When it comes to hair color, especially highlights, one of the biggest concerns is the long-term health of your hair. If you’ve ever walked out of a salon with dry, brittle, or damaged hair after a color treatment, you know that not all hair color products are created equal. This is where Aveda comes in—a brand known for its commitment to both environmental responsibility and hair health.

At The Wayward Hairdresser, we use Aveda color products for a reason. Not only do they deliver beautiful, natural-looking highlights, but they’re also formulated to be gentler on your hair. In this post, we’ll explore whether Aveda highlights are healthier than those from other brands and dive into the long-term benefits of using Aveda products for your overall hair health. Plus, we’ll highlight how you can get Aveda treatments and products right here at The Wayward Hairdresser salon in Crown Heights.

The Aveda Difference: What Sets It Apart?

Aveda is a brand built on the principles of sustainability, natural ingredients, and holistic hair care. Unlike many conventional hair color brands, Aveda uses plant-powered ingredients and avoids harmful chemicals like ammonia, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Instead, Aveda’s hair color line, including its highlights, is designed to nourish and protect the hair while delivering vibrant, long-lasting color.

Here are some key factors that set Aveda apart from other hair color brands:

1. Naturally Derived Ingredients

Aveda’s hair color formulations are made with up to 96% naturally derived ingredients, including plant oils like sunflower, castor, and jojoba. These ingredients help to protect the hair’s integrity, locking in moisture and preventing the damage that can come with traditional bleaching and color treatments. Most conventional hair color brands use a high concentration of synthetic chemicals that can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage over time.

2. No Ammonia

Many hair color brands use ammonia to lift the hair cuticle and deposit color, but this harsh chemical can weaken the hair and cause long-term damage. Aveda’s color products, including their highlights, are ammonia-free, which makes them much gentler on the scalp and hair. Instead of ammonia, Aveda uses a blend of essential oils to help open the cuticle and infuse color, minimizing the damage that traditional highlighting processes can cause.

3. Plant-Powered Damage Control

Aveda highlights contain conditioning plant oils that help strengthen and protect the hair throughout the coloring process. Sunflower, castor, and jojoba oils are known for their moisturizing properties, and Aveda incorporates these oils into their formulas to maintain the hair’s softness and shine even after lightening treatments. This focus on hydration is particularly important for those with dry or textured hair, as it helps prevent the damage that can result from traditional chemical treatments.

4. Eco-Friendly and Cruelty-Free

Aveda is a leader in sustainability and ethical practices. Their products are 100% cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing is involved, and they prioritize eco-friendly manufacturing processes. They’re also committed to reducing their environmental impact by using recyclable packaging and sourcing ingredients responsibly. If you’re someone who cares about the impact your beauty routine has on the planet, Aveda highlights are a more eco-conscious choice.

Are Aveda Highlights Healthier Than Other Brands?

Now that we’ve explored what makes Aveda different, the question remains: Are Aveda highlights healthier for your hair compared to other brands? Based on their natural ingredients, lack of harsh chemicals, and commitment to hair health, the answer is yes—Aveda highlights are generally gentler on your hair and scalp. Let’s break down the reasons why.

1. Less Damage During the Highlighting Process

Traditional highlighting often involves using harsh bleaching agents that can strip the hair of its natural moisture and leave it feeling dry, brittle, and damaged. This is especially true for ammonia-based products, which open the hair cuticle aggressively and can weaken the hair structure over time. In contrast, Aveda’s ammonia-free formula lifts the hair more gently, using essential oils to open the cuticle and deposit color without causing excessive damage.

Additionally, the inclusion of plant oils like sunflower and castor oils helps to nourish and protect the hair during the coloring process. These oils add moisture and create a protective barrier, which prevents the hair from drying out during the lightening process. This makes Aveda highlights particularly beneficial for those with sensitive scalps, fine hair, or anyone concerned about long-term hair health.

2. Long-Term Benefits for Hair Health

One of the key advantages of Aveda highlights is the long-term improvement in hair health. Because Aveda products are designed to minimize damage, your hair is less likely to suffer from the split ends, breakage, and dryness that often accompany frequent color treatments. By incorporating nourishing plant-based ingredients, Aveda helps maintain the integrity of your hair, allowing it to grow stronger and healthier over time.

In contrast, repeated use of harsh chemical highlights from other brands can lead to cumulative damage that may take months or even years to repair. Aveda’s approach helps mitigate these risks, making it a better choice for those who want to keep their hair looking and feeling healthy in the long run.

3. Fewer Irritants for Sensitive Skin

If you have a sensitive scalp or are prone to allergic reactions from traditional hair color products, Aveda’s highlights may be a healthier option for you. Because Aveda avoids using harsh chemicals like ammonia, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, their products are less likely to cause irritation or discomfort during the coloring process. This makes Aveda highlights a good choice for those with sensitive skin or those who have had adverse reactions to other hair color brands in the past.

The Long-Term Benefits of Using Aveda Products

While Aveda highlights are an excellent starting point for healthier hair, maintaining that health over time requires consistent care. Aveda’s entire product line is designed to nurture and strengthen your hair, making it easier to maintain beautiful, healthy hair long after your highlighting appointment. Here are some of the long-term benefits of using Aveda products regularly:

1. Deep Hydration and Moisture

Aveda’s hair care products, like the Nutriplenish line, are formulated to provide intense hydration using plant-based ingredients like pomegranate oil, coconut oil, and mango butter. These natural moisturizers help replenish the hair’s moisture levels, which is especially important for color-treated or highlighted hair that tends to dry out more easily. Regular use of these products can help prevent your highlights from becoming dull or brittle, ensuring your hair remains soft and shiny.

2. Color Protection

Aveda’s Color Conserve line is specifically designed to protect and extend the life of color-treated hair, including highlights. These products contain natural ingredients that help lock in color, prevent fading, and protect your hair from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution. By using Aveda color-protection products, you can keep your highlights vibrant and fresh for longer, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups and additional chemical treatments.

3. Strength and Repair

Coloring and highlighting can weaken the hair’s structure, making it more prone to breakage and split ends. Aveda’s Botanical Repair line is formulated to strengthen and repair damaged hair using plant-based technology. With regular use, this line helps to rebuild the hair’s bonds, making it stronger and more resilient over time. This is especially important for those with fine or fragile hair, as it can help maintain the health of your hair even after multiple coloring treatments.

4. Natural Scalp Care

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and Aveda offers a range of scalp care products designed to nourish and balance the scalp’s ecosystem. Their Pramasana scalp care line, for example, uses natural ingredients like seaweed extract and tamanu oil to cleanse, balance, and protect the scalp. A healthy scalp is essential for strong, shiny hair, and using Aveda’s scalp care products can help prevent issues like dandruff, itchiness, or dryness, which can be exacerbated by chemical color treatments.

Why Choose Aveda at The Wayward Hairdresser?

At The Wayward Hairdresser in Crown Heights, we’re proud to use Aveda color products because we believe in offering our clients the best in both style and hair health. Our blonding experts are trained in the Aveda system, which means we understand how to achieve stunning, natural-looking highlights while protecting the integrity of your hair. Whether you’re looking for sun-kissed balayage or bold, platinum highlights, we’ve got you covered with Aveda’s plant-powered formulas.

In addition to offering Aveda color services, we also carry a full range of Aveda hair care products that you can purchase directly from our salon. Whether you need a deep-conditioning mask to restore moisture, a color-protecting shampoo to maintain vibrancy, or a strengthening treatment to repair damage, we have everything you need to keep your hair looking its best.

When it comes to hair color, especially highlights, choosing the right products is crucial to maintaining the health and beauty of your hair. Aveda highlights stand out from other brands because they use naturally derived ingredients, are free from harsh chemicals like ammonia, and are designed to nourish and protect your hair during and after the coloring process. By opting for Aveda highlights at The Wayward Hairdresser, you’re investing in both stunning color and the long-term health of your hair.

If you’re ready to experience the difference that Aveda highlights can make, book an appointment at our Crown Heights salon today. Our blonding experts will work with you to create the perfect highlight look while keeping your hair healthy and vibrant. And don’t forget to check out our selection of Aveda products to maintain your color and hair health at home!