AN "INSPIRING" salon near Salisbury was highly commended for its focus on the environment at a recent hair and beauty awards show.

Hair by Carla, in Winterbourne Dauntsey, was awarded special recognition for its contribution to helping the environment as part of the Hair and Beauty Community Awards 2020, run by the National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF).

The winner in this category was Anne Veck Hair, in Oxford, but Hair by Carla was described as "inspiring" by NHBF President, Ian Egerton, who added: "[This entry shows] it is possible to go above and beyond not just for the clients but for the greater good and the ways in which we could all make small changes to really make a difference.”

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic the awards were announced over Instagram on May 6, in an online version of the ceremony.

Carla Corte, owner of Hair by Carla, had forgotten about the virtual event and was instead on FaceTime to her mother when she was notified of her result.

"When I sent my application for this award I did it with passion, pride and what I believe in - a sustainable and conscious hair salon," explained Carla.

She added: "I care about life in general, our health is important to me, what I breathe and what I apply to my clients' skin and hair matters to me.

"I’m against animal testing and I believe that we all can offer our clients a better, healthier, kinder and cleaner hairdressing service, without harming our planet and using less resources."

NHBF highlighted the environmental work of Hair by Carla because the business model was designed to use natural and sustainable, vegan, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly, locally sourced, recycled and reusable products wherever possible, with an ethos to cause no harm to the planet, bio-system or sea life.

In response to the commendation, Carla said: "It was really nice and just made me feel that what I am doing is right and this is the future.

"I’m very proud because I’m a small independent salon and [I have been] recognised nationally, I hope I can inspire other salons and people like me, that care and want to protect and respect our planet and life in general.

"From lighting, to hair colours to the hair I brush from the shop floor, I recycle everything - I want to make a difference. I want to show other salons that they also can do it, providing clients with beautiful hair but with a big difference as an eco-friendly salon."