I'll have to check that out, Linelle! I wasn't familiar with it but the reviews look good. Even from those with very fine hair like mine.

I have been using the Color Conserve for years and years, it is gentle for my color and the rest of the family can use it also. I buy the large bottle with a pump.

I have fine but thick hair and I really the phemolliant. It doesn't give a ton of hold, just enough to make my hair wave a bit.

I also like the scalp benefits conditioner. I've tried others b/c here in Canada it is really expensive, but I always come back to it - not too heavy, not too light.

I use many of the Aveda products, but my hair is dry, frizzy and I have lots of hair.

Look at all the products online as they have descriptions of each. They are all specific to what you want to do. Some work better than others, so you might have to experiment.

I've been using Pure Abundance shampoo and alternating with one of the shampoo bars (Lemon Rosemary from Sweets N things). After shampoo I use Phomollient and the thickening tonic. I've been a Phomollient user for years, so guess I'm hooked on that. Sometimes on weekends that's all I use just as a kind of conditioner. For hairspray my go-to is still Sebastian Shaper Zero Gravity.

I'm letting my gray grow out so I may have to try the Light Elements Defining Whip one day.

I have fine straight hair and I like J Frieda Beach Blonde, esp in the summer. It gives a little bit of texture and wave.

I am going to try Aveda Light Elements Defining Whip. Right now I use a Garnier pomade from the drugstore (I forget the name but it is super cheap and does the trick well enough.)

Glad to see you all echoing the positive reviews of Phomollient. I'd already added it to my cart but was waiting to see if anyone here was as enthusiastic as the other reviewers. I already have a couple of post-wash & condition products but if I believe the reviewers, it's a must have! Same with Color Conserv but I'd already decided to give that a try.

Outside, hairspray is another area I have been struggling. I rarely use it for hold but I like to use it with my final dry to hold a little swoop or volume. I used Sebastian Spritz Forte for decades before they discontinued it. Used as a hair spray it has a crazy hold (it was big back in the 80s for "big hair") but sprayed on my brush, it gave me movable shape. Most recently I tried Sebastion Stylebrid 9 but it *really* didn't work well on my hair. I used it twice and both times my hair lost all volume and "swoop" due to the weight (and I applied it with the brush-- didn't just spray it on). Your hair sounds/looks a lot like mine so I'll give zero gravity a try too!

Daisy, I believe I remember seeing an Aveda spa/resort in northern MN.. you could stock up on Aveda and get some R&R!

I've used other texturizing products before (I prefer a post-blow-dry product) to piece out my hair, applying mainly to the ends. With Defining Whip, I actually apply it throughout my hair and then style it in place with my fingers. The only time I use a brush (don't own a comb) is immediately after shampooing and when blow-drying. It took me a week or two to figure out the amount and technique.

It's about $25 and a little goes a long way. The jar is gonna last me over a year. I like that the Aveda salon says, if you don't like it, bring it back. I love how it smells, very herbal. It looks and smells like Noxema and evokes silly memories of teenage sunburns.

I don't use Aveda shampoo - I've found a 'drug store brand' that I love. It's plant derived, sulphate free, paraben free, petroleum free, vegan, made in Canada, and it works for me, so for $7.99 I don't bother with Aveda shampoo.

My styling products are exclusively Aveda. I use the Smooth Infusion Styling Cream mixed with a few pumps of the Thickening Tonic everyday. Some days I spray on a bit of the Pure Abundance Style Prep at the roots. And everyday I finish (after drying & styling) with Light Elements Smoothing Fluid (probably my most favourite product ever - rub a small amount on your hands and lightly run it over & through your hair - - adds shine and tames flyaways instantly). In the winter I'l mix a few drops of the Dry Remedy Daily Moisturizing Oil in with the smoothing fluid.

Most of my products are geared towards adding volume and combating frizz. I have hair that despises humidity, lol. When we go south on vacation my hair gets bigger and bigger everyday. My husband calls it 'vacation hair'. The Smooth Infusion Styling Cream is fairly new, and I've been really happy with it. I like that their products are designed to be used together, so I can mix two or three in my hands and then add them to my hair. When I use hairspray I have the Brilliant medium hold, but that isn't often.

I've only ever returned two Aveda products, and one was the Phomollient. It dried my hair out terribly. But I know lots of people love it. The other was their Dry Shampoo. That is one thing I like about Aveda - they will happily take their products back if you're not satisfied.

I DO have problems with products drying my hair out-- maybe I should rethink the phomollient.

Ive been looking at the skin products. Not sure if I want to give anything a try just. I do have a rosemary-mint body wash but it's not my favorite.

Anyone using the blue malva shampoo? I used to keep some around in case my hair color went too brassy. I prefer a very ash blonde and it definitely helped. My stylist has been keeping my color about right but I added a bottle to my order.

My salon uses aveda products but I don't care for them. They are too heavy for my fine hair, and the scent is over powering - I can smell it on my hair until the next time I wash it. I do, however, like their hand relief lotion.

I use Volumizing Tonic, Light Elements Defining Whip(so glad you have decided to love it Linelle), and Phomollient. Gee I am probably an Aveda junkie.....

I use too of the above products, switching between the Defining Whip and Phomollient based on the look and feel I want on a given day. Defining Whip is more control. Phomollient is more volume, less control, I occassionally use Phomollient all over and a teensy bit of Defining Whip in the front(I am growing out bangs).

For shampoo, I love their Shampure but it is way too drying for me even if I only wash every third day. My hair is thick(lots of strands) and fine(each strand is very narrow). My hair is gray, colored with partial highlights. Lately I have been using their Blue Malba shampoo and conditioner because I noticed my grays were yellowing. I love the shampoo but the conditioner is not intensive enough for me at this time. Winter in Maine is very very dry. It will probably be fine in the summer, but right now I am not incredibly satisfied with it am going to my salon on Saturday to get some travel sizes for a flight on Sunday and will inquire about something else.

I don't use the Aveda hair products but both DD and I use their tinted moisturizer.

My colorist uses Framesi hair color and I use their shampoo and conditioner.

It's been a long time since I used any of their makeup. I love the "taste" of their lipstick but I didn't care for the "feel". I am not sure I ever used their tinted moisturizer. I'll have to try it out the next time I make it to the store!

Funny, I really like the scent of the products I've used. I wouldn't have called them perfume-y but maybe it's because I used primarily their herbal products.

I do like the blue malva shampoo-- I don't have gray yet but it definitely helps with the blonde! I had opted for just the shampoo and your post confirmed the choice, Localeater. Thank you-- and thank you all!!

Bluebell, that's funny because their hand relief lotion scent is the one thing I do not like. Localeater, I agree with you about Shampure. I used to use it all the time, but find it drying now. Maybe as I've gotten older and since I wash my hair frequently it just doesn't work for me anymore. I switched to Pure Abundance. My DD uses Blue Malva but she has blonde hair. DGD also uses it. She has thick fine hair.

Funky, I never have found Phomollient to be drying at all. I wouldn't rule it out. The dry shampoo - Yuck! I need to take mine back for a refund. It's still sitting in a drawer. Made my hair feel like straw.

Updates: I do not find phomollient drying.

For dry shampoo I like Tigi- Dirty Little Secret. I have not tried, but have heard good things about Living Proof-Perfect Hair Day

I once heard some famous hair stylist say that you should spend time and money sourcing a really good conditioner for your hair type but buy the cheapest drugstore shampoo.

I'm a little late to
this conversation, but here are my thoughts and a picture of my arsenal. My
hair is blonde, fine, flat, straight and chin length. I get a good cut about
every 6 weeks and a few highlights every 3 months or so. I've searched high and low for the right combination of products
to provide volume and lift.

I alternate between the Redkin High Rise Volume shampoo and the Aveda Pure Abundance shampoo. I find the Aveda drying if I use it twice in a row, however I love the volume it provides and the smell! It reminds me on the Rosemary and Mint. The Redkin performs very well but is a little heavy for my fine hair. Alternating between these two shampoos works well for me.

Aveda Volumizing Tonic - love this! Use it almost every day. I spritz just a little on my hands and rub into roots. Shake up before using. Smells so nice - earthy and organic smelling to me.

Phomollient - I do not find this drying at all as others mentioned above. DO NOT shake this up. I blow my hair upside down (after the volumizing tonic) until almost dry and then work through 2-3 pumps of the foam before finishing drying and styling. I just use a round brush to style.

Pure Abundance Spray - I don't really like this. Does not smell good and is sticky. It does hold though.

Sebastian Shaper spray - nice and light and is perfect for me. I carry a purse size one to use throughout the day if needed.

Redkin also makes another shampoo that works well for my hair type - Beach Envy Volumizing Shampoo.

Hope this helps!

Tanna, what is the Pure Abundance spray you're using? Mine looks different than that??

Smell is such a personal thing.... I am very scent sensitive and can tolerate most Aveda products, with the exception of their 'stress-relief' products (lavender bottles). Maybe because they're more herbal / earthy smelling?? Shampure is my favorite and I use the body lotion.

Redken products, OTOH, I personally find chemically overwhelming and intolerable. Nauseating. I'd rank them right up there with Gain laundry detergent. My stylist, who I love & have gone to for years, used to work at an Aveda salon (where I met her). A few years ago she opened her own place and now uses Redken products. I still go to her - a great stylist is hard to find! - but she knows I dislike the products and uses as little as possible. Even then I rush home to wash my hair.

Smhinnb I think that's the pure abundance hair spray, not the style prep spray.

Speaking of Aveda products, I was on a cruise in August and the cruise line offered Aveda as the in-room products. I thought great, now I don't have to pack soap or shampoo since I know I can use those without a problem.

I get on the ship and the bathroom has some other brand and it has a musk scent. OH NO! There isn't much worst than the stench of musk. Luckily, the room attendant was in the hall and I asked do you have any other products? I thought you carried Aveda? She said oh we do, let me get some for you. Whew, saved me from my first tourist stop being a drug store.

It was the first time I gambled and didn't pack my own products and I'll never do that again. I'd rather overstuff my quart sized baggie that take a chance on horrible smelling, or, even worse, reaction triggering products. You live, you learn.

Oh hhireno, I would have been really po'd if that had happened to me. I can't stand musk either!

Would someone please tell me how to use the Light Elements Defining Whip???

There is no tutorial online except funky hairstyles. Two weeks ago I had my hair cut into a shoulder length layered bob, with new highlights. I liked the idea of being able to style the hair with the Whip. Also I read the whip is great for static, and ever since I started using the no poo method, the static is awful.

This morning was the first time I used Whip. I put a small dab on my palm, rubbed it in all over my palm, then spread it through my hair, just for static, not shaping.

Now I have a greasy looking head of hair! lol I swear this is the only product I've bought where I can't find any good info on how to use it online.

I put it on dry hair.

Those of you who use the Whip, would you take the time and read some of the reviews HERE?

Some have the same layers I do, thick but fine hair, and it seems they have good luck putting it on wet instead of dry.

I tried to "piece" my hair but it's just a greasy mess. I only used a marble size dab.

I'll try. My hair is short and layered and I only use the Whip when it's been blown dry, or 90% or so dry. My hair is gray, so not as shiny as I'd like. I've always considered my hair average thickness and texture, but people tell me I have thick hair, so I guess it depends on your perspective.

If you use the right amount (easy for me to say) and technique it shouldn't make your hair look greasy.

After I wash my hair I go about my business for up to 2 hours. It will still be damp underneath. I blow it dry, head upside down, then right side up, mostly blowing in root area to give lift and body. Then I put my brushes down and don't use anything but my fingers until I wash my hair again.

I apply the Whip in three parts: back, sides, top, in that order. For each, I put a very small amount--maybe the size of a flat dime--and rub it in my palms. Not crazy, just so that the whiteness disappears. Then I rake my hands through the section I'm working on, starting at the ends. Then I move onto the next section. My hair actually looks good after all the raking, and it needs just a bit of piecing into place. I finish with a little Paul Mitchell Fast Drying Sculpting Spray here and there, not to create a helmet.

If it's making your hair look greasy, either you're using too much or perhaps your hair is too fine for this product. Sometimes I might use a wee bit too much and it will feel a little dirty in back.

I'm not sure I'd want to use Whip for longer styles. I like a textured look, not choppy, but not a smooth swath of hair. The Whip adds enough texture so my hair will hold but it does NOT look greasy or weighted down. It doesn't dull my hair either. I wouldn't think this is a product for spiky hair either.

HTH

I must have used too much. In the link above it seemed a lot of reviewers had shoulder length fine hair. After a blow dry, my hair doesn't look fine at all, but does after a day or two. I also blow dry it upside down for lift and it really works.

I'm going to try it again in a bit, but I'll use a lot less.

Oakley, from what I remember of your description and your photo, your hair is as fine as mine. Baby fine. Not your average fine. If that is the case, I am guessing that Linelle is right that it may be too much for the combination of your length and the fine hair. I can't use any products that go on dry hair.. including many hairsprays. I also can't let my hair go much beyond chin length or it starts to look scraggly.

I did read the reviews previously and a number of people said they put it on wet hair. You can try that-- but I think products like this tend to work better on shorter hair.

Did you get any other Aveda products? I really liked the volume tonic! Haven't tried the others yet.

Just did my hair. This is the amount I use for the back, then sides (two separate amounts). A tiny bit less for the top/front. I can't imagine using this on wet hair, but YMMV.

My hair is mostly fine on top but has natural waves which gives it good body. I bought the whip because of the layers. All the reviewers with layers said how great it is for them.

I think putting it on wet hair helps with volume, then add more when it's dry. The website says you can layer the whip.

Linelle, that's about how much I used for my whole head! Maybe since my hair is finer it will take less. I sure hope it works.

Why aren't there detailed instructions for products like this? How can they sell it when there is absolutely no instructions on the package or jar?

The Aveda website has usage guidelines for their products.

Apply a small amount to palms and rub together to emulsify. Work evenly through dry hair [emphasis added] with fingertips to create medium hold and separation. Layer more as needed to eliminate static or flyaways without adding weight.

Thanks, Linelle. Is it me or does "emulsify" seem to be the new catch word? The product doesn't need emulsifying because it's super creamy.

Oakley, yeah, "emulsify" gets used a lot. I do rub my hands together a few times to clarify the cream, so that it goes from white to invisible. Doesn't take a lot of effort.

I forgot to give my official review after I used the whip again. I really don't know what to think! lol.

Since I got highlights I have a lot of volume now and it doesn't go flat in a day or two. No longer do I need to blow dry my hair upside down.

I have natural waves except on the sides, and I think the whip helped to define them when I scrunched the bottom half of my hair.

Here's a picture I found of my exact hair style, except our part's are different. See the curliness at the bottom of the hair? That's what the whip did.

But I don't know how to use it for the bangs. They aren't long, they're side swept.

BTW, who is the actress in the picture?

Salma Hayek? I like that hair style. I have straight and wavy sections in my hair. There's no rhyme or reason to it. My bangs are long-short, meaning I have to blow a little wave into them so they're not in my eyes, and then sweep to the side. The Whip doesn't give them wave, but it makes them behave.

Salma Hayek, that's who it is. I use the curling iron for my bangs, just for 20 seconds or so to give them a slight wave away from my face. Mine don't hang straight down like Salma's does.

That's Rose Byrne in the picture -- she was the rich maid of honor in "Bridesmaids."