Capitol Hill's Premier Haircuts & Color

Emerson Salon is the best hair salon on Capitol Hill, Seattle. Our experienced hair stylists and colorists have been fusing the latest trends with top hair techniques for years. Whether you’re looking to transform your look in Seattle with a new haircut and color or just maintain your already hip style, we are here and ready to help.

Schedule your appointment today!

909 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
T: 206-323-7437
@: emersonsalon@gmail.com

Articles from ‘Ask A Stylist’

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Mobile City Summer Sale Event- Easy Summer Updos!

As part of this weekends fantabulous Capitol Hill Summer Sale, Emerson has a super fabulous event planned that is going to be loads of fun and is going to let you walk away with some valuable hair tips and techniques. At 2pm on Sunday (the 29th) stop by the salon where Ellen, one of our lovely stylists, will be giving a hands-on demo on how to do a loose and casual, yet completely awesome, summer updo. She’ll show you the easiest way to make this must-have style work for your hair, and demonstrate how you can do it yourself at home to have salon-beautiful hair every day!

This is going to be a great event, so bring your friends and stop by to meet the Emerson team and get some styling tips straight from the experts!

Post by Amelia

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Ask A Stylist- Beating The Heat

Kelly asks:

“I have lots of hair questions but one that is really a concern at the moment is how to keep my hair from drying out in the summer heat. I feel like my scalp and hair is completely dry to the bone! I have switched shampoos and drink lots of water but nothing seems to help. Any advice?”

Really good question Kelly- everyone battles with this one! Here’s what our stylists have to say.

Lancer says:

“Ah the sun! The elements do take a toll on the hair. I recommend making an appointment for a deep conditioning treatment. My favorite is Kevin Murphy’s Born Again Treatment, which contains Rose Hip and Rose Absolute ($6K a kilo). Rose Absolute catalyzes the other botanicals in the treatment as it vibrates at a higher speed than the rest! These botanicals are heat and light sensitive; once exposed to the wind and sun, they become energized and moisturize, repair, and regenerate the hair and scalp. Antioxidants stop damage in its tracks as well as the further onslaught of damage by bringing a balance to the hair and scalp!”

Thanks for your question Kelly, and make sure to stop by and make an appointment or pick up your own bottle of Born Again to beat the heat!

Stay tuned for more Ask a Stylist posts coming up! Send your questions to ameliahanron@gmail.com

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Ask a Stylist-Growing Out Short Cuts

Kat asks:

“About a year ago, in what was either a moment of creative genius or temporary insanity, I took a pair of scissors to my long curly hair and lopped it all off (al la Jean Seberg). The result was remarkably successful, and I’ve been loving the look for a while, but I’m definitely ready to start growing my hair back out. This is easier said than done- I have thick, dark, curly hair that is generally at its best very long, or so short that the curl doesn’t exist. My childhood photos are full of painful, mushroom-shaped examples of what I’m afraid is in store for me now. Any tips on how to survive the era of ill-mannered grow-out hair before me?”

Wow Kat, good for you!! Here’s what our stylists thought:

Lancer says:

“Congratulations on your DIY cut! I suggest making an appointment for a consultation so that your stylist can see your hair in person and determine what service you need for now. If it hasn’t been cut in a very long time, a deep conditioning treatment can do wonders in reviving your hair’s moisture balance as well as helping your grown out ends look better.

I have worked with many clients who are growing their hair out. Sometimes they need their layers reshaped so that the hair doesn’t stick out from the head in a triangular shape. Other times their hair just needs trimmed or texturized in the meantime.

Good luck with your decision and patience is key to growing out curly hair!”

Ellen says:

“Growing out your hair from such an extreme is hard for anyone, but to make matters worse you are dealing with thick curly hair! My suggestion would be to use Morrocon Oil Intense Curl Cream to hydrate and control the curl. To manage the ugly grow out process come in and get it routinely cut. Since you have thick hair it needs to be textured to lay better and to make your life easier while growing it out. Routine trimming will help it have a shape other then the dreaded mushroom top!”

Rusty says:

“I would consider your spontaneity to be a stroke of genius. Unfortunately, strokes of genius can have their setbacks. Growing your hair will be challenging. And yes, you’re going to have those stages where you’d rather pull it out than grow it out, but be very patient. This is an issue that time will definitely cure. You should see your favorite stylist or come into Emerson Salon, sit down with your stylist and have a serious conversation about what to expect so you can prepare yourself for the changes to come. Consultations are always complimentary!

Good luck with your hair. By the way, I bet the short hair was really cute and fun!”

Good luck Kat! Feel free to stop by and make an appointment for a consultation to see what the Emerson team can do for you. Stay tuned for more Ask A Stylist posts coming up!

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Ask A Stylist- Grey Hair

John asks:

“I want to know, when a hair turns grey, does it do so gradually or suddenly? I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a partially grey hair. And does it become more brittle? Is there anything I can do to help give it that body that I had in my younger days?”

Interesting question John! Here’s what our stylists have to say:

Lancer says:

“The rate of graying hair is determined by genetics and stress. Sometimes the first grays that appear are visible because they sprout on top or on the sides of the head. At other times, a few sprout up in the back.

The hair loses its melanin from the inside out; the root may be gray and the ends your natural color, till those strands grow out completely. Gray hair usually is coarser, which lacks moisture. This can make the hair seem brittle and it needs special care.

A consultation with a professional stylist will assist you in obtaining the best professional shampoo and conditioner for your hair type; whether it is dull from aging, coarse and some mixture of gray and non-gray, or fine and some mixture of gray and non-gray.

As for giving your hair body, there absolutely are things that you can do. Again, it depends on your hair type. We carry Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging hair products at Emerson Salon. As we age, our hair loses its luster and sometimes also thins out. The Caviar products are designed with the latest technology to assist these specific hair needs.”

Ellen says:

“Grey hair is a loss of pigment, some people start graying around the temples or in spots and those hairs are going to be dry and wiry! To help with body and shine I suggest getting a clear gloss on your hair.  It is just to control the frizz and keep your grey hairs softer and more manageable while adding shine.”

Rusty says:

“Great question. As we age, or for genetic reasons, your natural hair falls out and is replace with a gray one. You don’t notice them until they get a little length on them, that’s why it seems like they suddenly appear. Gray hair is always a different texture from your other hair, and yes it’s usually more coarse. Conditioning treatments can help the feel of the hair. Hair color can also affect the texture of gray hair, making it more manageable.

Most over-the-counter conditioning systems are unable to penetrate to the cortex of the hair and don’t give a lasting texture change to gray hair. Many salon-quality systems use nano-tech to penetrate the hair shaft to the cortex, thus enabling a longer lasting texture change.

You should always have a conversation with your hair professional about what types of hair care products are right for you. I suggest you call and make an appointment with your favorite stylist. Consultations at Emerson are free, and it would be my pleasure to sit down with you and discuss your hair care needs.”


Thanks for your question John! Stop by Emerson to pick up some great anti-aging products, or make an appointment with a stylist to figure out what treatments will be perfect for your hair.

Keep an eye out for more Ask a Stylist blog posts coming up soon!

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Ask a Stylist-Chemical Straightening

Arianna asked our stylists:

“I have really curly hair and I am thinking about getting it permanently straightened for awhile. What are the risks of doing this? Will it wreck my hair? What else should I know before going ahead with it?”

Good question Arianna! Here’s what our stylists have to say.

Lancer says,

“Permanent hair straightening will change your hair texture completely. The only way to remove it is to have the straightened lengths of your hair cut off. A better option for you would be the Keratin Smoothing treatment. This treatment can be varied to give a less-than-permanent smoothness to your hair. If you choose this route, you will still have to flat iron your hair to get it completely straight.

Hair that has been chemically altered needs special care. You must use professional hair care products that your stylist recommends for your at-home maintenance. Otherwise, your service that you paid for cannot be guaranteed, and straightened hair (whether done with a straightening, smoothing, and.or flat ironing treatment) is very different hair and needs extra care.

Potential risks include breakage if the treatment isn’t done correctly. Seek out a salon that does these treatments on a regular basis and ask about a stylist’s certification and credentials first. Also, if your hair is currently colored, permed, highlighted, or bleached, it may have too poor of porosity to accept another chemical treatment, though professional straightening treatments are available for those hair types.

Finally, the treatment is a bit costly and time-intensive. Do your research, have a thorough consultation with your stylist before proceeding, and then you can decide if it is right for you!”

Thanks for your question Arianna! Hope this helped!

Stay tuned for more Ask a Stylist posts as the Emerson team answers all your burning hair questions!

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Ask A Stylist-Removing Product

Tim asks:

“My hair is chemically colored black, so in order to give it a natural looking shine I use olive oil based products – which works great. The problem is getting them out at the end of the day. What’s best for removing oil based products?”

Thanks Tim! Great question. Here’s what our stylists have to say:

John says:

“Kevin Murphy-Maxi Wash works great to exfoliate the hair and scalp without stripping the color.”

Emily says:

“Agreed. Maxi Wash is a great exfoliant and will release the oils without drying the hair.”

Kevin Murphy Maxi Wash 250

Thanks for your question Tim! If you’re interested in this product, stop by Emerson to talk to a stylist and pick some up for yourself; we’re always fully stocked!

Stay tuned for more Ask a Stylist blog posts, and remember to keep sending in your questions to ameliahanron@gmail.com to have them answered by the Emerson team!

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Quick Fixes for Common Hair Issues

Life happens and we don’t always have time to fuss with our hair as much as we’d like. To most of us, looking good and feeling good is important and all of us have some kind of issue with our hair. Whether it is limp, dull, frizzy, or just a little lack luster from time to time, I have some simple solutions for the girl/guy on the go.

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Problem – You’ve woken up late and your hair is looking a little flat, but you don’t have time to start styling it from scratch. Solution – Membrane Gas by Fudge. This will give texture and volume to the limpest of hair. Use it as a hairspray for hold or for texture by manipulating the hair with your fingers while applying. The awesome thing about this product is that it actually has “memory,” meaning you can brush it out and rework the hair to your desired shape simply by applying a little more. Big hair, great texture and flexible hold. What more could you ask for?

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Problem – You’ve recently had a chemical service on your hair and it is just looking a little dry and dull. Washing it too much doesn’t do much but dry it out more, over-conditioning leaves it oily and leaving it alone drives you crazy. Solution – Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray. Apply to dry, dull hair to bring out the shine and shimmer. It is infused with argan oil and UV filters to protect from further damage do to the elements. This light weight shine is easy to use and long lasting.

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Problem – Curly hair that is frizzy due to weather or just natural texture. Solution – Alterna’s Shaping Balm. When applying this to dry hair it acts as an anti-humectant. It will smooth out any frizz and leave pliable, shiny curls. Plus, Alterna products are all paraben and gluten free.

Whatever your specific hair issues, there is almost certainly a solution out there. For more helpful tips, come on in and see one of our stylists here at Emerson!

Post by Amanda

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Keep Your Hair Looking Fly While You Fly

Fresh Hair While Traveling

Fresh Hair While Traveling

Spring is the time of year when business travel and leisure travel are both at their height. Conventions, conferences, vacations, weddings, family visits all bring a certain amount of preparation when packing to ensure you have all the items you need without overloading your suitcase. Most airlines are starting to charge for oversized or very heavy bags so keeping things minimized is key. At Emerson Salon, we regularly give jetsetters recommendations on items that won’t bulge the duffel bag or budget during travel.

The good news is small bags and looking great are necessarially mutually exclusive, here are some great tips on how to get the most out of your hair with minimal tools:

  • Kevin Murphy Jetpacks: These adorable travel packs of Kevin Murphy products allow you to get your favorite shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and hair products on the go. This is definitely an essential part of any traveler’s emergency kit!
  • Emergency Blowdryer: While most hotels these days keep a blow dryer on site, not all do and even those that have a “blow dryer” don’t always work so we recommend bringing your own dryer for maximum effect. You can get a very manageable foldable travel sized dryer at most drugstores. Look for wattage of between 1000-1500 and many have retractable cords making packing even easier. You can also find travel sized 3″ flat irons for those quick hair touchups between events.
  • Moroccan Oil: Trying to manage thick or fine wavy/curly hair across different climates and conditions can be a major pain, try the 25ml trial size of Moroccan Oil. This handy product helps to impart shine, control frizz, and contains conditioning properties to protect the hair during heat styling. It does quite a lot for such a small package and uses the natural properties of argan oil to keep your hair healthy and going strong.
  • Fresh Hair: Rushing between events? Trying to maximize your time on the beach before heading in to town? If you aren’t able to get back to the hotel to touch up your hair, try Fresh Hair as a way to refresh and revitalize on the go. With a few quick sprays, this handy product will dissolve excess oils and smells after a long day in hot temperatures or long meetings. An absolute must for any beach bag or conference tote!
  • Styling Tools: A few tools are absolutely vital for your styling needs, these are our recommendations on what to pack: make sure to bring a large comb (with fine and wide set teeth), a medium sized round brush (thermal or boar bristle), a few clips, hair elastics or barettes, and one or two fancy pieces of hair jewelry for more formal outings.
  • Hair Spray: Traveling with hairspray can be difficult, so if you decide to bring hair spray, we recommend keeping it to a minimum. Look for something versatile like Working Spray by Alterna which can meet many of your styling needs with one product. TIP: When packing your hair spray, use some tape to secure the cap onto the hairspray can. This prevents it from going off in your luggage when jostled about in the plane or at baggage claim.
  • For guys on the go: Use a medium hold texturizer like Alterna’s Sheer Pomade. It can provide a variety of looks from sleek and sculpted to messy and fun all in one product.

And remember, the last thing you want to do is stress about your hair when you are out of town. So be organized and plan ahead and your tresses will be as happy as you are when you are on the go! Bon Voyage!

post by D’Arcy

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Looking Good While Getting In Shape

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So it’s mid February already and hopefully not all of you have given up on your New Year’s resolutions yet. For many, I’m sure getting in shape was at the top of your list and finding time to get to the gym can be difficult. The best thing to do is maximize your time while you are there. To do this, start by making yourself feel good about how you look when going to the gym. This may sound ridiculous, but I am a firm believer that you will work harder when you aren’t worried about looking frumpy or just plain unattractive. I’m not saying it’s a fashion show, but the right gym clothes, hair and makeup will make all the difference.

For starters, wear clothes that fit and compliment your shape. An oversized t-shirt can actually make you look heavier rather than camouflaging your belly. Try a more fitted shirt that gives definition to your waist. Also feel free to play with colors. Try and find something in a color that compliments your skin tone. As far as pants go, I would keep the colors simple – black, grey and darker colors generally work best on the bottom. But don’t forget to wear a pair that is in your size. Baggy pants are just as unflattering as an oversized tee. Don’t forget a sports bra either. These are so important and can make all the difference in the world. A comfy, well fitted sports bra will help keep your focus on your workout and not how many people are watching your “bounce.”

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As far as makeup is concerned, I like to use the acronym KIS – Keep It Simple. A light foundation is best. Preferably water based to help prevent clogged pores. Oil and sweat are not a pretty combo. I really like to use a tinted foundation, it won’t run and looks natural. You can also wear a little blush. I try not to do too much only because I’m fair and tend to blush all on my own when I work out. Add a little waterproof mascara and you’re ready to go. Ladies, please no smoky eyes at the gym. This is just a little silly.

Whether you have long or short hair, pull it back. If you need a few pins or a head band, go for it. Keep that hair away from your face, especially if you use a lot of product. Sweaty, matted hair is a distraction and not cute to say the least.

Good Luck!!!

Post by Amanda

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Corrective Color Explained

CorrectiveColor

Going from light to dark or dark to light?  Not sure what is considered a corrective color?  Why are corrective colors so pricey?  I’ve got the answers!

I will start with the obvious.  Dark to light.  This is almost always considered a corrective color.  The reason being is that is often at least a 2 or 3 step process.  This usually means that it requires a lot of time, product and knowledge.  Lifting hair color is a delicate process or at least should be if you want to keep the hair on your head.  Your stylist may recommend a color remover first and then a highlight to maintain the integrity of your hair.  It also almost impossible to quote a price over the phone.  You will want to make an appointment for a consultation beforehand.  Your stylist won’t be able to know what needs to be done until they have thoroughly examined the hair and you have agreed on a plan of action that will work for both of you.  Don’t try this at home!

Going from light to dark isn’t as tricky but should still be done professionally.  I have seen some green hair in my day from clients who have attempted this on their own.  Grocery store color is a big no-no.  This is usually because your hair has certain undertones to it that when mixed with “medium brown” color will turn green or kind of a swampy (for lack of a better word) brown.  If you are a blonde considering going several levels (shades) darker, your stylist will need to use a filler.  This is where it turns in to a corrective color.  A filler IS necessary and will prevent the hair from turning green and keep it from fading so quickly.  If you are just going a shade darker and don’t require a filler, then it wouldn’t necessarily be a corrective color.  That’s not to say you should do it yourself.  You wouldn’t want to turn it into a corrective color.  Again, Don’t try this at home!

Our stylists here at Emerson are hair color experts. So take my advice, squeeze a little extra out of your wallet the first time and avoid having to walk around with green hair. Our stylist knows what they are doing and know how to make your color shine!

Post by Amanda