Why Your "Natural" Hair Color Might Be Missing the Point

As the founder of Bokaos Aveda, with over 30 years behind the chair, I've heard every question imaginable about hair color. But the one that comes up most often these days, especially here in Pasadena, is about finding a "natural" option that actually works.

So many clients come to us after a bad experience elsewhere. They're tired of the harsh chemical smells, the scalp irritation, and the dry, brittle hair that conventional dyes can leave behind. They've heard about "plant-based" color but are skeptical. Will it cover their grays? Will the color be vibrant? Will it even last?

It's a valid concern. The truth is, not all "natural" hair color is created equal. That's why I've exclusively used Aveda color in my salons for decades. It's not just about what's left out, it's about the incredible power of what Aveda puts in. Let me share what that really means for your hair.

The Day I Almost Switched Color Lines (And Why I Didn't)

About fifteen years ago, I seriously considered switching to a different color line. A rep came in with all these promises about faster processing times and bolder results. I'll be honest, I was tempted. We were busy, and shaving ten minutes off each color service sounded great for the bottom line.

I tested it on myself first. Big mistake. My hair felt like straw within two weeks, and I'm someone who knows how to take care of colored hair. That's when I remembered why I chose Aveda in the first place. It wasn't just about the end result on the day of the appointment. It was about how the hair looked and felt two weeks later, a month later, six months later.

What Aveda Actually Means When They Say "Plant-Powered"

When Aveda says their color is "up to 96% naturally derived," I know some people roll their eyes. Sounds like marketing speak, right? But here's what it actually means in practice, and this is stuff I see every single day.

The ingredients start from plants, non-petroleum minerals, or other natural sources. I'm talking about sunflower, castor, and jojoba oils that are actually mixed right into the color formula. These aren't just sitting there doing nothing while the color processes. They're actively conditioning your hair the entire time. That's why when I rinse out Aveda color, the hair already feels soft. With other lines I've used in the past, hair would feel rough and tangled at the bowl, and we'd have to really work to get it back to feeling normal.

Green tea extract is another one. Aveda uses it to help create more color tones, which means I can mix and customize without having to add a bunch of synthetic stuff. It's like cooking with fresh ingredients instead of processed ones. You just get better results.

The Ammonia Thing (And Why Your Nose Knows)

Remember how I mentioned that chemical smell? That's ammonia. Traditional hair color uses it to force open the hair cuticle so the color can get in. It works, but it's rough on your hair and your scalp. And honestly, after 30 years, I was so tired of that smell giving me headaches by the end of a busy Saturday.

Aveda figured out a different way to do it. They have this patented blend that still opens the cuticle enough for permanent color, but without beating up your hair in the process. The first time I used it, I actually thought I'd mixed it wrong because there was barely any smell. Now when clients come in and say "it smells like a spa in here," I know we're doing something right.

The Client Who Thought She Could Never Color Again

Last spring, a woman named Jennifer came in for a consultation. She'd been to three different salons over the past five years, and every single time she colored her hair, her scalp would break out in this angry, red rash. She was convinced she was just allergic to hair color and would have to live with her grays.

I told her about Aveda's ammonia-free formula and how it's made without a lot of the harsh irritants other professional lines use. She was skeptical, but we did a patch test first. No reaction. We did her full color the next week, and I'll never forget the text she sent me that night: "I can't believe it. No itching. No redness. Just beautiful color."

That's not a one-off story either. I've had multiple clients over the years who had given up on color completely, and we've been able to bring them back. Because what's the point of beautiful hair if you're miserable and scratching your scalp for three days afterward?

Let's Talk About The Alternatives (The Good, The Bad, The Realistic)

I get asked all the time: "Can't I just use box color?" or "What about henna? I heard that's natural." Look, I'm not here to trash other options, but let me give you the real story from someone who's seen it all.

Box dye and a lot of conventional salon color is designed for one thing: to work fast and work aggressively. High ammonia, high PPD (that's paraphenylenediamine, the thing that actually deposits color). It gets the job done, but your hair pays the price. I've spent countless hours doing color corrections on hair that's been damaged by overly harsh formulas. It's fixable, but it takes time and money.

Pure plant dyes like henna? I actually love henna for certain things. If you want red hair and you're committed to that for the long haul, it can look beautiful. But here's what they don't tell you. You're extremely limited on color choices. Mostly reds and browns, and the results can be really unpredictable depending on what's already on your hair. Plus, once you go henna, it's incredibly difficult to do anything else later. It builds up on the hair shaft, and other color just won't take properly. I learned that the hard way in my second year as a stylist when I tried to lighten a client's henna-dyed hair. Total disaster. We're talking orange and green patches. I still feel bad about it.

Aveda sits right in the middle. You get the conditioning benefits of plant ingredients, plus the actual performance you need for things like 100% gray coverage and the ability to create any color under the sun. I can make you a warm caramel brunette, a cool ash blonde, a rich chocolate brown, or a vibrant copper red. And two months later, your hair still looks good.

What Actually Happens When You Come to Bokaos

Every color service starts the same way: we sit down and talk. Not just "what color do you want?" but really talk. I want to know about your hair history. Have you colored it before? What products are you using? How much time do you actually have for styling in the morning? (Most people lie about this, by the way. They say 30 minutes when they really mean 10, and that's okay. I just need to know the truth so we can plan accordingly.)

Living here in Pasadena means sun. Lots of it. I factor that into every color formula I create because I know you're going to be outside, and UV exposure fades color fast. I also think about your maintenance schedule. If you're the type who comes in religiously every six weeks, great. If you're more of a "I'll see you when I see you" client (and there's no judgment here), I need to create something that grows out gracefully.

Then we talk about home care. This is where some people tune out, but stay with me. Your color is only as good as how you take care of it. Using the right shampoo and conditioner isn't just me trying to sell products. It's the difference between your color lasting six weeks or twelve weeks. I always recommend Aveda's color-safe line, but if that's not in your budget, I'll tell you what to look for in drugstore products too.

The Environmental Piece (Because It Actually Matters)

I'm going to be straight with you, I didn't care much about the environmental angle when I first started using Aveda. I was young and just wanted great color results. But now, with kids and grandkids, I think about this stuff differently.

Aveda's entire manufacturing process runs on wind and solar energy. Their formulas are vegan and cruelty-free. They use recycled packaging. None of this matters if the color doesn't work, but the fact that it does work AND the company is trying to do better? That means something to me now. Every bottle of color we use here contributes to that effort, and I'm proud to be part of it.

The Questions Everyone Asks (And My Honest Answers)

"Is Aveda completely chemical-free?" No. And here's why you should be glad about that. Permanent hair color requires chemistry. Anyone who tells you they can give you permanent color with zero synthetic ingredients is lying. What Aveda does is use plant ingredients wherever possible and only add what's absolutely necessary to make the color work. That's the smart approach.

"Will it really cover my gray?" Yes. I do it every single day. Multiple times a day. We have clients who are 100% gray, and you'd never know it. The key is in how we formulate and apply it. That's where having an experienced colorist matters.

"How long will it last?" With proper care, you're looking at six to eight weeks before you need a root touch-up, and the color itself will still look vibrant for ten to twelve weeks. That's with color-safe products and not washing your hair every single day. (Pro tip: dry shampoo is your friend.)

Why I'm Still Here After Three Decades

You know what keeps me doing this after 30 years? It's not just the color. It's watching someone look in the mirror and actually smile. It's the client who comes back six weeks later and tells me she got compliments all month. It's knowing that the work we do here makes people feel more confident when they walk out the door.

I could have retired by now. But I genuinely love what I do, and I love the team I've built at Bokaos. We're not just doing hair. We're helping people feel like themselves, or sometimes, like the version of themselves they've always wanted to be.

If you're in Pasadena and you're curious about what healthier color could look like for you, come talk to us. We're at 52 Hugus Alley, right near Old Pasadena. You can call us at (626) 304-0007 or book through our website. Even if you just want to ask questions and not commit to anything yet, that's completely fine. That's what consultations are for.

After three decades in this business, I've learned that the best clients are the educated ones. So come in, ask me anything, and let's figure out what works for your hair and your life.