Last week, Original & Mineral Founder Jose Bryce Smith stopped by Simply Organic Beauty HQ and we had a blast chatting with her! We talked about how O&M began, the new O&M CØR.color, and what to expect in the coming months.

Tell us about your journey. How did Original & Mineral begin?

My hairdressing journey started when I worked at a reception of a salon. Me and my partner set up a salon in Sydney 17 years ago, and he had very bad contact dermatitis. He couldn’t use normal hair color, particularly ammonia. So, we found this ammonia-free hair color and we brought it to our salon.

We were Sydney’s first organic salon and we got a huge amount of press from that. There was a lot of excitement [about it] that the business grew really quickly. We kept it to ourselves for seven years, and then eventually we started selling it to other salons. I was the first sales representative and we were packing [the products] in the salon.

From working in a salon, I learned about the needs of a salon and how hairdressers work. My background actually had been in marketing so I combined that – and O&M was born.

Now that you’ve launched O&M’s new CØR.color. We want to know – how came about wanting to launch another color brand?

I’ve always been about natural and low-chemical, so the ethos of the brand is we bridge the gap between natural and luxury. As we know, hair color is a chemical reaction. But if you can color your hair with less chemicals and no smell/fumes – that was our aim.

CØR.color, our next-generation professional hair color, is basically PPD-, Ammonia-, and Resorcinol-free. But my aim was to get the best grey coverage, the brightest reds and blondes, etc. We have 106 shades that you can do anything that a salon needed.

Tell us how CØR.color differs from Mineral.CCT?

It’s called CØR.color because the core of the brand has always been hair color. We used Clean Color Technology (which means Ammonia-, PPD-, and Resorcinol-free), but CØR.color got Molecular Blend Technology in it.

One of the challenges of ammonia-free hair color was scalp irritation so that was something that we were determined to address. Pigments are pre-mixed in the lab. Scalp irritation is caused by free radicals and rogue pigments, so because [CØR.color] is pre-mixed, you don’t get scalp irritation.

Also, pre-mixing means all colors are blended (base color, reflect, etc), which gives improved grey coverage. Grey coverage has always been the biggest challenge for any ammonia-free color. That’s why all the testing that we did was against ammoniated color. We wanted [CØR.color] to perform exactly like ammoniated color. As a hairdresser, I don’t want to breathe [ammonia] if I didn’t have to. As a client, I don’t want that on my hair. That’s the philosophy of the brand.

The packaging looks cool. With the hair care, we’re all about it looking luxury where people can use it, Instagram it, and put it in their bathroom. I thought: Why does the hair color have to look like a backroom product that can be hidden away. It needs to come out the front.

O&M has always been so great about being fashion-forward. Now you have green chemistry, along with this new Molecular Blend Technology that no one has in the market. As the exclusive distributor in North America, we’re excited about our partnership. What excites you about being partners with Simply Organic Beauty?

With Simply Organic, I really love the philosophy of the company. You only distribute natural and organic products, which is exactly where O&M sits. Also, you’re very technology-focused. I love the way you educate and how you use the internet to reach your customers on a daily basis. Whereas traditionally, sales reps would visit salons once a month.

There’s so much information available online. It’s 2017, and traditional models of distribution [are not as effective anymore]. The world is changing, and [the internet] just makes it more immediate for us to be able to get our message across a wide audience. I think Simply Organic is the leader of that in America.

Thank you for that. What do you see next for Original & Mineral?

In the first quarter of next year, we’ll be launching a men’s range of hair color, which I’m super excited about. It’s called Q.color which is Quick Color (5-10 minutes). It’s grey blending. Five shades. I really think the men’s market is a huge growing market. Obviously, it’s ammonia-, PPD-, and resorcinol-free, but it gives really good coverage, but natural.

We’re also bringing out CØR.rebond, which is our rebonding system that you can use with all of our lighteners. It stops the hair from breaking. Balayage is a huge trend, and Paint Powder is our balayage bleach. It just means you’re gonna be able to look after the integrity of the hair. We’re all about healthy hair that’s free from stress, and CØR.rebond will fit into that.

We got some stuff coming out in the hair care line as well next year. I’m always obsessed with volume because I’ve got, like, five hairs, and I try to make them look like I got more. So, we’ll be having a dry shampoo coming out very soon.

You guys don’t stop do you?

No, we don’t. Actually, I get my best feedback in salons. I’m very lucky I get to travel a lot. I go to a lot of salons, and hairdressers are opinionated people. They tell you when they hate it, they tell you when they love it, and they tell you what they want. It just makes it so much easier. A lot of the products that we develop is actually from feedback.

So, where do you see hair color is headed?

10 years ago when we started this, people looked at me like I was an alien. Even when I first came to the US, they were like, “you’re actually a bit ahead of your time. You might not get there.” But if you look at all the major companies now they’re all going this way. Even in Europe, a lot of these chemicals are getting banned. It’s just that we are small and progressive enough. We’re doing it long enough that we’ve made enough mistakes to know how to get it right.

So I think this is the future. This is the trend. Generally, hairdressing will be going much more low-chemical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. So many trends are going that way.

I also think there is a shift away from the major companies and the old way of doing things. We love that fashion element and keeping it cool. We’re working a lot with key influencers, hairdressers, and New York Fashion Week. Smaller brands tend to have a story people can relate to, which makes you more approachable. That’s why so many people tell me when they don’t like something. I really don’t mind. I’m not emotionally attached to anything other than being the best that I can be for the brand and making the products the best that I can.

What’s one piece of advice that you’ve really appreciated somebody has given you?

Somebody once told me, because I’ve been through so many ups and downs and we started this and founded this all from a hair salon: You’re standing on a frozen lake and you got an ice pick, and you’re trying to crack the ice. So what are you going to do? You should jump up and down. And if you haven’t gotten through the ice, you just gotta keep jumping.

I think with CØR.color, I’ve dented the ice. So I feel it’s a journey. You ought to enjoy it, but you got to crack through the ice. And I think knowing what you’re good at and surrounding yourself with people who are better than you and who have got different skills [is important], because you can’t do everything. I thought I could do everything. I even had to go do some color and I thought – okay, best to leave that to the experts.

So if you weren’t so lovely as a blonde, what color would you choose?

A few times, Wayne [Lewis] our Technical Director had said to me, darling, you should be a redhead. So I think I’d probably go copper because I’m pale and it will probably make me less washed out. I did once go dark. I had a very Cleopatra kind of hair and I couldn’t cope with it. It took me so long to get it all out.

What are your top styling products?

If I was on a desert island, the three that I would pick would be Know Knott first which is our detangling spray. I don’t use any conditioner on my hair because it’s so fine and I don’t want to weigh it down. I  spray Know Knott in which is a lightweight leave-in conditioner then I blast dry my hair off. And then I spray Atonic, which is our thickening spray. It’s got Lilly Pilly, a natural collagen, so it plumps up my hair and I blowdry it. I always finish off with our Original Queenie which is our hair spray. I actually use that in a non-traditional way. I spray it in my roots and I spray underneath to get texture.

I know you mentioned the Lilly Pilly, but there are a lot of new ingredients in the brand and the new line.

Yeah, I was so obsessed with scalp irritation because that was the one thing that was coming through for hairdressers. What I really noticed with that is there’s a lot of factors that can affect it so we wanted to stabilize that – and that was our main thing. Molecular Blend Technology does that as I explained but we also use certified organic macadamia oil, which is very soothing on the scalp but also gives massive gloss and shine. Then we use coconut oil. I’m absolutely obsessed with coconut oil, I put it on my skin. It’s a superfood. So that’s our oil blend which we have in CØR.color that helps with the scalp and keeps the integrity of the hair because we want the hair to be healthy and in good condition.

I’m obsessed with the developers and how they work with the new color. So are there any new ingredients too?

The coconut oil is actually in the developer. We also have quite a few native Australian ingredients that we use in there that add a lot of moisture, which is actually quite amazing. Very powerful ingredients from Australia that are high in Vitamin C, like the Wild Seed Harvest. We got to keep our Australian roots.

A lot of those [ingredients] were borne out of the desert where you have to have hydration. So I know those ingredients were chosen for the added hydration to the color?

Yes, it’s the Wattle Seed that gives a thousand times moisture. It’s all about keeping the hair in healthy condition and super hydrated.

I used it the other day and wanted to test it without styling products. Hair was just extremely glossy and shiny and hydrated, so I know that these ingredients are just really a true bonus.

Yeah, I think obviously when you’re taking out so many chemicals, you’re looking to replace it with ingredients that will improve the product. Technology has improved so much that naturals can be high-performing and active.

What are the craziest old wives’ tales about hair color that you’ve heard? For me, it’s that organic and natural luxury products don’t work.

Oh yeah, that’s a complete myth. But that’s how I started. I walked into a salon and say my hair is an ammonia-free high-lift blonde. And they would go, “No it isn’t.” And I would go, “Oh yeah it is.” I would just say, “You’re the expert here. You try it and you let me know.”

We spent a long time dispelling the myth that ammonia-free didn’t work. Really, ammonia is an alkaline agent and we’re just using another alkaline agent. It just happens to have no smell and no fumes. So if you’re making a choice, why wouldn’t you choose that?

What’s happening is you’re opening the cuticle but you’re not doing it as fast as you do with ammonia. The process and time is the same but it’s just putting less stress on the hair. So yeah, we’ve been busting that myth for 10 years.

I know before you were addicted to the high-lift series. Is that still true?

No, actually about three months ago, one of the hairdressers that worked for me said [about my hair], “Darling, it’s making you look old and we need to get rid of that tint.” I was coloring it every two weeks for 10 years, so they swayed me to do lowlights and to be honest, I nearly had a heart attack. It was so dark!

But now I’m using ammonia-free lightener [Keratin Lightener]. Apparently, I’m 50% grey which is quite distressing as well. But when you have streaks you can hardly see the grey in between. I only discovered this when I took the tint off because I’ve never seen my roots for 10 years! So, I highlight my hair with a Keratin Lightener.

But you still have a 12 series?

Oh yes. The high-lift blondes are really great part of the range. And now we got the pastel toners as well. We’ve never had those before. I’m really excited [about them]. The pinks, mauves, apricots. I actually might try one of those coppers – would it be apricot?

Yeah, it’s pretty! It’s nice and sheer.

Okay, I might try that. We’ve actually launched CØR.color in 9 countries in the last 6 weeks and the biggest feedback is around grey coverage. You know if we’re all honest, every ammonia-free brand because of the nature of the alkaline agent, that’s been the biggest struggle, particularly in the lighter shades because dark shades tend to cover anyway. In a 7, 8, 9 when we’re doing the testing, we had a lady called Maureen and Paul the hairdresser doing the testing said to me, “Darling, you gotta come and see Maureen’s hair. It’s an 8.0 – it’s covered 100%!” And so that’s been the biggest difference.

We do very well in Scandinavia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway. They’re very knowledgeable about chemicals. Their governments have several chemicals banned that are not banned in the US. And it has gone so well for them there and they’ve given us such amazing feedback.

What is it about hairdressers that you really adore as far as characteristics of hairdressers are concerned?

I think most hairdressers are an eighth crazy. And to be honest, I’m about an eight crazy. You gotta be crazy to do hair color! But I think they are creative geniuses. Until you’ve really worked in it, you don’t really realize how creative they are and how much they can change women’s lives, [including] men’s lives. So from a product perspective, no one would do something like this unless they absolutely loved it. But when people tell you they love it or they don’t love it… hairdressers are just so expressive and honest. It’s been an amazing ride. My best friends are all hairdressers and I met so many amazing people. There’s never a dull day when you work in hairdressing.

Ashley would like to know: Where do you see the educational platform for the world going?

All hair colors are education-based. We run globally a traditional education model where we have educators on the road. But I think online is becoming so much more important. We’ve got videos for each of our retail products that are on the Simply Organic website. If there’s something you want to see, you can watch a little how-to video on how to do [a certain hair style]. We’re constantly developing more videos. We’re actually about to launch the videos for CØR.Color as well. I see videos as really important.

Also, I really want to work with hairdressers who love the product. So if you are a hairdresser and you have a great social media following, you should definitely contact us because we would love to work with you and hear what you like about it and see your video content. I absolutely think that that is the way that it’s going. We’ll soon use Fashion Week. We’re gonna be running competitions where stylists can go to New York Fashion Week, which we do twice a year. We’d really like to run a competition as well where you can come to Australia and I will host you.

Education is the most important thing. But the thing that I really love about CØR.color is it’s actually really easy. To be completely honest, I’ve been doing this for 10 years so I can say this and I know every ammonia-free line has had this, there’s been always [a lot of] tips and tricks that you have to do to get better grey coverage and to get more vibrancy in the reds, but now with the way this is [formulated] and Molecular Blend Technology – we’ve got the maximum amount of pyresol, which is the red. It’s really user-friendly that I don’t think we’re gonna need anywhere near as much education as before.

She’s right. This is like a point-and-click system where you can make anything out of all these shades and just as easily use and get your grey coverage just like that. I also know you’ve changed the timing a little bit?

Yeah, we’ve gone 1:1.5 as well in the mixing ratio, which makes it more cost-effective for the hairdresser.

And the +15 minutes model. With the new developer and 1:1.5 ratio that sort of made the education easy and switch up, too. How long from start to finish when you decided to jump back into developing a new color line?

It took us two years from when we found the right manufacturer. I went to a lot of different factories. We did all our due diligence. Ammonia-free is quite specialist and I wanted somebody who really had knowledge in this. I found a chemist we could really work with and we basically spent two years doing testing and developing the line.

Paul, who is my long-suffering hairdresser in Australia, was actually no longer working for me. He opened a salon and was having a break from products. I went to him and I said, “Please, please you’re the only one who knows it.” So he did all the testing in his salon. That worked really well because they were using it every single day, and we did hundreds and hundreds of heads and lots of comparisons.

We got a lot of new shades that we didn’t have before. And then some of the shades from Mineral.CCT, we kept those. It’s been a very long process. But, we will not stop moving. We’re always looking for ways to remove chemicals and we’re always looking for ways to improve the product. So we’ll be bringing out new shades every year. The Men’s Color that I was talking about earlier – that’s coming out the first quarter of next year. We’re really excited about that.

That’s pretty brilliant. All the barbers who do quick color for the men – it’s a huge market.

Yeah, and just being able to increase their service so quickly. I think a lot of men want grey blending now. They want that salt and pepper look. [Q.color] only stays on for 5 – 10 minutes because men aren’t gonna sit around for longer.

Anything else you wanna share with our Tribe out there?

I just wanna say thank you to all the O&M friends. Thanks for being on the journey and supporting us. We’re more enough to care and big enough to be growing. We’re excited about that. We’re getting O&M in salons around the world. I just really appreciate it. Thank you.

The holiday season is upon us, Tribe, and that means a lot of last-minute cancellations and appointments, decorating your salon space, stylists taking time off, and preparing your holiday promotions and gifts for clients.

As the holiday frenzy kicks into high gear, it’s important that you’ve got everything all set up and ready to avoid the holiday season burnout we tend to feel this time of year. Here are some tips and tricks on how to successfully conquer the season like a champ.

1.     Plan salon tasks ahead of time.

Is your salon ready for the holidays? Now is the best time to start putting up decorations and planning your holiday specials. These tasks can take so much time and energy – doing them early will take away a lot of the stress and burden off your shoulders. You know what they say, failing to plan is planning to fail.

If you are managing a team of hair stylists, delegating tasks to your staff not only enables you to have more time for other important things, but it also enables them to learn and grow as hair stylists. Create a committee who will do the decorations, events planning, gift wrapping, etc.

Pro Tip: Have a team meeting prior to the first week of November. During this time, you should set expectations and standards for your team, as well as a clear plan and schedule. Accomplish this, and you’ll bring yourself, clients, team and business more success and less stress.

2.     Resist the urge to overbook your schedule.

The last quarter of the year is the busiest time of the year for hair stylists. Many clients want to get their hair done before the new year and booking each one who requests for an appointment can be tempting. Because let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to make an extra buck or two during the holidays? Unfortunately, this will only put you on the fast track to burn out.

Overcommitting can leave you and your staff with a feeling of being overwhelmed – which will only make the situation worse. Be realistic and accommodate only those that can reasonably fit into your schedule. Encourage your clients to pre-book months or weeks before their intended appointment so you can get your schedule all sorted out before the holiday season kicks in.

Pro Tip I: Now is the time to ensure your text, e-mail and phone call reminder system is up to date! This will ensure clients show up for their appointments on time (well, mostly), and you avoid those dread “can’t you just squeeze me in?” conversations.

Pro Tip II: Let’s face it, most if you will ignore our tip to avoid overbooking, so here’s how you can get grey coverage in 25 minutes or less with our Oway Hcolor line. The secret is Hypercolor Accelerator Drops!

3.     Diffuse essential oils.

We all know the many benefits aromatherapy can offer, but its ability to quickly relieve stress and anxiety is perhaps the main reason it’s very popular among hair stylists. Hairdressing is a very physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding profession.

Diffusing calming organic essential oil blends like lavender and chamomile while you and your team are attending to clients can help ease some of the stress. They’ve been proven to help calm the nerves and reduce anxiety. Bonus: Your clients will feel the calming vibes, too!

Pro Tip: Start the salon day with an energizing essential oil blend to uplift your team and help them start the day right! In the evening, try diffusing a more calming blend like our Relax Essential Oil.

4.     Treat yourself to a time out.

After a hectic day, be sure to treat yourself and your staff to a time out. This will allow them to recharge and come back to work totally rejuvenated.

Have a spa party at the salon where you and your team can enjoy a relaxing massage or bath. Our Oway De-Stress Kit is not only the perfect gift for clients, friends and staff, but yourself, as well. It contains our Oway Materia, a versatile 100% organic soap to be used alone to purify and decompress, or made into calming bath melts.

5.     Celebrate small victories.

Many salons usually wait for the craziness to be over before they start celebrating. While it’s important to focus on the tasks ahead, keeping yourself and your staff motivated is also essential. No matter how hectic your day is, set aside time to talk to your team and compliment them for their hard work.

If a team member successfully hits their sales goal for the week, giving them a prize, like Oway’s De-Stress Kit, for a job well done will motivate them and their peers to reach their goals. This keeps the positive energy in the salon flowing, resulting to improved work performance.

How does your salon handle stress during the holiday season? Share them in the comments below!

This month, the spotlight is on Simply Organic Beauty Educator Roberta Rae Dudzik. Being part of the hairdressing industry for more than 30 years, Roberta went from a chair renter to a full-fledged salon owner with her passion as her fuel. She now owns Relax Organic Salon, a holistic hair salon in Washington, Pennsylvania. Today, she shares with us the inspiring lessons she’s learned throughout her career.

Who inspires you in creating new looks?

I feel my fellow stylists inspire me most in creating new looks.  We are never too experienced to learn something from everyone we interact with every day. I always keep an open mind and heart to welcome in all that is new around me. Even after 34 years in the business, I’m still always enthusiastic about going to work and creating beauty in people’s lives. I genuinely love what I do. It’s never work to me, it’s my passion.

Tell us a little about your salon and what makes it unique.

My salon was created by divine inspiration during a meditation. I traveled a path of spiritual development of self. During this one weekend I was blessed with the information that I was to combine that of which I knew, hair, with that of which I was learning, self-transformation. I had the thought, “How can one create a place of self-transformation alongside hair salon services?” The seed was planted and in the next four years I created Relax Organic Salon, a different experience.

From the moment you walk in the door you are encompassed by a warm welcoming energy that fills the space as well as your soul. Our guests immediately feel welcomed and comfortable even before a service is done. I’ve set my intention that everyone who enters Relax Organic Salon has an experience of transformation, not only on the outside but also on the inside. It’s always wonderful to see and feel the changes taking place each day. I feel blessed for being able to share my salon with all who cross our path.

What is one of your most significant accomplishments as a salon professional?

The first most significant accomplishment for me was when I was 24 and was told by my peers about a contest I entered in our salon that my model was ugly and I would never win. I didn’t listen and did it anyway. My model was chosen and I was offered to do a photo shoot. The model and work were published in the international magazine Passion. I then became one of the International design team members for the salon I worked for at the time.  All because I chose to believe in myself and my work. That was a huge turning point for me. So many of us choose to listen to the opinions of others when the only one we should listen to is ourselves.

If you could pick any one person to sit in your chair, who would it be and why?

If I could pick anyone to sit in my chair it would be my mom. My mother passed away of cancer 20 years ago. I know she would have loved the path of life I traveled and would be so proud of my accomplishments, especially my salon. She loved getting her hair done and anytime I needed a model for a class or workshop I could depend on her stepping up to the plate. So there you have it, no fancy celebrities … just good ol’ mom!

What do you love most about educating other salon professionals for Simply Organic Beauty?

I love educating other salon professionals about Simply Organic Beauty because it offers a new way of being. The company stands behind the products and their performance 100%. Other salon professionals need to be aware of the cleaner options and the toxicity of our salon as a whole so that they can make the change. Many beauty professionals have no clue what their occupation is doing to their health or the health of their client and the environment. I’m here to change salons for the better. One person, one salon, one community at a time.

What is your next step in life as a stylist?

My next step as a salon professional is to open more salons with the holistic approach to the salon experience. I also want to be the number one educator in the US for the head spa salons and experience.

How do you unwind after a long day in the salon?

I unwind after a long day at work with gratitude in my heart that I am busy enough to call it a long day and then I humbly shut off the lights and lock my doors. My home is very close to the salon. When I get home, I change in to my pajamas and usually retreat to bed and read. Yeah, real exciting I know. I’ve been doing this too long to go out and have drinks after a long day. If it’s an early day and I’m home before eight, I will eat dinner, maybe watch TV or just relax. I have created a space in my salon that is very conducive to relaxing, even for the stylist. So if I’ve truly had a long day it would be because a client wasn’t happy and that does not happen very often! I am truly blessed to have an amazing group of stylists that work for our Salon. I love what I do and have created a salon that is a home away from home.

Do you have a favorite formula and what it might be?

I do not have a favorite formula. I feel as though every guest is different, so every formula is different. I try not to use the same formula on different guests. I create the formulas to personalize it for each individual. That’s what makes us artists, right? We never create a masterpiece that is the same. People are not prints we duplicate, they are each a canvas of beauty we have the opportunity to create upon. I feel as artists if we can remember this, our guest will never get bored with us because the canvas will evolve as the relationship with us evolves through the years. Be an artist not a copy of one.

What is your favorite styling product or cocktail?

I love all of the products by OWAY. I enjoy mixing different products together each time so my guest doesn’t get bored. I have the opportunity to see what each product cocktail can do every time I style a client.  My favorites to use on everyone are Thermal Stress Protector for the hold level of four and protection from the hot tools, and the Glossy Nectar for the shine and fact it cuts the drying time down to half.  There are so many combinations of product mixture I use daily and I’m still always experimenting with each guest, every time they come in the salon.

How do you create your best work?

I create my best work by being grounded and centered daily, making sure I am well rested and nourished and most of all knowing and being grateful that I have the opportunity to be an artist every day loving what I do and that my clients trust me to create a look that is just for them. I am blessed to do what I love and live my passion so I always try and create my best work with everyone.

For many of us, heat styling has become an essential part of our daily routine. It keeps our hair from looking like a giant frizzy mess, but without the right protection, it can actually cause more harm than good.

Think of heat protectants as sunscreen for the hair. Much like our skin, the hair is prone to damage caused by heat, wind, and pollution. These external aggressors, particularly extreme heat, dehydrate and deprive our locks the nutrition they need to stay healthy. They inflict various levels of damage, from the outermost to the innermost layer of the hair. This is where heat protectants come in handy.

To understand the science behind heat protectants, it’s important to know the different types of damage heat styling can do to the hair.

1.     Dehydration

When heat is applied on the hair, moisture evaporates from the inside. This disrupts the intermolecular interactions between lipids and proteins in each hair strand, making it more prone to frizz and breakage. After all, lipids are our natural environmental shield barrier that protects the hair from cuticle damage and protein/moisture loss.

2.     Hair Fadage

High temperatures cause pigments to oxidize rapidly. Thus, people who use heat styling tools often will notice their hair fading quicker than expected, leaving hair with that brassy warmth as the underlying pigment is exposed.

3.     Cuticle Damage

Our hair is composed of tightly packed down cuticle scales which give the hair that healthy sheen look. When the hair is dehydrated from over-styling, the cuticles start to rise and become tattered when not treated immediately. This results in the hair looking dull, coarse, and frizzy.

4.     Protein Breakdown

Each strand is composed of keratinized proteins which give the hair its tensile strength and elasticity. Frequent thermal styling softens those internal hair proteins, causing them to break down and eventually weaken the hair’s structure.

Heat protectants form a protective barrier on the hair that buffers heat conduction and distributes heat evenly, preventing local overheating. Most products are also formulated with ingredients that have been scientifically proven to reduce heat damage while providing moisturizing effects. One of them is PVP/DMAPA acrylates copolymer.

PVP/DMAPA acrylates copolymer is a cationic polymer widely used in hair styling products for the protection it provides. This ingredient has a rating of “1” EWG Skin Deep’s Cosmetic Database.

In 1998, PVP/DMAPA acrylates copolymer was found to help suppress surface damage by as much as 20%.¹ It coats the hair fiber with a thin layer that serves a dual purpose: prevents moisture from escaping and slows the transfer of heat to the hair.

When combined with nourishing oils like Sunflower Oil, also a known natural heat protectant due to its high smoking point, it makes the hair appear shinier and smoother. This is in part due to the conditioning benefits provided by Sunflower Oil which keeps the cuticles from rising. As a result, the hair stays hydrated, and its color pigments stay intact (as illustrated by the Thermal Stress Test we conducted).

You can find these two ingredients, along with several other biodynamic-organic hair-strengthening ingredients, in Oway Thermal Stress Protector.

It’s important to note, however, that heat protectants cannot entirely protect the hair from heat damage. They just serve as a buffer between the appliance and the hair, and can only do so much. We still highly recommend minimizing heat styling. If this is not on option for you and your clients, applying an organic thermal protection product should definitely be part of your regular routine.

Source:

¹ McMullen, R and Jachowicz, J. (1998). Thermal degradation of hair. II. Effect of selected polymers and surfactants. Retrieved from http://journal.scconline.org/abstracts/cc1998/cc049n04/p00245-p00256.html

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs, can be one of the most difficult chemicals to avoid in beauty products. They cleverly elude most ingredient lists by hiding within a product’s packaging or an ingredient itself. So, how can we avoid these harmful chemicals if we can’t find them?

Don’t worry. By the end of this article, you’ll learn how to identify and avoid endocrine-disrupting ingredients and why it’s important to limit our exposure to these harmful hormone-mimicking chemicals.

What are Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?

According to the UK’s BreastCancer.Org, an endocrine disruptor is any chemical that can interfere with normal hormone functions in humans or animals. While there are naturally occurring types found in plants, such as soy (known as phytoestrogens), most endocrine-disrupting compounds come from synthetic chemicals and can be avoided.

Why Should We Avoid Endocrine Disruptors?

There’s seemingly no end to the adverse health impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Also known as EDCs, these tricky chemicals can imitate hormones and destroy others while creating internal signaling issues which causes premature cell death. Endocrine disruptors have also been proven to accumulate in hormone-producing organs, resulting in organ malfunctions and irreversible damage.

So, how does this hormone disruption manifest itself in humans, exactly?

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Risks

Once thought to only effect hormone-regulating organs, research now clearly demonstrates that the mechanisms of EDCs are much broader than originally recognized. Of prominence is the growing relationship identified between EDCs and cancers, including in the breast, and common diseases like cardiovascular, pulmonary or neurodegenerative disorders to name a few. [1]

Breast and uterine cancer are the most frequent female-related cancers whose growth is mostly estrogen dependent. Therefore, any EDC exhibiting estrogenic effects may increase the risk of these two malignancies. [2]

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Linked to Depression, Autism and Neural Degeneration

Because certain EDCs are able to alter neural transmission and the formation of neural networks, the term neural-disrupting chemicals has been introduced, thus implicating EDCs in the cause of neurological disorders.

Recently, public concern has been focused on the effects of EDCs on brain function with an increase in neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder as well as learning disabilities and aggressiveness. Several lines of evidence suggest that exposure to EDCs is associated with depression and could result in neural degeneration.

How to Avoid Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Cosmetics

As you can see, the detrimental effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals are becoming widely recognized in both the health, wellness and medical communities, now it’s time to transfer that knowledge to the beauty industry.

Here’s where you’ll find potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals lurking in your beauty products and most importantly, how to avoid them.

Parabens

By far one of the most controversial endocrine-disrupting chemicals is parabens. Commonly used as inexpensive preservatives, these synthetic chemicals are proven to mimic estrogen in the human body and have been found built up in essential hormone regulating organs.

Parabens are chemicals with estrogen-like properties, and estrogen abnormalities are involved in the development of breast cancer. In fact, a 2012 medical study confirmed our suspicions that endocrine-disrupting chemicals can increase risks of breast cancer.

The study found 99% of malignant breast cancer tumors contained 1-5 different types of parabens.[4] 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has even linked methylparabens, in particular, to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.

Unlike many endocrine-disrupting chemicals, parabens can be found in the product’s ingredient list. Here’s what to look for.

List of Paraben Types to Avoid:

• Methylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Benzylparaben

Plastic Packaging

When it comes to EDC exposure, our most widespread threat may be plastics. They’re everywhere, wreaking havoc in our oceans, food containers and no doubt sitting on the shelf of your shower.

The problem with plastic packaging is its ability to leach harmful chemicals into the material it contains. Currently, the most widespread concern is the manmade chemical, Bisphenol-A or BPA – a widely recognized endocrine-disrupting chemical and xenoestrogen.

What Are Xenoestrogens?

A xenoestrogen is a hormone-mimicking chemical in humans and animals, specifically the hormone, estrogen.

Not only has BPA been linked to endocrine disruption, but environmental scientists have noted its detrimental effects on our oceans and wildlife. Recall, xenoestrogens and EDCs don’t just affect humans, but the delicate plants and animals comprising our vital ecosystems.

So, just avoid BPA, and you’ll be fine, right? Not necessarily.

This study from Environmental Health Perspectives, uncovered a very telling discovery.

“The testing showed that more than 70 percent of the products released chemicals that acted like estrogen. And that was before they exposed the stuff to real-world conditions: simulated sunlight, dishwashing and microwaving.”

It’s very difficult to avoid all plastics in everyday life, but as conscious beauty professionals, we can start behind the chair by replacing plastic products with amber glass salon products.

Phthalates

Pronounced thal-ates, phthalates are one of those elusive endocrine-disrupting chemicals you won’t see directly spelled out on a cosmetic’s ingredients list. Unlike our other aforementioned compounds, phthalates do not have hormone-mimicking effects on the body. Instead, studies have shown adverse effects on the male reproductive system, including decreased sperm count, testicular cell destruction and thyroid irregularities.

How to Avoid Phthalates:

• Look for beauty products without synthetic fragrance
  • “Fragrance” or “pafum” could be the most vaguely listed ingredients in existence. Because fragrance is considered “proprietary,” companies are not required to disclose its components. This is where sneaky ingredients, like phthalates, can make unknowingly make their way into your products.
• Avoid plastic packaging, especially PVC with recycle code #3.

Pesticides

Pesticides in beauty products? You might be thinking, that can’t possibly be a listed ingredient and you’d be correct. While we can all appreciate the rise of more natural beauty products, we should be cognizant of the type of plants used in our cosmetics and how they’re harvested.

Specifically, neurotoxic organophosphate compounds were developed during WWII by Nazis as nerve gas to aggressively attack the human nervous system. This same chemical has been adapted for pesticides to target the nervous system in bugs and pests.

How to Avoid Organophosphates:

• Purchase professional organic salon products.
  • Specifically, look for the botanical ingredients to be organic (grown without pesticides) or biodynamic-organic (a step above organic).
• Purchase raw organic fruit and vegetables, if using natural beauty treatments.

While it may be impossible to avoid all endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our beauty products, steering clear of questionable ingredients like Parabens, Phthalates, Plastics, and Pesticides is a big step in limiting our harmful toxin exposure. Even though the beauty industry is highly unregulated, together, we can make informed, conscious decisions to ensure the health, wellness and beauty of ourselves and salon clients.

So the next time you’re tempted to purchase a new product, make sure to look out for these 4 major endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Your health, your clients, and the planet will thank you for it.

Here’s a confession: we might be a little biased toward Fall. While any season is a perfect season to try new hair colors, we can’t help but obsess over the coppers and brunettes our #HolisticHairTribe served this week.

Copper Red Hair Color Formula

Hair by Stacey Blair

We’re living for this gorgeous Copper Red right now! This color perfectly captures the warmth and depth of Fall’s fiery hues.

Root Smudge: Oway Hcolor 7.4 Coppery Blonde + Oway Hcolor 8.4 Coppery Light Blonde + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Freehand Lightening: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

All-over Color Wash: Oway Hcolor 8.44 Deep Coppery Light Blonde (Zone 2 Only)

Pearl Rose Hair Color Formula

Hair by Heather Leigh Ford

I guess you can say we have a thing for dark roots + pearlescent mids/ends. To achieve this frosty hue, Heather toned at the bowl with Oway 11.17.

Root Smudge: 20ml Oway Hcolor 8.66 Deep Red Light Blonde + 10ml Oway Hcolor 11.17 Frosted Platinum + 5ml Oway Hcolor 0.7 Purple Booster with 30ml Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer for 35 mins

Toner: Oway Hcolor 11.17 Frosted Platinum + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Chocolate Caramel Hair Color Formula

Hair by Kristen Kneeland

To achieve this stunner, Kristen did a color melt the day before with the dark formula over a level 6/7 warm tone on 80% of the hair. Then balayaged with Hbleach for the added oomph.

Roots (1:1): O&M CØR.color 4.0 Brown and O&M CØR.color 4.3 Golden Brown

Ends: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Color melt on 80% of Hair

Balayage: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

Pumpkin Copper Hair Color Formula

Hair by Daniel Aydelott

Reminiscent of the Pumpkin Spice trend, Pumpkin Copper combines the striking hues of copper and strawberry blonde, minus the caramel streaks.

Natural Level 7; 50% grey

Mids + Ends: Faded Golden Level 8

Roots: 1/4 Oway Hcolor 7.0 Natural Blonde + 1/2 Oway Hcolor 7.34 Golden Copper Blonde + 1/4 Oway Hcolor 7.43 Copper Golden Blonde + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer for 10mins with Oway Hypercolor Process Accelerator Oil

Lowlights: Oway Hcolor 8.43 Copper Golden Light Blonde

Toner: Oway Hcolor 9.43 Copper Golden Very Light Blonde

Butterscotch Hair Color Formula

Hair by Cindy Koder

Isn’t it great when your client has a beautiful natural base? Cindy only had to enhance her natural hair color to a gorgeous Butterscotch hue to make it Fall-ready.

Highlights: Oway Hcolor 9.0 Natural Very Light Blonde + Oway Hcatalyst 40 Volume Cream Developer

Lowlights: 20g Oway Hcolor 7.3 Golden Blonde + 10g Oway Hcolor 7.44 Deep Coppery Blonde + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

Metallic Ash Hair Color Formula

Hair by Meredith Johnson

The Dark Metallic Ash color melt is all kinds of amazing. Can you believe this client’s natural base is 3?

Pre-lighten hair to 8-9 all over

Base: Oway Hcolor 6.1 Ash Dark Blonde  + Oway Hcolor 0.7 Purple Booster

Tone: Oway Hcolor 90.11 Intense Ash Super Bleaching Blonde + Oway Hcolor 0.7 Purple Booster

Color Melt

As the weather gets colder, many of our clients would come into our salon with dry, damaged hair. When the temperature starts to drop, the humidity in the air decreases as well. This leads to frizzy, dry hair – and eventually, damaged locks. While we cannot do anything about the humidity, there are a few quick-and-easy fixes we can suggest to them to protect their hair from dehydration and damage.

Cleanse and Condition

We do these regularly, but the secret lies in the ingredients of the shampoo and conditioner we’re using. Are they using sulfate-free products? Are they filled with synthetic chemicals that strip the hair of its natural oils?

The best way to maintain the balance of moisture in the hair is to use shampoos and conditioners containing zero sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). SLS wash away even the natural proteins and oils that keep our hair healthy and moisturized. Furthermore, SLS contain an anionic charge that causes frizz and flyaways, and further dehydration.

Pick products that contain nourishing organic ingredients such as MuruMuru Butter, Honey, Macadamia Oil, and Citrus Oil. These ingredients contain rich amounts of vitamins and antioxidants that protect the hair from external aggressors while keeping it moisturized. You can find these ingredients in Oway Moisturizing Hair Bath and Conditioner.

Minimize Blow-drying

The cold temperature is already very damaging to the hair, and using heat styling tools can only worsen it. Heat causes the cuticles to rise and moisture to escape, leaving the hair prone to breakage. We highly recommend air-drying the hair instead. But if it’s really necessary, make sure to use a heat protectant before styling.

Treat with a Repair Mask

Let’s be real. Most of us only use deep-conditioning treatments like repair masks as last resort when it comes to hair care, thinking our daily conditioner offers the same benefits as masks do. But unlike conditioners, hair masks penetrate the cortex of hair fiber instead of simply resting on the shaft.

Masks that contain extracts from hazelnuts and macadamia, like Oway Moisturizing Hair Mask, are great for filling voids in the cuticles and reconstructing the hair shaft due to their high fatty acid and nutrient composition. Leaving them on for a good 15 minutes and doing this at least once a week will help restore moisture to the hair.

Snip, Snip!

Unfortunately, damage like split ends can never be revived, and the only solution is to get a trim. If your client is not into the whole pixie cut and bob trend, a nice trim with layers will help give the hair more body and volume. Follow with a lightweight leave-in serum to make the hair easier to comb and style.

But of course, all these fixes only work temporarily if they are not taking care of their health. Everything we put in our body is absorbed by the hair. During the consultation, ask your client’s water, vitamin and mineral nutrient intake. A diet rich in proteins and essential fatty acids like Omega-3 can help get their hair on the road to recovery.

Do you follow a specific hair care regimen during fall and winter? Share them below!

The holidays are the most anticipated season of the year for entrepreneurs. People are more open to trying out products and services, so it’s the perfect opportunity to step up your salon’s marketing game. Even though it’s still over a month before the holiday cheer is in full motion, it’s better to be prepared.

Whether you’re a chair renter or a salon owner, these holiday marketing ideas will surely help boost your salon’s brand and profits this festive season.

Create special gift packages.

We don’t know about you, but picking out gifts is a tough task, especially for men. Having special gift packages ready for purchase takes away the guesswork and time from choosing the most fitting present for their loved ones. Plus, this is also a great strategy to sell your remaining inventory with little discount.

Set up a photo booth corner.

People love taking selfies and having content to post on social media, so having a photo booth corner where they can take pictures after they’ve had their hair done is a brilliant way to promote your business. Don’t forget to tell them to give your salon a shout out in their caption to give your business that extra exposure.

PRO TIP: Strategically place your brand logo, social media, and products as backdrops for your selfie station. But make sure they look elegant and subtle, so the photo doesn’t look like an advertisement when your clients post it online.

Hashtag it.

To succeed as a small business owner in this digital age, you must learn how to use the internet and social media to your advantage. Instagram and Facebook are currently social media platforms with almost 3 billion active users combined.

In order for clients and potential clients to easily find your business, create a unique and memorable hashtag for your salon’s holiday campaign. This will help set you apart from the many salons in your area and allow you to keep track of your campaign.

Post live tutorials.

Post a live tutorial of this season’s hottest hair styles and colors. By doing so, your clients and prospective clients will know how skillful you are and what you have in store for them this season.

According to research, users who watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service subsequently bought it. Buyers nowadays do not have much time to read long reviews and product descriptions. They want to see the product in action. Videos can do those and more in only a few minutes.

PRO TIP: While painting and styling the hair, make sure the products you’re using are displayed in full view. Describe to the viewers how to use them, their benefits, and how it makes the hair feel to entice them to purchase.

Organize charity events.

The holiday season is a great time to show much you care for your community. As holistic hair stylists, our purpose extends far beyond making money. Organizing and joining charity events will show your clients how committed you are to your mission. For instance, you can donate beauty products you no longer use to local women’s shelters and non-profit organizations like The Beauty Bus or Project Beauty Share.

PRO TIP: Make it a collaborative effort by encouraging your clients to join your gift-giving event. Set up a box at the reception area where clients can drop off unused beauty products.

Partner with other organizations.

The holidays are a great time to expand your reach. Plenty of organizations and businesses will be holding special events during this time of year. Connect with holistic health groups, environmental organizations, theater communities, or any group that may need the services of a salon professional. Doing so will help you tap into a new client base.

Update your voicemail greeting.

Nothing beats a nice greeting to get your clients excited for the holidays. Do not forget to include in your voicemail an invitation to book online in case clients call during closed hours. This will help prevent your client from going to other stylists in case of hair emergency.

Have you done any successful holiday promotions in the past? Share them below!

Chilly days are here again, and we got the hair colors to match them. If you love cool, ashy hues – you’re in for a treat!

Frosty Platinum Ash Hair Color Formula

Hair by Stacey Blair of The Styling Rooms

Platinum hair for Fall? Why not! It matches the weather and a perfect choice for clients who don’t want to go the red hair route this season.

Pre-lightened Hair

Zone 1: Oway Hcolor 7.1 Ash Blonde + drop Oway Hcolor – 0.7 Purple Booster + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Zone 2 & 3: 1/2 Oway Hcolor 11.17 Frosted Platinum + 1/2 Oway Hcolor 90.11 Intense Ash Super Bleaching Blonde + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Purple Ash Hair Color Formula

Hair by Angela Owens of Lunatic Fringe Salons

How to achieve the perfect Purple Ash hair color? Check out Angela’s work! She has been our go-to hair stylist lately for drool-worthy pastel shades.

Lightening: O&M Ammonia Free Pearl White Powder Lightener + O&M Mineral.CCT 30 Volume LIFT Activator

Color: 20g O&M Mineral.CCT 10/8 Lightest Pearl Blonde + 20g O&M Mineral.CCT 8/16 Light Ash Violet Blonde  + 5g O&M Mineral.CCT 0/66 Violet Tone Booster with O&M Mineral.CCT 10 Volume DEPOSIT Cream Activator

Processing Time: 15 mins

Ash Grey Hair Color Formula

Hair by Cara Robertson of SPAtacular Escapes

To give the color some dimension, Cara painted babylights through the client’s part and around the hairline. Then, she did a shadow root over the fresh highlights to diffuse and soften any lines of demarcation.

Root Smudge: Oway Hcolor 5.0 Natural Light Brown + Oway Hcolor 6.1 Ash Dark Blonde + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Babylights + Shadow Root over Highlights

Toner: Oway Hcolor 90.11 Intense Ash Super Bleaching Blonde + Oway Hcolor 0.1 Ash Booster + 5vol

Baby Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Megan Rae Bailey of Apotheclaire

This particular client is 100% grey and wanted a hair color that will allow her to wear her grey hair gracefully. Megan Rae ended up creating this gorgeous Baby Blonde and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results.

Highlights: 20g Oway Hcolor 90.11 Intense Ash Super Bleaching Blonde + 10g Oway Hcolor 90.1 Ash Super Bleaching Blonde  + 60g Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Foils: 15g of Oway Hcolor 11.17 Frosted Platinum + 15g of Oway Hcolor 90.11 Intense Ash Super Bleaching Blonde with 45g Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Flaming Red Hair Color Formula

Hair by Cindy Koder

Coloring and styling curly hair requires a special talent (and product). Pro Tip: Mix Oway Hmilk No-Stress with any Oway hair bath and conditioner to tame the curls and give them a softer, more nourished look.

Root: 15g Oway Hcolor 7.0 Natural Blonde + 40g Oway Hcolor 7.4 Coppery Blonde  + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

Mids: Oway Hcolor 7.4 Coppery Blonde + 10vol

Painted on Previously Lightened: Oway Hcolor 6.4 Coppery Dark Blonde + 10vol

Butterscotch Hair Color Formula

Hair by Serena Rose Jarvis

Whether your client has dark or light hair, they will fall in love with this color. It’s stunning but, at the same time, so natural-looking. It perfectly marries the warmth of brunettes and the coolness of blondes.

Reverse Balayage (Root): Oway Hcolor 7.32 BA Havana Blonde + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Toner (Ends): Oway Hcolor 11.17 Frosted Platinum + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Processing Time: 10mins

Oway Hmelt has finally landed in the United States! With this innovative product from Oway, creating those stunning Pastel and Unicorn-inspired hair colors will be so much easier. Specifically made for formulating fashion tones, Oway Hmelt harnesses the power of natural pigments to add vibrancy and life to your hair color.

If you missed the Launch and Learn online training yesterday, then read on because we got the juicy details right here!

The pigments are harvested from biodynamic-organic phytoactive ingredients.

Oway Hmelt’s ingredients are cultivated and harvested in our family farm in Bologna, Italy. Called Ortofficina, our 50,000-square meter piece of land uses the biodynamic farming method.

A step above organic, biodynamic farming is a holistic form of agriculture that does away with the use synthetic mineral fertilizers, heavy machinery, and chemical pesticides. Instead we use natural fertilizers like humus, earthworms, and insects; and enlisted the help of our free-range donkeys Spritz and Fulmine to mow vegetation and produce fertilizer for the farm. To manage the land and harness our ingredients’ potent benefits, we base our operations on an astronomical calendar. Cosmic and lunar cycles are closely monitored to determine the best time for planting and harvesting, like what ancient farmers used to do back when polluting chemicals and machinery aren’t a thing.

Hmelt DOES NOT contain questionable chemicals such as synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, petroleum, ammonia, GMOs, formaldehyde, among others.

These chemicals will continue to be in Oway’s no-fly list. Preserving the health of the client, stylist, and planet has always been the core of our mission. It’s simply something we cannot compromise.

Hmelt is powered by phytoactives derived from Biodynamic Curly Dock and Organic Mullein.

Oway’s ability to preserve the integrity of the hair during color and lightening treatments is what separates the brand from other salon products in the market. With Oway Hmelt, we’ve added more nourishing ingredients into the mix to keep the hair in top shape throughout the treatment.

Biodynamic Curly Dock is rich in magnesium, iron, potassium, and calcium – which are necessary for improving the hair’s sheen, softness, and combability. Meanwhile, Organic Mullein, which is known for its brilliant flowers, absorbs light and transforms it into stunning brightness, leaving the hair with enhanced color radiance.

Each Hmelt shade contains phytopigments from Fair Trade botanicals.

Our green chemists at Oway have developed a way to obtain color-intensifying pigments from plants. Each Oway Hmelt Pure Pigment Concentrate contains pigments derived from Turmeric, Saffron, Rhatany, Broom, Walnut, and Lycopene. Moreover, these botanicals are acquired from verified Fair Trade networks to support less fortunate communities.

Hmelt features a collection of 9 direct color pigments.

You asked for hair color for creating bold, fashion tones – and we listened. Hmelt features 9 stunning shades to help you unleash your creative potential. They are Blue Charm, Green Harmony, Mysterious Purple, Sunny Orange, Red Energy, Playful Rose, Divine Gold, Glamour Copper Gold, and Authentic Chestnut.

These shades are fully customizable, so you can now explore a ton of formulation options that weren’t possible in the past!

You client’s choice of Hmelt shade reflects their mood and energy.

As holistic hair stylists, the service we provide goes beyond coloring hair. Unlike regular salons, we aim to provide them the most relaxing and pleasant experience. This is why with Oway Hmelt, we highly encourage doing the 5-Point Hmelt Alchemic Consultation, a process that aims to hone the strength of your relationship with your client.

• It starts with showing your clients the Hmelt Chromatic Color Chart and asking which color they’re usually drawn to.
• Each Hmelt color conveys a specific meaning that reflects their mood and energy. After the reveal, observe their micro facial expressions, body language, and speech to see if the color’s energy resonates.
• Continue the consultation until you’ve identified the shade and intensity your clients want.
• Afterwards, discuss with them the process needed to achieve the color they desire. How many lightening sessions is required? How much will it cost? How long will the color last? Doing this will avoid any future misunderstanding and complaints.
• Proceed with the corresponding Hmelt color they’ve selected.

And it comes with 6 Hmelt masks, in-salon and take-home hair conditioners that preserve hair color.

You read that right. The Hmelt Pure Pigment Color Concentrates come with 6 Hmelt Masks that you can use to prolong your clients’ hair colors. This is also a great take-home product for clients who need a quick fix for their fading hair color. The Organic Mullein included in the formula helps to revive and enrich the pigments in the hair.

The masks are intermixable with Hmelt pure pigments, and even Oway Hmilk.

Our Hmelt Masks are so versatile – you can create custom conditioners and toners by simply mixing it with our Oway Hmelt Pure Pigments and even Oway Hmilk No-Stress! There has been an increasing demand for color-specific conditioners that clients can take home and these Hmelt Masks are exactly the kind of product they will want to have.

The holidays are almost here and clients will soon come flocking to your salon. We know inspiration can be hard to come by sometimes, but don’t worry because our #HolisticHairTribe has you covered!

Purple Ombre Hair Color Formula

Hair by Christen Papasso

How can you not love ombres? It’s a very low-maintenance hair color because clients can just let it grow out naturally. Perfect for busy clients!

Previously Balayaged Level 8

Mids + Ends: 30g Oway Hcolor 6.77 Deep Purple Dark Blonde + 5g Oway Hcolor 5.6 Red Light Brown  with Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Honey Almond Hair Color Formula

Hair by Alisa Owen

This luscious hair color got us grinning from ear to ear! Needless to say, we’re absolutely smitten.

Handpainted: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

Gloss: Oway Hcolor 8.3 Golden Light Blonde + a dash of Oway Hcolor 6.4 Coppery Dark Blonde + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Platinum Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Meg O’neill of The Styling Rooms

Forget about balayage, this Icy Platinum Blonde is definitely one of the coolest hues to ever surface this season. But it’s not as easy to achieve as one might assume. Depending on the client’s natural level, it can take several sessions.

Natural Level: 5

Foils: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

Zone 1: Oway Hcolor 90.2 Irisee Super Bleaching Blonde + Oway Hcolor 9.1 Ash Very Light Blonde with Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Zone 2&3: Oway Hcolor 90.0 Natural Super Bleaching Blonde with Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Sandy Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Summer Reid

We don’t get to hear a lot about Sandy Blonde, but this hue is actually one of the prettiest shades of blonde to ever exist. It looks slightly identical to honey blonde but it has more of a cool beige undertone. Clients who don’t like too much warmth in their hair color may find this a suitable alternative.

Balayage: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 40 Volume Cream Developer

Balayage (Some Ends): Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer + Oway Hmilk No Stress Conditioning Treatment

Toner: O&M CØR.color 10.16 Lightest Ash Violet Blonde

Midnight Blue Hair Color Formula

Hair by Ashton Thoms

Isn’t it amazing when you get to play with your client’s grown out highlights? You can easily do an ombre look by simply painting some Oway Hcolor on them!

Color: Oway Hcolor 1.8 Blue Black + 15 vol 1:1.5 over grown out Level 9 Highlights

Processing Time: 25mins

Platinum Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Courtney Curtis

Create some dimension to your platinum blonde with a root smudge. Plus, it’s also a great way to seamlessly blend highlights.

Highlights: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener

Smudge: O&M Mineral.CCT 7/13 Cool Gold Blonde

Toner: O&M CØR.color 10.16 Lightest Ash Violet Blonde and O&M CØR.color 10.0 Lightest Blonde

As hair stylists, many of us still work with products containing harsh chemicals for hours on end, exposing ourselves to various health hazards in the process. Additionally, our wrists and hands are in constant motion and remain wet for long periods of time which reduces the skin’s protective barrier, making it easy for irritating substances to penetrate the skin.

According to Hairfinder, 1 of every 5 hair stylists will suffer an illness related to their occupation. These conditions range from respiratory problems to increased cancer risks in hair stylists,  but these three most common health concerns affect our greatest assets—our hands.

Contact Dermatitis

A European study revealed that hairdressers are three times more likely to be at risk for occupational skin diseases than other professions. One of them is Contact Dermatitis, which is caused by prolonged water and chemical exposure and frequent wearing of gloves.

Dermatitis can be triggered by chemicals like ammonia, artificial colorants, synthetic fragrance and high amounts of paraphenylenediamine (PPD) in many hair color brands. Unfortunately, once you develop sensitivity to these chemicals, it won’t go away. Even the slightest exposure to allergens can cause dermatitis to flare up. Not to mention, many of us hair stylists require heavy doses of steroids, antihistamines and Benadryl just to do the work we love.

Symptoms may vary, but these are the most common signs that you may have contact dermatitis:

• Red skin
• Itchiness
• Burning and sun sensitivity
• Localized swelling of the skin, such as blisters and lesions
• Dryness, flaking, and fissuring may occur.

Fungal, Bacterial & Viral Infections

As hairdressers, we spend a lot of time handling tools and hair, which can be reservoirs of infection whether fungal, bacterial or viral. Diseases such athlete’s foot, yeast, staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pseudomonas are just a few of the many infections that can be transmitted into our salons.

Fungal and bacterial infections are far easier to spot than viral ones. For example, viral infections like herpes, Hepatitis C and even HIV can find their way into our system without detection. Therefore, taking extra precautions, especially when there’s a broken skin involved, is needed to prevent contamination and transmission of disease.

If we fail to identify any symptom and impose proper safety measures, we (including our other clients) become susceptible to diseases.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Many hair stylists are plagued by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – a painful ailment that affects the nerves and muscles in the hands. In fact in 2014, Modern Salon’s Healthy Hairdresser Survey has found that 15% of hairdressers have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, while 35% are worried they might have this issue in the near future.

We subject our hands to repetitive stress and motions, causing damage to tissues of the wrist. While it can be fixed through surgery, there still can be a lot of complications which, in severe cases, can cut short your beauty career.

These health issues are pretty alarming for sure, but there are a few pre-emptive measures we can do to prevent them from happening, such as:

1. Make sure your tools are regularly cleaned and sterilized, especially when a client with fungal, viral, or bacterial infection enters your salon.

2. Avoid salon products that contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, synthetic fragrance  and high amounts of PPD. Here at Simply Organic Beauty, all our professional organic salon products are completely free of ammonia, and PPD-free hair color alternatives are available for those sensitive to this ingredient.

3. Keep your hands nourished by applying protective creams that contain vitamin E and Omega-3, like Oway Remedy Hand Balm. They help strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier function while restoring its vital moisture levels.

4. Massage your arms and hands whenever you feel tired to keep the blood flowing. Moderate exercise like yoga is also perfect for relieving stress from pain points and joints.

5. Visit your physician for regular checkups. After all, prevention is still better than consuming heavy amounts of medications.

Every day, the salon industry in North America churns out 421,206 pounds of waste. That’s about over 150 million pounds of trash thrown into landfills and our oceans each year!

As holistic hair stylists, we abide by our Do No Harm mantra, meaning we do no harm to the health of our clients, environment and ourselves. So, our day-to-day operations should also consider the direct impact we’re having on the planet. Are we contributing to the waste problem or are we finding a solution? As stewards of the environment, we should be doing the latter. And it starts in our own salons.

With proper salon waste management, we can actually help reduce the immense amount of trash we are generating. Below are some effective ways on how to cut salon waste.

Reduce product waste.

Foils, hair treatments, hair colors – these are only three items from a long list of salon-generated waste. From the plastic product containers to the rubber gloves and even the tiniest bit of leftover hair color, all these either find their way into our water supply or end up in landfills.

Fortunately, more and more environmentally conscious salon owners and private organizations are making a huge effort to inform hair stylists on proper waste management. One of them is reducing product waste by encouraging salons to purchase products that use recyclable materials like amber glass and aluminum as containers.

Unlike plastic, glass and aluminum can be recycled over and over without losing their strength, durability, and purity. Furthermore, recycling aluminum, including foils, only takes about 5% of the energy used to produce it, as opposed to plastic which hovers around 30%. Meanwhile, recycling glass releases 40% less carbon in the air and requires less raw materials than plastic. That’s a significant energy savings for the environment!

Once you’ve cleared your salon of plastic, the next logical step is to think about how you can avoid disposing of hazardous chemicals. Many salon products contain reactive and toxic ingredients and thus require proper handling. Always:

• Keep them at room temperature.
• Make sure they are properly sealed to prevent contamination.
• Use a weighing scale when measuring hair color to prevent waste. Through this method, there are no leftovers and therefore no toxic waste finding their way into our water systems.
• Encourage your clients to take part in your Refill Product Program. Glass products allow clients to reuse the containers and get the same product quality at a lesser cost to them and the environment.

Use salon water efficiently.

As water supplies begin to dwindle and drought in some parts of the country worsens, we need to re-evaluate our water usage and look for ways to cut back.

There are several water-saving practices that you can do to efficiently use water.

• Recycle water by installing a system that allows you to reuse water from your shampoo bowls and sinks for flushing toilets.
• Fix leaky faucets and showerheads. Did you know slow drips waste about 150-300 gallons per month?
• Replace old toilets with the new high-efficiency ones. This will help you save 22,000 gallons of water every year.

Conserve energy.

Hairdressing is considered one of the most energy-intensive business in the industry. Salons typically use 40,000kWhs of electricity annually. According to the International Energy Agency, producing electricity uses 40% of primary energy, like coal and fossil fuel, and produces an equal share of energy-related CO2 emissions.

As we all know, the excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes the greenhouse effect, which lead to global warming. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to reduce our salon’s carbon footprint.

• Consider using a tankless water heater. It heats water directly without using a storage tank. It only heats water when needed, thus allowing you to conserve not only water, but also energy.
• Opt for renewable sources of energy, like solar energy, to produce electricity and power your salon equipment. Renewable sources contribute to about 96-98% LESS greenhouse gases.
• Use low-energy lighting instead of the traditional incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs emit 90% of the energy it uses as heat. Halogen incandescent, CFL, and LED lightbulbs are far more energy-efficient and cost-effective.
• Take it up a notch by making the most of natural light. It doesn’t require any energy, not to mention it’s free!

Upcycle salon products.

Upcycling takes recycling a step further. While recycling is great, upcycling transforms an otherwise ordinary material into something more desirable. For example, Oway’s amber glass jars and bottles can be used as beautiful plant holders or shelf décor. Check out this article for more ideas.

Donate. Donate. Donate.

All that hair has to go somewhere. You can donate them to organizations like Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids where they make wigs for people and children with cancer.

Hosting donation drives to support calamity survivors and less fortunate communities is also a great way to safely dispose salon products you no longer need, such as unused shampoo, conditioners, hair styling products, and tools.

Also, hair can be donated to Matter of Trust, where it’s used as an eco-clean up method during oil spills, furthering your salon’s eco-friendly efforts.

Everything’s coming up roses –  literally! This week’s trending hair colors in our #HolisticHairTribe community are all about bright rosy hues and rich, warm tones. The best part is, we got their formulas right here!

Blush Crush Hair Color Formula

Hair by Erica Walker of Bleached Salon

Blush Crush is a pretty color for clients who want to add life to their blonde hair. Give it more dimension by balay-ing panels around the face.

Natural Level 9

Balayage: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Gloss: 3g Oway Hcolor 90.3 Golden Super Bleaching Blonde + 3g Oway Hcolor 11.17 Frosted Platinum + 1g Oway Hcolor 7.35 BT Tobacco Blonde + ribbon of Oway Hcolor 0.6 Red Booster

Neon Peach Hair Color Formula

Hair by Angelo Torres of O&M NYC

To create a seamless transition from roots to ends, Angelo rinsed from roots through ends after applying the color. Then, applied our new O&M Clear Gloss to break the base.

Double Process: O&M Ammonia Free Keratin Powder Lightener + O&M CØR.color 20 vol Activator for 1.5 hours

Roots: 30g O&M CØR.color 0.00 Clear + 10g O&M CØR.color 77.45 Red Intense Blonde + 80g O&M CØR.color 5 vol Activator for 20mins

Mids + Ends: 40mL O&M CØR.color 0.00 Clear + 10mL O&M Liquid.CCT 0/55 Red for 10-15mins

Arctic Fox Hair Color Formula

Hair by Jolie Faulkner of Evergreen Salon & Barbering Company

The secret to achieving this beautiful Arctic Fox hair is to highlight in micro fine partings. Then add a little heat and process for 45 minutes time.

Color: Oway Hcolor 90.11 Intense Ash Super Bleaching Blonde + Oway Hcolor 0.0 Bleaching Booster double Oway Hcatalyst 40 Volume Cream Developer

Processing Time: 45mins

Russet Auburn Hair Color Formula

Hair by Heather Ripley of MOSS

That shine though! Heather kept this client’s hair healthy with our Oway Moisturizing Hair Bath and Mask + Silk ‘n Glow Hair Bath and Mask.

Natural Level 8

Color: Oway Hcolor 5.44 Deep Coppery Light Brown + Oway Hcolor 6.44 Deep Coppery Dark Blonde + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Cocoa Caramel Hair Color Formula

Hair by Rebecca Fiske of The Lotus Room

Would you believe this client used to have dry, damaged hair from overheatstyling? Rebecca only had to paint it with Oway Hcolor and gloss with Oway Hnectar to bring it to life!

Base: Oway Hcolor 5.01 Ash Natural Light Brown + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Gloss: Oway Hnectar 7.31 Desert Sand Blonde

Sandstone Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Sarah Gedda Finney of Elements Organic Salon & Spa

With Oway Hbleach, you barely need any toner! Case in point: this gorgeous Sandstone Blonde hair color Sarah created with only our butter cream lightener!

Painted: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

No Toner

This month, we’re celebrating an Oway stylist whose incredible skill and creativity never fail to inspire us and our #HolisticHairTribe. His unique approach to color and hair design has earned him a loyal client base who consider him as one of the best stylists in San Francisco, CA. Meet Daniel Aydelott of HoxtonTom Salon!

Tell us how you started your career as a hair stylist.

My career in hair began 9 years ago, but my love for color has been lifelong.  I have always been very affected by color.  My very first job was at 15, I was painting car parts!  I went to different colleges and majored in different areas of art. I became a freelance makeup artist, then got my cosmetology license to be more “well-rounded.”  I fell in love with hair color!  It could transform a person in a more permanent way than makeup could.

I stayed in the San Francisco area and became a “good” hairstylist.  I wanted to become a “great” hair colorist.  A dear friend of mine went to the renowned diPietro Todd Salons and told me to come along.  There, I started over as an assistant in an intense, 3-year color-specialist program.  After that, I worked as a colorist for them in their Silicon Valley salon in Palo Alto for a while. As blessed as I was, I had developed several allergies and sensitivities, from food, to fragrance, to color!  I would go home and wake up with migraines, rashes, hives and respiratory issues. After an intense car accident, I moved to a salon closer to where I lived. I planned to be my own boss, where I could control what I was exposed to.  Two of my dear friends Glenn Svetich and Jennifer Ross, who are also specialists and educators, opened Hoxton Tom Salon in San Francisco. Their goal was just like mine: to create a salon environment that was nontoxic, and keep the art of hairdressing elevated. I jumped on board with them and have been there since!

How did you discover Oway? What made you decide to switch to the Organic Way of life?

I had already began moving towards an organic and holistic lifestyle. My friends called me the “Bubble Boy” because of all my allergies. I discovered Oway through my friend Jennifer Ross. She began a holistic approach before I did and had already been working with the Simply Organic Beauty family. After research and testing Hcolor, I was blown away that a color line could be so clean and actually work! I leave the salon everyday able to breath, without skin irritations, and happy that I can still give my clients the results they are used to.

Who are the people who have inspired you to become a hair stylist?

At first it was people I had never met!  I knew their imagery: Vidal Sassoon, Annie Humphreys, Antionette Beenders, Vivienne Mackinder, Garren, the Mascolo men and so many more. After joining diPietro Todd and working with a few industry celebrities, they became my mentors and inspirers: Emily Kern, Cares Mills, Erica Campbell, Shelly Mohr, Sarah Classen-Taylor and so many more!  They taught me things I never knew. They taught me to master the rules…and then break them!

If you weren’t a hairdresser, what else would you do?

I would be a baker. I love food, I love to cook, and I LOVE to eat! There are so many parallels between baking and coloring: the precision, the timing, the measuring and quality of your product!

Do you have a signature hairstyle/color that you enjoy doing? Which Oway products are you drawn to the most?

Personally I enjoy doing all colors and techniques, and make sure to keep a variety in my work. I am known for always creating dimension with any tone, and for my blondes. Nothing colored in nature is solid! The Oway products I’m drawn to are Oway Hbleach, Hcolor and the whole Hsystem!

Which 3 Oway products do you think should be a staple in every client’s hair care regimen?

Oway Micro-stimulating Hair Bath, Moisturizing Hair Mask, and Glossy Nectar.  Every client will always need a healthy scalp, hydrated hair, shine and heat protection. Healthy hair holds on to color better too!

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far?

My biggest challenge has always been balance between work and home life. If you are unbalanced in one, it shows up in the other. Our clients can feel that. I am constantly learning how to improve that balance so that I can be 100% present for each client and avoid becoming disenchanted or burned out.

Your hair color ideas are so unique! Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspirations come from everywhere! Art exhibits, nature, crafts, dreams, food, coworkers, clients, Instagram…You have to be in a state of play to create!

In an industry where following trends is common, what advice can you give to other stylists on how to find their very own style?

Make sure you master the Classic/Foundation Techniques! Trends are great; they will always come and but they will always go. They show us different perspectives. Trends, however, are just variations of Classic Techniques. Trends change – they are recycled, renamed and they are not always appropriate on every face shape, skin type or hair type.

Know the rules before you break them. Know why something reacts the way that it does. By mastering the Classic Techniques, you can be on trend, predict new trends, or make your own!

If you were to do a famous person’s hair, who would it be? Why?

I can’t answer this one! If they have good energy, and want healthy beautiful color, come and see me!

This has been an exciting week for our #HolisticHairTribe because they finally got to play with our newest color lines from Oway and Original & Mineral: Hmelt and COR.color! Both lines have released new pigments perfect for creating fashion colors and pastel hues.

Neon Coral Hair Color Formula

Hair by Christen Papasso

With the new Oway Hmelt, you can now easily create vivids with minimal effort. Add some Oway Hmilk No-Stress to a few drops of Hmelt, and you get this masterpiece.

Approximate Formula

Prelightened Hair

Color on Damp Hair: 50g Oway Hmilk No Stress Conditioning Treatment + 4 Full Droppers Oway Hmelt Playful Rose + 3 Full Droppers Oway Hmelt Divine Gold

Processed Under Heat for 10 mins

Vintage Pink Hair Color Formula

Hair by Angela Owens

A sister of the Rose Gold trend, this Vintage Pink hair color is great for clients who want to go the warmer, ashier route. Process toner for 10 minutes and you get this wonderful hue.

Alternated Babylights + Handpainting: O&M Ammonia Free Pearl White Powder Lightener with O&M Paint Powder Clay Lightener

Toner (1:1): O&M Mineral.CCT 10/16 Lightest Ash Violet Blonde + O&M Mineral.CCT 9/8 Very Light Pearl Blonde with 10% O&M Mineral.CCT 0/45 Red Tone Booster + O&M Mineral.CCT 10 Volume DEPOSIT Cream Activator

Hazelnut Curls Hair Color Formula

Hair by Cindy Koder

Need something to soften your client’s curls? Consider using Oway Hmilk No Stress Conditioning Treatment. It’s a miracle for curls!

Previous Highlights

Retouched Outgrowth: 20g Oway Hcolor 7.0 Natural Blonde + 15g Oway Hcolor 7.1 Ash Blonde  + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Hair Bath: Oway Hmilk No Stress Conditioning Treatment

Champagne Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Meredith Johnson

To achieve these multi-dimensional tones, Meredith did surface level painting to create clean crisp lines on the surface while the hair underneath is untouched for added depth and contrast. And voila!

Painted: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Toner: O&M Liquid.CCT 9/54 Very Light Strawberry Blonde + 9.6

Diluted with O&M CØR.color 0.00 Clear

Vintage Rose Hair Color Formula

Hair by Alisonn Dominguez

This gorgeous color combines the powers of our ammonia-free lines Oway and O&M. The result is a stunning Dusty Pink that’s perfect for Fall and Winter.

Roots: Oway Hcolor 6.1 Ash Dark Blonde + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Toner: O&M CØR.color Dusty Pink Toner + O&M CØR.color 10 vol Activator

Custard Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Cara Robertson of SPAtacular Escapes

That blend though! A cross between Butter Blonde and Honey Blonde, this hue looks absolutely stunning whether indoor or outdoor.

Balayage: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + 25vol

Toner: Oway Hcolor 90.1 Ash Super Bleaching Blonde + dash of Oway Hcolor 0.1 Ash Booster with 5vol

This holiday season, help us put a smile on those who need it. This year marks the second Green Gift Project, a gift-giving event we organize annually in partnership with our Holistic Hair Tribe.

Last year, we’ve donated over $25,000 worth of eco hair products to more than 150 charities and non-profit organizations in North America. A powerful reminder of the positive difference we can make if we all work together.

“I am most proud of Simply Organic Beauty and our Holistic Hair Tribe community when I realize the profound impact that our collective efforts continue to have on our world.” – Scott Mitchell, CEO

Apart from sharing the gift of organic hair care products, our Simply Organic Beauty team also visited a local homeless shelter and provided free hair services.

Where to Donate

If you missed last year’s event, now is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your local community!

On your next order, we will send a $100 (retail value) of FREE eco-friendly hair products for you to donate to a local charity of your choice.

You may also choose a nationally acclaimed non-profit to receive your donation.

We highly recommend donating to organizations within your community, such as:

• Battered Women’s Shelters
• Homeless Shelters
• Domestic Violence + Abuse Shelters
• Human Service Organizations

Don’t have a charity in mind? You can find a verified organization in your area by visiting Charity Navigator.

How to Participate

All you have to do is:

1. Shop at shop.simplyorganicbeauty.com to get started.
2. Enter the charity of your choice in the Charity field.
3. You will receive a $100 (retail value) of FREE eco-friendly hair products to donate to a local charity of your choice.
4. Share your #GreenGiftProject photos on Facebook and Instagram and get a chance to be featured in our Green Gift Project video! Entries must be submitted by December 31, 2017 to be considered.

By participating in this project, you will be able to bring joy to the lives of the less fortunate this holiday season – at no cost to you.

Questions?

If you are interested in getting involved but unsure how to start, please call your dedicated Account Manager at 1-888-213-4744.

The season of giving is in full swing and we know how difficult it is to find the perfect gift for your friends and family. So, we rounded up a list of guilt-free holiday gift ideas that are sure to excite the holistic beauty lovers on your list!

Oway Materia Soap

The holiday season can be a very stressful time. Our Oway Materia Soap Kit is a great way to take that stress away. Made from 100% Biodynamic-Organic Olive Oil and Fair Trade Babassu Oil, Materia is packed with moisturizing  properties that create a velvety, creamy effect on the skin. The Organic Poppy Petals included in the formula gently exfoliates the skin, eliminating impurities and toxins.

All these ingredients help create a deeply relaxing bath experience like no other.

Oway Moisture Pack

We all have that one friend or family member who constantly complains about dry, damaged hair. Oway Moisture Pack contains our nourishing Moisturizing Hair Bath, Mask, and Bio-Rich Water, which are known for the intense hydration and nourishment they provide to parched hair. It also comes in a beautiful Italian white marble print box, perfect for people who appreciate subtle elegance and simplicity.

Oway Remedy Hand Balm

Hand health is an issue so often overlooked that many of our colleagues and friends end up suffering from various ailments such as dermatitis, allergies, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, among others.

Gifting them with Oway Remedy Hand Balm can help prevent such ailments. Infused with Organic Chia Butter, Fair Trade Pataua Oil, Biodynamic Walnut, and Shea Butter, this ultra-healing hand treatment help repair damaged skin due to exposure to chemicals and frequent contact with water.

Oway Rebuilding Hair Care Kit

Some of our clients may no longer have time to go back for a second Oway Rebuilding Treatment during the holiday season. Gifting them with our Oway Rebuilding Hair Care Kit will help maintain the results of the treatment until they’re ready to go back to your salon, and you also get to give them a nice holiday gift.

The kit also comes with an Oway Contratto Brush made from 100% sustainable wood and rubber, and a stylish Oway Cotton Pouch for easy travel.

O&M Frizzy Logic Finishing Shine Spray

Nobody wants to be remembered at a party for being a frizzy mess. O&M new Frizzy Logic Shine Spray is formulated with the Australian Signature Blend of Organic Argan Oil and Macadamia Oils, which are known for their nourishing and protective properties.

The fatty acids present in these oils help soothe the cuticles and repair damaged hair, making it silky smooth and easier to manage.

O&M Maintain the Mane Retail Box

It would be a shame to just let your client’s new copper red hair fade. Help her keep up with the daily maintenance by gifting her our O&M Maintain the Mane Retail Box. It contains our color-safe Maintain the Mane Shampoo and Conditioner which are infused with Australian Banksia Flower, a native ingredient known for locking out harsh elements that cause fading. We’ve also thrown in our stylist-favorite Know Knott Detangling Spray to keep hair hydrated and manageable during the winter season.

O&M Hydrate & Conquer Retail Box

The O&M Hydrate & Conquer Retail Box is a great substitute for Maintain the Mane. It drenches dehydrated and coarse hair with a rush of vitamins and minerals from Tasmania Sea Kelp and Ylang Ylang Flower, restoring the hair to its natural pH level. The kit also comes with our newly formulated Frizzy Logic Serum for an added boost of moisture.

Oway Body Care Box

Nothing beats a good, luxurious bath after a stressful day of holiday planning. Our Oway Body Care Box has everything your loved one will need to enjoy a relaxing pamper session at home: a Detox Body Bath and Fabulous Body Oil made with 100% biodynamic, organic, and natural ingredients; and a Natural Beauty Sponge to help exfoliate and wash away impurities.

Did we mention it comes in a cool eco-friendly wooden gift box?

Oway Radiance Face Balm Kit

The cold blistering winds of winter can cause the skin to age faster. Your friends, relatives, or clients will surely love our Oway Radiance Face Balm Kit because it contains all the necessary products needed to keep the skin hydrated:

1. Radiance Face Balm – an organic face cream formulated with a rich, velvety blend of Shea Butter, Organic Chia, and Ethical Cistus Incanus aka the “Plant of Beauty”.
2. Regenerating Booster – used alone or with Radiance Face Balm, this revitalizing booster stimulates production of collagen, the building block of our skin structure.
3. Replumping Booster – a plant-based retinol that helps fight fine lines and wrinkles.

Simply Organic Essential Oils

Give the gift of wellness with our Simply Organic Essential Oil Collection. This kit contains four aromatic essential oils that help reduce stress anxiety and eliminate unwanted odors. It features:

1. Englighten – an uplifting essential oil made from Organic Indian Orange and Litsea essence
2. Focus – an intelligent essential oil formulated with Italian Rosemary and Mint
3. Detox – a detoxifying essential oil that contains powerful antioxidant properties from Thai Lemongrass
4. Relax – a calming essential infused with the tranquilizing properties of English Lavender and Chamomile

Have you completed your holiday gift shopping yet? No matter which gift you choose, your friends and family will surely appreciate the love and effort behind your presents. After all, it’s the thought that counts.

Many of our #HolisticHairTribe members have been incredibly busy this week – what with the many clients trying to get their hair done before the holiday madness is in full swing. For our part, however, we enjoyed scrolling through the feed of gorgeous hair colors and adding them to our Trending Hair Colors collection.

Winter Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Stacey Lenz of TwentyNine Organic Salon

We love when our Tribe uses both Oway and O&M in their formula. The result is always a perfect blend of warm and cool tones our lines are known for.

Highlights: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 40 Volume Cream Developer

Lowlights: 10g O&M CØR.color 7.0 Blonde + 10g O&M CØR.color 6.0 Dark Blonde + 40g O&M CØR.color 5 vol Activator

Balayage in Between: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 40 Volume Cream Developer

Root Shadow: 15g O&M CØR.color 6.0 Dark Blonde + 30g + O&M CØR.color 5 vol Activator

Gloss: 5g O&M CØR.color 0.00 Clear + 10g O&M CØR.color Platinum Toner + 20g O&M CØR.color 5 vol Activator

Silver Lilac Hair Color Formula

Hair by Gary Levin of ARCO New York

Another proof that you can never have too much Hmilk, especially when working with fashion tones. Gary also sent his client home with a custom conditioner – a combination of Silk ‘n Glow Hair Mask and 10 drops of Hmelt Pure Pigment to prolong her new color.

Root: Oway Hcolor 8.1 Ash Light Blonde + Oway Hnectar 6.0 Natural Dark Blonde with Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer + 3 pumps Oway Hmilk No Stress Conditioning Treatment

Balayage Mids + Ends: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener with Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

Process for 20min. Apply Oway Hmilk No Stress Conditioning Treatment for 15min

Toner: Oway Hcolor 11.17 Frosted Platinum + Oway Hcolor 90.2 Irisee Super Bleaching Blonde equal parts with 2g Oway Hcolor 0.7 Purple Booster + 0.5g Oway Hcolor 0.8 Blue Booster with Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer for 30min

Rinse + Shampoo + Oway Hmelt Mask Mysterious Purple

Warm Honey Hair Color Formula

Hair by Maren McKenna

Looking for a true warm blonde this winter? This Warm Honey hue is just the color your need to add some sunshine to this dreary season.

Base Color: Oway Hcolor 6.1 Ash Dark Blonde + Oway Hcolor 6.0 Natural Dark Blonde + Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Balayaged Highlights + Lowlights: Oway Hbleach Butter Cream Lightener + Oway Hcatalyst 30 Volume Cream Developer

Lowlights: Oway Hcolor 6.31 Beige Dark Blonde + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Toner: Oway Hcolor 9.01 Ash Natural Very Light Blonde + Oway Hcolor 9.31 Beige Very Light Blonde + Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Strawberry Blonde Hair Color Formula

Hair by Meghan Scott of Color Me Organically

Talk about a transformation. Meghan had to correct her client’s hair color who had been bleaching her hair at home, and turned it into this beautiful strawberry blonde.

Base Color Pulled Through Ends: 50g Oway Hcolor 7.03 BM Mocha Blonde + 10g Oway Hcolor 8.0 Natural Light Blonde + 50g Oway Hcatalyst 20 Volume Cream Developer

Smudged Top Section: Equal Parts Oway Hnectar 7.3 Wheat Blonde + Oway Hnectar 8.3 Wheat Light Blonde + Oway Hnectar 8.0 Natural Light Blonde with Oway Htone 9 Volume Cream Developer

Copper Penny Hair Color Formula

Hair by Sydney Mendoza

Sydney’s client came in with a Dark Red/Copper color at the root which she wanted to break up and lighten. What Sydney created after is a striking Copper Penny glossed at the root to ends with O&M’s Dark Warm Copper Blonde.

Retouch: O&M Mineral.CCT 7/34 Warm Copper Blonde + O&M Mineral.CCT 10 volume Activator

Highlights: O&M Ammonia Free Pearl White Powder Lightener + O&M Mineral.CCT 20 Volume COVERAGE Cream Activator

Gloss Pulled Through Ends: O&M Liquid CCT 6/34

Honey Ivory Hair Color Formula

Hair by Kristen Kneeland of Simply Hair

Our Tribe is loving our new COR.color! The newest formula is so much easier to work with, allowing you to create gorgeous balayages like this Honey Ivory masterpiece by Kristen.

Balayage: O&M Paint Powder Clay Lightener + O&M CØR.color 40 vol Activator

Holiday decorations are never complete without the scent of Christmas. This time, however, your home and salon need not use artificially scented candles or toxic air fresheners to bring in the Christmas spirit.

We’ve created a special list of diffuser holiday essential oil blend recipes to make this festive season as stress-free and holistic as possible.

Christmas Cookies

Need a dose of nostalgia? This essential oil concoction will certainly bring back those wonderful childhood memories of cookies baking in the oven on Christmas morning. This recipe combines the invigorating properties of Indian Orange and Litsea with the warm, welcoming scent of vanilla.

3 drops Oway NOTA Essential Oil

2 drops Simply Organic Enlighten Essential Oil

Candy Cane

Holidays aren’t complete without the scent of Candy Cane filling the air. Diffuse this aromatherapeutic blend of Mint, Rosemary, and Citrus Oils and your clients will surely be reminded of this popular peppermint candy.

3 drops Simply Organic Focus Essential Oil

2 drops Simply Organic Enlighten Essential Oil

Holiday Bliss

Spread the holiday cheer in your salon and home with our Holiday Bliss concoction – a combination of the energizing properties of citrus scents from Grapefruit and Bergamot, plus a hint of Ylang-Ylang floral aroma.

2 drops Oway NOTA Essential Oil

1 drop Oway Antioxidant Essential Oil Blend

1 drop Simply Organic Focus Essential Oil

Winter Sheets

‘Tis the season for cozy sheets and sleeping in. The relaxing scents of Ylang-Ylang, Lavender and Chamomile will help calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety, especially after a crazy day of holiday shopping and prepping.

3 drops Oway NOTA Essential Oil

2 drops Simply Organic Relax Essential Oil

Holiday Getaway

Recreate your holiday getaway experience at home with this revitalizing essential oil blend. The mix of Italian Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Bergamot offers a re-energizing effect on the mind and body, boosting your overall mood like you’re on a real holiday trip.

3 drops Simply Organic Focus Essential Oil

2 drops Oway Antioxidant Essential Oil Blend

After Party

After all the guests have gone, it’s time to focus in YOU. Treat yourself to a relaxing essential oil blend of Lavender and Chamomile, mixed with the detoxifying properties of Thai Lemongrass. This recipe will not only help soothe the mind and body, but also eliminate toxins in your system.

3 drops Simply Organic Relax Essential Oil

1 drop Simply Organic Detox Essential Oil

New Year’s Day

There’s nothing like the smell of the New Year, when the sweet scent of hope and promise is in the air. Replicate that scent with our blend of floral notes from Ylang Ylang, Lavender, and Citrus.

2 drops Oway NOTA Essential Oil

2 drops Oway Antioxidant Essential Oil Blend

2 drops Simply Organic Relax Essential Oil

Do you have any special essential oil concoctions that you use at home and in the salon? Sound off in the comments! We’d love to know your recipes!