Tell us about yourself!
I live in my hometown of Phoenix Arizona with my husband Rob and our 2 dogs Gemma & Jameson. We spend most of our free time cooking fancy meals together or playing ball with the dogs. When we have time you can find us in nature backpacking, camping and hiking or going to concerts and festivals of all genres. I also love traveling near and far and drawing inspiration from nature for my many crafting projects. I am also a Salon Mentor for Organic Colour Systems.
How did you get into the world of hair?
I got into the world of hair in 2006 when I started working as a receptionist at my Aunts very busy salon. It didn’t take long for me to ask about helping shampoo, mixing colour, and being a human hair clip so I could watch them work up close. I loved everything about it and 6 months later started Cosmetology school. None of this came as a surprise to my family since I was getting in trouble for cutting and painting my dolls hair from the time I could hold a crayon or scissors.
What do you love most about being a hairstylist?
What I love most about being a hairstylist is creating an individual identity for each person who graces my chair. I love the trust people give me with their hair and their heart. It can be such an intimate experience. I also really love creating art everyday with hair whether it be avant-guard or more streamline. I believe every appointment is a collaboration and has room for interpretation. That’s why consultations are so important! Hair is a mixture of art, math, and science.
How long have you been running your salon?
Organic Hair Lab just celebrated 2 years of service on March 14th!
Salons have been reopened in Arizona for a while now; how has it been back in the salon amongst Covid-19?
The salon life post Covid-19 quarantine is interesting to say the least. We moved out some furniture and re-upholstered some furniture to ensure all surfaces are sanitizable and we can guarantee a 6ft distance from others. I have had more people cry in my chair in the last month then in my entire career. People are ultra sensitive but excited. Around 95% of my clients in the last month told me their visit to Organic Hair Lab was the first thing they had left the house for. We have also had a lot of last minute cancelations. People think they are ready to get out but then decide it’s not worth it yet. We totally understand as most of our clients are immune compromised and we would never want anybody to feel bad for protecting themselves. We are only operating at 50% capacity so we are all picking up extra days and later hours to accommodate getting caught up. It was an exhausting month similar to the holiday rush in December. We sold much more retail and received very gracious tips.
What advice would you give to salons who are about to re-open?
Evolve & Communicate. This is uncharted territory and it can get overwhelming for some. Make sure you feel safe in your workspace and clients are respecting your newly required sanitation measures. Reach out to clients personally and let them know in advance what the salon and you personally will be doing and what you need them to do during your appointment. Contact your local cosmetology board or Local Authority for a direct answer on protocol as this can change from place to place.
How did you come across Organic Colour Systems?
I came across Organic Colour Systems when a colleague of mine at a traditional salon decided to open her first salon and focused on using Vegan and low tox hair colour. I used it for a few months before I moved to NYC and worked in another large traditional salon for 2 years. Once I decided to move back home I was reintroduced to Organic Colour Systems with a fresh eye and a wealth of new skills and I had many unanswered questions about the science behind the system. That’s when I attended my first class and the obsession set in.
What do you like most about our workshops?
I have two different perspectives on what I like most about our workshops. My first experience as an attendee was great because not only do you get live models to work on, but the theory time at the beginning of the day is to the point and science based. The workshops are relaxed and allow for discussion and questions. As a Mentor for Organic Colour Systems what I like most about our workshops are the opportunities to inspire and energize new and seasoned stylists. I also like that each workshop is different depending on the region and the attendees. There are always new questions and troubleshooting. I learn something new each workshop I teach as well!
What is your favourite OCS product and why?
I have two favourite Organic Colour Systems products, Aqua boost leave-in conditioner and Root Lift. Call me typical but both are so amazing on their own, cocktailed, and layered with basically every product. Plus they both smell AMAZING! I spoke about why Root Lift is on of my favourites at our recent World Wide Mentor Meeting.
Would you recommend Organic Colour Systems to fellow stylists?
I constantly recommend Organic Colour Systems to fellow stylists for so many reasons. It does everything traditional colour achieves but does it without the unnecessary harmful ingredients. You gain a dedicated clientele who seek out the finest products. The parent company Herb UK is more like family and on a corporate level they are very kind, inviting, and open about everything.
What is your favourite colour formulation?
My favourite colour formulations are anything with No Limits. I love fashion colours and creating all kinds of pallets and integrating new techniques. Black and yellow are both colours I add into surprising formulations to brighten or add depth. Just remember to use a little dot of black at a time until you find your groove.
How do you deal with difficult clients?
I have found that most difficult clients have had a traumatic salon experience and are seeking somebody with enough patience to really listen. If there is a cutting stool nearby I might sit on it next to my guest or even kneel down on 1 knee and I take my time with consultations. (I must add that I am almost 6 feet tall so this puts me at eye level. I could go on and on about consultations and how crucial they are.) I make sure in many ways that we understand each other and then I talk them through the entire process. This is also educating your client and will guarantee they understand the system and they will be more excited to take home products.
Why is being sustainable important to you?
It just made sense when being committed to a line like Organic Colour Systems to start small and see what impact I could make. I was always so impressed with the PCR bottles and non aerosol sprays and the ethos of Herb UK that during the build out process of Organic Hair Lab we decided to strive for being the best we could possibly be in sustainability. Starting with plant based paints and floor stain we then partnered with Green Circle salons to recycle hair, foils, and colour waste along with composting with a local farm. I also took on the task of finding a recycling company to service our complex. (You must know that this took months and in depth research within companies to get real answers on what exactly they did with the trash they pick up.) The next step was making sure we never used any single use plastic. The majority of our furniture is reclaimed vintage pieces we re-finished to fit our aesthetic. We use instant hot water heaters and eco heads shower heads to filter and save water. All of these efforts together while upholding socially responsible policies like fundraisers for our local community and participating in bi-annual free arts festivals are hopefully inspiring other professionals in all industries to do what they can to save our waterways, the air, and not fill the landfills. We have been recognised on a city and state level for our efforts and I have worked with the public trash department on initiatives for other businesses in Phoenix.
What are your top tips to other salons who may want to become more environmentally friendly?
My top tips are to start small to not get overwhelmed. Take inventory of what’s in your trash bins and think if it can be repurposed or disposed of differently. Get creative with it. Organic Colour Systems Mentor, Tracey, taught me to use compostable produce bags for treatment and hair colour processing instead of plastic bags. Get involved and partner with other local “Green Businesses”. Start conversations on the OCS stylists Facebook Forum and see what others are doing. I say it’s like falling down the rabbit hole.
How do you relax after a long day in the salon?
After a long day at work I like to cook a nice healthy meal, play with my dogs, then enjoy a nice long bath. I’m a water sign so an escape to an epsom salt bath with candles and crystals melts the day away.
Best piece of advice you have ever received?
Firstly, change is inevitable, never stop learning. Secondly, don’t let anybody tell you what you can accomplish.
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