Always the intrepid investigative journalist, I braved crosstown traffic to respond to a tip about a salon using all natural hair color. Shades Natural Hair Color Studio was founded by Susan Henry in 2006. She was a very successful colorist, with hundreds of Hollywood A-list clients. But around 2001, she became so ill from ammonia poisoning, she could no longer work in a salon. Inspired by her daughter’s botany studies, she developed an ammonia-free, all-natural product in order to continue doing the work she loves.

Susan carefully selects each product she carries and uses in the salon, interrogating the manufacturers even as they avoid divulging their secret formulae. Her products are also sold online, and she just released a boxed version of the home coloring kit which may soon be available in stores. The colors I saw on other clients were lovely, and I immediately recommended it to a friend who is prematurely grey and has been coloring her hair for ages.

In the photo, Susan touches up the gorgeous red on a regular client.

Tina explained to me that many of their clients are cancer survivors who understand as few others do the traumatic effects of the chemicals in our lives. While the health of clients is important, I could not help but think about the health of the stylists who spend the majority of their waking hours inhaling all manner of toxic chemicals. Unlike other salons, I walked in and smelled nothing, even with color clients present. And of course they didn’t have the ubiquitous Prop 65 warning on the door. I recalled a nail salon I’d visited in Spain with such poor ventilation I could barely stand it, so this was a real treat. The nail polish Shades uses is free of toluene and formaldehyde, and the mani included a wonderful oil & sugar scrub.

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This season can be particularly hard on nails.  Dry, cold weather and central heating all work to sap us of vital moisture, which takes a toll on skin, hair and nails, too.  Brittle nails crack and break more easily and dried out cuticles can become torn and tender.

Special care needs to be taken to soften and strengthen nails in winter months.  But before you run out to the nearest beauty supply store, take a look in your kitchen cupboard.  “Soaking your nails daily in almond or olive oil strengthens the nails better than any conventional nail hardener,” says Julie Gabriel, author of The Green Beauty Guide.   Simply soak for a few minutes, wipe hands and massage gently.

To moisturize and smooth hands and nails try a mixture of equal parts (a tablespoon or so) brown sugar and grape seed or olive oil mixed with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  Scrub hands and cuticles gently then rinse under warm water and pat dry for an instant manicure.  These should both be used on clean, bare nails and you should see immediate results.

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Listed below are the three main ingredients we look to avoid in nail polish and why*:

1. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) – neurotoxin, reproductive/developmental toxin, endocrine disruptor.
2. Formaldehyde –   human carcinogen, developmental/reproductive toxin, neurotoxin.
3. Toluene – developmental/reproductive toxin, neurotoxin.

So what is an eco girl who likes a good mani to do?  That is where Acquarella comes in.  Acquarella water based nail polishes are free of the top three offenders, virtually odorless and come in a variety of gorgeous colors.

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Until recently when I discovered the SpaRitual line at a little body shop, called Mountain Body, in Park City, Utah. With flavors like, Strawberry Fields Forever and Paradigm Shift (which I am currently admiring as I type!), you not only feel good about wearing the nail lacquer but empowered.

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I love my job but sewing and handling fabric all day long can be really tough on your skin so I think it might be time to try my hand at something a little more rejuvenating.

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