Articles and Awards

New Haven Advocate – Best of Fairfield County 2012

Best Eco-Friendly Salon

There are many reasons to prefer natural beauty care over the chemical-ridden options more readily available. You may be very sensitive to those chemicals, worried about their effect on your body, or concerned about Mother Nature. At Salon Aponte, many of their services are safer and more natural than traditional methods. “We’re primarily focused on alternatives made in America that have organic and natural bases to them,” says owner Nancy Aponte. This goes beyond hair care, as they also offer facial care, make-up, nail care and a line of gel candles as well. “Women aren’t going to stop coloring their hair, they’re not going to stop wearing make-up. They just need to find alternatives,” says Aponte.

Monroe Courier-Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Monroe Salon recognized for being eco-friendly, Salon Aponte has offered organic products for a decade

Salon Aponte in Monroe has been voted the No. 1 “Eco-Friendly Salon in Fairfield County” for 2012 by the New Haven Advocate.

The salon on Route 25 has offered organic products to its customers for more than 10 years. Also available is a line of nutritional supplements that provide seven to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Owner Nancy Aponte said she recognizes “the need for healthy alternatives to the plethora of chemical-ridden products on the market.”

She also is a past recipient of the Conservationist of the Month award by the Monroe Conservation Commission.

At her salon, Aponte sponsors “Network Nights” where women speak on topics such as nutrition, fitness, massage, essential oils, organic wine, and recycled jewelry. Learn more at SalonAponte.com.

Natural Awakenings – October 2012

Salon Aponte Awarded for Eco-Friendly Commitment

With a passion for seeking out healthier alternatives in professional haircare, Nancy Aponte, of Salon Aponte located on Main Street in Monroe, has afforded her clients and staff a cleaner, safer environment to work and be serviced in.
A 36 year veteran to the profession, Aponte became concerned with the toxic effects of traditional hair color products years ago and started her search to find products, preferably “Made in America” products, that worked just as well but weren’t as compromising to our overall health. This journey has brought Nancy’s company to becoming awarded #1 Eco-friendly Salon in Fairfield County for 2012 by the New Haven Advocate.
“I am very proud to be making a difference in so many lives” says Aponte. “Women aren’t going to stop coloring their hair or wear make-up and nail polish, so we need to find products that still meet their high standards, but that we can also feel good about.”
Bringing women together with the same mindset fueled Aponte to start “Network Nights” in her Monroe salon. Like-minded professionals from all different walks of life come together to share their passions. These events are open to the public as well. The next Network Night is scheduled for Friday, November 2 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Voices – October 3, 2012

Salon Awarded as Eco-Friendly

By Linda Zukauskas

MONROE – Salon Aponte, 838 Main St., in Tollgate Plaza, is the proud recipient of a new award – Best Eco-Friendly Salon in Fairfield County.

Owner Nancy Aponte is very happy with the recognition.

“We’re pioneers in this,” Ms. Aponte told Voices. “Other salons are starting to provide their clients with healthy alternatives, but healthy products have been our thing for over ten years.” Always researching new information and products, Ms. Aonte pointed out that most of the products in her salon are made in America. “Our nail polish, which is made in New Jersey, is free of toluene, formaldehyde and other harmful ingredients. Other products come from Minneapolis and Maine.”

Anyone walking into Salon Aponte can immediately sense how it is unique from other hair salons. “We have a tower garden, helping to clean the air,” Ms. Aponte said. “We’ve been picking beans, basil, cilantro and parsley.”

Ms. Aponte said she can tell when someone is unwell by their hair. “Beauty starts with the inside. Once hair grows out of the head, it is what it is.

Traditional products can layer damage onto the hair, whereas healthy hair starts with a healthy diet and proper exercise.”

Along with offering her clients the shampoos, conditioners and styling products to care for their appearance, Ms. Aponte offers a nutritional supplement line that provides a body with seven to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

One of her goals is to share information. “The way we work here is to look for healthier alternatives,” she said.

Several times during the year, Salon Aponte hosts networking sessions, which are free and open to the public. The sessions started after Ms. Aponte learned interesting facts while deciding which products her customers might like and felt inspired to bring her customers more than just products. The next session will be from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, November 2, and will offer nutritional information. “It’s a great opportunity to meet different people,” Ms. Aponte said. “We usually have an organic wine tasting and light snacks. It’s really a lot of fun.”

Ms. Aponte often has a table at the local farmers market to help answer questions.

“Most people are receptive, but it can be tricky to change,” she said. “We’re very happy with the color lines we offer and it’s nice to have choices because we want to make sure every customer is happy.” Ms. Aponte said feedback from her client has been great. “People have said they don’t have any burning sensation with these organic products and notice their hair is healthier.”

According to Ms. Aponte, some companies are replacing ammonia from their products with derivatives that can be more harmful. One of the products she does use is not only good for clients but is harvested in a way that is environmentally friendly. “Argan oil softens the hair giving it amazing shine as it conditions,” Ms. Aponte said. “It doesn’t weight your down and can cut blow drying time by 70 percent.” The products used at Salon Aponte employ heat as a catalyst to allow the product to seep into the hair. “It takes only 10 minutes and is comfortable,” Ms. Aponte said. “It’s more pleasant to offer people a cleaner, healthier alternative, not to mention the benefits to myself and stylists working with me.”

“Let’s face it; were not going to stop coloring our hair, using make up or painting our nails,” she said. “We need to find healthier alternatives.”

Referring to the cuts available at Salon Aponte, she said, “it’s fun to keep up with the changing styles. We have talented stylists that can address the needs of everyone who comes in, men, women, and children.

Salon Aponte is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Those who would like to make an appointment or learn more may call 203-261-2838 or visit www.salonAponte.com.

Voices – November 24, 2010

Salon Aponte Marks 20th Anniversary

By Linda Zukauskas

MONROE – Salon Aponte, 838 Main St., in Tollgate Plaza, celebrates its 20th anniversary and owner, Nancy Aponte is proud of the way in which her salon is pioneering an attitude of beauty both inside and out.

Ms. Aponte began working in the location for the previous owners after graduating from high school. A few years into owning the salon, she began to recognize her discomfort with the harsh chemicals included in the beauty products she applied to customers. Knowing that women won’t stop coloring their hair or using cosmetics, she decided there has to be a better option and began to search for a solution. While she tried many products, few satisfied her.

“For a true hair colorist, the palettes weren’t enough,” she told voices.

She found what she describes as “a real hair color company” that uses healthier ingredients with very satisfactory results. “You can see the difference in the hair,” Ms. Aponte said. “The color lasts as long as traditional coloring products, but the hair looks healthier and shiny. It’s made such a difference and my customers note the salon doesn’t have any chemical smell.” Atmosphere is very important to Ms. Aponte she wants customers to feel comfortable in a cozy atmosphere, to trust her and her staff. “We’re very friendly here and have the talent to back it all up,” she said

Describing Salon Aponte as her “second home,” Ms. Aponte said her experience as a cancer survivor is another reason why she wants to share healthy products for her staff and customers. “I’m excited to be able to create a healthy work environment for my staff and to offer quality products to my customers,” she said. “I love them and we have fun here.”

Her influence is making a difference not only locally but, when one of her staff recently moved to Florida and opened her own salon, she used the same methods and alternative products as Ms. Aponte.

Recently, Salon Aponte was recognized as “Conservationist of the Month” for its efforts to making this a greener and cleaner world.“I’m an outdoor person who enjoys nature,” Ms. Aponte said. “I stopped to think about what I use here and what’s rinsed down into the waterways. It doesn’t stop here.”

The salon offers a line of natural shampoos, conditioners and hairsprays. Many of the manufacturers represented on the shelves are American companies that use post-recycled plastic containers and give back some of their profits to non-profit causes such as cancer research. One of these product lines includes nail polish remover made from soy.

Ms. Aponte said the reaction from customers is positive and supportive, words she uses to describe her relationship with neighboring businesses. She’s happy to share customers with the nail salon next door, complimenting the service at Happy Nails rather than competing. Justyne Nylec, who works at Salon Aponte, said it’s very convenient to have a nail salon next door. “They do a good job,” she said. “I’m particular about my nails and I like their work.”

Salon Aponte offers Reiki treatments in a private area and all-natural facial hair removal using lemon, sugar and herbs that is gentler than waxing, yet effective.

Ms. Aponte also holds special evening events to network with other businesses in a relaxed and entertaining way. Everyone is welcome to visit www.salonAponte.com for upcoming event details, such as alternative product demonstrations and organic wine tasting.

Salon Aponte offers hair care for men, women, and children from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Customers may call 203-261-2838 appointments.

Ms. Aponte invites anyone to stop by to browse the products or talk to the staff and get a feel for the place before booking an appointment.

After 20 years, Ms. Aponte looks forward to growing the business and serving the public with her best abilities. She looks back and wonders how she survived the tough times but remembers one important conversation with her father. He told her that she could quit at any time and do something else. She realized that thought alone was worse than what she was going through and she wanted to stay with the business.

“Let me just complain and get over it,” she said, laughing, now looking forward to busy time before the end of the year.

“We wish our friends a happy and healthy holiday season!”

Hersamacorn.com – November 2012

Still Making a Difference After 20 Years

By Marla Hoffman

After 20 years in business, Nancy Aponte has learned a lot about how to run a business – and how to be more “green.”

Salon Aponte, 838 Main Street, is celebrating its second decade in Monroe and is leading the business community by example. Aponte’s stylists use organic and natural hair care products rather than the traditional products, which can be harmful to the environment. “Our big thing here is being organic,” Aponte said. “We’ve built our business nicely because we offer choices for people looking for alternative hair care.”

Aponte said the smells and chemicals associated with traditional hair dyes and products always bothered her. “As a hair stylist, you are constantly breathing in the smell of hair color ammonia,” she said. “I thought, ‘this cant be good’, so I found another way to do it without the harmful effects on the environment and my employees.” She said all her employees are right on track with her vision. “I have to pick the right people to represent the company, and we’re always looking for like-minded stylists who care about the environment,” she said.

Salon Aponte has been using organic products for almost five years. The all-natural product line comes form a company in Montana, Aponte said, and does not use herbicides or pesticides.

As a cancer survivor, Aponte said she would like to help people live healthier lives – for themselves and the environment.

“ I want to be able to help people learn how to live alternative lifestyles,” she said. “Women aren’t going to stop dying their hair or wearing makeup, so I want to be here offering a natural alternative.”

In that same vein, Aponte said she has received training in Reiki therapy; and she continues to educate herself about the benefits and side effects of the ingredients in her products. Reiki sessions are $30 for 30 minutes, or $60 for 60 minutes, she said.

Aponte also sells gel-light candles, which contain no lead in the wicks. They are not petroleum based like most candles, she said, and are environmentally friendly.

Though her primary business is hair, Aponte also is looking into offering laser hair removal and sugaring, a gentler form of waxing. “I’m looking into other forms of beauty; and it may be a way to build my business,” she said. “I just want to offer something different and make a good living.”

While the economy took a turn for the worse last year, Aponte said her business survived better than some. “We’ve held our own,” she said. “Some clients have cut back. But at the same time, I’ve had some clients who have been coming to me for 30 years.

Before buying the business 20 years ago this month, Aponte worked as a stylist for two previous owners in that same location.

“I’m glad I’ve persevered here,” she said. “It’s a nice town.”

Aponte is working on growing her business by expanding her hours: Salon Aponte is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 – 5; Thursday, 9-8; and Saturday, 8-4. Appointments can be made by calling 203-261-2838 and walk-ins are welcome.

Her mission, she said, is to spread the word about alternative hair care.

“It’s the way I’m trying to live my life at home; and it’s how I’m trying to build my business,” she said.

In her many years as a hair stylist, Aponte said she has learned a lot about people and what they are looking for when they walk in the door. “In the past 20 years, I’ve really learned how people tick,” she said. “It’s all about how you treat your clients. I would like this salon to be an extension of my home, because it’s important to offer a place where people are comfortable.”