If you have ever walked into SAP Salon in Clintonville and caught the scent of warm cherry blossom mixed with sweet almond drifting from the shampoo bowls, you already know. Aveda Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo and Conditioner is something special — a fruity-floral, plant-powered duo with deep roots in Aveda's history that has earned a permanent home on our Columbus retail shelf.
Inspired by Aveda's own love letter to the line, here are 15 reasons Columbus needs to try Cherry Almond — plus how we use it at SAP Salon, who it is best for, and the FAQs we hear most often at the front desk.
Table of Contents
- 15 Reasons to Try Cherry Almond
- How We Use Cherry Almond at SAP Salon
- Who Cherry Almond Is Best For
- Why Columbus Falls in Love With This Aroma
- Building Your Cherry Almond Routine
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Visit SAP Salon to Shop Cherry Almond
15 Reasons You Need to Try Cherry Almond
1. It is a true Aveda heritage product. The Cherry Almond aroma traces back to the early days of Aveda, when it lived in a jar as the cult-favorite Cherry Almond Bark deep conditioner. Fans never stopped asking for it.
2. It is the ultimate comeback story. Discontinued in the mid-2000s and reborn as a modern softening shampoo and conditioner, the signature aroma is intact — the formula is better than ever.
3. It is color safe. Whether your colorist at SAP Salon just painted a fresh balayage or refreshed your Aveda Full Spectrum single-process, Cherry Almond will not strip your investment.
4. It is 98% naturally derived. Babassu and coconut-derived cleansers do the work, while cherry blossom and sweet almond oil restore softness and shine. (Naturally derived per ISO 16128 — from plants, non-petroleum minerals, or water.)
5. The aroma is a masterpiece. Cherries and almonds are too faint to scent on their own, so Aveda's Pure-Fumers crafted the iconic aroma from 38 plant and flower essences — including tonka bean, orange, and ylang ylang. The result smells like a bakery, a garden, and a spa all at once.
6. It turns every shower into a sensory ritual. Lush lather, silky conditioner, that unmistakable aroma — it is the closest you will get to the SAP Salon experience between appointments.
7. Hair feels softer, shinier, and bouncier. Cherry Almond is engineered for normal to dry hair that wants weightless softness without heavy buildup. (If your hair is truly thirsty or damaged, ask us about Aveda Dry Remedy instead.)
8. It is cruelty-free. Aveda products are never tested on animals — full stop. SAP Salon stocks exclusively cruelty-free brands.
9. It is silicone-free and vegan. A clean lineup of ingredients that feels good in your hair and good on your conscience.
10. It will not break the bank. Both the shampoo and conditioner come in under $25 — one of the most accessible entry points to the Aveda professional line.
11. The litre size makes it a family favorite. Households with multiple users — partners, teens, kids — love the liter pumps. Same beautiful aroma, much better cost per wash.
12. It sells out fast. When Aveda's HQ store in Minnesota first re-launched it, the entire stock was gone in two days. We restock often at SAP Salon — but call ahead during gift-card season.
13. It makes hair seriously touchable. "Softer than I have ever felt my hair" is one of the most common comments we hear from clients after their first Cherry Almond shampoo bowl experience.
14. It inspired a viral pink color trend. #avedacherrygloss — started by Aveda Global Artistic Directors Ian Michael Black and Janell Geason — turned the aroma into a hair-color movement. Pink, glossy, soft. Ask your SAP Salon colorist if a cherry gloss is right for you.
15. It just smells incredible. If none of the technical reasons sell you, the scent will. It is the most-asked-about retail product at the SAP Salon front desk for a reason.
How We Use Cherry Almond at SAP Salon
When you book a service at SAP Salon, your stylist may use Cherry Almond at the shampoo bowl if it is the right match for your hair and the season. Here is when we reach for it:
- After a long color appointment, when hair needs a gentle but luxurious finish.
- For brides and special-event clients the morning of, because soft, bouncy, beautifully scented hair photographs incredibly.
- For winter Columbus clients, when furnaces and wool hats have dulled the cuticle and softness is the goal.
- For first-time guests who want to fall in love with Aveda's sensory experience from minute one.
Pair it with our signature stress-relieving rituals — the Aveda hand massage, the shampoo-bowl scalp massage, a hot Comforting Tea at the styling chair — and a haircut becomes a small wellness retreat in the middle of Clintonville.
Who Cherry Almond Is Best For
- Normal to dry hair that wants softness without heaviness.
- Color-treated clients who need color-safe cleansing and a glossy finish.
- Fine to medium hair that still wants bounce after conditioning.
- Households sharing one bottle — it works beautifully across hair types.
- Anyone who values aroma as much as performance.
Not the right fit? Talk to your SAP Salon stylist about alternatives — Nutriplenish for deep hydration, Botanical Repair for damage, Scalp Solutions for itchy or oily scalps, or Invati Advanced for thinning concerns.
Why Columbus Falls in Love With This Aroma
Columbus is a city that pays attention to scent — from the bakeries in Italian Village to the spring blooms at the Park of Roses to the cinnamon-roll aisle at North Market. Cherry Almond fits right into that sensory landscape.
- In spring, it pairs perfectly with cherry blossoms blooming along the Olentangy.
- In summer, the soft floral cuts through humidity without feeling heavy.
- In fall, the warm almond and tonka bean notes feel like a hug after a long day.
- In winter, it transforms a hot shower into a Clintonville micro-spa moment.
It is the kind of aroma that earns compliments at the gym, on a date, and at the school pickup line.
Building Your Cherry Almond Routine
A simple, repeatable routine wins over a complicated one. Here is what we recommend:
- Wet hair thoroughly in warm — not hot — water.
- Lather Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo through the scalp with the pads of your fingers for 60 seconds, breathing in the aroma. Rinse.
- Apply Cherry Almond Softening Conditioner mid-length to ends. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb. Leave on while you finish your shower.
- Rinse with cool water to close the cuticle and lock in shine.
- Layer in a leave-in if you have longer or coarser hair — ask your SAP Salon stylist which Aveda leave-in pairs best with your texture.
Once or twice a week, sub in an Aveda treatment masque your stylist has recommended. Consistency over a month will visibly transform softness, shine, and manageability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aveda Cherry Almond color safe?
Yes. Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo and Conditioner are gentle enough for color-treated hair and will not strip your color when used as directed.
Is Cherry Almond good for dry hair?
It is excellent for normal to dry hair. If your hair is severely dry or damaged, your SAP Salon stylist may recommend Aveda Dry Remedy or Nutriplenish for a more concentrated hydration boost.
Is Aveda Cherry Almond vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes. Aveda is cruelty-free and Cherry Almond is vegan and silicone-free. Every product we retail at SAP Salon meets these standards.
What does Aveda Cherry Almond actually smell like?
A warm, fruity-floral blend built from 38 plant and flower essences including cherry blossom, sweet almond, tonka bean, orange, and ylang ylang. It is rich, soft, and unmistakably Aveda.
Can the whole family use Cherry Almond?
Yes — Cherry Almond is gentle and family-friendly. Many SAP Salon clients buy the liter size to share across the household.
How is Cherry Almond different from Aveda Nutriplenish?
Cherry Almond is a softening and aroma-driven experience for normal to dry hair. Nutriplenish is a deep hydration system for thirstier, drier hair. Both are wonderful — your stylist can help you choose.
Where can I buy Aveda Cherry Almond in Columbus, Ohio?
At SAP Salon, 2927 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43202. Walk in during business hours — no appointment needed to shop — or add it to your service ticket on your next visit.
Does Cherry Almond work on curly or textured hair?
Yes, it can — especially for looser curls that want softness and definition. For tighter coils and very dry textures, your SAP Salon stylist may pair it with a richer Aveda conditioner or masque.
Visit SAP Salon to Shop Cherry Almond in Columbus
Whether you are restocking your shower, hunting for a thoughtful gift, or finally curious enough to experience the aroma in person — come see us. SAP Salon is Columbus's certified Aveda lifestyle salon, a proud Green Circle Salon, and your home for vegan, cruelty-free, sensory hair care.
SAP Salon | 2927 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43202 | 614-784-1177
Tap Book Now at the top of the page to schedule a service, or stop in during business hours and let us spray a little Cherry Almond on a blotter so you can fall in love the way Columbus already has.