Frequently Asked Questions
== Cancellation, Lateness, and Rescheduling Policies ==
What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel your appointment without penalty as long as you cancel 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. If you do not cancel nor do you reschedule before 24 hours, a $50 non-refundable penalty will be charged within 15 minutes of your original appointment start time.
What if I want to reschedule?
We allow rescheduling, up to 24 hours before your appointment time just call, email, text, or reschedule via the booking website. If you do not reschedule you will be charged the $50 non-refundable penalty within 15 minutes of your original appointment start time.
What happens if I don't reschedule before 24 hours?
If you give us zero notice or notice after the 24 hour courtesy that you'd like to reschedule, your appointment is forfeited and you will be charged the $50 non-refundable penalty within 15 minutes of your original appointment start time.
What if Thrive Hair Bar needs to reschedule?
We try everything in our power to not move around your appointments but like for you, for us, life happens and if we ask to reschedule you and the times we suggest do not work for you, we do not charge you any penalty. No questions asked.
What is your late policy?
If you will be 5 minutes or more late, please call us and let us know. If you are up to 10 minutes or more late we MAY still take your appointment BUT be advised that we will not run over your allotted appointment time. This means, if we only get to shampoo and condition your hair in the time that is left, THAT IS ALL WE WILL DO, there is no additional time to do more of the service. If you prefer to late cancel when you are late you will still be charged the $50 non-refundable penalty within 15 minutes of your original appointment start time. If you are more than 15 minutes late you will be charged the $50 non-refundable penalty and your appointment will be canceled.
What if Thrive Hair Bar is running late?
If we are running late we do everything in our power to call or text you ahead of time so you're not sitting here waiting around for us. Rest assured if we are running late we still will not cut your appointment nor rush your appointment. We got you.
Can I walk in?
No. All appointments must be scheduled in advance.
== Clients we serve ==
I don't have kinky, coily, or curly hair but I want braids, can I come?
Absolutely! Whilee specialize in the hair health of kinky, coily, and curly hair we absolutely service those with all hair patterns. Check out some of our work on our straighter haired friends on the Services page!
I'm a guy, I only see women on the site. Do you style men?
Absolutely! Make an appointment!
Do you do kids' or children's hair?
Yes, we service kids/children who are 12 years old and up. Your child must be able to sit still, in the salon chair for a minimum of 90 minutes. WE WILL NOT force your children to do or partake in any part of the service that they do not want to. There are no refunds for partial service. Like adults, if your child's hair takes longer than 10 minutes to detangle/ is excessively detangled you must add additional detangling time to account for the time or be satisfied with whatever we are able to finish in their original appointment slot. Children 18 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult for the entire duration of their appointment.
== Drinks ==
What do you serve during my appointment?
Thrive Hair Bar serves water, green tea, and smoothie shots!
== Health and Safety ==
What Covid-19 precautions are you taking?
All stylists are Barbicide Certified. In addition, as per our normal protocal, capes are never shared between clients, we provide hand sanitizer and soap and water for hands to all clients, and we sanitize and disinfect all tools, touched surfaces, styling chairs, door handles, etc. between each client in order to prevent the spread of diseases including Covid-19. You are not required to wear a mask. In addition, our Sola management team has purchased and installed one of the only air purification systems on the market that has been tested and verified through independent testing to reduce Covid-19 significantly on contact. Testing shows it eliminates 94% on contact and 99% within 30 minutes.
What is your inclement weather policy?
Safety is our top priority. In the event of inclement weather, including but not limited to: snow, freezing temperatures that cause things like sidewalks/roads to ice over, extreme rain, floods, etc. we will keep the salon closed and attempt to reschedule any/all appointments with at least 24 hours notice. If we have not attempted to reschedule or cancel your appointment within 24 hours that means that based on travel advisories and other professional recommendations, we've deemed it safe enough to open and will proceed with appointments as expected. If you have concerns about the weather feel free to call/email/text to reschedule/cancel/ask questions.
== Payments ==
Can I pay in cash for my appointment?
Thrive Hair Bar does not accept cash for any transactions. By avoiding cash we are limiting the amount of paper & plastic that has to exchange hands, which limits the spread of germs and is better for the environment. Individual stylists may accept gratuity in cash.
I haven't even gotten my hair done, do I have to include the gratuity in advance?
Nope. As a courtesy, we make it easy to leave the gratuity in advance but that is not required. You can always tip your stylist at the end of your appointment in cash, with a credit card, or via you and your stylist's preferred payment app (Venmo, CashApp, Paypal, etc.). Most stylists prefer cash or their preferred payment app.
== Products ==
What products do you use?
All products used at Thrive Hair Bar are sulfate-free, paraben-free, phtalate-free, free from animal-cruelty, and free from mineral oil. Most products are also free of drying alcohols. The product brands we use and sell include Thrive Hair Products, Innersense Organic Beauty, AG Care MorroccanOil ,Uncle Funky's Daughter, Design Essentials, & Alodia Hair Care products. We also use pure aloe vera gel & mix our own natural oils including Grapeseed, Jojoba, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, & Avocado Oil.
Do you sell products?
Yes! Thrive Hair Bar sells most of the products we use in the salon.
What is your refund policy?
We hope you love all the products purchased from Thrive Hair Bar, but if not, you are welcomed to return any unused product for an exchange or store credit of equal value within 30 days of your purchase and with a valid receipt. We do not provide refunds on services.
Can I bring my own products for my service?
Yes, you can. We’re also happy to advise on the products you bring that you’d like us to use on you although we do not guarantee any outcome with products that are not provided by Thrive Hair Bar and we will not use any products that cause chemical changes.
== Services ==
What hair styling services does Thrive Hair Bar Provide
Thrive Hair Bar provides twists (including two-strand twists, locs, and coils), braids (including cornrows and box braids), and blowouts (including silk presses, round brush blowouts, braid prep, and wash and gos)
Do you provide relaxers or other chemical services?
Nope. Thrive Hair Bar is all about that natural life!
Do you color hair?
Nope. Again, Thrive Hair Bar is all about that natural life!
Do you do extensions or add hair to styles?
Nope. Thrive Hair Bar is all about that natural, hair growing out of your head life!
I see it says "assessment" included with all services, what does that mean?
The assessment included with your service means we take a look at your scalp and hair to determine the best products and treatments to use during your service. With that we'll share what we're using and why, share your estimated hair texture, porosity, and scalp health and suggest the best styles & products to reach your goals. Please ask us any and all questions during your service, we love sharing our learnings!
Do you offer consultations without services?
Yes we do both in-person and virtual consultations. Book consultations on our Services page.
I'm new to all of this, I just want to understand and do my own hair, do you help with that?
Yes, we offer in-person consultations and virtual consultations. You can book on our Services or Contact Us Page.
I rarely detangle my hair, it's super- matted, can you help?
Yes, we're about hair health. That means if safely detangling your hair takes 10+ minutes your style may be changed to fit in the alloted time. For example if your hair is severly matted and you wanted two-strand twists but it takes 45 minutes to get through the knots, you may get two-french braids instead or two, two-strand flat twists. Alternatively, you can add the "TLC For Knots and Tangles" option to account for the additional detangling time to keep the style you want
Do you do Locs?
Yes, we start locs using two strand twists, comb/finger coiling, or palm rolling. We do loc retwisting using comb coiling and palm rolling, and we do loc styling. We only use natural or traditional, "straight" parting when starting locs. Book on our services page!
Do you repair Locs?
No
Do you start or retwist microlocs or sisterlocs?
No
Do you style microlocs or sisterlocs?
Absolutely!
What if I am not satisfied with my services?
We love our clients & want to make sure every step in your Thrive Hair Bar experience is superb. In the event that has not happened please contact the owner, Ajia, by calling 703-969-1395 and asking for her or by emailing info@thrivehairbar.com and we will try to make it right:) There are absolutely no refunds.
Can I book a twist out?
Of course! Just book two-strand twists or two-strand flat twists and add the add-on "Twist-Out" for your twist-out take down and style. We do both two-strand flat twist outs and two-strand loose twist outs, depending on your hair pattern and your preferences, book either and we can go with the one that works best for you when you're in the salon!
Do you take down extensions?
With pleasure! Just book the style you want and add the add-on "Exquisite Take Down" where we will safely & gently take down a previous extension style you may be wearing.
Do you take downs of your styles?
With pleasure! Just book the style you want and add the add-on for the approriate take down where we will safely & gently take down a previous Thrive Hair Bar style.
Is the shampoo included?
Of course! In fact, we only style hair that we ourselves have shampooed and conditioned!
Is the conditioner included?
Of course! In fact, we include a basic condition with steam with all of our services.
Can I come in with my hair already washed and conditioned?
We do not recommend you come in with your hair already washed and conditioned because we will always wash and condition your hair before styling it. We do not style hair we have not personally washed and conditioned.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Your hair should be loose and free of knots and tangles. If any knots and tangles are present you must book a detangling add-on to account for detangling time. If you do not pre-book detangling time we cannot guarantee we will have time to do your style. Your hair health is our priority so we will do everything in our power to safely and gently detangle your hair prior to any styling. If you do not book additional time, we cannot guarantee your hair will be both completely detangled or styled during your booking
How do I detangle my hair before my appointment?
We recommend you lighty spray loose hair with water and a light leave-in conditioner and then comb the hair in small sections from tips to the roots with a Thrive Hair Bar Gentle Detangler or an FHI UnBrush. You should not come in to the salon with your hair in a previous style nor with your hair still rolled from a style such as twists unless you've booked the add-on for a take down or the add-on for detangling.
Do you provide hair cuts?
Yes. We provide trims.
Do you trim hair?
Yes, as an add-on to any style we provide. We do not offer stand-alone trims.
Do you provide hair extensions?
No. We do not provide styles with added hair. We do not add hair to styles. We do not do hair extensions. We only style the hair that grows out of your head. We will not add hair to a style if you bring hair