Ethique Discovery Pack for Balanced Hair - Shampoo & Conditioner - Plastic-Free, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Eco-Friendly, 3 Travel Bars, 1.59 oz (Pack of 1)

I've been wanting to try out shampoo/conditioner bars, but I didn't want to shell out for a full size bar if I wasn't going to like it. I love this sampler because if I can try out several different scents/formulas before really committing to one, and without wasting an entire bar if it doesn't end up working for me. So far, I've only tried the Heali Kiwi shampoo bar and the Guardian conditioner bar, and I'm thrilled with the results. I have very fine, silky hair (mostly straight with a slight wave to it) that can turn limp/flat/greasy at the drop of a hat. I was not expecting these bars to magically change the nature of my hair, and they didn't, but I do feel that my hair didn't get greasy/limp as quickly as it has with other shampoos. I also didn't have any issues with soap build up, it all rinsed out just fine. What I was very impressed with was how soft my hair was after, and how I was able to brush my hair immediately after washing it and while it was still wet, which is not something I can usually do after using normal shampoo. My hair also has almost no tangles at all right now, and I spent most of today out on a motorcycle. Normally, my hair would be knotted like crazy by now even without having spent time out on the bike. Overall, I am very happy with these bars; I'm even pleasantly surprised, because all I had been expecting/hoping for was that they wouldn't be worse than the shampoo and conditioner I've been using. My only wish is that the scent would be just a little stronger, but that's honestly not a downside. I'd rather they have a faint smell because of natural ingredients than a strong, lingering smell because of unnecessary ingredients. Note: I have multiple health issues, including hashimoto's thyroiditis. I'm very sensitive to certain ingredients and the bars I used have not given me any issues thus far.

I have been looking for a shampoo bar brand that works for me and with this, I think I've found it. When I started this search, I really was only looking for something that would make carry-on travel a little easier, but these products are so nice that I may switch to them full time. This sample kit came with both conditioners and two of the shampoos that I was wanting to test and all smell wonderful (unlike another line of shampoo bars that I tried in this same quest). The scents for all of them seem to have common themes of citrus and coconut. Of this set, the St. Clements is definitely my favorite shampoo. I have fine, medium thick, slightly wavy hair and it doesn't take much to weight it down. I have an oily scalp, but sometimes have dry ends. The most I ever make it on a wash is two days (and that's with a really good shampoo the first day and dry shampoo on the 2nd). I found that the St. Clements shampoo does a good job of controlling scalp oils and leaves my hair feeling very nice. And I can make it through that second day with my usual dry shampoo routine. The Heali Kiwi shampoo is not bad, and I like my hair on the day of washing, but I can't make it through a second day without re-washing. My hair was a little too oily for me to risk it. I haven't tried the Frizz Wrangler because I don't really need any help smoothing, but I'll probably eventually try it out just for curiosity's sake. I like both of the conditioners, but I think my favorite ended up being the Wonderbar. The first time I used it, I wasn't sure it was enough conditioner. It seemed a little lighter than I was used to. But, if I leave it on my hair a little longer before rinsing, it did leave my hair nice and soft after it was dry. And, while it didn't detangle in the shower quite as much as my bottled conditioner, I didn't have any trouble combing through my wet hair when I got out. The guardian conditioner is nice as well, and would probably work really well for those who need extra moisturizing. While it's not as heavy as I feared it would be, it's a little heavy for me to use with every wash. But I could see using it once a week or so, just for some extra treatment. I ended up purchasing full sized versions of the St. Clements and the Wonderbar, and I also bought the Sweet and Spicy shampoo (not in this set). I do wish that they offered sample sizes of all of their products so that I could only buy the ones I am interested in trying, but this set has a pretty good variety to give you a feel for what their product line is like.

I've tried shampoo bars before and wasn't impressed with them but decided I wanted to stop using the plastic bottle shampoo and conditioners (both for environmental concern and because I plan on travelling in the future so I wanted something that would be easier to take on trips). The sample pack arrived quicker than anticipated in a box (thankfully not plastic packaging but I know other reviews have mentioned it. If you want the best environmental packaging for the product, your best bet is ordering directly from their site). Having used these sample sizes with a variety of combinations, here is what I noticed. My hair type: fine, wavy (2A/2B), frizzy, chest-length, oily scalp and dry ends First impression: I liked the small trial sizes as a way to sample the different products as well as labels being underneath them so you knew what each one was and what it was targeted towards. Initially I was a bit worried because they smelled waxy (except for the Frizz Wrangler one which was more Coconut). Use: What I've found that works best for my hair is as follows. First you have to get your hair super wet, for me I just leave my hair under the shower for 30 seconds or so then take the bar and create a lather in my hands and swipe that through my hair. I follow that with a rinse THEN take the bar and swipe it over my head (focusing on the top of my head, not the ends) 4 times. From there I build a lather in my hair and massage for about 30 seconds then rise. Follow up with a few swipes of the conditioner bars on the ends, leave for a minute or two, then rinse in lukewarm/cool water. Combination #1: St. Clement's and The Guardian: I have an oil scalp and dry ends so naturally I wanted to try both items that were targeted towards those concerns. With the shampoo bar there was a TON of later, it was probably the easiest out of the 3 to lather up. My hair felt squeaky clean after using it. The conditioner bar gave the feeling of an actual conditioner in my hair so I knew my ends were moisturized. However, after my hair dried it was SUPER shiny but my waves were pretty much nonexistent and my hair didn't have much volume (keep in mind I only used the conditioner on the ends of my hair below my chin). I also noticed that I didn't have much frizz and my hair smelled AMAZING! This combination had the best scent payoff in my hair after washing, but it faded away by day 2. I went 3 days until my next wash but my hair was greasy by the end of the following day after washing my hair. Combination# 2: Heali Kiwi and Wonderbar: Thinking I needed moisture just toned down, I chose this conditioner and think it gave the best results out of the two. The shampoo, however, I wasn't a fan of. It did lather pretty good but left my hair squeaky clean- even more so than the St. Clements. My hair had a light tropical scent that was gone as soon as it dried but wasn't overpowering after the shower. I did notice a lot of wave definition with this combination, but also a lot of frizz. Unlike the first combination I was only able to go 2 days without washing. My hair was a greasy mess by the end of day 1 and my scalp was incredibly itchy. This was probably my least favorite combination. Combination #3: Frizz Wrangler and the Guardian: I used this shampoo bar with a bit of trepidation, not super impressed with the samples so far (and not to mention I wasn't a fan of the coconut scent) but this one surprised me. The lather was good but no squeaky clean feeling, it just felt clean. The conditioner didn't seem to work well with the shampoo though since my ends felt a little too moisturized in comparison with the rest of my hair. It didn't help much with the frizz but my waves looked great, I had pretty good volume, and my hair had a clean scent that lasted until my next wash. I went 3 days without washing using this combination. Combination #4: Frizz Wrangler and Wonderbar: I was reading other reviews and saw this was someone's favorite combination so I figured I would give it a shot. This washday was the best thusfar. The shampoo again didn't give a too-clean feeling and the conditioner was the perfect level of moisture. I actually noticed less frizz than the last washday with this combination and probably the best wave definition I've had with this sample pack. This one was my favorite combination out of all of them Combination #5: St. Clements and Wonderbar: Similar to the first time I used St. Clements, my hair had great shine but still weighed down. My ends didn't feel overly nourished but had the right amount of moisture. My scalp got super greasy super fast. I had to wash my hair on day 2. Combination # 6: Heali Kiwi and The Guardian: The best-smelling but one of the worst wash days of the group. Itchy and greasy scalp with overly moisturized ends were not it. I ended up washing my hair on day 2 because it was too much. Conclusion: I've used the Frizz Wrangler and Wonderbar combination a few times in a row now and I am pleased with the results I've gotten from these two. I'll probably purchase the full sizes soon but these bars are still holding up pretty well so it may be a while. These sizes would be great for travel and also to try out Ethique products without committing to the full sizes just yet. Considering it's $15 for 5 sample bars that's a great deal. I'm so impressed with this brand and what they stand for I am definitely a loyal customer now and can't wait to try more products by them!

I was really hoping these would help me with my eco-friendly journey, but they kinda fell flat as far as my hair was concerned. The sampler was nice because I didn't have to commit to any single product though. The shampoo samples were: frizz wrangler, heali kiwi, and st. Clements. The conditioner bars were: the Guardian, and wonderbar. -Frizz wrangler did not cut down on frizz at all, in fact it seemed to be worse. The scent was pleasant, but I'm just not a huge fan of coconut. Cleaned ok, did not lather at all. - Heali kiwi had a nice fresh scent that I liked. I wasn't a huge fan of all the chunks in it though because they got stuck in or snagged my hair. Cleaned better than the frizz wrangler, but not by much. No noticeable improvement in scalp itch, irritation, or sensitivity. -St. Clements was my favorite of the shampoo samples. The scent was great. It slid down my hair easily, and cleaned well. The texture of the bar itself was nice too. It didn't help with dryness, frizz, or scalp sensitivity at all, though it did not claim to do those things like the other 2 did. -The Guardian smelled really good, nice smooth texture. Conditioned a little bit, but not near enough. -Wonderbar had a light pleasant scent. Smelled like a milder version of frizz wrangler. Conditioned better than the Guardian. Texture was very smooth. Overall I would say it was the better of the 2 conditioners. Though the products fell short in my situation and hair type, they might be worth trying for you since everyone's hair is different. The company seems great, the product arrived in good condition, company is responsive on their website to help you select the right products too. I would recommend giving them a try. Unfortunately I need to look elsewhere for now.

About me: I am 54 year old woman. My Hair: Color: naturally Dark Blonde/Light Brunette (Level 5) Texture: wavy/curly, mid-back length. I have colored my hair since Cosmetology School 1986. When I hit 50 I Noticing the texture of my hair has changed and new gray areas as my hair grows out. I had the gray areas Highlighted for a smooth transition as my hair grows to disguise light colored roots. I have combination skin usually, but with age finding myself getting a bit dryer. i usually shampoo/condition every 2-3 days to prevent over drying. Keep in mind Shampoo is to be focused on the scalp, unless there is excessive styling product used on the hair and Conditioner is focused on the Hair shaft. NOTE: ALL SHAMPOOS & CONDITIONER BARS HAVE LITTLE TO NO FRAGRANCE I tested several combinations of this Shampoo/Conditioning Bar Sample Set as follows with the last combo mixed with another brand: Combo 1: Shampoo: Frizz Wrangler & Conditioner: The Guardian Assessment: Shampoo - No Fragrance. Easy to use - NOT OVERLY sudsy, which indicates low detergents I manipulated the bar in my hands to produce "suds" and applied to scalp and massaged scalp and worked lightly through to ends. I immediately noticed my fingers could run through my hair with shampooing, indicating a highly conditioning Shampoo. This RARELY happens with the high-end conditioning shampoos I have used in the past. My hair was left soft, silky, clean -NOT Squeaky, which indicates a stripping of natural oils and can leave hair excessively dry. The Frizz Wrangler was easy to rinse and worked perfectly in my professional and personal opinion. Conditioner: The Guardian (The Green bar): The sample bar being small- was difficult to hold to apply to hair as directed (slipped out of my hands multiple times). I found that if I cup the bar in the palm of my hand and pressed directly to scalp or against my other hand with hair in between it did not fall. Within seconds of use my hair felt VERY soft and incredibly easy to comb through - I put my hair in a clip during the conditioning phase as I cleanse my body (5-10min). Conditioner rinsed with ease. Blow dry: I instantly saw my hair SHINY for the first time in many years without hair color!! VERY PLEASED! Day 2: Silky, Shiny, Smooth -NO Excess oil Build up - Easy to manage, NO TANGLES! Day 3: PERFECT! No need to cleanse, but did bc that is my personal schedule. NOTICED MY HANDS WERE SILKY SOFT after using this combo. Combination 2: Shampoo: Heali Kiwi & Conditioner: Wonderbar Assessment Shampoo: Little to no fragrance -(similar to a standard bar of soap) - no fragrance left in my hair Lathered Nicely, Cleansed well - slightly squeaky, made hair clean but NOT stripped feeling. Rinsed Easily. Conditioner: Unscented Easy to work through hair, made my hair feel soft and VERY easy to comb through. Rinsed Easily. Easy to comb through after towel drying. Blow Dry: SILKY, SHINY, SMOOTH! :) Day 2: Shiny/Silky Day 3: Low Oil build up. Less than normal amount. I use a natural bristly brush to comb my natural oils through my hair, so this combo worked perfectly in my opinion. My Scalp still felt clean. Combination 3: Shampoo: Citrus & Conditioner: The Guardian Assessment Shampoo: Little to No Fragrance, VERY MILD Citrus Scent which did NOT stay in my hair Cleansed hair well - mild squeaky clean, but without the stripped feeling. I could get my fingers through my hair with ease while shampooing. Rinsed out easily. Conditioner: The Guardian again left my hair soft and silky, Easy to comb through. Blow Dry: Silky, Soft - SMOOTH for days! :) Combination 4 I mixed Brands... Shampoo: Frizz Wrangler & Conditioner: "Naturel" Brand "Tone" Purple Assessment Shampoo: Easy to use as the first time, the bar size did not get any/much smaller from the first use. Cleansed well without stripping. Easy to rinse Conditioner: Naturel Brand, 'TONE" Purple Conditioning Bar, Full Size Being larger than the trial/Sampler bars this Conditioning bar was definitely easier to hold on to while rubbing directly to hair scalp, shaft to ends. Worked the conditioner throughout hair, clipped up for 5-10 min. Rinsed out easily leaving hair feel soft, silky and shiny. Too soon to tell if the purple toner effected my Grays/highlights in a positive way (combating gold/yellowing) I feel this mixed Brand combination worked well together/same as matching brands. Blow Dry: Smooth & SUPER SILKY! Easily Manageable even in a rain storm! High humidity makes my hair unruly and frizzy, but not this rainy day! Very pleased! :) In the end: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE SHAMPOO/CONDITIONING BARS. This Sampler Set is a great way to test a new product. SAVE THE PLANET, ELIMINATE excess PLASTIC! Please note the Shampoo and Conditioning sets I chose all have Panthenol in them. I feel this ingredient is key in healing karatin and maintaining healthy hair and skin making both soft, silky. I suggest reading the ingredient list always! :) I hope this info helped!

I'm doing everything I can to cut down on my toxic chemical load and ditch single-use plastics. I researched a bunch of shampoo bars before stumbling upon Ethique, and I was impressed by their ingredients (no "sustainable" palm oil! No hidden sulfates!). I read the reviews, and decided to give it a shot. This sampler pack is such a welcome idea! Who wants to spend sixteen bucks for a bar of shampoo that makes their hair feel like straw after the first use? Well, I'm happy to report that I tried Frizz Wrangler shampoo and Wonderbar conditioner this morning, and I'm THRILLED. I purposely didn't use my usual leave-in conditioner because I wanted to judge the bars on their own merits, and I must say, my hair feels wonderful. Just like the headline says! The shampoo bar was easy to use--just rub it in you hands to work up a lather like you would a bar of soap, and away you go. The conditioner was a little more challenging, because it doesn't really lather in your hands. It's best to rub the bar all over your hair and then work it in with your hands. It takes a little getting used to--didn't feel like it was really coating my hair the way liquid conditioners do, but then when I started massaging it in, I realized that it was working well, and detangling my fine hair quite well. I could really feel its effect when I rinsed. The products don't really leave any scent once your hair is dry, but that's fine with me. Who needs their hair to smell like a chemical perfume factory, anyway? I just ordered the full-sized bars and a shower container, and I'm so happy to be able to say goodbye FOREVER to those giant plastic bottles in my shower! Plus, going through TSA will be so much easier! (ps--sorry if this rave sounds like it was written by a fake reviewer! I get excited when eco-warrior products actually work as advertised...)

I like what this company is doing and would like to limit my use of plastic so I decided to give this set a try. I’m thankful that there’s samples to try before you commit to going full size. I initially wanted this to work for me but it didn’t. my hair is virgin straight with some waves mixed in and high porosity. I do have a sulfate shampoo that I use to clarify once a week so there’s no build up. My main area of concern is my scalp. My scalp likes to produce sebum balls where the root of the hair is and which leads to hair loss and itchy scalp. One of the shampoo (the first top shampoo) that’s supposedly for itchy scalps and has Neem oil in it should help so I gave that a try. It was very effective at removing all hair oils that my scalp and hair felt stripped. The stripped effect contributed to hair sticking to my neck and body pulling additional hair out. The unscented white shampoo bar (middle 2nd shampoo bar) is actually unscented but it did the same thing with stripping all good and bad hair oils as well. The conditioner (the 3rd bar) was just conditioning enough but not enough “slip” even though I have used it with my method of application. Overall, I still have the sebum balls on my scalp after using this set. I believe that it produces sebum because of dry scalp. The kiwi shampoo does have a lemon/lime scent which is probably the essential oil they put in it and doesn’t bother me. In my case I won’t be repurchasing this set or trying another mini sample from this brand. I have found what works for my hair concern through another brand that makes shampoo/conditioner bars. Just my tip on applying shampoo/conditioner bars: I find that with soap bars you need to make sure your hair is super wet and make sure to dip the bar into water and apply and repeat to your desire of product in the hair. If you don’t use water every time to apply the shampoo/conditioner to your hair the product doesn’t apply very well and also pulls the hair because the bar becomes very tacky/dry.

Okay so to preface this review, I have very dry type skin and I’m an avid Lush user. My skin is also quite sensitive. So I guess I would say I have relatively high standards. With that said, I had looked into this brand to try to replace some of my Lush items that are staples in my daily routine for things that are less expensive and I found Ethique. They have amazing reviews and several people compared them specifically to Lush so I was intrigued. I bought the Face Product Sampler to be able to try many things at once. The pink face bar is for oily skin so I gave that one to my friend, as anything for oily skin is just going to dry me out further. As for the other remaining four items in the package, I was quite unimpressed. These items included a facial soap/cleanser bar, an exfoliating cleanser bar, a serum bar, and a moisturizing bar. The facial soap cleanser bar made my skin feel tight and dry, definitely not like the Lush cleansers at all. And the smell was gross; it smelled like stale floor cleaner. I chucked this one in the bin after two uses. The serum bar was chunky and broke off into waxy pieces all over my hands and face when I tried to warm it up and apply it to my skin. It just sat on my face, it felt waxy and oily at the same time and just never soaked into my skin at all. When I went to sleep that night it did however absorb all into my pillowcase... leaving a big greasy stain behind. The moisturizer bar wasn’t as bad as the serum bar but still had that stale funky smell as the facial cleanser bar did. It was also chunky and fell apart around the edges of the bar in large pieces. This was the one thing I was the most excited to try, as I love the Lush Banana Skin moisturizer bar but it’s one of the most expensive items I use regularly on my face so I was hoping to replace that with this product. Total let down, it smelled bad and made my face feel somehow even drier than I usually do which is kind of impressive because I am already just SO DRY. Wtf?! Surprisingly the exfoliating cleanser is the only thing I remotely liked from this whole package of samplers. It’s just exfoliating enough so that my pores decrease in size without being too aggressive on my skin. It lathers nicely on my face and makes my skin feel nice and soft when rinsed and dried. It also seems like even the sample size is going to last a while. Regardless, while I do respect this brands dedication to producing plastic free cosmetics I was not impressed in any of these products I got in this sampler to buy any of them again. Maybe my standards were too high but after reading many reviews that compared this brand to Lush, I can easily tell you that this is simply not the case. They are only comparable in the sense that they provide plastic free products. The quality is nowhere near up to Lush’s standards though, so if you’re considering making the switch from Lush to Ethique I dare say you’ll be very disappointed in the drop of quality of texture, smell, and feel.