Sweet Creek Herbs - Romance Conditioning Bath soap

This post will be about the Romance Conditioning Bath soap from Sweet Creek Herbs. Initially when I ordered a sample of 5 soaps from Sweet Creek Herbs, I received a sample of their Walk in the Woods conditioning bath soap. I was pretty impressed with this soap being effective and conditioning, so I ordered a few other samples of other bath soaps from them. The name of the soap made me order it. And I tried it pretty soon after I received it.

This soap is described as: 

Romance is made to reflect this designer scent fragrance. The supplier describes this fragrance oil as "a beautiful feminine blend of jasmine and rose with melon, musk and blond woods."

This soap contains these ingredients:

coconut oil, sodium hydroxide solution, organic sunflower oil, castor oil, sustainable palm oil, avocado oil, lip safe mica, fragrance oil, shea butter

This soap is pink in color, and has a fragrant smell. It is a sample size of 16-17 grams and lasts a few washes, like 6 washes at least. This is advertised as a vegan, luxurious and conditioning bath soap. This soap contains lip safe mica, for someone looking for a 100% natural soap, this may be something to consider.

This soap lathers and is conditioning as it claims. I do not need to use a moisturizer during the warm and non-winter months. It does stand up to its name this way. But...but, I do not like the fragrance at all! There is something about this scent, may be the musk or something else in the scent, which I totally hated. I used up the sample, thank God it was just a sample! The scent does not linger strongly on my skin, which is an added bonus in this case. 

Though this soap is brilliant on all other counts, I will not be buying this soap only because of the smell. 

Sweet Creek Herbs - Eucalyptus Mints Vegan Shampoo bar

I batch publish my posts, hence proved! Today I shall also speak of my impression of Sweet Creek Herbs' Eucalyptus Mints Vegan Shampoo bar. This is the second shampoo bar I have tried of Sweet Creek Herbs. A couple of months ago, when the lady who runs this shop offered a deal to ship for free, I ordered a lot of samples. I know, I go crazy when I see a discount or coupon. I am the kind of customer all these deals are made for! So essentially I have a lot of samples to get through, a point I made in my previous post too.

The ingredients for this soap are:

coconut oil, sunflower oil, babassu oil, sodium hydroxide in H2O, hemp seed oil, jojoba, eucalyptus tea, avocado oil, natural oil of eucalyptus, natural oil of spearmint

This soap does not smell like eucalyptus or mint. It smells pleasant, that's all. It is a sliver about 16-17 grams in weight, white to off-white in color. Also to note is that this is a vegan soap. This soap is suitable for Oily to Normal hair types. I used a little jojoba oil on my hair everytime I used it on my hair.

I would like to think that I am through with the transition phase. Because consistently when I wash, I no longer feel like stripped clean feel or gummy or waxy. It does not feel like a commercial-shampoo clean either. Just that the shampoo bar lather has been through all my hair and feels clean. I use a decent amount of ACV rinse and that does the job.

Back to this soap : it lathers well, not a very rich lather but a light quickly-formed lather that can be used for cleaning. And I am really surprised at how quickly I can wash with this shampoo bar. I have used it thrice so far and every time the ritual of washing my hair gets done really quick! But as I mentioned previously, this is a mild soap too. So my hair still has some oil on it after it dries.

The thing I do not like about this soap is that it seems to not clean my scalp well. That is after I am done with washing, in a day's time, I can see some deposits on my comb every time I brush my hair. My scalp does not itch terribly when I use this soap, because of what it leaves behind, but does not feel very clean either. It has been a consistent pattern every time I used this bar. I do not know if the shampoo bars have brought my scalp to a condition where sebum production is in overdrive or that this bar is not as effective as the others I have used.

In essence, I do not like the fact that my scalp does not feel very clean. I will not be investing in this soap any longer.

Sweet Creek Herbs - Lavender Rose Vegan Herbal Shampoo Soap

I realize now that my stash of shampoo bars is vast, embarrassingly vast actually. Thankfully, some of the samples are really small, like the ones from Sweet Creek Herbals. But, do not let the size of these samples fool you, they do last longer than you would expect them to. So, this stash is not likely to deplete that quick, you see! I should remember not to order more unless my stash is almost done.

The first shampoo bar that I review from Sweet Creek Herbals is the Lavender in Roses Vegan Herbal Shampoo. This sample size is small, less than 20 grams. Its a sliver shaped sample, much like the size of samples from Beauty and the Bees. 

The ingredients in this soap are:

coconut oil, castor oil, organic virgin olive oil, sodium hydroxide in distilled water, jojoba, lavender tea, aloe butter, oils of geranium rose and lavender

The smell - the soaps smells of roses. Not a very strong smell but moderate and pleasant, if  you like the smell of roses. This soap is advertised as suitable for all hair types. And it is vegan, for anyone who is particular about using only vegan types of soaps. 

This soap lathers quick and very well. It does not have that rich lather than Chagrin Valley's soaps produce but a quick, very usable lather. And the sample lasts quite well. For my long hair, I could use it for 3-4 washes every time. And these soaps wash off easier than Chagrin Valley soaps do. This soap is fairly moisturizing, my hair does not look very dry after using this soap and is neat that way.

Onto other things, I think in general Sweet Creek Herbs shampoo bars are quite mild. If I were oil massage my hair before using a shampoo bar, I can be certain that a Chagrin Valley bar would wash off all the oil I used on my hair where as SCH (Sweet Creek Herbs) and BatB(Beauty and the Bees) shampoo bars would clean my hair but not get rid of all the oil. I tried this multiple times, so I can declare this now. This is just the different formulations by different vendors I would say. So I make it a point to use shampoo bars according to how I have oil-treated or not oil-treated my hair. 

Overall, this is an okayish soap I would say. I was not blown away by this exactly, neither did it upset me terribly. SCH products seem to be pretty decent and I may buy this soap sometime later. It does not figure on the top of my list as yet though.

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve - Fig & Plum Natural Complexion Soap

I also ordered for some facial soaps or complexion bars as they call it at Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve. The first one I tried was Fig and Plum Natural Complexion Soap. I have been suffering from eczema in certain spots on my skin during the colder months and it has been quite a struggle dealing with it. It would subside for a while and then start up again. It could have been stress or the  chemical-filled shampoos I was using before venturing onto Natural soaps or some other reason. I read some reviews that sugar and fruits do help with eczema like condition. 

The website describes this soap as:

The moisturizing figs in this natural soap are excellent skin hydrators, natural humectants and help tighten skin. The seeds and natural fig enzymes provide natural exfoliation. Plums, full of natural sugar and vitamins, hydrate dull complexions and soothe stressed or sensitive skin. Dark brown sugar, rich in molasses, and cocoa butter moisturize and nourish skin. A touch of sweet orange essential oil helps balance skin oil production and tighten pores.

And the ingredients are listed as:

Organic Sunflower Oil; Organic Coconut Oil; Organic Sustainable Palm Oil; Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Organic Cocoa Butter; Water; Organic Prune Juice; Sodium Hydroxide*; Organic Canola Oil; Organic Castor Oil; Organic Figs; Organic Plums; Organic Agave; Organic Dark Brown Sugar; Organic Orange Essential Oil; Organic Rosemary Oil Extract 

As for the soap, it clearly contains seeds of figs and they do provide good amount of exfoliation. It is a very light brown colored soap with dark brown fig seeds. The soap has no distinct smell as such. On to the results, the soap lathers well, cleans very well without stripping my face of moisture and helps with the eczema! It is an all-round winner for me! The sugar and fig seeds play their role very well and provide gentle exfoliation to my skin. However, this bar of soap may not be this magical thing which does not allow white heads to form on my face, but leaves it feeling supple and well-hydrated. I loved using a sample of this soap and may order the bigger bar the next time.

For anyone who may be suffering from eczema or sensitive skin, you should try a sample of this bar to see how it works for you. I am no doctor here, mind you, just someone who would like to suggest to a fellow-sufferer!

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve - Dead Sea Spa soap

Among my orders from Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve, I ordered some samples of body and face soaps too. I have been using some of these soaps too for some time. One of the first soaps I used is Chagrin Valley Dead Sea Spa soap. Actually, my husband volunteered to try this first. This is a review from both of our experiences:

The website describes this soap as: 

Mineral rich Dead Sea Mud stimulates blood circulation, rejuvenates skin, and deep cleans to remove impurities. The fine, natural grain of the mud softly, yet effectively, sloughs off dead skin cells and leaves the skin looking fresh and radiant. Use our natural Dead Sea Spa soap to experience a mini-spa treatment for dull, tired skin, with every bath or shower.

And the ingredients are:

Organic Coconut Oil; Sunflower Oil; Organic Sustainable Palm Oil; Olive Oil; Water; Virgin Shea Butter; Dead Sea Mineral Mud; Sodium Hydroxide; Organic Canola Oil; Castor Oil; Dead Sea Clay; Sea Kelp; Essential Oils of Lime, Litsea Cubeba, Lavender, Rosemary, Orange, Eucalyptus; Organic Cornstarch; Rosemary Oil Extract

The idea of dead spa mineral mud was super appealing! The idea that I may experience a spa-like feeling during every shower was what drew me to this soap. I have used multani mitti in the past for facials masks and always liked the way my skin felt afterwards. I expected Dead Sea mud to have a similar effect. 

Anyways as for the description of the soap, it is a grey colored soap, rather slate colored. It has an herbal scent with some citrus scent and another scent, must be the Litsea Cubeba which may be helpful with acne prone skin and oily skin conditions. It is quite distinctive in the soap. My husband tried it first and didn't like it much. So I decided to use it up.

It lathers well, like all Chagrin Valley soaps. Quite a hardy soap I must say. Cleanses a little too well. I was always left with more-on-the-dry-side skin after using this soap. And I tried it during the summer months. I had to use a moisturizer to  avoid feeling tight skin. It could be the mud that is a little too cleansing in this soap. This could be used every now and then may be, like a clarifying soap bar. That is how I used it up after realizing that it dries up my skin. But if I need a clarifying action on my skin, I shall use the gram flour at home rather than buy any soap, honestly.

Verdict is, no, I shall not buy this bar again. It is not a bad product or bad in quality. Just that I see no purpose for it.

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve - Lemon Lavender Soap

Apart from the shampoo bars, I have also been buying body soaps/soap bars for my face. I shall also make some notes about these bars now.

First up, is Chagrin Valley's Lemon Lavender soap for body. I love lavender. I also love citrus stuff. So I wanted to see how these two would perform together on skin.

The website describes this soap to be:

Soothing cocoa butter moisturizes and softens skin. The lovely color of this natural soap comes from emollient rich alkanet root oil. The delicate blend of calming lavender and zesty lemon essential oils will refresh and relax your senses while it tones, cleanses and purifies skin.

And the ingredients are:

Alkanet Root infused Olive Oil; Organic Coconut Oil; Organic Sustainable Palm Oil; Sunflower Oil; Water; Unrefined Cocoa Butter; Sodium Hydroxide*; Organic Canola Oil; Castor Oil; Essential Oils of Lavender, Lemon, Litsea Cubeba; Organic Lavender; Organic Lemon Peel; Organic Cornstarch; Rosemary Oil Extract

The color is a beautiful violet color with the lemon oil being slightly stronger to the nose than lavender. The color is certainly very attractive, or I may be partial to this family of color :) But the mix of these essential oils is not something I like a great deal. This soap lathers beautifully and cleanses well. A little too well, I would say. More like a cleansing soap than a moisturizing one for me. Though my face has combination skin, my body skin is relatively dry. With a normal body wash, I would need to use a body moisturizer. With this soap, I could avoid the moisturizer for a day. But if I were using this soap regularly, I would need to use the moisturizer every 3 days or so during the warmer months. In colder months, I would have to use one every 2 days at least may be. If I were in the warmer states, I certainly would use this soap on a regular basis. 

So my verdict is, it is good on someone with less than dry skin for regular use. It cleanses well, Chagrin valley's body soaps long a last time on me. Even the samples last about 3 weeks with daily showers. But I think I found some other better body soaps for me from Chagrin Valley.

Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve - Ayurvedic Herb Natural Shampoo bar

Today, I shall review the Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve - Ayurvedic Herb Natural Shampoo Bar. This sample bar was in my first order at Chagrin Valley. I was truly excited as soon as I heard, or rather, read the word Ayurvedic! As previously mentioned, I used soapnuts, shikai, hibiscus flowers and other such natural products on my hair for years. And the idea of getting all the goodness of these natural products in one bar seemed like the best thing possible. 

I ordered for this bar once I saw the website. This was the first bar I tried of Chagrin Valley's. Oh, before I jump to the end of this review, here is the description of this shampoo bar on the website:

A rich oil infusion of Ayurvedic hair care herbs creates a nourishing all natural shampoo. Shikakai, increases bounciness and silkiness. Bhringraj, considered the "king of herbs" for hair growth, helps strengthen the hair shaft. Amla promotes stronger, healthier new growth. Hibiscus flowers help in the treatment of dandruff and hair loss. Aritha cleans hair without drying and helps create a fabulous lather.

The list of ingredients is given as:

Organic Coconut Oil; Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Infused With Organic Herbs (Bhringraj, Shikakai, Hibiscus, Amla, Tulsi, Fenugreek, Jasmine, Yashtimadhu, Neem); Organic Avocado Oil; Organic Jojoba Oil; Organic Soapnuts (Aritha); Water; Organic Mango Butter; Organic Babassu Oil; Sodium Hydroxide*; Organic Castor Oil; Organic Neem Oil; Organic Canola Oil; Organic Coconut Milk; Organic Aloe Vera; Organic Essential Oils Of Tulsi, Cypress, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon, Basil, Black Pepper; Organic Rosemary Oil Extract

First things first, the list of ingredients is ah-mazing! No doubt about that. The organic herbs, castor oil, neem oil, tulsi, olive oil, it is truly the list of tried and tested products for hair. So, why does it sound like the results were not as impressive? you may ask. 

As mentioned previously, this was the first bar I tried. I was very very excited as soon as I received it. As with the other bars, this bar has no distinct smell. The first time I tried this bar, it was when I was still in the transition period (or so I think). It felt like this bar always caused some build up on my scalp. No matter how much ACV mixture I used. I tried this bar mixing it with other bars too. That is, if I found the build-up getting worse, I would some other bar to clear it up and then try this bar again - in the following washes over the week or so. I did this multiple times.

One thing to this bar's credit, it lasts long. It lasted at least 6 washes on my long hair. There were instances when I used more of this bar to scrub away the build-up too. 

But nothing, NOTHING worked. The build-up only got worse. In between washes, I would find some build-up on my comb too. Yikes! I have not been able to isolate the cause of this build-up though. My scalp looked flaky, but I was still able to get the comb through my hair, unlike with the Extra Beer and Honey bar when I found it difficult to comb hair through.

Also with this bar, my hair did not look shiny after I washed it. It looked dull, not lifeless but the hair strands did not have any of the shine I usually notice after I wash my hair.

Long story short, I did not like this bar. I may order another sample of this after I am done with all my samples, only because I cannot believe that something Ayurvedic failed so miserably on me *sigh*! But for now, I  think I have given this bar its fair share of attempts and it still failed to impress me.