Booking color before the holidays: when to come in

Book your color one to two weeks before a holiday party, a family photo or a trip. That gives the shade time to settle and leaves room for an adjustment if you want one. Cuts can come up to a week before, and blowouts or up-dos the day before or the day of.

Why book color one to two weeks ahead?

Color on the day it's done can look a little different from the color you'll wear a week later, once you've washed and styled it at home a few times. Booking a week or two out means the shade you see at the event is the one you've had time to live with.

The gap also leaves room in the calendar. If the tone comes out warmer than you hoped, or you decide you want a little more brightness around your face, there's time to come back for an adjustment before the date that matters. Booked the day before, there's no room for either.

The same timing applies if you're covering or blending gray. Dimensional gray coverage starts with a free consultation, so leave time for that conversation as well as the appointment itself. If you've been meaning to try blending instead of full coverage, the weeks before the holidays are a reasonable time to have that talk, since you'll see the result in the photos either way.

What if I also want a cut?

A cut can come later than color, up to a week before your event. That's close enough that the shape still looks fresh in photos, with a few days to get used to styling it yourself.

If you want both, you have two options. You can book them together and make one trip, which is simpler if your schedule is tight. Or you can book color first and the cut closer to the date, so the ends are as crisp as possible on the day. Either works. Tell your stylist which matters more to you.

When should I book a blowout or an up-do?

The day before or the day of. A blowout looks its best when it's fresh, and an up-do is done for the event itself, so there's no reason to book either earlier.

For an evening event, a same-day appointment means you leave the salon ready to go. For a morning event, or if you're traveling, the day before is the safer choice. If you're also having color done, book the styling appointment separately from the color appointment, so each lands on the right day.

How far ahead should I plan in December?

Start with the date of your event and count back. Color goes one to two weeks before. A cut goes up to a week before. Styling goes on the day or the day before. Once you have those three dates, book all of them at once, so each visit lands where you want it.

If you want a Saturday in December, book early. We're open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 to 5:00, so a weekday appointment is another option if your schedule allows one.

What if my event is less than a week away?

Call or text us at (912) 236‑7577. We'll tell you what fits in the time you have. A blowout or an up-do is still simple to plan on short notice. Color is possible too, with less room for an adjustment afterward, so it helps to be clear about what you want when you book. Bring a photo of the look you're after, and tell us what you've used on your hair recently.

What should I tell my stylist when I book?

Three things help most:

• The date of the event. Your stylist can then suggest when each appointment should fall.
• What you'll be wearing, if it matters to you. A strong color in an outfit can change how warm or cool you want your hair to read.
• How much upkeep you want after the holidays. If you'd rather not be back in the chair in January, say so, and your stylist can plan color that grows out gently.

What about gifts for someone else?

A York & Co. gift card lets someone book their own holiday appointment. You choose the amount, and the card goes to them by email on the day you pick, so it can arrive on the morning of a birthday or a holiday. Sales are final.

How do I book?

Book online any time, or call or text (912) 236‑7577. If you're not sure which service you need, look through the full menu, or start with a free consultation and we'll plan it together.

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