Natural Hair Doesn't Have to Mean a Big Chop

NATURAL HAIR DOESN’T

HAVE TO MEAN A BIG CHOP

AVEDA TEXTURE SPECIALIST NAOMI DOVE SHARES HER TIPS

Embracing your natural hair texture doesn’t always have to mean you need to do the big chop. With the use of chemical relaxers, heat styling, keratins and other chemical treatments, damage to the hair is often unavoidable, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Our

botanical repair™ system helps protect the hair from heat and chemical treatments and works to strengthen hair as you transition to your natural texture.

We asked Aveda Texture Specialist Naomi Dove to walk us through some of the benefits of the botanical repair™ system and share her tips for making the transition from relaxed hair as smooth as possible. No matter where you are in your natural hair journey, botanical repair™ will leave you with healthier and stronger looking hair.

A plant-derived approach to hair care

Ingredients close up of avocado and other greens.

Vegan and cruelty free, the botanical repair™ system is 94% naturally derived* and free from silicones, parabens and sulphate cleanser.

Aveda’s team of scientists spent years searching for and testing powerful plant actives to find the exact combination that works to treat damaged hair starting at the innermost layer, not just on the surface. The botanical repair™ system focuses on strengthening three key layers of hair: the cortex, the cuticle and the f-layer. It works for all hair types and textures, including colour treated and chemically processed hair.

Naomi explains that it is important to maintain natural oils on the hair and scalp for an added layer of protection. Using a sulphate cleanser free shampoo will help to prevent stripping the hair of these oils and keep strands feeling strong and protected.

If your hair texture is higher (in the range of a 3A subtle curl to a 4C strong coil), and in need of more frequent cleansing, use botanical repair™ strengthening shampoo to gently remove excess sebum, product build-up and pollution. Follow up with botanical repair™ intensive strengthening masque: rich to deeply condition, strengthen and instantly transform the look of your hair.

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Building a transition routine

“Women who want to transition don’t want to lose a lot of length,” says Naomi. “With botanical repair™, you can preserve length by strengthening hair that has been damaged while protecting new growth.” In the first six months of your transition to natural hair, Naomi says the main focus should be on reducing breakage, preserving length and strengthening hair. The plant actives in botanical repair™ work from the inside out to help prevent breakage and leave natural hair feeling softer and looking shinier during this period.

At the salon

Naomi suggests getting a trim every six to eight weeks, or about every ½” of growth. Keep in mind that depending on your texture, new growth might not be as visible because of how the hair curls, but trims are still essential.

She also recommends adding a botanical repair™ professional treatment to your next salon service, especially if you’re also getting a colour service. These treatments transform hair using plant-derived ingredients to strengthen strands from the inside out, leaving it looking revived, shinier and naturally full of life.

The botanical repair™ colour treatment was created specifically to be performed during a colour service. The treatment works while your hair colour processes, strengthening hair to dramatically reduce breakage and protect hair during your service.

“I won’t do a colour service without botanical repair™,” says Naomi. “Colour and bleach can jeopardise the integrity of the hair, especially with higher textures, where curls are more fragile.” With this treatment you can change up your colour without worrying about added damage.

At home

Product image of the Botanical Repair collection.

In between your salon visits, Naomi says its best to cleanse hair once a week, alternating weekly between botanical repair™ and nutriplenish™, which will address both hair strengthening and hydration.

On your botanical repair™ week, start by cleansing with the sulfate cleanser free botanical repair™ strengthening shampoo. This gentle cleanser will remove excess sebum and product build up while strengthening hair. Follow this with the botanical repair™ strengthening conditioner, to instantly condition and detangle hair.

Our team of scientists developed a nourishing macro green blend with certified organic green tea, avocado and sacha inchi especially for botanical repair™. This blend conditions the hair’s cuticle, an outer layer that provides protection. It is rich in essential fatty acids which help to keep the cuticle flexible, shiny and smooth. Plus, it helps prevent future breakage by keeping hair detangled.

The botanical repair™ strengthening leave-in treatment protects from heat up to 230°C and keeps hair detangled and conditioned. Our unique plant-derived complex is made with corn and coconut to help condition and strengthen. The sumptuous buttery creme texture contains 2x the plant lipids with added butter† for rich conditioning.

Before and after image, after using Botanical Repair shampoo, rich masque and leave-in treatment, plus blow dryer with diffuser

The final step is the botanical repair™ intensive strengthening masque. The plant-powered molecules in botanical repair™ work to strengthen damaged hair by building bonds, creating a super strong network of connections. The masques help to build bonds to strengthen and transform hair.

BEFORE: Prior to washing and styling

AFTER: Results with botanical repair™ shampoo, rich masque and leave-in treatment, plus blow dryer with diffuser

Available in light and rich, these masques will leave hair looking healthier, softer and shinier after just one use. Choose the masque formula based on your hair type or texture preference. For 3C-4C hair types, Naomi recommends using the rich masque. If you are a 3A-3B, Naomi says the light masque is best.

For your next cleanse the following week, you can focus on hydration and moisture with the nutriplenish™ collection. This intensely hydrating, replenishing collection uses nature’s nutrient-dense superfoods to give you lush, healthy looking and manageable hair. Made with organic pomegranate oil, coconut oil and mango butter, these 94% naturally-derived* formulas cater to all hair types and textures.

Naomi suggests using the deep moisture formulas, which includes nutriplenish™ shampoo: deep moisture, nutriplenish™ conditioner: deep moisture and nutriplenish™ leave-in conditioner. These products work together to deliver hydration while keeping hair soft and free from tangles.

Scalp care

Keeping your scalp healthy is just as important as regular trims and weekly cleanses. Naomi likes to use foam reset™ rinseless hydrating hair cleanser to refresh the scalp between cleanses.

This leave-in treatment cleanses and hydrates hair, addresses frizz and cools the scalp. It works well with extensions, braids and weaves. Think of your scalp as the foundation for healthy hair; taking care of it is key.

Protective styles

When it comes to how to style hair during these first six months, Naomi steers clients towards protective styles like box braids, cornrows and twist outs. These styles help to protect new growth and allow you to continue to treat the scalp. Naomi says you’ll see better long term results with these protective styles — but be sure to change these styles every six weeks.

After the first six months, Naomi says you can start to move towards transition styles, which will mimic what your natural texture looks like. Flat twist sets and two strand twist sets are two styles that she likes to use. Often, she’ll use a small perm rod to add curl to the ends and keep the look consistent.

Throughout this transition period, Naomi says it’s important to be patient and to keep your expectations realistic. “Embrace your natural texture and choose styles that work with that,” she says. “Don’t over manipulate it.” Keep in mind that the more your hair shrinks during this period, the healthier it is.