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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think colours should come with a blow dry?

66 replies

PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 13:56

NC but been around for donkeys years.

AIBU or is my hair salon? I booked online last night for a "full head hair colour" (£60), it states on the booking slot online this particular service is 1 hour 30 minutes.

I arrive this morning, and was asked if I want to go dark all over, as that's all there's time for. I was a little confused, that the only colour I can choose, is dark brown all over. What if someone blonde went in, or auburn, etc. Does everyone who books in for a full head of colour have one colour choice to choose?

I have medium brown roots and a light balayage on the ends, that I paid for at the same salon in feb. I will attach a picture of what colour I wanted to go, but I hadn't even mentioned this or shown a picture, so the stylist didn't know this to predict their wouldn't be enough time to do the colour of my choice, as soon as I walked in and she said dark brown or nothing.

I said I didn't want to go dark brown all over, so she suggested a toner to brighten up the balayage. I told her I thought it was quite brassy last time so didn't like it. I agreed to the toner as I had just traveled there for nothing otherwise. Whilst I had the toner on, I was informed I didn't add on a cut or blow dry to the booking system, so I wouldn't be able to have my hair dried. I said I didn't realise, also we were less than an hour in to my apt, and the booking system said it would be 1hr 30, so how couldn't there be time to trim and dry it?

After they washed off the toner, they asked the appreciate/ Juniour to blast it dry, no blow drying style was used, she literally just blasted it how I would at home, it was all frizzy and static/ bushy looking. The colour also looked exactly the same, and the toner had made no difference.

I spoke to the manager, who said she used the same toner as last time (not sure why, when I said last time I found it brassy, which is why I wanted to change the colour today) and the manager seemed pissed off/ unhelpful. Told me if I wanted anything further/ a cut I would have to sit and wait half an hour or so.

i left feeling quite disappointed and was charged £70, for the hair to be left all frizzy and blasted dry by the Juniour, not blow dried properly by one of the stylists, I feel like I've been ripped off charging full price for that blow dry. And the toner that made 0 difference. My mum and partner have asked me what I had done as my hair looks exactly the same as before I went in. AIBU to feel like they've taken the piss? My usual stylist who did the toner, was also colouring another ladies hair at the same time too. Pic of the colour i originally booked in to go attached below.

To think colours should come with a blow dry?
OP posts:
GoingRoundThatBlockAgain · 02/10/2024 15:24

My salon’s online booking lists various colouring options and on every page it says that a blow dry must be booked with every colour. (And therefore paid for additionally.)

I would expect to have it dried so that we can see the real final colour but yeah, it’s not clear if your place didn’t list it as ‘extra but compulsory’.

I’d be going elsewhere after your experience, though.

BabyR · 02/10/2024 15:24

They sound awful in all honesty. Their take it or leave it attitude would have had me leaving the salon but to blast your hair is ridiculous. I don’t know how they get a repeat customer behaving like that.

My hairdresser never rushes her clients hair and a blow dry and cut is always included. I’ve noticed a lot of salons (that are always begging for customers on social media…) charge an extra £35 for the blow dry.

Original poster
PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 15:17

@JudgeBurrito why was I a nightmare customer? She said she didn't have time to colour my hair anything but dark brown from the get go, so I agreed to a £35 toner I didn't want. & had my hair blasted dry for £40 charge without complaining (would of rather left with it wet, had I knew she was going to rough dry it) I can't see how I've been a nightmare here.

OP posts:
Hallelujahchorus · 02/10/2024 15:06

Some PP are prob using salons (mostly in London in my experience) where they have long since charged blowdries separately. It’s because blowdries have become such a Thing (my friend pays £75 at least a week JUST on a blowdry!), but it’s also a bit of a scam and a pain and I’m so glad I don’t live there anymore! Some salons do it well (Hershesons used to be quite chilled out and provide hairdryers to do your own, my hairdresser once complimented my own drying skills!)

It is totally normal everywhere else to get your blowdry included as customers would vote with their feet otherwise.

Some salons can be arseholes, refuse to let you leave with wet hair then charge you for the frizzy crap blast. I have also refused to pay for this in Toni and guy Angel.

Completelyjo · 02/10/2024 15:04

5/6 years ago you never paid more for a blow dry after a full colour!

Its a post covid thing and so cheeky imo, you can’t even see the work properly if it hasn’t been dried and smoothed.

sorrythetruthhurts · 02/10/2024 15:03

I pay £120 for everything, nothing is too much trouble, and I'm there for ages, so I guess you're going to a budget place where they're using juniors. I specifically went in to ask the first time though, as I didn't know what I needed and so they could see my hair and make suggestions in person and I could see how good they were and much they cared before I booked.

I can't imagine paying as little as £60 for colour, I'd pay my boyfriend that to do it for me at home!

Beautiful3 · 02/10/2024 15:03

That's terrible. I think they're greedy and ripped you off. Take a photo of what your hair looks like, and email the manager. I'd leave bad reviews too. Don't bother going back again.

Silvers11 · 02/10/2024 15:02

When I book in for my hair colour it's listed as a cut, colour and blow dry. Never had a problem. Sometimes I just get my roots done or I may get some highlights done at the same time. That is decided on the day. Never had an issue

JudgeBurrito · 02/10/2024 15:00

I love my hairdresser, but I did find the online booking system confusing at first. You book a colour service (highlights or full head colour or balayage) and then an add-on service (cut and blowdry for the relevant colour service). It's so they know how much time to schedule for you. It sounds like you booked last minute, didn't fully understand what you were booking, and were unfortunately a bit of a nightmare customer. BUT the salon should have dealt with it better, it sounds like it's time to find a new one.

You won't be the only one, my hairdresser has multiple statements on the website about booking the add-on service, and often has instagram stories saying the same. If you're not sure what to book online it's easier to phone.

Ezzee · 02/10/2024 14:56

Does it fuck take 45 minutes to apply colour, if it does then they are just faffing!

MidnightMeltdown · 02/10/2024 14:54

It sounds like you've been ripped off. A toner shouldn't cost £70!!

I would usually book a toner as an add on when getting my hair cut and it costs around £30 max.

If booking something different to usual then you are best off calling the salon to make an appointment, and explaining what you want over the phone so that they can book the appropriate amount of time.

Personally, I would always go for a consultation with the hairdresser before booking an appointment for a colour that I hadn't had before at that salon. Not all colours as possible for all people, particularly if you already have colour in your hair.

Anoisagusaris · 02/10/2024 14:54

Always get a blow dry with a colour….and that’s been in different salons. I’m in Ireland though. My current hairdressers will even do a curly blow dry if you want.

Catza · 02/10/2024 14:54

PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 14:27

No, I did say to the manager i wasn't happy and my hair didn't look how it usually looks/ it looks no different to how I walked in but didn't get much of a response. He just said I should have toned it darker then, and the stylist used the same toner as I had last time (despite me saying i didn't like the last one it was brassy) and wasn't shown a choice of toning colours, she just said she would brighten it up, but it doesn't look any different.
They did go in to the back where they mix up the colours and whisper, so I felt uncomfortable and paid and left. But I do feel I've been ripped off a little, and was wondering whether to write a bad review, which is why I asked on here if IABU, as I'm happy to write it off if I am.

Show quote history

I wouldn't bother with a review, that's not going to help you in any way. I would suggest writing to the salon in a very factual way.

  1. The hairdresser did not carry out a consultation prior to the colour service.
  2. The hairdresser said she didn't have time to do the service before you even mentioned what you were after which is inconsiderate and left you with no choice but to agree to a treatment plan.
  3. You mentioned to the hairdresser that you didn't like the last toner yet, the manager later confirmed the exact same colour formula was used.
  4. You were charged for a blow dry but only received rough dry.
  5. You would like to be offered a colour correction free of charge/refund of the service/partial refund for the blowrdy
Remain polite but firm. Avoid "beefing up" your complaint by making personal comments about staff - this is often not helpful and distracts from the real issue. Good luck x
hydriotaphia · 02/10/2024 14:51

It's pretty normal to charge extra for the blow dry after colour in my experience and it's also normal for the hairdresser to see another client after the colour is on and before it is washed off. However, the salon sounds horrible. You don't like the colour even though you complained about the toner and the blow dry was rubbish. I'd change hairdressers.

Itsallabouttea · 02/10/2024 14:50

Forty quid for someone to point a hairdryer at your head! This is why I cut my own hair

SisterAgatha · 02/10/2024 14:42

Oh god all these replies are making me so pleased I found my hairdresser.

she does whatever I tell her. I get bleach, toner sometimes two, a cut and blow dry, and she styles it, everytime, and I’m in London. Always for around the same price. Yours is one of those book online type salons I’m guessing? I just ask WhatsApp her to ask what day she has free and tell her what I want, she tells me what day she has.

VenusClapTrap · 02/10/2024 14:41

vote with your feet.

Original poster
PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 14:33

@ImthatBoleyngirl that's what they usually do, I might send the manager an email. They normally say are you having a curly blow today etc. but they just asked the new apprentice to blast it dry for me today, and then charged me full price for it.

OP posts:
ImthatBoleyngirl · 02/10/2024 14:32

At my hairdressers, you pick the finish you want. A blast dry is free, and a blow dry is about £30. Years ago it used to be included, but not anymore

Original poster
PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 14:32

@HowNowBrownCow2 thank you, this is what I was expecting too. She didn't say "what do you want today?" Or anything as soon as she put the cape on, she said are you going dark brown all over as that's all I have time for? So I felt a bit obliged to do what was quickest from the get go.

OP posts:
HowNowBrownCow2 · 02/10/2024 14:28

I've never encountered a hairdressers where you have to add on a BD at the time of booking? That's weird.

I think the hairdresser was rude from the offset. She didn't need to tell you what she had time for until she asked you what you were expecting from the appointment and then could tell whether or not it was doable.

In the place I go the hairdresser will have a quick chat about what you're in for and then maybe say ok well you've only booked for X so I can't do all of that today or well you've not booked in for all of that so I can add it on and it'll be X amount extra.

I'd find a different salon.

Original poster
PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 14:27

Catza · 02/10/2024 14:24

Did you challenge that when paying? I would

Show quote history

No, I did say to the manager i wasn't happy and my hair didn't look how it usually looks/ it looks no different to how I walked in but didn't get much of a response. He just said I should have toned it darker then, and the stylist used the same toner as I had last time (despite me saying i didn't like the last one it was brassy) and wasn't shown a choice of toning colours, she just said she would brighten it up, but it doesn't look any different.
They did go in to the back where they mix up the colours and whisper, so I felt uncomfortable and paid and left. But I do feel I've been ripped off a little, and was wondering whether to write a bad review, which is why I asked on here if IABU, as I'm happy to write it off if I am.

OP posts:
DoTheDinosaurStomp · 02/10/2024 14:26

I've never not heard of a blow dry not being automatically included in a service. And I've been to quite a few hairdressers in different cities/countries.

Catza · 02/10/2024 14:24

PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 14:23

I was charged £40 for the blow dry. She just held the dryer and blasted it dry. It wasn't how they usually do it. It was all frizzy as she never held the dryer to the brush like they usually do.

Show quote history

Did you challenge that when paying? I would

Original poster
PumpkinSpiceSzn · 02/10/2024 14:23

Catza · 02/10/2024 14:19

Because 1,5h appointment includes 45min colour application and 45 minutes colour processing when you are reading a magazine and your hairdresser is seeing another client. I already explained that. I am not sure why your toner took an hour but if it did, your hairdresser was already running 15min behind for her next client.
There seems to be a massive miscommunication issue from all parties. And were you charged for a full blowdry or just a rough dry (under £20 normally)?

Show quote history

I was charged £40 for the blow dry. She just held the dryer and blasted it dry. It wasn't how they usually do it. It was all frizzy as she never held the dryer to the brush like they usually do.

OP posts: