New 'sustainable' hair salon opens in Chester

CHESTER - The new Indigo Beauty Lounge on Min Street wants to make you look good, and be sustainable at the same time.
"We are so much more than that," Owner Ashley Lenahan said in a press release about the opening of her salon. "My mission was to curate a space that is unique and personalized without compromising exceptional service and care to our clients."
She said Indigo symbolizes sincerity and integrity, which reflect two of the business's core values.
"Myself and my coworkers, Caitlin Tabala, and Nicole Pena, are locals born and raised in Orange County, and we view ourselves as a collective bond of like-minded hairstylists," she said in the release. "We strive to be mindful of our clients hair health, minimal in our carbon footprint, and actively involved in our community."
In order to live up to that charge, Ashley said the salon uses non-toxic products like Oligo for coloring. She said Oligo is ammonia and PPD free, and has a patented exothermic technology that works with body heat to gently deposit hair color.
The line is infused with organic essential oils as well as ethically sourced keratin protein to strengthen and restore the hair, she said.
"We use R&Co styling products, which are free of sulfates, paraben, mineral oil and petroleum," she said. "These products are gluten free, vegan and color safe. Both color and product lines are cruelty free."
She said the salon is "a plant filled space," complete with up cycled decor, low energy bulbs, glass cups and a zen attitude, reflecting her passion for reducing environmental impact.
She said the best component of the space is that it is the first certified sustainable salon in the Hudson Valley.
Salons in North America generate nearly 500,000 lbs of waste on a daily basis, she said.
"As an active member of Green Circle Salons, 95 percent of our waste is diverted from landfills and waterways to be repurposed and recycled," she said. "Hair clippings are used to create oil booms, chemicals are used in a waste-to-energy process and converted to electricity, paper and plastic are recycled, and metals are repurposed. We hope to inspire other local salons and spas to do the same." She said the salon is currently collaborating with Safe Homes of Orange County, offering purple extensions and accepting monetary donations for Domestic Violence Awareness month to help engage with the community.
"Empowering and supporting local women and nonprofit organizations in our community is a top priority," she said. "We look forward to bringing more business to downtown Chester and seeing our community thrive."
The salon is located at 18 Main Street in Chester.
For more information, visit www.indigobeautylounge.com.