Woman catches boyfriend using her $30 Redken shampoo without her consent. Why are people defending him all of a sudden?: ‘Lavender Soap Theory’
Another day, another relationship nearly ended by a $30 bottle of hair care. One woman logged onto TikTok expecting sympathy after catching her boyfriend absolutely mauling her Redken Extreme Length shampoo. It’s the kind someone buys for themself, not for freeloading scalps. But instead, she found herself knee-deep in something called the “Lavender Soap Theory.”
Suddenly, the internet was debating whether he committed a beauty felony or deserved to use it because he’s her partner. All the while, those poor crumpled blue bottles sat there like the real victims of this saga.
‘I Think I’m Going to be Sick’
Libby’s (@libbyfaust) seven-word caption immediately captures the eye. Her post on TikTok is that of a single picture, but it already has 4.8 million views and 2,200 comments. Let’s set the scene of the crime: Libby’s shower shelf.
At the center of the photo is the pair of Redken Extreme Length Shampoo and Conditioner, standing out in its blue hue. Beside it, like a forgotten relic, is a pair of Pantene products. Libby’s text overlay reads: “When my boyfriend takes a shower at my house and i asked him what shampoo he used, and he says ‘the blue bottle.’” The audio is Natalie Nunn from Baddies Caribbean yelling, “[expletive], get the [expletive] out the bathroom right now.”
How Much Do Redken Products Cost?
Naturally, one of the most common reactions from viewers is gasping at the waste and the boyfriend’s obliviousness. One viewer says, “No cuz why you using my 30 dollar bottle of shampoo.” The comment is right, one singular shampoo bottle from Redken costs $29 on Amazon prior to shipping. This is also the lowest price of any Redken product on Amazon.
However, Libby has a pair of shampoo and conditioner. This means she paid $60 for both, only to find out her boyfriend was squeezing the life out of the bottles for his shower. Another comment specifically says, “Redken is not for ‘guests.'”
Viewers Gasp Over the Sheer Audacity
As is par for the course in viral TikToks’ comments section, a war is brewing under Libby’s post. Many comment on the boyfriend’s ignorance and audacity. One viewer says, “The bottle being squeezed like that is pmo.” Similarly, another says, “These bottles don’t even need to be squeezed NEARLY this hard how much did he use.”
A second viewer states, “And they put SO much on.” Libby then replies, “I know he did a palm full.” While another says, “I’d throw a tantrum.” Libby responds, “Oh i did.”
Even Redken’s official TikTok account comments on the post, saying, “We feel for you.”
A third says, “Ugh and the Pantene was right there.” Libby says, “That’s the worst part.”
Many women share similar experiences. “My boyfriend used my Kerastase purple shampoo… he has DARK brown hair,” says a viewer. Libby replies, “The audacity. you deserve financial compensation.”
While one half of Libby’s viewers empathizes with her struggle, the other half keeps advocating for the “Lavender Soap Theory.”
What is the Lavender Soap Theory?
It seems every other day, a new theory pops up on the internet. This time, it spawned right from the mind of BookTok. Author Sarah J Maas’s prequel to the Throne of Glass series, The Assassin’s Bride, has brought a new one to the table. As most things on TikTok do, it went viral on BookTok and sparked a whirlwind of engagement. Within the last few months, sites like Bustle and nss G-Club have reported on the theory. But what does it really mean?
In the story, the main character has a bar of lavender soap that she treasures. As most people tend to do, she uses it only for special occasions. Before her partner leaves on a mission, he asks her if he can use the soap. She refuses, and he uses the “cheap” one instead. Spoilers ahead, as the twist comes later. Her partner ends up dying, and as she returns and mourns over his body, she realizes he smells like the cheap soap she made him use.
This, in turn, is what sparked the theory. Nss G-Club reports it as “BookTok has turned this scene into a powerful metaphor: use the beautiful things now, don’t postpone small acts of care and sharing, because they are the ones that stay when everything else changes.” In a wish to let one enjoy pleasure, TikTok has turned it into sharing everything, because what’s the point if you die before using it?
‘Y’all Got a Damn Theory for Everything’
Many viewers try to appease Libby by saying, “Remember the lavender soap theory.” But would it really be TikTok if there wasn’t any pushback? A comment with over 8,000 likes says, “’Lavender soap theory’ how about job application theory?”
Another says, “Lavender soap: $20-$30 max. this shampoo: $60. he can buy his own lavender soap at that price, along with mine cause he used over half the bottle and crushed it.”
“‘lavender soap theory’ my man could not care less if he smells like lavender or dollar store soap,” shares one viewer.
The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via email for comment.
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