November 2020

Refill stations in European hair salons
AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT Offers the 1st Vegan Refill Bar

Conscious consumerism is no longer just a trend; consumers are increasingly taking measures to reduce their impact on the environment – with more ethical and transparent purchases. This includes the brands they choose to buy from. AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT, a brand with integrity, chooses carefully-selected vegan formulas* free from silicones, sulfates, parabens, artificial colourants and mineral oils - merging the best of nature and science for pure formulas without comprising on performance. 
Now the brand is taking another important step towards sustainability by offering refill stations for hair care in selected hair salons throughout Europe.

"Being honest is more important to us than being perfect, and we strive to
 do better every day."

–	AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT

AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT Refill Bar
It's not just what's on the inside that counts: AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT has included sustainable elements in the salon offering since day one and is now taking another important step with the introduction of the Refill Bar.

Whilst recycling remains an important factor within sustainability as a whole, refill and reusable systems are further changing things for the better. Taking the same notion as the 'reusable coffee cup', why not establish a similar routine in hair salons, encouraging a circular economy? The new AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT Refill Bar prolongs the life of a once “single-use” plastic bottle, cutting customer plastic consumption.  

The aim is to gain experience during this first phase of use, so that refill solutions can be implemented in even more salons in the coming years. 
The new refill bars are available in selected hairdressing salons in Germany, Austria, Switzerland as well as in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, and Portugal.

How does it work?
First the Stylist will provide a personal, professional consultation on the client’s hair routine and concerns to recommend the right AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT product. As a second step, the Stylist will fill a bottle made from 92% recycled plastic with the respective product by using the Refill Bar. Each bottle is finally labelled with an 85% bio-based PE label, a renewable alternative to polyethylene. Once they have used it all up, the bottle can be bought back to the salon to be refilled and the cycle 
starts again.

* All formulas are vegan, except Gritty Wax Paste & Shaping Cream containing Beeswax and Amplify Mousse containing Chitosan. We aim to be vegan also in these three formulas still in 2020. All vegan products are registered by the Vegan Society™

“As a brand, we believe that we can all make a difference,
even with small actions. When we put all of those individual efforts together, and come together as a community, we can create real change
and make bigger steps in the right direction”

–	AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT

AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT Sustainability path 

In 2019, AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT paved the way forward as a brand with purpose, not always taking the easy established route to fulfil their sustainable vision: 

•	All bottles, jars and cans are recyclable

•	Carefully-selected ingredients with free from vegan* formulas

•	Supporting the Sustainable Guar initiative (since 2017)

•	Ethical souring of Fairtrade violet rice extract

•	Products registered by the Vegan Society™

•	Shopping bags made of recycled paper with our salon materials printed 
on vegan, biodegradable, FSC-certified paper with mineral-oil free inks

•	100% Fairtrade, organic cotton in-salon towels 

During 2020 AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT have also:

•	Launched their first sustainable in-salon Refill Bar, with 92% recycled plastic bottles and 85% bio-based PE labels 

•	Started to rework all bottles & Over-The-Counter as well as Backwash jars out of 80% Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic, hitting the market as of 2021

•	Produced a carefully crafted seminar, designed to give hairdressers a wider awareness and understanding of sustainability

•	Started a journey together with Hairdressers Without Borders (for 3+ years)

•	Launched a gift box campaign which supports 1% for the Planet – a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental organisations

The AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT Refill Bars are available in carefully selected European #authenticbeautymovement salons. Goal is also to generate learnings, then take those to roll-out refilling solutions at even more salons in upcoming years.

* All formulas are vegan, except Gritty Wax Paste & Shaping Cream containing Beeswax and Amplify Mousse containing Chitosan. We aim to be vegan also in these three formulas still in 2020. All vegan products are registered by the Vegan Society™

About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2019, Henkel reported sales of more than 20 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of more than 3.2 billion euros. Henkel employs more than 52,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com.

Further information is available at www.authenticbeautyconcept.com and www.henkel.com/press

AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT Public Relations			
Sylvia Frlic				
Phone: +49 (0)40 – 88 24 21 05
Fax: +49 (0)40 – 88 24 23-29		
Email:  Sylvia.Frlic@henkel.com
	
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA