FAQs

Herbriva makes solid shampoo and conditioner bars built around Chinese herbal ingredients. Each bar is formulated in-house by our founder, made in small batches, and built for a specific hair type and scalp feel rather than a generic "all hair types" promise.

A bar is the same wash, minus the water and the plastic. Because there's no water to preserve, the formula runs more concentrated — you use less per wash. One bar lasts around 50 to 60 washes, and the packaging is paper.

Yes. Our bars are sulfate-free, which is gentler on colour than most conventional shampoos. If your colour is very fresh, wait 48 hours after your salon appointment before the first wash.

Yes. All six bars are formulated without animal-derived ingredients — the protein in our range comes from hydrolysed rice — and none of our products or ingredients are tested on animals.

Every product page carries the complete INCI list. If you have a known sensitivity, read it before ordering, or email us and we'll help you compare two bars side by side.

Chamomile is our mildest formula and the usual starting point for scalps that react easily. Whichever bar you choose, patch test on a small area behind the ear and wait 24 hours before a full wash.

Our bars are rinse-off cosmetic products with mild formulas, but skin can behave differently during pregnancy and nursing. If you have any concerns, check with your doctor or midwife before using a new product.

Chamomile is our mildest formula, but children's scalps are more reactive than adults'. Patch test first, and speak to your paediatrician if your child has any existing skin sensitivity.

Unopened and kept dry, about 24 months. Once you start using a bar, finish it within 6 months and let it dry fully between washes.

Wet your hair thoroughly. Rub the bar directly along your scalp in short strokes — four or five passes is enough — then set the bar down and work the lather through with your fingertips. Rinse until the water runs clear. You can also lather in your hands first if you prefer.

Yes, and it's the most common thing people write to us about. If you're coming off silicone-based shampoo, your hair may feel heavier or slightly coated for the first two to four washes while the residue clears. It settles. An apple cider vinegar rinse (one tablespoon in a cup of water) speeds it up.

Not necessarily. If your hair is fine or you're prone to oiliness, shampoo alone is often enough. If your hair is long, curly, coarse, or colour-treated, the Hyaluronic Acid Conditioner Bar makes combing noticeably easier.

Around 50 to 60 washes for shoulder-length hair — roughly two to three months of regular use. Longer or thicker hair uses more.

Out of standing water. A draining soap dish, a wooden tray, or a tin with holes all work. A bar left sitting in a puddle will soften and disappear far faster than one that dries between washes.

Yes — solid bars aren't restricted as liquids, so they go in carry-on without the 100ml limit. Let the bar dry fully before packing it in a tin.

No. This is a scalp-care advisory service, NOT medical advice. It cannot replace professional medical treatment. We don't diagnose conditions and we don't treat them. If something about your scalp or hair concerns you medically, please see a doctor or a dermatologist.

It's a short set of questions about your hair texture, scalp feel, washing habits, and what's changed recently. It takes about two minutes. At the end you get a bar recommendation with the reasoning behind it.

Then say so — email claire@herbriva.com with a little about your hair, what you're using now, and what you'd like to be different. Our founder reads these herself and will tell you honestly if nothing in the current range is a good fit.

Not at all. Every bar is listed on the products page with its full ingredient list, so you're welcome to choose by scent or ingredient alone. The quiz is there for people who'd rather be pointed somewhere.

We currently ship across the United States. Other markets are coming — join the Herbriva Letter and we'll tell you when.

Orders are packed within 1–3 business days and typically arrive in 7–15 business days. Our bars are made and shipped by Herbriva, which is why the window is a little longer than a domestic warehouse.

Flat rate $6.99. Free on US orders over $50.

No. Duties and import fees are already included in the price you pay at checkout, so nothing is collected from you at the door. If a carrier ever contacts you asking for a payment, forward it to us and we'll sort it out.

We offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Use your bar for at least 30 days — that's how long the transition takes — and if you're still not happy, contact us within 60 days of delivery for a full refund. You don't need to send anything back. First order only, one claim per customer.

Email claire@herbriva.com or use the form on our Contact page. We reply within 2 business days.