Organic salon promises chemical-free hair solutions in Arizona

The studio — which was started by 2 friends who recognized a need for green salons in the area — offers hair cuts, coloring and styling as well as nail services, massage therapy, waxing and facial treatments.

Fri, Mar 09 2012 at 2:22 PM

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Natural Beauty

Photos courtesy of Green with Envy

By Lauren Basile, Arizona State University

Green is the new blonde. And many are noticing.

That’s the theme behind Scottsdale’s first premier organic salon and spa, Green with Envy Organic Hair Studio, which provides a nontoxic and chemical-free salon experience for everyone.

“We are the only clean-air salon in the valley,” said Braidy Hunt, the salon’s manager and head stylist. “We don’t do perms or relaxers, which give off a lot of chemicals.”

Started by two friends who recognized a lack of green salons in Arizona, the studio offers hair cuts, coloring and styling as well as nail services, massage therapy, waxing and facial treatments all while using organic products that are healthier for your hair and overall lifestyle.

“A lot of hair products use fillers that literally just put a coating on each individual strand,” Hunt said, “but it will rinse off and the coating becomes buildup which leads to even more problems.”

Coming from a traditional salon, Hunt quickly realized when she joined Green with Envy in October 2011 that she would never again have to worry about what she was using in her clients’ hair.

“I feel like when I go to work, I never worry about what my hands are touching and if it could affect my body or my health,” she said.

Organic hair color products differ from regular products because they contain no ammonia or sulfates; instead the products include ingredients derived from natural grape-seed oil that repair the hair while providing longer lasting color.

“We are all in love with these products and use them at home,” said Lauren Price, the salon’s receptionist.

“As far as products go, before we put anything on the shelf we go through a very strict ingredient process,” Hunt said.

Green with Envy uses two hair color lines, Mastey Teinture Hair Colour and Essensity Colour by Schwarzkopf; hair products lines from Eufora, Neuma and Soma; and Eminence Organic Skin Care for skin treatments. All these products are completely organic and some are also vegan and gluten-free.

But the salon doesn’t just boast organic hair products; the entire building is built with the environment in mind.

Designed by a LEED-certified architect, the salon was built using environmentally friendly materials including recycled denim insulation, recycled and reused fixtures for furniture and décor, hybrid computers, a tank-less water heater and dual-flush toilets.

The salon recycles every bottle used and donates all hair clippings to a nonprofit organization that uses them to create mats used to clean up oil spills.

How’s that for going green?

The salon also helps people with a variety of skin problems who can’t handle the harsh toxins and chemicals of traditional salons.

“There’s been a huge demand for a green salon because people with asthma or allergies can come without having reactions to the chemicals,” Hunt said.

The salon’s green setting is a good custom beauty getaway for pregnant women, people with allergies and sensitive skin, and even cancer patients.

Better yet, the use of natural products at Green with Envy doesn’t add significantly to the cost of treatments.

With haircuts ranging from $30-60, a full highlight for $110 and an up-do style for $65, going green with your hair can be done at prices comparable to regular salons.

“Now people are becoming more aware of their environment and in doing so it’s making people have a healthier lifestyle all around,” Hunt said.

Located in Optima Camelview Village, Green with Envy Salon is located in the heart of Scottsdale. For more information visit the salon website.