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 ‘Lancer Forney’

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

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Adam Lambert’s Fashionable Hair in his New Video “If I Had You”

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Adam Lambert has been making waves with his newest single If I Had You, moving up the charts and generating a lot of buzz. We love the song because of Adam’s great style and use of costumes. Check out the video below and find out how to get Adam Lambert’s unique hair style.

He has a great haircut that is a mixture of a pompadour, a mohawk, and a fade, which suits his hair texture and thickness. He has lots of radical texture cut into his hair to make it more manageable and interesting. His haircut has to be perfect because it is photographed so often.

To achieve the style for his new video, his hair is combed upward into a pompadour with lots of product to keep it in place. To get this look, a firm gel such as Alterna’s Hard Hold Gel blow-dryed into the hair keeps it in place, and the style is then back-combed, then set with a firm hold hair spray. He has cutout thick lines shaved into one side of his head-another remnant of the 80’s but modernized to appear current. Removable extensions were pinned into his hairdo in back to complete the look for some of the video shots. This look is totally achievable for your night on the town with a bit of work from your stylist.

Post by Lancer

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!

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Stress and Your Hair- What You Should Know

Our hair is a very important part of our bodies, in more ways than one. Sure, it’s gorgeous and can be an excellent accessory, and can also be a great way of expressing your personal style, but did you know your hair is also a great indicator of your overall physical and emotional health?

Your hair can be one of the first and best signs of how your body’s doing. When you’re healthy, balanced and relaxed, your hair will be lustrous and shining. However, when you’ve been ill, or are stressed out, there can be many negative effects on your hair. “I once had a friend whose hair was going grey because she had a really stressful job,” says John, one of our stylists, “She left to go to a different job, and right away the graying stopped.” If we’re under a lot of stress, either mentally or physically, our hair can get dull and even start to fall out.

Typically, when we go through a period of high stress, our hair will go into the telogen phase, which means it stops growing, and about three months later, it will start to fall out. So if you notice an abnormal amount of hair loss, think back a couple months- it’s likely that you’ll find that you had been going through something stressful at that time. Hair can also get thinner and fall out when you are going through a great physical stressor such as childbirth, illness or surgery, since the body takes energy away from growing hair to focus on healing.

Fortunately, there are a lot of easy ways to combat stress and keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful. The easiest thing to keep yourself balanced is regular exercise and a good diet. Vitamins are really important for the health of your hair, so go heavy on foods rich in Vitamin B, like greens, fish, cheese and eggs; Vitamin A, like spinach, broccoli, tomatoes and melons; and Vitamin C, like citrus fruits and strawberries. All of these, as well as vitamin supplements, will keep your body balanced and keep your hair looking rich, as will foods rich in calcium, like cheese, milk and yogurt.

There are also many products that can help revamp your hair. “Conditioning treatments like Kevin Murphy’s Born Again and Staying Alive can help stressed hair by making sure your hair and scalp is in balance,” says our stylist Lancer. “You should definitely tell your hair dresser what’s going with your hair- hair professionals are the best treatments for damaged or unhappy hair.”

Stress will come out in different ways for people, and can be remedied by different treatments. “When I’m stressed, my scalp gets itchy,” says Andrea, our receptionist. “John just did a Moroccan Oil Dry-No-More Scalp treatment on me- and gave me a killer head massage- and I feel great!”

Whether your hair needs a boost of life to get it going again, or if you just want to make sure it’s at it’s healthiest, our stylists are always here to answer your questions and make sure your hair is always as beautiful as it can be. Give us a call and make your appointment today!

Post by Amelia

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Emerson on Yelp!

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Thanks to our fabulous clients, we’ve had lots of great reviews lately. Here are some of our favorites!

Guy says:

Good price, excellent quality and friendly service.

Lancer Forney is an ace. Fast and efficient, he knows how to do a great looking cut. The atmosphere in the salon is very relaxed and there’s no pressured up-selling of products. If you need, they provide.

Noura says:

I am usually very picky when it comes to my hair and hard to please. I moved to Seattle 6 months ago and was in need for a good hair salon. When I heard about a great experience my friend had with Emerson Salon I decided to give it a try. First of all, I love that they give you the option to book an appointment online. The process was very organized (the website is clear and user-friendly) and they gave me a reminder call one day before my haircut.

The salon decor is nice and I felt good there waiting for my turn after a long day at work. My hair dresser Ellen was very nice and professional; she understood my hair type and used the right product accordingly. After the haircut, my hair looked great and healthy. Plus, I didn’t have to struggle with explaining what I wanted exactly because she knew what she was doing.

I totally recommend Emerson Salon for anyone who is looking for an unforgettable hair experience.

Steph says:

AMAZING experience.  Never getting my hair cut anywhere else.  Very friendly service, inexpensive, and the stylist knew exactly what I wanted and did an amazing job.  It is also located very conveniently in Capitol Hill.

Andy says:

I just moved to Seattle a few months ago.  My hair was starting to get long and it was about time to get a haircut.  I was dreading finding a new place to cut my hair.  But then there was an article on Mashable about a Seattle salon that was heavy into social media.  Turned out that salon (Emerson) was in my neighborhood.  I called them up and set an appointment with their super friendly receptionist.  When I showed up for my appointment, I didn’t have to wait at all.  I told the hairstylist I wanted a haircut similar to one they featured on their blog recently.  She knew exactly what I was talking about and gave me a great haircut.  Just a really great experience all the way around.  I’m really glad I found this place.

Mrs K says:

As a former hair stylist, I am not always easy to please and I know exactly what I want.  I’ve been in here several times and even had a major color correction (went from darkest brown to platinum) and have always had great, professional service.  I usually see Emily (love her!) but I’m also a mom on the go and don’t always know when I will be able to make it in.  Which is no problem because I feel comfortable seeing any of the stylists there.  The owners ensure that the stylists keep their education current by enrolling them in classes at Vidal Sassoon and in salon classes pretty frequently.  So important!!!  To top it off, the atmosphere is great, fun neighborhood and friendly staff.  Also air conditioned :)

Thank you all so much to our amazing clients. You all are so awesome and we love every day we get to spend with you. Had a great experience at Emerson? Take a second to go to our Yelp page and tell us about it!

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Emerson Salon on Yelp!

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Recently we’ve had some great reviews posted on our Yelp profile and wanted to share with you some of our favorites!

Amanda says:
“While driving from Oak Harbor on a Saturday, I called about 11 places before I found one that had an opening. It happened to be Emerson’s, and D’Arcy was going to be my stylist. I was a little late getting there, but that was no problem. She got me straight into a chair and we talked about what I was interested in. I had very long hair, and I was tired of it, so whatever we were going to do was going to be a big change. Well, after all was said and done and $40 later, I came out of there with a very manageable and adorable cut. D’Arcy did an awesome job, and the conversation was great. Very easygoing, and just all-around great job! I’ll be coming back!!! :-)

Brendan says:
“I went here on a whim, and got a haircut by Lancer. When he asked me what I wanted I said short, but had no other suggestions. I just told him to do what he thought would look good. And I am so glad I did. He spent the next forty-five minutes intricately studying the curvature of my head, explaining why he was cutting some parts more than others, and he really got into it. You can tell hair is this man’s passion, and he’s damn good at it. When he finished I was in awe. I have never gotten a haircut this amazing, and I feel that if I want to go in a different direction with my hair he would be able to provide me with useful feedback. I’ll be a repeat customer at this place as long as I’m able to make it there.”

Margaret says:
“Came here for a haircut. I wanted to make a pretty drastic (ok, it was drastic for me) going from long long hair to medium length. So, you know, I wasn’t going to trust that kind of job to just anyone. Ellen, my stylist, did a fantastic job. She listened to what I wanted and also what kinds of problems I have in dealing with my hair…then, she gave me a super cute cut. She did most of the cutting with a scissor, then used the razor to thin my very full hair. It’s only been a few days, but I’m loving my summer-friendly do!”

Yogi says:
“I went to this salon to get a professional cut, and that is exactly what I got. My stylist Ellen Yates was stupendous. She could tell that I hadn’t had a professional cut, and eased me through the experience. I told her I wanted my hair short and low maintenance. She knew exactly what I wanted and even improved upon my original idea. I was opposed to using product in my hair, but she showed me how much it could improve my hairstyle. All in all Emerson Salon is a great place to get a haircut and Ellen Yates is a Fantastic hair stylist. I Highly recommend getting a haircut here.”

Thanks everyone for the kind words! You are why we do this business. Loved your experience at Emerson Salon too? Head on over to our Yelp page to share your own thoughts.

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Yelptastic!

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We’ve gotten some great reviews on Yelp and wanted to share with you some of our favorites!

SP says: “Lancer is the best stylist and colorist I have ever had. After so many times at the prior salon I went to patiently explaining how ‘really, please, no stripeys and please, really, I mean it when I say get the greys” well my hair color looks the best it has probably ever. It actually makes me so happy to go there because I love how I look afterwards and how many compliments I get. He got the color AND the cut right, and people say I “look so great what have you done differently?!?” if they haven’t seen me in a few years or they say “Oh I LOVE your new cut!!” if they see me more often than that.”

Jennifer says: “Ellen is the greatest! I followed Ellen to Emerson Salon from her old salon. She understands hair and what would make each client look amazing. I tell everyone about her and would recommend her to anyone looking for a stylish. If you are just looking for a haircut, you are going to miss out on her true talent.”

Amanda says: “emily rules!!! a friend of ours owns the salon and recommended emily, and i was extremely happy with the outcome. i have straight, but thick asian hair (being that i am asian), and emily was not freaked out about cutting my hair. i’m not sure why, but most people are in awe of my hair (which is bad because it means they don’t cut hair like mine very much) or totally scared of it (which is also bad). emily actually said asian hair is really easy to cut, and she certainly had no problems. she saw all the flaws of my previous stylist(s) and fixed them. she gave me exactly what i wanted, which has always been a problem when i get my hair cut. it’s been a couple weeks since i cut my hair with her, and i am still in love. i’m sad that i am only here ’til august, otherwise emily will have to be my stylist forever!!!”

Brent says: “All I can say is A+ for ANDREA!!! I am amazed by how well I am treated at this salon. Always a hello and would you like something to drink. Very professional staff. I really enjoy every visit. Not to forget Peter Duerr the best man with scissors I know. I’m gonna miss you a lot. Everyone at Emerson Salon ROCKS!”

Maggie says: “Emily is the reason I go to Emerson Salon. She is a trained, experienced professional who can do the hair of a rockstar, a rockette, or even a rock. She’s done both my husband’s and my hair for about six years – she has an expertise in color that is unmatched and does miracles no matter what your age. I highly recommend Emily in particular and Emerson Salon as a professional business and supporter of Capitol Hill endeavors.”

Thanks everyone for the kind words! You are why we do this business. Loved your experience at Emerson Salon too? Head on over to our Yelp page to share your own thoughts.

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Moroccan Oil Wows Hollywood!

Moroccan Oil has quickly become a favorite product of our clients at Emerson Salon. We love the product line because it is great for most everyone’s hair…and IT WORKS!

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Moroccan Oil also has a very diverse celeb fan base! Rosario Dawson loves Moroccan Oil. It treats and tames her hair texture, which can be dry, coarse, and frizzy otherwise. Beyonce loves her natural intense curl but not the frizz. Moroccan Oil’s Intense Curl Cream works for her by moisturizing with the key ingredient, Argan Oil, while controlling the frizz without leaving greasy residue in her hair.

Charlize

Moroccan Oil was widely used by stylists during the 2010 Oscars. Moroccan Oil’s Glimmer Shine Spray was widely utilized by stylists to create the high shine that polished the red carpet hair styles they created.

Anna Kendrick

For Anna Kendrick, Moroccan Oil’s Styling Cream worked to keep her soft, romantic hairstyle looking great by the Argan Oil- infused moisture and reduction of static and frizz. Blondes can have it too! Celebrity stylist Enzo Angileri used the new Moroccan Oil Light to keep Charlize Theron’s fine, blonde hair shiny, smooth and natural by drying it into her hair to create a perfect palette of workable texture that looked natural and healthy.

Other celebrities who use Moroccan Oil products include Salma Hayek, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Rachel Zoe, January Jones, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Jordin Sparks, Pink, Lea Michele and many, many more!

Post by Lancer