Virtue Salon is a built around a group of ideas that promote a more sustainable lifestyle.  As a hairstylist, I began to ponder ideas about how the beauty industry could have a positive approach to life and the environment.  Many salons have become extremely wasteful and dangerous for the environment.  I started to research product lines and other ideas to create a more sustainable salon.  I was surprised to find how many small companies and manufacturers were working hard to make their products environmentally sound.  These companies not only use vegan ingredients but they also use 100% recyclable materials for all of the shipping and product packaging.

I was first inspired by my Great-Grandfather’s barber chair.  Based on the looks of the chair, I thought it would be amazing to create a salon with all vintage furnishing.  So according to the original idea, I began to collect items that complimented the chair.  I have now acquired a salon full of furniture and equipment with an interesting story attached to each.  As I collected everything, I realized that buying only “repurposed” items was one of the most Eco-friendly things that anyone could do!

After I found the atmosphere of the salon, I of course wanted something more.  I decided that I wanted to offer as many hair services as possible that were free of harsh chemicals and animal products.  I looked for a group of products to use. I found All-Nutrient, and Thermafuse which are both, American-made vegan, Eco-friendly hair-color and product companies.

We all know that times have become very “green”.  Because of my passion for conservation and the environment, I am working to create a “Zero Waste” salon.  That would mean that all elements that are used within the salon would either be reused or recycled.  All of the typical recycling will be done, but in addition, we will recycle foil from highlighting and hair from haircuts.  Yes, hair can be recycled!  Matter of Trust is an organization dedicated to helping clean up oil spills in the ocean.  Believe it or not, our hair clipping can be made into “hairmats” which can soak up oil spills because of the absorbent quality of human hair!  Thousands of animals can be saved with this organization.  Virtue Salon recycles anything and everything we possibly can and we have very little waste.  We also compost as well.

Melanie Guzzo
Owner/Operator