The Moment Everything Changed: Why We Walked Away from Toxins

When Awareness Struck

I still remember the day I learned that whatever we put on our skin makes its way into our bloodstream in just five seconds. Five seconds. That number stopped me in my tracks. I thought of all the shampoos, conditioners, lotions, sprays—everything I had used over the years—and I felt this wave of disbelief. Had I really been feeding my body things I couldn’t even pronounce?

That was the beginning of a shift. Once you know something like that, you can’t unknow it. I started paying attention. Reading labels, asking questions, choosing products with more intention. And little by little, it wasn’t just about what I was putting on my skin or hair—it was about every decision I made. What I cooked with, what I breathed in my home, what I allowed around my body. Each small step brought a new sense of freedom, and life started to feel… different. Lighter. More in tune with who I wanted to be.

Knowing Better

Here’s the honest truth: we used to use those harsh treatments on ourselves and on our clients. We loved the results, but deep down, something didn’t sit right. And when we learned what those products were really made of, when we knew better, we couldn’t pretend anymore. Once you see the truth, pretending you don’t know is a kind of betrayal—of yourself and of the people you care for. For us, it was clear: we couldn’t keep putting toxins on our hands, in our air, and into the bodies of the people who trusted us.

Shared Beliefs, Shared Vision

Around that time, Terry—my dear friend and business partner—was on her own journey. We’d sit and talk about everything we were learning, about how good it felt to make these intentional changes, and how frustrating it was that in our industry, so many of the “standard” products were loaded with toxins. We realized we were completely aligned in what we believed: beauty should never come at the cost of health.

That alignment was powerful. And it’s in that space of shared belief that our salon was born. Not just a salon, but a green salon—a place where people could feel safe knowing that what touched their hair and skin was as clean and non-toxic as possible. Where beauty and wellness weren’t two separate things, but part of the same experience.

No More Compromises

Of course, one of the biggest requests in any salon is smoothing treatments. And for years, even though we had used them ourselves, we stopped offering them. The truth was, we couldn’t ignore what we knew. The formulas were full of harsh chemicals and formaldehyde, and we couldn’t justify it—for ourselves or for our clients. It always felt like a compromise we weren’t willing to make anymore.

Then came Pura Luxe—and for us, it changed everything. Here was a smoothing treatment that delivered silky, shiny, manageable hair, but without the toxins. No formaldehyde. No fumes. No worry. Just truly beautiful, healthy results. The first time we saw it in action, we knew this was what we had been searching for.

Building a Community

But this journey wasn’t only about clients—it was also about us, as professionals. Terry and I wanted more than just a salon; we wanted a community. A space where hairstylists who shared our values could come together, feel safe, and thrive without compromising their health or their artistry. Today, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of what we’ve built: working alongside other professionals who believe, like we do, that clean beauty, wellness, and creativity can—and should—exist together. There’s a special energy in that. It feels supportive, inspiring, and bigger than any one of us.

Living With Intention

This is the heart of why we do what we do. Because caring for our bodies isn’t only about what we eat—it’s also about what we choose to put on our skin and hair. And when we live with intention, we feel more connected—not just to ourselves, but to each other.

That’s the story of how our salon came to life: two women aligning in their beliefs, refusing to compromise, and choosing a new way forward. And now, we get to share that journey every single day—with our clients, with our team, and with a growing community of people who are ready to live and work with more intention.