Trader Joe's Shampoo Bar

I have not written a Trader Joe’s product review for a long time. But every once in a while, we buy something that just need reviewing, and this was sure one of those items! 

I saw someone online write about Trader Joe’s Shampoo Bar and they loved it. I had never used a bar shampoo but thought the idea sounded fun, so I hunted for it. Our usual Trader Joe’s didn’t have it in stock, but I found it at another location. 

Trader Joe's Shampoo Bar in action!

First off - I really like the packaging. It is a very sturdy box with great graphics. There is a lovely mermaid on one side, and a studly sailor on the other. This makes the consumer think, “Oh! It doesn’t matter if I am a male or female, THIS is the shampoo for me!”. Clever marketing there, TJ’s. I have never understood why beauty and hygiene products are marketed to only one gender (then we get into the whole “pink tax” issue, but that would be a long discussion…). Anyway, I have an affinity for mermaid mermaids, so it was easy to impress me with the graphics.

 

And the ingredients listed in large print seemed good. I mean, what is not healthy about peppermint, tea tree, coconut, olive, and jojoba oil?? It practically sounds like a salad for your scalp! And the price point was not bad either. Each bar is $3.99. 

My partner and I both have short hair, so a shampoo bar seemed like it would be a good fit. And technically, it WAS. It was downright FUN to use! You just get it wet, slather it on wet hair, and you get bubbles galore!! It smells good and tingles a bit, too. It really feels like you are getting your hair CLEAN when you use it. 

Here’s a funny video (not to worry, it is perfectly SAFE to watch) of my partner using it. 

Click here to see TJ's Shampoo Bar in Action (totally safe (but sideways...) video) 

But after the fun of using it, you need to deal with the aftermath on your hair. The shampoo bar made our hair super dry. It was as if it sucked every drop of oil from our scalp and hair. Our hair was straw-like, which is NOT the look we were going for. In short, this product is very fun to use – it makes lots of bubbles and foam. But the fun doesn’t last when your hair turns out dry, brittle, and a little bit gross. 

We ended up returning this for a refund. I am glad we gave it a shot, but it won’t be on our shopping list again. 

Price - $3.99 

Rating – 2.5 (that is for the fun factor, not for how it actually worked on our hair)