Booking the Right Color Appointment: What We Need to Know

Booking a Hair Color Service: What We Need to Know

We love helping our clients achieve their dream hair color, and we want to make sure every appointment runs smoothly from start to finish. The key to a great experience is reserving enough time for the services you want. Color appointments can vary quite a bit depending on what’s being done, how much hair you have, and what you’re starting with. Here’s how you can help us plan your visit the right way, even if you’re a familiar face in our salon.

Know What You Want Before Booking

If you’re thinking about a major change, like going lighter, adding more highlights than usual, or refreshing both roots and ends, please tell us exactly what you’re thinking for when you book. This helps us set aside the right amount of time. For example, if you book a “root touch-up” but you wait until you get here to mention you wanted a few highlights too, your stylist may not have enough time to fit those in before their next scheduled client arrives.

Be Specific When Scheduling

When you call or book online, be as specific as possible. Tell us what services you think you’ll need or reference a prior visit. We’re happy to look up when you last had your roots done, if you’re due for a full vs a partial etc. The more detail you share, the better we can prepare and reserve the right amount of time.

How Much Time We Need

Here’s a general guide for how we block out time in the schedule:

Root touch-up: about 1½ hours
Full color refresh: 2 hours
Partial highlights or balayage: 2 to 3 hours
Full highlights or major color change: 3 to 4+ hours

Consultations

If you’re unsure what you want, that’s good information too. We’re happy to build in some extra time for a color consultation. We can also do this virtually to give you a realistic estimate of the time and cost involved.

Last-Minute Requests

We’ll always try our best to accommodate add-ons like a toner, gloss, or a couple face-framing highlights, but your stylist may have to decline. If you find yourself running into this issue more than once, please let us know so that we add some extra time onto your appointments by default.

Our Goal

We want every client to feel relaxed and confident during their visit and to leave the salon loving their hair. The more we know about your color goals before your appointment, the better we can plan and deliver the results you’ll love.

Satine B

I have black and green hair. Every salon I have been to in Tampa, I feel judged me because I’m not the typical south Tampa blonde. I found Dillon on ticktock. I loved the fact he had all types of different hairstyles in his page. Not only blonde but fashion colors. He made me feel comfortable. He is also very funny and interesting to chat with

Callie T

Kaysie has been doing my extensions for over a year now and I wouldn’t go anywhere else in the Tampa area. I even moved farther from the salon and still make the over 30 minute drive to see her! She is a perfectionist and never lets me leave feeling anything other than gorgeous! I’ve had color by both Melissa and Damaris and they are exceptional at blonde color!! You do not want to miss out on this salon!

Rinda B

Kat did an amazing job with my highlights! I love my hair and have already gotten several compliments! The salon has a very professional appearance and everyone was very nice. My visit was very relaxing and pleasant. I would definitely recommend!!

Yasi

Yesterday I went there for consultation with Klodjana. I can’t explain how sweet and honest she is . She’s totally a sweetheart and a professional that knows what she’s doing.she can recognize exactly what color suits you . I will definitely go back to her . Beautiful,clean salon with very friendly people 🙂

Sarah

Just had the best hand painted balayage and cut of my LIFE with Melissa. She is incredibly kind, took her time, and I am obsessed with how my hair turned out. I am super picky about my hair and it couldn’t have turned out more perfect. Not only was Melissa amazing, but the staff is extremely helpful and they are all great communicators. The salon is very clean and their covid procedures are top notch (all chairs are divided by walls as well as their hair washing tubs). There is a reason this salon is so highly rated, don’t think twice about booking here!!

Abby Gonzales

Taylor at the Bay to Bay location did my highlights and color melt. I wanted to go icy blonde with darker roots, and I'm in love with what she did for me! I haven't been to a professional salon for anything in years, and it was such a great experience. I was comfortable, the salon is gorgeous, and Taylor is super nice and communicates everything in a way that's easy to understand how/why the process works the way it does. I left feeling so confident and absolutely in love with my new color. She went above and beyond for me and really made the experience better. Taylor is changing locations to the Dale Mabry salon and I made sure to make my 6 week follow up appointment there with her so I could keep her as my stylist. For a first time at a real salon in years- it was truly the best it could've been.

Do you have a blonde hair specialist?

Damaris, Klodjana, Mabelle, Gabbi, Kristi, and Meg specialize in blonde and lightening services.

Can you remove box hair dye?

Box color is one of the most common reasons clients seek color correction. Depending on the situation, we may remove the color, neutralize unwanted tones, or strategically layer new color to restore balance and dimension. Results and timelines vary based on what was used and how many layers are present.

Box dye is unpredictable and difficult to remove. If you are unhappy with at-home results, call us. Our Color Correction experts can gently remove the dye and restore your hair, but we advise against experimenting further at home to avoid permanent damage.

What's the difference between highlights or balayage?

The difference is the technique and the maintenance.
• Highlights (Foils): Create precise, defined streaks of brightness.
• Balayage (Hand-Painted): Creates a soft, sun-kissed gradient. Highlights typically require maintenance every 6–8 weeks, while balayage grows out more gracefully, offering a lower-maintenance option.

Which one should I get?

The answer depends on the look you want and how often are you willing to maintain it. Ask yourself how obvious you want your highlights to be, and if you want highlights all the way to the root. Highlights will have to be maintained every 6-8 weeks, while balayage usually grows out more gracefully, making it a lower-maintenance option.

Come in for a free hair color consultation.

Learn more about the difference between highlights and balayage here on the Monaco Salon blog.

Looking for inspo for your next highlights appointment? View examples of our work in our hair color gallery.

Can I go from brunette to blonde in one appointment?

It depends on the health of your hair. Going significantly lighter is a chemical process that often requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired tone without causing damage. As blonding specialists, we will give you a safe, realistic plan to reach your goal.

How do I keep my hair color from fading?

Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, wash less frequently, protect your hair from heat with a thermal spray, and minimize sun and chlorine exposure.

Schedule a gloss or toner service to give your color a boost if you're not due for a full color service.

What is “lived-in color”?

Lived-in color is a modern technique that blends multiple shades (often using a root melt) to create dimension that mimics how hair naturally grows out. It creates a graceful transition at the roots, allowing you more time between touch-ups while still looking polished.

How often will I need to touch up my hair color?

It depends on the type of color service and your personal preferences.

Root Retouch: Every 4–6 weeks.
Highlights: Every 6–8 weeks.
Lived-In Color: Every 3–4 months (many guests visit sooner for a quick Gloss to refresh the shine).
Vivids/Reds: Every 4–8 weeks.

Should I wash my hair before my color appointment?

Come with clean, dry hair if you're getting highlights, and avoid using heavy styling products the day of your appointment. It’s also helpful to bring inspiration photos and be ready to talk about your hair goals, maintenance preferences, and past color history so we can create the perfect plan for your hair.

Can you color my extensions or topper?

Yes! This is a Monaco Salon specialty. Most salons struggle with this, but we are experts at custom-coloring extensions to blend seamlessly with your biological hair. Whether we are coloring your natural hair, the extensions, or both, we ensure a flawless match.

What is a Fusio Dose Treatment?

Kérastase Fusio Dose is a customized in-salon treatment. Your stylist will mix a concentrated formula specifically for your hair needs (such as dryness, damage, or color protection) for an instant transformation that leaves your hair incredibly soft and shiny. Because it is customized cocktail just for you, it makes an ideal addition to your color service.