What is a dry cut and why is it better?

A dry cut is a haircut performed on dry hair, allowing your stylist to see exactly how your hair falls and moves naturally. At The Co-Artist Studio, we use dry cutting to create precision shapes that work with your hair's texture — so your cut looks great the moment you leave and grows out beautifully for weeks.

How much does a balayage cost at The Co-Artist Studio?

Balayage pricing at The Co-Artist Studio is customized based on your hair's length, density, and color history. Our pricing model ensures you only pay for what your hair truly needs. Visit our services page or book a consultation for an accurate quote.

How long does a Brazilian Blowout last?

A Brazilian Blowout typically lasts 10 to 12 weeks. At The Co-Artist Studio in Capitola, we fully customize the treatment to your hair type and lifestyle. It is especially popular with clients in Santa Cruz who deal with coastal humidity and frizz.

Do you offer grey blending or grey coverage?

Yes. We offer soft grey blending (demi-permanent, ammonia-free, up to 70% coverage) and full grey coverage. Grey blending creates a natural, low-maintenance look that grows out seamlessly. Both services include a consultation, gloss, and blowout finish.

Where is The Co-Artist Studio located?

We are located at 1220A 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010 — inside 41st Salon Studios within the Bologna's Shopping Center. Enter the building and walk toward the back; you will find us in the right corner at Studio 17.

The Co-Artist Studio is open Monday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can book online at thecoartiststudio.com or call (213) 332-4177.

What’s the difference between highlights, balayage, and a money piece?

Highlights use foils for precise, even brightness throughout the hair. Balayage is hand-painted for softer, sun-kissed dimension with a natural grow-out. A money piece is a bold face-framing highlight that instantly brightens the complexion and draws attention to your features.

How will highlights or balayage affect my hair’s natural texture?

Lightening can sometimes soften or slightly elongate curl patterns—especially on curly or wavy hair—because lifting pigment affects the hair’s structure. We do everything possible to protect integrity with high-performing products, bond builders, reconstructive conditioning treatments, and a bond-building gloss. Every service includes metal detox shampoo and a protein treatment. With the right at-home care, your texture stays beautiful while you enjoy your new color.

Will the colorist be the one doing my service, or an assistant?

Your colorist always performs the blonding application and placement. An assistant may help with shampooing, treatments, and blow-drying so your service runs smoothly, but the artistry is done by your stylist.

What’s the difference between a Mini, Partial, Full, and Transformation Blonde service?

Mini: in-between maintenance focused on the face frame and part line for high-impact brightness. Partial: brightens the top and sides—the most visible areas day to day—for noticeable dimension. Full: brightness and dimension from roots to ends across the entire head. Transformation Blonde: a major makeover to go much lighter all over with less dimension and more blonde; typically a 4–6 hour appointment depending on starting point and hair length.

Can brunettes get balayage too?

Yes. Many brunettes love balayage for caramel, honey, or toffee tones that add natural-looking depth and shine with a softer, low-maintenance grow-out than traditional highlights.

How long does a blonding appointment take?

Typical timing: Mini 1.5–2 hours; Partial 2.5–3 hours; Full 3–4 hours; Transformation Blonde 4–6 hours. Timing varies based on hair length, thickness, and starting color.

How long will my highlights or balayage last?

Most clients refresh every 8–12 weeks. We recommend a gloss or toner every 6–8 weeks between visits to maintain tone, shine, and a healthy look.

Why is there a separate product charge?

We use a parts-and-labor model for transparency and fairness. You pay for stylist time (labor) plus the exact amount of product used for your hair (lightener, color, gloss, treatments). Product charges typically range from $20–$100 depending on your hair’s needs—so you only pay for what you actually use.

My last salon had one price without a product charge. Why is this different?

Many salons bundle an average product cost into every service, which means some clients pay more than their hair requires. Our model separates labor from product so pricing is personalized: clients with shorter or finer hair aren’t subsidizing higher product usage, and clients who need more product pay exactly for what’s used. It’s honest, customized, and tailored to you.

I’m not sure which service to book—what should I do?

You don’t have to decide alone. Book a quick consultation, or text us current photos of your hair along with inspiration images. We’ll recommend the right service and stylist. If you book something close, your stylist will evaluate at the start of the appointment and adjust to match your goals.

How should I prep my hair before a highlight or balayage service?

Please arrive with freshly washed, clean hair. Use a clarifying shampoo the night before to remove product buildup, oils, and residue, then follow with a hydrating conditioner. Skip heavy leave-ins, oils, and dry shampoo right before your visit. Clean, balanced hair helps the lightener apply evenly for the best blonding results.

Young woman sitting on a folding chair with one leg crossed, wearing a white sleeveless top and ripped blue jeans, with long wavy blonde hair, posing against a plain light-colored wall.

Balayage Highlights

Meet Our Stylists

service menu

Mini Custom Balayage / Highlight

For that just-touched-by-the-sun look.
A maintenance service designed for in-between appointments on already-lightened hair. This quick refresh brightens the face frame and top part line perfect for keeping your color looking fresh between full sessions or maintaining your blonde year-round without major commitment.

Partial Custom Balayage / Highlight

The perfect balance of brightness and dimension.
A step up from the mini, this service lightens your face frame, top, and sides the areas most visible when your hair is down or pulled back. Ideal for clients who want noticeable brightness and contrast while still maintaining a soft, natural blend. Think of it as your halfway point between subtle and statement.

Full Custom Balayage / Highlight

Your all-over blonde transformation.
Our most complete blonding service delivers brightness and dimension throughout the entire head top, sides, and underneath layers. Perfect for first time blondes, clients who haven’t lightened in a year or more, or anyone ready for a full-on glow-up. Expect a radiant, multi-tonal finish that grows out beautifully.

Transformation Blonde

For when you’re ready to go all in.
A full blonding makeover designed to create significant lightness in one session. Whether transitioning from brunette to blonde or refreshing heavily grown-out color, this service gives you a bright, uniform blonde with less contrast and more all-over lift. Expect a 4–6 hour appointment depending on your starting level and hair length.

Brunette Balayage / Highlight

Because balayage isn’t just for blondes.
This bleach-free, color-only service is designed exclusively for virgin brunette hair (no previous color). It softly enhances natural tones with caramel, toffee, or honey hues creating a sun-kissed, dimensional glow without compromising hair health. The perfect way to add warmth, shine, and effortless movement to dark hair.

What’s the Difference Between Balayage, Highlights, and Lowlights?

Blonding, highlighting, or balayage all refer to strands that are lighter than your base color. While many assume highlights are strictly blonde, the term simply means lighter than your natural shade.

The artistry lies in placement, tone, and technique:

Balayage is hand painted for a soft, natural blend with minimal grow-out.
Foil Highlights create precise, controlled brightness and lift.
Lowlights add depth and shadow, balancing brightness for a multi-dimensional result.

At The Co-Artist Studio, your stylist will personalize every placement and tone to complement your skin tone, haircut, and lifestyle ensuring your color looks effortlessly lived-in from every angle.

Ready to Elevate Your Color?

Book your consultation today and let’s co-create your perfect shade of dimension.
Whether you’re craving a soft refresh or a full transformation, our team is here to bring your dream color to life naturally, beautifully, and uniquely you.

Book Now

Pricing Menu

FAQs

Please arrive with freshly washed, clean, dry hair. We recommend using a clarifying shampoo the night before to remove any product buildup, oils, or residue, followed by a hydrating conditioner to keep your hair balanced. This helps ensure the lightener applies evenly for the best blonding results. Avoid any products after.
- Highlights: Foils are used for precise, even brightness throughout your hair.
- Balayage: A hand-painted technique that creates softer, sun-kissed dimension with a natural grow-out.
- Mini: A quick refresh focused on the face frame and part line. Great for in-between appointments.
- Partial: Brightens the top and sides of your hair — the areas most visible day to day.
- Full: Covers your entire head, adding brightness and dimension from roots to ends.
- Transformation Blonde: A major makeover for clients who want to go much lighter all over, with less dimension and more blonde.
Your colorist will always perform the actual blonding application. We may work with an assistant to help with shampooing, treatments, toner application or blow-drying, but the artistry, placement & formulation of your highlights or balayage & gloss are done entirely by your stylist.
Lightening hair can sometimes soften or slightly elongate curl patterns, especially on curly or wavy hair. This is a normal part of the blonding process because lifting pigment can affect the hair’s structure. That said, we do everything possible to protect the integrity of your hair with high-performing products, bond builders, and reconstructive conditioning treatments. Every service includes a metal detox shampoo, protein treatment, and a bond-building gloss to strengthen your hair and keep it feeling healthy, shiny, and resilient. With the right at-home care, your texture will stay beautiful while enjoying your new color.
- Book a consultation: A in-person visit allows us to look at your hair and talk through your goals.
- Text us photos: Send current pictures of your hair along with any inspiration images. From there, we can recommend the right service and stylist. Text to 213-332-4177
This way, you’ll feel confident knowing you’re scheduled for the right service before you even walk in the door.
Yes! Balayage is amazing for brunettes. Adding caramel, honey, or toffee tones gives richness and shine with a natural grow-out, while still making it low-maintenance.
- Mini: 1.5–2 hours
- Partial: 2.5–3 hours
- Full: 3–4 hours
- Transformation Blonde: 4–6 hours
  Timing varies depending on your hair’s length, thickness, and starting color.
Most clients refresh their blonding every 8–12 weeks. In between, we recommend a gloss or toner every 6–8 weeks to maintain tone and shine.

Service Rate + Product Pricing

At The Co-Artist Studio, we believe in transparent, personalized pricing so you only pay for what your hair truly needs.

Service Rate (Labor): This covers your stylist’s time, skill, and artistry. It reflects the years of training, experience, and attention to detail that go into creating your look. Longer or more complex services may require more time, which is factored into the service rate.
Product Investment: This is a separate charge based on the exact amount of lightener, color, gloss, and treatments used for your hair. Because every head of hair is unique in length, thickness, and color history, product usage can vary.
Product charges typically range from $20–$100, ensuring fairness you’re never overpaying for product you don’t need.