35 GHP Q4 2025 When hairdresser, Nanette Barter, noticed colleagues around her getting sick, she began to suspect that harmful chemicals in hair products may be to blame. Working as a hairdressing apprentice at the age of 16, Nanette loved her job. But even back then, she suspected something wasn’t right. The first hairdresser she worked for became desperately ill with Crohn’s disease, and so many friends in the industry were getting sick with bowel diseases and cancer. Nanette explains: “I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 30. They wanted to remove my bowel, but I said no. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, I discovered I had breast cancer, and I knew right away that it wasn’t a coincidence. When my daughter, Laura, decided to start hairdressing, I knew I had to find out what was making hairdressers ill, so that it wouldn’t happen to her.” Looking at the ingredients in hair products, Nanette was shocked. They were full of dangerous toxins and carcinogens. Hearing about a groundbreaking Green Salon Certification available in Denmark, Nanette and Laura flew to Copenhagen to find out more. Their newfound knowledge enabled them to open Australia’s first Certified Green Salon. It was a huge undertaking. Nanette tells us: “Everything had to be done differently. All our ingredients had to be natural, organic, sustainably sourced, GMO and pesticide free, cruelty free and vegan.” Searching the world for the purest, most powerful ingredients, Nanette found what she was looking for at home among Australia’s native extracts. Spending 4 years developing and testing, Nanette and Laura fine-tuned their products, not just for their green credentials, but for effectiveness too. The result, the finest handcrafted luxury organic haircare range in the world. Unlike many brands that claim to be natural, Penny Black is COSMOS Certified Organic. This standard guarantees that all the company’s products adhere to the strict criteria relating to purity, safety and sustainability. No greenwashing, just genuine organic care. Nanette says: “Our range is proof that organic hair care can deliver salon-quality results. We blend performance-driven formulations with eco-luxe packaging so that customers don’t have to choose between health, sustainability, or professional outcomes.” Using Australian-grown native botanicals, the Penny Black range incorporates powerful extracts including Rosella, Kangaroo Apple, Snowflower, White Cypress, and Green Tea. The company is passionate about supporting local growers and leaving the Penny Black Organic isn’t just a haircare product line, it’s a movement towards healthier, more mindful living. The Queensland-based company was founded in response to a crisis in the haircare industry. Penny Black creates and markets natural, toxin-free, results-driven products that promote healthy hair and scalp whilst honouring the environment. We take a look at the company’s fascinating story in more detail. Protecting and Repairing Hair Organically smallest possible footprint. Sugarcane-based bottles, recyclable Miron glass and biodegradable packaging support this initiative. Whether engaging with clients online, educating customers on ingredient transparency, helping salons switch to organic alternatives, or supporting patients with chemo-related hair loss, community is key at Penny Black. The overarching goal is to empower individuals to make informed choices about what they put on their bodies. Looking to the future, the team’s goal is to make Penny Black a global brand. See Penny Black’s recommendations for non-toxic products specifically for your hair by taking the Haircare Quiz on the company’s website. Contact: Nanette Barter Company: Penny Black Organic Web Address: https://pennyblackorganic.com/ AIM-Sep25124
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