April is Earth Month. A month dedicated to giving the giant blue marble we call home some extra love. A month where we focus on all things pertaining to the longevity of our planet: climate change, conservation, preservation and lessoning our carbon footprint.
In reality we should be consciously implementing environmental responsibility all year long. The Earth is here for us 365 days a year. You would think we could perhaps eek out more love for it rather than just 30 days, or more specifically the ONE day denoted as Earth Day.
For Aveda, every day is Earth Day. It is inspiring working for a company that makes caring for our world a primary concern. I knew Aveda utilized wind turbines to power their Blaine, Minnesota plant and uses up to 100% PET recycled plastic in its product bottles – what I didn’t know is how many years and how far reaching their goal of environmental leadership spanned.
In addition to being wind powered, Aveda’s headquarters is also a wildlife habitat certified by the National Wildlife Federation. Aveda also sponsors a butterfly garden at the Minnesota Zoo to raise awareness about pollinating insects and their impact on their world. And most importantly, Aveda has supported the Audubon’s Upper Mississippi River Initiative through their Earth Month Programs.
Twenty six years ago Aveda was the first company to sign the Ceres Principals for corporate responsibility. These principals stipulate the safe guarding of the Earth by developing environmentally friendly standards.
Clean water has always been Aveda’s “thing” when it comes to Earth Month. And with a company squarely centered around an industry that focuses on hair and skin care, it should be.
The beauty industry uses a lot of our most precious resource, water so it makes sense that we should do all we can to offset the amount used and what is being returned to our oceans, lakes, rivers and streams.
Clean water should be available to all and making it available to all should be a top priority. This is why Earth Month is Aveda’s shining star. We need to celebrate the Earth and what it does for us…so what better way than a party?
On April 9th Salon Enso hosted its first ever Earth Month Cut-a-thon. It was a spur of the moment decision that turned out to be a super successful event. For those not in the know, a Cut-a-thon is like a marathon (for a stylist) that involves scissors.
We set the hours and appointments; you book the time and then pay for your cut by donation. The response was truly stellar! We had current clients, new clients and people who heard about the cause and decided to rally for clean water.
There were mocktails and mimosas, makeup touch ups, scalp and hand massages and most importantly – MASSIVE smiles the whole way around (oh and great hair too….can’t forget about that).
Our entire event was all but filled to the max and saw us raise a total just shy of $1000. We are one third of the way to Salon Enso’s goal of $3000 dollars to give to Clean Ocean Action our local Earth Month partner.
So massive props, thanks and kudos to all that came to party with us and celebrate the Earth and clean water!
But the party doesn’t just stop there….it goes all month long. If you missed the Cut-A-Thon at Enso there are still plenty of other ways to metaphorically give the Earth a big hug.
One hundred percent from each and every brow wax performed throughout the month will also be added to our Earth Month fund. Help shape the way for clean water by getting your arches in gear!
We are also continuing our celebration by offering a mocktail of the week – or a delicious and refreshing fruity beverage sans “party water” for a $1 donation.
Aveda has championed the way for environmental leadership for nearly three decades. They care about the world we live in as well as its inhabitants, whether of land, air or sea – human, scaled, furry or hairy.
Their mission firmly states the belief that caring for the planet and caring for oneself go hand in hand. Aveda leads the environmental charge by example and we follow suit whether it is through the products used, time dedicated or the month long parties we throw.
Let’s band together and show this big blue marble how much it is loved, 365 days a year.
They are tough, talented, creative and funny as hell. I’m sure you’ve heard peals of laughter from the back room. They are also completely compassionate and encouraging. We love to see one another succeed, whether it is behind the chair or a personal goal. We build one another up.
My list of gal pals comes from nearly every walk of life and profession. My nearest and dearest is a psychologist. I’m also tight with an esthetician, a massage therapist, salon owners, school teachers, stay at home moms (this is a full time job), boutique owners, bloggers, designers, artists and (surprise!) other stylists.
December is a fabulous month for giving as everyone has the holidays on their mind. The clients at Salon Enso are always more than generous with thoughtful, monetary and edible gifts. Food banks see surpluses of food and many organizations reach their fundraising goal.
My mom is one of those individuals that is generous in spirit all year long. Rarely does she show up to an appointment empty handed. Nine times out of ten she’s brought along some treat for all of us gals to share.
In reality, I was enamored with their lead singer Gwen Stefani. Not only was her last name practically my first name but she was this ideal combination of all things I wanted to be at 15 years old, but didn’t have the guts to (now I wouldn’t bat an eye!).
Every September 1st, my sister, cousin and nearly every one of my Facebook friends race to the nearest Starbucks for a much coveted PSL.
You could even take this one step further by coating the wet hair with conditioner (I like Aveda’s After Sun Care Masque). This then makes your hair strand like a duck feather. Ducks are oily birds and rarely spend any time drying off since their feathers naturally repel the water. Same can now be said for your hair!
Aveda’s Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser is FAAAAAAABULOUS for this. It gently gets out the copper and chlorine deposits, but leaves the hair feeling soft and not stripped. It also helps rinse all the chlorine from the body as well.
If the onset of the 21st century has seen anything in the world of beauty it would be the way consumers have become savvier about their products. We are focusing as much on what goes outside our body as inside.
