Maureen Toohey, founder of Fresh Organic Salon is celebrating her one-year anniversary since opening in Bedford Hills. “The use of natural and organic products is not a trend for me, states Toohey.” I have recently celebrated 35 years using these products, dedicating my career to partnering with sustainable natural biodynamic organic farming companies from around the world to create solutions with the latest technology. Growing up in salons early on in the 70’s, I have memories of the smoke of toxic chemicals lurking in the air. My time as regional educator for the organic color Keratins has taught me that many of these practices are still widely used in traditional salons today.”

The choice to use safe, organic products was a personal one for Toohey. “When I worked in traditional salons, I would feel ill at the end of the day,” she explains. “This has been a health choice for me and my passion was fueled by my 16-year-old daughter, who inspired me to create Fresh Organic Salon and I no longer suffer from environmental issues.”

When designing the salon, Toohey’s vision was to create a gathering place for like-minded people and individuals seeking more information about the holistic approach to beauty. “The salon has an eco-chic vibe and is housed in a warehouse space. Raw elements and reused furnishings, reclaimed local lumber have reduced the negative impact on the environment,” Toohey says. “Our mission is for our guests to have a memorable experience and feel refreshed and renewed.”

Fresh Organic Salon specializes in organic hair color—Toohey is a certified regional educator for organic color—as well as hair design, body waves, keratin, makeup and brow services. For all its services, it uses only the purest, safest and most advanced technology, and products with natural and organic ingredients, she says. “Everything we use and recommend is nontoxic. We also have an extensive retail area with natural and organic hair-care, skin-care and makeup products that are gluten- and cruelty-free. We offer organic keratins and body waves as well.”

Fresh organic salon is well-known for its multifaceted blonding techniques without the use of toxic, damaging chemicals. “Our customized formulas produce 100 percent grey coverage with longer lasting results that are healthy from the inside,” says Toohey.  

There’s an art to choosing the perfect hair color for someone, Toohey notes, “Before choosing a hue or shade, we always look at the skin tone and undertones. Even the flecks within the eye color tell us a lot. We use our skills and talents to enhance our customers’ true beauty and bring out their uniqueness.”

Toohey also pays attention to health factors that can impact the hair. She is a certified consultant for the American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program, and her salon offers hair and scalp treatments that promote healthy hair growth. She says the most common problems she sees in new guests—thinning hair and dry, brittle, damaged or frizzy hair—begin with the scalp. “We treat the scalp get to the root cause first and nourish the hair to proper balance and moisture,” she says. “Wellness treatment for your hair may take a few visits, but your hair will be heathier with every visit.”

Hair health has even deeper roots than that, she adds. “The best advice I can give my clients is to eat clean. They should feed their bodies wholesome, balanced nutrition—healthy fats, protein and a variety of fruits and vegetables—and avoid processed foods. Their hair will become stronger and shinier, and their skin will glow too.”

Fresh Organic Salon is located at 190 Rte. 117 Bypass, Bedford Hills. For more info, call 914.242.1928 or visit FreshOrganicSalon.com.