Recently, a wave of lawsuits has been filed against major beauty industry giants like L’Oréal, Redken, Wella, and others—alleging that their traditional hair color products may be linked to increased rates of bladder cancer, particularly in hairstylists who are exposed to these chemicals regularly. As heartbreaking as this news is, it didn’t come as a surprise to us.

I’ve always known—deep down—that something didn’t feel right with the products and the laundry list of chemicals we were being exposed to every single day behind the chair. That unsettling feeling showed up in my own life in ways I couldn’t ignore: esophageal issues, skin irritations, contact dermatitis, chronic headaches, fatigue, and bouts of dizziness. And, while I can’t say for sure, I also can’t help but wonder if the path to motherhood would’ve been a little easier for me had I not spent so many years around such toxic ingredients. It wasn’t just inconvenient—it was affecting my quality of life.

But it was all a sign. A sign that the industry needed to change.

And that sign? That’s what gave birth to Hustle + Heart Salon.

We didn’t open this salon to follow a trend. In fact, when we started, going “clean” wasn’t trendy at all—it was often misunderstood. People questioned whether our products would actually work, and to be honest, it took time and intentional testing to find our groove. But we stayed the course because this wasn’t just a business decision—it was personal. It was about protecting our bodies, our families, our guests, and our planet.

Now, we’re proud to say the professional-grade lines we use perform *just as well—if not better—*than many traditional salon brands. And they do it without compromising anyone’s health.

At Hustle + Heart, we intentionally carry:

Original Mineral (O&M) – a clean, Australian-made color line free of ammonia and harsh toxins

Oway – biodynamic and sustainably crafted in Italy using active botanicals and essential oils

ARETÉ – a wellness-forward color and product line focused on hair integrity and scalp health

Intelligent Nutrients – our one U.S.-based brand, made right here in Minnesota, leading in organic innovation

We don’t just avoid the obvious “red flag” ingredients. The products we carry are free from over 2,800 questionable or harmful chemicals—including nearly 1,700 substances banned or restricted in personal care products by the European Union, plus additional chemicals flagged by these brands based on emerging science and global safety data.

Most of the products we use are also completely free of:

Parabens, GMOs, MITs, phthalates, triclosan, triclocarban, animal-derived ingredients, gluten, PEG, PG, PPG, BHA, BHT, petroleum, polyquaternium, silicone, SLS, SLES, synthetic fragrance, and artificial colorants.

Because transparency matters. And your health matters more than marketing buzzwords.

As we celebrate Earth Month, this mission feels even more aligned. Earth Month isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about reconnecting to the truth that what we put on our bodies impacts not only us, but the world around us. By choosing clean, responsible, and sustainable products, we’re doing our part to care for both people and planet.

So if you’ve ever walked into Hustle + Heart and felt like it just hits different, this is why. It’s not just about hair. It’s about conscious care. It’s about listening to what our bodies are trying to tell us. It’s about choosing better—for our health, for our families, and for this Earth we call home.

Because beauty should never come at the cost of your well-being. And in our salon? It never will.

X0- Jessica Mattevi

Brands Facing Legal Action Over Hair Dye Products

Recent lawsuits have been filed against several major hair color brands, alleging a connection between prolonged exposure to their products and increased risk of bladder cancer—particularly in professional stylists. Notable companies named in these legal actions include:

L’Oréal USA

Redken

Wella Professionals

Clairol

Henkel

Schwarzkopf (Igora Royal and BlondMe lines)

Joico (including LumiShine products)

John Paul Mitchell Systems (Color XG and The Color lines)

All-Nutrient

Matrix (SoColor line)

Coty

These allegations are serious, and they reflect why salons like ours are choosing to lead differently. At Hustle + Heart, our choices have always been rooted in protecting the well-being of our guests, our team, and our environment.

Want to Learn More?

Here are some helpful resources that go deeper into the recent lawsuits and the concerns around traditional hair color products:

1. AboutLawsuits.com

“Hairdresser Bladder Cancer Lawsuits Filed Against L’Oreal, Henkel, Wella, Clairol”

This article breaks down recent legal claims filed by professional hairstylists who developed bladder cancer after years of using toxic hair dye products.

Link: https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/hair-dye-lawsuit/hairdresser-bladder-cancer-lawsuits-loreal-henkel-wella-clairol/

2. ConsumerNotice.org

“New Lawsuits Emerge Claiming Hair Dye Products Cause Bladder Cancer”

Details the alleged risks of long-term chemical exposure from certain color lines, and how stylists are coming forward with claims.

Link: https://www.consumernotice.org/news/new-lawsuits-emerge-claiming-hair-dye-products-cause-bladder-cancer/

3. Enjuris.com

“Hair Stylists File Lawsuits for Cancer Caused by Hair Dye Exposure”

Outlines which brands are being named, the types of cancer being linked, and what this means for stylists and consumers moving forward.

Link: https://www.enjuris.com/blog/news/stylists-lawsuits-for-cancerous-hair-dye/