Clean Beauty —> Why we care
Clean beauty products and why it matters.
Confession time: I own a “clean” hair salon yet I do not use 100% clean products in my daily life. Sure, I try to be better about what I’m putting in and on my body but this is not a defining quality of who I am. But it is a defining quality of my salon. Let me explain…
Clean products was never something I really cared about prior to opening the salon. I liked the idea of nice smelling things and didn’t use products I considered as “cheap” or poorly made, but that was mostly because I didn't want build-up on my hair. But sometime around 2019, I started following hairstylists from around the country who were doing bomb-ass hair and using products I had never heard of before. Products like Hairstory, Cult and King, Innersense, Afterworld Organics. All indie, all clean. So I did some digging. I learned that a large reason these stylists used them was because they developed severe allergic reactions to all of the harsh chemicals in your more mainstream products and haircolor from repeated use over a long period of time. AKA: stylists like me who have been in the industry for years and years were getting sick from bad ingredients in products. Some of the reactions that may be caused from these types of chemicals are: scalp irritation, breathing issues, hormone disruption, links to cancer, skin irritations, etc. Those don’t sound like things I want, so I started to dabble in different types of products. The more I used products with cleaner ingredients (like those without synthetic fragrances), the more I noticed my body had been reacting to what I used before. It’s such a simple idea, but isn’t it interesting how we don’t always recognize when something feels off until we experience what “better” actually feels like? It’s similar to diet and movement. When we’re used to processed foods or not exercising, that can become our normal. But once we begin incorporating whole foods or regular movement into our routine, we often feel noticeably better- which makes us wonder how we ever thought we felt okay before?
Now, I cannot claim that 100% of our products are non-toxic or “clean”. That would be a misrepresentation of what our salon is. There are one-off products that we need to keep on hand to fill certain product gaps in our main haircare lines. But I can say that 99% of the products we use every day are low-tox and/or naturally derived and sourced with care.
I can also proudly say that we recycle the majority of waste that comes through our salon through the Green Circle Salon program. This includes our left over hair color, the tubes and bottles it comes in, the hair we cut, the gloves and foils we use, and general plastic, aluminum and paper products. Did you know that over 70% of cosmetic beauty products end up in a landfill? Yuck!
My philosophy when it comes to clean beauty is to do better, not perfect.
Here is our product line up and their stats:
Innersense Organic Beauty: This brand actively avoids over 3,000 ingredientes complying with the strictest of clean standards. Never use harmful cosmetic ingredients or unsafe toxins. Free from parabens, silicones, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, phthalates and misleading proprietary complexes. Certified B Corp, plastic neutral, 1% for the planet, donates to charities.
Full list of ingredients found at https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/ingredients
Hairystory: Biodegradable, leaping bunny certified, 1% for the planet, Free of: SLS, parabens, phthalates, Silicones, Sulfates, detergents. 100% natural fragrances derived from essential oils and botanicals.
Read more about their sustainability here: https://hairstory.com/pages/sustainability
Intelligent Nutrients: 99% certified organic aromas, Leaping Bunny and Green E certified, recyclable packaging, average 96.2% natural across the line. No SLS, parabens, hidden ingredients, harsh preservatives, 99% of products are developed and produced in the US.
Read more about their initiatives and ingredients here: https://intelligentnutrients.com/pages/initiatives
Color Space Hair Color: Cruelty free, fully recyclable, 100% naturally derived and free of: parabens, PPD, resourcinol and silicone. A haircolor line that focuses on precision, performance, calibration and science.
Read more about Color Space here: https://collectivebb.com/about/
Natulique Perming system: Free of ammonia, parabens, thioglycolate, formaldehyde and no animal testing.
Read more about their perming system here: https://www.natulique.com/natural-perm/#information
Occasional use products that are not part of our clean, low-tox beauty line up bc transparency matters: Privanna, Joico and Rusk vivid colors, Loreal Pro clay lightener, GiGi or Satin Smooth wax supplies, K18 hair treatments.
*The candles we burn regularly are not necessarily “clean” or free of synthetic fragrances but we try our best to source products that are formulated with essential oils and soy wax.
If you have any questions about our products, feel free to reach out and we will try our best to answer them! All ingredients should be located on the product company’s website. If you have a specific allergy and need us to refrain from using certain products on you, please let us know before your appointment!
How to find the best salon in Columbus, OH
Finding the best salon for you
If you’re searching for the best hair salon in Columbus, Ohio, Polite Society may be the place for you! We have a collaborative team of hair stylists with a range of skills and specialties in services like: lived in color, balayage, short hair, bobs, long layers, bangs, blondes, red heads, brunettes, curly hair, grey blending and clipper cuts (just to name a few). Our approach is customer service driven and helping everyone who sits in our chairs leave the salon feeling like the best version of themselves.
However, this article isn’t just about us because let’s face it- we are not for everyone!
The task of finding a new hairstylist in 2026 can be as stressful as figuring out where you want to live. There are so many variables and nothing is without risk. The funny thing about being the best salon is…there isn’t just one. With around 1,200 salons in Columbus alone, there are lots of amazing salons and stylists out there- the real question is: How do you choose?
If I was trying to find a new stylist in Columbus, OH, here are the exact steps I would take as a woman in her 30’s (and confirmed by a woman in her early 20’s).
Go to instagram, search for Columbus OH hairstylist or whatever service/cut/color technique I am trying to get (ex: columbus, oh lived in color, haircut specialist columbus)
Search the profiles for hair that inspires you. Click on the stylist’s profile. While on their page, look for 2 things: consistency in quality of work and hair that has a similar texture/thickness to yours. The last one is the key to really feeling confident that they will do your hair well. Just because a stylist does great hair on someone, does not necessarily mean they will do great hair on you (nor does it mean they won’t but if you’re nervous of change, the risk is significantly reduced).
Next, Look at the reviews from the salon or stylist. Are they consistent? Do they mention the stylist you found? Does the stylist seem like a person you would want to spend time with? Does it seem like you would you feel comfortable in their space?
Things to consider:
Location- will you want to regularly drive to their space and what is parking like? This matters if convenience is important to you.
Price point- does this fit into your budget long term?
Schedule- does their availability work well with yours?
Booking- can you easily book an appointment online?
Values- are they a business you want to support?
Vibes- does the space inspire you? Hair appointments should be a relaxing and comfortable space.
Other ways to find a salon: referrals from a friend, stop a stranger who has amazing hair, straight to google reviews, reddit, Facebook groups, etc. Wherever you start, take these tips into consideration when finding your new salon home. Hopefully, all roads lead you back to Polite Society Hair Salon. <3