I have used Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo for nearly 3 years now and has proved for me to be a one of the best hair care products that I have ever tried.

My search was long and costly until about 3 years ago. An unfortunate incident at my hair salon a year ealier, where the over zealous colourist with a blonde fetish decided (against my wishes and without my knowledge) that the light brown highlights I always had in my dark brown hair weren't light enough had left my hair in the worst condition it had ever been in. I was desparate and really wanted to sort it out once and for all and as I was out shopping I walked past the Aveda concession in Selfridges. Seeing their strapline "The art and science of flowers and plants" I thought "if it's natural it will at least not do anymore damage". Aveda believe that using natural ingredients rather than too many chemicals is much preferred and they also believe in using sustainable sources for their ingredients. They actively support indigenous communities to help maintain their supplies and so their products are environmentally and ethically sound as well. At the time I first bought the product the environmental and ethical stance of the company was not that high on my agenda but it certainly is now and so if you feel strongly about such things I would recommend their products to you in general. For more information see http://aveda.aveda.com/protect/we/default.asp

She explained that it is a deep cleansing shampoo that hads clarifying properties to help remove excess oils and flaky skin to kick start the scalp into self regulating and working properly again. She then went into how the smell of the shampoo is very calming and warming and helps to rebalance your mood (I start to shut off at this point but she was right!). Its active ingredient is Burdock root which has traditionally been used in herbal remedies for its antiseptic and detoxifying qualities and to help with the "rebalancing of mood" is Vetiver oil which seemingly (according to their website) is known at the "oil of tranquility" in the East and its aroma helps to destress you. Its other active ingredients are Babassu, a type of nut, Echinacea, Sage Leaf and Seabuckthorn oil.

So the first thing you notice about Scalp Benefits Balancing shampoo is that the pale golden clear shampoo has an earthy, warm and comforting smell. It is pleasant but unexpected. As well as the earthy smell you get the smell of the burdock root which takes me back to days of drinking dandelion and burdock at my gran's house. It's not got a medicinal smell like Vosene or some of the Neutrogena shampoos (or as strong) but it smells liike it will get your hair clean. And in a strange way it is nice and calming. It would not go amiss in a gentleman's bathroom either with the smell. A small amount (a 50 pence piece size) of the shampoo lathers very well in all water areas. The lather is rich and creamy which again I wasn't really expecting from a "clear" shampoo. But despite its voluminous lather it also washes out really quickly and easily. You only need to wash your hair once, even if you don't use the conditioner.

Since using this shampoo my hair always feels clean and in great condition. It feels nourished and when I have my hair coloured these days it doesn't have an adverse effect on it (mind you I also have Aveda colour my hair so their dyes are also made with the same ethos as the rest of their products, so that probably helps as well!). I'm not saying that the flaky patches don't come back because they do especially when I am stressed but they are always more manageable and clear quickly. It is also fine to use with coloured and treated hair. I admit that I do use a colour conserve shampoo twice a week for the first month after I have my hair coloured but because of the nature of the scalp benefits shampoo I don't need to use it any more often than that. For the other five days it's the scalp benefits.

So in conclusion, if you have a flaky scalp (and it isn't dandruff - or even if it is as they have an anti dandruff treatment that you use in conjunction with Scalp Benefits) or if you just want healthy, great looking hair with a natural product and the mininum of chemical assistance then I would highly recommend this product.