Salon offers organic-only processes, free beer, wine

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2010-10-01T00:00:00

After a decade of classic hair-styling education and experience, Tamara Marshall wanted to create a gathering spot with an artistic, upbeat, super-friendly environment. So she and her mother Adrienne Lesman founded Fusion Cut and Color Salon in Multnomah Village six years ago.

The salon, which offers free beer and wine to adults during their appointment and hosts art shows on Multnomah Village First Fridays (when shops in the village stay open late), became all she dreamed of—that is until she got sick.

Marshall’s doctor told her that her compromised immune system, coughing fits, migraines and allergy symptoms were due to the chemicals she used on her client’s hair.

Marshall made the choice to make a dramatic change for her own health and the health and comfort of her clients. Fusion is now completely organic and vegan.

The salon uses no ammonia, parabens or sulfates in any of its products. Fusion uses the all-nutrient hair color system Organic Color System, which contains certified organic ingredients that are pH balanced.

Marshall said she believes Fusion is the only organic/chemical-free salon in the Portland area. The salon offers organic hair color, but no permanents or nail services.

She said that making the transformation helped her clients avoid the burning, itching and harsh chemical fumes of traditional hair color. And she said as an added bonus, the salon actually smells good.

She said men especially appreciate the odor-free salon.

“We have a large male clientele,” she said. “They love coming in and not having to smell the chemicals. Women get used to it.”

Since making the change, Marshall said the salon has received many referrals from naturopaths and others dealing with people with compromised immune systems and allergies. Additionally, she said the salon is safe for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Lesman, who grew up in Hollywood, said her life was inspired by that culture, with little awareness of her Jewish heritage.

“My father worked in the ’50s for the motion pictures and I was surrounded by the fashion and glamour of the stars: a time of fabulous makeup, costumes and hairstyles. Hollywood has changed through the years and so have our styles.”

Marshall said she and her mother, whose Jewish heritage was marked only by Hanukah and Passover greeting cards, have begun to explore their roots thanks to the encouragement of other Jewish merchants in the village and clients. This fall, Marshall began her studies at the two-year Melton Mini-School.

“It has been great being part of a community of Jewish female business owners (at Switch),” said Marshall. She added having the Elovitz family as clients has also given them a push “learning about our culture by sharing and being part of the Melton School. We had our first ever Passover.”

For more information, visit www.fusioncutandcolor.com or call 503-246-7940.