Raise your hand if you’ve heard of Aveda’s Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner. Just as I thought, pretty much all of you. So imagine my surprise when I saw this little number whilst perusing the hair product aisle at my local Walmart.
Yep – a new Suave knock-off. Why spend $15.99 on a bottle (albeit, a large bottle) of shampoo, when you can pay less than $2 for what is essentially the same thing? Or is it? I’m pretty sure the Aveda brand is better – organic, formulated from all natural ingredients, and makes puppies poop rainbows. Or something.
Here’s why I bought the Suave instead – I’m cheap. And I don’t like to spend a ton of money on something I’m just going to rinse off the top of my head and let flow down the drain, into the sewer, scenting the rats and cockroaches all rosemary-minty. I’d rather save the big bucks for shoes… and conditioner.
Furthermore, Aveda products smell so damn STRONG. Everything is scented to the max, and it tends to irritate my skin. Give me oodles of bad-for-me chemicals, and my body is a happy camper, apparently. With any luck, all those preservatives might help me live longer.
That being said, I will spend a few more bucks on conditioner – aka the stuff that sits on my hair/skin/body longer. And I’m really willing to shell out for a product which promises to make me blonder:
Frieda’s campaign is right. Inside every blonde, like this one, there IS a blonder blonde wanting to get out. Yes, it’s true, I AM THAT SHALLOW. You knew that though, right?
Now for the gist of this post – the product reviews. I like the Suave shampoo. It gets all the sticky, nasty product out of my hair, and makes my scalp feel tingly and clean. I try not to use it every day, as I fear it might be drying. Other than that, two thumbs up. Oh, and as for the scent? MUCH lighter than the Aveda brand.
If I like the Suave, I LOVE the John Frieda conditioner. Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Conditioner is wonderful. It smells good, it conditions like crazy, but rinses out completely (no annoying residue), and brightens my hair without turning it brassy. Two thumbs up for this $8 bottle of awesome. You can find it at Walgreens… and possibly Target. I wouldn’t know about that, though. Sigh.
Question of the evening – what knock-off do you love?
13 Comments
Thanks for sharing this! I have not seen the “blondifying” conditioner before but I will be looking for it! I have been taking a break from highlighting my hair to try to get it healthier, but I miss my blonde- maybe this will tide me over for a little longer:)
I have to buy salon brands because my post-menopause hair no longer cares for cheap store brands. It dries out, or alternatively becomes greasy, and dries out my scalp, all at the same time! Hooray for the “change of life!”
I do support YOU buying inexpensive hair care products, though. Wish I could.
As for Walmart, don’t they have some fun shoes? That are less expensive than Target?
(raising my hand) Yup, I’ve heard of Aveda’s Rosemary Mint shampoo, but have never used it. They keep the same fragranced hand soap in the restroom of the salon where I go. I don’t care for the scent tons, but it’s ok. I wish I had as equally of a good experience with the Suave shampoo. I tried it once a few months ago, and it was so incredibly fragrant, I was worried all day that everyone could smell my hair, because *I* sure could. (Threw out the two new bottles I bought.) Granted, it very well may have been the partcular scent I chose (which I can’t recall, unfortunately). So perhaps not all of the Suave shampoos would be as bad to me. I *do* use their body wash (sweet pea and violet, lavender, and vanilla scents — not all at the same time, natch). I find it a nice thick consistency, and I never have to use much at all. Thus, the bottle lasts a good while. A great investment for around $2. I love the John Frieda products! Hairspray, color shampoos, spray gel, clear glaze, etc. Great stuff for very reasonable prices.
Awesome! So excited to look for the Suave shampoo! I loved the Aveda Rosemary mint, but my hair does not. I love the smell of fresh mint. Thanks for the tip!
I spend most of my children’s college funds on my haircare (those who know me, understand). I’ve been using the Aveda Dry Remedy for awhile now, ‘cuz it works really well for my uber dry hair. BUT, one day I was out of the expensive stuff and needed to grab something to keep my head clean for a few days before my salon visit, so whilst at Target, I perused the haircare products (like you do) and found to my utter delight Aveeno has a new nourishing shampoo and conditioner. Bought it. Tried it. Love it more than Aveda! Woot! PS: please don’t tell my Aveda Master Stylist.
Personally, I feel strongly that these products cannot compare to the end result received by using Aveda. Prove that by testing and measuring….see how your hair feels after a week of your OTC product compared to Aveda. Ask for input from your viewers after they do the same….it would be interesting to hear if cheap is as savvy as you claim.
As for your commentary regarding your money rinsing down the drain, I believe you have missed the point….it matters what you are rinsing down your drain…duh!, into the sewers and whatever other examples you provided. It’s a bigger picture than your article states….give it some thought, I know I have!
Thanks for allowing me to comment….
areiss
aveda user for 21 years and counting!!!
Aveda OWNS Suave, that’s how they can say it on the bottle. Same product. Try the Almond and Shea Butter – the conditioner is the bomb.
Sorry Jean, but you are WRONG! Aveda does not own Suave. Suave is a part of the Unilever brand of products. Aveda, which started out as independent, has been a part of the Estee Lauder company for about the past 10 years. No connection. Nice try though.
I have to totally disagree with the writer. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad she speaks that she’s cheap and what not but Aveda compared to Suave? First off, Estee Lauder does own Aveda however, Aveda still has their separate corporate office. Also, Estee Lauder gives Aveda the funds so they can be even more environmentally conscience company. Now, if you don’t care about the earth and what not, at least you know that Aveda is all pure plant and flower essences. Why do I speak so highly of it? Well, when I use to use Suave, herbal essences, all those hair care you get at the drug store literally damaged my hair. I turned to use Damage Remedy from Aveda and my hair is healthier than ever! I’m solo happy how my hair is today!
The suave bottle also has a PET of 29 witch it the highest I have ever seen (higher the pet the longer it tajes to decompose) most aveda bottles have a PET of 2
I wish someone would come up with a basil scented shampoo
No way!!! Suave is AWFUL and should NEVER be compared to Avedas Rosemary Mint. It’s awful. They should be ashamed. Suave left my hair feeling like straw. I will never buy it again.
Aveda DOES NOT own Sauve. (http://www.elcompanies.com/our_brands/our_brands.php) . If you want chemicals know to cause cancer in lab rats on your hair, buy Sauve. If not, buy Aveda, because it’s paraben free! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben) Parabens are low cost that’s why they are in lower quality products.