Aveda vs Pureology (The Definitive Guide)

Aveda and Pureology have been consistently delivering quality hair care products for decades now.

Which is better, you ask? That's what we'll be finding out today as we compare the two side-by-side. Aveda vs Pureology - let’s get into it.

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Aveda vs Pureology Shampoo

When you have hair that is begging for some TLC, it’s important that you are addressing it with every step of your hair care routine. You shouldn’t rely on just a single treatment to do all the heavy lifting - your shampoo and conditioner should be pulling their weight, too.

That’s why we love that so many brands—such as Aveda and Pureology—boast multi-step systems that make it incredibly easy to *fully* address your hair-care concerns. Speaking of which, the first steps of their best-selling hydrating ranges are the Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo and the Aveda Nutriplenish Shampoo Light Moisture.

First up, we have the Aveda Nutriplenish Shampoo Light Moisture. This lightweight vegan shampoo gently cleanses the hair and scalp and restores nutrients to hair follicles. It can be used for all hair types, but it is specially designed for dry hair as it has rich, moisturizing properties.

The shampoo features pomegranate oil (which is rich in omega-5) that works to restore strength to the hair. It also includes coconut oil, oat, and mango butter which provide nutrients to damaged hair.

This clean formula is free from silicone, sulfates, parabens, gluten, and mineral oil. This ensures that your hair isn’t dried out or damaged by these common haircare ingredients.

A 250ml bottle of the Aveda Nutriplenish shampoo will cost you ~$27, or you can purchase a 1-liter bottle for ~$66 (a $42 saving if you know you're going to commit to using it for a while).

The Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is a luscious, softening shampoo with a vegan formula packed with hair food. Online reviewers have raved about how this shampoo completely transformed their dry hair.

It features jojoba for intense moisture and a calming blend of lavender, bergamot, and patchouli for aromatherapy in the shower. The ingredients list also doesn’t contain any sulfates, and instead offers protein to refortify the hair.

With the Pureology shampoo, you have the travel option of a 50ml bottle that costs ~$10, or you can pick up a 266ml bottle for ~$37, or a value-size 1-liter bottle for $90.

Overall, both vegan shampoos are great options, but we would recommend the Pureology shampoo. Not only is it the cheaper option, but it also has a great reputation for bringing damaged hair back to life. Also, the ingredients list is very natural which gives the shampoo a sublime scent.

Aveda vs Pureology Conditioner

No good hair care system is complete without a conditioner. I'm personally a fan of mixing and matching my shampoos and conditioners to address multiple different needs. For example, when using a clarifying shampoo, you don’t necessarily also need a clarifying conditioner. *But* when it comes to dry/damaged hair, it is definitely wise to complete the full multi-step routine to ensure you get the expected results.

Let’s compare the Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner and the Aveda Nutriplenish Conditioner.

Our first conditioner is the Aveda Nutriplenish Conditioner. This conditioner targets dry hair and smooths it over, revealing healthy glowing hair. This conditioner is also cruelty-free, which means it isn’t the result of any animal testing.

For those who appreciate sweet scents, this conditioner is perfect. It includes Aveda’s signature Pure-Fume, which is a blend of cocoa, cardamon, organic ginger, and flower essences. Aveda prides itself on creating 90% naturally-derived haircare.

Just like its partner shampoo, the formula is free from sulfates, parabens, and other damaging ingredients. It features nourishing pomegranate oil, coconut oil, and rich butters to lock in moisture.

You can get a 250ml bottle of the Aveda Conditioner for ~$25, while a 1-liter bottle costs $66 (again, like the shampoo, you can save a fair few bucks this way if you know you're going to be using it a lot).

Lastly, let’s look into the Pureology Hydrate Conditioner. This creamy, sweet-smelling conditioner is designed to restore strength and moisture to all hair types. It is especially effective for those with colored or heat-damaged hair, as it has smoothing properties.

The conditioner features moisture-rich jojoba oil, and green tea which soothes the scalp and encourages new hair growth. It also contains mango butter and sage leaf extract. These earth-derived ingredients will soothe the hair, making it less frizzy and easier to brush after washing.

Just like the Hydrate shampoo, you can purchase a 50ml bottle for ~$11, or you can get a 266ml bottle for $37, or a 1-liter bottle for $90.

Final Verdict

All in all, both haircare systems are impressive. Both Aveda and Pureology have fantastic strengthening ingredients, and rich, silky formulas. But which brand is the winner?

We feel that the better overall choice would be Pureology. This is due to their soothing blend of scents which elevate the shower experience, their powerful, clean ingredients list, and the option of buying a bottle of the Hydrate Shampoo or Conditioner for only $9!

Aveda Best-Sellers

For smoothness:
Try Smooth Infusion

For color-treated hair:
Try Color Conserve

For hair growth:
Try Invati Advanced

Pureology Best-Sellers

For damaged hair:
Try Strength Cure

For flat, fine hair:
Try Pure Volume

For frizzy hair:
Try Smooth Perfection

This article was originally published on November 7th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 14th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.