Dear Heart is a New Zealand brand and creators of vegan, eco-friendly hair, bath, and body products. We specialise in solid shampoo and conditioner bars, handmade soaps, and nourishing balms designed to be effective, gentle, and kind to the planet.

All Dear Heart products are handcrafted in Dunedin, New Zealand, in small batches. This allows us to provide freshly made products while maintaining quality control for each product while supporting local production.

Yes. All Dear Heart products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. We do not use animal-derived ingredients and our products are never tested on animals.

Dear Heart products are made with carefully chosen vegan ingredients that are gentle, effective, and purposeful. We use plant oils and butters, clays, botanicals, coconut-derived cleansers, and natural actives such as proteins and panthenol to nourish skin and hair while being kind to the environment.

Yes. Many of our products are scented using pure essential oils, chosen for their natural aroma and sensory experience. We also offer fragrance-free options, such as our Sensitive Soul range, for those with delicate or problematic scalps.

We use a small amount of preservative in our hair bars to ensure product safety and stability. Our preservative system is eco-cert approved and used at low levels to protect the product while remaining gentle on skin and scalp.

Yes. Dear Heart products are free from parabens, silicones, and SLS. We focus on naturally derived ingredients that cleanse and condition effectively without heavy residues or harsh detergents.

Our shampoo bars are not soaps, even though they are in bar form. They are soap-free and pH balanced, meaning they are formulated specifically for hair and scalp health. This allows them to cleanse without disturbing existing pH levels of skin, scalp and hair, leaving hair soft, manageable, and comfortable from the very first wash and beyond.

A full ingredients list is provided on each individual product page and on the product packaging. We believe in transparency and encourage you to review the ingredients before purchasing, especially if you have sensitivities or allergies.

To help your hair bars to last as long as possible, allow them to dry completely between uses. Store them on a draining dish, a wall-mounted holder like the Block Dock, or in a well-ventilated container. Avoid leaving bars sitting in water or where they are being splashed with water when not in use.

Shampoo bars last approximately 40-50 washes, depending on hair length, usage, and storage. Conditioner bars generally last two to three months. Keeping your bars dry between uses will extend their lifespan.

Yes. Dear Heart hair bars are gentle and free from harsh detergents, making them suitable for coloured, bleached, or chemically treated hair. Their soap-free, pH-balanced formulas help maintain hair condition and colour vibrancy.

Yes. We offer bars formulated specifically for sensitive or itchy scalps, including fragrance-free options. These are designed to cleanse and condition gently while supporting a calm, comfortable scalp.

Absolutely. Hair bars are solid, compact, and leak-proof, making them ideal for travel, gym bags, and carry-on luggage. Just allow them to dry before packing and store them in a tin or breathable container.

Wet your hair thoroughly, then wet the shampoo bar. Rub the bar directly onto your scalp in gentle circular motions to build a creamy lather, then set the bar aside and massage through your hair with your fingertips. Rinse well and repeat if needed. Allow the bar to dry completely between uses.

Yes. Dear Heart shampoo bars create a rich, creamy lather using gentle, soap-free cleansing ingredients. They effectively cleanse the hair and scalp without relying on harsh detergents.

No. Our shampoo bars are soap-free and pH balanced, which means they cleanse without stripping natural oils. We use plenty of plant-based oils in our formulations. If hair feels dry after using other shampoo bars, it is often due to using a soap-based bar rather than a true shampoo bar like Dear Heart’s.

A true shampoo bar is a similar formulation to bottled shampoo minus the 80% water content and the plastic bottle. Soap-based bars are made from oils and lye and have a higher pH, which is not suited to the scalp and can leave hair feeling dry or with a residue. Dear Heart shampoo bars are soap-free, so there is no waxy residue and no need for a vinegar rinse.

No transition period is needed. Because our shampoo bars are soap-free and pH balanced, most people find their hair feels comfortable and clean from the very first wash.

After shampooing, make sure your hair is thoroughly wetted. Rub the conditioner bar directly onto the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, adding extra water to help activate the conditioner. Massage gently with your fingers, leave for 1–2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Allow the bar to dry between uses.

No. Conditioner bars do not lather. They have a creamy, lotion-like feel that coats the hair to provide moisture, softness, and slip rather than foam.

Yes. Dear Heart conditioner bars provide the same level of conditioning, detangling, and softness as traditional bottled conditioners, without the plastic packaging or added water content.

Yes. Our conditioner bars are designed to suit most hair types, including fine, thick, curly, or straight hair. For oily hair we recommend only using conditioner on hair ends, not the scalp. We also offer options formulated for sensitive or itchy scalps.

Dear Heart handmade soaps are made using the cold process method, which allows natural glycerin to remain in the bar. This makes handmade soap more moisturising and gentle on the skin. Many commercial soaps remove glycerin during processing, which can leave skin feeling dry or tight.

It depends on your skin type. If you have dry, combination or sensitive skin it is best to use a soap free wash like our Creamy Oats Face & Body Wash. Because the face on the skin is different, the acid mantle (protective layer on the face) needs a gentle cleanser.

Many of our bars and body products are suitable for sensitive skin and are made with gentle, vegan ingredients. Our Creamy Oats Face and Body wash is specifically formulated for sensitive skins. We also offer fragrance-free and low-irritation options. As with any skincare product, patch testing is recommended, especially if you have sensitivities.

Store handmade soap on a draining dish or rack so it can dry fully between uses. Avoid leaving soap sitting in water or in constantly damp areas, as this will shorten its lifespan.

Our bath bombs create a decantent ritual and are made with carefully selected ingredients designed to gently fizz, soften the water, and creating an luxurious yet nourishing bathing experience. They are fragranced with phthalate free fragrances and pure essential oils with the addition of sweet almond oil and shea butter and silky clays to nourish the skin.

Dear Heart products are designed to replace single-use plastic bottles by using solid bars and low-waste formats. One shampoo or conditioner bar can replace three bottles of liquid product, helping reduce plastic waste as part of everyday care.

Wherever possible, we use recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging. This includes paper wraps, cardboard boxes, aluminium tins, and compostable tubes. We continue to make thoughtful choices to reduce packaging impact while keeping products protected.

Solid bars are concentrated and contain little to no added water, making them longer-lasting and more efficient. They require less packaging, are easier to transport, and offer an effective, low-waste alternative to traditional liquid products.

Shipping within New Zealand is free for orders over $75. For orders under this amount, a flat shipping rate of $7 applies. Orders are processed and dispatched on the same day or the following business day.

We aim to process and dispatch all orders within 1–2 business days. Urban deliveries usually take 1–2 business days after dispatch, while rural deliveries can take 3-4 days.

Yes. We ship to Australia and select international destinations. Orders are dispatched with tracked courier services, and delivery timeframes vary depending on location.

For safety and hygiene reasons, our products cannot be resold, so we do not accept returns. If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact us and we will work with you to ensure your experience is a positive one.

If your order arrives damaged or there is an issue, please get in touch with us as soon as possible with a photo. We’re always happy to help and will do our best to resolve your situation promptly.

Dear Heart products are available at selected stockists across New Zealand. A current list of stores is available on our Stockists page, including locations in both the North and South Island.

If you’re interested in stocking Dear Heart products, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at hello@dearheart.co.nz and we’ll provide more information about wholesale opportunities.