I was a little sceptical about this solid shampoo since it was scented and black, but it was just as great as the Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Chamomile, except for some ingredients.
Supposedly for men (product gendering is silly, to be honest), Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal sports skunky colours yet a nice scent. No skunk fur included in the ingredients, though.
Ingredients
Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal contains perfume and sulfates. According to ingredient checkers, many of its ingredients are not safe for fungal acne and may irritate the skin and trigger eczema, rosacea, and worsen oily skin.
The packaging also states that it’s vegan friendly, doesn’t contain any parabens or artificial colouring, is plastic free and not tested on animals.
Full ingredients list:
Sodium cocosulfate, cetearyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine, glyceryl stearate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, theobroma cocoa seed butter, water, citric acid, charcoal powder, chamomile (Matricaria), hydrolyzed tripropylene triol, ethylenediamine disuccinate, citral, D-limonene, linalool
Smell and Consistency
Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal has a scent that I’ve smelled somewhere before, but I don’t remember where. It was definitely another product, though. The smell was stronger when I was simply sniffing it, but I could barely sense it when I was using the shampoo.
This solid shampoo is… solid. Yeah… What a surprise! Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal is also grainy, but I found it somewhat softer than Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Chamomile.
Using It on Hair
I expected Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal to produce black foam since it’s black and has charcoal in it, but the foam was still pretty white. Only some barely visible greyness. Usage is pretty straightforward: wet hair, wet solid shampoo, rub all over, foamy schmoamy, wash off, put away somewhere dry (ish).
Despite some of ingredients not being the greatest according to my little research, I had no issues with this solid shampoo and enjoyed using it. My hair was nice and shiny. I did find that Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal seem to last a bit less longer than its scentless counterpart.
It can be used on both hair and body, but I didn’t try using it as a body bar. I suspect it might be a little rough on the body, like a bit scratchy or something, since that’s how it was with Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Chamomile as well.
Packaging
The packaging is a plastic free cardboard box that can be recycled. Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal doesn’t come wrapped in anything and you can sniff it through the holes in the box design.
Price
Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal 60 g bar is priced well for the amount of time it lasts in my experience.
This is true in May 2025:
Price at Nula Shop: N/A (this particular product seems to be no longer available at this time, and I no longer remember how much I paid when I got it)
Price at Estere Nature Cosmetics webshop: €8,50
Where It’s Made
Latvia.
Summary
🟢 Vegan.
🟢 Handmade.
🟢 Not tested on animals.
🟢 No parabens or colourants.
🟢 Plastic free product and packaging.
🟢 Smells nice and foams well.
🟢 Great result: clean and shiny hair.
🟢 Lasts long.
🔴 Contains sulfates and perfumes, which isn’t all that bad (the perfumes, I mean).
🔴 Some ingredients may irritate the skin and trigger fungal acne, eczema, rosacea, and worsen oily skin. I personally had no issues with that.
I enjoyed using Estere Nature Cosmetics Solid Shampoo with Charcoal, despite some of its possibly unfavourable effects due to some of the ingredients. I suppose it’s another example that the same brand can make very different products, even if they’re seemingly dedicated to natural stuff.
Would I Buy It Again?
I might.
#NOTSPONSORED
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, a health expert, or some other kind of expert in ecology, medicine, or whatever. I’m just a regular dude (albeit smart and amazing) reviewing stuff based on my personal understanding, research, opinions, worldview, and unique experiences. Therefore, do your own research and consult any professionals if you, for whatever reason, have to before making any decisions. Also, what works for me might just not work for you, and that’s okay. Try it for yourself and you’ll know.
