My hair felt like straw. Not the cute, autumnal kind — the scratchy, “did I accidentally use hay as conditioner” kind.
So when Kitsch sent over their rice water shampoo bar, I was ready to hate it. Another solid bar that leaves that weird waxy film? No thanks.
It’s a $14 block that swaps out your plastic shampoo bottle. The brand claims it strengthens hair using a centuries-old Japanese rice water ritual — which sounds fancy until you realize it’s basically fermented grain water.
Zero Waste, Zero Plastic
No bottle. Just a cardboard box. Your shower shelf will thank you.
Concentrated Formula
A little goes a long way — I’m still on the same bar after 6 weeks.
Travel-Friendly
TSA won’t give you side-eye. No leaks. No drama.
Photo: Taylor Smith / Unsplash
The hero here is fermented rice water extract — rich in amino acids and inositol, which supposedly penetrates the hair shaft to strengthen from within. No sulfates, no parabens, no silicones.
- Fermented Rice Water: Strengthens hair shaft with amino acids
- Coconut Oil: Adds moisture without weighing hair down
- Argan Oil: Tames frizz and adds shine
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: Gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip
Photo: Andrzej Gdula / Unsplash
First wash felt weird. The bar lathers like a sad soap — thin, bubbly, not that satisfying creamy foam you get from drugstore stuff. I almost gave up. But after blow-drying? My hair looked… normal. No grease. No frizz.
Week 3 hit different. My breakage noticeably slowed. Like, less hair in the shower drain. My waves actually held their shape without crunch.
Photo: Taylor Smith / Unsplash
After six weeks: less breakage, shinier strands, but my scalp needed an extra clarifying wash every 10 days. It’s not magic — just genuinely good.
Photo: Adam Winger / Unsplash
It won’t transform your hair into a commercial. But it’ll strengthen it without the plastic guilt. For the price and the planet? Solid win.