Booking at Chroma by Maria is done online through GlossGenius:

Book your appointment at Chroma by Maria

New clients should book a free consultation first. During the consultation, Maria will assess your hair, discuss your goals, color-match your extensions (if applicable) and give you a detailed quote and timeline. From there, she will schedule your service appointment.

Returning clients can book their next color or maintenance appointment directly through the same link. If you are unsure which service to book, send Maria a DM on Instagram @chromabymariat and she will point you in the right direction.

Chroma by Maria is located at 220 Sugartown Road, Suite 6B, Wayne, PA 19087.

Every new client at Chroma by Maria starts with a free consultation — no commitment, no pressure. Here is what the first visit looks like:

1. Hair assessment. Maria examines your natural hair — its density, texture, condition and growth patterns — to determine the best approach for color, extensions, or both.

2. Goal setting. You will talk through what you want: more length, more volume, a color change, coverage for thinning areas, or all of the above. Bring reference photos if you have them.

3. Color matching. If extensions are part of the plan, Maria will hold swatches against your hair (or your desired color) to start the custom matching process.

4. Clear pricing. Before anything is scheduled, Maria will give you a detailed quote — the type of hair, the color service, and the total cost — so there are no surprises.

5. Scheduling. Once you are ready, you will book your installation or color appointment right there. Maria will also walk you through the recommended maintenance schedule.

The consultation typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. You will leave knowing exactly what to expect, what it will cost and when you will be back in the chair.

Chroma by Maria accepts all major payment methods for your convenience:

• Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)

• Apple Pay and Google Pay

• Cash

Payment is collected at the end of your appointment. For larger services like a full k-tip installation, Maria may request a deposit at the time of booking to secure your appointment. Deposits are applied to your final total.

Maria recommends products based on your specific hair type and services, so the exact lineup may vary from client to client. That said, there are a few non-negotiables she suggests to everyone:

• Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner — essential for both color-treated hair and keratin bond extensions.

• A quality leave-in conditioner or detangling spray — helps keep the mid-lengths and ends hydrated and makes brushing gentler on the bonds.

• Heat protectant — a must every time you use a blow dryer, flat iron or curling wand.

• An extension-safe detangling brush — designed to glide past the bonds without snagging.

• Bond-repair or deep conditioning treatment — once a week or every other week, to keep the hair strong and soft between appointments.

During your consultation or service appointment, Maria will walk you through which specific brands and products work best for your hair. She carries professional-grade products at the studio and can point you to where to find them online if you prefer to order from home.

The work you do at home between salon visits has a huge impact on how your hair — and your extensions — look and feel. Here are the basics Maria recommends to every client:

• Wash less often. Three to four times a week is plenty for most hair types. Overwashing strips natural oils and can dry out both your hair and the extension bonds.

• Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates are harsh on color-treated hair and can weaken keratin bonds. A gentle, sulfate-free formula protects both.

• Condition from mid-shaft to ends. Avoid putting conditioner directly on the bonds or the scalp. Focus on the lengths and ends where moisture is needed most.

• Brush twice a day. Use an extension-safe detangling brush. Start from the ends and work up gently to prevent matting near the root.

• Sleep with your hair loosely braided. A loose braid or low ponytail at night prevents tangling while you sleep. A silk or satin pillowcase reduces friction.

• Minimize heat exposure. Use a heat protectant every time you use hot tools, and keep styling tools away from the bond area.

• Protect hair from the sun and chlorine. UV exposure and pool chemicals can fade color and dry out the hair. A leave-in conditioner or UV protectant spray helps, especially in summer. Make sure it is free from AVOBENZONE

These are simple habits, but they make a noticeable difference in how long your color lasts and how healthy your hair stays between visits.

It depends on the type of color service:

• Full color / single process: Every four to six weeks is typical, especially if you are covering gray or maintaining a shade that is significantly different from your natural color.

• Highlights and lowlights: Every eight to twelve weeks. Because foils do not start at the root line the way single-process color does, the grow-out is softer and you can stretch the time between visits.

If you also have k-tip extensions, Maria will often align your color touch-up with your extension move-up appointment so everything is handled in one visit. She will map out a schedule for you during your consultation.

Chroma by Maria asks for at least 24 to 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Extension installations and combined color-and-extension appointments block out an entire day, so late cancellations or no-shows make it difficult for other clients to get in.

• 24–48 hours' notice: Full reschedule, no charge. Maria will help you find a new time that works.

• Late cancellations (less than 24 hours): A cancellation fee will apply, typically equal to the deposit amount.

• No-shows: The deposit is forfeited, and a new deposit will be required to rebook.

Life happens, and Maria is understanding — if something comes up unexpectedly, reach out as soon as you can and she will do her best to accommodate you. The policy is in place to respect everyone's time, including yours.

If there is a cancellation after the 24 hours AND/OR you miss your appointment, there will be a 100% cancellation fee. If you are unable to make your appointment… PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.

Yes. Maria understands that a full k-tip extension installation is an investment, and she wants to make it accessible. Chroma by Maria offers flexible payment options for qualifying services:

• Deposit + balance at appointment: A deposit secures your booking, and the remaining balance is due on the day of your service.

• Split payments: For larger services, Maria can split the cost across two payments — ask during your consultation for details.

• Third-party financing: Chroma by Maria works with financing platforms that allow you to break your total into monthly installments with approved credit. Maria can walk you through the options during your consultation.

If cost is a concern, the best first step is to book your free consultation. Maria will give you a clear quote and help you figure out a payment approach that works for your budget.

Maria is a hair colorist first — color is the foundation of everything she does and offers a full range of professional color services, including:

• Full color (single process): All-over color to cover gray, deepen your shade or make a dramatic change.

• Highlights and lowlights: Foil highlights for dimension, brightness and sun-kissed contrast, or lowlights to add richness and depth.

• Balayage and hand-painted highlights: A freehand painting technique that creates soft, natural-looking dimension with a seamless grow-out.

• Extension color matching: Every k-tip set is custom-colored to blend perfectly with your natural hair or your new color. This is one of the biggest advantages of working with a colorist who also does extensions.

Because Maria handles both color and extensions, your shade match is exact from day one — no guessing, no sending swatches out to a separate stylist.

K-Tip extensions — also called keratin bond or keratin tip extensions — are individual strands of real human hair tipped with a small bead of keratin protein. During installation, your stylist uses a specialized heat tool to gently melt the keratin bond and fuse each extension strand to a tiny section of your natural hair, close to the root. The bond is about the size of a grain of rice, so it sits flat against your head and virtually disappears once your hair falls over it.

Because each strand is applied one by one, k-tips give your stylist complete control over placement, volume and blending. That makes them the most customizable extension method available — ideal for adding length, fullness, or both. The keratin protein is the same protein your natural hair is made of, so the bond is flexible and lightweight rather than stiff or bulky. At Chroma by Maria, every k-tip set is hand-placed and custom color-matched so the extensions look and move like your own hair.

K-tip keratin bond extensions typically last three to five months before they need a move-up appointment. During a move-up, your stylist gently breaks down the old bonds, removes the extensions, and installs a fresh new set of hair.. Most clients schedule a move-up every 12 to 16 weeks.

Cost varies depending on the type of install per client. A full k-tip installation generally ranges from $1,800 to $3,500 or more. That includes the hair itself, custom color matching, and the multi-hour installation appointment. Because k-tips last significantly longer than tape-ins or weft, the per-month cost is often comparable to — or lower than — other professional extension methods.

Pricing is discussed during your free consultation after Maria assesses your hair, your goals and what method you will need.

Yes, you can swim with k-tip extensions — but you should take a few precautions to protect the bonds and keep the hair looking its best. Chlorine, salt water and prolonged soaking can dry out both the extension hair and the keratin bonds over time, so a little prep goes a long way.

Before you swim:

• Wet your hair with clean water first. Hair that is already saturated absorbs less pool or ocean water.

• Apply a leave-in conditioner or a light oil (argan or coconut) from mid-shaft to ends to create a protective barrier.

• Wear your hair in a loose braid or low bun to minimize tangling.

After you swim:

• Rinse your hair with fresh water as soon as you get out.

• Follow up with a sulfate-free shampoo and a hydrating conditioner at your next wash.

• Gently detangle with a loop brush or wet brush, starting from the ends and working up.

Swimming occasionally will not ruin your k-tips. The key is not to let chlorine or salt sit on the bonds for hours and to keep the hair well-conditioned throughout the summer.

Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of k-tip extensions over other methods is how discreetly the bonds sit against your head. Because each bond is tiny and placed individually, your stylist can position them strategically so they stay hidden even in updos, high ponytails, braids and half-up styles.

A few tips for wearing your hair up with k-tips:

• Ponytails and buns: Pull hair back gently — avoid yanking or using tight elastics directly over the bonds. A silk or spiral hair tie is easier on the attachment points.

• Braids: French braids, fishtails and loose plaits all work beautifully. The bonds blend right into the braid pattern.

• Half-up styles: These are especially flattering with extensions because the extra volume makes the style look fuller and more polished.

The key is to avoid extreme, sustained tension on any one bond. Day-to-day ponytails and updos are perfectly fine — just treat the bonds the way you would treat your own hair at the root: gently.

K-tip keratin bond extensions are designed to be worn continuously for three to six months before they need to be moved up or removed. The exact timeline depends on how fast your natural hair grows, your hair type and how well you maintain them at home.

As your natural hair grows, the bonds gradually shift downward away from the scalp. Once they have grown out about two to three inches, it is time for a move-up appointment. During a move-up, each bond is gently broken, the extension strand is cleaned and re-tipped if needed, and then re-bonded close to the root again.

Leaving extensions in too long — past the point where the bonds have grown out significantly — can lead to tangling and matting near the root, which puts unnecessary stress on your natural hair. Staying on schedule with your move-ups is the single best thing you can do to keep your hair healthy and your extensions looking fresh.

Good at-home care is what keeps k-tip extensions looking salon-fresh between appointments. Here is the routine Maria recommends to her clients:

• Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates can break down the keratin bond over time. A gentle, sulfate-free formula keeps the bonds intact and the hair soft.

• Brush gently with an extension brush. Start from the ends and work your way up, holding the hair at the root so you are not pulling on the bonds. Brush at least twice a day to prevent tangles.

• Avoid heavy oils and silicones near the bonds. Products that coat the bond can cause them to slip. Apply conditioners and styling products from mid-shaft to ends only.

• Sleep with your hair in a loose braid or low ponytail. This prevents tangling and matting overnight. A silk or satin pillowcase helps too.

• Limit direct heat on the bonds. You can absolutely use hot tools on the extension hair itself, but keep flat irons and curling wands away from the bond area. Use a heat protectant every time.

• Do not try to remove extensions yourself. The bonds need a professional-grade removal and sometimes a liquid solution. Pulling, picking or cutting the bonds at home can damage or even break your natural hair.

Sticking with this routine keeps your extensions lasting longer and your natural hair healthy underneath.

For k-tip keratin bond extensions, the standard maintenance schedule is every twelve to sixteen weeks (about three to four months). At the move-up, Maria removes each bond,,washes your hair and gives you a fresh new install.

Between move-ups, most clients do not need any interim salon visits specifically for their extensions. That is one of the advantages of k-tips over tape-ins (which typically need re-taping every six to eight weeks) or sew-ins (which may need tightening every four to six weeks).

If you are also getting your color done, Maria will typically schedule your color touch-up and extension move-up on the same day to save you a trip. She will lay out a full maintenance calendar during your initial consultation so you always know when your next appointment is coming.