I know that many members of the board have used Aveda products and had awful experiences. But.. I looooooooove this line.
If I had to pick a product line, this would be it! (If i had to pick a single product, that would be something else - Nexxus Humectress is what I am taking to the desert island with me if ever necessary)
Anyways, I digress:
My staple shampoo: Sap Moss Shampoo
Staple leave-in: Elixir
Staple Mild Protein: Curessence
Great for definition and finishing on relaxed hair: Anti-humectant pomade.
I just bought the Sap Moss Mourishing concentrate and I think this is a keeper too. Other good products are Be Curly (good for scrunch-and-go styles) but I found a cheaper replacement from the LUST line that I have to admit works just as well - similar ingredients too.
The Hang Straight is a good blow-dry lotion too but still I found a good inexpensive alternative in the John Frieda Relax line. Other products that are just so-so IMHO are the Brilliant Damage Control spray (didnt see anything good or bad from using it). As for gel products, I tried both Confixor and Brilliant Retexturing - those weren't that hot either but I am not a big gel fan to begin with. I prefer pomades by far. And the Sap Moss Conditioning Detangler, it just didnt work that well - (Humectress and LUST are better for me - type 4a relaxed).
Really, the only staple product that I have not found at Aveda is a moisturizing conditioner (if someone has discovered one please do tell which one i should try). And I hope this helps! Let us know what u eventaully decide to try...