Step Inside Ahavah Organic Salon and Spa in Barrington, IL

Tracey Burnap (@undoneorganichair) welcomes Beauty Launchpad to Ahavah Organic Salon and Spa in Barrington, IL, an eco-responsible salon with a focus on sustainability and clean beauty. Read on to learn more about how the salon got its start, its signature products and services, advice for transitioning your salon to be more sustainable and more. 

"I wanted our boutique salon space to be a place where our clients would instantly feel comfortable and loved."Courtesy of Tracey BurnapThe Backstory 

Ahavah Organic Salon and Spa began over a decade ago. A client of mine had the idea and opportunity to open an organic, clean-beauty salon and spa but needed help figuring it all out. She contacted me with her idea, and I knew it was meant to be, as I was looking to move to an organic salon but couldn’t find one! We opened the first organic salon in our area in 2013. I have now been the sole owner for close to three years and have added sustainability and eco-responsibility to our goals.

The Look 

I wanted our boutique salon space to be a place where our clients would instantly feel comfortable and loved. I wanted it to be accessible and peaceful for everyone and also be a place that reflects our eco-responsible heart. We have over 70 live plants to help purify the air, which also adds to the natural and calming ambiance. 

Signature Services

We provide our clients with clean, healthier beauty and spa services: hair, nails, facials and massage. We only use products with organic, clean and safe ingredients – I read the labels, research the businesses and have high standards. We cater to clients who want to do beauty better: better for our bodies and better for our planet.

A “client favorite” is being able to book an organic massage, organic facial and ammonia-free hair color and blow dry in one day for their monthly spa day! We have been told many times over that our clients trust that we have done our research and are confident we only provide them with the highest quality, cleanest and safest products and services. Client trust is huge! "We have been told many times over that our clients trust that we have done our research and are confident we only provide them with the highest quality, cleanest and safest products and services."Courtesy of Tracey Burnap

The Goods 

We use and retail Organic Colour Systems for hair color, hair care and styling. For manicures and pedicures, we use Rugged Beauty polishes, Green Envee body care and Rodina Botanicals cuticle oil. For our facials, we recently switched to Oliveda by Olive Tree People, and our clients have been raving about the results! We also offer a selection of makeup by Taylor Made Organics. Plus, we sell other products by amazing local artisans – from skincare and soaps to raw, local honey. 

Social Butterfly 

We are on Instagram (@ahavahorganicsalonandspa) and Facebook. We see these as a way to connect with our clients and engage with and inform those who come through our doors and sit in our chairs — That means everything from last minute openings posted on our stories to product spotlights and sharing favorite local businesses we love, as well as before and after photos showcasing our talented team members!

What's Next? 

While 2024 began with a disaster (three inches of sewage backing up into the salon) and brought us many other big changes, we’re ending it on a high note, looking into 2025 as a year of new beginnings and growth! We have added to our salon team and are excited about learning more, meeting new people, donating more and getting closer and closer to our sustainability goals. 

+Details 

Owner: Tracey Burnap 

Est: Originally established December 2013, I began sole ownership October 2022. 

Salon Location: Barrington, IL

Staff Members: We have a fabulous team of six amazing people, including front desk staff, stylists, our apprentice, our esthetician/licensed massage therapist and, of course, our "Plant Manager" for all of our plants! :)

Chairs: We have four hair styling chairs in our salon; one pedicure sink; one manicure table and one treatment room for facials and massages. We love our cozy boutique atmosphere. 

We have a fabulous team of six amazing people, including front desk staff, stylists, our apprentice, our esthetician/licensed massage therapist and, of course, our "Plant Manager" for all of our plants! :)Courtesy of Tracey BurnapUp Close with Salon Owner 

How did you get your start in the industry?

I was in sixth grade when the idea of being a hairstylist started growing in my mind – it took a decade to come to fruition. The cosmetology school I went to in 2004 allowed for a “trial” of sorts – 40 hours free to help you figure out if cosmetology was the right path for you or not. Hair always fascinated me, but getting my hands on a mannequin head and rollers (yes, I liked roller sets!) showed me that making this a career was not only a possibility, but also a fun, fulfilling career. After my first trial day, I was hooked! Here I am, 20 years later, still learning, growing and doing what I love! I am an educator for a fantastic color company (Organic Colour Systems), travel to salons all over to teach and have made so many meaningful connections with so many across our beautiful industry. Looking back, it seems so odd to say I've been at this for 20 years because it is still so exciting to me. I can't wait to see what the next 20 years of cosmetology brings me!

What are some of your biggest challenges as a salon owner?

Any “challenge” we face should push us to become better, to grow stronger, so what other people see as challenges I see as opportunities to grow. I have had the opportunity to step into my role as a salon owner and lead by example — to be the calm amid the storm (or flood!), to be strength during our weak times and to stand firm in our convictions. I am a firm believer in learning something new every day, big or small. Every day is a challenge to grow a little bit more than yesterday. Growth is difficult but necessary.

What changes do you want to see in the industry to help salon owners and hairstylists working in salons grow and thrive?

Having been in this industry for 20 years, I have seen a lot of good, positive moves forward and would love to see that momentum continue to grow. What we put in and on our bodies matter – as does what we surround ourselves with. I would love to see salons, spas, cosmetologists, nail techs, estheticians and manufacturers clean up the beauty industry. There are so many more clean beauty products available now than there were even just 10 years ago. It’s fantastic, but there are still so many people unaware of the dangers and toxins this industry lifts up in the name of beauty. I want to see people take control of their own health in a positive, thriving way. I feel that my organic salon is my way of contributing to this change, both for the professionals in our industry and our clients. 

What makes your salon unique and stand out? We love when a new client walks in and, more often than not, their first comment is, “It smells so good in here!”Courtesy of Tracey Burnap

My salon focuses on clean beauty and sustainability. Our clients know that the products we use work without compromising their health or the environment. We love when a new client walks in and, more often than not, their first comment is, “It smells so good in here!” That is when I love pointing out that there are clients getting color and highlights, but we can all still breathe and smell the difference that clean beauty makes. Also, our live plants help clean and filter the air, too! 

What takeaway do you hope clients have after a visit at your salon?

After a client visits our salon, we want them to feel confident, beautiful, relaxed and loved.

What advice would you give a new salon owner?

If you’re thinking of opening a salon, seek the advice of a salon owner you look up to, get a coach/mentor, join a supportive community, connect with other local business owners — and be sure your insurance covers water/flood damage! 

What steps did you have to take to make your salon 100% organic? What inspired you to go on that journey?

Becoming an organic salon actually started as a personal journey that organically grew (pun intended!) into a professional journey. The most important steps for me were/are learning how to read ingredient labels and do my own research. You have to unteach yourself a lot of things — like how to not fall for the pretty marketing jargon (aka "greenwashing"). Opening a salon contrary to most salons takes strong will and deep conviction. Know what your “must haves” and “must never haves” are, and stick to them. 

What initiatives does your salon participate in to be organic/eco-friendly?

As part of our eco-friendly ethos, we recycle salon waste with Green Circle Salons. Not only do things like foils and gloves get recycled, but we can also send in hair clippings and excess color. We also have our own composting bin – things like banana peels, organic tea bags and cardboard can become nutrient-rich soil for our plethora of plants! 

What advice would you give to other salon owners who want to make their salon more sustainable/eco-friendly?

If you’re wanting to make your salon organic, eco-friendly, no/low-tox, cleaner beauty, etc., do your research; learn ingredients. Take baby steps – You can start with salon recycling or bringing in a clean beauty line. Change can be scary! Reach out to me on Instagram (@undoneorganichair). I’d love to connect and help in any way I can! I joined The Green Beauty Community, and everyone who is part of this community is a wealth of knowledge. They have helped me so much along the way!

Many clients are showing an increasing interest in clean beauty and paying more attention to the ingredients in the products they use. What should hairstylists relay to clients who want to learn more about being ecofriendly?

Clients are definitely paying more attention and want to do beauty better! As a stylist who wants the same thing, share with your clients something you learned. Maybe you’ve recently learned that parabens can disrupt hormones, so you started reading the ingredients of all your skin care, makeup and hair products – and are on the hunt for new ones. Telling your story will help clients understand that you are serious about clean beauty and eco-responsibility. They’ll keep coming back, wanting to learn and grow along with you.