My husband has been asking me for ages to go back to the Auburn Hair Color I was when we first met. I stopped coloring my hair when I was pregnant with Lil’ Diva. After she was born and I’d learned even more about the toxins in hair coloring – I was happy to avoid the exposure and keep my natural color.
Little did I know – there are other options. You can find salons that offer beautiful color with dramatically safer color options.
Today I visited Ratana Salon – A hidden gem in West Hollywood off La Cienega just south of Santa Monica Blvd. You even enter the salon off the back lane!
You won’t find any hustle or bustle here – instead you’ll meet Ratana, possibly her sister, Suchana, and be soothed with zen-like music in an intimate Spa like atmosphere. There is one station for one client, and the first thing I noticed after walking into the salon was the absence any chemical smell.
Ratana began the process of becoming a greener salon a year ago – they’ve come a long way in that time. After working as a salon owner and stylist for over 20 years, she decided to change over to a less toxic coloring system because the traditional chemicals were making her sick.
The color process she uses – Organic Color Systems – employs heat to open the hair follicle and prepare it for the color. Traditional coloring uses ammonia. This system does take a little extra time – so if you decide to try it out be sure to allow 2 hours for your color process.
Ratana offers Organic Care Systems hair care line and Eminence Organic Skin Care .
Ask for tea or coffee and you’ll get an organic offering – right down to the organic cream… and… oh… it will be served in a real mug.
A trip to the powder room and you’ll find the paper products are 100% recycled.
Ratana decided we should try a semi permanent process on my hair and successfully transformed me into an Auburn Diva once again. Semi permanent is a great choice for those who don’t need to cover gray and want to have less pressure to “get your roots done.”
Whether you live in Los Angeles or not – if you color your hair it may be time to ask your stylist to make a few changes or find an Eco Salon in your area. When I asked my personal stylist why more salons aren’t offering organic options – he said when it comes to beauty women just don’t care. I truly hope this isn’t true.
Ratana Salon
916 1/4 N. La Cienega Blvd.
(enter thru La Cienega alley)
Phone: (310) 659-2239
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Thanks for the posting. I hate my natural hair color so I dye it all the time, but I am worried about toxins that are harmful to me and to the environment. I try my best to be eco-friendly in every aspect of my life, but this is one area where I have been unable to find a green option that works well for me. So, with much guilt I continue the “eco-nasty” practice of coloring my hair with toxin-laden dye. Unfortunately, I don’t live anywhere near West Hollywood to be able to visit this lovely salon you have reviewed, but I will definitely be looking for salons in my area who carry Organic Color Systems. Thanks for the tip. BTW your hair looks great!
Have never really thought about eco hair colouring before! Will definatly look into it!