The Best Shampoo Bars for Every Hair Type
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As more people make an effort to cut down on single-use plastics, the once humble shampoo bar has been given a salon-worthy upgrade. There are dozens of high-quality and solid shampoos on the market today, inspiring even more of us to ditch traditional bottled shampoo once and for all. For travelers, there’s even more incentive to get on board: Doing away with liquids means less hassle while going through security and zero risk of leakage in your suitcase or backpack. And, since most bars are formulated to be concentrated, waterless, and biodegradable, they tend to last twice as long and are gentler on the planet than their mini bottled counterparts.
Fortunately, as interest grows, brands are creating shampoo bars tailored to different hair types and preferences—whether you have color-treated tresses or fine strands in need of some oomph. I've tested and reviewed more than a dozen shampoo bars to see which ones worked best, so you can have more good hair days (and a smaller carbon footprint) on-the-go. (For reference, I have fine, color-treated hair that’s prone to breakage.) Below, the best shampoo bars to add to your Dopp kit.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Best all around
A thick lather and an invigorating tingling sensation make shampooing with Notice Hair Co.'s Stimulator bar a true joy. This has been my go-to shampoo bar for nearly two years because it always leaves my hair feeling clean, hydrated, and weightless. Formulated to promote scalp health, this bar uses French green clay to clear dirt and impurities and matcha green tea to improve circulation and stimulate skin’s healthy cell turnover. If you plan to travel with your bars, grab a set that comes with the travel tins, which are super lightweight and look sleek in your Dopp kit.
Best multi-tasker
J.R. Liggett’s multi-tasking bars are ideal for camping or backpacking trips. They contain 100 percent vegetable oil (coconut, castor, and olive oils) and work for all hair types. Plus, they can be used as body soap, for shaving, or for hand washing clothing items like socks and underwear. I especially love the travel-ready original bar, which comes with a small water-repellant and washable pouch, as well as a paper mat that wraps around three sides of the bar so that it doesn’t pick up any debris along the way. I’ve taken this bar on four trips, including a safari, and find it’s perfect for when I have to pack light.
Best for sensitive scalps
Briogeo’s aloe and oat milk cleansing bar is hypoallergenic and free of fragrance and essential oils, making it ideal for sensitive skin and noses. The bar can be used as a shampoo, facial cleanser, and body soap, and it actually performs well in all three categories. I recently brought this bar on a surf trip to Costa Rica, and it was perfect for nourishing my dry skin and hair after spending time in salt water and sun. The bar contains soothing aloe and colloidal oatmeal, which naturally calms scalp irritation. I was showering often between activities yet my hair never felt dry or frizzy after using this shampoo (though I would recommend following it up with the conditioner of your choice). The fact that you can use it from head to toe is extra-appealing for frequent fliers looking to save space in their Dopp kit.
Best for fine hair
When I became curious about shampoo bars in 2021, HiBar was the first brand I tried—and it’s still one of my favorites. These bars feature a cylinder shape with an angled edge, making them easier to apply directly to the scalp, and a flat base that allows the bar to be stored upright when not in use. The brand’s volumizing shampoo bar is a standout for fine hair. The bar contains African dates and vitamin B5 to boost body and tame frizz. And it even works for those following the Curly Girl Method, which encourages the use of sulfate-free shampoos to smooth and define waves, coils, and curls.
Best for thinning hair
Rice water has long been touted as a miracle ingredient for fuller, longer, and shinier locks, so I was excited to try Kitsch's shampoo bar for hair growth. The first time I used the bar, I “painted” it as directed onto my strands, and almost audibly remarked at how smoothly it glided from roots to ends, creating a satisfying, lightly scented lather. In addition to protein-packed rice water, the bar has a moisturizing base of shea butter and coconut oil, which helps to detangle hair. After following it up with the conditioner bar, I brushed my hair out without any shedding or breakage (a rarity for me) and my hair looked extra shiny after blow drying. I’ve only used this bar for a couple of weeks, so it’s too early to tell if it will help me achieve Rapunzel-length locks, but I’m impressed by how soft, shiny, and tangle-free my hair feels after each use.
Best for dry hair
Davine shampoo bars have a noticeable floral scent—but don’t let that deter you from trying the made-in-Italy Momo bar. Once you’ve lathered and rinsed, you’ll be left with smooth, hydrated hair and just a hint of fragrance. I’ve used these bars for more than a year (alternating between this one and the Volu version, when I need some extra oomph) but I always reach for the Momo when my dry ends need some extra love. The bar contains vitamin-rich yellow melon extract, and I appreciate the simple and recyclable paper packaging. I also recommend the aluminum shampoo bar case, which has a removable grid tray for easy transportation and drainage.
Best for curly hair
As of 2023, Ethique has prevented over 30 million bottles from going to landfill. The climate-positive brand’s eco-friendly ethos includes planting a tree for every order, offsetting 120 percent of its carbon emissions, and using compostable packaging. Its waterless shampoo bars also deliver exceptional results. The brand makes bars for all hair types, but the frizz-taming shampoo bar is a favorite among my friends with curly or wavy hair. It contains fair trade Samoan coconut oil and coconut butter to help smooth flyaways and enhance your hair’s natural shape and texture.
Best for oily hair
Rich in yellow clay, a mineral-based active ingredient that helps protect hair while absorbing excess oil, Attitude’s detox shampoo bar was made to tackle greasy strands. This lightly fragranced bar lathers well, lasts long (according to the brand, one bar equals two standard-sized bottles of shampoo), and leaves your hair feeling deeply cleansed and fluffy. I’ve been a fan of the detox shampoo bar since 2022 and love that it leaves my scalp feeling clean (yet doesn’t dry out my hair). As a bonus, Attitude works with One Tree Planted and Eden Reforestation products to plant a tree for every bar sold.
Best for damaged hair
As a fan of the French brand Klorane, I was happy to see that they offer a solid version of its leading shampoo. Enriched with mango butter, which is packed with vitamins A and E, it fortifies strands to reduce breakage and smooth split ends. Ideal for thin hair or ends that have been damaged from hot tools or bleaching, this bar left my hair feeling ultra-nourished without the heaviness that comes with your typical moisturizing shampoos. Those wanting a generous lather should first lather the bar in their hands before applying it to their scalp, as it tends to not get as foamy as other solid shampoos.
Best for color-treated hair
Named for the 552 million plastic shampoo bottles that end up in US landfills every year, Odacité’s 552M shampoo bar offers an eco-friendly alternative to professional-quality shampoo. The soap-free formulation, made with argan and castor oils and cupuaçu butter (a fleshy fruit related to cacao), is safe for color-treated hair, but also works well on untreated hair of most types (thin, curly, straight, or coarse). Applying the bar directly to my scalp created a creamy lather, rather than foamy suds, and the refreshing citrus aroma made for a pleasant in-shower experience. The results were bouncy, silky-soft locks that didn’t feel stripped of their natural oils.
