Today we’d like to introduce you to Eunice Montes Hamaguchi.
Eunice, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
BellaBar was inspired during my pregnancy with my daughter, Kyra. With my background as a Chef, I already had good eating habits, shopping at farmer’s markets and eating organic when possible. During pregnancy doctors warn you to stay away from sushi, deli meats and other foods that can affect your baby. What they don’t warn you about is the conventional skincare and cosmetics you use can potentially harm the health of you and your baby.
The beauty industry itself is unregulated. Navigating the beauty isle was a daunting task and finding a salon to pamper myself was even more frustrating. I basically cleaned my entire makeup bag because everything I was using at the time had scary ingredients like parabens, formaldehyde, petroleum and other carcinogenic toxins. I decided to take a break from my frequent visits to the nail salon as I became nauseous from all of the toxic fumes.
After months of research, I failed to find a non-toxic salon close to home. During that time, I discovered beautiful all natural brands that were not only highly effective but also luxurious and free from harmful ingredients. I was motivated by the belief that feeling and looking beautiful doesn’t need to come at the expense of my health and exposure to harmful and carcinogenic toxins. I was inspired to find that many of my friends, colleagues, and clients, were looking for that as well.
I created BellaBar as a safe-haven for both clients and employees.
Has it been a smooth road?
My biggest obstacle was finding a location. It was difficult finding a space that didn’t have non-compete agreements even though my concept and business was entirely different than traditional salons.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BellaBar, Inc. story. Tell us more about the business.
BellaBar is a non-toxic, cruelty free and eco-conscious beauty studio. We focus on beauty and wellness, while not losing the quality and performance women are used to.
We also care about the environment. As a mother, I truly care about leaving behind a better world for my daughter and other children. All of our services are eco-conscious, our waterless manis/pedis save more than 20,000 gallons of water a year. Our organic facials use Laurel Whole Plant Organics which is a beautiful, 100% plant-based, handcrafted skincare line made in Sausalito, CA. The makeup and skincare lines we carry are also 100% natural, plant and mineral based which are all cruelty-free and responsibly sourced.
We are also committed to maintaining a socially conscious and green work culture.
BellaBar uses only eco-friendly and sustainable products in everything we do. Our salon not only benefits the environment but also offers numerous wellness benefits to our clients.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the beauty industry moving in the right direction. Green beauty is no longer seen as a “fad” or “trend” but a lifestyle change. Awareness around toxic ingredients has pushed consumers away from synthetics, similar to what happened in the food industry.
We are all beginning to make more informed decisions about what we consume and use.
People are now watching everything they do – what they eat, what they’re wearing and being conscious about what they’re putting on their body.
Millennials are changing the game. Sustainability is going to play a bigger factor in their purchasing decisions. How and where ingredients are sourced, where the product was made and what the company stands for will matter more than ever.
Pricing:
- Manicures $20 – 50
- Pedicures $30 -60
- Facials $55-110
- Waxing $10+
- Makeup Application $65
Contact Info:
- Address: 8295 E Monte Vista Road, #B
- Website: www.bellabaroc.com
- Phone: 7149435642
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bellabaroc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bellabaroc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bellabar-anaheim
Image Credit:
John Kim
Alex Rodriguez Photography
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