ProjectGreenLancaster

Need a haircut but want to be eco-friendly? Look no further because an organic salon lies nestled in the heart of the city of Lancaster, Pa. The Green Room Organic Salon serves a great example for the growing sustainability movement, challenging the Lancaster community to go green through day-to-day life. 

Photo by Olivia Heilemann

The Green Room originated from the idea that beauty does not have to compromise sustainability. Like any salon, The Green Room offers services like haircuts, hair coloring treatments, styling, massages, facials and nails all while using 100% organic products on each client. The salon even uses their own hair color line called OWAY, an ammonia free product line using fair trade ingredients and essential oils. The natural ingredients in each product are not only less harmful to the environment, but the clients as well. As mentioned on their website, their mission is “to provide a more holistic approach to hair care.”

Photo by Olivia Heilemann

Sustainability does not stop at beauty. A lot of the salon includes thrifted furniture and  energy-efficient lighting. Even the towels are biodegradable. Each aspect of the space is mindful of the environment without getting rid of the luxurious feel of a salon.

The Green Room is also very inclusive when it comes to their clientele and people of all ages, genders and hair types are welcome. Each stylist is trained to work on many different hair textures, ensuring no clients’ needs are overlooked.

Photo by Olivia Heilemann

Both locations for The Green Room can be found in Lancaster and Manheim and each service is by appointment only. Photos of some of the styles the salon has done can be found on Instagram and Facebook @thegreenroomorganicsalon.

Graphic by Olivia Heilemann

Profile: Kristen Lobb

Kristen Lobb is a hairstylist and owner of The Green Room in Lancaster. After graduating from beauty school in 2006, Lobb has 18 years of working with hair under her belt. Well-known for her jump-right-in approach, Lobb finds that hairstyling is a great creative outlet, especially when it is done in a sustainable way. In 2016, after five years of running a traditional salon, Lobb wanted a change and this is when she looked for a healthier, eco-conscious approach to hairstyling. A long-time friend introduced her to OWAY, a brand of organic hair products that she would then go on to use in her practice. Based in Lancaster, Lobb continues to prioritize sustainability in beauty, and sets a great example for other stylists.

Profile: Courtney Whipple

As the manager at The Green Room, Courtney Whipple is greatly experienced in hairstyling and specializes in curly hair. Her passion to incorporate creativity and practicality is what makes sitting in her chair a fun but professional experience. Working under some of the top hairstylists in her career, Whipple is more than qualified to lead the way at The Green Room. Whipple is dedicated to not only providing natural stylistic services to her clients, she also is passionate about helping them no matter what their hair journey is.

Related Story: OWAY

Organic Way, commonly referred to as OWAY, is a fully natural brand of hair products. From the formula to the bottle, each product is designed to be eco-friendly, with recyclable glass and aluminum packaging. Like any other brand of hair products, OWAY offers shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that prioritize health and sustainability, while also catering to all kinds of hair care needs. The brand eliminates harmful chemicals, providing quality results while reducing environmental impact. Many stylists, including those at The Green Room, use OWAY in their salons. Its focus on clean beauty and environmentally conscious practices has made it a popular alternative to the usual everyday products.

Related Story: Glamour Organic Hair Salon

Glamour Organic Hair Salon is another organic salon with natural services in Lancaster. The salon is committed to using eco-friendly, organic products and they offer clients a healthier alternative without compromising on quality. The salon uses natural, non-toxic hair and skincare lines to ensure that each client leaves feeling refreshed and good about the choices they’re making from an environmental standpoint. From their carefully selected product lines to their eco-conscious approach to service, Glamour Organic is all about combining beauty with sustainability. Just like The Green Room, it’s a salon that proves you can look and feel amazing while caring for the environment.

Timeline by Olivia Heilemann

References

The Green Room. (n.d.). About us. The Green Room Lancaster. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.thegreenroomlancaster.com/about_us