Tell it to me straight: Aveda products - Brilliant And Worth Every Penny or Expensive Rubbish?

[PacificDogwod]

I had my first Aveda hairdresser experience today.

Be Curly products were used, and guess what, I am all curly

So, if I were to dish out for that stuff, would I regret it??

Bodyshop Rainforest shampoo and conditioner is so pleasingly cheap...

[PacificDogwod]

Well, that was the idea, Catherine.

I have wavy, frizz-prone caucasian hair with more of a curl at the front and I have just had it cut from very long (well past my bra-strap) to a pixie cut. I used to put my long hair up day to day and straighten the front/fringe. And I really want to get away from that.
So now I have a short back and sides cut with a longish curly mop on top. And I was it to be gorgeous, bouncy girls, not a shrub

Waking up this morning was a rather shrubbish experience...

[PacificDogwod]

I am just looking at the British Curlies website and there are just Too Many Products on there

I really don't want to spend £££ for something that I then don't like or that does not suit my hair. I have had stuff in the past that just left my hair limp, greasy and heavy - I can see how heavier products might suit more curly hair than mine or African hair. Gah!!

[NattyGolfJerkin]

Damage repair does horrible things to my scalp - lumpy, cystic, itchy nightmare . That was enough to put me off Aveda for life.

[CatherineDeB]

I too had a bit of a radical (but not as radical) cut yesterday, bra strap ish length with long layers to a chin length bob with layers. I thought I communicated above the shoulder not chin length, but I can tell that it is a really good cut and it will no doubt grow.

Do you think it is just that you need to get used to managing your new length?

I have never thought my curls suited my work look so have always dried it with a big round brush (which lasts well until the next wash three days later).

This is what I am faced with .... always looks a bit period drama left to its own devices This is it just left to its own devices but it definitely turns into 'Cathy on the moors' the next day. Very thick, fine hair I think but lots of it. Underneath the curls are small, tight, frizzy. I think a more uniform relaxed curl would be easier.

I am getting lazier as I get older but too much of a wimp to do what you have done.

I would love to wash it and leave it but haven't done that for nearly 50 years so I suppose starting now isn't going to happen.

Still use products for curly hair though otherwise it looks dry/even worse.

[NattyGolfJerkin]

I like the palmers co-wash but I don't use it every wash as I find it builds up quite quickly in my hair. I'm an every day washer and so I tend to use it as a gentle shampoo/cleanse if I need to wash my hair twice in one day (such as post evening run). It gets the sweat off my scalp but doesn't wreak havoc on my dry, curly, midlengths & ends.

[Destinysdaughter]

Quick question, if you are using product such as the Boots pink curl cream, what do you use to wash it out? Am worried that it's building up in my hair especially if I'm just washing with conditioner!

[PacificDogwod]

Oh, I have done the change from really long to really short several times in my long, long life , so that does not really phase me.
I just want to stop having to dry/style it beyond washing/conditioning/styling gunk in and finger style - then go!

A couple of years ago I got that UniqOne stuff following a thread on here (yes, I am a sheep) and it did not suit me at all - left my hair lank, not clean feeling and still frizzy

[PacificDogwod]

I have just started using Boots curl creme and it seems to wash out ok with Bodyshop's Rainforest shampoo.

[PacificDogwod]

Cathererine, your hair is gorgeous! I would so totally go with the Cathy from the Moors look - stunning!

It's one of the things that really bugs me: how come 'curly hair' is somehow seen as 'less professional'??

[Libitina]

Love their shampoos and conditioners. Shampure is the one I keep going back to, but also love the madder root and blue malva ones too.

[Footle]

I have shortish fine straight hair and I like Aveda rosemary and mint one very much. I use it every day, just one shampoo and not much of it.

[CatherineDeB]

Thank you Pacific. I too hate that it is seen as less professional but I buy into it too don't I? When dried with a brush it is actually less work, I can get up and run a brush through it and that is all I do for three days.

Do you know that none of my hairdressers have ever encouraged me to try it curly, none of them.

And of course it doesn't always have that freshly washed look (photo) could triple in volume over the course of a day and takes 24 hours to completely dry.

I think that as well as everyone's hair being different our own hair changes through our lifetime. I used Shampure conditoner and shampoo and their Light elements smoothing fluid (have it in front of me so can remember the name) for 20 years (used to go to Aveda in Covent Garden for it cut). But now those products don't quite do it for my hair.

I wonder if it is menopause related? I have ordered some Daniel Field products. If they don't suit me I will used them on DD.

DH uses Rosemary mint, much too harsh and not conditioning enough for my hair but great for his hair and scalp.

[PacificDogwod]

Oh, my hair has most certainly changed with the perimenopause

I would love to go to Birmingham to Spring for a curly hair consultation and cut, but that's just a bit too far...

It's cutting down on drying time that was partially the motivation behind my short hair cut and it's certainly worked for that. Was great on holiday

[MaybeDoctor]

I have tried various of their products but quite like the co-wash.

Alternate it with Rainforest too!

[Pisssssedofff]

I thought Spring was bloody awful and have previously posted shocking "after" photos from them

[MorrisZapp]

I bought a small bottle of aveda shampoo once, the kind that enhances your hair colour. It stripped my hair so badly I couldn't get a comb through it and had to use copious amounts of conditioner to retrieve the situation.

Put me right off the brand.

[CrotchetQuaverMinim]

I really like the Be Curly stuff - well, some of it. The shampoo, the conditioner, and the curl enhancing lotion. They've all worked well for me, smell nice, and make my hair softer - my hairdresser has commented on the good condition of it. The curls are curlier and more manageable, at least on the first day I wash it. Nothing much ever makes it look good the second day, but at least this feels nice!

I didn't get on with any sort of conditioner washing, even the Aveda stuff.

[SuperFlyHigh]

Their light elements styling fluid I do like (it's really a serum liquid) but their damage remedy leave in conditioner/treatment I'm not keen on, too heavy.

I quite like (though it's also a bit too heavy) Bumble and Bumble Grooming Creme or their Brilliantine which I will probably get again.

[FrustratedFrugal]

I have used their shampoos on and off for a long time but it's mostly for nostalgic reasons, not their miraculous properties. I love the smell of Rosemary & Mint and their soft travel bottles. But supermarket shampoo works just as well.

[FrustratedFrugal]

Oh and actually I like the Damage Remedy too (used mostly at most).

[FrustratedFrugal]

monthly, duh

[CatherineDeB]

Could you ask the salon for samples Pacific? You can choose samples when you order direct form Aveda online so I don't see why not.

I have ordered Daniel Field curl enhancing shampoo and first aid conditioner together with both finishing products this morning.

here.

[PacificDogwod]

They would have sold me travel sized products, but relatively speaking that was even more expensive and I have stuff I want to use up first

PisssssssedOff, really?!
In my head I've got Spring built up to the Mecca of Curly Haired People

[teta]

I like Aveda products.I use the Damage remedy leave in hair conditioner and the liquid hair gel.I also have my hair straightened with Aveda and coloured with Aveda .It leaves my hair in very good condition and I love the smell and feel. I'm not entirely sure it's worth the money though as the prices are just ridiculous.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Aveda gave me awful jawline spots - short bob, didn't clock for ages what was triggering it.