Remember when you were a kid and your mom went away for the weekend and your dad washed your hair with a bar of soap and then couldn’t comb the knots out of it afterwards so you ended up with a bowl cut? Yeah. L’Occitane’s new Solid Shampoos aren’t like that. Not any part.
For starters, despite looking like one, they’re not bars of soap. They’re shampoo, just in compact and non-liquid form. Each one is sustainable too, reducing waste and using traceable, natural origin ingredients. Plus, the packaging is crafted from recycled paper.
While we lean towards the Gentle & Balance Solid Shampoo (purple) bar most days, the Purifying Freshness (blue) and Intense Repair (peach) Solid Shampoo versions are also pretty great. All three are made from 100 per cent natural essential oils, like the lemon, orange, rosemary, chamomile and lavender (from Provence’s protected designation of origin) found in our favoured purple bar. This solid shampoo’s blend cleanses and soothes our hair and scalp, while a naturally derived sugar complex gently eliminates dead skin cells, dirt and grime without washing away the natural sebum we need to have soft and healthy looking hair.
On the days when we want a little extra TLC to strengthen our damaged hair we turn to Intensive Repair’s formula of angelica, ylang-ylang, sweet orange, lavender and geranium essential oils with oat amino acids and sunflower oil. And for the times when our hair is looking lifeless and limp (hey, it happens!), we use Purifying Freshness for it’s extra cleansing blend of thyme, grapefruit, mint, lavender and cedar essential oils with green clay, peppermint and plant-based vinegar. Ergonomically shaped to fit in the palm of our hand, all of the shampoos are easy to apply once they’re wet and each one leaves behind a subtle and fresh scent. Matting and knotting of hair, need for a random and unwanted hair cut not included.
L’Occitane Solid Shampoo in “Gentle & Balance,” “Purifying Freshness” and “Intense Repair,” $16 each, available at L’Occitane stores and online at www.loccitane.com.
