If you’re looking to upgrade your haircare routine, there’s a good chance you’ve come across Prose and Aveda. Both brands are known for thoughtful ingredients, sleek packaging, and that “treat yourself” feeling when you finally commit to a more elevated hair experience.
But here’s the thing – they’re very different. One’s custom-formulated just for you, the other’s a botanical-based salon classic.
So which one is better? And more importantly, which one’s worth your money?
I’ve used both brands across multiple products and dug into customer experiences, ingredients, and value for money.
Here’s how they stack up.
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First Impressions: Personalised vs Plant-Powered
Prose is all about customization.
Before you even get your shampoo, you fill out a quiz that asks everything from your hair type and goals to your zip code (they factor in water hardness and pollution – yes, really).
It’s tailored, slick, and designed to feel ultra-personal.
Aveda, by contrast, has been doing plant-based haircare since before it was cool.
Their products are built around Ayurvedic principles and essential oil aromatherapy, and there’s a wellness-meets-science vibe throughout the whole range.
You don’t get personalisation, but you do get consistency – and that signature herbal scent you either love or don’t.
Shampoo + Conditioner
Winner: Depends on what you want – Prose for custom, Aveda for sensorial luxury.
Prose’s shampoo and conditioner are solid performers, especially once you tweak your formula.
My first round was a little too light for my dry ends, but after adjusting the “hydration” setting on my quiz, I got a version that left my hair softer and smoother without going limp.
That said, Prose can feel clinical. It’s effective, but it doesn’t give you the rich, lathering, spa-like vibe you might crave from a higher-end brand.
Aveda’s Nutriplenish range is my go-to when I want my shower to smell like a high-end spa.
The Light Moisture Shampoo is great for fine hair, while the Deep Moisture line is richer and more suited to thick or textured hair.
The formulas are silicone-free but still leave my hair soft and detangled.
If scent is important to you, Aveda has the edge. If you want something tailored exactly to your needs, Prose wins.
Styling + Treatments
Winner: Aveda for variety, Prose for targeted treatment
Aveda’s strength lies in its styling and treatment products – especially if you have curly or damaged hair.
Botanical Repair is a standout line for anyone dealing with overprocessed strands. And their Be Curly curl enhancer is a cult classic for good reason.
Prose also offers masks, leave-ins, and oils – and because they’re tailored to your hair goals, they’re often more effective than generic one-size-fits-all products.
I had a custom hair oil made with camellia and argan that made my ends feel silky without weighing them down.
The downside? You can’t just grab it off a shelf. If you want to reorder or tweak the formula, you’ll need to go through the quiz again.
Ingredients + Transparency
Winner: Prose
Both brands are big on transparency, but Prose takes it a step further.
After you order, they break down every ingredient in your formula, what it does, and why it’s included.
You can also choose to exclude certain ingredients (like silicones, fragrance, or allergens) before finalising your formula.
Aveda is clean by traditional standards – they’re cruelty-free, vegan, and avoid harsh sulfates and parabens – but they’re not quite as tailored or granular.
You trust the formulation, but you don’t get that same ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown.
If you’re ingredient-conscious or have sensitivities, Prose gives you more control.
Sustainability + Ethics
Winner: Close – both are excellent
Both brands do a great job here, just in different ways.
Aveda has a long-standing reputation for eco-consciousness.
They use post-consumer recycled packaging, are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and operate using wind and solar power.
It’s baked into their DNA, not a marketing gimmick.
Prose, meanwhile, leans on small-batch production and sustainable sourcing.
Their bottles are recyclable and shipped in minimal packaging, and they’ve also achieved B Corp status– meaning they meet high standards for social and environmental impact.
If sustainability is a major factor in your buying decision, either brand is a safe bet.
Price + Value for Money
Winner: Aveda (slightly)
Let’s be honest: neither brand is “budget.” But depending on what you’re looking for, the pricing might sway you.
Prose costs around $30+ for a shampoo or conditioner, and $40–50+ for treatments.
That’s on the higher end, especially considering you have to buy online and can’t test formulas first.
But you are paying for the customisation, and if you’ve struggled to find something that really suits your hair, it might be worth it.
Aveda’s pricing is similar, with most shampoos and conditioners in the $25–35 range.
Treatments and serums can go higher, but they’re widely available – meaning you can often test them in-store or grab a travel size before committing.
If you want a reliable, elevated routine with that luxe, sensory feel – Aveda offers better value.
But if your hair has specific needs or sensitivities, Prose’s personalisation can be worth the splurge.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Try?
Choose Prose if you:
- Have unique or hard-to-define hair needs
- Want a personalised formula with ingredient control
- Like a fragrance-free or allergen-conscious option
- Don’t mind online ordering and subscription-style refills
Choose Aveda if you:
- Love plant-based products with a spa-like experience
- Prefer shopping in person or sampling before buying
- Want a full system of haircare, styling, and treatment options
- Care about sustainability and sensorial luxury
Personally? I use both. Prose got me through a particularly rough phase with seasonal hair shedding, but I always come back to Aveda when I want my hair to feel (and smell) amazing. There’s no rule against mixing high-performance with high-personalisation – and honestly, that might be the best of both worlds.
Let me know which one you’ve tried – or if you’ve got a Prose formula that changed your hair life. Always happy to hear your picks (and test a new one in the name of research).