To me, my hair is a big deal. It’s the determining factor of my mood and really affects my confidence level. Lately, I’ve been feeling like my hair is in major need of some TLC. Sick of having bad days because of bad hair, I sought out solutions and narrowed it down to two sustainable options: Prose and Aveda.
I’ve been seeing Prose on TikTok lately, and was intrigued by the custom craze, so I knew that had to be one of the contenders. After chatting with my mom, she insisted I give Aveda a shot, a brand she’s been using for decades. In the showdown of the newcomer custom shampoo vs. the incumbent household name, keep reading below to see my winner:
If you want the cleanest ingredients…Prose
A simple rule of thumb for me: I like to be able to pronounce the ingredients I use. While ingredients like Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer and Babassuamidopropyl Betaine are at the top of Aveda’s ingredient list, Prose is completely paraben-free and phthalate-free. On top of that, they are formulated without sulfates, mineral oils, or GMOs, and come with the option to be made silicone-free, fragrance-free, or vegan, as well.
If you want a completely customizable formula…Prose
Aveda has 20 different lines of haircare products to choose, ranging from color treated to curly and more. While that’s all well and good, what really impressed me about Prose is that they don’t put you in the box of haircare lines for you to choose from. Rather than defining your hair with a blanket statement like “oily” or “curly”, each formula is individually crafted for your hair’s unique needs, which means that the combinations are endless. Prose makes it so easy, too. All I had to do was take a quick online consultation which accounted for over 80 factors that determine my haircare needs and my unique formula was crafted and sent to my doorstep. Aveda may get 20 points for this round, but Prose gets 80.
If you’re looking for more than just haircare…Aveda
Part of the reason my mom loves Aveda is because she goes to their salon, buys their skincare and bodycare, and buys products for my dad. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the appeal of having a one shop for the products you need. Not to mention, the salon … and spas. But for what I’m looking for, I’d rather have products that are highly specialized in what they do than have a one size fits all brand. As everyone knows, one size never really fits all.
If you want an industry-disrupting sustainable option…Prose
I’ve got to hand it to both Aveda and Prose - both are certified B corporations taking measures towards a greener future. Aveda uses 100% wind and solar powered manufacturing, they’ve transitioned to 100% post consumer recycled PET bottles, and carbon neutral shipping. That said, Prose is custom-made, and Prose is only produced on a made-to-order basis, so the waste is significantly cut down.They are completely carbon-neutral and certified Climate Neutral! Not to mention, Aveda falls into the category of mass-produced beauty products which produce up to 40% waste due to returns, inefficacy, and expiration. Much of this waste can end up unsold and in landfills, and for that reason, I’m giving it to Prose. Prose is also locally manufactured here in the United States, giving high-paying jobs to the local community and using fresh ingredients.
If you want a brick and mortar presence…Aveda
Since Prose is made-to-order, they’re only available online. That said, Aveda can be found at their stores, salons, Target, and more. If you’re someone who likes to go in person and pick your shampoo based on how they smell, then Aveda is your way to go.
My winner is…Prose
It’s no secret that Aveda has been around for ages, but after this showdown, it’s clear that Prose is what I’ll be using from now on. The customizable formula is the innovation my hair needed - I can’t wait to buy it for my mom and have her test out the magic!
