Hair

[BonitaHolland]

I'd like to share something about dealing with longish hair on the Camino.... I was advised well and took a Lush shampoo bar plus conditioner bar which were both fantastic (although my tip is take two conditioner bars for 4 weeks plus) as I'd never heard of these before I was pretty sceptical being previously a high maintenance hair kinda girl! I also took two hair grabs as inevitably one will break/get lost and a simple comb. My Camino hat had a peep hole in the top for the grabbed hair to poke through. Since returning home I've noticed what great condition my hair is in after 5 weeks of no hair dryer no fancy products and no hair brush. You might think that hair is a trivial thing to write about but managing it is a big deal for me.... and the Camino stripped my hair issues bare.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hair isn't a trivial subject - I'd love some!

 

[Magwood]

I entirely agree with you about the shampoo bar Bonita, although I didn't get on with the Lush conditioner bar that I tried. What one did you use?

 

[nidarosa]

Yes please tell which bars you took, as they can be very different. I love them for travelling but on my 6 week camino the shampoo bar went all gooey in the round tin and I had to give up on it. Now I keep them in a Lush black plastic cream pot with a piece of neoprene at the bottom to make it easier to get out and dry. My favourites are Montalbano with lemon, Jason and the Argan oil with, obviously, argan oil, and the Karma Komba, which is sadly no longer available in shops.

 

[Elmundodemone]

Hi, i used lush bars for many years,at home also on longer hike . While on hike Great for hair, body and washing clothes. All in one! And only 50 g. My fave is New, and honey i washed my hair. The conditioner is Not my fave, i tried jungle but it does nothing for my hair. And so i renounce on condi while hiking. Karma komba is still online on german lush webpage if someone want it very much. Pls excuse if my english is Not perfect.

 

[Linda Fantillo]

Long hair, short hair - the very best IMHO is JR Liggett shampoo bar. Absolutely no conditioner needed. It leaves my hair soft and shiny. Try it for a week before you leave to take out all the other stuff that is coating your hair.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

 

[mcopeland]

Long hair, short hair - the very best IMHO is JR Liggett shampoo bar. Absolutely no conditioner needed. It leaves my hair soft and shiny. Try it for a week before you leave to take out all the other stuff that is coating your hair.

Like this too. It's what I used on the Camino. Used it for clothes too.

 

[mcopeland]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

View attachment 29578

I hear castor oil might work.

 

[Doogman]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

View attachment 29578

I love the sign in the background! Great photo!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

These people are in Santiago. Maybe they have some extra furballs you can use.

 

[trecile]

I brought a 4 in 1 bar made by Treehut that worked great on my hair, better than any shampoo that I have used before. Sadly, when I returned home I went to buy another bar only to find that it had been discontinued.
For conditioner I brought a conditioner bar that I bought on Etsy, that is also fantastic. It lasted throughout my whole Camino from SJPDP to Finesterre, and I still have about 3/4 of it left. I also rubbed it on my damp body after my shower as a moisturizer.

Long hair, short hair - the very best IMHO is JR Liggett shampoo bar. Absolutely no conditioner needed. It leaves my hair soft and shiny. Try it for a week before you leave to take out all the other stuff that is coating your hair.

Doesn't Liggett suggest that you use a vinegar rinse after washing?

 

[Introibo]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

On days when I've shaved my head I rub in a little of Johnson's Baby oil,lemon scented.
Gives a nice glossy sheen

 

[SYates]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

View attachment 29578

Polish, shine and enjoy your halo ;-) SY

 

[BonitaHolland]

I entirely agree with you about the shampoo bar Bonita, although I didn't get on with the Lush conditioner bar that I tried. What one did you use?

It was the Jungle one but the assistant taught me how to use it- you stroke it down the length of your hair then comb it through and leave whilst you shower and stomp about on your clothes etc rinsing it off right at the end. Hope this helps.

 

[BonitaHolland]

Yes please tell which bars you took, as they can be very different. I love them for travelling but on my 6 week camino the shampoo bar went all gooey in the round tin and I had to give up on it. Now I keep them in a Lush black plastic cream pot with a piece of neoprene at the bottom to make it easier to get out and dry. My favourites are Montalbano with lemon, Jason and the Argan oil with, obviously, argan oil, and the Karma Komba, which is sadly no longer available in shops.

I used the sea salt bright blue shampoo bar and kept it in the tin and just rubbed it on my head without taking it out (when it became concave I flipped it over) plus the jungle conditioner bar.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I cut my hair short (just below shoulder) for the camino, as I did when I deployed--didn't want to 'hog' the shower. I started with a small travel sized bottle of my favorite shampoo, and bought local shampoo to refill the small bottle as I traveled (I once read some 'model's tips' in a womens magazine that said local shampoo works best with local water...probably not true, but it made me feel smart doing it). I took a small bottle of leave-in spray conditioner, that lasted forever, to spray on once I was out of the bathroom, to detangle along with a wide toothed comb (with curly hair, a real issue). I've spent a lot of years sharing one bathroom between me and lots of men, so I've got my time in the shower pared down to three minutes. the soldiers and pilots weren't too bad, but the surgeons would just barge in if I took too long in our shared bathroom.

 

[AcrossTheWater3008]

I'd like to share something about dealing with longish hair on the Camino.... I was advised well and took a Lush shampoo bar plus conditioner bar which were both fantastic (although my tip is take two conditioner bars for 4 weeks plus) as I'd never heard of these before I was pretty sceptical being previously a high maintenance hair kinda girl! I also took two hair grabs as inevitably one will break/get lost and a simple comb. My Camino hat had a peep hole in the top for the grabbed hair to poke through. Since returning home I've noticed what great condition my hair is in after 5 weeks of no hair dryer no fancy products and no hair brush. You might think that hair is a trivial thing to write about but managing it is a big deal for me.... and the Camino stripped my hair issues bare.

Hi could you recommend where to get the Lush bar and shampoo please? I did Amazon before and local Blacks and Cotswolds but to no avail!

Cheers, G

 

[nidarosa]

@AcrossTheWater3008 You'll have to go to a Lush shop, there should be many of them in London. Top tip is to pick one without 'bits', or at least with bits you can easily pick off, like the Montalbano lemon and olive oil bar. No rosemary twigs or seaweed in your hair or in clothes if you use it for laundry too. I think the one @BonitaHolland mentions is the bar called Seanik - I used it on my first long walk and still keep one just for the smell, it transports me back straight away! I don't find the solid conditioner helps at all, but my hair is huge and coarse and nothing really helps.

 

[AcrossTheWater3008]

Thanks @nidarosa!

 

[AcrossTheWater3008]

The embarassing thing for me...... When I got to Santiago, quite a few women went to the hair salon for wash,cut, highlights etc etc..... As I was walking on to Fisterra and Muxia, I jz washed my hair daily as before...... but, I dint feel pretty/good compared to those beautifully done up and dressed ladies!

But, I treated myself once back in London!!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Searching through the Forum you will find a long thread from about a year on the topic. Lushbars were recommended by some so I caughed up the 20c$ (including taxes and metal box) only to find out the product was not for me. Not enough conditionning. So I have gone back to the tried and true for me: my regular conditionner, that's it, that's all.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Like this too. It's what I used on the Camino. Used it for clothes too.

My vote is also for Liggets. The lush bar, for me, is too strong smelling and too expensive.

As with shoes and rain gear, it's a personal choice.

I cut my hair in a short pixie so I don't have to mess with it.

 

[Marion-SantiagoInLove]

I use a bar of shampoo too and my hair and I love it!
I tried Lush and didn't like their products: had a sensation of wax in my hair... I have "shampoo flowers", by Douce Nature by Ekibio, a French organic brand. I buy mine in organic stores in France, but they're obviously (?) available on the Internet... No conditioning needed
Happy hair!

 

[dougfitz]

I hear castor oil might work.

Applied or consumed?

 

[Sixwheeler]

What Johnnie Walker said, me too.

 

[VNwalking]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

What's wrong with bald? Revel in the fact that you don't have to deal with any of this stuff (or carry it on your back, for that matter...)! Freedom.........................!
(I have to say I like @SYates 's reply best, though.)

 

[Kanga]

Nothing as good as Lustre Cream Shampoo. Sadly it is now only available as a "collectable" ! It was a cream that came in a tube too, so very convenient for the camino.

 

[DurhamParish]

I always said "bald is beautiful" as a tongue-in-cheek joke about my condition. Then I met Viranani and found that is was in fact, a very true statement.

 

[marbuck]

Can you recommend anything that would help me please?

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Too late!

 

[mcopeland]

Applied or consumed?

Applied.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Hair isn't a trivial subject - I'd love some!

Me too!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

@AcrossTheWater3008 You'll have to go to a Lush shop, there should be many of them in London. Top tip is to pick one without 'bits', or at least with bits you can easily pick off, like the Montalbano lemon and olive oil bar. No rosemary twigs or seaweed in your hair or in clothes if you use it for laundry too. I think the one @BonitaHolland mentions is the bar called Seanik - I used it on my first long walk and still keep one just for the smell, it transports me back straight away! I don't find the solid conditioner helps at all, but my hair is huge and coarse and nothing really helps.

You can't miss a Lush shop - you can smell them from 25m away!

 

[MCFearnley]

I simply carried a small bottle of CampSuds for my hair, body and clothes. A little bit goes a long way and my hair felt great. My hair is almost shoulder length. Of course a bar will be lighter to carry, but a bottle will not get goopy. For those with long hair, a wide toothed comb is great for getting conditioner through the hair and detangles beautifully. I used to do that when my hair was midway down my back.

 

[Lisa HS]

Yes please tell which bars you took, as they can be very different. I love them for travelling but on my 6 week camino the shampoo bar went all gooey in the round tin and I had to give up on it. Now I keep them in a Lush black plastic cream pot with a piece of neoprene at the bottom to make it easier to get out and dry. My favourites are Montalbano with lemon, Jason and the Argan oil with, obviously, argan oil, and the Karma Komba, which is sadly no longer available in shops.

I used a Lush bar, but I cut it up into finger-tip sized pieces and only took one with me into the shower at a time. Kept the rest in a baggie that stayed nice and dry.

 

[nidarosa]

@Lisa HS Good tip. Recently I drilled a hole in one and tied a bungee through it, that way I could hang it off a hook or handle or tap, effectively keeping it off the floor and also out of the waterflow, that made it last a lot longer and it was also easier to dry before putting it back into the tin.

 

[SanJo]

I'd like to share something about dealing with longish hair on the Camino.... I was advised well and took a Lush shampoo bar plus conditioner bar which were both fantastic (although my tip is take two conditioner bars for 4 weeks plus) as I'd never heard of these before I was pretty sceptical being previously a high maintenance hair kinda girl! I also took two hair grabs as inevitably one will break/get lost and a simple comb. My Camino hat had a peep hole in the top for the grabbed hair to poke through. Since returning home I've noticed what great condition my hair is in after 5 weeks of no hair dryer no fancy products and no hair brush. You might think that hair is a trivial thing to write about but managing it is a big deal for me.... and the Camino stripped my hair issues bare.

At home, we use an all-in-one shampoo/conditioner/body bar called Rasta Bar Hemp from Mountain Sky Soaps in Canada. Long hair shiny....short hair shiny. No plastic bottles to litter the planet. We've tested it and one bar will last 2 of us 1 month. #lightweight Buen Camino!

 

[naplesdon]

Shave your head! It's a money saving idea and no longer do you have to deal with creepy sweaty smelly hair or buying shampoo.

 

[SanJo]

Shave your head! It's a money saving idea and no longer do you have to deal with creepy sweaty smelly hair or buying shampoo.

I *have* shaved my head - twice in my life. I am now thoroughly enjoying my long hair But I understand your advice. No hair + travel = ease.