Frequently
Asked
Questions:
How do I get into your shop?
AlumiKnotty Beauty Lounge is a private, secure, appointment-only salon studio located inside of Mosaic Salon+Spa Suites at Broadway Market in Seattle, WA. There is an entrance outside facing Broadway, as well as one inside the market on the second floor.
To enter the studio,
1. Enter 116 on the keypad and press call to be buzzed in when it's time for your appointment, OR
2. Scroll down to Miki DaVelle @ AlumiKnotty and press call
3. If you are having issues with the call box just shoot me a text or give me a call and I will come open the door.
Where do I park?
Your appointment comes with 2 hours of free parking in the Broadway Market garage. At the kiosk, make sure to select a "Mosaic" payment option. There are parking discounts available for longer appointments.
The current validation code is: 3666
Can I book my consultation and color on the same day?
This depends on availability. A consultation is free and required for all chemical services and is done PRIOR to the service to ensure we are on the same page and we are prepped with a price quote, timing estimate, and clear goal. Same day appointments for the service itself are rare as I tend to book out 1-3 weeks in advance for color/chemical services and may not have the supplies needed. However, in-person consultation is not a requirement. To start an online consultation just reach out to me via email or Instagram (details on my contact page) and I will send you a form and request any necessary photos and references from you so we can book your service from there. Skincare services do not require a consultation but it is recommended if you are unfamiliar with your skin type and needs.
How should I prepare for my color appointment?
Don't bother shampooing. Give your scalp one or two days of oil buildup for comfort. If your hair is too clean, the chemicals can make your scalp feel spicy. Make sure you eat beforehand, but don't worry if you forget. I have complimentary snacks and drinks on hand if you feel peckish. Try not to wear too many accessories and don't wear your favorite shirt as staining is always a risk. You'll be sitting for a long time so feel free to bring something to do whether it's a book or your work laptop. I also have wifi, and multiple charger cables in case your phone dies. I got you.
What kind of color do you use?
I use mostly Pulp Riot. I only use lightener, and semi/demi permanent colors. I am experimenting with the new Danger Jones line and I am happy to use any requested colors from that brand. I also use Redken for color camo. Aside from a 5 minute camo color, I do not perform natural color services, including blondes and highlights, UNLESS they are part of a vivid/high contrast theme (blonde with red tips, brown with rainbow money piece, half blond half brown split, etc...). I reserve the right to reject color ideas if they are not in line with my portfolio.
How long will my color last?
This greatly varies from client to client and is based on several factors from lifestyle to natural hair type as well as the type of dye used on the hair, so it can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. However, the cheat sheet that works for most people is how many shampoos the color will last. Assuming you follow the proper aftercare instructions, you can expect the following;
Pastels/Toners ~ 10-20 washes
Vivids ~ 20-30 washes
Deep/Dark tones ~ 20-40 washes
Is it possible to color my hair too much?
This highly depends on the types of color changes happening and your natural hair texture, but in general lightening the hair at any level causes damage. However, as long as your hair is colored professionally, you follow instructions and maintains its condition correctly in between treatments, then there will be minimal damaging effects of regular coloring. If you color your hair regularly (every 1-3 months) I highly recommend adding a deep conditioning to every other service and using a hair oil at the very least to hydrate your hair and prevent further damage.
Is aftercare really that important?
During the color process chemicals are used to open the cuticle of your hair, which allows the color molecule to penetrate the cortex and swell in size so that it becomes trapped. In order to keep up the color result and lock in the pigment, the cuticle needs to be closed back up. Especially for the first 2 weeks after any color service your hair is very vulnerable, and so the correct aftercare is really important to maintain a long lasting color result with minimal long-term damage.
Why does red and pink hair color fade so fast?
As a general rule, the color pigment for red is a smaller molecule than other colors, and therefore it fades more quickly, especially if it’s exposed to the sunlight which can bleach and shrink the molecule further. Going with a deeper or more intense red can help your color last longer and fade gracefully.
Why does blonde hair sometimes turn green?
Blonde hair doesn’t contain a lot of color pigment, and it is generally more porous than other hair colours, which leaves it susceptible to absorbing whatever it is soaked in. When you are in the swimming pool, it is the oxidization of copper and iron in the water (caused by the chlorine) which can leave blonde hair with a slightly green tinge. Think of it as a similar reaction to rain creating rust. Another reason for this is that usually the toners used to create blonde tones have a purple or ash toned base. The natural hair color being corrected by the toner is usually a light yellow. Red color molecules tend to wash out faster than the blue element in toners, which leaves only the blue and yellow, causing your hair to look slightly green over time. This can be corrected by using a purple shampoo and good aftercare products to seal the cuticle of your hair and prevent uneven fading and chemical buildup.
Why is hair color so expensive?
This is an increasingly asked question with skyrocketing prices throughout the entire beauty industry. I charge an average market rate of $100/hr, and even less for things I especially love to do. The short answer to this question is inflation + increasing education requirements.
The long answer is that overhead has also gotten a lot higher. Product costs account for around a third of most chemical service costs. High quality professional products are not cheap and they are used throughout the entire process from shampoo/conditioner, bond builders and protein treatments, styling products and protectants used, to the lightener and dyes themselves that make up the largest portion of cost. Then there are other overhead costs, it differs from artist to artist, but I have to pay suite rent, electricity, wi-fi, webhosting fees, snacks and drinks for clients, advertisement, and misc. other shop costs. Aside from those things, in the era of quickly changing beauty trends, it's also extremely important for stylists to keep up. This comes in the form of continued education and product testing, I personally take at least one class per month to hone my skills, these classes cost on average $50-100.
And on top of all that, techniques are getting more involved, and therefor, more difficult. Hair appointments for modern trendy looks take much longer than hairstyles that were popular 10-20 years ago and they take more steps to protect your hair. Regular grooming is part of life, however, highly technical hair colors and precision cuts for the sake of fashion are a luxury service provided by a skilled artist and technician, and therefor require luxury pricing.