Happy Lab West (Costa Mesa)

Happy Lab is a hair salon with two locations: 13920 Metrotech Drive, Suite 26 in Chantilly, Virginia, and 1796 Newport Blvd, Suite 1 in Costa Mesa, California. The salon focuses on color, precision and creative haircuts, and curly hair.

The salon says it values education, integrity and individuality. It aims to help each client find a look that suits them, regardless of gender identity, race or hair texture. It also offers education for fellow stylists, and stylists share product recommendations on the website.

Visits to new clients usually begin with a consultation and strand test, which takes 25 minutes and costs $22. New clients booking any chemical service need this step, and new color clients also need a CPR Treatment before any chemical service. Color is priced by the hour and includes extra bowls of color or lightener, relevant treatments between applications and a blow-dry. Returning clients refreshing their color are asked to book two hours, while a root retouch alone is booked as 1.5 hours.

Cancellations or reschedules made within 24 hours of the appointment may be charged a 25% fee, which can be waived for circumstances such as family emergencies, unexpected car trouble or medical problems. Clients up to 15 minutes late can usually be accommodated, and appointments can be moved later the same day with no fee, depending on availability. Buy Now, Pay Later is available in person for bookings from $50 to $4,000, with approval needed before the appointment. Gift cards come in $50, $75, $100 and $200 amounts or a custom amount, and gift card sales are final.

The Costa Mesa location is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and closed Monday and Tuesday.

The salon describes its values as education, integrity and individuality, and aims to help each client find a look that suits them, whatever their gender identity, race or hair texture.