GRAND RAPIDS — Being renewed and refreshed is what going to the hair salon is all about. But boasting a new ’do isn’t exactly known for its earth-friendliness.
But it can be.
The owners of a new salon say they want to help customers look their best while having a minimal impact on the environment.
Joy Anderson and Amanda Powell’s Salon Re, which opened a few weeks ago at 940 E. Fulton St., incorporates earth-friendly elements such as water-saving hair-wash basins, bamboo and concrete countertops, recycled carpet squares, used and re-purposed furnishings and organic and homemade cleaning products.
Styling products, which are low on chemicals and come in recyclable containers, include yogurt-based hair color and plant-based relaxers for African-American hair.
Hair clippings also are saved and donated to Matter of Trust, a San Francisco nonprofit that manufactures mats of hair that are used to clean up oil spills.
Anderson, 34, and Powell, 26, don’t call themselves environmentalists, “but I’ve been going in that direction at home for years,” Powell said.
“A lot of clients have asked about the ingredients in the products I use on their hair, so I know other people are thinking about it.”
Anderson has nine years of experience as a stylist that includes salon and staff management.
Powell also is a hair stylist as well as a makeup artist. She also has nine years of experience.