SALON AFICIONADO

Salon Aficionado is a curly hair salon at 23600 Rockfield Blvd in Lake Forest. The salon describes itself as a curly hair specialist for Orange County, and its work centers on curly cuts rather than a broad menu of hair services.

The salon is built around booked, one-on-one time. Appointments are required and walk-ins are not accepted, and guests may not bring a friend, since each appointment is reserved for the person who booked it. Online booking runs on a 60-day rolling calendar, with new dates released each day.

Returning guests can book a Maintenance Curly Cut, a dry trim, starting at $155, or a Customized Curly Cut, which includes a tailored curly haircut and a finished style, starting at $250. First-time guests book the Customized Curly Experience, starting at $400. That appointment includes a detailed hair analysis, a plan built around the client's needs, a customized curly cut, a tutorial on styling at home, and photos that document how the client's curls progress over time.

To get the most from a visit, clients are asked to arrive with hair washed, conditioned, detangled and fully dry, styled with the products they normally use to define their curls. They should leave out ponytails, braids, clips and hats, and avoid brushing dry hair beforehand. Clients confirm, cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours ahead; reminders go out five days and two days before the visit. Cancellations inside 48 hours are charged 50% of the scheduled service to the card on file, and clients who miss an appointment without notice are no longer able to book future visits.

Each visit starts with an analysis of the client's hair and a plan for their needs before any cutting begins, and the salon teaches clients how to style and care for their curls during the appointment.