As a mixed-Black traveler with 3C curls, finding the right hair care routine while on the go has always been a priority. Like many conscious travelers, I’m increasingly aware of the environmental impact of my journeys. The reliance on single-use plastics in travel-sized toiletries, coupled with the carbon footprint of frequent international flights, motivates me to seek sustainable alternatives. Reducing waste without sacrificing my curl health is key.
Packing light is essential for my digital nomad lifestyle, but managing my curly hair often feels at odds with minimalist packing. Liquid shampoos, conditioners, and styling products quickly add bulk and weight. Discovering shampoo and conditioner bars felt like a potential game-changer. Inspired by articles highlighting their eco-friendly nature and travel-ready convenience, I decided to put them to the test.
Woman with curly hair in Cappadocia, Turkey, showcasing natural travel hair
The concept of solid bar shampoos and conditioners promised a solution to both plastic waste and packing woes. Imagine carrying months’ worth of hair care in a carry-on, completely liquid-free! This was a stark contrast to the limitations of liquid products and TSA regulations.
To see if these bars lived up to the hype for curly hair, I researched and purchased five highly-rated shampoo and conditioner bar sets. My goal was to evaluate their performance on my 3C curls and determine if any stood out as truly exceptional travel companions. Here are my honest reviews:
1. Good Juju Dry / Curly Hair Shampoo Bar Review
Good Juju Dry / Curly Hair Shampoo Bar packaging and bar
Price: $21.98 USD
Quality: The Good Juju Dry/Curly Hair Shampoo Bar is specifically formulated for dry, curly hair – exactly my hair type, especially when traveling. Good Juju markets this bar as a nourishing blend designed for 3C curls, enriched with natural oils and butters to combat frizz and boost hydration. This sounded ideal for maintaining moisture in various climates.
🌿 Eco-Friendly Factor: Good Juju excels in eco-consciousness. The packaging is completely zero-waste, and the ingredient list is full of environmentally friendly components. This aligns perfectly with my aim to reduce my environmental impact while traveling.
Overall Rating
★★★★★
Review: From the outset, Good Juju impressed with its packaging, which felt more premium than the others – quite a feat for bar soap! As the first bar I tested, I was pleasantly surprised by how easily it lathered. The scent was also very appealing, fresh and natural. It effectively cleansed my hair without leaving it feeling stripped, a crucial factor for curly hair that tends to dryness.
2. Ethique Too Delicious™ Intensive Solid Conditioner Bar Review
Ethique Too Delicious Intensive Conditioner Bar in packaging
Price: $18.00
Quality: Ethique’s Too Delicious Intensive Solid Conditioner Bar promises up to 120 washes, a significant claim for a conditioner bar. Its formula is packed with rich ingredients like cocoa butter and coconut oil, known for their moisturizing and sealing properties. For dry, thirsty curls, this sounded promising for locking in hydration, particularly after using shampoo bars which can sometimes be drying.
🌿 Eco-Friendly Factor: Ethique is a well-known leader in sustainability, and this bar lives up to their reputation. It is 100% biodegradable and cruelty-free, reinforcing its environmentally responsible profile.
Overall Rating
★★★★★
Review: If the 120-wash claim holds true, the $18 price point becomes very reasonable. However, the defining characteristic of this bar – its richness in oils – was a double-edged sword for my hair. While moisturizing, the heavy oils tended to cause build-up on my 3C curls, which are prone to product accumulation. It wasn’t my personal favorite among those tested, but if your curly hair thrives on oils and intense moisture, this could be an excellent travel conditioner bar choice for you.
Collage pin image for review of curly hair travel shampoo and conditioner bars
3. Ethique Curliosity™ Co-Wash and Conditioner Bar Mini Review
Ethique Curliosity Co-Wash and Conditioner Bar product shot
Price: $6.50
Quality: The Ethique Curliosity Co-Wash and Conditioner Bar Mini is a 2-in-1 product, marketed as a gentle cleanser and conditioner in one bar. For curly hair, the concept of a co-wash is appealing, promising moisture retention. Could this bar simplify my travel hair routine?
🌿 Eco-Friendly Factor: This bar is crafted from natural ingredients, minimizing both chemical runoff and plastic waste. Its eco-friendly composition aligns with sustainable travel practices.
Overall Rating
★★★★★
Review: While I appreciate the convenience of a co-wash and conditioner in a single bar, the curly girl skepticism about 2-in-1 products is real. Historically, 2-in-1 formulas often compromise on either cleansing or conditioning. While this bar saves space and time, it didn’t quite deliver the clarifying cleanse of a dedicated shampoo or the deep moisture of a separate conditioner. However, for quick rinses after swimming at the pool or beach, this bar would be incredibly practical and space-saving. It’s a great option for minimalist travel where deep cleaning isn’t always the priority.
4. Ethique Untangled™ Detangling Solid Conditioner Bar Review
Ethique Untangled Conditioner Bar product image
Price: $13.00
Quality: The Ethique Untangled Detangling Solid Conditioner Bar focuses specifically on detangling, a crucial benefit for curly hair prone to knots and tangles, especially when exposed to different climates and travel conditions. It claims to ease out knots without breakage or excessive shedding, which is vital for maintaining healthy curls.
🌿 Eco-Friendly Factor: Ethique Untangled continues Ethique’s commitment to environmental responsibility with sustainable packaging and naturally derived ingredients.
Overall Rating
★★★★★
Review: Price-wise, bar conditioners can initially seem expensive compared to liquid drugstore options, but considering their longevity and eco-benefits, the value becomes clearer. This bar genuinely surprised me with its detangling prowess. It worked exceptionally well in the shower to smooth out knots, making wet detangling much easier and less damaging. I would definitely pack this as a dedicated shower detangler for travel. While I would still need a separate styling product for daily hold and definition, this bar passed my detangling test with flying colors, making it a standout travel conditioner bar.
5. The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar Review
Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar product shot
Price: $14.39
Quality: The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar impressed with its rich lather, a feature not always guaranteed with shampoo bars. It effectively cleansed my hair, removing product build-up and dirt, while still leaving my curls feeling hydrated and not stripped of their natural oils. Maintaining this balance is essential for healthy curly hair.
🌿 Eco-Friendly Factor: The Earthling Co.’s dedication to sustainability is evident in their zero-waste packaging and the use of natural, ethically sourced ingredients.
Overall Rating
★★★★★
Review: This Earthling Co. bar is a solid option for a cleansing shampoo bar. It worked well in combination with a moisturizing conditioner bar, like the Ethique Too Delicious or Untangled bars mentioned above. It provides a reliable cleanse without compromising the moisture balance of curly hair, making it a dependable travel shampoo bar.
Final Thoughts on Travel Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Experimenting with shampoo and conditioner bars has been a positive and insightful experience! My goals of reducing my environmental footprint and packing lighter for travel are important, but never at the expense of my natural curls looking and feeling their best.
Each Travel Shampoo And Conditioner bar I tested offered unique benefits:
- Good Juju stood out for its superior moisturizing capabilities, ideal for dry climates or frequent travelers.
- Ethique’s Too Delicious™ provided intensive conditioning, perfect for curls needing extra hydration, though potentially heavy for some hair types.
- Ethique’s Curliosity™ offered undeniable convenience as a 2-in-1 co-wash, best suited for quick washes and minimalist travel.
- Ethique’s Untangled™ proved to be an exceptional detangler, a game-changer for managing knots and reducing breakage on the go.
- The Earthling Co. provided a balanced cleanse, effectively cleaning hair without stripping moisture, a reliable everyday travel shampoo.
It’s important to remember that individual results can vary depending on hair type, curl pattern, and personal preferences. However, these travel-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars have demonstrated that it’s absolutely possible to maintain healthy, beautiful curls while being environmentally conscious and travel-savvy. They have become essential components of my travel hair care routine, and I encourage anyone looking to reduce plastic waste and simplify their luggage to explore these eco-friendly alternatives.
Every small step towards sustainability makes a difference. With these bar shampoos and conditioners, we’re not only caring for our curls; we’re also caring for our planet. 🌍✨
