News of an amazing organic Italian in Dalkey would normally signal the opening of the latest new trendy eatery!
But Oi Organic Italian, which opened earlier this year off Dalkey’s busy Main Street, is actually an exceptional new hair salon, owned and run by married couple Francesco Piccolo and Ivana Margarini.
A feast for the senses, as well as the scalp, awaits in this unique haircare emporium, where the Italian owners practice ‘ConLeMani’, (literally ‘with the use of hands’), where they devise individual handcrafted organic treatments to nourish and protect hair.
Organic oils, clay, herbs, flowers and vegetable butters are mixed to produce individual treatments, according to different hair types. A scalp test is carried out using a magnifying camera to assess follicles and determine which natural formula is best suited.
Like an old pharmacy, the herbs and other aromatic ingredients are stored in glass and pottery jars, and are mixed and applied to the scalp, massaged in along with an all-natural protein-based treatment.
There follows a relaxing 15 minutes under a helmet diffuser, with herbal infusions and natural oils like cinnamon or lavender permeating the steam, and organic coffee and a biscuit to enjoy. Gentle soothing jazz music ensures instant transportation to nirvana!
Hair is then washed, with individually selected organic shampoo, and blow dried to complete an inimitable beauty treat, which the Oi Organic Italian owners say is sustainable luxury, the organic way.
All of the regular hair styling, cutting and colour treatments are offered, using 100% organic and natural products, including colours, shampoo and conditioners.
The wonderfully fragrant haircare products are also on sale, and the recyclable glass bottles can be refilled for a 10% discount.
Piccolo and Margarini themselves adopted a completely organic more sustainable lifestyle over ten years ago in Italy and adapted their successful creative haircare careers similarly.
Both trained at prestigious Italian hair academies, worked for top salons, curated hair for major fashion shows and styling exhibitions, and went on to teach their craft for leading salon brands, including Alfaparf. They met on a magazine photo shoot and went on to collaborate on a number of salons and hair academies, in Italy, developing their ‘handcrafted’ method, and what they call the ‘Slow Service Salon’.
The Dalkey salon is fitted out in natural and recycled materials, including beautiful rustic looking old pine counters. Purchasing is from fair trade networks and eco-sustainable projects. Everything is natural, recyclable or reusable including the hairdressing cape.
Oi Organic Italian can be found at 20B Castle Street, just off the Main Street in Dalkey, opposite SuperValu. Treatments, pricing and further detail on the pure organic credentials of the business are all on http://www.oihairsalon.ie.