Bernard’s Salon, in Marlton, is the first salon in South Jersey to introduce an all-natural, sustainable and ammonia-free hair coloring line by the Davines Group family line of hair care products.

The Davines Group was founded in Parma, Italy, in 1983 by the Bollati Family, and initially started as a research laboratory, producing high-end hair care products for renowned cosmetic companies worldwide. After a decade of honing their expertise, they began creating their own brand of Davines hair care products exclusively for salons all around the world. Their community currently spans more than 75 countries, thousands of salons, and hundreds of passionate hairdressers.

The mission of the Davines Group is “to be the best for the world, creators of good life for all, through beauty, ethics and sustainability.” They believe that living a balance of beauty and sustainability, what they refer to as “sustainable beauty”, improves people’s lives and the world around us. Their concept of sustainability encompasses the responsibility they owe to themselves, to the people they work with, to their customers, and to the world in which we live and operate. As such, they make it a core objective to minimize the impact on the environment and to not compromise the quality or quantity of natural resources. Additionally, they focus on the effectiveness of their products and the safety of their customers, thanks to the use of all-natural ingredients enhanced with cutting-edge cosmetic technologies and an artisanal spirit.

Christy Polito, manager at Bernard’s Salon, in Marlton, pioneered the brand’s incorporation into the salon. Polito’s motivation to take on a sustainable approach to hair care was ignited in her after her husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer three years ago. He was told he only had a 40 percent chance of survival, with or without treatment, and about one year left to live. They went home and discussed their options and together made a commitment to do everything holistically. Polito shares: “It has been three years and he’s still with us. But what you see, you can’t unsee. The salon industry uses a lot of chemicals—if I can change that just a little bit to make it a better work environment for myself, my staff and  my community, then that is what I want to do. We take care of a lot of cancer patients here. I don’t feel like I can offer them chemical products, especially considering the fact that we can provide them a much better natural solution.” 

 

She adds how grateful she feels that the owner of the salon, Joe Serpente, listened to her and supported her endeavor.

When it comes to the hairdressing experience, Polito proclaims, “I think it’s about helping someone to reach their full potential. When you’re a hairdresser, you really touch people. You touch them in a way that changes them. They share their stories with you, and, for the time you are with them, you can impact them positively. If I can make someone feel good and beautiful and cared for—even if it’s just for 30 minutes or an hour that I’m with someone— then that’s perfect. It can be through an amazing haircut or a really good conversation, or both. People usually come to the salon for some time out for themselves; for self-care. Bernard’s Salon is a place where you can unplug, sit down and feel good.”

The salon takes considerable pride in their overall high standards of education and professionalism. They invite high-end salon educators from all around the world to teach the staff multiple times a year and all stylists go through a two-year apprenticeship program, regardless of previous experience.

Polito affirms that hair needs to be nourished like a fabric and advises to invest in high-quality hair products. “If you wash and care for it with low-quality products, it’s going to fall apart,” she attests. “You have to take care of your hair just like you take care of the rest of you. If you practice yoga and reiki and you shop at Whole Foods, you probably won’t put chemicals in your hair. This is what Joe wants to give to the community.”

Bernard’s Salon Marlton is located at 795 Rte. 70 East. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 856-985-5755 or visit BernardsSalonAndSpa.com.