We are the label and we tell no lies.
It all started with a shower thought:
Why do I obsessively read food labels, but never question what I’m rubbing into my scalp and skin every day?
One look at the back of my so-called natural, sulfate-free, paraben-free shampoo left me completely bamboozled. That label was a mess of mystery ingredients. So I went down the rabbit hole, learning what each ingredient actually does, what’s necessary, and what’s just filler.
I wanted to make something different. A product I feel good about scrubbing into my scalp. One where I actually know
what each ingredient does and why it’s there.
That’s my promise to you: full transparency, no BS marketing tactics. Just ingredients that support your hair, your scalp, and your health with nothing to hide.
Canadian-owned.
Women-owned.
Small-business.
What we do
Made in small batches at home in my Toronto apartment, truly handcrafted, not mass-produced.
I use the best ingredients I can get my hands on, and I’m always on the hunt for better. The more support I get, the more I can reinvest in even higher quality.
I’m doing my best to source Canadian and local ingredients whenever possible. Supporting other small producers matters.
Every bar is made with care, intention, and full transparency, no mystery ingredients here.
I’m constantly improving: from ingredients to packaging, I’m committed to making these bars as effective, sustainable, and feel-good as possible.
If you like it, tell your friends and leave a review! This is a one-woman passion project, and every bit of word-of-mouth helps me keep going (and growing).
The ingredient List
The Base Recipe.
All the ingredients, why they are in the recipe and what they do.
Old fashioned soap is made through a chemical reaction called saponification, also called cold process soap making. This is the method I use. It takes 2 days in the mold + 4-6 weeks to cure!
For extra hair moisturizing power, I've made this recipe 'superfatted', which basically just means I’ve left in a little extra nourishing oil that doesn’t turn into soap, perfect for softer, healthier hair.
🧼 What is shampoo/soap?
It’s the result of a natural chemical reaction called saponification.
Oil/Fat + Lye (NaOH) → Soap + Glycerin
Or more precisely:
Triglyceride (from oils/fats) + 3 NaOH → Glycerol + 3 Soap molecules (sodium salts)
The lye breaks apart the triglycerides in oils, and the fatty acids bind with sodium to form soap. Glycerin is a natural byproduct that keeps moisture in the hair and skin, commercial soap often removes it, but handmade bars retain it for hydration and softness.
🧈 What is superfat?
Superfatting means there’s extra nourishing oil left in the bar that doesn’t turn into soap. When I make these shampoo bars, I intentionally leave about 7% of the oils unsaponified, meaning they stay in their natural, moisturizing form. This “superfat” helps condition your hair and scalp, adds softness, and prevents the bar from being too drying. It’s a small but powerful detail that makes handmade bars gentler and better for daily use, especially if you're switching from detergent-based shampoos.
🫒 Olive Oil (Pomace Grade)
A nourishing base oil used in saponification. Pomace grade creates a harder bar with better lather compared to virgin olive oil. It provides deep moisture and is gentle on sensitive scalps, perfect as the foundation of the formula.
🥑 Avocado Oil (Cold-Pressed & Unrefined)
A nutrient-rich oil that supports healthy, hydrated hair.
Unrefined, cold-pressed avocado oil retains natural vitamins A, D, and E. It delivers softness and nourishment, especially for dry or brittle hair.
🥥 Coconut Oil (76° – Organic)
Adds cleansing power, bubbly lather, and firmness.
This organic version melts at 76°F and brings natural antimicrobial properties. It contributes to a long-lasting, high-lather bar, with only a light coconut scent.
🌰 Shea Butter (Unrefined – Organic)
A creamy, scalp-soothing butter that locks in moisture.
Unrefined shea butter is rich in nutrients, helping to soften hair, reduce frizz, and calm irritated scalps, all while creating a smooth, creamy lather.
🌿 Castor Oil (Cold-Pressed, Hexane-Free)
Lends richness to the lather and conditions the scalp.
This high-quality castor oil is cold-pressed without chemical solvents. It enhances foam and leaves your hair feeling soft and hydrated.
🍃 Neem Oil (Cold-Pressed)
A powerful ingredient for scalp health.
Neem oil is naturally antibacterial and antifungal, ideal for reducing dandruff and itchiness. Cold-pressed to retain its full potency, strong scent, but totally worth it.
🍫 Cocoa Butter (Natural)
Balances bar hardness with a silky hair feel.
Cocoa butter helps harden the bar naturally while adding a touch of luxury. It also conditions hair and gives each wash a soft, velvety finish.
⚗️ Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
The essential alkali for soap making. Lye is what turns oils into soap, no lye, no saponification. I use high-purity lye formulated for cold-process soap to ensure safety and consistency.
💧 Distilled Water
The solvent that activates the lye.
Distilled water ensures purity and prevents mineral reactions (like soap scum) that can occur with tap water.
🧂 Sodium Lactate
A natural salt used to harden the bar.
Derived from fermented sugar, sodium lactate makes the bar longer-lasting and easier to unmold, without the need for synthetic hardeners.
✨ Panthenol (Provitamin B5)
A plant-derived conditioner for shine, strength, and moisture.
Panthenol helps retain moisture, smooths the hair cuticle, and adds resilience to strands. It’s a proven, gentle ingredient that supports hair health over time.
🌿 Special Benefits in Every Bar
🧈 Superfatted for Moisture
Extra nourishing oils remain in the bar after saponification to condition your hair and scalp, especially great for dryness or sensitivity.
💧 Naturally Retained Glycerin
Unlike commercial soaps that strip glycerin, your cold process method retains this ultra-hydrating byproduct for soft, moisture-balanced hair.
🛁 Targeted Scalp Additives
✨ Panthenol (Provitamin B5): Strengthens and softens hair.
🌱 Neem Oil: Antibacterial, antifungal, ideal for scalp care.
🧂 Sodium Lactate: Helps the bar last longer and gently hydrates.
🚫 No Fillers or Silicones
Every oil, butter, and additive was chosen with purpose - no mystery fillers, no coating agents, just real ingredients you recognize.
🖐️ Small Batch, Hand Poured
Made in small batches, poured by hand, and cured for 4–6 weeks for a longer-lasting, harder bar that performs beautifully.
🌸 Aromatherapy Blends with Benefits
Each scent profile isn’t just for smell, it’s designed to support mood, mental clarity, or emotional balance while offering topical benefits for your scalp and hair.
ALl about the scent
Essential Oils.
I thoughtfully developed essential oil blends to create a multi-benefit profile for hair/scalp and aromatherapy
🌿 Clarity Roots: For Scalp Health & Cleansing
Hair Benefits: Stimulates growth, reduces dandruff, and improves scalp circulation.
Aromatherapy Benefits: Enhances mental clarity, supports respiratory health, and promotes grounding.
Rosemary
Promotes hair growth, supports scalp health, improves circulation.
Rosemary is a powerhouse for stimulating the scalp and encouraging healthy hair growth. Its invigorating properties also improve blood flow and reduce flakiness.
Tea Tree
Cleanses scalp, reduces dandruff, antibacterial.
Known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, tea tree oil helps maintain a clean, healthy scalp and reduces buildup and dandruff.
Peppermint
Clears sinuses, energizing, helps respiratory discomfort.
Peppermint oil soothes the scalp with a cooling effect while energizing the senses. It also helps open the sinuses, making this blend a breath of fresh air.
Frankincense
Supports scalp healing, reduces inflammation, promotes grounding.
Frankincense is calming and restorative. For the hair and scalp, it offers anti-inflammatory benefits and may help soothe irritation or minor damage. Aromatically, it brings a grounding, meditative quality to the blend.
🌸 Silken Calm: For Frizz Control & Relaxation
Hair Benefits: Smooths frizz, softens strands, and supports scalp balance.
Aromatherapy Benefits: Eases stress, stabilizes mood, and promotes emotional well-being.
Ylang Ylang
Moisturizes dry scalp, balances oils, enhances hair shine.
A floral powerhouse that nourishes the scalp, encourages softness, and adds a natural luster to hair. Its sweet, sensual aroma helps relieve tension and anxiety.
Lavender
Reduces dandruff, balances scalp oils, promotes relaxation.
A gentle multitasker that soothes both the scalp and the mind. Lavender calms irritated skin, reduces flakiness, and supports emotional ease.
Clary Sage
Regulates scalp oil production, reduces inflammation, calming.
This earthy floral oil supports hormonal balance and a healthy scalp while reducing stress and promoting a sense of grounded calm.
Geranium
Balances scalp oils, improves skin tone, uplifts mood.
Geranium brings harmony — both to hair and mood. It conditions the scalp and softens strands while offering a floral, mood-lifting scent.
🌼 Deep Bloom: For Moisture, Repair & Emotional Uplift
Hair Benefits: Deeply moisturizes, soothes dryness, and supports scalp healing.
Aromatherapy Benefits: Calming, emotionally uplifting, and comforting.
Chamomile
Soothes scalp irritation, reduces inflammation, promotes calm.
Chamomile gently conditions and relieves itchiness or sensitivity. Its soft scent is known for reducing stress and promoting sleep.
Jasmine
Adds softness and shine, supports emotional well-being.
Luxurious and fragrant, jasmine encourages healthy, soft hair and contributes to a confident, elevated mood.
Rose
Hydrates scalp, reduces redness, supports regeneration.
Rose oil is deeply moisturizing and gentle, helping to restore balance to dry or damaged hair while offering a sweet, comforting aroma.
Patchouli
Soothes dry or irritated skin, anti-inflammatory, grounding.
Rich and earthy, patchouli helps calm scalp inflammation, adds shine, and delivers a grounding, meditative scent.
⚪ Just the Base (no scent added)
While no essential oils are added, the Just the Base bar isn’t completely scent-free. You may notice a mild, earthy aroma that comes naturally from the raw ingredients, especially neem oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter. The scent is soft and fades quickly after rinsing. It’s gentle, grounding, and perfect for those who are sensitive to fragrance but still want a clean, nourishing wash.
First Time user- MuST read!
🧼 Natural Shampoo Bar FAQ
Some of it might be obvious, some might be new information!
Please read to make sure you are getting a product you'll enjoy.
🧼 What is a shampoo bar?
A shampoo bar is a solid version of shampoo made with natural oils and butters that cleanse and nourish your hair, without harsh detergents, silicones, or plastic packaging. It’s real soap made for your scalp.
🧪 What is saponification?
Saponification is the natural chemical reaction that happens when oils mix with lye (sodium hydroxide). It transforms oils into soap and glycerin, creating a bar that gently cleans your scalp and hair. Don’t worry, no lye remains in the finished product after curing. What’s left is a safe, skin-loving bar.
🫧 Will it lather like regular shampoo?
Yes! I've formulated the recipe to create a rich, creamy lather, especially when applied directly to wet hair. While they may feel different from synthetic shampoos at first, most people adjust within 1–3 washes.
💧 Do I need to use a conditioner after?
Maybe, it depends on your hair type and local water. Many people find they don’t need a conditioner, since the bar contains moisturizing oils and natural glycerin. If your hair is dry or tangles easily, try:
A natural conditioner bar (coming soon!)
A light leave-in product
An apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse (see below) - this is my personal fav; I couldn't believe how soft and shiny my hair got!
🌬️ Will there be a 'transition' period?
Possibly. If you're switching from synthetic shampoos, your scalp might take 1–2 weeks to adjust. You may experience a bit of oiliness, dryness, or buildup at first, this is normal and temporary.
🧽 How do I store the bar to make it last?
While I've specially formulated it to harden well and took extra time in curing, natural shampoo bars do not contain the synthetic hardeners and can soften easily than commercially made bars.
To make your shampoo bar last longer:
Keep it dry between uses
Use a well-draining soap dish
Avoid letting it sit in water or a puddle
With proper care, each bar can last 30–60 washes, depending on hair length and usage.
🐣 Is it safe for coloured hair or sensitive scalps?
Yes! Our bars are free from sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making them gentle for sensitive skin and most colour-treated hair. However, always patch test if you have allergies or sensitivities.
🍎 Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Rinse
What’s an ACV rinse, and do I need one?
An apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse helps balance the pH of your scalp and hair after using a natural shampoo bar, especially if you live in a hard water area or are in the transition period.
Most natural shampoo bars (made via saponification) are mildly alkaline (pH >7, while your scalp and hair prefer a more acidic pH (around 4.5–5.5). An alkaline environment can temporarily raise the hair cuticle, making it feel rough or tangled.
🧪 Why pH matters:
Balancing your hair’s pH:
Smooths the cuticle for shinier, softer hair
Helps detangle and reduce frizz
Supports a healthy scalp barrier
Can reduce itching, dryness, or residue during the adjustment phase
How to use an ACV rinse:
Mix 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water (1:3 ratio works too!)
After shampooing, pour the rinse over your hair (watch your eyes!)
Leave it on for 1–2 minutes, then rinse with water
👉 Don’t worry, the vinegar scent fades as your hair dries.
Shipping and Returns
Shipping
I offer free shipping for orders $45.00 or more.
As a small business I am working to lower shipping rates.
Currently I am able to ship within Ontario for $2.95 per Canada Post Non-Standard Rates.
Alternatively, you can pick up for free in downtown Toronto @ Spadina/Fort York. Details to be arranged.
Returns
If you are dissatisfied with the product, please contact me and I will issue a full-refund (excluding shipping).
Due to shipping rates mentioned above, there is no need to return the product to me.
© Copyright 2025.
Erin Shellington Consulting Inc.