Livability
PureSalon Values a Combination of Health and Beauty
Posted on 8/06/12 by Kate Kunkel » No Comments
Words like “organic” and “vegan” usually describe foods at a farmers market, not products in a beauty shop.
But at PureSalon, employees and customers alike value health as much as glamour. This eco-friendly salon uses only natural, plant-based products rather than typical hairsprays and nail polishes.
Owner Debra Staufen (pictured left) said the company started when its founders decided to create a clean-air workplace.
“Because they’re working everyday in an environment with lots of chemicals that are associated with cancer, they put themselves at a higher risk for getting sick,” Staufen said. “But people walk in here and there are no smells, fumes or burning at all.”
PureSalon has a location in Midtown and another in Scottsdale, where it offers haircuts and color treatments, manicures and pedicures, skin care, and waxing. Everything from the paint on the walls to the hair dyes are 100 percent “green.”
“We call ourselves a healthy alternative in the salon business because we use natural products with all the toxic chemicals removed,” Staufen added.
She also said that unlike chain salons, all PureSalon workers use the same products to eliminate the risk of releasing potentially hazardous fumes into the air.
“All of the people who work here believe in the same concepts and live the same kind of lifestyles,” Staufen said. “They use these products because they are highly aware of their health.”
Hairstylist Brittany Miller (pictured right) said she worked in salons for five years before starting at PureSalon. In that short time, Miller said she could tell the environment was weighing on her health.
“You would open some bleach, and it was just overwhelming how the fumes would come at you—you can actually feel it,” Miller said. “If you’re offered something healthy that can basically do the same thing, why not take that option?”
Miller added that she finds it “mind-blowing” how the bleach used at PureSalon smells like vanilla.
Like other PureSalon workers, Miller said she believes in marketing herself to show the importance of health rather than just beauty.
“If we can use simplified products, we can help prevent these sicknesses to live healthier lives,” Miller said. “To me, simple is best, and it’s more about well-being than looks.”
For one Phoenix local, the salon’s simplicity helps her maintain a green lifestyle.
“The all-natural products were the most appealing to me,” said Maren Showkeir, a PureSalon customer (pictured above). “I’m a granola-head, I drive a Prius, and I buy my food at the farmers market, so it was a gift that this salon is green and right across the street for me.”
Showkeir added that the salon’s friendly, peaceful atmosphere makes the experience even more positive.
“I like the vibe and how it’s intimate rather than filled with people, noisy or stressful,” Showkeir said. “It’s calming and more personal than other salons, which keeps me coming back.”
What’s in the Bag | Lori Stasinos
Posted on 7/25/12 by Kate Kunkel » No Comments
Take a peek inside locals’ shopping bags and learn how they use health and beauty products in everyday life.
Name: Lori Stasinos
Age: 49
Occupation: Owner of Elements of Hair
Her neighborhood: Downtown Phoenix
Where spotted: Phoenix Natural Medicine and Detox Center
What she purchased:
• Green Machine juice (celery, cucumber, spinach, kale,
grapefruit, apple, ginger)
• IntestiMax
Why she chose these products: I juice at home, but it’s nice they have this place here so I can just come in, and they do it for me. I bought (IntestiMax) because I was on antibiotics and wanted to try something soothing for the intestinal tract. It’s a natural product made up of herbs and amino acids that supports colon health.
Her must-have: I love the juice because it’s delicious and it gives me a ton of energy. The best way I can describe it is it just tastes fresh, and it has a ton of nutrients inside. You cannot sit and consume this amount of vegetables, so it’s really a powerhouse of energy and nutrients.
How she benefits: The juice is giving me vitamins, antioxidants, and it boosts the immune system a great deal. It contains an assortment of vegetables, including kale, which I know is one of the vegetables with the most antioxidants. I haven’t been sick with a cold or anything for about three years, and I believe it’s because of all the juicing I do. (IntestiMax) will help my digestive system. In the body, if digestion is not working properly, nothing else really works.
Why they fit her style: These will help to me live a healthy, active lifestyle and help me get through the day with plenty of energy. I don’t get that afternoon slump like I used to thanks to these kinds of products.
What’s in the Bag | Bill and Heidi Wood
Posted on 6/27/12 by Kate Kunkel » No Comments
Take a peek inside locals’ shopping bags and learn how they use health and beauty products in everyday life.
Names: Bill and Heidi Wood
Ages: 49, 36
Occupations: Consultant and therapist
Their Neighborhood: Mesa
Where spotted: Claudine’s Kitchen booth at the Phoenix Public Market
What they purchased:
• French bread from The Arizona Bread Company
• Kale chips (mixed with a cheese substitute) from The Health Foodie
• Pita bread from Claudine’s Kitchen
Why they chose these products: (Heidi) We’re here for a day trip, so we had to buy things that wouldn’t wilt in the car. We’ve been looking for good pita bread because it’s not easy to find. Also, I’m vegan, so I am really looking for healthier, all-natural foods.
Their must-haves: (Bill) The pita bread was something we had to get because it really is good stuff. It’s soft, fresh, and you can just tell that it’s quality food from a good company. (Heidi) The kale will be used as a salad topper, or I might just eat it out of the container. It’s made with nutritional yeast, which is the vegan substitute for cheese that makes it taste really good on salad.
How they benefit: (Heidi) The kale will be a great healthy snack for just anytime, and because it’s a superfood, it has a ton of health benefits. (Bill) The pita we will eat with hummus for a really healthy meal. Just rip and dip!
Why they fit their style: (Bill, with a laugh) We’re turning into those “crunchy granola people.” This is our first time here, but we’ll definitely be back because we love the foods and supporting the local economy by buying from local businesses. (Heidi) Since I went vegan in January, I’ve been cooking a lot more for myself and eating totally differently. I feel great and I’ve lost a lot of weight, but I need a lot of fresh foods and I’m really limited when I shop in grocery stores. A place like this is actually much cheaper than a Whole Foods, so I’m getting more quality foods for a lower cost.
What’s in the Bag | Crystal Botello
Posted on 6/20/12 by Kate Kunkel » No Comments
Take a peek inside locals’ shopping bags and learn how they use health and beauty products in everyday life.
Name: Crystal Botello
Age: 23
Occupation: Student at Phoenix College
Her Neighborhood: Coronado District
Where spotted: Bodega 420
What she purchased:
• Three apples
• One plum
• Bottled water
• Gatorade
Why she chose these products: I’m picky because I’m pregnant, so I picked simple fruits that are easy to digest. Last week they had blackberries and raspberries, which would have been my first choice, but those sold out.
Her must-haves: Apples are one of my favorite fruits and I eat them the most often. They are my go-to fruit because they are easy to eat and convenient. With the plum, I was being adventurous.
How she benefits: These are going to help me eat healthier. I’m about four and a half months along, and my midwife said I need to change my diet because I used to eat a lot of junk. Now, it’s no junk food and lots of fruit, fruit, fruit. She also encourages vegetables and whole grains, but fruits are first on my list.
Why they fit her style: My purchases show that I’m changing my diet—or at least trying to change it—to eat healthy. The main reason I’m doing it is because of my pregnancy, but it’s good because I need to eat right anyway. I’m thinking I will stick to it afterwards. It also shows that I like shopping local and supporting businesses in my neighborhood. I really like how the bodega has reasonable prices and allows people to make suggestions for items they want to see more of by writing them on a chalkboard.
What’s in the Bag | Ronda Hampton
Posted on 6/13/12 by Kate Kunkel » No Comments
Take a peek inside locals’ shopping bags and learn how they use health and beauty products in everyday life.
Name: Ronda Hampton
Age: 47
Occupation: Bartender at Legacy Golf Resort
Her Neighborhood: Central Phoenix
Where spotted: Haven Boutique (pictured below)
What she purchased:
• Tokyo Milk Le Petit Handcreme
• Love & Toast Cherry Lemonade Lip Balm
• Love & Toast Sugar Grapefruit Handcreme
• Two handmade bracelets
• Vintage sterling ring
Why she chose these products: The jewelry would probably make great gifts, but I picked these up for myself because they were so pretty. I picked the beauty products for the scents. They are so summery, light and cool, which is great in the hot Arizona summer.
Her must-haves: The hand cremes will be something I use everyday because I will probably just throw them in my purse. It’s something that’s great to always have right there with me when I need it.
How 
she benefits: I’ve bought a Love & Toast handcreme before and I love it because its non-greasy and it’s not too heavy at all. Now I’m picking up a new scent, but I already know I love the product. The lip balm is something new I had to try because the scent is irresistible. Its ingredients are all-natural and the list is simple and straight-forward. The Tokyo Milk also has an ingredient list with only four things listed on it, which I think is great because it’s not hard to understand what it’s made of.
Why they fit her style: The mix of vintage (jewelry) and new products makes my purchases unique and shows I like trying out the new while still using old favorites. And I’m all about the natural and simple ingredients in my beauty products because I like to be able to understand what’s in them.
