By: J. Christian
of J. Christian Studio in Hockessin, DE

Trade secrets, the inside story.
Those bits of information any industry would prefer you “understood” from their perspective. Also known as “Spin”. Well every trade and industry has secrets.
I’ve listened to and participated in long and sometimes heated debates about how to answer the most sensitive questions related to my trade.  In order to maintain credibility and personal integrity I make my best attempt to give an honest answer based on the facts as I have learned over the last 32 years.
Starting with this issue, I’m going to attempt to answer some of the more controversial, least understood and more uncomfortable questions in a series of three articles. Let’s get started with a crazy little thing called “The Truth”.
My Salon Uses Certified 100% Organic Personal Care Products.
According to Nutrition Business Journal, the organic beauty and personal care industry has been growing rapidly, at 15% for the past 15 years. At the end of 2007, US sales of organic personal care products approached $9 billion representing approximately 15% of the personal care market leading to a growing need for certification standards of organic products.
There are four agencies or organizations with established standards for certifying cosmetics or personal care products as “organic”:   USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) standard, NSF International /ANSI 305 standard, Organic and Sustainable Industry Standard (OASIS), and National Products Association

While there is controversy and even competition and litigation over the standards, one irrefutable fact remains:  No Organization Certifies a Product 100% organic. Standards highest level of certification – 95%.
Salon Products Sold in Super Markets and Drug Stores are Inferior
It seems that most product distributors and manufacturers have abandoned their commitment to the professional salon industry by diverting their products and brands into the likes of the Targets, WalMarts, and Walgreens across the nation.
Myths about salon products sold outside the salon include: Product is Unsafe and/or include Inferior Ingredients, May contain Bacteria, or could be Counterfeit

Reality, keep in mind that these products are subject to the Food and Drug Administration guidelines for all cosmetic formulations. Companies do not send their product bottles back to the lab to reformulate them into a less concentrated “drugstore version.” Hair shampoos and conditioners do not expire quickly unless they contain perishable organic ingredients like egg. The average shelf life of shampoo and conditioner is approximately three years. If bacteria were indeed growing in a bottle, the bottle itself would most likely show slightly bulging and emanate an odor from the increase in weight, volume, and the respiration of the bacteria. If the problem of bacteria were so prevalent the FDA would be all over it requiring all product labels to have expiration dates as milk and other perishable items do.
While you may see savings on the purchase of the actual product, it does ultimately come at a cost.
Diversion is always at the expense of the very salons and salon professionals that built these brands. Stylists take great care when selecting the products that will protect and enhance that coveted color or haircut the both of you spent a great deal of time creating.  Purchasing without consulting with your stylist may result in using products that undermine the look and health of your hair and style.
With a downturn in the economy, we are seeing more clients color their hair at home and as result more requests for color correction services (not inexpensive I might add).
Something else to think about, the typical salon does not see a large return on retail. By the time we replace the product the margins are lost. However, salons go to great lengths to select product lines they will partner with to achieve their ultimate goal of providing the best possible service to the client.

In summary, for a few dollars savings you may end up with the wrong product; cost your local salon cash flow and your stylist revenue resulting ultimately in a possible increase of cost of service at your salon. Vicious circle. Only winners here are the manufacturer and large retail or drugstore chains who can afford to purchase product in mass bulk, raising the prices to within a few dollars of salon prices.
Should I tip the Owner of the Salon or Spa if they are My Stylist
Although tipping the owner is not “required,” a tip is customarily given — even if it’s a token. However, I have seen situations where the salon owner will not accept tips under any circumstances. If you plan to see the salon or spa owner, always ask the receptionist what custom is for tipping him or her when booking your first appointment.
Remember, tipping customs may differ in different regions of the country and parts of the world. When in doubt, ask the receptionist — he or she will almost always help you out with an honest answer.
I hope you found this article informative and if you have a question email me at: jchristianstudio@gmail.com. Perhaps I’ll include your question in the next article.

J. Christian Studio, where hair and art perform, is located at 7465 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact J. Christian Studio at 302-235-2306.