Purely Petaluma | The Moon Room

I have very short eyelashes. Wearing mascara makes only a slight difference. I will be MOB in October at my daughter’s wedding. I’ve tried wearing false eyelashes, sometimes they look ok and sometimes they’re somewhat lopsided I didn’t want to stress out on the day of the wedding trying to work with putting on false lashes, so I thought I’d give extensions a try. I scheduled my appointment with Desiree ( who happens to be my hair stylist also). She knows I like a natural look, and after our first session she did a phenomenal job. I think the images speak for themselves.

I’ve seen Aliena/SodaJerkStyling for the past two years for coloring appointments. custom colors, fashion colors, color correction and recently natural and safe braids. she makes me feel welcomed and comfortable for each service. It’s been fun each session to see how my hair turns out. If you’re local to the area- you should hop in her chair! she’s a sweetheart 🙂

I was looking for someone to do highlights on my natural, curly dark hair. Aliena was recommended by a friend. During my appointment on 6/11/25 we discussed full verses partial highlights. She didn’t really have a strong opinion so I decided to go with a full. I showed her a picture for color inspiration and together we looked through the color book to match the color. She mentioned balayage in which I responded that I’d never do that as I don’t like the grown out look on me. Aliena started highlighting my hair from the bottom working her way up. When she was got to the top area I noticed that she was not applying the product near my roots, was at least 2 inches out, so I mentioned. She opened a few paper or foils (not sure which) and applied additional product. I realized at that moment that my highlights were not going to start at the place I wanted and that I was going to have the grown out look that I didn’t want. See photo. I tried to focus on the big picture of being excited in getting highlights after going so many years without. Aliena thoughtfully checked up on me a week later while I was on vacation. I responded that there was a part in the back that needed to be darkened. Days later I texted telling her that it was fine and sent a face photo in which the front side highlights were nice. I thought if I tossed my hair one way or scrunched my curls a certain way l I’d be okay with the heavily thick colored bold copper strands in the back. See photo. 6/26/25. 2 weeks after color, I went to get a haircut from my curly hair specialist stylist. This is when I really came to the realization at how bad of a job was done with inconsistent highlights in size and color and learned that I didn’t get the full that I asked and paid for. Refer to photo of interior hair which was mostly untouched. I messaged Aliena following my appointment expressing my concerns. I let her know that I wasn’t criticizing her work but that I needed to go to someone who specializes in curly hair to have them correct / redo and was hoping that we could come to a mutual financial agreement on what I paid (thinking partial refund) as I am understanding that she spent her time and I of course am having to now spend more time and money to have corrected / re-done. I thought my request was more than reasonable. Again, see photos. Aliena responded that I got a full balayage foil which was very confusing as I never asked for or wanted a balayage. She said my toner was probably washing out as I wet my hair every day. I got highlights for 20 straight years when younger and never had this issue with any other stylists’ work. She said she tried to relay that it may take a couple of sessions to get the color that I wanted …. that was simply never said to me. I’ve never had to go back a second time to obtain my chosen color in the 20 years of getting highlights. Aliena offered to adjust things for me at no cost. I’m not comfortable going back to her with the multitude of mistakes, her lack of accountability and her inability to follow instruction and give me a full highlight from my roots that I paid for. I feel like an experiment gone wrong. It’s disappointing to be out $300 (which includes my 20% tip) but even more disappointing that Aliena wasn’t interested or willing to give me even a partial refund for this poor job done on my hair that I’m having to go elsewhere to correct.

My wedding was in October 2023, and I chose Aliena to do my hair and makeup for the day. I had been following her on socials for a while and thought this was the perfect opportunity to go ahead and book an appointment. I hadn't bad my hair professionally done since before 2020, and I had also been growing out my hair from a pixie cut (at about shoulder length around the wedding). The process was super easy, and Ali was really fun to work with. Created Pinterest and ainstagram boards for inspiration and shared them with her before the makeup and hair trials. I already had planned on getting extensions so we mapped out a schedule and booked multiple appointments so that I had may hair cut bleached and toned and my makeup trial and then had my extensions installed and my hair trial a different day. Then, I planned to meet at the wedding venue the day of. I was super nervous about what to expect, but Ali really put me at ease. She always checked to see if I liked the direction things were going and was really open to feedback. I'm not a regular lash wearer, but I wanted to wear a set for the wedding day during the trial she brought multiple sets and tried them out to see which would stay best. I'm not a big cryer, but I'm sensitive to temperature changes and wear contact lenses, so my eyes water super easily. She went out of her way to find the best fit. She's super easy to talk to and has endless creative ideas. (Not pictured), but she also did my mom's hair and makeup for the wedding, and it came out wonderful! The salon itself is really laid back and welcoming it's bright but soft. The seats are really comfy and the decorations are beautiful and the ceiling is really high, like cathedral ceiling high. There was tea, coffee, or water offered, which was welcoming, and the vibes between the stylists are all really chill. Everyone was so so impressed with how my hair and makeup turned out. Working with Aliena was one of my favorite parts of planning the entire wedding.

April is so awesome! She is a true talent, I am grateful to have found her several years ago- and I haven't stopped coming back. I always love my color and cut and get tons of compliments. Thanks April!!

I drive here from San Anselmo to get my hair cut and highlighted by Michelle. She does the BEST curly haircut every time without making it an all day experience (like so many curly cuts can be). My hair looks amazing every time and still looks great even when I'm due for another cut/layer. Plus the salon is all about clean ingredients and sustainability which is a huge plus for me. As long as the Moon Room is here I will not be going anywhere else.

I was delighted to find Aliena at the Moon Room locations both in Petaluma and Sonoma. It is difficult to find a hair stylist who makes me feel seen and can work intuitively with my particular style, flowing with my genderqueer fluidity and giving me a look that works with my straight on top, curly on the bottom thick-ass hair. Aside from total care and expertly cut hair, Aliena is one of the kindest people I have met and it is a pleasure to be in her chair. I highly recommend Aliena for inclusive services and queer cuts, though I know she can do it all! Thank you for holding space at these salons in Sonoma County, your presence is heartfelt and so appreciated. 🩵