FAQs and Policies


Booking Multiple Services

To book multiple services using Vagaro, please select your first service and click the “Book Now” button. You will receive a pop-up message to confirm the service. Select the “Continue” button to move forward in the booking process. You will be taken to the booking page to select a date and time for your appointment(s). On this page, underneath the initial service you selected, you will see a green “+ Add Service” button. Click the button and a typing window will appear. Begin typing the name of your second service and a drop-down menu appears. This will allow you to select and add a second service. You can add as many services as you would like to your appointment.

To add Lip Wax as an additional service, please click the checkbox at the bottom of the service prompt to book as an add-on.

Arrival Instructions

The studio is located in My Salon Suite – a beauty complex with multiple businesses and service providers. You must be buzzed in to access the building. Once you arrive, dial 206 on the door’s keypad – followed by the green call button – to access the studio’s intercom. You can also text me at 919-337-5456 to let me know you have arrived at the door, and I will buzz you in. Please do not enter by following other guests who have been buzzed in by their service provider. Please contact me directly to access the building.

Why? As a complex with multiple businesses, each owner has a personal and collective responsibility to create a private and relaxing experience for our clientele. I ask that each of my clients connect with me directly so I know you have arrived and can prepare. Because all studios require appointments to be made before entering the building, there would be no reason for someone to enter unaccompanied and at-random. This keeps noise in the hallways to a minimum and the atmosphere as serene as possible.

Late Arrivals

Clients receive a FIVE (5) minute grace period for a late arrival. Please text me (919-337-5456) as soon as you suspect you may be late to your scheduled appointment. If I do not have a scheduled appointment following your service, I will do my best to accommodate. Otherwise, I will have to reschedule so my other appointments do not fall behind.

Why? Out of respect to my clients, I work to ensure that scheduled appointments last their allotted length of time. This is to make sure you can keep your plans – as scheduled – for the day without interruption. Unfortunately, my schedule can easily fall behind with late appointments, causing disruption to other clients’ days. For this reason, I have to enforce the grace period.

Cancellations and No Shows

You are permitted to cancel or reschedule your appointment up to 12 hours before your scheduled session. After booking your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email, which includes direct links to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

You can also cancel or reschedule via Vagaro, either from the website or via the app; both will require you to be logged in to your profile. The app is available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

If you need to cancel or reschedule closer to your appointment time, please text me (919-337-5456), and I will try to work with you to accommodate rescheduling. If you do not show up and fail to notify me prior to your appointment time, I will have to consider it a no-show.

After a pattern of last-minute cancellations and/or two no-shows, I will no longer be able to accept you as a client.

I ask that you please schedule appointments when you are confident in your availability.

Why? I understand that unexpected events can derail the day’s plans, but as a small business, I rely on the time and commitment of each client to ensure I manage my business effectively. 

Notifying within 12 hours allows me the opportunity to offer the time slot to other clients who may be waiting for an appointment. When a cancellation is made without sufficient notice, it impacts my ability to schedule other clients and results in lost revenue which takes away from future investment in the studio – and in return, my clients.

When you book an appointment, I reserve that time specifically for you. During that time, I am unable to service other clients, which means that missed appointments create a significant impact on the business.

I deeply value your time and aim to provide the best possible service, so adhering to the policies ensures I can continue offering high-quality experiences to all of my clients.

Deposit Requirements

A 50% deposit is required as part of the booking process for any appointment scheduled to last 30 minutes or more. Your deposit will be applied towards the total cost of the service at checkout; meaning the deposit amount will be removed from your final owed balance when you checkout (in-studio) after your appointment. The remaining balance is due in full at the end of your service. Deposits are non-refundable; however, these can be transferred twice towards rescheduled appointments. This means you can change appointment times twice before forfeiting your deposit.

Why? As a small business, I strive to offer the best possible service to all of my clients. I rely on the commitment of each appointment to ensure smooth and efficient operations. The deposit guarantees that your time is reserved exclusively for you and helps me manage the studio’s schedule effectively. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows, which unfortunately are more frequent without deposits, significantly impact my ability to serve.

Pricing, Payment, and Checkout Process

Desired Esthetics uses an Inclusive Pricing model – meaning no tipping is necessary. A 50% deposit is required as part of the booking process for any appointment scheduled to last 30 minutes or more; this will be applied to your service(s) total at checkout. The remainder of the payment will be due in full after the service.

Desired Esthetics accepts all major credit cards, Apple and Google Pay, and cash. I currently do not accept payments via Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp.

Desired Esthetics gift certificates, purchased via Vargaro, are accepted to cover the full cost of a specified service or for a specific dollar amount. For certificates with specified dollar amounts, any unused funds will remain digitally available, and conversely, if the full cost of the service is not covered by the gift certificate, the client is responsible for the remaining payment.

Please know all bills larger than $20 will have to be tested for authenticity before acceptance due to past issues.

Applying Discounts

The New Client and Referral discounts, as well as Loyalty Program discounts, are offered and honored year-round.

The Referral discount will be applied at checkout (in-studio) for any documented referral. Similarly, any discounts from seasonal specials or the Loyalty Program will be applied during the in-studio checkout.

The New Client discount is applied during the online booking process; enter the coupon code NEWCLIENT during the checkout process, before you enter credit card information for your deposit.

Discounts cannot be combined in a single appointment and cannot be applied when using gift certificates. However, they can be held and used at a future appointment.

Ordering Gift Certificates

Gift Certificates are available and honored year-round. Currently, only digital gift certificates are an option. Digital gift certificates are available to purchase via Vagaro. Gift certificates can be created for a specific dollar amount (e.g. $100) or for a specific service (e.g. Lash Lift + Brow Lamination).

Gift certificates include the recipient’s name, who the gift is from, a message from the sender, and the service or dollar amount of the gift. They can be customized for special occasions, such as birthdays and celebrations. They can be shared right away via email or scheduled to send at a later date. Gift certificates cannot be used in combination with any of the offered discounts, such as New Client.

For certificates with specified dollar amounts, any unused funds will remain digitally available, and conversely, if the full cost of the service is not covered by the gift certificate, the client is responsible for the remaining payment. You can purchase gift certificates here.

Children, Pets, and Studio Guests

The studio’s space is limited. Therefore, I can only allow and accommodate one adult guest in the room during your appointment (excluding Brazilian waxes, as I will be required to use more of the space).

Additionally, children and pets are not permitted as guests. As the service provider, my attention will be on you, the client. Many of these services require the client’s eye to be closed or focused upward. To ensure safety and quality results, I need the client to be engaged with the service. With sharp objects and hot wax around, I cannot risk children or pets being near any of these items. Safety is my top priority.

If you have a service animal, please reach out for accessibility accommodations.

There is a small waiting area at the entrance of the building with a couple of chairs that serve as guest overflow, if needed.

Why? Due to the limited size of the studio and the nature of the services provided, I have implemented a policy to ensure the highest level of safety, focus, and quality of service during your appointment. My attention must be fully dedicated to you, the client. The presence of additional guests, particularly children or pets, could create potential distractions or safety risks, especially when sharp objects and hot wax are in use. This policy helps maintain a calm, managed environment that prioritizes your safety and the quality of your experience. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping the space safe and comfortable for everyone.

Health Precautions

Your health and safety are my top priority. As part of my commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment, I am up to date on all recommended boosters and will be wearing a mask for all services moving forward. Wearing a mask is encouraged but not required for clients. I have disposable masks available should you prefer one during your appointment.

For those who are immunocompromised or seeking an extra layer of protection, I recommend scheduling your appointments on Sundays. Most businesses in the building are closed, so hallway traffic is significantly reduced.

In addition to mask usage, I maintain strict cleaning and sanitization protocols for all equipment, tools, and surfaces to ensure a hygienic space for every client. I will continue to monitor public health guidelines and will adapt my policies as needed to ensure the safest possible environment.

Why? These precautions are in place to protect your health and mine, and to create a welcoming, safe environment for every client. My clients have varying levels of comfort, especially in a shared space, and it is important to me that you feel at ease during your visit. By taking these extra steps, I am able to minimize health risks, maintain a safe workspace, and prioritize the well-being of everyone, including those who may be more vulnerable or at higher risk. I greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping me maintain the safest possible environment for all.