As you may know, the pH of the water seems to make a difference in whether a shampoo bar works well for your hair. I don't notice much difference between brands except that some lather more than others. I'd been using shampoo bars without a conditioner but had a tiny bit of flyaway this winter so I tried a conditioner bar and really like it. I'm using HiBar in Volumize right now. You can get three bar sampler sets from them, which would be a good travel size.

I’ve tried several and they have all been subpar. I won’t try them again.

They give my fine hair more body than bottled shampoo and they don't strip hair to a squeaky-clean state. For someone who washes her hair everyday, I like that they don't require a conditioner.

J.R. Liggetts Shampoo Bar and also Conditioner Bar. I highly recommend. I have been using them for a few years. You can get them on Amazon. I buy the shampoo at a local health food store, but she never carries the conditioner. I think the directions say to rub the bars between your hands and then your hair, but I think it uses too much. I just take the bar around my head once, and that gives me plenty. They last a long time and are so convenient for travel - and no plastic bottles in the trash.

https://www.amazon.com/J-R-Liggett-Shampoo-Original-Formula/dp/B00016X68Q

Which Lush one did you use? I've been using the turquoise one for years -in fact it's the only shampoo I've ever stuck with. I have gray hair, fine, but lots of it. Every now and then I get pulled into an ad for something and try something else, but nothing works as well for me. I've tried other Lush bars but they don't work as well for me.

Thanks all. Water hardness/softness is of course an issue. The Lush bar I had was a gift and it is all gone, so not sure which one it was. I am so fed up with flying; airport transfers, customs/security, etc. that I just want to make it as seamless as possible so going the carry on route. Also because I am really over lugging a big suitcase up 4 flights of stairs in buildings that were built before elevators. My favourite destinations are ones without a lot of ammenities (like elevators!) so I need to adapt.

I have been using the Beer & Egg Shampoo Bars from Chagrin Valley Soap for some time and love them. They're great for travel. I will say that back when I was coloring my hair they didn't work well for me, but now that I am au naturale, they're perfect.

@Ida Claire, owner of Chagrin Valley was my best friend in elementary school!