What happened to soap

There was a time when not so long ago bars of soap were common place, those 4 inch white ,pink or yellow slabs that sat beside ones taps in the bathroom , albeit sometimes rather messily .They were used to wash our body parts , including hair . They were even, at times, used to wash our dogs in the bath with, that is before shampoo appeared on the scene.Wonderful stuff shampoo , basically its just detergent or washing up liquid with scent added and given a particular generic name ie shampoo.At first there was just one type but them some bright spark decided to make it gender specific so we had his and hers shampoo.Then they decided that dandruff was a problem so they created a particular variety which did sod all to get rid of dandruff but they didn't tell the public that.

One day another bright spark decided to add certain ingredients such as jojoba and aloe vera on the premise they are some kind of natural healthcare product which would do wonders for peoples hair .Most people had no idea what jojoba was but it just sounded right so sales shot up.

Likewise whilst they knew aloe vera as that succulent indoor plant that sits on a window sill, they had been sufficiently primed about "its incredible health giving properties"so again sales shot up.It just goes to show if you tell a lie often enough and in the right way you can easily deceive the gullible . 

But why stop there? Lets add some mango, banana and avocado in the mix too, surely all natural products which would improve our hair tenfold.Now I have an ongoing question .Who is responsible for this crap? Could it be the Body Shop? For it is they who first pioneered the idea of chucking organic crap found in jungles and deserts into cosmetics and which might tie us back to our hunter gatherer roots.It was brilliant strategy which worked wonders for their business model.The founders(Rodicks) became very successful and when they finally realised the concept was running out of steam they sold the business off

Now the shampoo industry is not known for missing a opportunity or, as they call it , a market so they decided to diversify further with intention of finally seeing the end of good old honest soap. First we had hand washes in plastic containers , then shower gels to wash ones body ,but not the hair for that was still the preserve of honey flavoured ,aloe vera and henna infused shampoos. 

Then some wag decided to create face wash because faces are different to bodies, you see.They have mouths, noses and eyes therefore require very specific types of , err , detergents.One thing under no circumstances should a man use face wash for his hands otherwise hewill incur the wrath of 'er indoors.Face washes are VERY specific and you must NOT use it to wash your private parts either.

Finally there is another body wash I once experienced, a gritty variety. Its almost as though someone decided to tip a load of sand into it ,the idea being that it would act like a sort of liquid sandpaper and presumably rid our bodies of all the nasty detritus accumulated over a day.Beats a loofah I guess.I used it once on my hair without realising what it was. Never again as it finally rammed home the whole idiocy the shampoo liquid soap industry is.

Life was so much simple when humble soap and plain cheap as chips shampoo was all we needed to keep ourselves clean.
Mind you soap has made a bit a comeback because some clever clogs decided to create a sort of retro variety which is cut off a board and sold in sections rather like cheese once was.Either that or sold in rustic looking balls and things that look vaguely edible. Niche concepts do work which is why Lush is also successful .You pay a premium mind which is why I avoid it another is because their retail outlets stink to high heaven,like the very worst over applied aftershave.