Tote-Ally
Committed
The next “It” bag may be this
reusable, recyclable tote from
Saky Sacks. Saky Sacks
hold up to 25 pounds, making
them perfect for shopping or
just getting through the day in
style. Because they’re made
of the same material used in
disposable plastic bags, they
are recycled the same way, at
your local grocery store, then
go on to new lives as building
materials. Stylist Eric Alt picked
up the line for his Eric Alt Salons
at the recommendation of his
Real Housewives clients after
the bags were gifted backstage
at the American Music Awards
last November. sakysacks.com
REuSE, REcyclE…REcEpTIoN!
Thinking about a remodel? Consider the environment. Many manufacturers are
now making salon fixtures and furniture out of recycled, reclaimed and sustainable
materials. Connecticut-based manufacturer Design X makes an entire line of
environmentally friendly, modular salon furniture. Their ECO Series cabinetry is
made of bamboo plywood or plywood made from reclaimed wood (like old pallets)
and is finished with
either bamboo veneer or
Greenguard, a certified
low-emissions laminate.
Shelves are created out of
crushed recycled glass.
Plus, according to Design
X Vice President Bob
Rosenberg, the sleek-
looking Illusion Desk
has a lighted front panel
made from recycled scrap
plastic that was once
destined for the dumpster.
salonfurniture.com
Pearls of Wisdom
Founded on Earth Day 2008, Eco Opulence offers
jewelry made of organic pearls and recycled materials.
Owner Roseann Gapusan points out that, because
oysters require pristine conditions to thrive, pearl
farming is one endeavor that demands a partnership
with the environment. These pearls may be the ultimate
in sustainable fashion: once oysters are “retired” from
production, they become lunch, and their shells are
used to make jewelry or are used to build new habitats
for the next oyster generation. ecoopulence.com
Tropical Treat These soaps look good enough to eat, and their name, Wembé, is derived from “guembé,” the monster fruit of the Southern Atlantic rainforest. Wembé’s founders adapted traditional Paraguayan recipes, blending tropical ingredients with
essential vegetable oils and
moisturizing butters. Available
in 16 scents, the paraben-free
soaps are handmade from
natural and organic ingredients,
are formulated without artificial
coloring and are never tested on
animals. What’s more, the soaps
exfoliate, as well as cleanse skin.
wembe.com
Sunken
TreaSureS
Natural sea sponges from Saint
Johns Sponge Company
are ethically and sustainably
harvested from the warm waters
of the Gulf of Mexico. Their
natural properties—they rinse
thoroughly clean with plain
water, won’t hold residue, color or odor and are biodegradable but
last for years—make them an eco-dream. Saint Johns promotes
them for everything from bathing your baby to cleaning horse
tackle, but we like them as a natural alternative to certain salon and
spa disposables. The Saint Johns Wool sponge is a soft-as-butter,
all-purpose cleansing sponge, the yellow is an exfoliator, and the
Silk is a gently exfoliating facial sponge. “you will notice a marked
difference in the surface of your skin after regular use of the real sea
sponge,” says owner Kerry Raptis. Sea sponges have natural antibacterial qualities, so they stay clean and odor-free with just a rinse
and a squeeze. saintjohnssponge.com
April 2011 American Salon
