FAQs Index
Scheduling
HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?
Appointments are all booked on the same online calendar. You can book your own appointment by going to adrianelwell.com/book OR by clicking the "Book Now" button at the top navigation of my website.
If you cannot find a suitable time, are booking less than 3 days ahead, need a longer service time, or aren't sure about which services to book, use the contact form here.
CAN I CUT AND COLOR MY HAIR ON THE SAME DAY?
Yes. Once you click on your first service, say “Precision Cut & Style” using the online scheduler, you will be taken to the next page that has the calendar. Above the calendar you will see “Precision Cut & Style Add another, Change”. Click on Add another to go back to the menu and add a second service to your booking. Once you have all the services you want, the calendar will display times to accommodate all those services together.
CAN I CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT OR WITH QUESTIONS?
However, it is most efficient to use the contact form. If you need to reach Adrian directly, please text him. His mobile number can be found on the footer of every page of this site.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY APPOINTMENT?
Adrian recommends booking 3 days in advance for weekday appointments. Saturdays can fill up a month in advance or even longer. Adrian highly recommends pre-booking appointments before leaving the salon, especially if you require a Saturday or evening appointment.
WILL YOU REMIND ME OF MY APPOINTMENT?
Yes. You will receive an e-mail reminder 2 days in advance. You have the option of allowing a text message reminder 1 day in advance. Please make sure your contact information is correct. You can use the reminder e-mail to change or cancel your appointment as well.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
We suggest that you arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. This will allow you the opportunity to change and relax, and extra time in case the elevator is slow, which it usually is.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY APPOINTMENT?
Should unforeseen circumstances arise that keep you from giving proper cancelation notice, we ask that you inform us of any changes or cancelations no less than 24 hrs for weekday appointments and no less than 48 hrs for Saturday appointments . Appointments that are missed with less notification will be charged 50% of the price of the services. No shows will be charged the full price of service.
DO YOU OFFER A SERVICE GUARANTEE?
Adrian’s approach is to under-promise and over-deliver. He stands behind his work 100%. If there are any adjustments that you would like to make to your hair, please let him know within 3 days. Adrian will make agreed upon adjustments within 7 days from the time of the original service. Communication is KEY. Do not feel uncomfortable with expressing any concerns or dissatisfaction. If you find yourself unhappy with the outcome of your appointment please contact Adrian immediately.
WHAT IF I AM RUNNING LATE?
If you find yourself running late for an appointment, please text or call 415-290-3876. For more immediate response, texting is best. He will always do his best to accommodate you whenever possible.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?
Tips, are of course, up to the client and based on the quality of service, but in general, a tip of 10-20% of the total bill is always appreciated.
DO YOU SHARE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Absolutely not.
CAN I COME IN FOR A CONSULTATION?
Adrian welcomes consultations, but has a new way of doing an intake questionnaire that helps you avoid an extra trip to the salon. You can even upload images. Intakes are terrific way for him to get the necessary information, see your hair picture, see your desired hair picture, and determine how to reach your hair goals together. Start by scheduling a pre-appointment intake/consult on his scheduler. After getting feedback from your intake, you can change the consultation appointment into a service appointment.
DO YOU TAKE WALK-INS?
Kindly schedule all appointments in advance.
Color
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLOR, HIGHLIGHTS, AND BALAYAGE?
A Color is roots to ends. If it is a retouch, it is priced to include bespoke color balancing, which is a technique that balances the tone and vibrancy of mid-lengths and ends with color at the root for the desired effect, using multiple shades and products, if necessary, to achieve color harmony. The technique does not lighten dark ends, nor is it a corrective color technique.
A Highlight is typically done with foil, using multiple shades, strategic color placement and techniques for a bespoke dimensional color effect. Double-herringbone placement, ultra-fine weaves and slices produce a result which is soft and natural, not streaky. This type of highlighting lasts longer, with a softer transition at the regrowth.
Adrian's half highlight is 3/4 of the head, including everything but the nape, and is sufficient for most. Coloring between the foils is an additional $60.
Balayage and Sombre—These modern looks all have in common a soft transition from roots to ends, for a natural, sometimes beachy look that really lasts. Both balayage and sombre may be achieved with varying techniques including: foils with dropped bases; classic balayage; flamboyage meche; back-combing and tinting; babylights, and more. Select a ‘full highlight’ to schedule.
Pricing is based on average hair. Additional charges may apply for overly long or thick hair, and for corrective work.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLORING REGROWTH ONLY AND PREMIUM COLOR?
With either service, all of the hair is colored. Both are most often done as a retouch, ideally within 5 weeks or less regrowth. Virgin hair color usually requires additional time, depending on the effect wanted and hair length.
With "regrowth only" service, only the roots are colored, using one color formula, leaving the previously colored hair untreated. It's a good option if you'r eextremely regular with retouching, and your previously colored hair doesn't fade or change hue over time. Brown tones may get away with this, while fashion shades of red, copper and violet, and blonde usually require a Premium Color service to refresh and brighten or tone the mid-lengths and ends.
CORRECTIVE COLOR: I MESSED UP MY OWN COLOR! HELP!
The good news is that most color disasters can be corrected, though it may take one or more appointments to do so. Schedule a complimentary consultation with Adrian to determine which approach is best.
HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I HAVE MY COLOR RETOUCHED?
Color needs retouching every 3-5 weeks depending on how much contrast there is between the natural color and the salon color. Highlights look good for 3 months or longer if they are more subtle. More extreme highlights will need retouching at least every
2 months. Balayage can last even longer because of its subtle color transition and may only need a toner between services.
WHAT ARE THE PERMANENCE DIFFERENCES IN COLORING?
Permanent color is permanent until it grows out with the roots and will likely need retouching. It is used for grey coverage and can also be used to lighten hair up to 4 or 5 levels.
Demi-permanent color contains permanent dyes but with a lower pH it doesn't lighten. It can cover up to 70% of graying hair, and is ideal for tone-on-tone coloring, going darker, and color balancing.
Semi-permanent color has no peroxide and fades with each shampoo lasting 3-6 weeks.
Temporary color will wash out with the next shampoo. It's a fun, low-risk way to try out a new color look. Works well for standard colors as well as fashion tones like blue, fuchsia, and teal.
Elumen color is in a category by itself. It is a direct, non-oxidative dye like a semi-permanent color but the results, in some cases, can be the most permanent of all, remaining even after the hair is bleached. Available in both fashion or natural tones, Elumen works well for those with allergies to some of the ingredients in permanent and demi-permanent colors.
Cut And Products
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY HAIR CUT?
Adrian recommends cutting short hair every 4-5 weeks. Medium length hair every 5-7 weeks, and long hair every 5-8 weeks. If you haven't scheduled an appointment, you'll receive a reminder email automatically at 6 weeks.
WHAT PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE FOR THIN/LIFELESS HAIR?
The Davines Energizing shampoo is best for thinning hair. Also the Davines Replumping line will make fine hair feel fuller. The Davines Volu shampoo is also great for volume, and the Davines DeDe conditioner is the lightest. For styling, use Volu Spray, Dry Texturizing Spray, or Volume Mousse. The new “YOUR HAIR ASSISTANT line is also great for fine hair.
WHAT PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE FOR CURLY HAIR?
The Davines Love line of products are for curly hair, and they are divided between products to smooth your curls or enhance them. There are a number of styling products as well. My favorite is the Curl Moisturizing Mousse.
WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU USE IN YOUR SALON?
We use Davines and Olaplex haircare products.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HAIRCUT AND A TRIM?
There is no difference between a haircut and a trim.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRECISION AND A BARBERED CUT?
All cuts are precision cuts and the base price for all cuts is $90, but may be discounted $15 (or more, see rewards section) when return appointment is 5 weeks or less. A barbered haircut is a shorter precision cut in the form of a short crop, and thus priced at $75. Scissor over comb cutting is a key skill in barbering, and clippers may also be employed.
A precision cut is characterized by the following:
Sassoon technique—cutting is done entirely with small scissors and without the use of straight razor, large shears, and thinning shears
Hair is sectioned based on bone structure, and plan for final look.
Geometric principles are strictly adhered to. Refinement of shape, and softening of hard lines is primarily done on finished shape once it is dry, using a variety of pointing and slicing techniques.
Treatments
ARE TREATMENTS SAFE FOR MY HAIR?
Adrian offers ammonia free, tone-on-tone color options, including Igora Vibrance and Vibrance Gloss from Schwarzkopf Professional which provide incredible shine and vibrancy, and are the perfect choice for subtle or vibrant color changes, or when covering gray hair for the first time.
Adrian uses Vibrance in most color retouch applications to harmonize with the permanent color applied at the root. This color balancing technique balances the tone and vibrancy of mid-lengths and ends with the color at the root for the desired effect.
WHAT IS A KERATIN TREATMENT?
New from Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy, the Advanced Glycolic Smoothing System gives clients the benefits of same-day styling, immediate rinse-out, and superior results on highly textured hair. Keratin Complex has dominated the market by the end of 2011 because it undoubtedly offers the best performance of a keratin smoothing product, and unlike Brazillian treatments, it meets the strictest safety standards with regard to formaldehyde.
WHAT IS A CLARIFYING TREATMENT?
The Malibu Crystal Gel Normalizer is the first step to restore vibrant hair and healthy scalp, with dramatic results and immediate normalizing and revitalizing of hair and scalp that has hard water mineral, product, or other environmental build-up. Fresh-dried antioxidant vitamins replace the need for clarifiers that can otherwise leave the hair dry. It is safe for keratin-treated hair.
WHAT IS RESTRUCTURING MIRACLE?
Restructuring Miracle is aimed at perfectly restoring the structure of seriously damaged hair. The treatment gives visible results from first application: results last up to 6-8 shampoos. Repeated applications will also lengthen the effect.