Plantational Cake Solid Shampoo Bar

My vast experience with Lush has told me never to judge a product based on its colour or description. Whereas many people might run the other way upon seeing a brown lump that resembles a mud pie, I relish in experimenting with the company's weirdest and most wonderful of creations. Some of my most favourite products have come about through experiences that I've had in which I was expecting things to go horribly wrong at first.

Plantational Cake is equally brand new and retro at the same time. Based on Lush's old-school liquid shampoo of the same name, this limited edition solid looks no different than one of my firm favourite products from the Kitchen - Reincarnate Solid Shampoo. In fact, this product may appear very different ingredients wise, but the two share many good qualities that puts them both in the firm favourites category.

To look at, this solid shampoo bar looks like a cross between a badly-baked brownie and a lump of solid mud. You might be surprised to learn then that this limited edition doesn't smell like either of those two itmes. In fact, the smell of this surprised me quite a lot when it first came into contact with my nose.

Containing Brazilian orange oil combined with a nettle and rosemary leaf infusion, this shampoo bar presents a distinctive sweet smell that reminds me very much of sultanas. The inclusions of both the red henna and the labdanum resinoid add to this subtle fruity element - giving the solid bar a gentle layer of spice and rounds the aroma off with a dry but rather more-ish fragrance. In many ways, Plantational does smell very similar to Reincarnate, so if you've been fortunate enough to have tried the aforementioned shampoo bar, you'll have a good idea about the fragrance of this one.

As with most solid shampoo bars, this one works by wetting it a little under the running water and massaging it straight into your wet hair for a short time. It only takes a few seconds for the product to produce a light but thick lather, so you don't need to use it for more than that to cover your entire scalp. I would then recommend using both hands to ensure the shampoo is equally distributed across your locks. 

Depending on how long you have in the shower, I would suggest that you leave it on for a good few minutes before rinsing it away and applying your conditioner. What I found with this solid shampoo is that the henna taints the lather slightly, so don't worry when you rinse it away and find that the water presents itself as brown.

What I loved about Plantational is that it was effective from the very first wash. Unlike a large percentage of Lush's solid shampoo bars, this one moisturised and detangled my hair while I was in the shower, and I felt at times that I could almost have gotten away with not using conditioner afterwards - it was that effective. 

Upon drying my hair, I noticed that this bar left a slight bit of residue that seemed to coat my hair like a protective blanket. Don't get me wrong, my hair was neither greasy or oily afterwards, but there was something about the feel and touch of my locks that told me that the shampoo bar was still present on my hair. Until you try it out for yourself, it may be difficult to understand what I mean. However, it was almost as if the product had put up a slight barrier around every strand, so it felt as if my hair had more moisture present, without it looking or feeling weighed down. 

My experience with this one was very different to any of Lush's other shampoos, liquid and solid. I really felt as if this one added in that much-needed moisture that my dry hair needed, and within 2-3 uses my hair was looking and feeling much less frizzy and far more manageable. Furthermore, I found that I didn't need to straighten my hair that much, as the shampoo supported and accentuated my waves, without leaving it looking frizzy or untamed.  

Having said that, I will mention that your hair should be completely dry before attempting to straighten it after using Plantational. If your locks are even so much as damp when you use the straightening irons on them, this blanket of moisture that coats your hair will turn greasy, and I found that I had to use dry shampoo afterwards to try and settle the excess moisture. 

Overall, this solid shampoo bar has been an absolute pleasure to use. Not only has it rejuvenated my hair and made it feel far less parched than it did before, but the inclusion of the henna supported my natural hair colour - accentuating the highlights and bringing out the different shades of browns and reds that I don't often get to see.

This is definitely one that I would buy again, and I would go as far as to say that this would be a staple in my house if it was a regular item. Whatever condition your hair might be in, I have heard nothing but glowing reviews about this wonderful Kitchen exclusive, and my experience only serves to support and verify that this shampoo bar is a royal treat.         

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Stearic Acid, Nettle And Rosemary Leaf Infusion, Red Henna, Glyceryl Stearate & PEG 100 Stearate, Soya Lecthin, Brazilian Orange Oil, Labdanum Resinoid, Irish Moss Powder, Limonene, Citral, Perfume.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £6.25 for 100g.

Year Of Original Release: 1999

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Dear John Shower Gel

Dear John is a fragrance that I forget how much I appreciate, until I whip out the body spray and fall in love with it all over again. With so many different layers and such an interesting range of ingredients, this is a scent as unique as it is complex. 

When the Lush Kitchen announced that they would be making a shower gel version of this smell, I was equally intrigued and perplexed. On the one hand I was really excited to try a brand new shower gel, as those who follow this blog will know how much I love this format. However, there was a part of me that wondered if such a fragrance would actually work well outside of being a perfume.

Upon first inspection, I was rather pleased to notice the deep, forest green that Dear John Shower Gel sported. Given the design of the perfume bottles and body spray, I was expecting a cream-coloured liquid, so the actual product was definitely an upgrade of the colour I originally envisaged.  

Unfortunately, what I also noticed very quickly was that the shower gel was very thin - offering the same consistency as The Olive Branch. This meant that I found myself using far more than I would normally do so, as the product wasn't as compact in my hands as I would expect from most Lush gels. While the product lathered up really quickly and produced a generous amount of foam to wash myself with, I felt as if I used more that I usually would, just because of how runny it was and how freely it flowed from the bottle.

Supposedly a 'unisex' fragrance, this shower gel is quite complex: featuring layers of vetivert, cedar, clove, coriander, lime, coffee and pine. What I noticed about Dear John from the get-go was that it was the former three ingredients that made the biggest impression. From the bottle you can make out the sweet, smoky characteristics of the vetivert, blended with a gentle layer of woody cedar. Together, these two ingredients create an almost resinous smell, which when combined with a subtle hint of warming clove, makes for the most comforting of fragrances.

How this shower gel differed from other Dear John products, is the fact that the lime was not as noticeable as it is in other formats. While you can definitely detect its fruity presence, it was a little subtler than it is in other formats - meaning that I found this shower gel to be a little less refreshing than the body spray is.

What I also found a little disappointing was the fact that the shower gel was not as moisturising as most other variations available. I felt clean afterwards, and the fragrance lingered around for a short while on my body. However, my skin didn't feel as soft or as nourished as I was expecting it to be. For this reason, I can imagine those with very dry skin may benefit from using a body lotion afterwards to replenish the skin of moisture.  

Fans of Dear John will definitely appreciate this new addition to the family, and I have been enjoying having a bottle to indulge myself with on a daily basis. Having said that, those with a keen nose will notice that there are differences between this and the perfume, and some may not appreciate the subtle changes that have been made. The fact that I am half way through a bottle in just under three weeks, also suggests that this is not necessarily as good value for money as some of Lush's other shower gels. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Rosemary Infusion, Nettle Leaf Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Perfume, Proplyene Glycol, Fine Sea Salt, Vetivert Oil, Coriander Oil, Clove Bud Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool, Colour 42090, Methylparaben.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £11.25 for 250g.

Year Of Original Release: ?

Scent Family:
Copperhead Solid Shampoo
Dear John Bubble Bar
Dear John Body Spray
Dear John Liquid Perfume
Dear John Shower Gel
Dear John Solid Perfume

Dear John Soap

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New Solid Shampoo

Having just finished up my favourite shampoo, Irresistible Bliss, the shampoo to follow had big shoes to fill. After spending the last three months proclaiming how amazing my hair looked and felt, and realising it has never looked better, I was rather anxious to see how New Solid Shampoo would perform.

Looking almost identical to my favourite bar, albeit a little darker, this shampoo claims to be a 'self-preserving, naked bar with many ingredients that will stimulate the blood flow, helping maintain a healthy scalp.' In all honesty, I brought this merely because it was one of the last shampoo bars I had still to try, and now I wish I had bought it earlier.

For starters, this shampoo bar is like every other solid shampoo that I've tried so far; it's very easy to use. You can either massage it through wet hair, or rub it between your hands and create a lather, which can then be applied to your locks. Either way, you can really tell how much shampoo is compacted into a single bar as it lathers up really easily and it'll take weeks before you notice the bar shrinking in size.

Secondly, and one of the main aspects that I enjoy with all of Lush's solid bars, is that it possesses a very gentle smell. While this is definitely stronger than a lot of the other solid shampoo bars on offer, it's still not something that's going to saturate your hair and stay with you for days on end. This one is made up of different cloves, cinnamon and peppermint, so the smell you can pick up smells exactly like a combination of these three main ingredients. 

As I mentioned above, New Solid Shampoo has been specifically designed to target the scalp and features a combination of ingredients to do just that. Cinnamon leaf, bay and clove bud essential oils have been added here, and they are at the forefront of the fragrance. Combined with menthol-rich peppermint and nettle, these ingredients supposedly boost blood flow in the scalp, which in turn stimulates the hair follicles. As a finishing touch, rosemary has been added to calm and protect your scalp and adds a glorious shine to your hair. 

Within two to three uses, I could really the condition of my hair was almost on par with how it was when I was using Irresistible Bliss. My locks felt really moisturised and healthy, whilst retaining a light, well-conditioned consistency overall. When used daily, New Shampoo didn't dry my hair out or cause my dyed hair to fade, which I appreciated. 

However, after a couple of weeks, I did notice that my hair started to get a little greasy and I had to temporarily stop using it. I found that this shampoo doesn't work well when being used every single day so you might have to alternate between this and another shampoo.

As with all other solid products, these bars are really handy for when you're travelling and need to take the bare minimum. They're compact and light and sit perfectly in one of Lush's clearly designed tins, so can be carted anywhere without fear of spillage or leakages. I would recommend though, that if you wish to store your shampoo in one of these tins, make sure the bar is 100% dry before you do; you may have problems trying to get it out the next time as it's a close fit when the bar is full sized.  

Overall, New Solid Shampoo is another solid hair care product that I'll add to my favourite's list. It's one that I'll use again and one that I recommend that you try, even if like me, you don't have any issues with a dry or flaky scalp. My hair was definitely given a 'new' lease of life after using this bar, and I can see why it is one of Lush's best sellers.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Nettle and Peppermint Infusion, Perfume, Glycerine, Nettle Absolute, Rosemary Absolute, Bay Oil, Clove Bud Oil, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, *Cinnamal, *Eugenol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 73360, Cinnamon Stick.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Prices: £5.95 for 55g.

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New Solid Shampoo

Having just finished up my favourite shampoo, Irresistible Bliss, the shampoo to follow had big shoes to fill. After spending the last three months proclaiming how amazing my hair looked and felt, and realising it has never looked better, I was rather anxious to see how New Solid Shampoo would perform.

Looking almost identical to my favourite bar, albeit a little darker, this shampoo claims to be a 'self-preserving, naked bar with many ingredients that will stimulate the blood flow, helping maintain a healthy scalp.' In all honesty, I brought this merely because it was one of the last shampoo bars I had still to try, and now I wish I had bought it earlier.

For starters, this shampoo bar is like every other solid shampoo that I've tried so far; it's very easy to use. You can either massage it through wet hair, or rub it between your hands and create a lather, which can then be applied to your locks. Either way, you can really tell how much shampoo is compacted into a single bar as it lathers up really easily and it'll take weeks before you notice the bar shrinking in size.

Secondly, and one of the main aspects that I enjoy with all of Lush's solid bars, is that it possesses a very gentle smell. While this is definitely stronger than a lot of the other solid shampoo bars on offer, it's still not something that's going to saturate your hair and stay with you for days on end. This one is made up of different cloves, cinnamon and peppermint, so the smell you can pick up smells exactly like a combination of these three main ingredients. 

As I mentioned above, New Solid Shampoo has been specifically designed to target the scalp and features a combination of ingredients to do just that. Cinnamon leaf, bay and clove bud essential oils have been added here, and they are at the forefront of the fragrance. Combined with menthol-rich peppermint and nettle, these ingredients supposedly boost blood flow in the scalp, which in turn stimulates the hair follicles. As a finishing touch, rosemary has been added to calm and protect your scalp and adds a glorious shine to your hair. 

Within two to three uses, I could really the condition of my hair was almost on par with how it was when I was using Irresistible Bliss. My locks felt really moisturised and healthy, whilst retaining a light, well-conditioned consistency overall. When used daily, New Shampoo didn't dry my hair out or cause my dyed hair to fade, which I appreciated. 

However, after a couple of weeks, I did notice that my hair started to get a little greasy and I had to temporarily stop using it. I found that this shampoo doesn't work well when being used every single day so you might have to alternate between this and another shampoo.

As with all other solid products, these bars are really handy for when you're travelling and need to take the bare minimum. They're compact and light and sit perfectly in one of Lush's clearly designed tins, so can be carted anywhere without fear of spillage or leakages. I would recommend though, that if you wish to store your shampoo in one of these tins, make sure the bar is 100% dry before you do; you may have problems trying to get it out the next time as it's a close fit when the bar is full sized.  

Overall, New Solid Shampoo is another solid hair care product that I'll add to my favourite's list. It's one that I'll use again and one that I recommend that you try, even if like me, you don't have any issues with a dry or flaky scalp. My hair was definitely given a 'new' lease of life after using this bar, and I can see why it is one of Lush's best sellers.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Nettle and Peppermint Infusion, Perfume, Glycerine, Nettle Absolute, Rosemary Absolute, Bay Oil, Clove Bud Oil, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, *Cinnamal, *Eugenol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 73360, Cinnamon Stick.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Prices: £5.95 for 55g.

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Soap Sod

For someone who barely uses soap, I have amassed rather a large collection of the stuff - mostly due to Lush's insistence on releasing old and reformulated versions in the Lush Kitchen most weeks. And while I try to convince myself that I don't need any more, the allure of trying something new and retro from my favourite company is too strong to resist. Do I even have any willpower? 

Soap Sod is an odd name for a slab of scented glycerine - a soap that immediately entices the senses when it comes to both the fragrance and the design of each block. Presented in an almost fluorescent shade of green, with a generous collection of dried Roman chamomile flowers decorating the surface, this old-school product is beautiful to look at. 

Not only this but the scent is one that leaves an immediate impression on the senses, and whether you appreciate the smell or not, theres no denying that it doesn't grapple with your nose and hold your tastebuds hostage. By no means subtle, its pungent aroma combines the smell of green, leafy plants with the sting of fresh nettles and a heady and rather sweet chamomile note to boot.

Described as smelling like both 'a newly mown lawn' and an 'Alpine meadow as the sun peeks over the mountain tops alter a shower of rain', this old-school soap is one for the natural scent lovers amongst us - a soap that creates a clear divide between Lush fans. While some describe it as smelling like wet grass and stinging nettles, others compare the aroma to decaying shrubbery and gasoline - a contradiction if there ever was one.

To me, Soap Sod smells like freshly mown grass intertwined with dry pressed chamomile and a gentle layer of fresh lavender as a base note. While it is definitely not a horrible smell, it was one that I had to grow accustomed to, and I wouldn't say it's anywhere near as delicate as the likes of Grass Shower Gel, Green Day Bubble Bar and Fox In The Flowers Bath Bomb are.

Despite how stagnant the smell is and how overpowering it is in both the packet and in the shower, there is something rather two-dimensional about it that prevents the different elements from really making their mark on your senses. While it's definitely not a terrible smell, it's one that is needlessly strong and would probably be more enjoyable if it was more subtle, like Pea Green Soap.

Having said this, in the shower, Sod Soap is very easy to lather up - producing a thick and rather cream foam that glides over the skin with ease. The scent is strong enough to overpower anything else you may be using at the time, and you can detect the fragrance on your skin for a while after exiting the bathroom. 

As my chunk was rather soft and squidgy out of the packet, I was expecting this soap to shrink rather rapidly when it came into contact with the water. I was rather surprised then to find that my 100g chunk lasted a good five weeks in the shower - rivalling that of some of the sturdier soaps available from Lush and demonstrating that it didn't bleed out liquid in between uses like I was expecting it to.

While the lather was rather thick and deliciously creamy, and it did leave my skin feeling clean and clear after application, I wasn't overly impressed with the scent that I managed to yield from using this product. For this reason, Sod Soap would not be a soap that I would buy again. Although it is not offensive in any way, I think it's very much an acquired taste, and doesn't quite match up to what I was hoping for.

Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerine, Gardenia Extract, Sorbitol, Lavender Absolute, Lavender Absolute, Nettle Absolute, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Stearate, Dried Roman Chamomile Flower.

Vegan?: Yes.

2015 Price: £4 for 100g.
2017 Price: £4.25 for 100g.

Year Of Original Release: 2005. 

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Soap Sod

For someone who barely uses soap, I have amassed rather a large collection of the stuff - mostly due to Lush's insistence on releasing old and reformulated versions in the Lush Kitchen most weeks. And while I try to convince myself that I don't need any more, the allure of trying something new and retro from my favourite company is too strong to resist. Do I even have any willpower? 

Soap Sod is an odd name for a slab of scented glycerine - a soap that immediately entices the senses when it comes to both the fragrance and the design of each block. Presented in an almost fluorescent shade of green, with a generous collection of dried Roman chamomile flowers decorating the surface, this old-school product is beautiful to look at. 

Not only this but the scent is one that leaves an immediate impression on the senses, and whether you appreciate the smell or not, theres no denying that it doesn't grapple with your nose and hold your tastebuds hostage. By no means subtle, its pungent aroma combines the smell of green, leafy plants with the sting of fresh nettles and a heady and rather sweet chamomile note to boot.

Described as smelling like both 'a newly mown lawn' and an 'Alpine meadow as the sun peeks over the mountain tops alter a shower of rain', this old-school soap is one for the natural scent lovers amongst us - a soap that creates a clear divide between Lush fans. While some describe it as smelling like wet grass and stinging nettles, others compare the aroma to decaying shrubbery and gasoline - a contradiction if there ever was one.

To me, Soap Sod smells like freshly mown grass intertwined with dry pressed chamomile and a gentle layer of fresh lavender as a base note. While it is definitely not a horrible smell, it was one that I had to grow accustomed to, and I wouldn't say it's anywhere near as delicate as the likes of Grass Shower Gel, Green Day Bubble Bar and Fox In The Flowers Bath Bomb are.

Despite how stagnant the smell is and how overpowering it is in both the packet and in the shower, there is something rather two-dimensional about it that prevents the different elements from really making their mark on your senses. While it's definitely not a terrible smell, it's one that is needlessly strong and would probably be more enjoyable if it was more subtle, like Pea Green Soap.

Having said this, in the shower, Sod Soap is very easy to lather up - producing a thick and rather cream foam that glides over the skin with ease. The scent is strong enough to overpower anything else you may be using at the time, and you can detect the fragrance on your skin for a while after exiting the bathroom. 

As my chunk was rather soft and squidgy out of the packet, I was expecting this soap to shrink rather rapidly when it came into contact with the water. I was rather surprised then to find that my 100g chunk lasted a good five weeks in the shower - rivalling that of some of the sturdier soaps available from Lush and demonstrating that it didn't bleed out liquid in between uses like I was expecting it to.

While the lather was rather thick and deliciously creamy, and it did leave my skin feeling clean and clear after application, I wasn't overly impressed with the scent that I managed to yield from using this product. For this reason, Sod Soap would not be a soap that I would buy again. Although it is not offensive in any way, I think it's very much an acquired taste, and doesn't quite match up to what I was hoping for.

Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerine, Gardenia Extract, Sorbitol, Lavender Absolute, Lavender Absolute, Nettle Absolute, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Stearate, Dried Roman Chamomile Flower.

Vegan?: Yes.

2015 Price: £4 for 100g.
2017 Price: £4.25 for 100g.

Year Of Original Release: 2005. 

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Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo

As I've mentioned before, I am now a fully fledged solid shampoo lover - I cannot imagine ever going back to the bottled variation. Not only are they really handy to carry with you whilst travelling, without having to worry about spillages, they're also fantastic value for money. A 50g block costs a little over £5 and will last anywhere from 2-6 months - I'd be hard-pressed to stretch a 500g bottle of liquid shampoo for any more than two months, and you're probably looking at paying triple the price for this privilege. 

The only challenge left for me, is to determine which of the nine (soon to be fourteen) solid shampoo bars on offer from Lush, will be the one I use regularly. Squeaky Green was the next one of my list of ones to try, and I was really excited to test it out, if only for its amazing colour. 

This product is made with freshly cut nettles, rosemary and peppermint herbs - a combination that sounds absolutely beautiful as well as highly natural. Described as the first shampoo bar from Lush to feature noodles in the ingredients list, this solid hair care aims to revive and refresh your locks, whilst banishing dandruff and leaving your hair looking and smelling divine. 

As well as the above elements, Squeaky Green also features rose and vanilla absolute; two ingredients which give the bar a slight subtle sweetness and help to balance and calm irritated scalps. Luckily, I'm not one to suffer from a sensitive scalp, but I didn't think it would hurt my chances to improve the condition of my scalp by using this shampoo.

This product also features powdered tea tree and chamomile essential oil - both of which play an important role in the shampoo's overall scent, as well as allowing it to fully cleanse your hair without leaving it dry or stripped of natural oils. 

Altogether, Squeaky Green shares it's scent with the now-discontinued, Go Green - a fragrance that has been released as a perfume as well as a ballistic amongst other products over the years. Recently, I tried Go Green Solid Perfume and instantly fell in love with it, so I was hoping that this shampoo would win my heart over as well. It's a beautiful light and highly refreshingly-natural fragrance and would be best suited for those of you who enjoy Grass Shampoo. 

For those who are not familiar with Lush's solid shampoo bars, they are different coloured/scented shampoos that have been compacted into 50g rounded chunks. You use them in the same way as you would soap, either rubbing it over your wet hair to create a lather, or massaging it between your palms and applying the lather to your hair. Either way, they work just like a normal shampoo would. 

In addition, these shampoo bars are much better value than their liquid counterparts; firstly, you can get near-enough 80 uses out of a single bar, which works out at just over 7 pence a time. Secondly, the bars don't need to be stored or presented in any packaging so they're environmentally great. Finally, Lush don't have to include any nasty synthetic ingredients to keep them at liquid consistency when at room temperature, making them more natural.  

After using Squeaky Green, my hair was really light and soft and genuinely felt as if it had been given a deep cleanse. Despite feeling quite rough in the shower, once my locks had dried naturally, my hair didn't look dry or greasy - instead I was able to leave it down without straightening it, and it supported my natural wave. 

As someone who dyes their hair on a monthly basis, I always worry that the shampoo I use will strip my hair of colour, or at the very least, cause my colour to fade quicker than it should. After using this solid bar for near on a month, I didn't notice any fading more than the usual wear and tear. 

One thing that I was slightly disappointed by was the strength of the fragrance once it had been applied to the hair. When the product is dry, Squeaky Green has a beautiful scent which reminds me of freshly cut grass - a perfect companion on those hot summer days. However, I could barely smell this in the shower and no remnants of smell stayed on my hair once the conditioner had been applied.

Overall, this shampoo is not the best I have tried but neither is it a terrible shampoo. Having used Gentil Lentil, Irresistible Bliss and Montalbano, and finding that both of these leave my hair looking incredible, they have both set the barrier for the quality of shampoo I expect. 

Squeaky Green cleans your hair wonderfully, without stripping it of colour or natural lubricant. However, it didn't leave my hair as wonderfully soft as others have done, and for this reason, I will keep searching for my ultimate solid saviour. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Perfume, Methyl Ionone, Rosemary, Nettle, Water (Aqua), Tea Tree Powder, Peppermint, Rose Absolute, Chamomile Blue Oil, Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute, Coumarin, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Chlorophyllin.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2014 Price: £5.75 each.

2017 Price: £6.25 each.

Scent Family:
Go Green Liquid Body Spray
Go Green Solid Perfume
Green Green Bath Of Foam Bubble Bar
Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo

 

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Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo

As I've mentioned before, I am now a fully fledged solid shampoo lover - I cannot imagine ever going back to the bottled variation. Not only are they really handy to carry with you whilst travelling, without having to worry about spillages, they're also fantastic value for money. A 50g block costs a little over £5 and will last anywhere from 2-6 months - I'd be hard-pressed to stretch a 500g bottle of liquid shampoo for any more than two months, and you're probably looking at paying triple the price for this privilege. 

The only challenge left for me, is to determine which of the nine (soon to be fourteen) solid shampoo bars on offer from Lush, will be the one I use regularly. Squeaky Green was the next one of my list of ones to try, and I was really excited to test it out, if only for its amazing colour. 

This product is made with freshly cut nettles, rosemary and peppermint herbs - a combination that sounds absolutely beautiful as well as highly natural. Described as the first shampoo bar from Lush to feature noodles in the ingredients list, this solid hair care aims to revive and refresh your locks, whilst banishing dandruff and leaving your hair looking and smelling divine. 

As well as the above elements, Squeaky Green also features rose and vanilla absolute; two ingredients which give the bar a slight subtle sweetness and help to balance and calm irritated scalps. Luckily, I'm not one to suffer from a sensitive scalp, but I didn't think it would hurt my chances to improve the condition of my scalp by using this shampoo.

This product also features powdered tea tree and chamomile essential oil - both of which play an important role in the shampoo's overall scent, as well as allowing it to fully cleanse your hair without leaving it dry or stripped of natural oils. 

Altogether, Squeaky Green shares it's scent with the now-discontinued, Go Green - a fragrance that has been released as a perfume as well as a ballistic amongst other products over the years. Recently, I tried Go Green Solid Perfume and instantly fell in love with it, so I was hoping that this shampoo would win my heart over as well. It's a beautiful light and highly refreshingly-natural fragrance and would be best suited for those of you who enjoy Grass Shampoo. 

For those who are not familiar with Lush's solid shampoo bars, they are different coloured/scented shampoos that have been compacted into 50g rounded chunks. You use them in the same way as you would soap, either rubbing it over your wet hair to create a lather, or massaging it between your palms and applying the lather to your hair. Either way, they work just like a normal shampoo would. 

In addition, these shampoo bars are much better value than their liquid counterparts; firstly, you can get near-enough 80 uses out of a single bar, which works out at just over 7 pence a time. Secondly, the bars don't need to be stored or presented in any packaging so they're environmentally great. Finally, Lush don't have to include any nasty synthetic ingredients to keep them at liquid consistency when at room temperature, making them more natural.  

After using Squeaky Green, my hair was really light and soft and genuinely felt as if it had been given a deep cleanse. Despite feeling quite rough in the shower, once my locks had dried naturally, my hair didn't look dry or greasy - instead I was able to leave it down without straightening it, and it supported my natural wave. 

As someone who dyes their hair on a monthly basis, I always worry that the shampoo I use will strip my hair of colour, or at the very least, cause my colour to fade quicker than it should. After using this solid bar for near on a month, I didn't notice any fading more than the usual wear and tear. 

One thing that I was slightly disappointed by was the strength of the fragrance once it had been applied to the hair. When the product is dry, Squeaky Green has a beautiful scent which reminds me of freshly cut grass - a perfect companion on those hot summer days. However, I could barely smell this in the shower and no remnants of smell stayed on my hair once the conditioner had been applied.

Overall, this shampoo is not the best I have tried but neither is it a terrible shampoo. Having used Gentil Lentil, Irresistible Bliss and Montalbano, and finding that both of these leave my hair looking incredible, they have both set the barrier for the quality of shampoo I expect. 

Squeaky Green cleans your hair wonderfully, without stripping it of colour or natural lubricant. However, it didn't leave my hair as wonderfully soft as others have done, and for this reason, I will keep searching for my ultimate solid saviour. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Perfume, Methyl Ionone, Rosemary, Nettle, Water (Aqua), Tea Tree Powder, Peppermint, Rose Absolute, Chamomile Blue Oil, Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute, Coumarin, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Chlorophyllin.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2014 Price: £5.75 each.

2017 Price: £6.25 each.

Scent Family:
Go Green Liquid Body Spray
Go Green Solid Perfume
Green Green Bath Of Foam Bubble Bar
Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo

 

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