But wait! That doesn’t mean you must shy away from these eco-friendly products—just make your own at home. You should be picky about your shampoo bar, which might make the DIY venture way more appealing. You control what goes into your mold—all the hydrating ingredients, with none of the stripping players—to create a seriously heavenly lather. In terms of which fun add-ons to include, the choice is yours. Coconut milk, avocado oil, olive oil, and shea butter are all common moisturizing adds, and some include essential oils for their potent hair-healthy properties (more later). And, again, curls deserve their own moment. Ringlets and coils can easily snarl, so it’s best to use the lather method in your hands. And while each curly girl might follow slightly different shampooing schedules, you might want to use the bar sparingly. As Branch explains, “To maintain healthy curls, it’s crucial to avoid overwashing, as doing so strips moisture from the strands.” When you’re done shampooing, follow up with a hydrating conditioner to drench the strands with moisture, and make sure to store your bar in a completely dry area to keep it from breeding bacteria. Regardless, make sure to wash it before each use, which can reduce the amount of bacteria transferred over to your scalp.
