Velvet Salon

Get gorgeous while helping the environment

Being green is "in." Across Charleston, you hear more and more about businesses who are taking the extra steps to maintain environmental consciousness.

From waterless car washes to businesses that utilize insulation to keep energy costs down, eco-friendly businesses are popping up across town. But an eco-friendly salon? It's not possible, is it? After all, salons are those places that wealthy women go to pamper themselves. Not true. Velvet Salon, with one location in Mount Pleasant and another on Spring Street in downtown Charleston, has revolutionized the concept of staying green while creating an environment that's nothing like those uptight hair salons your mom goes to.

Velvet Salon's mission statement is simple and self-explanatory: "We want to provide healthy services for your hair using the minimal amount of chemicals possible. By spending quality time with your stylist, we ensure the best results with your haircut and color." Melissa Pope Ward, owner of downtown's Velvet Salon, adds, "We show clients that they can still be eco-friendly while still having great style."

Along with hard work from its staff, Velvet Salon is energy-efficient and all about recycling. This salon recycles everything possible: from soda cans and water bottles to the foils that the stylists use when coloring hair. Velvet even offers a recycling rewards program with all of their products. If you return your empty bottles to the salon for refilling, you earn points that go towards your next visit.

Even the lighting is eco-friendly. Downtown's Velvet Salon utilizes LED lighting, which is the most energy-efficient way to artificially light a space. The air conditioning and heating system is also energy efficient. In combination, the systems lead to optimal energy efficiency as well as a serious savings. The electric/gas bill at the salon for their first month was an unbelievable $50, considering the curling irons, blow dryers and other electric devices used every day.

Velvet Salon isn't done renovating their downtown space. After a visit from Eco-Unit, the salon experienced a number of improvements such as sealing cracks and crevices to ensure that insulation was as efficient as possible. The girls at the salon are also looking forward to another visit from Eco-Unit which will entail a UV-resistant coating being applied to all of the windows.

But Velvet Salon isn't just about being eco-friendly. Visit the salon to get your hair cut and colored, your eyebrows waxed and plucked, or your make-up freshened up.

Located conveniently in the "new" wedding district on Spring Street near Maddison Row Gown Shop, Tigerlilly Florist, and Wedding Event Design Boutique (W.E.D.), Velvet Salon is adding their own touch by offering a bridal package called "The Works." With The Works, the salon is closed so that you and your bridal party can enjoy being pampered without having to wait for another customer to be finished up. You'll get to enjoy refreshments and hors d'oeuvres while getting ready for that special day.

With free parking, a premier spot downtown, and a staff that both cares about the environment and about making you look fantastic, what more could you want?

And it's not just for the ladies — so boys, come on down.