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.






Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Color
Do you have a blonde hair specialist?
«Monaco Hair Salon is home to some the best hairdressers in the state of Florida. Each of our hairstylists have mastered the art of hair color.
Blonde hair has a broad spectrum of shades, from dark blondes to platinum, from icy blondes to warm honey blondes. Blonde hair, whether highlights, lowlights, balayage or all over blonde, has its own unique needs. Ask for one of our blonde hair specialists when booking an appointment. Every hair color service starts with a color consult.
Come in for a free hair color consultation.
Learn more about our hair color expertise at Monaco Salon in Tampa:
How do I remove box hair dye?
«We get it. Sometimes it's difficult to get to the salon - like during a pandemic - and you take matters into your own hands. Perhaps you tried a semi permanent or permanent color kit at home and the color looks nothing like the one pictured on the box. If you've used a drug store hair color and are't happy with the results, we can remove it.
It is possible to remove box hair dye, but this task is best left to a reputable hair salon. The last thing you want to do is permanently damage your hair by experimenting with chemicals. Give Monaco Hair Salon a call at (813) 870-1709 ask for an appointment with one of our best hair color correction experts.
Come in for a free hair color consultation.
Learn more about our hair color correction services.
What's the difference between highlights or balayage?
«Traditional foils and the balayage technique will both give you highlights, the difference is the intensity of the result. Balayage is a freehand technique that creates softer, more natural-looking highlights with a sun-kissed effect, while foils create more precise, defined streaks of color.
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 just how dark your hair is and its condition. It also depends on if you want a "blonde all over" look or a highlighted look. Going significantly lighter all over often requires multiple sessions to maintain the health of your hair and achieve the desired tone without excessive damage. We are blonding specialists and will be able to tell you how to get to the color you want safely.
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 technique that blends multiple shades (usually highlights and lowlights, or balayage) to create a dimensional look that grows out without harsh lines. It’s designed to give you a graceful grow in at the roots, allowing you more time between touch-ups while still looking polished. No wonder it's so popular!
How often will I need to touch up my hair color?
«It depends on the type of color service and your personal preferences.
- All-over permanent color: Roots typically need refreshing every 4–6 weeks, especially if you’re covering gray or maintaining a platinum blonde.
- Highlights: Depending on your style, you may need to touch up your roots every 6-8 weeks.
- Lived in color: These grow out more softly and can last 3–4 months before a full touch-up. Many guests come in sooner for a gloss or toner to keep the color fresh and shiny.
- Fashion shades (reds, coppers, vivid colors): These tend to fade faster and may need refreshing every 4–8 weeks to keep the color vibrant.
Your stylist at Monaco Salon will customize a maintenance plan so your color always looks its best—whether that means regular root touch-ups, seasonal refreshes, or low-maintenance lived-in color.
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 I get highlights or balayage if I have hair extensions or a topper?
«Yes! At Monaco Salon, we specialize in hair extensions and toppers and are experts in custom coloring them to match your natural hair seamlessly. Whether you’re coloring your natural hair, the extension hair, or both, we take extra care to blend everything flawlessly.