Doing good for the planet doesn’t always equate with doing good for your clients’ hair or their wallets. The reality is that eco-loving formulas rarely perform as well as conventional brands.
Plus they can cost just as much or more. But Kate Assaraf, the hair-obsessed founder of Dip Sustainable Hair Care is determined to change all of that.
When Assaraf was pregnant with her son 10 years ago, she was keenly aware of the environmental consequences of plastics—how they seep into products, which then seep into the environment and ultimately end up in our bodies. She tried plastic-free shampoo bars, but as a finicky beauty consumer, she always found herself “back on the bottle.” “I felt tremendous guilt,” she confesses. “The ‘bar scene’ at the time seemed to be shampoo bars made for that eco-friendly girl that churns her own butter. So I set out to create cleansing and conditioning bars that performed as well as the top bottled brands that people would actually re-purchase.”
Fast forward to today and Dip is a cheeky, award-winning brand culling fans who laud the products’ performance, versatility, affordability and regard for the environment.
It offers shampoo and conditioning bars in a variety of original fragrances as well as body bars and a new collection of hair and body dry oils that replenish moisture, impart a radiant glow, and tame frizz. And with clients pulling back on spending at the moment, Dip offers a way to get folks back into stylists’ chairs. Assaraf did the math and reports that one bar of Dip Shampoo will last as long as three bottles of a luxury brand, and one bar of Dip Conditioner will last as long as—get this–12 luxury brand conditioners! Another important point to note? Dip products are not sold on Amazon, and the company rarely runs sales on its website, so your salon retail prices are never undercut.
Intrigued? Now meet four stylists who have “dipped” into this bar haircare community that’s making an impact and found a perfect fit.
Jacquelyn Rodriguez, Enlightened Styles, Warrenton, VA: Conscious Beauty
Rodriguez is very particular about the brands she carries—ingredient integrity, sustainability, certification, and transparency are all essential to her. “DIP aligns perfectly with our mission to offer clean, holistic, and sustainable beauty,” she says. “Their minimalist, zero-waste design is a great conversation starter, and the products deliver incredible results, fitting seamlessly into a wellness-focused lifestyle.”
Among the attractions for Dip consumers are the boutique fragrances–including Rosewater + Jasmine, Coconut + Almond, Tangerine + Honeydew, Wild Sage + Vetiver and Rose + Matcha Tea—which make hair care a complete sensory experience.
Rodriguez conducts careful conversations with her clients in order to educate them about the concept and quality of Dip. “I emphasize how Dip combines clean, non-toxic ingredients with eco-friendly practices,” she explains.
“I highlight the zero-waste packaging, the longevity of the bars, and how the products are safe for the whole family.”
“Clients appreciate learning how these products help reduce waste while maintaining the high performance they expect from luxury haircare. And since many clients haven’t heard of or experienced a shampoo bar, we make it a priority to educate them on how to use it effectively. Dip makes this so easy by providing thoughtful marketing materials like reels and tips, which we can repurpose for our social media and share in our private client lounge. This saves time and ensures our clients feel confident and excited about their purchases.”
Akyra Thompson, Wholeness Hair Clinic, Williamsburg, VA: Plant-Based and Vegan Solutions for Diverse Hair Types and Textures
At Wholeness Hair Clinic, Thompson and her team cater to clients seeking personalized care for natural hair, scalp health, and hair loss concerns. They are known for their expertise in natural curly hair care and custom hair loss treatments that allow clients to look and feel their best without the use of toxic chemicals.
“My clients absolutely love the hydration they get from Dip,” Thompson says. “I have a very diverse clientele with every hair type imaginable, from the tightest coils to straightest wave-less tresses and Dip nourishes every strand.”
“Because their conditioner bar doubles as a leave-in, clients also appreciate that they have the option to save time and money by skipping extra steps in their styling routines.”
Health-conscious salons like Wholeness Hair Clinic appreciate that Dip products are keratin- and color-safe; free of parabens, sulfate, silicone and phthalate; pH balanced; plant-based and vegan and TSA friendly!
Thompson also sees value in partnering with a brand that offers a strong community and global impact. “More of our clients are paying attention to who they spend their money with,” she explains, “giving priority to businesses and brands that align with their values. It’s worth it to carry brands with a purpose! For us, that includes brands that have made it their business to create effective, clean hair care products that perform on every hair type and give it the nourishment it needs to thrive. Gone are the days where a pretty package and scent is the sell point – we need hair care that cares!”
Rachel Bodt and Blaire Ludwig, Homecoming Salon, New York City: Warm, Inclusive, Elevated Beauty
In New York’s Flatiron district, the warmly modern Homecoming Salon is aptly named. Clients come from all walks of life—artists, professionals, people of all ages with all types of hair—and everyone feels at home.
“Dip is a perfect fit for Homecoming because our salon and our clientele value sustainable, boutique haircare brands,” says Ludwig.
“More and more they’re seeking clean and sustainable options that don’t come from big box stores or giant online retailers, and Dip delivers all of that at a very affordable price point.”
Next up from Dip: A dreamy hair and body dry oil in all seven signature scents, plus a fragrance-free option.
According to Bodt, Dip also delivers products formulated with high-quality ingredients that truly deliver. “Personally, my hair has never looked better,” she notes. “I have curly hair and it’s so moisturized and the curls look so healthy! And once a client to tries Dip, they are truly hooked. They love the performance; they love Kate’s story, and they can’t wait to see what’s coming next!”
Try it out! For a limited time, Assaraf is offering modernsalon.com stylists a full-sized set of Dip Shampoo and Conditioner Bars, plus a new Hair & Body Dry Oil, free! This promotion is a $98 value, and shipping is not included. Click here https://dipalready.com/apps/wpdapp and be sure to put Modern Salon in the referral box.
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