Yesterday I went to the Aveda Institute (Holborn, London) to put it through its paces. They didn’t know this, but I’m an incredibly fussy customer when it comes to colour. It probably stems from the fact that I’ve had so many bad dye jobs for campaigns and photoshoots! I have a number of boxes that I have to tick before I allow myself to mentally ‘sign off’ a dye-job:
1) The colourist must listen to what I require from him/her and take note of what I want the end result to look like
2) The colourist should also offer their own input and most definitely advise against anything they think will turn out badly.
3) The colourist should then deliver exactly what was mutually decided. i.e. they should be competent and attentive and not stand about chatting to the junior about Coronation Street.
Yes, when it comes to hair I am one annoying, fussy customer, but I’m pleased to say that Aveda passed my tests and I walked out with perfect, shimmery blonde hair. A slightly cooler tone than before, but only very slightly. I tried to capture the tone in my photo but then realised that my background was casting an orangey hue, so you’ll just have to wait until the next A Model Recommends video to see the final result in all its glory!
And now for an amazing hair discovery: Aveda’s Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment. I have actually used this before, but obviously not properly because when they used it at the Institute it was incredible! My hair was so ridiculously soft and smooth that even the lovely girl who blow-dried my hair was lost for words! I have used the treatment in the past, but I would just bung it on after shampooing and then leave it for five minutes or so. At the Institute they towel-dried the hair after shampooing and then applied to the lengths of the hair, really massaging it in. It was left for about ten minutes before rinsing.
What can I say? It’s definitely being added to my (very short) list of treatments that actually work properly on blonde hair post-highlights!
Aveda’s Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment (RRP £21) is £17.85 with free delivery from LookFantastic: http://tidd.ly/165de4b6 or from Aveda salons nationwide. Click here to find your nearest salon!
You can book in at the Aveda Institute by calling 020 7759 7355.
I’m like Nadine and I have huge hairdresser trust issues. I’ve had the same hairdresser for 10 years. As a black woman it even harder to find someone you really trust because of the issues with chemically straightening my hair. The only products I use on my hair are Aveda and natural oils that I blend myself. The Damage Remedy range is so amazing. Every time I use the conditioner in the shower – even after 5 minutes, my hair is super soft and is really quick to blow dry.
@Lesa yes, it’s still my favourite, I think! x
Hi Ruth! Just had to say that following your recommendation, I purchased the Aveda hair restructuring treatment in the hope it would work a major miracle on my exceptionally dry, frizzy hair. I didnt hold out much hope as I’ve been recovering from major surgery and my hair really has suffered since the operation. I think the medication and so on has really affectec me- for obvious reasons. Anyway, I absolutely am astounded by the results. I paid heed to your recommendations of 10 minutes rather than 5 and the smell was incredible- really fresh and pretty. Post blow-dry I am astounded by the smooth, glossy appearance of my locks. Obviously it’s pretty pricey stuff, but as a weekly treat I definitely think it’s worth it. Thanks for the recommendation. I love the fact that if you rate a product, I know I can trust your word. Brilliant!
@Kirstie – I’m SO glad!! xxx
I have been living in Paris for seven years and have still not yet found a colourist who gets my hair, to the point where last year I ended up with horrid yellow Barbie hair (traumatic for any natural blonde), so at the moment I am having highlights/lowlights to bring me closer to my natural colour every six months.. back in the UK at the hairdresser I used to go to when I was 15.
I use Bonacure Moisture Kick shampoo, I get mine from Ellisons’ a beauty supply warehouse. It makes hair so soft and smells gorgeous. Ten pounds for about 1000 ml
fantastic: the three tones must give it that volume and makes it look naturally sunkissed.
Hello, who do you recommend there? Thanks
never heard of this brazilian blow-dry but i know for fact that with hot rollers my hair looks fabulous for about 25min and then rushes back to their straight limp sad self…boo
Hi, could you perhaps recommend a good shampoo and conditioner for fine blonde, highlighted hair? Haven’t been able to find one I like yet! Everything either seems too heavy or too far the other way and not conditioning enough.
Niki :)
@Niki the damage control range as a whole is very nice! I also used to use Bonacure Moisture Kick but not sure if it still exists?! x
completely random question and don’t even answer if you can’t be bothered…i’m thinking (have strongly decided) of getting a perm. I imagine it damages the hair even more than bleaching but that’s the only way for me to have Any volume. Any advice on spoiling my hair back to health after that? xx
@Laura would you consider using rollers instead or are you adamant on the perm front? Only they do drop quite quickly and you’ll be left with curly hair but no root volume still! What about one of those new Brazilian blow-dry treatments and get them to blow-dry it with loads of volume? Could be an option? xx
I cry every time I have my hair done. So I think I can confirm that I too am a fussy customer.
I think we’re all a little fussy with hairdressers. My experience is that they just do what they think/know will look good, without preparing me for it. So they always chop it up in layers and shit, which means I can’t braid it, or tuck it away completely (which is the best thing in the world!). Just annoying wisps hanging and sticking out all over the place. SNORT!
It does look good, but it’s not PRACTICAL! That treatment sounds unreal! Can’t wait to see your blonde hair! :D
This looks so beautiful! Do you have two tones put through it (highlights?) or a single process colour?
Also, something I’ve been wondering. What do you think is the most universally flattering length/style? Would you ever have super-long hair?
@Felicity I think that it was three shades! I’m not sure that there is a universally flattering length that suits *absolutely* everyone, but I do always think that a good bob cut just right below the jawline can take years off a face! I wouldn’t ever have super-long hair again as I think it looks best on kooky teens!! xx
Hair looks great – I LOVE Aveda! Have you tried their Pure Abundance powder? I only ask because it looks like you have similar fine-ish hair to me… the powder is great at adding some volume and making it look a bit textured, and gets rid of that weird ‘too clean’ fuzz! :)
@Sophie yes, they use it on shoots sometimes! Must get me some of that! x
You’re hair looks lovely btw
I have huge trust issues with hairdressers. I always walk out with haggard hair, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a haircut I’ve been happy with. I remember I asked for my hair to be a light brown (I’ve got dark brown hair naturally) so the lady bleached my hair…then dyed it a brown darker than my natural colour, the opposite of what I asked for! Not happy :(
Ruth…you must try Wen by Chaz Dean!!! I bleach my hair and flat iron it..terrible abuse but it is soft, silky, takes less time and less heat to straighten into submission and I LOVE it!!!! I’ve heard they have it there in the U.K. but not sure about where…but it is a lifesaver for my hair.
@Cat I’ll keep an eye out for it! x