| Product Review of Aveda's Madder Root Shampoo and Conditioner |
| Valentine (Intro by Karen Shelton) |
| |
Introduction
Valentine is a HairBoutique.com favorite. Jeff and I are honored to present her third
article. This time Valentine reports on her experiences with Aveda's Madde Root Shampoo
and Conditioners. Valentine explained that she got the urge to try the Madder Root Shampoo
and Conditioner during the summertime when she got the bug to brighten up her hair a bit
and add some nice highlights.
Review
Hi
Everyone,
This is Valentine. Summertime keeps us all busy having fun, being with friends and
family, as well as taking good care of our hair. With summertime sometimes come the urge
for something a little different to do with our hair, to brighten it up a bit or give it
some nice highlights to shine in the summertime sun.
I must admit, I am not immune to these urges at all! I love doing different things to
my hair, although I find myself more limited as to what I try now that I am seriously
growing my hair out. Colorants and highlights, glitzes and semi-permanents/rinses all dry
the hair. And trying out a new cut just isn't an option for me -- I'm trying to grow out
the disastrous layers of last summer! So that left me wondering what could I do to add a
little pizzazz to my hair.
After reading about the color shampoo and conditioner line Aveda has, on HairBoutique.com's Original Hair Talk bulletin
board, I decided to give it a try myself. Having dark brown hair with mildly red
highlights naturally, I decided to try out the red Madder Root shampoo and conditioner. It
seemed to be deeper and more red than the Annatto or Bixa, which I felt might not show in
my darker hair.
After reading the ingredients on the bottles, I noticed that the conditioner has henna
as a top ingredient, along with red clover and red madder root. I was curious as to how
this would affect my hair. If the henna would make a difference to the color would affect
the texture, shine or condition of my hair.
I am pleased to report that I truly liked these products. After the first few uses, I
noticed definite red highlights right away, even while I'm not in the sun. The color
looked very pretty and not fake. In the sun, the red color really stands outs and shines!
I've even had a few people come up to me to let me know how pretty they thought my hair
was in the sunlight. It is very rare indeed for anyone to approach me with any sort of
reaction to my hair, so that really said a lot to me.
The color coats pretty evenly, although lighter areas of your hair do receive more
color than the darker, younger hair. However, not so much that anyone would remark upon it
or think of it as anything but highlights.
With some of the red henna I have used in the past, the difference between the color
that took on the old and newer hair was very noticeable. The ends would take the color so
well and the top wouldn't.
No such worries with this product. I believe that the henna does impart more lasting
color in the conditioner, but the other red coloring ingredients still cover the rest of
your hair, making for a more even appearance.
I have alternated a few times with different shampoos, and to my happy surprise, all of
the red hue did not immediately leave my hair (although it did diminish). Again, I feel
that this is due to the henna.
I try
to leave the conditioner in my hair for as long as I can before rinsing it out to help
allow the henna to coat the hair shaft. I think this is also good news to those who decide
they do not like a color. It will go away.
I have now been using the Red Madder products for a few months, and I still like them.
My hair is just as soft and shiny as ever, with no detectable build up, drying or ill
effects. I still advise extra caution to those who have had less than a desirable outcome
with henna products. The ingredients in general haven't caused any sort of dryness or
harshness, and I've been very pleased over all. I did not expect such strong color from a
shampoo and conditioner.
I feel that I can recommend the Aveda color line to anyone, but would caution people to
choose their colors wisely. Particularly those with lighter colored hair. You will notice
a difference. Particularly with such strong colors as the red Madder Root and Black
Malva.
I feel that only those with dark hair should consider those particular color choices. But
there are so many colors to choose from. If you are ready to try something a little
different, there will probably be a nice color that would work well with your hair.
If you are more than a bit cautious about adding any type of color to your hair, try
using the shampoo only for a while. Or go even further and alternate the color shampoo
with your normal shampoo. If you feel more confident, start using the shampoo all the
time. Then if you still feel confident, give the conditioner a try as well.
I had so much fun trying out the Madder Root in my hair. The other colors offered are:
- Chamomile (nice for blondes and light hair and highlights)
- Blue Malva (for silver hair or to brighten up gray)
- Black Malva (for dark hair, supposedly discourages red tones)
- Clove (for brown and honey tones)
- Bixa (for more coppery, lighter highlights)
- Annatto (for warm auburn tones)
- Madder Root (for serious red warm tones)
It was fun to try out the Madder Root products and very successfully brightened up and
colored my hair without ill effects.
It also prevented me from trying anything damaging to my hair or anything that may have
had a more lasting effect. Now I know that whenever summertime comes, and I'm looking for
something fun to do with my hair, or I just have the hair blahs, that I can pick out a
nice shampoo and conditioner from the Aveda line and enjoy. Or not. Hey, a person can
change their mind!
And with these nice products, you actually can change your mind and your hair the safe
way!
Happy Hair Days to You All!
Valentine :o) |