FAQs and Policies
POLICIES | PROCEDURES | INSTRUCTIONS
Cancellations, Reschedules, and No Shows
Pricing, Payment, and Checkout Process
Cancellations, Reschedules, and No Shows
Cancelling more than 24 hours prior to your appointment:
You will not be penalized if you cancel or reschedule at least 24 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.
When you cancel or reschedule 24 hours prior to your appointment, your deposit is added as a credit to your Desired Esthetics client account. This credit is managed and tracked via Vagaro. The credit amount will be deducted from your total service cost on the day-of your appointment.
Cancelling less than 24 hours prior to your appointment:
If you are not able to attend your appointment and must cancel less than 24 hours before your service, you must notify me via text: (919) 337-5456.
While your Deposit is FORFEITED, if you notify me, no further fees will be applied.
To obtain a new appointment, you must rebook services via Vagaro and recommit a new deposit. After three improper cancellations, you will not be able to book services with Desired Esthetics.
Failing to cancel prior to your appointment:
If you do not show up and fail to notify me prior to your appointment time, it will be considered a No Call / No Show.
No Call / No Shows FORFEIT their deposit and will be CHARGED a $35 No Call / No Show FEE. This will be automatically charged to the credit card on file. After two No Call / No Shows, you will no longer be able to book services with Desired Esthetics.
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 24 hours allows me the opportunity to offer the time 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. 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. Your deposit will be applied towards the total cost of the service at checkout; meaning the deposit amount paid will be deducted from your final owed balance when you checkoutafter your service(s). The remaining balance is due in full at the end of your service.
Deposits are non-refundable.
However, when you cancel or reschedule your appointment 24 hours prior to your scheduled service, the full deposit is added as a credit to your Desired Esthetics client account in Vagaro. Thecredit will operate the exact same manner as the initial deposit for your original appointment; meaning, the credited amount will be deducted from your final owed balance at checkout on the day-of your appointment.
The credit will operate the exact same manner as the initial deposit for your original appointment; meaning, the credited amount will be deducted from your final owed balance at checkout on the day-of your appointment.
These credits do not expire; however, a deposit credit can only be transferred twice and applied towards rescheduled appointments. After the third rescheduled appointment, deposits are forfeited.
Deposits will not be returned to a credit card, debit card, as cash, or via any other monetary exchange. They can only be returned as credit to a client's Desired Esthetics account via Vagaro for future Desired Esthetics services.
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.
Arrival Instructions
Desired Esthetics is located in My Salon Suite, West Cary at 2739 NC-55, Cary, North Carolina 27519. This is within the High House Crossing Shopping Center.
You will enter the main doors to enter the lobby and must be buzzed in to access the interior of the building, which houses the suites.
Once you enter the Lobby, you will use the Callbox to contact me directly. You can Dial 206 on Lobby Callbox followed by the Green Call Button to let me know you have arrived or text me at (919) 337-5456 and I will buzz you in.
Please do not enter by following other guests who have been buzzed in by their service provider.
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 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
There is a strict FIVE (5) minute grace period. Please text me at (919) 337-5456 as soon as you suspect you may be late.
Appointment durations are allotted to ensure there is enough time to perform your scheduled service(s).
If you do not arrive within 5 minutes of your scheduled appointment, it will be considered an improper cancellation and you will have to schedule a new appointment via Varago.
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.
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.
Joining the Waitlist
When you go to Vagaro to book a service, you’ll see the option to ‘Add to Waitlist’ at the bottom of the calendar scheduling screen. Click the ‘Add to Waitlist’ button and a pop-up window will appear. You will be able to select specific – and multiple – dates and times using the calendar feature. These should be times and dates you are available to attend last-minute appointments, as they become available. Click ‘Add to Waitlist’ to secure your Waitlist dates and times. A confirmation screen will appear with your selected dates.
When an appointment becomes available, you will receive a notification via email and text message with a link to book via Vagaro. You must be logged into or log in to Vagaro to complete the booking. The first person to book the open service time will secure the appointment.
You can view and edit any of your Waitlist dates and times in the ‘Appointments’ tab of your Vagaro Profile. You can view a step-by-step visual guide of this process: here.
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 Loyalty Program discount is offered and honored year-round. This will be applied at checkout (in-studio).
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.
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 clients’ eyes 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 vaccines and boosters. I wear a mask for all services, and I am able to wear it for the full appointment duration at my client's request. I have disposable masks available for clients 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 or Mondays. 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 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.