Should we be washing our hair with shampoo bars?

From $22 at Ethique

Treat yourself with this fruity little number designed to clean your hair while making it smell heavenly. It was originally released as a limited-edition product, but it was so popular that now it's a permanent fixture in Ethique's award-winning collection.

Key features:

• Enriched with dirt-busting grapefruit oil
• Equivalent to three bottles of shampoo
• Ethically-sourced ingredients

Available at:

• $22 from Ethique 
• $18.36 (usually $22.95) from Healthy Life
• $15.92 (usually $24.15) from Anadey

From $28.95 at Adore Beauty

This revolutionary solution for luscious locks definitely won't leave your hair feeling weighed down. The little bar packs a punch with super nourishing ingredients, making it the perfect choice for the eco-conscious beauty lover who still wants to reap the benefits of a simply fabulous shampoo.

Key features:

• Walnut and maple scented 
• Enriched with moisturising macadamia oil 
• Gentle on all hair types

Available at:

• $23.16 (usually $28.95) from Adore Beauty

From $30 at Kitsch 

If you’re chronically online (we know we are), you’ve undoubtedly seen the incredible benefits of rice water. But instead of soaking a stack of the grains, pick up this American-made, balancing bar that works to strengthen your strands and even encourages growth. 

Key features:

• Made in the USA
• Rice water helps strengthen strands 
• Equivalent to two bottles of shampoo

Available at:

• $30 from Kitsch 
• $16.50 (usually $22) from Look Fantastic 
• $16.50 (usually $22) from RY

From $18.95 at Stefan

Your hair deserves some TLC, and this is just the thing to do it. This bar offers a gentle but thorough cleanse, plus added moisture and shine, without the unwanted plastic. Simply rub it between your hands (or directly onto your hair), then massage into your scalp with your fingertips and rinse away. It’s just too easy. Pair it with the matching conditioner and you'll be unstoppable.

Key features:

• Made in Australia
• Infused with softening coconut and argan oils
• Shine-enhancing formula

Available at:

• $18.95 from Stefan
• $18.95 from Oz Hair and Beauty
• $18.95 from Catwalk

From $28 at Adore Beauty

With a powerhouse blend of aloe vera, natural glycerin and castor oil, this beauty gently cleanses the hair and body, leaving the hair fibre hydrated and full of vitality. Great for short to mid-length hair, it contains no parabens, silicones or SLS. It's also 100 per cent vegan. Honestly, we can't think of a single fault...

Key features:

• 100 per cent natural 
• Enriched with soothing aloe vera 
• Coconut and olive oils leave strands silky soft 

Available at:

• $22.40 (usually $28) from Adore Beauty
• $18.20 (usually $28) from Look Fantastic 
• $22.40 (usually $28) from Oz Hair and Beauty

From $49.95 at Look Fantastic

If you've got coarse or frizzy hair (join the club), this little guy's the one for you. It has a solid texture that develops into a rich creamy foam during application, resulting in super soft, shiny tresses.

Key features:

• Enriched with Italian olive extract 
• Helps smooth coarse and frizzy strands 
• 97.4 per cent biodegradable formula 

Available at:

• $49.95 from Look Fantastic
• $49.95 from Oz Hair and Beauty
• $49.90 from Amazon Australia

From $13.99 at Healthy Life

This bar is equal to approximately 80 washes (or three plastic bottles). And if that's not enough to convince you, it's also enriched with rice bran oil to nourish the hair and scalp, and coconut-derived sodium coco sulphate to cleanse impurities. Anihana has a heap of other great shampoo bars for every hair type, if this one's not the one for you.

Key features:

• New Zealand natural beauty brand
• Plant-based formula
• One bar equals 80 washes 

Available at:

• $13.99 from Healthy Life
• $13.99 from Woolworths