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2 December 2014

Copperhead Solid Shampoo Bar


After my less than enjoyable experience with Percup Massage Bar, I wasn't exactly overjoyed to be trying out Copperhead Solid Shampoo Bar. Boasting a double shot of coffee grounds as well as featuring a generous helping of roasted cocoa extract, I was expecting another pungent and rather bitter offering from Lush. 

I was surprised and equally delighted then, when the product turned up and didn't instantly repel me like I was expecting it to. In fact, the shampoo bar ended up doing exactly the opposite and enticing me into the shower, just so I could try it out. 

While it's not mentioned on the site, or indeed in the company's latest magazine, Copperhead actually gives off an aroma that is near on identical to the Dear John range - a sweet, sultry and rather smoky fragrance that takes some getting used to, especially if you're more accustomed to the simpler scents in the Lush range. 


An initial sniff offers you a combination of lemon and ground coffee, with just a hint of the henna in the background. The coffee is slightly more dominant than it is in the body spray, perfume and soap format, and I think the inclusion of the henna gives it that extra woody kick. The more you smell the product, the more you're able to pick up the natural sweetness of the vetivert oil and vanilla absolute - with the powdered rosemary and coriander oil offering subtle layers underneath all of this and bringing it together beautifully. 


While many Lush fans have described this as a masculine fragrance, I happen to think it's neither male or female-orientated. Although it isn't as obviously feminine as some of Lush's other perfumes, it's definitely not solely for men either. I happen to find the scent very pleasing and it spurred me on to trying this out for myself very quickly after receiving it. 

Containing a generous amount of red henna, I knew this solid shampoo bar was going to work wonders for my hair, and it only took an initial wash to see and feel how silky-smooth and replenished my locks felt. As a natural brunette, products that contain henna tend to work well with my hair, and Copperhead is no exception. 

The henna not only offers my hair a deep condition, but supports my natural colour and highlights the different shades of brown that feature in my locks. The cocoa butter locks in the moisture, without making my hair greasy, and helps it to look and feel soft, moisturised and super glossy. The inclusion of ground coffee helps to perk-up dull and lifeless hair and gives an aromatic smell that stays with you for hours after you've exited the shower. 

Copperhead is very generous when it comes to releasing soap suds - lathering up the very instant it comes into contact with water and producing a light, fluffy and very soft foam that can be applied to your hair with ease. These suds immediately make your hair feel smoother and you'll be able to notice a difference after you've left it to develop for a while before rinsing away. 

Much like many of Lush's newer shampoo bars, this shampoo is amazing at leaving your hair feeling and looking silky soft. My hair is quite thin naturally but can often develop a frizzy wave that prevents me from being able to wear my hair down without straightening it first. Copperhead is another solid shampoo that reduced this frizziness without flattening my natural wave - allowing me to wear my hair down without using any other products to control the stray strands.

Furthermore, I usually find that I have to wash my hair most days as some shampoos leave it feeling slightly greasy by the end of the day. With this product, I have been able to reduce this down to every other day, which above everything else, saves me money and time. 

I would wholeheartedly recommend that you check this product out, especially if like me, you have darker hair. I cannot comment on how this would work for lighter shades and I would appreciate if anyone fancied sharing their experience with me. However, this has now worked its way into my top 5 favourite hair care products, and will be one I buy on a regular basis. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Agar Red Henna, Cocoa Butter, Perfume, Ground Coffee, Vetivert Oil, Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute, Roasted Cocoa Extract, Coriander Oil, Powdered Rosemary, Fresh Organic Lemon Juice, Caffeine Powder, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2014 Price: £5.75 each.
2015 Price: £5.95 each.
2017 Price: £6.25 each.

Scent Family:
Copperhead Solid Shampoo
Dear John Bubble Bar
Dear John Body Spray
Dear John Liquid Perfume
Dear John Shower Gel
Dear John Solid Perfume
Dear John Soap


7 comments

  1. This review makes me wish I had brown hair =p not sure it would work for my blue locks!

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  2. I had the opposite reaction to the scent, I was first very put off by it. Not sure what I really expected it would smell, but not anything like what it actually smells. I've only used the shampoo twice since I got it (I got it on Saturday, so that might not be so strange), but I'm getting more and more fond of the scent and I agree with you that it's more gender neutral. It's a very weird scent, both sweet and dark at the same time.

    I have lighter hair, a red-ish/orange-ish, dark blonde color, and I bought it mostly because it said it would be good for red tones. I haven't noticed much difference yet, but I have to use the shampoo for a while before I can be sure. Maybe the changes are subtle and I'm blind, haha. I've just showered, so I'll pay extra attention to my hair when it's dry again!

    And thank you for yet a well written review! If I hadn't already bought the shampoo, I definitely would have done after reading this.

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    Replies
    1. I think if I'd received this bar a couple of years ago, I would have reacted in the same way as you. I think Lush has really helped me to appreciate scents that I wouldn't normally go for - this is one example.

      Give your hair a couple of weeks - i never judge a shampoo until my hair has had time to adjust to it. I've often found that shampoos can make my hair really dry when I first try them but after a couple of uses begin to soften and improve the condition of my locks.

      I don't know whether it's my eyesight or a trick of the light, but early today I noticed my red tint coming through more and I could pick out the different shades of brown more easily. I don't know whether it's my imagination or whether Copperhead has done this.

      And thank you for the kind words - I just hope the shampoo bar is as successful for you as it was for me :)

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  3. I have just bought this at the weekend and used it tonight, I love it. I think the scent is completely different when in the tin and when lathered up in my hair. My hair hasn't been this squeaky (literally) clean in ages and I have noticed a very subtle change in my hair tones (my hair is currently dyed ginger, but has the remainder of some blue locks which it has toned so it doesn't look that a muddy mess anymore), I'm very happy with this product just to find a conditioner to go alongside it :)

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    Replies
    1. That's so great to hear! I'm actually using this at the moment and have noticed that my natural highlights are much more pronounced. I've been pairing it with both Avocado Cowash and Happy Happy Joy Joy and my hair has never felt better!

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  4. Does anyone know what the pattern on the bar is? I'm thinking some sort of Paisley design but I'm not sure!

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  5. Just fyi this bar crumbles very easily so be careful with it

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