- November 14, 2024
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Amanda Noyes stands by the ergonomic shampoo chairs at MOSS salon and spa. The chairs are more comfortable for the client with head rests and foot stools to keep the body aligned. Photo by Jacque Este
Shiva Rimestad is one of the stylists at MOSS. Photo by Jacque Estes
Amanda Noyes owns MOSS, a natural spa and salon, in Palm Coast. Photo by Jacque Estes
One of the first things many notice as they walk into the MOSS salon and spa at 6 Florida Park Drive, is what isn't there – typical salon smells.
“All of our products are naturally derived and some are organic as well, so there's no artificial fragrances,” owner Amanda Noyes said. “We try to keep it as clean as possible.”
The décor is crisp, clean and inviting to women and men. Noyes said the design is gender neutral and hopefully comfortable to all who come in, whether for a quick haircut, color, manicure, facial or massage.
Noyes is getting ready to celebrate her first year at the Palm Coast location. She moved the salon from Flagler Beach after five years.
It was her own health concerns that motivated Noyes to begin researching what natural products were available.
“I was researching about diet and exercise and about the chemicals we put in our bodies everyday,” she said. “I started to question the chemicals I was working with and how they were affecting my health.”
She found the Organic Color Systems blog, a company that didn't claim to be completely chemical free, but offered a color line that is 95 % natural and 65 % organic.
There is an option for those who want a totally natural color treatment – Henna.
“It's not considered to be a professional color, but I feel it's important to give people options,” Noyes said. “There are purists who don't want the chemicals, but they don't want to be gray either.”
Those opting for Henna either return home for four hours with their head wrapped or they can stay in the salon for a facial, manicure, and pedicure.
“I have one woman who goes home and cleans her house and then comes back,” Noyes said.
Noyes has also installed ergonomic shampoo bowls, with neck supports in the bowl and foot rests to keep the body aligned and eliminate neck and back strain for the client. The stylist stands behind the chairs rather than reaching across the client to do the shampoo.
“We do a lot of wedding parties. We have very talented artists.” AMANDA NOYES, owner MOSS
Having a mani-pedi is a calming time provided in a bright and airy private room.
“We use Zoya which is free of many chemicals,” Noyes said. “We try to get products that have eliminated things that studies have shown to be harmful. We don't use acrylics or gels.”
There are different types of massage therapies offered depending on the client's needs. The various treatments are listed on the salon website www.modernorganicsalon.com.
Noyes has attended the “train the trainer” course on how to use and teach others how to use the natural products. In the near future MOSS will be a host salon, teaching classes to other stylists.
“The goal is to make this more of the norm and standard in our industry instead of the exception,” she said. “At first I thought, 'Why would I want to create competition?' But when you have something that is good I think the right thing is to share it.”
Community involvement is important to Noyes.
“Now that I have built an established team it frees me up to do things within the community,” Noyes said. “I am working with the United Way Women's Initiative offering assistance to women who need some coaching. We will be offering seminars on how to blow dry your hair and working with a dietician on how diet and what you take in are related to your health and beauty, and how that affects who you are on the outside.”
