WAIPOULI — Walking into any Aveda store an overwhelming fragrance of warm botanicals and plant essences flood the senses. At Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa, one of the world’s leading companies in environmentally conscious design, creation and production has opened
WAIPOULI — Walking into any Aveda store an overwhelming fragrance of warm botanicals and plant essences flood the senses. At Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa, one of the world’s leading companies in environmentally conscious design, creation and production has opened their doors to guests and island residents alike. “Our products are sourced and made under our environmental mission — from sourcing ingredients to using soy-based ink in our packaging, we pursue the integrity of this standard in every aspect of our work,” said Pooka Johnston, general manager and spa director.
“Our ingredients are ‘manufactured’ by plants grown around the world — beings of light that process and store energy in a way we humans can use … the story of a plant ingredient is also the story of those who cultivate it … Aveda strives to create value at both ends of its supply chain by paying a fair price to farmers and harvesters around the world,” writes Aveda President, Dominique Conseil.
While other cosmetic companies are just catching the wave of organic sourcing, Aveda, founded nearly three decades ago by Horst Rechelbacher, is at the crest of the green movement, not only using certified organic crops but seeking bio-dynamic, non-GMO, local and sustainable wild-harvested plants. “Walking the trail from soil to bottle” is a new program which allows the company to “follow and document the lifeline of our essential oils — beginning with farms like the one in Vaalwater, South Africa that works with Aveda to grow certified organic rose geranium,” states a press release.
Johnston, sent by Aveda to open Waipouli’s complete spa and retail outlet, is thrilled for the opportunity to bring Aveda’s services and products to the island, “We’ve had so many people come through our doors, who know and love Aveda, express their happiness to have us here,” she said.
The store and spa opened in early December with massage, facials and body wrap services conducted by eight Kaua‘i therapists. “In early summer we will be completing our Aveda Lifestyle store and spa by adding a full-service hair salon and manicure/pedicure treatments.”
Tuned to appreciating indigenous farming and dedicated to buying directly from threatened communities, Waipouli’s Aveda location incorporates locally grown Kaua‘i flowers in the ‘flower milk bath soak,’ footbaths for pedicures, and the Hawaiian styled lomi lomi massage. “Depending on the season, we will use a combination of fragrant and colorful Hawaiian flowers, orchids, plumeria, tuberose — incorporating island energy and products,” said Johnston.
“Our mission at Aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world,” writes founder Rechelbacher. From “Kaua‘i Stone Massage,” “Neck Nirvana” and “Nature Facials,” to hair products that contain Brazil-nut oil helping indigenous farmers in Madre de Dios, Peru — looking good, feeling good and doing good was never so easy.
