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 at the number you received your entry instructions from 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 use Wella for grey camo. Aside from a 5 minute camo color, I do not perform natural color services, including blondes, brunettes, 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...). Reds are on a case by case basis. Due to high volume of requests, 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.
How can I make my color last longer?
There are many steps you can take to protect your hair color (and your investment!) after your service:
1. Wait at least 72 hours to shampoo your hair. ( and try not to get it wet for at least 48 hours) It's very important to give your hair cuticle time to relax and seal in your color before any rinsing or washing. Color fading during that window is more abrupt and can lessen the longevity overall of shampooed too soon.
2. Shampoo/Condition your hair with cold water, as cold as you can handle. This keeps the cuticle of your hair sealed and not only protects from loss of color, but reduces damage and frizz, increases moisture retention, and stops your colors from melting and bleeding into each other if you have more than one.
3. Skip the shampoo sometimes. Daily shampooing is a no-no. Every other day is also probably too much. Conditioner has mild cleansing properties and isn't as harsh as shampoo, so if you don't have much product in your hair you can just use that, or add just a drop of shampoo to your conditioner if it's feeling sticky and you really need the kick. If you don't have anything in your hair but you just worked out and your hair is sweaty but you just shampooed yesterday, a good rinse and reset is all you need! Maybe a bit of conditioner if your hair feels dry. Most people shampoo too often and only need to fully shampoo their hair once per week. Over- shampooing not only causes fading, but exacerbates damage, strips moisture, and can cause flakiness/dry scalp, or it can do the reverse and cause an overproduction of oil dude to constant stripping.
4. Avoid the sun. UV rays can penetrate the hair shaft and cause the color molecules to degrade, leading to fading or discoloration. Sunlight can also cause the hair to become dry and brittle, making it more susceptible to damage. If you're in the sun a lot, I'd recommend using a UV protection spray or wearing a hat to keep your color vibrant.
5. Stick to color-safe products. There are tons of options for color safe products from shampoo to hairspray. Any product with sulfates, a high alcohol or salt content will be harsh on your hair color.
6. Use color-toning shampoos and conditioners. This one is harder if you have multiple colors in your hair, but if you just have one, a toning conditioner can add back whatever color was removed while shampooing. I can make you a custom toning conditioner upon request after your service with the purchase of any in-house conditioner. Purple shampoo is also great to prevent yellowing and keeping your cool toned colors looking fresh for longer.
7. Turn down the heat on your styling tools. Heat styling can fade color faster just like using hot water, so I recommend air drying and heatless styles as much as possible. If you need to heat style, try turning down the temp to reduce damage, and always use a heat protector (it takes the damage so your hair doesn't have to).
8. Moisturize! Hair that is dry and damaged lets go of color more easily. Utilize leave-in conditioners and moisture/repair masks to keep your tresses supple and soft. Top with a hair oil to seal in the moisture and add a shine boost! Also, the longer you use a hair oil regularly, the less susceptible your hair is to future damage and moisture loss.
9. Avoid chlorine and salt water. Chlorine is a harsh chemical that will strip your hair color and cause more damage overall. Salt water, while not as damaging as chlorine, can also dry your hair and cause the color to fade. If you must take a dip in a pool or the ocean, try wearing a swim cap or avoid getting your hair wet.
What maintenance/styling products should I use?
This is a very personal question but everyone asks it! Every person's hair type is unique to them, like a fingerprint, and therefore requires a different regimen. Which is Why I offer so many different products in my online store. However, I am more than willing to write you a personalized "hair prescription" in order from most to least important based on your individual needs and preferences. I will also tell you how and when to use the products. I can do this at your appointment and I am also more than happy to answer questions on this via email or Instagram message. I offer a limited supply of products in the shop for purchase if you'd prefer to take them home the same day as your appointment, but I can personalize your recommendations much better utilizing my online store. I'd also like to add that by purchasing your products directly from me, they are guaranteed to be high quality and the real thing (no dupes!), you will save money (I price my products as low as possible to give you the best opportunity to take care of your hair properly), and you'll be supporting your favorite hairstylist! :D
Why does red and pink hair color fade so fast?
As a general rule, the color pigment for red is a larger molecule than other colors, and therefore it doesn't penetrate the hair as deeply as other colors, causing it to fade more quickly. Alternatively, the faded residue of many red colors can also be the most difficult to remove for the same reason. The molecules that have penetrated the hair tend to want to stay inside. Going with a deeper or more intense red can help your color last longer and fade more gracefully if it is a look you'd like to keep for a long time.
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 therefore, 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 therefore require luxury pricing.