Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)*

Before You Book (Booking & Consultation)

Q: How do I schedule an appointment?
A: All new customer bookings are initiated by completing our online consultation form. All new customers are required to fill out this intake form. This ensures we gather all the necessary details about your hair and hair history before your visit as well as ensure that enough time is scheduled for the requested service. Established customers may be booked through our online scheduling platform (Vagaro) or via direct text/e-mail.

Q: Why is the consultation form mandatory for new customers?
A: The form collects your hair history, allergies, and desired outcome. Providing this info sets clear expectations and lets us plan time and products accordingly. In short, it protects both you and us by preventing miscommunication. Please include inspiration photos or notes on your goals, such as what you like and what you don’t.

Q: What happens if I accidentally schedule prior to submitting the required consultation form?
A: You must complete the consultation form within 24 hours of booking or we may cancel your appointment. If we do not receive the consultation form prior to receiving notification of a new client booking, we typically send a reminder within a few hours.

Q: Can I have an in-person consultation instead?
A: Yes, you can schedule an in-person consult, but the online consultation form is still required of all new clients, regardless of scheduling and paying for an in person visit. We rely on the form to document your goals, quote pricing, and plan the service. All questions can be answered by filling out and completing the entire consultation form. To schedule an in-person consult, please complete the requested consultation form prior to requesting an appointment. In-person consultations are a $50 service charge and are pre-paid at the time of booking. Pre-payment for consultations are not refundable.

Q: Why do I need to disclose previous box dyes or at-home treatments?
A: Yes, we ask this on the required consultation form. Honesty is crucial. Box dyes and at-home color can drastically affect how your hair processes color, and yes, unfortunately, some color brands can cause much more damage than others. This is only one reason why we need to know what you have used on your own (non-professional, at home). Tell us everything (with photos if possible) so we can choose the right approach and avoid surprises.

Q: When should I book? Do you have a waitlist?
A: Book as early as possible. Appointments fill up quickly (especially for multi-hour correction/transition services). We do keep a waitlist – let us know your schedule and we’ll alert you if an opening appears.

Q: Where should I park?
A: On street parking is available out front of Salons at JC. Underground parking garage is also available off of NE Blakely St. behind Mamma Mia’s restaurant on the south side of the block.

Q: Do you offer gift cards?
A: Yes! Go to our Vagaro storefront, click Gift Cards, choose the amount, then select whether it’s for you or a gift. If it’s a gift, enter the recipient name/email and add a short message, choose delivery (email or print), and checkout. Gift cards are non-refundable and redeemable toward services only (please see Terms & Conditions).

Q: What if I’m sick before my appointment?
A: If you have a fever or are otherwise not feeling well on the day of your appointment, please contact us to reschedule your appointment. Masks are available in the studio.

Appointment Day

Q: How do I prepare my hair the night before my appointment? (This matters even if you color at home.)
A: Pre-cleansing + treatment is crucial for color results — whether you’re coloring in the salon or at home. It directly impacts color longevity, tone, shine, coverage, gray coverage, and how evenly your hair absorbs and holds pigment. Think of this as insurance for your hair and your color.

**BEST PRACTICES: YOU SHOULD DO THIS EVERY TIME YOU COLOR YOUR HAIR, NOT ONLY PRIOR TO A SALON COLOR APPOINTMENT. DO THIS ONCE/TWICE A MONTH TO PREVENT PRODUCT BUILDUP AND TO MAINTAIN OPTIMUM CONDITION, BUT ALWAYS DO THIS THE EVENING BEFORE ALL COLOR PROCESSES.**

Shop Local, Get It Here (shipping available):

(If you’re choosing between sizes, the larger ABC is the better long-term value. Only the ABC comes in a smaller size — the other items in the kit are full-size only.)

Night-before prep (do this in order):

Deep cleanse: Apply a generous amount of Redken Hair Cleansing Cream. Leave in 2–3 minutes. Do not scrub your scalp — be gentle. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. (Being gentle in Step 1 matters because developer + a freshly-scrubbed scalp can cause sensitivities.)
Strengthen: Spray a generous amount of Redken CAT. Work through the hair, let sit 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Condition/Protect: Apply a generous amount of ABC Mask. Let sit 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Detangle: Always detangle with a Wet Brush (minimizes breakage).
Drying: Do not blow dry. Allow to air dry overnight.
Appointment Day: Come in with bed head — totally fine. Do not add dry shampoo, hairsprays, oils, scalp makeup, leave-ins or any other styling products.

Why this matters to you IF you color your hair in the salon:

Strips mineral/product buildup that can cause uneven lift, muddy tone, and surprise warmth
Improves gray coverage adhesion so it grabs evenly and resists fading/spotting
Reduces patchiness and “staining” from oils, dry shampoo, scalp makeup, and styling residue
Helps formulas behave the way they’re designed to—fewer mid-service adjustments, fewer do-overs
Strengthens the hair before chemical work, reducing snap-off and mid-shaft breakage
Creates a cleaner canvas for toners/glosses so results look more expensive and more accurate
Extends longevity: better porosity balance = slower fade, better shine, cleaner tone for longer
Improves overall feel and manageability so hair looks healthier immediately after the service
Protects your investment—this is how you get the most out of a corrective or blonding appointment

Why this matters to you IF you color your own hair at home:

Cleaner canvas = even deposit: helps color spread/saturate fast so you don’t miss spots and end up with “holes” later
Better control + placement: detangled, pliable hair makes sectioning cleaner and helps you apply only where you intend (especially new growth) instead of dragging color through other areas
More predictable timing: fully dry, product-free hair keeps your timer honest—processing starts when you start, not earlier/later because hair was damp, coated, or heat-shaped
Fewer “fix-it” passes: you can actually see placement/coverage as you work, so you’re less likely to reapply out of guesswork
Cleaner edges + easier cleanup: less oil/product at the hairline and ears means less skin staining and easier wipe-off during application
Faster rinse + less bleed: rinses out cleaner/faster, reducing “dye water runs forever” and cutting down towel/pillowcase bleed afterward
Less product waste: you use less color overall because you’re not fighting drag/residue or overly porous areas
Less post-color interference: lowers the urge to compensate with heavy oils/serums right before or right after coloring (which can create their own problems)

Q: What should I bring and wear?
A: Wear something comfortable and easy to remove (some clothing, such as hoodies, are pretty bulky and can get in the way and need to be removed). Bring your phone or laptop – feel free to work during long processes (Wi-Fi is available). Do you have a show you’re currently addicted to? The studio is equipped with a FireTV and the apps that come with it so catch up on your current programs while you’re here. We do take after photos regularly. Customers have mentioned they wish they had brought their make-up for the after photos (so if this matters to you, please be prepared). We will share the original after photos with you upon request (because of course we want you to show it off, too!).

Q: Will I need a haircut with my color correction/transition?
A: Likely, yes. Not every time — but often a haircut is needed. Corrective work is usually happening on older hair with years of color and heat on it, so the ends don’t always have the strength to go as light as you want and stay long. Hair past your collarbone is typically years old, and everything done to it over that time becomes part of the history we’re correcting. If your hair is light brown or darker and/or longer than collar bone length, you may need to choose what matters more: the shade you want or keeping every inch of length.

Q: Do I need a patch test?
A: Only if you’ve had a prior reaction to hair color or you have known sensitivities. If that applies to you, we’ll schedule a quick patch test before your service. Note on celiac/gluten: Our hair color contains wheat-derived ingredients. For most people with celiac disease, topical wheat/gluten in hair products isn’t considered an issue because gluten isn’t absorbed through healthy skin (this is about ingestion). If you have a wheat allergy, dermatitis, broken/irritated skin, or you’ve reacted to hair color before, tell us—don’t guess.

Q: Are children, guests, or pets allowed?
A: No, please do not bring children or extra guests (unless they’re also getting a service) and please, no pets. This policy is for the comfort and safety of everyone in the studio.

Q: What if I’m late to my appointment?
A: There is no grace period. Your appointment begins and ends as scheduled. If you arrive late, we may have to shorten or skip parts of the service to finish on time. You will still owe the full service fee.

Q: How do I pay, and what methods do you accept?
A: We accept credit/debit cards, cash (exact amount is helpful, including gratuity if you prefer, as we don’t keep extra change), Apple Pay, Venmo, and Zelle and Cash App.

Q: How will we communicate before and after my appointment?
A: All communication is via text or email only. We do not take booking or consult requests by phone or social media to keep everything clearly communicated and documented.

Aftercare & Maintenance

Q: When can I shampoo my hair after coloring?
A: Wait at least 72 hours before your first shampoo after coloring. This gives the color molecules time to settle and prevents premature fading.

Q: Can I swim after my color service?
A: Not right away. Stay out of pools and salt water for at least 1 week. Chlorine and minerals can oxidize hair and even cause green or brassy tones. Always rinse your hair with fresh water immediately after any swimming.

Q: What products should I use to maintain my color?
A: Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, then follow the aftercare plan we prescribe for your specific hair. We also strongly recommend EVO Fab Pro, created in-studio and completely customizable color toning conditioner. This is one of the simplest ways to keep your tone clean between visits because it deposits the right pigments to counter what hair naturally does over time (warmth from water, heat, sun, and oxidation). It supports tone control, shine, and color longevity, and it can be customized for blondes, brunettes, reds, gray blending, and lived-in color. After your visit, we’ll tell you exactly what to use at home (and how to use it) based on what we did that day.

Q: How often do I need maintenance appointments (gloss, toner, etc.)?
A: Plan on refreshing your gloss or toner about every 4–6 weeks. This keeps your color vibrant and neutralizes any new warmth. If you wash your hair frequently or spend lots of time in the sun, you may need touch-ups closer to the 4-week mark. Using our customized Evo Fab Pro toning color conditioner will help extend your service, requiring less refresh appointments.

Q: How many sessions will it take to reach my hair goals?
A: It depends on your starting point, hair history, and the goal. Many corrections can be completed in a single long appointment (generally under 10 hours for the darkest of corrections), but some situations require more time or more than one session to keep hair integrity on track, which is something that we won’t know until we get there during the appointment. The real variables are your hair’s “agreeability,” how much time we have, and your budget — the consultation form gives us what we need to quote accurately and map out the fastest safe path to your result.

Hair Color Techniques (Definitions)

Q: What is balayage?
A: Balayage is a freehand coloring technique where the colorist paints the lightener directly onto the hair. It produces a natural, sun-kissed look with soft, blended transitions. It’s lower maintenance than traditional highlights, as regrowth looks more subtle. Balayage techniques process at a much slower rate than foil highlights, thus balayage does take more time and tends to cost more than foil highlights (due to additional processing time needed). On the booking platform, this is the dimensional color option.

Q: What are highlights?
A: Highlights are sections of hair lightened to create contrast with the base color. This is typically done with foils to isolate strands, resulting in a more uniform brightening effect. Highlights can range from very subtle to very bold, depending on how many strands are lightened. On the booking platform, this is the dimensional color option.

Q: What is a root smudge?
A: Root smudging is a technique used to soften the regrowth line. We apply a toner shade slightly darker than your mid-lengths at the roots and blend it down, so the transition is seamless. This makes grow-out virtually invisible, as the roots are just a shade or two darker than your natural color.

Q: What is a gloss or toner?
A: A hair gloss (also called a glaze, toner, etc…) is a demi-permanent treatment that adds shine and can deposit subtle color. When it’s tinted to correct tone (for example, to neutralize brassiness), we call it a toner. Toners are typically used after lightening to achieve the perfect shade. They last about 4–6 weeks and are great for keeping hair color looking fresh.

Studio Policies

Q: What is your deposit policy?
A: For long corrective/transition appointments, we reserve a significant block of time and follow our Salon Policies/Terms & Conditions for cancellations and no-shows. Corrective/transition appointments canceled less than 7 days prior are subject to a 50% fee, and cancellations under 48 hours may be charged up to 100%; no-shows are 100%. Standard appointments canceled under 48 hours may be charged up to 50%, and under 24 hours are 100%.

Q: What is your cancellation or no-show policy?
A: Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full-service price (or forfeit your deposit). Please give at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. This courtesy allows us to offer your slot to someone else. Any cancellation or no-show charges are governed by our Terms & Conditions.

Q: What is the return/exchange policy on products?
A: Online store purchases follow the return policy on saloninteractive.com (not our in-studio policy). Unused, unopened products purchased in-studio may be returned for a refund within 7 days. Sale-event products/equipment (sold below MSRP) are final sale and not returnable.

Q: Is there anything else I should know?
A: We are committed to clear communication and professional standards. If you have any questions not covered here, please ask in your booking confirmation or at the time of your appointment. You can send us a text or an e-mail at any time. We’re here to make your color journey a success – and the more informed you are, and the better our communication is, the better the final result will be.

*Policies are governed by our Salon Policies / Terms & Conditions. If anything in this FAQ conflicts, the Terms & Conditions control.

Before You Book

Appointment Day

Aftercare & Maintenance

Hair Color Techniques

Studio Policies