Okay, so who wants organic hair “color worthy of whippin’ your hair back and forth”? I love this description on Paul and Nicole’s website! For months I’ve promised you all that I’d speak to healthier hair coloring! In the past three months I’ve had two “Aha Moments!”
First, I found a salon here in Denver that offers an amazing line of healthier hair coloring products! And they’re available at other salons throughout the U.S. What I really liked was that this salon uses a line of coloring products of 95% naturally derived ingredients and 60% organic. They are free of ammonia, parabens, artificial fragrance, sulphates, sodium chloride and formaldehyde. And the commitment to healthy, eco-friendly doesn’t stop there. Read on….
Look good. Feel good. Be good.
What a beautiful slogan for their salon, right?
Enter MY HAIR TRIP Salon into my life! Run by husband and wife team, Nicole and Paul Zamora, they are 5 star-rated and Colorado’s ONLY certified green, organic hair salon, art gallery and jewelry and apparel boutique. This salon specializes in organic hair care and provides complimentary hair care products and services!
Oh, and did I mention they also serve organic tea and coffee and wine and beer with every service! 
Oh, and did I mention you get a free hand massage with each hair treatment? Oh, and did I mention they carry beautiful, local jewelry and clothing in the salon?
This amazing salon carries Organic Colour Systems. The company was co-founded approximately 20 years ago by Stephen Landreth, a hairdresser in the UK who had developed allergies to traditional hair colors. There were very few alternatives available, so he helped make these products which are healthier for clients AND hairdressers! I am so grateful this salon has highly trained colorists with this system, including Nicole, Jason and the other stylists at My Hair Trip!
While dedicated to products that nourish and protect our hair, Organic Colour Systems (OCS) claim:
No animal testing- Lowest possible levels of PPD/PTD (oxidative pigments found in traditional hair coloring products)
- Ammonia and Paraben Free
- Dermatology tested
- Gluten and GMO free
- Covers grey
- Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly
- Manufactured in Britain with stricter quality and safety controls
- Packaging is completely recyclable
- Formulas are biodegradable and can be safely washed down the sink
My Experience
Extraordinary stylists, Jason Van De Hey and Nicole Zamora (co-owner with husband, Paul)
Stylists using the OCS are highly trained using the products. Prior to my first appointment Jason, my professional and highly personable stylist at My Hair Trip, rubbed a bit of OCS product on my inner arm to determine if I would have any allergies to the products. Thankfully, but not surprisingly, no reactions!
At my first appointment, Jason analyzed my hair then off to the sink for a de-toxifying shampoo, followed by a rebalancing treatment to get my hair prepared for my color. I will tell you that Jason matched my ongoing color perfectly and it was all a great experience. I did purchase new shampoo and conditioning products by Davines, an Italian line that the Salon promote as complimentary products to their hair coloring products.
I love the creativity in this salon!
The overall time there for my first visit was 3 hours but that was due to the extra time for the de-toxifying shampoo and pretreatment to using the new products most efficiently. Follow-ups run the usual two hours.
I gave the entire experience an A+. My hair looked and felt great and as I continued using the recommended Davines products, my hair started feeling softer and less dry.
In terms of cost, I found the coloring experience to run about $25 more than my previous salon costs. HOWEVER, in order to finally be using a healthier product on my hair I was totally okay with the extra amount.
*Did you know that a study showed that 78% of US adults said they’d prefer and be willing to pay more or organic or natural beauty products and services?
*Did you know that approximately 75% of adult women currently color their hair?
AHA Moment #2
Around week 3, as usual, my grays started showing and a voice in my head just said “enough.” I was ready for something different. At my next appointment with Jason six weeks ago, I shared my frustration with the demarcation line of gray and having to cover every 3-4 weeks. He brilliantly suggested that I “work” with my “silver” (they don’t use the word “gray” in their salon, and I LOVE THAT)!
He applied a brighter blonde shade (with the Organic Colouring products) through my hair leaving the areas of “silver” so that I may gradually let them blend. His suggestion was brilliant, and I feel “brighter” and liberated! Not only am I embracing the natural colors now coming in, but I LOVE that I can get 8 weeks between visits. I can choose at my next appt whether to add or brighten up the blonde or I may just get a cut. Imagine my delight at canceling 3 upcoming monthly appts!
Since this appointment, I am getting compliments EVERY DAY on the brighter shade and overall shine and look to my hair. Thank you, Jason!
Nicole and Paul Zamora, owners.
More about the Salon!
Combining their extensive, complimentary hair, health and entrepreneur backgrounds, Paul and Nicole have created a salon environment where all products and packaging are chemical-free and eco-friendly. Even the salon itself is made of repurposed materials. They offer a rotating schedule of art throughout the salon, so you have beautiful things to look at and even purchase if you like.
I’m thrilled with the OCS products and I have to share with all of my Denver peeps: Iif you’re looking for the organic hair experience and professional hair stylists, My Hair Trip is THE place to go! This business paradigm ROCKS!
I have to sing their praises for other reasons! As listed on their website:
- “We have teamed up with the City of Denver and the Dept. of Environmental Health, and worked with a Sustainability advisor in the Certifiably Green Denver Program to analyze, and update our sustainable practices in our energy use, how we dispose of our waste, how we conserve water and our transportation options.
- Since 2014, My Hair Trip Salon Denver is officially a certified, registered green business.
- We are the only salon in the state to be members of the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program.”
Other My Hair Trip Facts
In 2016 the salon partnered with Green Circle Salons to increase its sustainability efforts further. Through this partnership My Hair Trip is able to recycle all of their waste sustainably including color tubes, foils, hard to recycle plastics and metals and even old tools and appliances.- In 2017, the salon upgraded the salon to a smart thermostat HVAC management system and switched to LED lights in their bathrooms, break-rooms, artist studios, offices and overhead lights!
- My Hair Trip is located in the Denver Art District in downtown Denver at 8th and Santa Fe. Their website is myhairtrip.com
- For those of you who might want to check out the Organic Colouring System and find a salon near you check out https://www.organiccoloursystems.com
Over the years, I’ve integrated healthier options in food, personal care and my living environment into my life. But the hair thing has eluded me. While there is no 100% organic option out there (even hennas can carry metals and chemicals) I feel I’ve hit the jackpot with this new product line and especially this salon. They are just the right fit for what I share in my blogs and my website, promoting cleaner living.
Even if you don’t live in Denver, checking out their website is really inspiring and you may want to share with your favorite salon owner. As we are living in a time when we’re all trying to be more environmentally aware, Nicole and Paul are true models for incorporating GREEN into their business. And they’ve created a working environment that’s healthier for their stylists! And they’re all super personable!
As they say on their Facebook page: My Hair Trip Salon is changing the game!
For those of you ready to change up your game and take a leap, you might find it could be one of the best “trips” of your life!
Peace and Good Hair Health!
If you “Like” this post, I’d be thrilled if you’d share it.
Sources:
Collective Evolution- Why you Should Consider Going to an Organic Hair Salon, Amanda Monteiro, May 1, 2016
https://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/05/01/why-you-should-consider-going-to-an-organic-hair-salon/
Davines hair products
*Emerita.com, March, 2012
My Hair Trip
Organic Colour Systems
Organic Salon Systems 2013 study
OCT
