Patrick Melville poses with me, Alison Blackman, in his Rockefeller Center salon
If I’ve learned anything about beauty products after reviewing thousands of them in the past 14+ years, it’s that cost isn’t always the determining factor in whether or not a product is going to be good, great, or ghastly. There’s no need to be a “hair snob” if you want to get great results.
Although I have the luxury of choosing from just about any products I want, one of the lines I use consistently for both skin and hair, is Aveeno. I’m an Aveeno Brand Ambassador. I agreed to be one, because I really like Aveeno products and I really use them. Aveeno products feature active naturals. Whether for skin or hair, the products are easy to use, effective, and they are truly affordable. Not everyone needs, or wants, a pricey product when it comes to cleansing and conditioning their skin and hair.
….and I’m not the only one who feels this way.
The Patrick Melville Salon in Rockefeller Center
Celebrity Hairstylist, Patrick Melville’s, whose skilled hands created the shiny, bouncy, gorgeous hair you see on my own head at the top of the page, uses all natural products, plus Kerastase, and Aveeno products in his chic, bright, modern-looking, tranquil salon in NYC’s Rockefeller Center. Although he has plenty of high profile clients, including: Ashley Judd, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Demi Moore, Molly Sims, Sharon Stone, Brooke Shields, Sting, Mark Wahlberg, Tom Cruise and Harry Connick, Jr., Melville’s first goal is to provide his clients with healthy, natural, youthful-looking hair. Apart from Shampoos and Conditioners, Patrick suggested that for optimal results, you really need to know what products work with your hair, and your hair style. I loved Patrick’s philosophy, and of course, his skill. I felt truly lucky to be able to be in his salon.
Patrick used the Aveeno Nourish+ Shine and Aveeno's Living Color Preserving Shine Glaze on my hair
But you still need good products to get a good result. Patrick used the Aveeno Nourish+Shine shampoo and conditioner, which features AVEENO® signature, “active naturals” (ingredients selected from nature and uniquely formulated by AVEENO® through the power of science to deliver visible benefits for skin and hair). While I am still not sure what is in their complex, complexes, I do like the results.
Aveeno offers two different Hair Care Collections. For color-treated hair, there’s the Living Color Collection with shampoo and conditioner for fine, and for medium-thick hair (Lupine Botanicals keeps color vibrant for up to 40 washes). When I was at Patrick’s salon, he used Aveeno’s Living Color Preserving Shine Glaze to add lots of lustre to my hair. This rinse-out last step before styling uses the same, lupine botanicals in the shampoo and conditioner, to smooth the cuticle to enhance shine, while adding a weightless polish and protection. When my hair was blown out, you could not only see shine, but the highlights David Stanko artfully added, that seemed to be hidden when my hair was looking dull. The photo at the top of the page is not doctored in any way. It was taken with my Nikon D90 camera under the salon lights, and look at the shine! That’s not trick photography done in a studio, this is simply due to Patrick, and Aveeno!
If your hair isn’t colored but perhaps it’s damaged or just needs regular TLC, Aveeno offers the NOURISH+ Collection. Active Naturals Wheat Complex strengthens hair and nourishes it back to life with results you can see and feel within a few washes. The Aveeno Nourish+ collection a variety of shampoos and four conditioners that help nourish and strengthen hair from the inside out. The products are keyed to specific hair types: Nourish+ Moisturize (with hydrating Oat Protein to hydrate hair and replenish vital moisture); Nourish+ Revitalize (with wheat complex to moisturize and nourish the hair shaft with protein where it needs it most); Nourish+ Volumize (with Anti-Oxidant Blue Lotus Flower, to add life and fullness to fine hair); Nourish+ Soothe (to soothe dry and itchy scalps); Nourish+ Revitalize and Nourish+ Shine (to smooth the hair’s surface and boost shine in just one use!). A NOURISH+ CONDITION Leave-In Treatment adds additional benefits for dry, damaged hair with deep conditioning and moisturizers.
At one time or another, I’ve tried all the Aveeno Nourish+ shampoos and conditioners. The packaging is simple with an easy flip top. All are mild and effective and of course affordable (a big plus if you have a family and are on a budget). You can use any one and get clean, soft hair, but pick the one that suits your needs the best. My favorite is Nourish+ Shine with shine enhancing palm extract. It effectively removes dirt and oil and prevents build up so your hair doesn’t look dull, but it replenishes moisture so it’s not dried out, either.
Even if you can’t go to a celebrated hair genius like Patrick Melville, you can still have bouncy, shiny hair (yes, even on a budget)! Aveeno Nourish+ Shampoos and Conditioners (plus Nourish+ Condition Leave-in Treatment) and the Aveeno Living Color Shampoos and Conditioners run about $6.49-$7.49 for a 10.5 fl. oz,. bottle, while and Living Color Shine Glaze is in a 4 oz. bottle with squeeze tip. All of these awesome, Aveeno products can be purchased at drugstores nationwide and at such retailers as Target and Walmart.
