A must-watch Ted Talk for anyone who feels insecure, invisible or awkward about how they show up in the world.
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.