The Art and Science of Hair and the Environment

My haircuts are extremely expensive. They aren’t just the normal cut in 30 minutes and ditch the services. They are a three-four hour long experience. Yes, I just used the word experience. It is about ditching real life, escaping to a place where someone gives me undivided attention and I can choose to engage or shut down from talking. I get a back message and head message along with my full color and cut. All of which are what makes up the hefty price tag. But, even knowing that I’m paying more than I’d hoped or anticipated; I cannot give up the habit. I enjoy the luxury and will eat Ramon every night if it means I can have nice hair.

Why Such a Strong Justification, you ask?

I have the strong belief that you want to have the nicest hair possible. You have to wear it every

day. It isn’t an outfit that can be changed so readily so you want it to count. Marketers use this emotional tie to sell their product or service. They introduce a numerous array of services that cater to a constant growing need that is being demanded by the customers. Aveda, the company that owns the salon that I go to, they have continued to expand their operations to include high quality hairdressing with exclusive spa services.

The Company behind the Hair

Aveda is a company that I use to supply my shampoo and conditioner as well as the salon I go to. I identify with the company and the values that it represents. It was started in 1978 and has since become one of the first beauty companies to endorse a set of principles designed to encourage greater environmental responsibility in business. Things like their aerosol hairspray have a net-zero impact on the Earth’s climate (which is not very likely to be said for some other products out on the market). They continue to work with companies like NativeEnergy to provide funds for wind turbines. Their sustainability concept does not just stop there, but they are involved with local schools to work on recycling of bottle caps as well as using non-toxic cleaning products in their main headquarters in Minnesota. They are the first beauty company in the world with 100% post-consumer bottles and caps as well as being manufactured with 100% wind energy.

Mission for a Better World

These tid-bits of facts are just part of the reason why I can see myself in this company. The

represent things that I hope to be and care about. The environment is something that many of us take for granted. Now don’t get me wrong, you won’t see me going on hunger strikes for trees; but, I really have begun to see how just little differences in my life can be beneficial for everyone. It’s not just about me and my impact on the world, but really how I can impact my global community. As a world, we may be separated by oceans, governments, politics, or even religion; yet, we are all affecting one another. There is no imaginary line where smog cannot cross or where pollution ceases to exist. With this, I find that companies like Aveda are a shining example in an industry that sometimes chooses to undervalue their impact on the environment. Their mission statement is, “Our mission at Aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility- not just in the world of beauty, but around the world.” Aveda is still able to both empower women and men daily with their products and services while still keeping their corporate mission a global commitment. They are indeed an excellent company to receive services from and I am a monthly customer to the local salon. With such impacts and mission statements like I’ve shown above, I don’t see my visits slowing down anytime soon. Hasta la vista bad products and hello environmentally friendly!