Henna Used By Ancient Civilizations For Health & Beauty

The use of henna, as documented in the Ebers Papyrus (one of the oldest know medical records dating to c. 1550 BCE) is consistent with what we know about henna today.

Henna plants produce the highest levels of lawsone (dye content) in hot climates with iron-bearing soils. Henna plants have differing levels of lawsone in different climates and with different soil conditions. This means that even in optimal growing climates, the henna leaf harvests will be affected by climatic changes as well as changes in soil composition.

Henna has been used for its health benefits, beautification, and to track women’s fertility over millennia. With regular use, henna hair coloring can improve scalp and hair health. With anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, henna is effective against ringworm and other fungal scalp issues.

“Since artisanal herbal hair color is made from pure plant pigments. From season to season, these plants are affected by climate change and soil conditions. My hair color formulations are regularly reviewed and adjusted to produce more consistent color results year over year.” - Jaiya

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.

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.

Are You Thinking About Straightening Your Hair?

Please Read This… Then Learn To Love Your Curls

In a world driven by media, advertising, and sales, women are often lead to believe that we are not beautiful enough as we are. So we do many things to make ourselves look and feel more beautiful every day - from wearing makeup to changing the color and texture of our hair. 

Many women with curly, wavy, and frizzy hair have been straightening their hair for years with various types of chemical straighteners including “keratin straighteners,” without knowing that these products contain formaldehyde releasing ingredients such as: aldehyde, bonded aldehyde, formalin, formic aldehyde, methanediol, methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene glycol, methylene oxide, morbicid acid, or preservatives that release formaldehyde, like: benzylhemiformal, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15. These substances release airborne formaldehyde when heated with a blowdryer or flat iron during the chemical straightening process and thereafter. In 2010 OSHA became aware of the issue and both Federal and State OSHA departments found that most manufacturers, importers, and distributors of straightening treatments are in violation of labeling and consumer warning laws. To see a side-by-side list of hair straighteners with formaldehyde in their products click here, and then scroll down.

When I’m asked about keratin straighteners I tell my guests that I don’t offer these services because even the “organic straighteners” contain formaldehyde releasing ingredients which put my health at risk. (formaldehyde is known to cause cancer). Instead, I encourage my guests to embrace their curls with a Curly Haircut that works with their natural hair texture and lifestyle.

If this information is new to you, I encourage you to read the Environmental Working Group (EWG) blog, learn more about smoothing treatments, and download EWG’s SkinDeep app – to learn more about other beauty products that you are using. EWG has created an extensive data base of products and ingredients to help us understand the potential health concerns associated with commonly used products.

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.