Dubai: Keeping up appearances for women often involves litres of wax, nail varnish, shampoo, conditioner, straightening or curling serum (based on your preference) and a plethora of other miracle or wonder creams that can cost a fortune based on their long list of chemicals and ingredients.
Enter the first ‘eco-lounge' into Dubai's spa scene which opened its doors just a few weeks ago. The Zen Beauty Lounge treatment list reads like a smoothie bar with strawberry, avocado and honey scrubs, sugar instead of wax and the best part, a first in Dubai, biodegradable towels which disintegrate in three months, saving on water and space. Looking good has literally never been kinder to mother earth.
Dubai has hundreds of beauty spas and salons for women to choose from capable of primping, pruning and smoothing out lines but the impact on the environment from chemicals washing down the drain seems to go out the window. For Leena Al Abbas, Emirati founder of Zen Beauty Lounge in Discovery Gardens, this was not good enough.
"I based the lounge to counter my own experiences of going to salons where the chemicals from colouring my hair would make my eyes water. You get your scalp burned or you develop a rash after a treatment. I want to promote ethical beauty," said Leena.
The salon is essentially an extension of her lifestyle. The Emirati businesswoman turned vegan two years ago and lives by a motto of less is more.
The biggest misconception is how costly organic products are. In fact with the growing popularity of organic food and cosmetics the price has been driven down considerably for consumers.
Approved
As the smell of fresh fruits and spices greets you at the door of what seems to be just another spa, Leena is keen to explain that all products in the salon are safe for mothers-to-be as they contain no chemicals. "You won't get nail enhancements here, nor will we turn a brunette into a blonde. It simply won't happen because we don't use peroxide or ammonia," she said. "But we have chemical-free dyes that are better for your hair."
The organic products have been approved by the US Department of Agriculture or equivalents and are for the most part being used exclusively at Zen Beauty Lounge.
The soaps are vegan and the shampoo contains no parabens. Everything has been specifically sourced from companies with a commitment to the environment, such as Zoya nail varnish which is free of toluene, formaldehyde and DPB [phthalates] and has been voted longest wearing varnish by women's magazines.
"It is not very environmentally friendly to have every thing flown in, but it just doesn't exist here," said Leena. "I'm trying to educate women by choosing an alternative way to beauty."
But it isn't just what comes in the (glass) jars. The décor has been sourced as ethically as possible with sustainable bamboo wall coverings. Thirty-year-old chairs have been recovered from her mother's house and revamped to fit in with the earthy, yet girly feel of the place. The walls are covered in low volatile organic compound (VOC) paint and energy saving lightbulbs are in all the lamps.
Asides from the celebrity-sought-after products available like Simply Organics, Zen Beauty Lounge also has ‘home-made' blends including fresh strawberries, olive oil, and brown sugar scrubs and avocado conditioners.
"The added benefit of our products is that it is safe for pregnant women, sensitive skin, is cruelty free and kind to the environment," said Leena.
Avoiding damaging chemicals
- Avoiding toxic chemicals in your beauty products by switching to organic Parabens
- The long-term health effects of exposure to parabens are essentially unknown but there have been controversial links to breast cancer and allergies.
- More and more cosmetic companies are moving away from using parabens.
- They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturisers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution and toothpaste.
Resorcinol, ammonia, and peroxide
- Harsh toxic chemicals which damage the hair
- They are found in hair dyes
Dibutyl Phthalates (DBP), Formaldehyde and Toluene
- Found in nail polish,
- Solvents such as toluene and xylene are petroleum-based products that have been linked to cancer. Formaldehyde (also called formalin) may cause allergic reactions in some people and is unsafe for use by asthmatic people. It is a carcinogen.
Paraffin wax treatments
- Uses a by-product of petroleum
Body Waxing
- Most waxes are made primarily of resins and contain artificial fragrances, dyes, chemicals, and preservatives that can cause allergies. Allergic reactions can make skin red, irritated, and break out into a rash. Try sugaring instead which is made up of all natural food-grade ingredients like sugar, lemon juice, water and sometimes essential oils.
Asbestos
- Traces of asbestos —a human carcinogen — may be found in talcum powder.
- Instead a non-talcum powder made from natural ingredients such as: arrow root, kaolin clay & oat starch.
Have you heard of similar eco-friendly initiatives? Would you pay extra to save the environment?
