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They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That phrase can apply to plenty of things, but for folks with curly hair, “they” refers to fans of Be Curly, the beloved Aveda line that has been enhancing curls for over two decades. And it’s not so much that Aveda wanted to “fix" the famous original four-product collection; after all, there are countless fans who can’t imagine using anything else to bring out the best in their coils and waves. But with years of additional ingredient research and recognizing new and evolving needs, the Aveda team felt it was time to take it to a new level: Be Curly Advanced.
“The original Be Curly was launched in 2001. Since then, we’ve learned a lot about the structure and needs of textured hair, how to test textured hair, and we’ve identified a lot of new naturally derived technologies,” says Christine Hall, Aveda’s vice president of research and development, noting that they gained insights into cleansing without stripping, bolstering the resilience in response to daily stresses, and to providing better moisturization.
The goal—and if you ask Allure’s many curly-haired editors, the triumphant results—of Be Curly Advanced is frizz prevention in the face of humidity, increased hydration, strength, shine, and significantly improved curl definition for those with hair types of 2A to 4C. The collection includes seven formulas: a shampoo, a conditioner, a co-wash, a mask, a primer, a styling cream, and a gel.
“We designed the line so that a regimen can be tailored for each guest,” Hall tells Allure, noting that different curl types have different needs. “That’s why the conditioner can be rinsed out or left in. If your hair is more 2A, you may want to use the shampoo, conditioner as a rinse-out, primer, and curl-enhancer cream. If your hair is more 4C, you may want to use the shampoo, masque, primer, and coil-defining gel.”
Regardless of your curl type, one thing is true about the entire line: It was developed with ingredients that will bring out the best in textured hair—and without ones that could sabotage its potential. “The shampoo is now free of sulfate cleansers, the entire line is silicone-free, each product contains pea and vegetable peptides to strengthen delicate curls and coils, and we’ve used several natural oils and butters, including kokum seed butter, to moisturize,” Hall says.
The pea peptides Hall mentioned are derived from hydrolyzed pea protein, which is a boon for curls. “Curly hair is more prone to breakage and damage because strands are weaker at points where the hair coils and twists,” says cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. “Hydrolyzed pea proteins have been shown to be naturally substantive to hair, making hair more pliable and, therefore, resistant to breakage.” Dobos also says that, while sulfates are great at cleansing, it makes sense to keep them out of curly-hair products because “gentler surfactants may be preferred to prevent stripping the hair of its natural protective lipids.”
Allure staffers definitely appreciate how much thought was put into the Be Curly Advanced products, and we’ve been eager to share our honest feelings about each product.
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Shampoo
Be Curly Advanced Shampoo is an expert at cleansing without stripping, even depositing much-needed moisture. Whether your head hosts 2A waves or 4C coils, don’t be surprised if, like with Allure senior visuals editor Lauren Brown (4A), it easily steals you away from your current cleansing pick. “It's so good that I may replace it in my weekly wash routine,” she says. “It wasn’t heavy and had a great lather. While some curl shampoos can leave the hair feeling like it has a film on it, it left my hair feeling fresh and bouncy.”
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Conditioner
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann (2B/2C) has discovered her perfect pair in the shampoo and Be Curly Advanced Conditioner, which aims to improve the detangling process. “Finding a shampoo and conditioner combo that works for my greaseball roots and dry ends has been a journey, but these strike a perfect balance,” she says. “The shampoo tackles grease and gets my hair super clean—like lasts three days clean, which is unheard of for me—while the conditioner makes my hair ridiculously soft and tames frizz.”
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Co-Wash
Co-washing is an excellent option between full-blown wash days, and the Be Curly Advanced Co-Wash is especially awesome to fight frizz and prevent styling products from building up. “The co-wash was a life-saver and helped me prolong the distance between my more intensive washdays,” says Oye Olubowale (4C), global associate manager of brand marketing. And that’s exactly what it’s meant to do: cut back on shampooing while still cutting down buildup. “It cleansed my hair and provided great slip for easy detangling and primed me for my wash and go.”
Not sure if you should be incorporating a co-wash into your routine? “Co-washing is especially beneficial for those with type 3 and type 4 hair because it cleanses the scalp and hair without stripping away natural oils, which are essential for maintaining moisture and curl definition,” says Sabrina Rowe, a hairstylist and formulator not associated with the brand.
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Perfecting Masque
Although those with looser wave patterns may find the Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Perfecting Masque a little too intensive—read: heavy—its shine enhancing, frizz-reducing capabilities are a must for anyone whose curls are feeling ultra-dry. “I wish I had tubs of this treatment mask because it truly does help bring my curls to life, especially after washing out my heat-styled hair,” says Allure social media manager Bianca Richards (2B/2C). “It has a smooth consistency, so it spreads easily across my hair strands, therefore limiting the amount of product I use. On days when I'm staying home and I don't want to add in curl-styling products, not only have my wavy curls maintained their natural shape, but my curls feel silky to the touch. It's truly one of my new essentials as we are approaching the warmer months and I'm beginning to leave out my curls more often.”
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Curl Perfecting Primer
I’ve never used anything that was considered a styling primer on my 2B hair, so while I was a little confused about its purpose, I definitely came to appreciate it almost immediately.
“By prepping the hair, a primer ensures that styling products can be applied more evenly and effectively, resulting in longer-lasting, more defined curls with better hold and less frizz,” says Rowe.
The spray format makes the light formula easy to distribute, and brushing it through my wavy-curly hybrid hair instantly detangled it. In the past, I’ve always relied on a single styling product (typically a curl cream) to do all of the heavy lifting when it comes to smoothing and shaping, but this primer added extra benefits without extra weight—impressive considering I thought its slip-improving kokum seed butter would make it thick—sealing the cuticle and the deal when it comes to finding a place in my curl-care routine.
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Curl Enhancer Cream
The Curl Enhancer Cream easily won the popularity contest among Allure editors. “I have a variety of curls, from 2C S-waves to 3B coils, and Aveda's Be Curly Advanced Curl Enhancer Cream does an incredible job of pulling out springy coils that bounce back—and smell heavenly,” says Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin (3A). “My favorite thing about this formula is that it manages to give me defined curls without weighing my hair down. I always have issues with limp-looking curls when my hair gets past my shoulders, but I find that when diffusing or flipping my head forward and scrunching sans-diffuser, this curl-enhancer provides lift at the root all the way through the ends.”
Hunter Lacey (2C/3A), Allure’s associate director of special products, couldn’t agree more. “My curl pattern sits with Area 51 and the Bermuda Triangle as one of the world's greatest mysteries, and finding a product that can tame the flyaways while hydrating and defining my tighter curls is a seemingly insurmountable feat,” he says. “A pea-sized amount of Aveda Be Curly Advanced Curl Cream on towel-dried hair, however, is heavy enough to mitigate that aforementioned frizz and light enough to enhance and hydrate my curls, leaving me with bouncy, shiny hair.”
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Coil Defining Gel
“This gel gave me one of my best wash and go’s ever,” Brown says about the Coil Defining Gel. She loved being able to work it into her existing routine for even better results. “Combined with a leave-in moisturizer, the gel defined my curls without leaving any sticky or flaky residue. I wore the style for four days and my curls kept up."
If for some reason, you have curly hair but haven’t used products formulated specifically for curly hair, the Be Curly Advanced collection is your sign to make the switch. The products are available now on aveda.com for $36 to $65.
More on curly hair:
- How to Figure Out Your Curl Type
- Getting a Curly Cut Can Help You Embrace Your Natural Texture
- Hair Plopping Is the Easiest Way to Dry Your Curly Hair
Now, watch Nicola Coughlan try 9 new things:
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