Putting the Care into Haircare | Aveda Men

If you have a full (or partially full) head of hair, then fixing up that follicle style is one of the major to-dos before you leave the house each morning. Apart from the almost-nocturnal morning walks with Pepita (my Pomeranian puppy), you’ll seldom find me pounding the pavements without some kind of product fixing my hair in place. Appearances can be deceptive though; I am guilty, just like many other men, of simply throwing as much adhesive onto my head in a vain attempt to look good. Up until recently, I didn’t actually acknowledge (or “care”) what hair care really is.

This all changed when I was introduced to Aveda for Men a few months ago. A simple philosophy of looking after your hair properly by using calming and nourishing ingredients that draw on Ayurveda practices from the East. Don’t worry, this was all a foreign concept and language to me too; think of it as less pharma and more farmer. Tending to that crop on your head rather than simply bombarding it with chemicals that you have never heard of.

Aveda’s proposition is two-fold; you can either head on over to their Holborn Institute for a scalp examination/massage and a haircut, or you can choose to use their products at home. While I have been using the products at home for almost a year now, I do highly recommend a trip to the Aveda Institute; the scalp massage is heavenly and there is a real depth of knowledge to glean from the experts there. I was pleased to learn that my hair growth hasn’t completely surrendered…yet.

As for the at-home collection, there are a few standout offerings that have become a mainstay in my bathroom cabinet. The Invati Men Nourishing Exfoliating Shampoo feels like it properly cleans the scalp and gently removes any excess dead skin or hair that could be blocking otherwise healthy pores. Combined with the Performance Conditioner, you leave the shower (or bath) smelling and feeling ridiculously good. The Pramāsana Exfoliating Scalp Brush is also an excellent way to further stimulate blood flow in the scalp; very important for keeping those hairs standing on end.

Post-wash, I then step into my morning routine. First, the Texture Tonic is a great way to add thickness and texture to flat hair. Spray on towel-dried hair and leave to dry for half an hour or so; a touch of warm air on the roots from the hairdryer will help the hair stand on end. Thickening Paste does exactly what it says on the tub; an excellent alternative to a stickier and heavier clay. Finally, to set the hair and protect against the ever-present rain, Aveda Control Force Hairspray is the perfect finishing touch. Never a stray hair again.