Eden Hair Energy is giving back to the community that has supported the business for the past 10 years.

Now boasting 16 friendly and knowledgeable staff members, the Dickson-based salon has gone from strength to strength since Emmalene Mahar opened the business in 2014.

Eden Hair Energy held a VIP event on Saturday 5 October, serving up nibbles and drinks, gifts, prizes and live music to celebrate the milestone.

“It’s about celebrating the clients who have made Eden what it is – without them, we couldn’t have achieved what we have” Ms Mahar said.

“We see Eden as it belonging in Dickson. We love the community and the clients.”

Ms Mahar said it was a “pinch me” moment to be reflecting on 10 successful years of business

“With all the highs and lows, I’m so glad we made it. It feels really good,” she said.

“We’re quite established now in the Dickson community and I absolutely see us here for another 10 years. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m always grateful for the support of the community and I look forward to growing more relationships over the next 10 years.”

Ms Mahar originally opened Eden Hair Energy as Eden Hair and Beauty in Dickson in 2014.

“I was 24 with a dream and really had no idea what I was in for,” she said.

Ms Mahar’s motivation was to create the space she had always wanted to work in; a salon that has a strong focus on excellence in hair services and is also a positive and rewarding workplace. Inclusivity has always been a core value at Eden for both clients and team members.

It didn’t take long for this dream to become a reality and for the salon to rapidly outgrow its original location on Badham Street. In 2020, the Eden team moved into a stunning new space in the DKSN precinct on the corner of Challis and Cape Streets.

“The new salon is everything we had always wanted and it continues to be such an enjoyable workspace,” Ms Mahar said.

“Having the luxury of fitting out from scratch meant we could customise every detail.

“In 2021, we wanted to create a new brand that showcases our passion for Hair Extensions, which has always been a core offering at Eden Hair Energy.”

Canberra Hair Extensions operates alongside Eden at the DKSN salon and aims to provide a total hair extension experience in one location.

“We have a huge offering of permanent hair extensions, including keratin bonds, wefts, and tapes. We also stock a large range of clip-in and temporary products perfect for events and special occasions.”

Ms Mahar said in the last 12 months, the salon has had a huge focus on hair toppers.

“These are an awesome, up-and-coming solution for those whose hair is thinning at the top and who may not be a suitable candidate for extensions,” she said.

In 2023, Ms Mahar expanded again, opening a sister salon, Hare and Fawn in Queanbeyan. Hare and Fawn is located on Monaro Street and is a full-service luxury salon focused on colour and extensions.

Since Eden Hair Energy opened in 2014, the salon has earned several accolades, including winning ACT Small Business of the Year at the 2020 ACT Training Awards and being shortlisted for ACT/NSW Salon of the Year at the 2019 Australian Hairdressing Industry Awards.

Ms Mahar said one of the major services Eden specialises in is colour transformations.

“That’s some of the work we love doing most,” she said.

“Our team really loves specialising in colour, but we are a full-service salon and specialise in cutting and styling as well.”

Eden is a Paul Mitchell salon, a company created in Hawaii in the 1980s that pioneered setting the industry standards of cruelty-free beauty.

“The reason we chose to partner with the brand is because they have a really good education program, as well as a focus on sustainable and ethical products,” Ms Mahar said.

She said 10 of her staff members recently completed a four-month Paul Mitchell Colour Expert program, a hair colour accreditation program focussing on keeping their colour skills at the leading edge of the industry.

“It was a combination of in-person/face-to-face and online study with some of hairdressings most well-renowned experts, followed by a graduation event in Sydney “  Ms Mahar said.

Ms Mahar is highly committed to fostering the skills of her staff, offering her team ongoing personal and professional development opportunities throughout the year.

“Apprentices and education have always been a big part of our team, and we plan to continue that moving forward,” she said.

Another focus of the business was ethical practices.

“Absolutely nothing we use is tested on animals, and we ensure that everything we stock meets strict criteria: not tested on animals, made with ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients, and not owned by parent companies that conduct animal testing,” Ms Mahar said.

“Paul Mitchell was the first brand in the industry to say ‘let’s not test on animals’ – their colours are up to 92 per cent naturally derived which sits nicely with the Eden philosophy of being as natural as possible while still achieving amazing results.”

Another star of the business is Esther, the Eden mascot; a Gilly and Marc custom bunny made from luscious green foliage representing the salon’s dedication to sustainability and the ‘garden-esque’ feel of the brand.

Looking toward the future, Ms Mahar said she looks forward to many more years in the Dickson community and wouldn’t rule out another location in the next few years.

The businesses

Eden Hair Energy: located in the DKSN building, G02/19 Challis Street, Dickson, is an ethical salon passionate about hair. With experienced stylists, they specialise in blonde, colour correction, hair cutting, and smoothing treatments; edenhairenergy.com.au

Canberra Hair Extensions: Canberra’s premier hair extension and hair colour destination, also located at the DKSN building; canberrahairextensions.com.au

Both businesses are open on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10am-8pm, Fridays from 10am-6pm and Saturdays from 9am-3pm. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.

Hare and Fawn: Located in a charming enclave of Queanbeyan at 128 Monaro Street. It is open on Tuesday – Fridays 10am-8pm and Fridays from 10am-6pm. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays; hareandfawn.com.au