Black Beauty (Aveda Black Malva Pure Plant Shampoo)

Member Name: Joanna Hudson

Product:	Aveda Black Malva Pure Plant Shampoo
Date:	01/08/01 (1890 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: pure plant ingredients, brings out the shine in your hair, lasts a long time

Disadvantages: a bit pricey on first purchase

My hair is naturally very dry and very thick, and is so straight it looks as if I’ve run the iron through it! I have tried many different types of shampoo and conditioners for dry hair, including some very expensive brands from my hairdresser’s. I find that they leave my hair feeling ‘dirty’ though, as if there is a layer of grease covering my hair. Not very nice!

I had seen Aveda on QVC (yes, OK, I admit it, I do watch QVC!) and thought how good the products looked. However, I had never ordered from QVC before and was not about to start (I didn’t want the postman knowing I watch QVC!), so instead I went to my local House of Fraser counter and bought my first Aveda product from there. My first product I bought was Elixir, a leave in conditioner.

Since the first time I used Elixir I have been an absolute addict of their whole haircare range. I have tried many of their products, some which have suited me more than others, but after months of experimenting I have now found the perfect combination for my hairtype. I use Black Malva shampoo, followed by Rosemary and Mint conditioner, followed by Elixir.

The shampoo is one of a range of colour shampoos that are designed to compliment and bring out the highlights and shine of your natural haircolour. There are five colours available, these are:

Camomile-for blonde to mid brown hair, it brings out the yellow blonde tones in the hair (my boyfriend has mid-brown hair he uses this, and it really does lighten his hair and makes it incredibly shiny).
Madder Root-can be used on dark or red hair to bring out the red/copper tones in the hair.
Clove-for brown hair, brings warm, chocolatty tones to brown or black hair.
Blue Malva-for all hair types, it takes any brassy tones out of the hair. Especially good for grey hair, as it really brightens it up and makes it silvery (I can vouch for this, I gave this one to my Gran for Christmas and it really made he
r hair shiny)
Black Malva- takes any lightness out of very dark brown or black hair, gives depth and shine.

I tried Madder Root and Blue Malva before finally settling on Black Malva. As my hair is naturally dark brown/black it really does suit me. Don’t get me wrong, these shampoos do not make a dramatic difference to your haircolour, but when the light hits your hair you really can see the colour that has been accentuated by the shampoo.

The colour shampoos are all suitable for any hair type, be it greasy, dry, or chemically treated. It will leave all hair types in great condition. If you have a sensitive scalp then Aveda products are perfect, as they contain no chemicals.

The shampoo’s all have the same fragrance, as with all Aveda products the fragrance used is natural derived from essential oils. The shampoo smells floral, without being too ‘girlie’ it lists the main essential oil used in the fragrance as being clary sage but to me it smells quite heady, with hints of ylang ylang. I don’t really know how else to describe it other than GORGEOUS!! You only have to smell Aveda products to be hooked; they are all completely delicious. If you are a fan of aromatherapy then you will love all the Aveda products.

Because Aveda do not use any chemical ingredients, you will probably find that the shampoo does not froth up as much as supermarket brands. Do not be tempted to use a lot of shampoo to make up for the lack of foam. Instead, use a ten pence piece worth, shampoo, rinse, and then repeat. You will find with the second wash the shampoo will froth up a lot more.

The reason I started to use Black malva was because two years ago I had copper highlights put in my hair. I then decided to grow them out but even now, after two years, they are still noticeable in the bottom half of my hair. I thought that the Black Malva would help disguise them. I have now been using this shampoo for about th
ree months and, although the highlights are still noticeable, they are definitely subtler and don’t stand out too much.

The rest of my hair also has a richer, darker colour, it is now the colour of dark chocolate, has no red or orange highlights showing through, and is in wonderful condition. Before I used the Aveda products my hair was a mess, it was dry and frazzled from over use of curling tongues, now it is in great condition and I get many people admiring my hair. If you want to try Aveda, I suggest you start with an Aveda colour shampoo, your hair will thank you for it.

Jo xxx

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