Salons Go Green - Just in Time for Earth Day
These days, many of us care more than ever before about taking care of Mother Earth. Whether we use reusable grocery bags and energy-saving light bulbs, or get that old bike out of the garage instead of taking the car, we all can find ways to do our part.
Now salons and some cosmetology schools are joining the green movement, too. For example, Leon's Beauty School in Greensboro, North Carolina has been taking steps to make some environmentally responsible practices a way of life. Many of the employees and stylists at Leon's hope their efforts will inspire other salons and beauty professionals to find new ways to be more environmentally friendly.
Do you work in a salon or teach/study at a beauty school that is striving to be more Earth-friendly? Here are a few green ideas that have worked in Leon's Beauty School and in other salons across the country:
- Bring in recycling bins! - Businesses like salons go through a lot of disposable containers. Recycling those containers is much friendlier to the planet.
- Switch from commercial cleaning products to home-made or natural cleaners! - For example, Leon's Beauty School uses a natural water and vinegar solution to clean their windows instead of the traditional chemical-ridden glass cleaner.
- Ban Styrofoam cups! - Leon's stylists and employees bring their own reusable cups to use throughout the workday.
- Offer discounts to customers who bring back empty plastic hair care bottles for refills.
- Replace old appliances with newer, energy-saving hair dryers or curling irons.
- Use natural beauty products like mineral-based makeup (try Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit), natural henna hair dyes and sugar and water solutions to set hair curls.
Leon's Beauty School even took their green ideas to a more creative level recently by hosting a “RecycleRama“ hair and fashion show. Instead of showing off clothing made of expensive materials by A-list designers, models in this show sported creations made of second-hand fabrics, cardboard boxes, magazine pages and soda cans to spread awareness about being green.
But even if you don't go the route of designing your own soda can couture, you can still make green beautiful! Got other green tips that you've used on the job? We'd love to hear 'em!