Tried and tested: Colouring at Dubai’s new Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa

The roomy interior of the new Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa at Dubai’s The Galleria Mall Courtesy Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa

Words like natural, organic and healthy reflect a change in public attitude and lifestyle choice - but they are also important marketing tools.

However it’s important to be diligent about checking what exactly is in products with those labels.

For the past few decades, I have always opted for the most natural products I could find and when it comes to colouring my hair, the results haven’t been great.

So it was some skepticism that I went to the Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa, which opened in Jumeirah's The Galleria Mall (Dubai) in May – the brand's first location in the Middle East.

My intention was to color my hair using their Aveda full-spectrum hair colour, which “up to 99 per cent naturally derived” and uses plant power instead of petrochemicals. Known for its botanically-based professional hair, skin and body care products, available in more than 30 countries, Aveda was founded by a hairdresser named Horst Rechelbacher in Minneapolis back in 1978. Inspired by Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old traditional Indian system of healing and medicine, the spa takes a “holistic approach” to beauty.

It had been over a month since I did my roots and half-highlights there, for a cost of Dh1,150, during which time I have used Aveda’s Damage Remedy shampoo and conditioner (Dh160 each) from Aveda. The color is still vibrant and my hair overall does looks healthier.

Colouring prices range from several hundred dirhams to more than Dh1,000, depending on what work is required and the experience level of the colourist.

The Ladies Only spa is on the rooftop of the mall, and in addition to treatment rooms and areas, has large shop offering Aveda’s product line, including chakra and aromatherapy sprays.

The interior is bright, with large windows overlooking Dubai’s skyscrapers, featuring lots of wood and live plants, which combined with a lush vertical garden, gives it a forest-like feel.

• Aveda, The Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. Call 800AVEDA (28332) or go to aveda-me.com for more information