NOAA explains that marine debris can enter water through pathways including littering, poor waste management, stormwater and streams and rivers that carry debris downstream.
And once plastic enters the environment, it can persist for a very long time while fragmenting into increasingly smaller pieces.
That's why reducing unnecessary plastic matters alongside recycling.
Before we ever ask:
“Can I recycle this bottle?”
there's another question worth asking:
“Did I need this bottle in the first place?”
With our solid shampoo and conditioner bars, the answer is:
No.
Your Hair Routine Should Start at the Scalp
Now let's talk about what's happening underneath all that hair.
We spend a lot of time thinking about the ends.
Are they dry?
Frizzy?
Tangled?
Flat?
But every strand begins at the scalp.
A shampoo's primary job is to clean the scalp and hair, removing accumulated oil, sweat, styling products and everyday buildup.
But cleansing doesn't have to mean trying to remove every trace of the natural oils present on the scalp and hair.
Clean doesn't have to mean stripped.
And that's an important part of the Mammy's Soap Co. approach to solid hair care.
1. CLEANSE: Meet the MSC Solid Shampoo Bar
If you've never used a solid shampoo bar, you may be wondering:
“Isn't that just a bar of soap for my hair?”
No.
Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bars are specifically formulated for cleansing the scalp and hair.
And here's an important distinction:
We do not use added synthetic detergents in our MSC Solid Shampoo Bars.
They're designed to cleanse the scalp and hair without unnecessarily stripping away their natural oils.
They're suitable for a variety of hair types.
And because they're solid, there's no MSC plastic shampoo bottle to dispose of when the product is gone.
Clean hair. Simple routine. Less plastic.
What About Color-Treated Hair?
Color-treated hair often requires a little more thought about how it is washed.
Water temperature, washing frequency, the particular coloring process and the cleansing system you're using can all affect how hair color looks and how quickly it appears to fade.
Aggressive cleansing can be particularly undesirable when you're trying to maintain color-treated hair.
Because MSC Solid Shampoo Bars are formulated to cleanse without unnecessarily stripping the hair's natural oils, they can be a great option to consider as part of a color-conscious hair routine.
Individual color processes vary, of course, so always follow the care recommendations appropriate for your particular professional or at-home color treatment.
Rice Protein: A Small Ingredient with a Job to Do
One ingredient worth highlighting in our shampoo bars is rice protein.
Hydrolyzed rice protein is used in hair-care formulations for conditioning and film-forming properties and can contribute to the feel and manageability of the hair.
We don't choose ingredients simply because they sound impressive on a label.
Ingredients should have a reason for being there.
Rice protein does.
What About Different Hair Types?
One of the questions we hear about shampoo bars is:
“Will this work with my hair?”
MSC Solid Shampoo Bars are designed to work across a variety of hair types.
Straight.
Wavy.
Curly.
Fine.
Thick.
Natural.
Color-treated.
Blonde.
Gray.
The supporting products you use afterward—conditioner, leave-in conditioner, Scalp & Hair Oil and styling products—can then be adjusted according to what your particular hair needs.
Because natural hair care doesn't have to mean everybody follows the same routine.
And Then There's Argan... 💜
One of our shampoo bars is particularly easy to spot.
The Argan Solid Shampoo Bar is purple.
And there's a reason.
Our Argan bar uses a Violet 2 purple tone for blonde, silver and gray hair.
Purple-toned hair products are commonly incorporated into blonde, silver and gray hair routines because violet tones can help visually counter unwanted yellow or brassy-looking tones.
That doesn't mean every blonde or gray-haired customer needs a purple shampoo every time they wash.
How frequently you use a toning product depends on your hair, your color and the result you're trying to maintain.
But it means you don't have to give up the advantages of a purple hair-care product simply because you've decided to make the switch to a solid shampoo bar.
2. CONDITION: Yes, Conditioner Can Be Solid, Too
Once you remove the shampoo bottle from your shower, you may start looking at the conditioner bottle differently.
Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Conditioner Bars allow you to continue the solid hair-care routine through your conditioning step.
And again:
No MSC plastic conditioner bottle left behind.
Shampoo and conditioner have different jobs.
Shampoo cleanses.
Conditioner improves softness, slip and manageability.
Think of them as a team:
CLEANSE → CONDITION
Simple.
How Do You Use a Solid Conditioner Bar?
If you're used to squeezing conditioner from a bottle, the first use may feel different.
After shampooing, wet the Conditioner Bar and your hair.
Glide the bar over the lengths of your hair, concentrating on the areas that need conditioning most, or work some product between wet hands before distributing it through the hair.
Follow the individual product directions, then rinse.
And here's an important tip for both shampoo and conditioner bars:
Let them dry between uses.
A draining dish or storage method that keeps the bars out of standing water can help them last longer.
And when we're trying to reduce waste, taking care of the products we already have matters, too.
3. NOURISH: Don't Forget the Scalp
Our routine doesn't end with shampoo and conditioner.
We're going back to where healthy-looking hair begins:
The scalp.
Mammy's Soap Co. offers two versions of Scalp & Hair Oil, providing options for incorporating oil into a hair and scalp routine according to individual needs.
Depending on the formulation and product directions, a hair oil may fit into your routine as a scalp-care step, a pre-wash treatment or a small amount applied to the hair.
And this is one of those areas where:
More isn't automatically better.
Someone with fine hair may need only a very small amount.
Thick or coarse hair may respond differently.
Start small.
Pay attention to your hair.
Adjust from there.
4. PROTECT: Choose Leave-In Care for Your Hair Type
After washing and conditioning, some hair benefits from additional leave-in conditioning.
That's where the Earthley Natural Leave-In Conditioner products we carry can become useful.
There are options designed for:
Fine/Thin Hair
and
Thick Hair
And we like that distinction.
Someone with very fine hair may not want the same amount of weight or conditioning feel as someone with thick or coarse hair.
Leave-in conditioner can be incorporated after washing and before styling according to your hair's needs.
The goal isn't to pile on another product.
It's to choose the right product when your hair actually needs it.
5. STYLE: Natural Hair Care Doesn't Have to Stop in the Shower
One of the challenges people sometimes encounter when transitioning their personal-care routine is that they rethink their shampoo and conditioner...
and then automatically reach for the same styling products they've always used.
That's why Mammy's Soap Co. also carries Rowe Casa Organics Natural Hair Styling Products.
They allow customers who want a more naturally minded routine to carry that philosophy beyond cleansing and conditioning.
Because you may still want:
Hold.
Definition.
Texture.
Control.
Manageability.
Choosing a more intentional hair-care routine doesn't mean giving those things up.
Do You Need Every Product?
No.
We want to be very clear about that.
More products don't automatically create a better routine.
Your routine may simply be:
Shampoo Bar → Conditioner Bar → Done.
Someone else's might be:
Shampoo Bar → Conditioner Bar → Leave-In Conditioner → Styling Product.
Another person may incorporate one of our Scalp & Hair Oils periodically.
Someone with blonde or gray hair may use the purple Argan bar according to their needs.
Fine hair and thick hair may respond very differently to oils and leave-in conditioners.
Build the routine your hair needs.
Skip what it doesn't.
How to Make the Switch to Solid Hair Care
If you've reached for bottled shampoo your entire life, using a bar may feel a little unusual at first.
That's okay.
Wet your hair thoroughly.
Then, according to the product directions, gently work the Shampoo Bar over the wet scalp and hair or build lather between your hands before applying.
Massage gently.
Rinse thoroughly.
Follow with your Solid Conditioner Bar as needed.
And remember:
More product doesn't necessarily mean cleaner hair.
Use what you need.
Rinse well.
Then allow both bars to dry thoroughly before the next wash.
BETTER HAIR CARE. LESS PLASTIC.
This may be our favorite part of the entire conversation.
The benefits of solid hair care don't end when you step out of the shower.
When an MSC Solid Shampoo Bar is finished:
No plastic shampoo bottle.
When an MSC Solid Conditioner Bar is finished:
No plastic conditioner bottle.
And because one MSC Shampoo Bar lasts as long as at least two regular-size bottles of liquid shampoo, that small bar represents the opportunity to eliminate multiple bottles from your personal routine over time.
This isn't about being perfect.
It's not about throwing away everything in your bathroom tomorrow and replacing it.
In fact, please don't.
Use what you already have.
Then make a more intentional choice when it's time to replace it.
That's how sustainable habits actually become sustainable.
Build Your Wellness Routine
This week's routine is:
CLEANSE → CONDITION → NOURISH → PROTECT → STYLE
CLEANSE
Use your Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar to cleanse your scalp and hair without unnecessarily stripping their natural oils.
CONDITION
Follow with your MSC Solid Conditioner Bar according to your hair's needs.
NOURISH
Incorporate one of our Scalp & Hair Oils according to the product directions and your hair type.
PROTECT
If your hair benefits from leave-in conditioning, choose the Earthley Natural Leave-In Conditioner appropriate for Fine/Thin or Thick Hair.
STYLE
Finish with the Rowe Casa Organics Natural Hair Styling Products that fit your routine.
You might use all five steps.
You might use three.
Your routine should serve your hair—not the other way around.
This Week's Wellness Challenge
The Two-Bottle Swap ♻️
Tonight, walk into your bathroom and look around the shower.
Count the bottles.
Don't throw them away.
Don't feel guilty about what's already there.
And don't replace a perfectly usable product just so you can call your bathroom more eco-friendly.
Instead, choose one bottle.
Use it until it's empty.
Then ask:
“Could I replace this with a solid option?”
If it's your shampoo, one Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar can replace the equivalent of at least two regular-size liquid shampoo bottles.
When your conditioner is finished, consider the Solid Conditioner Bar.
One change becomes another.
One bottle you don't need becomes one bottle you don't throw away.
That's progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a solid shampoo bar just soap for my hair?
No. Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bars are specifically formulated to cleanse the scalp and hair.
Do MSC Solid Shampoo Bars contain synthetic detergents?
No. We do not use added synthetic detergents in our MSC Solid Shampoo Bars.
Do MSC Shampoo and Conditioner Bars come in plastic bottles?
No. One of the advantages of our solid hair-care products is that there is no MSC plastic shampoo or conditioner bottle to dispose of when the bar is finished.
How much liquid shampoo can one bar replace?
One Mammy's Soap Co. Solid Shampoo Bar lasts as long as at least two regular-size bottles of liquid shampoo. Individual use varies depending on hair length and thickness, washing frequency, number of users and storage.
Can I use a Shampoo Bar on color-treated hair?
MSC Shampoo Bars are formulated to cleanse without unnecessarily stripping the hair's natural oils, making them an option to consider for a color-conscious routine. Because coloring and chemical processes differ, follow the care recommendations appropriate for your particular treatment.
Why is the Argan Shampoo Bar purple?
The Argan Shampoo Bar uses a violet-purple tone designed for blonde, silver and gray hair routines. Violet tones can help visually counter unwanted yellow or brassy-looking tones.
What does rice protein do?
Hydrolyzed rice protein is commonly used in hair-care formulations for conditioning and film-forming properties and can contribute to hair feel and manageability.
Are Shampoo Bars suitable for different hair types?
MSC Shampoo Bars are designed for a variety of hair types. Your conditioner, leave-in, oil and styling routine can then be adjusted according to your individual hair.
How should I store my Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?
Keep them out of standing water and allow them to dry thoroughly between uses. A well-draining dish or similar setup can help extend their useful life.
Do I need Scalp & Hair Oil?
Not necessarily. It depends on your hair, scalp and routine. MSC offers two versions so customers have options appropriate for different needs.
Which Earthley Leave-In Conditioner should I choose?
Choose the option designed for your hair characteristics—Fine/Thin Hair or Thick Hair—and follow the product directions.
Do I need shampoo, conditioner, oil, leave-in conditioner and styling products?
No.
Start with what your hair actually needs.
You can always build your routine from there.
Rethink Your Hair Routine
Maybe you're considering a solid shampoo bar because you want to know more about what you're using on your hair.
Maybe you want a cleanser that doesn't rely on added synthetic detergents.
Maybe your hair is color-treated.
Maybe you're blonde or gray and interested in our purple Argan bar.
Maybe you like the addition of rice protein.
Maybe you're simply tired of plastic bottles accumulating in the shower.
Or maybe you've started thinking about where all of that plastic eventually goes.
Whatever brings you to your first bar, the change doesn't have to be complicated.
CLEANSE → CONDITION → NOURISH → PROTECT → STYLE
Use what your hair needs.
Skip what it doesn't.
Take care of your bars so they last.
Use up what you already own before replacing it.
And when your MSC Shampoo Bar finally disappears, notice what's missing:
There's no empty plastic shampoo bottle to throw away.
One little bar.
At least two bottles' worth of shampoo.
And one simple opportunity to bring less plastic into your routine.
One person's shampoo bar isn't going to clean up the world's oceans.
But our everyday choices determine how much packaging we use in the first place.
And sometimes taking better care of ourselves can also mean being a little more thoughtful about the world around us.
BETTER HAIR CARE. LESS PLASTIC.
One bar at a time.
— The Mammy's Soap Co. Family
This Wellness Journal article is intended for general educational purposes. Hair and scalp needs vary. Follow individual product directions and discontinue use if irritation occurs. Persistent scalp irritation, unusual hair loss or other concerning symptoms should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.