Spring is on its way, and if you are like us - you are really looking forward to a change this year. One of the best ways to change up your hair color is to invest in highlights. Think about it: you don’t have to deal with the commitment that comes with a full head of new, permanent color; and the maintenance can be so much easier. There is no better way to get a lived-in, sun-kissed look!

Of course, highlights can be executed in a myriad of ways, and if you’ve done any research or scanned Instagram looking for inspiration pictures, you’ve probably seen the phrases “foil highlights, balayage, foilayage, ombré and hand painted." With so many types of highlights out there - its impossible to figure them out on your own.

Enter the professionals at Carl Michael Salon and our new "Custom Highlight Package." We want to take the guesswork out of your next highlight appointment, while customizing a look that may require several different techniques. Custom highlights are our specialty here at Carl Michael, and instead of having a confusing, extensive color menu with varying...

Though a salon might not be the first place you think of for holiday shopping, Carl Michael Salons can help you cross a couple of friends & family off your list (with the benefit of shopping small!). We carry an assortment of hair care and styling brands, along with a selection of jewelry and accessories from our new salon boutique! And you can’t forget about our luxury service menu.

If you're looking for a product line that is vegan, sulfate-free and good for both people, animals and the planet - then Pureology is your go-to luxury brand. Our most popular shampoo and conditioner duo Hydrate features aromatherapy notes of ylang-ylang, bergamont and mint. Ask about our holiday gift sets featuring your favorite Pureology products.

Redken has also released fantastic gift sets for the holiday season! Their products have a cult following and are the perfect gift for a secret Santa, or the person that has everything. Who wouldn’t want the gift of great hair?

Shop our selection of curated jewelry and accessories at our Salon Boutique! Our grab and go gifts...

October FAQs from our Stylists: Hair Color

We took a survey among our stylists of the questions they encounter the most from their guests. Because if someone else has asked, likely another wants to know! Read on for a little Carl Michael Salon Q&A on hair color…

What is the difference between balayage and ombre? Holly F. @hollynnhair breaks it down, “balayage is a technique and ombre is a gradient of color. Balayage is when the color or lightener is hand-painted on to create natural, sun-kissed look with no obvious regrowth lines.”

I’m ready to go blonde, we can get that done in one appointment, right?

Maybe! It depends on how your hair has been colored previously. For example, if you have box dye in your hair, you will have to come in for multiple appointments for get to your desired goals. Stylist Kara J. @karahooverjohnson says, “With the first appointment, if unsure about how the hair will react, we would do a test strand to see how possible their hair goal is....

Keratin is a protein found naturally in the hair. When hair is damaged physically, chemically, or from environmental factors such as the sun, keratin is depleted, leaving hair weak.

A keratin treatment is great for increasing manageability, leaving hair noticeably softer with luminous shine. It completely eliminates frizz by 100%, and reduces curl by about 80%, cutting styling time in half. It also repairs damage, creating healthier, stronger hair. If you have curly or wavy hair and like to blow it out straight most of the time, this treatment will change your life! It is a powerful humidity blocker, so even in the humid summer weather of New England, your hair will stay smooth and shiny.

Now, many people think this is a straightening treatment. It is not. Keratin treatments are strengthening, conditioning treatments that reduce curls, target weak spots, and reinforce the hairs structure. It acts as both an external protective shield and an internal structural protein. Here at Carl Michael Salon, it is done by a keratin-certified professional hair stylist....

Are you looking for those natural highlights you had as a kid? Balayage is what you are looking for. Balayage makes you look like you just returned from a two-week summer vacation on the Cape or the Maine Coast. Balayage says, "I have great hair" - but in a way that's subtle yet noticeable — not flashy and obvious. At Carl Michael Salon, we made it easy for you to enjoy perfect hair year round for just pennies a day. Introducing our new Balayage Package and Balayage Maintenance Package!

Every balayage is different and completely customizable: the placement, gradation, and tone is based on your hair color, texture, and length, and desired shade- this means it is personalized for each guest.

Our custom highlights are what we are known for - and now we have taken the guesswork out of your custom highlights. Our Balayage Package includes custom highlights (hand painted, foils or both), a custom overlay to achieve your perfect shade of highlight, our new Acidic Bonding Treatment especially formulated to protect the integrity of your highlights, a haircut and our...