In the Autumn issue of InStyle Australia and recently published online via InStyle, our founder, Belinda Everingham discusses her insights on new habits and considered beauty, highlighting the many virtues of a shampoo bar – a surprisingly good alternative to the liquid variety that has long reigned supreme.

Belinda explains, "Traditionally bars could be quite drying on the skin and hair, but technology has improved and the surfactants used in shampoo bars are nourishing and foam well, too."

It seems many synthetic surfactants used in early shampoo bars have been replaced with gentler, natural agents that work equally as well, if not better.  Typically, bars are also made without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, silicone and synthetic fragrances – all substances used to formulate liquid shampoos but known to have adverse effects on human health.  As shampoo bars are solid they don’t require these chemical additions, meaning they can be less damaging, kinder on the scalp and won’t strip hair of natural oils.

"Habit is a hard thing to break and people are used to liquid shampoos", adds Belinda, "but soap bars save in so many areas".

Shampoo bars are incredibly economical when compared with the liquid alternative – the BONDI WASH 25g bar lasts up to 20 washes, they are compact for fuss-free travel and so easy to use.  With glowing reviews reporting soft, shiny and manageable hair, it’s hard not to be swayed.  No need for a bottle either – a shampoo sans the plastic is a big bonus when it comes to supporting the environment and minimising plastic consumption.

So, what’s stopping you from giving this non-conventional alternative a try? It might just be a change for the better on many fronts.