Somewhere buried under an ancient tree is a list detailing the first ever, original shampoo concoction. No doubt it includes a hodgepodge of ingredients we wouldn't dream of lathering our hair in today. Then again, who knows, they may be more beneficial than the synthetic surfactants (foaming, cleaning compounds derived from petroleum) the world can't decide whether to love or hate. Everyone in the hair biz is looking for something healthy and fresh. Step up to the challenge and learn how to revolutionize your shampoo product, not to mention the plastic bottles you're packaging in.

Shampoo consists of a few vital pieces. A mix of anionic and nonionic surfactants take up residence within your plastic bottles, each with specific duties, working together to make your product stand out from the competition. Anionic surfactants have great cleaning and foaming characteristics, particularly when it comes to removing oil-based contaminants. Nonionic surfactants are hard-water resistant grease removers. Lastly, cationic actives are also a common ingredient in shampoo solutions, their major function being the introduction of softness. So yes, after all that cleaning power, you can look forward to ending the day with a little pampering.

The purpose of shampoo isn't to make us smell irresistible, though that's an added benefit. It's really meant to keep our luscious locks and the ground from which they grow (that's the scalp, just in case this metaphor is a bit too flowery for your style) clean, healthy and strong.

Some of you might be second guessing my expertise at this point, saying to yourself "What does she know? She didn't even include all the special benefits you get for using the plastic bottles filled with shampoo X!" Well friend, shampoo X isn't necessarily responsible for all the shining qualities you heard about it on the TV commercial. Brands often depict their product as the super power against frizz or color fading. The truth is, using plastic bottles full of Herbal Essence won't give you Eva Longoria's hair alone, it's going to take much more grooming then a rinse and repeat to do that!

Keep in mind that plastic bottles full of shampoo can go wherever you go. Don't assume that consumers will only wash their hair in the shower, where water temperature can be controlled. Remember Out of Africa? You're right, the majority of people will never wash their hair in the desert, but it's something to keep in mind. Design your shampoo to function under flexible temperature conditions.

Nothing sells me quite like a bunch of suds. Plastic bottles full of shampoo should froth and foam the moment they begin to be mixed into a mass of hair. Foam isn't your lone key to success; the wash out practice must be just as thorough and invigorating as the initial scrub, free of any residue.

There's nothing quite like the experience of getting soap in your eyes. We've all done it and are bound to do it again sometime. Do your potential consumers a favor and build your product to be tough on cleaning but soft and delicate on skin and eyes, if that's possible. I'm sure you could make it happen!

There may be a loose formula to it, but creating a shampoo product can be an elusive project. And if you think the chemistry behind the task is complicated, just wait until you get to the packaging. We stock a wide variety of plastic bottles suited for shampoo packaging, from classic Cylinders to sleek and colorful Cosmo rounds, compatible with both caps and pumps. You handle the lab work, we'll take care of the packaging and BOOM... you've got a shampoo.