Abundantly Beautiful - Aveda's Pure Abundance

Now, to be completely honest, just about all of Aveda's products appeal to me. However, I am a hair care slut and not loyal to any particular line for more than about half a bottle. However, I am now on my second bottle of 3 of the four products (I'd be one the second of all four, but the conditioner lasts forever!)

Since this is what Aveda is famous for, here's the rundown of the assorted botanicals used in the line: certified organic acacia gum (a natural "bulking agent"), kaolin, aroma of certified organic peppermint, ylang ylang, palmarosa and jasmine.

The product-by-product description of the line:
(which will make you love your fine hair as you've never loved it before!)

Pure Abundance Volumizing Shampoo - $14

Unlike the vast majority of "volumizing shampoos", this formula leaves hair silky - not just full. It's truly weightless - plus soft and shiny to boot. Though Aveda strongly warns against skipping conditioner, when I've had to skip it for lack of time, my hair still felt lovely and held it's style well. I've never encountered a body-building shampoo that could do that!

Pure Abundance Volumizing Clay Conditioner - $14

Koalin clay (can you believe it?) makes this conditioner feel like it's plumping the hair shaft, yet continuing the silkening and softening properties of the shampoo. It's no wonder it won the Self Healthy Beauty Award 2006. I still can't quite figure how the koalin is working in there - but it does! My hair dried full and bouncy, even on the days I didn't blow dry it into a "style".

Pure Abundance Volumizing Hairspray - $15.50

No stickiness - just great hold that adds even more (yes, more!) volume and body to hair. This is the easiest hairspray I've ever worked with and it makes my fine hair look glamorous and yet not overly "done". Also, though the hold is "firm", using only small amount yields a soft, touchable style that keeps curl and wave, but doesn't get too crunchy.

Pure Abundance Hair Potion - $22

This is the gem of the line - a soft powder that turns to liquid in your hands, and turns into instant body (with a bit of hold) in your hair. It contains both the kaolin clay and the acacia gum mentioned above to instantly thicken hair by 17%. This stuff instantly creates that magical "second day" look that can be so easy to style. It leaves a matte texture that's not sticky - but still holds up beautifully. And all you have to do is scrunch into hair - wherever you want added oomph! The price point seems steep for such a tiny bottle - but a little goes a very, very long way. In fact, you'll want to start with a very small amount and build to what you need. If you overuse the product, it takes on more of a very light sculpting mud texture.

For even more versatility (than I have patience for, anyway), you can still use Phomollient ($13)and Volumizing Tonic ($13 - which has aloe and wheat amino acids) with the entire Pure Abundance Line. I also still use the Phomollient (which contains organic honey, burdock and marshmallow root) in the winter when my hair gets extra dry and unmanageable. Volumizing Tonic will help you create weightless volume and add even more shine.

Now I'm done with my cheating ways and I've finally committed to one haircare line. To have and to hold (and volumize!) from this day forward!