Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Welcome to Sanctuary, a hair salon in downtown Olympia, WA, where elevated results and relaxed salon experience go hand-in-hand. Whether you’re booking a haircut, looking for a balayage or blonding specialist, or simply need some self-care, we’ve got you.
Our goal is to help you feel informed, comfortable, and most like yourself. Here are some answers to common questions before your visit. (:
Planning Your Visit
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Street parking is paid, and there are typically available spots close to our door on Legion, and the cross streets near us. You can pay with coins or use the PayByPhone app. If you plan to use the app, we recommend downloading and setting it up before your appointment so you’re not rushing or stressing when you arrive. Please give yourself a few extra minutes to park and find our suite!
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For color appointment, clean and dry hair is best because product and/or natural oil build-up can affect how our coloring products perform. No judgement, ever - we’re just helping you get the best results! Coming in for a haircut only? We typically start with a hair wash anyways, so come as you are!
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Nothing is required! We’ll ask the questions we need to understand your goals, lifestyle, and preferences. However, inspo photos are welcomed! Pictures can be a good place to start as they communicate what words cannot. You can even bring photos of what you DON’T want. During your consultation, we may even pull some photos up on our salon tablet to make sure we’re on the same page before we begin.
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Nope! Sound-healing is always optional. You can book sound-healing hair services on their own, or choose it as an add-on to select services. Not every stylist offers sound-healing and you don’t have to participate to enjoy your salon appointment.
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Our stylist’s pricing reflects different factors like experience and demand. Offering different price points allows us to give more options while you’re choosing the right stylist for your hair goals and budget. Every stylist at Sanctuary has received advanced training and is committed to continued education and excellent service so you can expect thoughtful and personalized care no matter who you book with.
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Please give 48hrs minimum notice if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. We aim to be as understanding and flexible as possible, but short-notice cancellations or no-shows cost small businesses a lot of money. Fees can differ between stylists and will always be communicated during the booking process.
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We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as cash. We currently need to swipe your card, so please the physical card instead of relying on tap-to-pay. If paying with cash, please bring exact change as we don’t keep a till on-site.
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We use and carry R+Co and Kevin Murphy products and chose them for their performance, and thoughtful approach to formulation. Both are extremely concentrated, high-performing, and environmentally responsible. All of our products are cruelty-free, color safe and free of sulfates and parabens. R+Co is also 100% vegan. Our color line is primarily Kevin Murphy, which is ammonia and PPD-free.
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Yup! We are located on the second floor of our building, which has an elevator. Our main entrance has a few steps, but there is an alternative entrance that does not(: If you need a step-free route, please contact us before your appointment so we can give you directions to the appropriate entrance and meet you there. If you have specific accessibility questions, we are happy to talk them through with you before you book!
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We love meeting your people! Children and/or guests are welcome when they can comfortably self-manage in our calm environment. Sanctuary is a small space with limited seating and we want everyone to be able to relax and enjoy their visit. If your child needs close supervision or may have a hard time staying settled during your service, we ask that you please arrange childcare.
Things You Might Be Nervous to Ask Us
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You deserve to love your hair and we want you to feel comfortable telling us if something isn’t quite right. If your results differ from what we discussed, please let us know within seven days of your appointment. When an adjustment is appropriate, we will work with you to schedule a complimentary adjustment as soon as possible. Our goal is to understand what you’re experiencing and find a thoughtful way forward.
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Easy! You can easily request a “silent appointment” while booking. Whether you feel like yapping, quietly relaxing, popping in headphones, bringing work with you or simply zoning out for a while, there is no expectation on you to make or hold a conversation.
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We completely understand life happens! We do offer a 10-minute grace period and will never make you feel bad for running behind. Please plan to arrive early to make sure you have time for parking and making your way to our suite. Arriving more than 10 minutes late may result in rescheduling, canceling a portion of the service, or extra fees; any of which would be communicated upfront. Thank you for helping us stay on schedule for everyone else that day!
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Please tell us! We know it can feel awkward to speak up, but our team genuinely welcomes feedback and loves to personalize your experience as much as possible. Whether you want a different water temperature, more or less pressure during your scalp massage, a break from convo, or have a question you want answered before continuing, please tell us if something isn’t working for you.
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The best stylist for you is about more than just hair. Please check out our stylist’s bios to learn more about their specialties, personality, experience and approach. If you’re still not sure, please reach out and we are happy to help you find stylist most aligned with your goals(:
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We don’t need to know all the fancy hair terminology to book an appointment with us! We wrote detailed yet straight-forward descriptions under each booking option, so we recommend starting there and choosing the option that sounds closest to what you’re looking for. Feel free to reach out if you have further questions!
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That’s totally fine! Sometimes you just know you want something to change, and that’s a perfectly acceptable place to start. Your service comes with a thorough consultation, and we love chatting with you about lifestyle, maintenance preferences, and what feels most like you.
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Yup! Some stylists book further out, but we are always welcoming new clients. (: