Shades Hair Studio: Beauty sans ammonia

Walk into most hair salons and you'll be greeted with a harsh chemical smell, thanks to the ammonia and other chemicals in most hair color products. Now, there's a salon that prides itself in its chemical-free atmosphere: Shades Hair Studio.

Shades is a full-service Beverly Hills salon that's gone green -- or at least much greener. Owner and salon operator Susan Henry, spurred by her own health problems due to working with conventional hair products, created a line of natural hair colors that contain no ammonia whatsoever. These products are better for the environment and for the health of the salon's clients. And because the colors don't stink up the salon, clients can enjoy their experience without inhaling noxious chemicals.

I stopped by Shades for a haircut earlier today, and loved the sunny, chemical-free atmosphere. The salon's brightly lit and heated through passive solar by two large skylights, giving the place an relaxing, airy, open feel.

My stylist, Tina, listened carefully to my ideas about what I wanted for her hair (I took in pictures), made some suggestions, and visually confirmed exactly how much hair I was ready to chop off. After a relaxing shampoo, I finally got my much-needed haircut -- and I'm very happy with it! And although I didn't get my hair colored, I will say the woman sitting two chairs down who got her hair colored strawberry blond looked amazing.

My one beef with Shades: The hair care products are full of parabens, a synthetic preservative avoided by many eco-friendly personal care product companies. Back to Basics, the product line used in my shampoo, contains parabens and is ranked "medium risk" in Skin Deep, a cosmetic database put together by Environmental Working Group. Parabens also taint Susan Henry's own line of hair care products.

Hopefully Shades will green its hair care products as much as it has its hair color. If it doesn't, I may have to see if they'll let me use my own paraben-free, eco-friendly EO shampoo the next time I go in --

Beauty doesn't come cheap at Shades, with haircuts starting at $90 and hair color at $100. Then again, these prices aren't exactly high for a Beverly Hills salon.

Shades Hair Studio. 144 N. Doheny Dr. Beverly Hills. (310) 275-4882

Photo by Siel

Comments

[dakota]

Wondering what brand of hair color she used, and what good is your review without having your hair colored?

As a chemist, I know what every chemical you are speaking of does . . . to the nose - to the body and most importantly to the products that you put on your body. Do you know that if a product is not preserved correctly, that is a far bigger risk to your health and safety than if it has parabens in it? The fact that parabens are in the product has NEVER been the problem, what IS the problem is -- the amount of parabens in it. Yes, if too much is put in ..> it could be dangerous I will grant you that, BUT, if not enough are - - you run the risk of your shampoo, your mascara, your foundation becoming contaminated with bacteria and disease . . and that is the truth.As with everything, it depends whose research you trust and believe. I just wouldn't and don't put my hands in some lady who "listens" to what others tell her.

The invention of preservatives is what has SAVED peoples lives - added to the product IN THE RIGHT AMOUNT. Do you know mascara used to blind certain individuals before the addition of preservatives? I have a few Associates who were involved in the multi million dollar class=action lawsuit through MAX FACTOR 40 Years ago where the dozens of women won. When you watch a case that like unfold and be analyzed in every way possible - it changes your mind and you learn A LOT. I was too young to be there myself but the stories are infamous in the Cosmetic Chemist field and have listened to them for many years. I too used to feel the way you do . . . . until I learned the truth.

Dakota Ellis

[Siel]

If you actually read the post, you'll see that I wrote Susan created her own line of products -- and that I linked to her website that sells those products.

Parabens are not the only preservatives on the market, and certainly not the only preservatives or the best / safest ones. There are plenty of shampoos, mascaras, and foundations that work great and don't contain parabens on Whole Foods and other store shelves today.

[Jorge]

Most shampoos do not contain parabens - and none is "full" of these compounds. Where they are used, it's always < 1%.

I really like these ignorant folks who give the greatest credibility to "Environmental Working Group" - a group of nonscietnists with no responsiblitiy to anyone - and ignore the FDA scientists who see no health issues at all with parabens and who are responsible for their determinations.

[Siel]

Jorge -- Your comment's especially hilar considering the fact that the FDA's reliance on industry studies to judge the safety of bisphenol A is making news right now. I'm not sure why you consider a heavily industry-influenced govt. agency under dubya's thumb more reliable than a well-respected govt / corporate watchdog.

[joanne]

I have been having my hair hairlighted by Susan for a while now and I am constantly being complimented on it. It is so much healthier and I dont suffer the breakage like I used to.
I have referred all my clients to Shades (I am a personal trainer) and I wouldnt do that unless I was totally confident that they would be happywith their result.