I just got my hair did and I’m SO excited to tell you about my new favorite cruelty free LA salon and my new favorite cruelty free hair color!
First let’s talk about the salon – Primrose Organics in Los Angeles is now my go-to salon for hair color. First of all, the owners are dolls. Felicia Howe was concerned about the negative health effects of the salon products she was using, so she partnered with Melissa Tornay, and together they opened Primrose Organics. They use (and sell via their boutique) only cruelty free, organic and natural products. Felicia told me she noticed a world of difference when she switched to these healthier products – for herself and her clients. The salon was opened in April ’09 – the same time My Beauty Bunny was being born (great minds…)!
Melissa and Felicia
The salon itself is totally my style – vintage furniture and furnishings everywhere. It’s eclectic and cool without a single ounce of pretension or snobbery (what a breath of fresh air in LA!). The building itself is made from recycled and environmentally-friendly materials. The drywall is formaldehyde-free, the pain is VOC-free, the hot water and lighting are energy efficient, the hair foils are made from recycled foil – even the hair dryers are energy efficient!
When you meet Felicia and Melissa, you’ll see that this eco-friendly stuff is not just a gimmick – it’s a way of life (Felicia even gave me the number for her naturopath!).
Primrose Organics Salon
Primrose Organics Boutique
Primrose Organics now has a loyal new customer – I won’t go anywhere else! I found out while I was there that Tania from Pure Natural Diva is also a loyal client!
Now, let’s talk about the color – Organic Color Systems is vegan, cruelty free and PETA-approved. There is no ammonia and no harmful fumes (it smelled herbal when it was being applied – not the greatest scent, but definitely natural and not scary). The color is made with certified organic ingredients like chamomile, comfrey, grapefruit and orange. It also contains Vitamins C, E and wheat protein to repair and strengthen your hair. Yes – this hair color actually improves the condition of your hair and makes it shinier!
Organic Color Systems vegan hair color
The color doesn’t stain your scalp or your face (don’t ask me how they do that). It can be used to cover greys (I can’t comment on that because I don’t have any yet) and it is supposed to last longer than ordinary hair color. Now – I had my hair dyed red many moons ago, and I noticed that the red highlights showed through a little – to me this is great – it gave me a more natural-looking head of hair. If it was grey – I imagine the grey parts would be slightly lighter – so it would look like you have highlights. You can see what I’m talking about in my pic at the top of this post.
Now let’s talk about ammonia for a second – besides being toxic, why should you avoid it? Here’s what Organic Color Systems has to say about ammonia:
Ammonia is a damaging corrosive toxin that should be kept out of the salons because it severely damages the cuticle and destroys tyrosine, the hair’s protein that develops melanin (hair’s natural pigmentation). The more the tyrosine protein is damaged, the less capable the hair is of “holding on to” color. It is a caustic toxin that causes both short and long term damage to the throats and lungs. Long term exposure can permanently damage the respiratory system.
Your hair stylist can mix up a custom color for you – including non-bleach lighteners if you want to go lighter. I told Felicia I wanted dark brown hair – almost black. She knew exactly what to do and I love the result.
I really and truly cannot say enough good things about Primrose Organics or Organic Color Systems, so I’m awarding them both the My Beauty Bunny Favorite seal of approval!
This place looks SO cute! If I'm ever in LA, I know where I'm getting my hair done. 🙂
My recent post 23 Worst Anti-Aging Products to Avoid
This place looks SO cute! If I'm ever in LA, I know where I'm getting my hair done. 🙂
My recent post 23 Worst Anti-Aging Products to Avoid
This place looks SO cute! If I'm ever in LA, I know where I'm getting my hair done. 🙂
My recent post 23 Worst Anti-Aging Products to Avoid
Lovely photo of you! That's wonderful that you were able to get the exact color that you requested. Great picture of the "Say no to ammonia!" I live in Boston, but now I know where to go when I'm on your coast! Thanks for the great info. x
What an incredible article about what I consider to be the most revolutionary hair color the world has ever seen. It is impossible for me to overstate the significance Organic Color Systems has had on my life. Eleven years ago, after being a hairdresser for 20 years, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. My case was not responding to chemotherapy and after two years of living hell, I decided to turn to a more homeopathic approach. After working with some wonderful homeopathic professionals and doing a tremendous amount of research, I discovered that the resorcinol and ammonia that was in the hair color I used everyday had caused my condition. I was poisoning myself with toxins and carcinogens every day each time I colored hair and breathed in the fumes.
I had given up being a stylist and sold my successful salon. Less than two years later, I was in complete remission and there was not even a trace of cancer in my entire body. However, after several years of expensive medical care, my family and I were feeling the burden of my lost income and I needed to go back to work. There was no line of work other than hairdressing for which I was qualified where I could make the same level of income I was accustomed to.
I searched far and wide for safer hair color and came across Organic Color Systems. It is a GODSEND! I have used it for the last few years and it not only is the safest hair color I have ever come across, but it produces the best professional results of any chemical hair color I have ever seen. Clients love it as it does not smell like chemicals, doesn't irritate their scalp, and gives them a shinier, healthier, lustrous rich color that simply does not fade. There is no other hair color that does a better job at covering gray hair. I have literally rebuilt my business and my life around this product.
Thank you so much for writing this article. I don't think enough people, or stylist, know about this product and I am glad to hear I am not the only evangelist for it.
Absolutely love the pictures! It looks so warm and inviting….really makes me want to visit! My stylist also uses Organic Color Systems and I am so happy with the results….the color really lasts and comes out beautiful! Your hair looks fabulous! Organic color is the only way to go.
My recent post Healthy Hair Tips: Top Tips for Shiny, Healthy Hair
I am definitely going to have to stop in and check this place out. I am usually in LA several times a month. This place sounds FAB! Thanks so much for the info Jen! BTW, your photo is fab!
Wow that is an amazing story – thanks so much for sharing. I bet a lot of people working in the beauty industry (nail salons are probably killers too) have these issues and don't even realize it.
The hair salon I go to uses Organic Color Systems and it is the only hair color (chemical or organic) that can cover my gray hair. Also, it creates so much shine and makes my hair look and feel so much younger. I refer all my friends to the salon to use this color to and I have started a small revolution in my town. I think this product is the only way to go and keep wondering why its not already in every salon.
Thanks! I am happy to hear a lot of people are using Organic Color Systems! 🙂
Primrose Organics and Cruelty Free Haircolor!Thanks for the information.
Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I’ve really loved browsing your blog posts.
I am a Certified Organic Color Systems Specialist as well as their Regional Educator! If any of you are in the Boston area I hope you take a moment to check me out.
I also specialize in the only Certified Organic Keratin Treatment!!!
Thank you!
http://www.mystylistmarcus.com
617-838-8128
http://www.genbook.com/bookings/slot/reservation/30173455/reviews
Natural hair color is good for our hair.It has no side effects on our hair. Nice blog.
AAGH! Why no mail order? I’m sitting here in Michigan (after being in LA for 28 years!), back to using “regular” hair color because my beloved Inoa turned out to be animal tested. Everything but that absolutely shreds my scalp. Please please please… any suggestions? Because not only is my scalp going insane but the color has been making my hair dull and dry and it’s decided to start turning ORANGE. It’s supposed to be a darker red auburn.
LOVE that it’s organic and cruelty free. I have never thought to ask my hairstylists about the type and treatment of the haircoloring they use in my hair, but I am definitely going to now!
Absolutely lovely your picture ! Very Good Content !
Organic hair color is the answer to many types of hair related problems. Thanks for sharing the post.
wow.!!Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I’ve really loved browsing your blog posts. thanks for shearing us.
Great post!!
I have been also a fan of organic hair color system and been using for quite some time, I like the term cruelty free!! It’s really encouraging to give it a try!! P.S you’ve got a nice place there!!