Update: Giveaway has now ended. Thanks, all!
I have to let you know, I'm a bit of a natural soap junkie.
Underneath my bathroom cupboard are baskets, literally full of various kinds of handmade soaps-- ones with oatmeal for scrubbing, with essential oils, with herbs, for oily skin, for sensitive skin, shampoo bars, regular body bars, soap that cleans your bathroom all by itself (just kidding on that one- don't I wish?). You name it, I'm pretty sure we have it.
With all of those soaps, you would think that it would be hard to impress me. Yet, Apple Valley Natural Soap has done just that. Why?
- Their pure, gentle soaps are as nice as any other high-quality natural soap, but their prices are among the most reasonable I've seen.
- They are a Christian family run business (with 10 children, who also help out!), committed to treating their customers well (like $6 standard shipping on every order), and to giving back to the community (10% of their profits go toward the local Christian crisis pregnancy center that their family is involved with).
- They have these fantastic Shampoo and Body Bars, which are the ultimate 2 in 1. More on these in a minute.
- Their bars are large and extra-hard because of a long curing time. What this means for you is that they don't get soft and mushy in the shower, and they last an extra long time, making them an even better deal!
- All ingredients are pure, simple and natural, without any dyes, preservatives, chemicals, or detergents. Something that I can feel good about using on our family, while caring for the environment at the same time.
My Newfound Love for Shampoo Bars
We've been trying out a selection of bars for several months now. My favorite bars are hands down the Shampoo and Body Bars. My husband and I each took one with us to the Philippines (which was handy, because it meant we had one less thing to pack, rather than shampoo as well as soap) and I was so happy with how the bars didn't dry out our hair or skin, despite the fact that we were showering at least once or twice a day.
I've been using a shampoo bar for about 3 months now and I'm quite happy with it. I had been doing the no poo' method (using only baking soda) for several years, but my hair began to dry out and have some breakage issues. I felt that it needed a rest, so I went back to a natural shampoo instead. When I got these bars to review, I hoped that perhaps they could replace the expensive shampoo.
There was a short adjustment period (about 2 weeks, which is common with most shampoo switches- from shampoo to baking soda, etc.) during which my hair was a bit extra-oily. After that, though, it evened out and I found my hair as clean as it had been with baking soda, but minus the dryness that had developed. I still use just a small amount of conditioner some days (not always) for a little extra softness, but it isn't truly necessary.
My Personal Apple Valley Recommendations:
- Latte Brunette Shampoo and Body Bar (special oils and triple-strength coffee that specifically help to keep brunette hair beautiful)
- Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo and Body Bar (very fresh smelling and anti-bacterial)
- MAN Shampoo and Body Bar (nice scent for guys- and I haven't tried their MAN 2.0 version, but that one works as a shaving lather as well, and I love that 3 in 1 concept!)
- Economy Bars (body bars only, but this is a great value for high-quality soap-- I could see buying these for my family on a regular basis at only $3.50 each)
Just for My Readers
There are a few deals that you can take advantage of right now:
FREE Lip Balm or Sample Bar: If you place an order of $20 or greater (not including tax/shipping) and indicate that you came from Keeper of the Home in the exit survey, you will receive a FREE lip balm ($2.50 value) OR a sample sized bar of their choice ($1.95 value). Note that if you want the balm, be sure to mention it in the notes to seller, otherwise the sample bar will automatically be selected for you.
- Orders over $40 (product value) receive a FREE Limited Edition Lemon Marigold bar while supplies last.
- The All Natural Bug Repellent is on clearance for $5.95!
- Wheat and Honey Almond Shampoo/Body bar is the "Bar of the Month" and has a special discount price of $4.50 this month only.
And now for the giveaway... three readers will get to select any two bars of their choice from the website!
Here's how to get entered (remember to leave a separate comment for each entry):
1. Visit the Apple Valley website and tell me which soap(s) you would want to win!
2. Subscribe to Keeper of the Home by RSS feed or by email (and be entered to win our monthly email subscriber-only giveaways!).
3. Share about this giveaway through your blog or favorite social media (find us onFacebook and Twitter here).
4. Get a bonus entry by liking Apple Valley Natural Soap on Facebook or for signing up for their monthly blog newsletters (which automatically enters you for a giveaway every month).
Giveaway has now ended. Thank you!
Disclaimer: This giveaway was generously sponsored by Apple Valley Natural Soap, and I received some soaps for the purpose of review. I honestly do love these soaps and all opinions expressed in this post are mine (who else's would they be?).
I would love to get the Lullabar for my kids, the Tropical Tangerine for myself and of course the Man Bar for my husband!
I already subscribe to your blog! :)
i have signed up for the Apple Valley 's newsletter too:)
retweeted giveaway tweet as SoothingSuds!
i am subscribed via email:)
oooh! i LOVE handmades soaps...hard to narrow it down to two. here's my picks: Cocoa Butter and Vanilla Bean Body Bar & the Herbal Emu Shampoo bar! hope i win:)
I subscribe to Keeper of the Home.
I would love the Coconut Citrus and the Latte Brunette Bars!
i subscribe via email.
i subscribe via rss.
would love to try the coconut and citrus bar!
I subscribe to Keeper of the Home.
I have been dying to try a shampoo/body bar...I think I would want to try the Latte Brunette Shampoo and Body Bar, although the MAN one sounds great too.
I shared this on my Facebook page!
I subscribe to Keeper of the Home through my Google reader.
I would love to try the Simply Shea Shampoo bar and the Latte Brunette Bar.
I already like them on facebook & subscribe to your blog via Google Reader - not sure if that counts or not. I love everything that I've tried from Apple Valley, but have not tried the Simply Shea shampoo and body bar. Great products!
I love the Bella Rose and my hubby loves the Man bar!
I subscribe to Keeper of the Home too!
I subscribed to Apple Valley's Newsletter.
Thank you for this Giveaway Stephanie.
I would love to try the Bella Rose bar and the Chamomile and Orange Blossom bar.
They sound lovely!
I am RSS subscriber also!
I think I would like the Latte Brunette bar! :)
I shared (retweeted) the giveaway!
I would buy the coconut milk and citrus shampoo and body bar - I can almost taste it!
I "liked" Apple Valley on FB!
I subscribe to Keeper of the Home!
I like apply valley on fb.
I follow your blog via RSS
So many to choose from. I'd choose the Bella Rose, and Lemon Marigold!
i signed up to receive the monthly email newsletter from apple valley.
i just subscribed to keeper of the home. i think i would like the lavendar buttermilk shampoo and body bar or the marshmallow and aloe bar for my kids!
I would love two of the body/shampoo bars!
I signed up for AppleValley Natural Soaps monthly newsletter
I would love toget the Man2.0 bar for my husband and theAll Natural Bug Repellant.
I am a subscriber of keeper at home.
I would want to try one of the body and shampoo bars.
I subscribe to keeper of the home via email.
I would love to win the Chamomile and Orange Blossom Shampoo and Body Bar
and the Lavender Buttermilk Shampoo and Body Bar.
I have signed up for Apple Valley Natural Soap's newsletter by mail.
The two bars I would absolutely love to have would be the Bella Rose Shampoo and Body Bar (for myself, LOVE the scent of rose and sandalwood) and the Man 2.0 Body, Shampoo, and Shaving Bar for my amazing fiance. His birthday is just around the corner and I'd love for SOMETHING I give him to be a surprise. =)
I am a subscriber of KotH (of course! hehe!)
I liked them on facebook!
I'm a subscriber!
I have looked into Apple Valley Natural Soap before, but have yet to purchase anything- and not for lack of wanting to! I would love to try the Bella Rose shampoo and body bar...or really ANY of the shampoo and body bars, what an awesome concept!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!
I want the Peppermint Tea Tree shampoo bar! Now!!
I liked them on Facebook.
I shared the giveaway on Twitter.
I already subscribe :)
I love natural soap, too! I would love to try the Latte Brunette bar and the Coconut and Citrus bar.