Calling All Curly Sues! Can Aveda Tame Your Manes?

I’ve long been a fan of the Aveda Be Curly range, in particular their Curl Enhancer, which back in the Noughties taught me that crunchy curls a lá mousse wasn’t the only option. Apart from the fact that it works, it smells delicious (organic lime, lemon, bergamot, orange and other pure flower essences) and comes in ‘planet-respecting packaging’ (basically it won’t be poisoning the earth for millennia to come).

So when some of their new range arrived into Beaut.ie Towers I dove upon two of the new additions to the Be Curly range; a Co-Wash and an Intensive Detangling Masque.

As those of you with curly hair will know, shampoo is not our friend. It leaves our hair dry and brittle and turns curls into frizz. Because of that I can only use shampoo once or twice a week. The new Co-Wash promises to ‘gently cleanse the hair while preserving the moisture that curly and coily hair craves.’ The product is 97% naturally derived and sulfate-free, and is a low-lather formula. It contains certified organic Babassu Oil and Cassava to fight the frizz and Baobab Oil to condition. It claims to moisturise the hair for up to 3 days and improve the appearance of curls.

I’m never a fan of low lather products, not even conditioner. So I wasn’t expecting to enjoy using it, and I was right. It was a pleasant smell but you don’t get the luxurious feel that shampoo gives you. But this was about function for me so I was willing to overlook it, if it worked.

I then used the Intensive Detangling Masque. This contains most of the same ingredients along with the addition of Shea Butter. Again it promises to ‘fight frizz and inject hydration’ and to ‘separate even the most tangled curls and coils’. You apply it like a conditioner and leave in for 2-5mins before rinsing out. It was similar in application method to other intensive hydration masques I’ve used.

I then let my hair air-dry so as not to add any heat and get a true reflection of the results. I haven’t included photos because unlike make up before and afters, hair differences can be more about how it feels than how it looks. There wasn’t any discernible difference in the appearance of my hair. It did feel soft and so the product certainly worked at that level. However, it unfortunately left a residue in my hair. It was almost certainly the masque (the Shea Butter is my prime suspect) and so I don’t think I’ll be using it again. However it might be more suitable to tightly coiled hair, which mine isn’t, and so if I can find a suitable Beautie I will ask them to test it again to see if it fares better for them.

The Co-Wash on the other hand was a success. While I wouldn’t recommend it for a treat yourself pamper night in it is a much better option for curly hair than the dreaded shampoo. It will cleanse your hair without drying it out and that can only be a good thing. It especially appeals to me for the summer months when increased washing of my hair is a necessity.

I will continue to be a fan of Aveda Products. They are an ethical company with excellent products. And while they aren’t cheap, if you can afford them it’s good to know that while treating yourself you are also doing some good. 

• Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque 150ml RRP €30.00
• Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash 250ml RRP €22.00

Available from July 2015 in Aveda Salons/Spas/Stores