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CURL-DEFINING Shampoo Bar
This sulfate-free champion is your secret weapon for defined, frizz-free locks that command attention. It gently cleanses while infusing moisture, thanks to cocoa and shea butters. The payoff? Soft, bouncy curls that spring to life with natural definition.
Learn more about our mission.
Net Weight: 110 g / 3.9 OZ
Concentrated Bars, Mighty Ingredients
What's in our CURL-DEFINING Shampoo Bar
- IsabellaVerified ReviewerRated 1 out of 5 stars16 hours agoNew product is poorly designed - very disappointing
I have been purchasing Ethique's curly hair shampoo and conditioner for over three years and I am very disappointed in the new products.
The old products were neat cubes - easy to hold, easy to store, fitted in the travel box/storage trays, and there was no wasted packaging. This new design is simply baffling. It is enormous - it does not fit in the travel box, goes off the side of the storage trays, and there is wasted packaging. How am I supposed to keep my products dry so they last longer if they can't be contained?
The awful part is that it is so hard to hold. The cube design was easy to grip in your palm and pass over your hair, with this new weird shape I am constantly dropping the bar, the curved section does not fit comfortably on my head which means it applies unevenly, and I can tell that it will wear down unevenly. The beauty of the cube was that it applied evenly and stayed intact until pretty much the last wash. This new bar will not replicate this.
In order to hold the bar and so that it will fit into the storage box I have had to cut the bar in half. I have seen from replies to other reviews that Ethique is coming out with a new storage box this year - too little too late. Frankly, for a company that prides itself on reducing waste I am shocked that you would design a bar that requires customers to purchase a new storage box. My three year old box is functioning perfectly and does not need to be replaced - which is the whole point of your designs. It is…
EEthique59 minutes agoThanks so much for your detailed review, Isabella—and for being a long-time supporter of our curly hair range. We’re truly sorry to hear how disappointing this packaging and shape change has felt, and we really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience so thoroughly.
The updated bar shape is part of a wider brand evolution we undertook after interviewing over 5,000 Ethique customers across NZ, the US, Australia, the UK and Canada. What we heard was that while many people loved the bars, the range didn’t always feel intuitive—and our shapes and packaging weren’t always working for everyone. So, we took a step back and reimagined how we could make our bars more accessible, easy to use, and recognisable at a glance—without compromising on our commitment to being plastic-free and high-performance.
The new crescent shape was tested extensively with customers—many of whom live with conditions that affect dexterity, like arthritis and peripheral neuropathy. Their feedback helped us land on a shape that’s easier to grip, better aligned with how people apply bars to hair and body, and one that wears down more evenly for most. That said, we completely understand that it hasn’t worked for you—and we’re genuinely sorry for the frustration it’s caused.
Our original In-Shower Container was created more than seven years ago and wasn’t designed with this updated shape in mind. While a new container is in development, we know that’s not helpful in the here and now—and your point about having invested in a functional system that no longer fits is absolutely fair.
We’ve shared your feedback directly with our product team, and we want to thank you again for your honest review. While this new shape has worked well for many, we know it won’t suit everyone—and we’re grateful for the chance to learn from loyal customers like you. 💚
- LillyVerified ReviewerRated 2 out of 5 stars1 week agoChange of product
I have been using the curl defining bar for 2 years. They have recently changed the formula and shape. Very impressed with the ergonomics of the shape, however very disappointed that it does not fit in the previous bar holders. They were an environmental investment that are now rendered useless, disappointing from a company who prides itself on minimising packaging waste. I also find the shampoo does not lather like the previous product.
EEthique1 week agoThanks so much for your review, Lilly—and for your long-term support of the Curl-Defining Shampoo Bar. We’re really glad you like the new shape ergonomically, but we’re sorry to hear it’s created a mismatch with the previous bar holders. We completely understand how frustrating that is—especially when you’ve invested in storage to reduce waste. We’re currently working on updated travel and in-shower containers to better suit the new bar shapes, and we’ve shared your feedback with the team.
As for the lather, the Curl-Defining bar is sulfate-free and has always been a low-lather formula, designed to cleanse gently while supporting curly and textured hair. The new version includes a small upgrade—FiberHance™, a bond multiplier to help strengthen and protect hair—but otherwise remains close to the original formulation.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts. Feedback like yours is incredibly valuable as we continue to improve and evolve. 💚
- Stephanie W.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1 week agoLove the new formula!
I have always loved ethique's curl-defining shampoo, so I was a little nervous when the packaging and formulas went through a small change. I have been so pleasantly surprised - This shampoo lathers even better than the last, making it easier to fully wash my hair. It hydrates my curls, and it smells divine!
- Gretta H.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars3 weeks agoVery Nice
Bit of a learners curve to bar shampoo- but overall good, I liked the lather, the scent isn’t too strong, and my waves looked good after styling
- NicoleVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1 month agoPerfection
I absolutely love every Ethique shampoo and conditioner bar that I have tried so far and the curl-defining shampoo bar is no exception. I love the fresh lemongrass scent! Now that the weather is becoming much more humid here in the south, I thought I would try this bar. It delivers moisture and tames my coarse wavy hair! It totally eliminates frizz as well even if you spend hours outdoors! I don’t even need conditioner, but I am definitely purchasing the matching conditioner!
