The first time I used a strong shampoo and conditioner, it was in the early 2010s and I was… not impressed.
In particular, I felt that the formulas available at the time did not understand my hair type: thick and wavy (curly on a good day). My hair needs adequate moisture, and a formula that can be spread easily through the hair from root to root, and over the scalp. After a few tries, I gave up the hunt thinking that the solution for the treatment of damaged hair did not work for me.
That is, until I decided to give the Kitsch Solid Shampoo and Conditioner bars a chance a few months ago. I had heard so many rave reviews, I was hoping that I could finally adopt this sustainable hair care option for my wavy hair.
Purchase Kitsch Solid Shampoo & Conditioner on their website, Ulta Beauty, or Amazon.
Kitsch offers seven strong shampoos and nine different conditioner bars with different ingredients to address specific hair types or concerns. From argan oil to help heal damaged hair to tea tree to clarify, there are options for everyone- even the most sensitive version without color and fragrance. Their formulas are color safe, pH balanced and vegan. They come in cardboard boxes, but the actual product is the bar itself with no outer packaging, just like a bar of soap! The brand says one bar can last up to 100 washes and saves two plastic bottles each.
After reading customer reviews, I decided to buy Castor Oil Shampoo, which is supposed to hydrate, balance and calm skin irritation while reducing breakage and damage. This felt like a good fit for me because I often deal with irritation and itchiness of the scalp, and I’m looking for strengthening benefits after dealing with hair loss last year.
I paired the Castor Oil Shampoo bar with the Shea Butter Solid Conditioner. I have used shea butter hair care before with great results on my waves. It often brings moisture and shine and helps control frizz.
If you’re not sure which shampoo and conditioner is right for you, Kitsch also has a small 4-part sample of their most popular options.
I saw right away how strong Kitsch shampoo was diluted with water. This was a pleasant surprise, and the suds made it easier to spread through my hair. If I need more product, I rub it between my hands in a stream of water, then apply the bar directly to the top of my head while using my fingers to work the product into my scalp.
The conditioner does not produce suds, but it is soft enough to spread over the hair. I usually style my hair by running it straight through my strands, then using my fingers to comb and detangle.
After my first wash, it was clear that these are the strongest shampoos and conditioner bars I’ve tried. Others left my hair down and dry- this helped define my waves and increase volume.
When I first washed it, I felt like I was getting it more frizz than my liquid products. I thought maybe it was just me getting used to the bars, and tried mixing more conditioners the next few times I used them. With the same results every time, I thought I would probably need to use a liquid conditioner while continuing with a solid shampoo, at least.
Then I realized that when I use liquid hair care, I usually use a deep conditioner instead of “normal”. This works best for me personally because 1) My waves need a lot of moisture, 2) I live in a very dry desert area and 3) I only wash my hair once a week.
So, I went back to Kitsch and picked up their strong hair mask, with a formula intended to repair the bond with one of the vegan keratin- baobab protein. Marula oil deeply nourishes and helps hair retain moisture.
In the shower, this hair mask bar gets creamier than a solid conditioner when wet, shining the hair in a very rich layer. However, because of its mild texture I can see myself using it more quickly than a strong conditioner.
But… the results speak for themselves: you see it is very shiny and noticeably less if you use a strong hair mask. I can also see more definition in my waves at the top of my head. My hair feels soft and nourished while also being clean and light/bouncy.
IMPORTANT TIP: Because these are not packaged, shampoos and conditioner bars are exposed to their environment, which can affect their integrity. Do not allow the instruments to sit on a flat shelf or anywhere where water can come into contact with them— this will cause him to quickly disintegrate. Place them in a place where they can dry completely between uses. I have a wire shelf in my shower that allows them to drain, although the brand also sells their shower caddy.
Now after almost 3 months of using Kitsch solid shampoo and conditioner bars, they definitely get my stamp of approval as a wavy girl: giving my hair what it needs without the bulk and mess of packaging. I also went with them; they are convenient to carry as they allow me to pack light things and not worry about extra liquids. Kitsch has a travel case of these that I just picked up for my next trip!
Purchase Kitsch Solid Shampoo & Conditioner on their website, Ulta Beauty, or Amazon.
Have you tried a strong shampoo and conditioner? What did you think?
– Miranda