We all want to find that magic ingredient or hair product that is going to truly transform our hair overnight. There’s never going to be a product that’s going to fix everything, but with the right gentle ingredients huge changes can happen in the health and texture of your hair. “The products you use have a lot to do with your hair’s texture, shine, manageability, and overall health. We love Davines’ focus on powerful, plant-derived ingredients, (source).” Switching over to sulfate and paraben free products is the first step in taking back your hair health. Olivia Singer from Into the Gloss was facing serious hair loss and damage due to underlying health concerns. “By no means was transferring to expensive, sulphate-free haircare the singular means to reconfiguring my sense of independence and empowerment. But that shampoo and conditioner stopped my hair from looking quite so lank and raggedy, and that was really what I needed to boost my confidence in getting myself sorted out, (source).” Making the switch to high quality hair products that contain beneficial ingredients can stimulate the scalp and strengthen the hair shaft. Below is a list of 4 ingredients that we can’t live without and what Davines products to find them in:

Caper Blossoms: “Essential Haircare travelled towards the South of Italy, up to the Salina Island, to select this millennial caper that, rich of quercetin and polyphenols, has a hair color protective action, (source).” This rich extract has been used in food and medicine for centuries in the mediterranean. “Rich in quercetin, a powerful amino acid with a protective effect on the hair structure along with hair colour-protecting polyphenols, Salina Capers are one of the key ingredients in the Davines Minu shampoo, (source).”

Dandelion: Davines Purifying Shampoo is perfect for anyone looking for a balanced scalp as it is full of Dandelion Phytoceuticals. “Rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial polyphenols and sugars, Dandelion helps to cleanse and balance without causing irritation (source).”

Minuta Olive Oil: In the green heart of Sicily, grows a sweet olive, unique in the world. “Rich of fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, it has an elasticizing and softening action for the hair: that’s why we selected it as a special ingredient to enrich the LOVE smooth shampoo, conditioner and hair smoother, the Essential Haircare products dedicated to smooth hair, finally free of frizziness! (source).” This oil is the perfect lightweight blend for curls to be bouncy and shiny.

Villalba Lentil: Lentils aren’t just amazing food for your body and the star of meatless menus, but they do great on your hair as well. “Over the well-known nutritious properties for our body, lentils come out to be good for the hair too! At Davines, we chose them to enhance the Essential Haircare MELU family formula, thought to protect and restore long and damaged hair, (source).” Rich in iron and proteins, these lentils contain serine and glutammic acid (the most abundant amino acid in keratin!), this makes them the perfect building blocks to protect hair from breakage and brittleness.

Visit our website for more information on Davines products and where you can find sustainable salons in your area! Visit: http://thesalonmovement.com

 

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We all know that choosing high quality personal care products is essential to getting the best potency and also integral to avoiding unnecessary cheap additives and ingredients. Just because a product is “natural,” “organic,” or “green,” doesn’t mean that you should pass by the label and trust it. By becoming your own green beauty detective you can avoid using and paying for products you don’t really want in your homes or on your body. “One in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks). Imagine what that does to your skin, and to the environment, (source).” This is a staggering statistic but by making some small changes and knowing what to look for you can ditch the chemical nasties for high performance green products instead.

1. Parabens: Parabens such as Prefixes Ethyl, Methyl, Butyl or Propyl, love to hangout in shampoos and lotions!
2. Phthalates: Also know as Fragrance, DEHP, DHP, DBP 5, Dibutyl Phthalate. This pesky group are everywhere! Anything with artificial fragrance is at risk for containing phthalates. Particularly prevalent in deodorant, nail polish and shampoo.
3. Coal Tar: Otherwise known as Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 33, this group of chemicals are widely regarded as carcinogenic.
4. Triclosan: You know the surge of antibacterial soaps? Triclosan is the main ingredient. This group can also be listed as Chloro, Phenol, or Irgasan.
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: “This surfactant can be found in more than 90 percent of personal care and cleaning products (think foaming products). SLS’s are known to be skin, lung, and eye irritants, (source).”
6. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRP’s): “Preservatives are used in many cosmetic products to help prevent bacteria growth. This chemical was deemed as a human carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC) and has been linked to occupational related cancers: nasal and nasopharyngeal, (source).”
7. Sunscreen Chemicals: Otherwise known as benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate this group is designed to absorb ultraviolet light. The problem with this group is that they are easily absorbed right into the body causing concern for cellular damage and actual cancer.
8. Siloxanes: “Look for ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone.” Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane), (source).”

These are some of the most common offenders that are found lurking in our everyday products but the good news is that there is a whole world of green beauty products that don’t contain any of these ingredients. Becoming an empowered consumer that can do their own research is integral to taking charge of your own health and also protecting our precious environment. Here at Salon Movement we take great pride in being a green-focused company and love hearing about others becoming aware of the environmental impacts of our everyday lives.

 

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A healthy diet naturally makes a healthy body and healthy hair. Healthy hair is difficult to maintain and manage as our hair is exposed to chemicals and pollution throughout our lives. “It’s not just what you apply on your hair, but also what you eat that counts. Nutrition plays a key role in hair growth and good nutrition radiates on our hair and skin. The nutrients which we eat help to fortify the hair follicles and the scalp, (source).” A variety of individuals are faced with dandruff, scalp psoriasis, eczema and a sensitive scalp due to diet, hair products and overall health. Below are some tips and tricks to maintain a healthy scalp so you glow from the inside out.

1. Switch out your products: Shampoos and conditioners that use harsh chemicals can do a real number on overall scalp and hair health. One of our favourite recommendations to switch to is Davines’ detoxifying treatments. Throughout the day hair captures air pollutants which slow down the cells activity, and attack the protein in your hair. This results in an unbalanced scalp which can lead to irritation and dandruff. “In the same way risking and damaging your hair health by exposing your hair in the sun, chlorine in swimming pools, and chemicals hair treatment such as hair colouring could also cause hair damage and loss rather than make your hair shiny, smooth and healthy. Maintaining a healthy scalp and keeping a healthy scalp environment is very important for healthy looking hair, (source).”
2. Eat for your health: You know the phrase eat the rainbow? Well we recommend doing just that. Having a diet rich in variety and low in processed foods leads to overall body health. “But while it’s all well and good to invest in expensive conditioners, costly serums and pricey treatments, the food we eat could very well hold the key to a brilliantly barnet, (source).” Foods to look for are lean fish such as salmon, fatty nuts, legumes and a large variety of vegetables especially leafy greens. “Keratin, a substance that provides the strength and structure of hair, is a protein, and our body makes it from the proteins that we eat. So to ensure you have strong hair, eat a variety of protein-containing foods every day: meat, fish, eggs, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, (source).”
3. Get Tested: Blood work can do wonders when it comes to uncovering health issues that may not be caught by yourself or your doctor. Having low b-12, iron, and essential fats can cause serious problems for your hair and scalp. These are luckily easy fixes with your doctor and can quickly make a world of difference.

Overall our body’s health is reflected in our outward appearance from our skin to our hair. Eating to nourish our bodies is essential to hair health and also provides us the longevity and energy to completed our to-do lists. Switching to non-toxic products that are gentle on our scalps and hair can also make a big impact on our overall health. Want more info on Davines products? Visit us at ~ http://thesalonmovement.com/

 

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The Chemical Body Burden has got to be one of the most fascinating and also confusing areas surrounding the safety of personal care products. It is very disturbing to learn that everyday our bodies are being contaminated with a burden of toxic chemicals. “In 2003, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York conducted a study with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in which nine healthy volunteers, none of whom worked with chemicals, had their blood and urine tested. They found 167 industrial chemicals, (source).” That number is alarming and also staggering considering the healthy lifestyles of the participants involved. “The chemicals came from everyday things such as adhesives, pesticides, food additives, fire retardants, hair sprays, perfumes, lubricants, brake fluid, varnishes, paints, dyes, and cleaning products. A Canadian study came up with similar results, as did a European study including 47 Members of the EU Parliament from 17 nations, (source).” There are numerous ways you can diminish your exposure to hazardous chemicals by making small changes in your personal care products and overall lifestyle. First lets define this term:

Chemical Body Burden: This term refers to the total accumulation of toxins in your body. “This can include anything from dangerous metals like lead or mercury, to pesticides, unsafe food additives, or fluoride, (source).” This includes the amount of a particular chemical stored in the body at a particular time, especially a potentially toxic chemical in the body as a result of exposure. “Body burdens can be the result of long-term or short-term storage, (source).”

When looking at the chemical body burden you have to start with the priority aspects of your life from your food to your air to your water. There are aspects that can be improved and then also areas where we might just have to live with one step at a time.

1. Eat Organic: “While there is some controversy over whether organic foods are more nutritious than conventional foods, there is no doubt from a body-burden perspective that they are safer and healthier, (source).” If eating all organic is too pricey (it is for us) at least make sure your meats and dairy products are organic and make sure that you avoid or eat only organic picks of Apples, Celery, Strawberries, Peaches, Spinach, Nectarines (imported), Grapes (imported), Sweet Bell Peppers, Potatoes, Lettuce, Blueberries, and Kale.
2. Use environmentally friendly cosmetics and body products: This is a huge one and one of the most easily avoidable. “Most commercial cosmetics are laden with heavy metals and other toxic ingredients. Ditto on body products ranging from shampoos and deodorants to sunscreens and lotions, (source).” Davines is a great example of a company committed to a green and natural standpoint. This philosophy permeates into all of it’s high quality products and also it’s business structure.

The Chemical Body Burden is a cause to be aware of and also concerned about. No need to hyperventilate but only to be aware of the small steps you as a consumer can take to protect yourself from excess chemical exposure. Here at Salon Movement we’re all about transparency and being informed, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

 

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We’re the first ones to sigh in dismay at the amount we owe at the register for our favourite organic, green and clean products. What you may not know is that the price tag is actually in fact there for a reason. We have to remind ourselves of this sometimes but the reasoning and the quality behind the price tag are the huge factors when it comes to determining the retail value of a product. “While the cost might cause you to categorize these skin-boosting offerings as totally out of your budget, it may help to know why exactly organic (often confused with “all natural”) products can make a bigger dent in your wallet, (source).” The short answer to this inquiry is to make a lower priced product the actual integrity of the ingredients chosen would have to be sacrificed. Below are two of the biggest factors that contribute to the “organic,” price tag:

Ingredients: A great example of this is from the company Nurture My Body, who promote organic, and sustainable practices. “Other companies source out less expensive ingredients such as petroleum ingredients or chemicals so they can make a bigger profit. Larger companies can buy their ingredients in bulk. We are a smaller company going up against the “big guys” and are not able to buy in bulk, (source).” Organic product companies and manufactures also try to stick to local ingredients or if they have to look overseas still ensuring the integrity and ethics of the product remain constant. A great example of this is Davines. “They are now acquiring certain key products from local farms in Italy (now labeled right on the bottles) that were previously in danger of being extinct, (source).” Organic farms are typically smaller than larger ones and refrain from using chemicals and growth hormones that are used conventionally. This equates to more time and as we all know time = money. “While not all organic/natural brands are waterless and completely synthetic and preservative-free, the ones that are allow you to you liberate yourself from all the pesticide residues found in conventionally grown crops that end up in many traditional beauty products, (source).”

Formulation: This is an integral part of the “organic,” price tag debate and confusion. Conventional brands are notorious for “watering down,” their products in order to produce a lower price tag. The first ingredient you’ll see when checking these labels is water/aqua. “Many formulations are up to 80 percent water. Some have greater or smaller percentage, but essentially this is what the customer is paying for. In some drugstore or even natural brands, water can masquerade as Aloe Vera juice or herbal infusions, (source).” This translates to using less of a more potent product since organic products have higher concentrations of beneficial skin ingredients.

Here at the Salon Movement we believe in high quality service, relationships and superior products for your body. This is the biggest reason why we support Davines and when explained and researched the price is comparable to other conventional salon brands. Davines’ practices, ingredients and ethos are admirable and align with our own feelings about what a company and product should do for you.

 

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