The integration of highly personalized hair artistry, Earth-friendly products and local artwork gives the guests at Birch Salon & Gallery, in Warwick, Rhode Island, a uniquely uplifting experience. Owner Doreen Ise dreamed of becoming a hair stylist as a little girl, fashioning and coloring her dolls’ hairdos. Her goal became a reality in 1995 upon opening Rosebud Salon/AVEDA, in Providence. After owning and operating it for more than 25 years, she decided to sell the gem and open Birch Salon & Gallery, in Warwick.

After being introduced to Aveda in 1998, Ise became enamored with its mission and the quality of its products. Produced with 100 percent wind power and cruelty-free testing, Aveda hair color, hair, skin and body products are completely vegan and paraben-free. They are naturally derived with fruit seed extracts, flower and plant essence, all certified organic. Ise’s salon guests have come to rely on Aveda hair color and hair products to maintain hair luster, hydrate, restore, strengthen, reduce hair loss, solve scalp issues and treat any hair and scalp concerns. 

“Scalp care is trending,” states Ise. “Many of our guests are dealing with scalp sensitivity and hair loss. Scalp dryness, excess oil, irritation and hair loss can result from a variety of systemic factors—hormonal, medication, aging, thyroid, COVID—as well as environmental changes. After analyzing, we can perform customized, in-salon scalp and hair treatments and prescribe home maintenance regimes. Healthy scalp equals healthy hair!”

Additionally, Birch Salon takes pride in having a friendly, non-pretentious, comfortable, low key and down-to-earth atmosphere. The most rewarding aspect of the business, Ise says, “is seeing clients smile in the mirror and leave the shop elated. When we love how we look, there is a renewed sense of self-confidence, leading to a better life.” 

For guests interested in trying a more holistic hair color approach, Birch Salon’s Aveda color lab offers many hair color options from natural shades to fantasy vibrants, highlighting, gray-blending and more. Aveda hair color is custom-formulated and highly conditioned to meet the needs of each individual guest.

Product shelves along the right side of the salon resemble a self-care apothecary, abundantly stocked with myriad Aveda natural products, including hair, skin, body, shave and home essentials. Ise loves educating salon guests about the world of Aveda.

When the COVID-19 shutdown happened, Ise kept her creativity flowing by dabbling in painting on canvas, until June 2021, when she was able to open Birch Salon in Warwick. The birch forest mural on the back wall of the salon expresses her deep love for the natural world and sets the tone for this healing space. Her natural sensibility is reflected in all that she does. The remaining wall space is devoted to displaying the craftsmanship of local artisans—painters, potters, jewelry makers, sculptors and more. All artist works are tax exempt and give guests the opportunity to shop and support the Rhode Island artist community.

Beyond all of this, Ise is proud to be part of the Aveda mission, which is “to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society.” The company strives to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, well beyond the world of beauty, protecting clean water, supporting human rights and preserving biodiversity. Birch Salon offers the Aveda Rewards Plus Program, which enables customers to support the mission through their purchases.

The establishment is an intimate three-chair salon. Ise and stylist Heather Volino have been in the beauty industry for 40-plus years. Stylist Brittany Geremia has been in the business for 15 years and specializes in long hair styles, balayage, highlighting and corrective color. Ise loves seeing the business flourish and welcomes new guests that will appreciate what Birch Salon & Gallery has to offer.

Wendy Nadherny Fachon is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine