“It’s not nice. It’s amazing!” - A quote from my 6 year old nephew. The topic?Sheabutter cottage’s afro shampoo bar.

Where have I been? I am nearly 10 years late to the shampoo bar game. I’ve always been recommended it, but just never bothered. I was a Fool.

Let me tell you. For less than £5 a completely natural shampoo, that lathers and cleans your scalp perfectly without drying your hair out. My hair was so soft. I loved the nutty sweet scent of it. Way easier to use than regular shampoo for me since I wash in sections. Just rub on your head! My sister a Lather lover loved it since it lathers up really well.

I just can’t get enough. I’m buying a bar for my mum, my sister in law and for anyone else! I’m recommending it to EVERYONE!

I’ve bought Sheabutter cottage products for other people (see my post on Sheabutter cottage’s soaps) but silly me has only gotten round to using something for myself.  I am now on it like sonic.

This soap is vegan and is described as

Fragrance-free with murumuru to help with lifeless curls, avocado to nourish and carefully balanced with agave nectar for the softness.

Ingredient and product info



SBC is fair-trade, ethical, what’s not to love? There are “prestige” or “salon” brands that are triple the price, full of filler and dodgy business practices.  Or hair shops where steroids are stocked on the shelf, stuff is out of date plus poor customer service and sexual harassment is a given every time you step inside. I think it’s so important to support products made here in the UK for us and by us that tick every box. I hope brands like SBC can continue to grow and flourish because they are needed.

End of rant

SBC had me at hello shampoo bar

shikakai powder. Heaven sent for dry/prone to build up scalps.

I admit i use sulfate shampoos, i have to. In the natural world its a taboo, but they are the only thing that will get my scalp clean. My scalp is so prone to build up its awful. I've tried everything frequent washings to infrequent washing and its the same result. So until it sorts itself out  I'm stuck. ( my scalp goes on swings and roundabouts every couple of years)

 The problem is i often have to shampoo several times, leaving my hair horrendously dry and making styling my hair that much harder.
 Well I've found something that doesn't eradicate my need for  sulfate shampoo, but does lessen it.  Its Shikakai powder. I am aware that i am a billion light years behind the Ayurveda bandwagon but i never thought it would work for me. Oh and i couldn't be bothered.
What the powder does is, it brings to the surface any buildup or debris and then only one round of shampoo is needed. It also makes your hair appear darker and with more sheen.
There are two main brands I've seen readily available in asda and Afro hair shops, its Hesh and Ayuuri. I prefer the Ayuuri because it is more finely milled.

 Now HEED MY WARNING. Follow the instructions on the packets EXPLICITLY. DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT leave the powder on your scalp for the allotted time. Why? Because if it dries you can not get the damn granules out of your hair!!! It'll feel like coffee is in there. Believe me i learnt this the hard way.
Both retail for around £1.99 or cheaper  and depending on how big your head  is and how thick your hair is can last i say 4-6 washes. Don't make too much either i always make that mistake.