High end hair salon frazzled my hair :(

[stiltonontoast]

So in the city I work in theres this high end, highly recommended hair salon. Its V posh and fancy and I've aways wanted to go there. Reviews are excellent and they always post amazing before/after photos on instagram.

Usually I use box dyes and cut my own hair (the horror!) so when I got a bonus at work I thought y know what I'm gonna treat myself! I had a baby 8 months ago so my hair is in need of a bit of tlc. Its basically grown out very light blonde that I did myself, a bit dry - but I have very strong, thick hair.

Appointment went fine, the girl who cut my hair was fairly new to the salon and she was pretty quiet - which I was ok with as I find the salon 'chat' a bit annoying sometimes. She asked me lots about what I wanted and seemed to know her stuff. We decided on 'babylights' to blend my natural roots with very light ends, she suggested we add Olaplex to ensure damage was minimal - fine. All went fine with the dye. Then came the cut, I have an undercut and she decided to trim this back using scissors and comb (I usually get my husband to shave it!) she was working quickly and at one point she cut the very edge of my ear with the scissors - I jumped and so did she - she stared at my ear for a second and I stared at her and then she carried on. I deliberated saying something but the pain went away instantly and there was no blood - plus I was happy with the way my hair was going so I thought I'd leave it.

To finish the style she asked if she could use a wand on my hair to create loose waves. I said go for it - usually I just let my hair air dry. I noticed lots of steam coming off the hair while she was doing this but thought nothing of it. My hair was complete - and it looked amazing! I walked out of the salon feeling great. My hair felt soft and lovely too.

Once I got home I just kept smelling this weird smell, like chemicals and burning, DH even noticed it. Suddenly it occurred to me - it was my hair! It smelled burnt. Weird.

Today I washed my hair for the first time since the salon and let it air dry - I am mortified, my hair is frazzled! Like the strands that were dyed look crispy and damaged all the way up - Its dry and breaking off and it STILL smells burnt. Its in much worse condition than before I went despite having 2" cut off the ends. I don't think its even chemical damage - I think its heat damage! Is this a thing? Should she have made sure my hair was dryer before using the wand? I assumed it was some kind of steam wand.

I paid £185 for my cut + colour and I was expecting great things. AIBU here? should I complain? I am not usually the complaining type but I can't help but feel so disappointed with the results.

Because you were new to the salon you got the trainee hairdresser. Phone up and complain and say you want the manager to see your hair and then also make an appointment to get it fixed free of charge. Be ballsy this is their fault.

Wands and straighteners should never ever ever be used in wet or damp hair. It is extremely damaging. I would raise hell.

Thanks everyone. I am going back in today to let them have a look.

A big chunk of hair broke off earlier (prob 10 or so strands) so that was the final straw for me.

The more I look at it the more I'm convinced its heat damage, the hair looks fried, its all rough and kinked up.

40 mins is too long to apply highlights and 40 mins development time is ridiculous. I bet ypur hair is like chewing gum - elastic then just snaps.

Good luck!

Really hope that they’re remorseful and give you a proper apology x

@MorningsEleven I think it was too long too. The worst bits are underneath and thats where it was applied first.

I've bleached my hair for years so I know what it can handle and its definitely not chewing gum stage but it sure is brittle.

Good for you returning. If they have damaged your hair, then they will need to offer some kind of repair works for it.

I worked in a well known salon for years. I am not a hairdresser but I worked reception there. People do get bad work done at times and things go wrong at times too. I remember one case where a box dye was not correctly stripped before another colour applied in salon. It is the salons responsibilty to check your hair before applying product to see that it is strong enough so please don't be brushed off because you have used box dyes.
In that case, the customer was given a weekly conditioning treatement and blowdry free of cost (of course) and I would hope they would make amends to do similar for you

Well I hope they have some wonder treatment there for you or demand a refund!
That is not normal.
When I have root touch up she takes about 15 mins to apply and it's for 30. 45 minutes - you had almost double that!
Good luck!

definitely burned. Olaplex is pretty good at reducing damage and has saved my hair. go back now!

That's really bad form for the hairdressers!

I hope they managed to sort you out with a good conditioning treatment.

Ok so they said it wasn't heat 'burnt' as apparently the whole salon would smell burnt...

so they tried to fob me off asking what shampoo I used etc. I said I usually use aussie (not an expensive shampoo person!) and she tried to tell me I'd need better shampoo for blonde hair... which is besides the point because I haven't even washed it since my appointment. The girl admitted my hair felt very dry and I told her it was fine before.

She went downstairs and I could hear her whispering to other hairdressers and then she came back and offered a full Olaplex conditioning session on Thursday. I've said I'll take it. fair enough do you think?

Did they use a climazone on you?

In you op you said you washed it, so you have washed it since your appointment.
I had a full head dye for the first time at my hairdressers earlier this year and it still feels crispy. I suspect this is due to it being desperate for a cut but not been able to afford it until now. I am using deep conditioner treatments, but I am using my usual teatree oil shampoo.

That’s not great. I’d ask to speak to the manager/owner/person in charge not “the girl”.

My colour was messed up last year and the salon owner took one look at it when I went in and gave me a full refund. Various treatments were prescribed and given as complementary. It took 12 months+ to sort out.

You are being fobbed off. Do you have any recent photos showing how different your hair was before the disaster. Take them in to the manager. If it’s really that bad, she won’t be able to argue with a refund. I’d contact Groupon too. Leave an appropriately poor review.

You need a full refund on top of everything!

Long can I just say, I was advised Tea Tree was very drying. Don’t mean to interfere 😊

I hate the idea that they tried to blame whatever shampoo you've used - a full refund should be given .

I’d demand a full refund and if the treatment doesn’t work I’d want another stylist to trim off the unsalvageable bits

Have you actually spoken to the manager or just the trainee newbie who did your hair?

Aussie is good shampoo!
Did they say anything at the original appointment about aftercare and "special" shampoo?
I would accept the conditioning treatment but I would also be after at least a partial refund.
You should not be expected to pay for a treatment which damages your hair so badly that it breaks

@AuntieJackiesBrothersSistersBoy (could you have a longer user name ) I know, and I try not to all the time. It is also a Lidl one, so not strong. I have also been using argan oil shampoo but they make my hair close to my scalp greasy. I really should put coconut oil on the ends before washing and see if that helps.
I would love to be able to buy the shapoos etc from the hairdressers as they usually smell amazing, but just can't justify the cost. Plus, my kids would use it and then they would last even less time!

This happened. I get highlights but my normal and lovely hairdresser used too much bleach for too long. My hair starting breaking and the condition was shocking. She gave me an in salon Olaplex treatment. It helped a bit but my hair was shot for months. So one treatment ain't going to fix it- they should be offering you more than that and your money back. I'd take the blaming your shampoo really badly.

I let my hairdresser away with it because I knew her well and there were extenuating circumstances but if it was new salon I'd kick up a huge stink.

I eventually started fixing it myself. Hola Coco mask and Bleach (the brand) Reincarnation treatment are both excellent. I use the Hola Coco as my conditioner.

They’re fobbing you off. Please don’t accept just this one treatment, it sounds as though you need more doing than that - and a refund!

I don't agree that Aussie is good shampoo. It leaves a residue on my hair, makes it dull and batches vary. It also makes my head itch. I contacted Aussie and then stopped buying it. It used to be good, some years ago.

Mane and Tail is much better.

I have had some crap hairdressers over the years, too many, even in the 'top' salons, they look at each other and don't say anything, look at you and don't say anything, that is when you know they know it is a cock up. I would be asking for a full refund and treatments, go public if you don't get it.

I am wondering if the hairdresser was experienced as it doesn't seem as if she knew what to do.

Another to say that Aussie isn't good. Bought some on holiday and left hair feeling like straw when it really isn't like that.

If your hair is snapping off then they have damaged it beyond repair I suspect.

A treatment won't do much good especially as you said they've already done that.

I'd phone tomorrow and ask to speak to the owner and say you've looked into it and you would like a full refund

I would then use that money to go to a trusted salon and ask their advice. It may well be treatments but more than likely just having to wait and cut.