Why We Chose Non-Toxic Hair Color at Colmado, and What That Actually Means for Your Hair
Posted by Colmado Wine + Beauty · Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, GA
When we were building Colmado, one of the first decisions we made was about the products we would and would not use in our space.
It was not a marketing decision. It was not a trend we were chasing. It was a values decision, and once we made it, it shaped everything else about how we built this salon.
Here is the honest story of why we chose non-toxic hair color and products, what that actually means in practice, and why we believe it makes your hair look and feel better, not just healthier.
The Problem With Conventional Hair Color
Most conventional hair color products contain a cocktail of chemicals that get very little attention: ammonia, resorcinol, PPD (paraphenylenediamine), and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, among others. These are the ingredients that produce that sharp chemical smell you have probably noticed in traditional salons. They are also the ingredients linked to scalp irritation, allergic reactions, respiratory issues with long-term exposure, and hair damage over time.
The stylists working in those environments breathe those chemicals every single day. The clients sitting in the chair absorb them through the scalp. For years, this was simply considered normal, the unavoidable cost of beautiful color.
We did not accept that.
What We Use Instead
At Colmado, our color services use O&M (Original & Mineral), an Australian-developed hair color line that has become the gold standard in clean, professional hair color. O&M removes ammonia, resorcinol, PPD, and a long list of other harsh chemicals from their formulas without sacrificing the vibrancy, longevity, or dimensional quality that professional color is known for.
For clients who want to enhance their color with a gloss, toner, or conditioning treatment, we also use Innersense Organic Beauty, a certified organic, cruelty-free line built around clean ingredients and a genuine commitment to both human health and environmental sustainability.
For styling, blowouts, finishing, and texture work, we rely on Kevin Murphy and Innersense. Kevin Murphy's formulas are made with quality ingredients, are cruelty-free, and are packaged in recycled ocean plastic. Innersense brings that same clean philosophy to every product in their styling range.
These are not compromise products. They are genuinely high-performance brands that happen to also be better for you. We would not use them if the results were not exceptional.
What This Means for Your Hair
Here is what switching to non-toxic color actually does for your hair over time.
Less damage. Ammonia swells the hair shaft aggressively to deposit color. Cleaner color systems are gentler, which means less structural damage per service — and that adds up significantly if you are coloring your hair every 6–10 weeks.
Better condition. Many of our clients notice that their hair feels softer, more hydrated, and easier to manage after switching to O&M color. When you remove the harsh chemicals, you remove a major source of chronic dryness and brittleness.
Less scalp irritation. If you have ever experienced a burning or tingling sensation during a color service, that is your scalp reacting to the chemicals in the formula. Most clients who had that experience with conventional color do not experience it with O&M.
The color still lasts. This is the question we get most often. Yes, O&M color is long-lasting, fade-resistant, and capable of achieving every result that conventional color can, from bright blondes to deep brunettes to vivid fashion shades. You are not trading results for safety. You are getting both.
What This Means for Your Stylist
We want to be transparent about something that does not get talked about enough: the people most affected by the chemicals in conventional hair color are not the clients, they are the stylists.
A colorist working full-time is exposed to these chemicals for 30–40 hours a week, week after week, year after year. Studies have shown elevated rates of respiratory issues, skin sensitization, and other health concerns among professional hair colorists. It is an occupational health issue that the industry has been slow to address.
When we chose O&M and Innersense, we were choosing for our team just as much as we were choosing for our clients. The air in our salon is cleaner. Our stylists' hands, lungs, and scalps are not absorbing harsh chemicals all day. That matters to us. We think it should matter to every salon.
How to Know if Non-Toxic Color Is Right for You
The short answer: it is right for almost everyone. But here are the clients who tend to benefit most:
If you have a sensitive scalp or a history of reactions to hair color, O&M is formulated to be significantly gentler and is a strong option worth exploring.
If you are pregnant or nursing and have been told to avoid conventional color, speak with your doctor first, but many clients in this situation feel more comfortable with a cleaner formula.
If your hair is dry, damaged, or over-processed, non-toxic color is less stripping and can be part of a longer-term strategy for restoring your hair's health.
If you simply care about what goes on your body, this one is straightforward. You read ingredient labels on your food and your skincare. Your hair color deserves the same consideration.
Come See the Difference
We are proud of the products we have chosen for Colmado, and we love talking about them. If you have questions about whether our color services are right for your hair goals, we encourage you to reach out before you book, or just come in for a consultation and we will walk you through everything.
Beautiful, healthy hair is not a compromise. It is exactly what we are here to deliver.
Book your appointment at vagaro.com/colmado Follow us at @colmadoatl Visit us at 655 Highland Ave NE, Suite 104 · Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, GA 30312
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