The Avant-Garden Blackbird Salon

The Avant-Garden has its main location in Columbia, Maryland, and a second location in Washington, DC, and its booking page asks clients to pick the location they want. Listed hours at The Avant-Garden are Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm. A separate Monday to Wednesday schedule, 11am to 7pm, is listed for work at Blackbird Salon.

Appointments require a 50% non-refundable deposit, which applies to keratin or straightening, styling, online-booked haircuts, extensions, color services and guests who have missed an appointment before. The full deposit is credited toward the service when the guest comes in on time. Guests can reschedule or cancel one appointment without losing the deposit if they give at least 48 hours notice. Later changes or a no-show forfeit the deposit, and repeated reschedulings can too. Clients have a 10-minute grace period, after which a stylist may reschedule them.

Cash is recommended and receives $10 off services, and exact change is needed. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Tips are not included in service prices, and extra guests are not allowed because of limited space.

The salon sells Lavender Cuticle Oil and Coconut Cuticle Oil, each priced at $12.00.