I am thrilled to announce the launch of Artisanal Herbal Hair Color - a 100% organic and natural alternative to chemical color. Artisanal herbal color enhances natural highlights, restores a youthful glow, and protects the hair and scalp from environmental irritants and degradation. Learn More.
100% Plant-Based Hair Color From The Organic Stylist
I love working with 100% pure plant pigments - free of all the nasty toxins that you find in traditional hair color. After a natural hair coloring treatment, your hair will feel soft to the touch, will have a beautiful shine, renewed strength, and a lively bounce.
Read moreWhat is the safest way to color your hair?
The Organic Stylist is proud to provide a healthier salon experience for scent-sensitive and health-oriented people. I provide services and use products that are non-toxic, organic, and eco-friendly; and therefore healthier for you, me, and the planet. If you have had a reaction to haircolor in the past or a temporary black henna tattoo, it is imperative that you schedule a hair color predisposition test 48-hrs prior to your next hair color appointment.
There are a growing number of hair color brands on the market today that claim to be organic and natural. But since the beauty industry is unregulated, these claims are only partially true. Permanent, oxidative, artificial hair color is composed of synthetic and chemical compounds that can create a toxic buildup in the body with over exposure. While oxidative hair color is convenient and fast, it isn’t the safest or healthiest way to color your hair.
Common hair dye chemicals may be problematic, and sensitization to para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is on the rise globally. Based on research compiled by Dr. Catherine Cartwright-Jones, in 2014, 16% of young adults in western industrialized nations (and even more in other parts of the world) are already sensitized to PPD. With repeated PPD exposure (found in artificial hair-color, and “black henna”), anyone can become sensitized to PPD chemicals at any point in their life. Please review the PhD work of Catherine Cartwright-Jones to learn more.
As of today, more than 45% of Cosmetologists are also sensitized to para-phenylenediamine (PPD); they have higher cancer risks than the general population; and many are leaving the industry to protect their health. Because the beauty industry is not regulated, manufacturers around the world can sell products to The United States that contain carcinogens, PPDs and other toxins without having to disclose any health risks.
Over the last year, I’ve done a lot of reading, research and experimentation on how to work with 100% natural plant pigments to create beautiful, translucent, permanent hair dyes that can transform gray hair into highlights and bring warmth and richness to dull and over processed hair. Schedule a consultation to learn more.
Why I’m Obsessed With Hair
Our hair makes a first impression when we enter a room and the lasting impression when we exit. Our hair is a living, growing, dynamic accessory that accompanies us wherever we go.
I believe that a haircut is the primary beautification tool that we have to look our very best, regardless of the color, texture, or density or our hair. A great haircut will give you more confidence, enhance your best features and elevate your personal style.
When you come to see me, our time together is 100% focused on you and your hair. It’s a time for you to share with me how you see yourself and how you want to be perceived.
From the moment you walk into my space, our conversation and my observations of you and your hair help me get to know you so that I may provide you with a hair style that reflects who you truly are. When crafting your haircut I also take into consideration your lifestyle and how much time you want to spend on your hair every day.
I love giving my clients versatile and easy-to-style haircuts that work with the natural hair texture. If you are looking for an updated hairstyle that better reflects who you are today, I’d be honored to work with you.
Is there a safe alternative to Keratin Straightening?
Are you addicted to hair straightening treatments?
Do you feel sick after you go to the salon?
Are you ready to try something different?
Curly and wavy hair can be fabulous!
Let me help you rock your natural texture with a Curly Haircut.
I promise you, the safest alternative to a straightening treatment is to learn to love your natural texture. The fastest way to do that is with a great haircut. I provide curly haircuts that work with natural hair textures and are fun and easy to style.
Every haircut starts with a conversation about what you want your hair to do and how much effort you want to spend on it. A curly haircut is designed to put you at ease, as you watch your hair transformation take place. I believe that your hair should provide a beautiful frame for your face, and a balancing shape for your body. I love working with multi-textural hair because no two heads of hair are the same which means that your haircut and texture are unique to you. Bring me your curls and let me help you embrace your natural texture with a curly haircut and natural styling lesson.
Still on the fence about straightening your hair?
Please consider the following before your next straightening treatment.
Keratin treatments create a straight, flat iron look by using a formaldehyde-releasing solution that coats the hair and is sealed into the hair with a 450 degree flat iron. Once straightened, the hair may continue to release formaldehyde every time you heat style your hair after your treatment.
Formaldehyde is a sensitizer, which means that after you reach a certain level of exposure and react to it, you'll always experience an allergic reaction when you re-encounter the chemical. So the more times you chemically straighten your hair, the greater your risk of developing symptoms.
Clients and stylists exposed to keratin straightening chemicals complain of burning eyes, difficulty breathing, and other allergy symptoms. Other symptoms include: throat irritation, mouth ulcers, dizziness, headaches, vision impairment and fatigue. Accidental skin contact with formaldehyde may cause blisters or rash on the scalp, face, and neck.
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, proven to cause cancer in humans, with higher levels of exposure.
Shampoo Bars Are Here!
Every person has unique skin and hair, so finding an organic shampoo that works for your specific hair and scalp can be difficult. When looking for an organic shampoo, many things come into play: How does it feel? How does it smell? What are the ingredients? Where’s it made? Do you trust the manufacturer? What’s the environmental impact? Etc, etc.
As your go-to organic hair care expert, I am proud to provide you with gentle and organic hair care options. I’m excited to share my signature Organic Hair Detox & Treatment with you this month. It includes a hair and scalp detox, followed by a nourishing organic hair treatment and blowdry or natural style.
Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Co. has a variety of nourishing organic shampoo bars for all hair types. These bars feel and smell amazing. They are 100% organic without emulsifiers, synthetics, or plastic packaging; so they are healthy for the whole family while remaining gentle on your hair and the environment (all their soaps and shampoos are biodegradable). What makes Chagrin Valley’s Shampoo Bars even more amazing is how great they are at removing buildup from the hair while simultaneously nourishing the scalp and stimulating hair growth. To learn more about why you should consider switching to a shampoo bar, check out Chagrin Valley’s blog here.
Book your Organic Hair Detox & Treatment today and learn first hand how to take care of your hair in an economical way at home.
Want to learn more? Let’s chat about the chemistry of hair care at your next appointment.
DIY Salt Spay Recipe For Beachy Waves & Texture
As a professional hair stylist, I’m often one of the first to learn about a new beauty product launch. Today I received an announcement about the launch of an organic salt spray - wait, haven’t we seen this before? Salt spray is one hair product that I’ve been loathe to buy or stock because it’s basically salt water in a bottle with a little moisture and perfume. Now when a company that I love and trust tells me they are launching a salt spray for $26 a bottle I have to wonder to myself “what am I missing?”
After reviewing this new product, I thought “how hard could it possibly be to make my own salt spray?” I compared a few DIY recipes with my favorite organic salt sprays and realized very quickly that there isn’t much to it. So, using my professional knowledge and common sense, I came up with a perfectly serviceable DIY Salt Spray.
Step 1: Find yourself an 8oz spray bottle. You may reuse a bottle you already have or buy a reusable plastic or glass bottle. I recommend this 4oz two pack (affiliate link) on Amazon so you can have one salt spray at home and one on the go.
Step 2: Make your salt spray
Warm 1 cup of distilled water in glass measuring cup
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom Salt and 1 teaspoon Pink Himalayan Sea Salt into warm water
Optional additional ingredients:
Add 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite leave-in conditioner for extra moisture
Add 1/2 teaspoon of witch hazel for scalp and hair health
Add 1/2 teaspoon of honey or gel (dissolved in water) for a stickier tousled look
Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil(s) for a signature scent.
Add solution to one 8oz spray bottle (affiliate link) or split into two 4oz bottles (affiliate link)
Step 3: If using optional ingredients, shake well before each use. Spray on damp or dry hair at crown and on ends and then scrunch to encourage waves and texture to form. This simple DIY Salt Spray is great for fine-medium hair that needs extra volume and texture.
Note: Since everyone’s hair and scalp is unique, feel free to play with and customize this basic recipe to meet your personal needs. If you want a little more texture, increase the salt content 1/2 tsp at a time. When making your own salt spray, start with a simple recipe, figure out what you want more of and then adjust. My basic recipe is clean, not too sticky, and enhances natural waves in fine to medium weight hair.
Not into making your own hair products? Book a haircut or treatment and let me introduce your hair to some of the cleanest beauty products available.
The Origin of An Authentic Beauty Experience
The Organic Stylist (aka Jaiya)
The Organic Stylist was born out of my deep love for people and the planet and my fascination with the art and science of natural hair care. I created the Organic Stylist to provide an authentic beauty and hair care experience in harmony with nature. I draw inspiration from the beauty and efficiency of nature, the fluidity and grace of dance, and a wabi-wabi philosophy of celebrating the beauty of imperfections and impermanence. I pride myself on providing well-crafted and technically superior haircuts, and artisanal herbal hair color.
With a background in architecture, art, design, and sustainability, I take a holistic approach with my clients’ hair, health, and personal style. My services draw upon my artistic talents, my passion for science, and my dedication to improving my craft. My ability to envision a finished look while working on the finer details of a haircut allows me to create a hair style for you that is customized to your hair texture and density - and suits your lifestyle, personality, face shape and body type - so that you may present your best self to the world. I love learning and sharing my knowledge with my clients. My sense of justice, honesty, integrity, and transparency guide me in my daily work and business development. When you become my client, it is my intention to help you feel safe and at ease; to listen to you with compassion, to meet you where you are, to provide you with honest answers, and to help you feel seen and understood. I want you to leave my salon with a better understanding of how to take care of your hair and a little lighter than when you arrived.