Your Aveda Products Aren’t Working? A Pasadena Stylist’s Guide

If your Aveda products aren't giving you salon-level results at home, it's almost never because the products are wrong. At Bokaos Aveda, about seventy percent of clients who struggle with at-home styling discover that it's their routine, not their products, that needs adjusting. Aveda works beautifully when you understand the right sequence and technique.

I'm Hasblady Guzman, founder of Bokaos Aveda in Old Town Pasadena. After more than thirty years in this industry, I've seen that most at-home frustrations disappear once clients learn how to cleanse, layer, and apply their products the same way we do in the salon. Honestly, think of this as the little chat we'd have if you were sitting in my chair right now.

The Mistake That Changed Everything for Me

I'll be honest with you. Early in my career, I'd send clients home with Aveda products assuming they'd know how to use them. One day, a client returned upset because her hair felt greasy and heavy. When she showed me her routine, she was using a full pump of oil on damp roots before styling cream. I felt awful because the issue wasn't the product, it was the lack of guidance. 

From that moment on, I committed to walking every guest through their personalized routine before they left my chair. Trust me on this, the difference has been incredible.

It Starts with a Clean Canvas

Most people shampoo too quickly or incorrectly, and that single step makes the biggest difference in how your hair responds to products. At Bokaos Aveda, we always teach a double-cleanse technique because it helps the hair absorb moisture and styling products much more effectively.

The First Wash: Focuses on removing buildup, dirt, oil, sweat, sunscreen, and leftover product. It may not lather much, and that's completely normal. Massage gently with your fingertips to loosen buildup.

The Second Wash: This is where the botanicals in Aveda shampoos activate. The second cleanse creates richer lather, delivers nutrients to the scalp, and prepares your hair to receive conditioner and styling products.

A client from San Marino told me this one change instantly improved her volumizing routine. Her hair lifted and held shape so much better because it wasn’t weighed down by residue anymore.

The Art of Layering: Why Order Matters

Layering your products correctly is everything. At Bokaos Aveda, we follow this professional order for almost every client from Sierra Madre to South Pasadena.

Start with hair that’s towel-dried and about seventy percent dry.

Step 1: The Foundation

Always begin with your leave-in conditioner or detangler. Think of this step as priming your canvas. It gives the hair slip, moisture, and manageability.

Step 2: The Style Builder

Next comes your styling product. This might be mousse for volume, curl cream for definition, or smoothing lotion for sleek hair. This product determines what shape your hair will take.

Step 3: The Protector

If you use any heat, even minimal, a thermal protectant is absolutely necessary. Apply it right before heat styling to guard the cuticle and protect against dryness or roughness.

Step 4: The Finisher

Finishing oils and serums should always be used last and only on dry hair. They seal the cuticle, add shine, and reduce frizz. Using them too soon prevents your styling products from working and makes your hair feel heavy.

Pasadena-Proofing Your Hair Routine

Living here in Pasadena means constant UV exposure, and the sun can weaken the hair structure and fade your color faster than you think. It's similar to leaving colored fabric out near Pasadena City Hall all day; it starts to fade. 

That's why I always encourage adding UV protection, especially for blondes and anyone who spends their weekends walking through The Huntington Gardens. A quick mist before heading outdoors can protect your color and prevent the dryness we see so often in Southern California hair.

Are You Using the Right Amount?

Most product struggles come down to quantity. At Bokaos Aveda, we coach clients on exact amounts because the right hair routine doesn't require a lot, it requires precision.

• Shampoo: Quarter-size amount, especially for the second wash.
• Conditioner: Quarter to half-dollar amount, mid-lengths to ends only.
• Serums and Oils: Start with a pea-sized drop.
• Mousse: A golf-ball-sized foam for volume.

A client named Daniela M. from La Cañada Flintridge came in frustrated with frizz. She told me, “I'm using smoothing serum, but it makes everything worse.” When I saw her routine, she was using a full palmful on damp roots. We switched her to two pea-sized drops on dry hair only. Three weeks later she returned saying, “My hair has never looked this smooth. I can't believe something so small made such a big difference.” She’s since referred two friends who were making the same mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions from My Chair

Can I use my Aveda conditioner with a cheaper shampoo?

You can, but you won't get the same results. At Bokaos Aveda, we explain that Aveda shampoos set the correct pH and prepare the cuticle so conditioner can penetrate effectively. Mixing and matching often disrupts that balance.

How often should I really wash my hair?

It depends on your hair type and lifestyle. At Bokaos Aveda, we see clients with fine, oily hair who need daily washing and clients with coarse or curly hair who can go three to five days. The key is using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that won't strip your hair.

Why do my products seem to stop working after a few weeks?

This is usually product buildup. At Bokaos Aveda, about sixty percent of clients who feel their products “stopped working” see instant improvement after using a clarifying shampoo like Aveda’s Rosemary Mint once every two to three weeks.

Let’s Perfect Your Routine Together

You absolutely can get salon-beautiful hair at home. It only takes a little education, the right routine, and a technique tailored to your hair type. A product consultation at Bokaos Aveda takes about fifteen minutes, and we can fine-tune exactly what your hair needs.

If you're ready to build a hair routine that actually works for you, we'd love to help. Visit us at Bokaos Aveda Salon, 52 Hugus Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103. Call us at (626) 304-0007 or book a consultation online with one of our stylists. We're right here in the heart of Old Town, and we can't wait to help you love your hair again.