Styling & Accessories

Gel such as the Confixor Liquid Gel or the Styling & Fixing Gel works especially well for defined, sleek looks and strong, often glossy hold, for example for slicked-back styles or clearly defined strands. Mousse such as the Volume Styling Foam distributes more easily through the hair and is excellent for building volume and fullness without weighing the hair down, ideal for fine or flat-looking hair. Sprays, such as the Abundant Blowout Volumizing Hair Spray, usually give a lighter, more natural hold and work well for prepping hair before blow-drying or refreshing it in between. Styling paste such as the Control Paste offers a flexible, mouldable hold that lets you shape individual strands or textured looks precisely without getting completely stuck together. If you're unsure, it's best to start with a volume mousse or tonic as a versatile base and add gel or paste for specific accents as needed.

A heat protection spray such as the Heat Protection Spray from avril forms a thin protective film around the hair and is designed to reduce heat damage from blow-drying, straightening, or curling by softening the heat's impact on the hair structure. Yes, it's generally worth it if you style with heat regularly, since repeated, unprotected heat exposure has been shown to weaken the hair structure and lead to dryness, split ends, and breakage. Spray the product evenly onto towel-dried or already dry hair before you start using your styling tool, and distribute it with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to ensure an even protective layer. For very occasional heat styling, say only for special occasions, the effect matters less than it does for daily blow-drying or straightening. It's best to combine heat protection with a moderate temperature setting on your styling tool, since the spray doesn't replace generally gentle use.

Dry shampoo such as the Shampowder Dry Shampoo binds excess sebum on the scalp without you actually having to wash your hair, giving you fresh volume and a cleaner look between washes. Spray or dust the product specifically onto the roots, where most of the sebum collects, keeping a bit of distance from the scalp, and leave it on briefly as directed by the product. Then massage it in well with your fingertips or a brush so the powder distributes evenly and doesn't leave visible white residue - be especially careful with dosing on dark hair. Dry shampoo doesn't replace regular hair washing in the long run; it's designed to bridge specific days in between, for example after exercise or when you're short on time in the morning. With overly frequent use, the powder can build up over time and further irritate the scalp, so regular hair washing should still be part of your routine.

Yes: avril offers a comprehensive, vegan styling system with fixing gel, detangling and styling spray, heat protection spray, and volume mousse, all formulated with certified organic ingredients. Puremetics rounds out the natural segment with solid hair treatments such as Sensibelchen and Hydroboost, which nourish as well. These products are usually clearly labelled 'organic' or 'vegan' and skip animal-derived ingredients as well as, often, microplastic particles that can be found in some classic styling products.

A curl activator spray such as the one from Rene Furterer is applied to towel-dried, still-damp hair and defines the natural curl pattern without disturbing it through brushing or combing; it's best worked in with your fingers or the so-called scrunching technique. A curl mask such as the one from Sebastian Pro, on the other hand, is used after shampooing on wet hair and provides intensive moisture and elasticity, which curls especially need for definition and bounce. Avoid rubbing curly hair hard with a classic towel - a microfibre towel or an old T-shirt for gently blotting up moisture is gentler and reduces frizz. Let curls air-dry where possible, or use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer, since direct heat without a diffuser can unnecessarily stress the curl pattern. Combine curl activator and curl mask for the most intensive definition; for everyday use, one of the two is often enough.

UV radiation doesn't just damage the skin - it also attacks the hair protein keratin, which can lead to more brittle, dull, and easily breaking hair, especially in hair that's already coloured or chemically treated. A UV hair protection spray such as the Sun Care Hair Protection Spray forms a light protective film around the hair and filters out some of the harmful UV radiation, similar to sunscreen for the skin. Spray the product evenly onto dry hair before spending extended time in the sun, for example at the beach or during outdoor sports, and reapply if you're out in the sun for a long stretch. Coloured hair benefits especially, since UV radiation can make colour fade faster - UV protection therefore also indirectly extends colour freshness. It's best to combine UV hair protection with a classic sun hat or headscarf for extra mechanical protection during intense sun exposure.

Generally start with less than you think you'll need - about a hazelnut-sized amount of mousse or a pea-sized amount of gel - and add more if necessary, rather than dosing generously from the start. Distribute the product evenly between your palms first before working it into your hair; this gives a more even application than applying it directly from the bottle or tub. Focus stronger-hold styling products on the areas that actually need definition, such as the roots for volume or the ends for texture, rather than treating all of the hair evenly. Wash your hair thoroughly on a regular basis to remove product build-up, which can accumulate over time with frequent use of styling products and make hair look dull or weighed down. For visible white residue, especially from dry shampoo or powder products, thorough brushing or, if necessary, an extra hair wash helps.

Aveda offers a particularly extensive premium range of styling products with plant-based active ingredients and salon quality, from volume tonic to repair leave-in, though at a higher price point. avril covers the most important styling needs at an attractive price with a complete, vegan system of gel, spray, mousse, and heat protection. Professional salon brands such as Schwarzkopf, Sebastian Pro, and Rene Furterer bring specifically developed specialty solutions for curls, volume, or strong hold, often originally designed for hair salons. Puremetics rounds out the natural segment with solid, handmade care products. Which direction suits you best depends on whether premium salon quality, an affordably priced complete vegan system, or targeted professional solutions for a specific styling concern matter most to you.