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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

High end hair salon frazzled my hair :(

90 replies

stiltonontoast · 14/10/2018 09:02

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.

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 15/10/2018 20:33

Jesus. Have the treatment and then never go back.

Absolute blame-shifting bull-shitters.

Name and shame?

ThistleAmore · 15/10/2018 20:37

Cringe-inducing as I know it sounds, you MUST go back in and complain.

My mother is a former hairdresser (used to own a chain of salons) and she STILL goes over my hair when I've had it cut, muttering about scissor marks and telling me to go back and complain (I'm nearly 40...).

Just because a salon is 'high-end', it doesn't mean that their technicians are any good. The lesson here is to find a GOOD hairdresser and stick with them, no matter where they are.

bringbacksideburns · 15/10/2018 20:41

When you go in ask to see the Manager. Don't be fobbed off.
You paid a small fortune! I know it was a treat but do people really pay such ridiculous prices regularly?! To have a bad haircut?

Mention she nipped your ear too and didn't even apologise ( if I've got that right) and your hair has been in awful condition since and also that you haven't even dried it, it was so frazzled.
I'd add that you don't think one deep conditioning treatment will be enough and you would like some sort of refund.

Then I'd stock up on Argan Oil!

Original poster
stiltonontoast · 16/10/2018 09:30

Thanks for everyones input! I've had a long think about the whole situation and sent this message to the salon -

*Hi Guys,

As you know I originally came in Thursday last week for baby lights and cut with *. Initially I was very pleased with results but on closer inspection at home was very upset to realise my hair was severely damaged by the colour process.

Yesterday I came in and saw * (manager) who was helpful and suggested I come back this week Thursday for an olaplex treatment to try to fix the damage. I'm afraid this appointment is not going to work for me, I have an 8 month old baby who I had to put into childcare for my initial appointment and I simply cannot afford to do it again for the 'fixing' appointment.

I would ask please that instead you process a full refund for my original appointment with of £185. I have already left (salons name) a 4 review on google which I am willing to leave as is - as I was pleased with my cut overall - I do understand that these things can happen, however I have been left with very fragile, damaged hair and I'll need to spend a bit of money getting it back to how it was.

If you can process the refund back to my credit card your end, great. If not let me know if I need to come in for this to be done or if it can be done over the phone. Thank you.*

What do you think?

OP posts:
shelly0 · 16/10/2018 09:34

@stiltonontoast I wouldn't mention the 4 star review as that looks like you were happy with results, I would be a little more harsh, say you are devastated and never normally complain but you feel let down etc, I would say I saved a lot of money for the appointment to be left with worst conditioned hair than I started off x

AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy · 16/10/2018 10:27

No! That’s far too friendly. They’ve fucked up your Barnet! Something more like this...

*Thank you for offering a further treatment for the damage sustained during colour processing my hair. Under the circumstances, I feel this is not appropriate and would therefore ask for a full refund to cover the cost of my appointment. I am not confident in returning to the salon and have a schedule which does not allow me to have further treatments, at the present time.

I am not going to give a review as it would not be in any way favourable to your salon*

LizzieBennettDarcy · 16/10/2018 10:39

I actually think you are better off making them fix it, to be honest. Refunds are really tough to get from a hairdresser, and I'd personally want a good cut to get rid of the damage, products to use at home and a very deep conditioning treatment in the salon.

Don't let them off the hook by getting a refund and going to someone else to sort it.

Original poster
stiltonontoast · 16/10/2018 10:49

I've got a refund now.

I cba with the fuss of dragging it all through the mud to be honest, now I have my money back I'd rather just sort it at home - as I always have!

OP posts:
LizzieBennettDarcy · 16/10/2018 10:56

You can buy Olaplex online, from sites like Allbeauty.com and feelunique.com. I use it on my coloured hair once a month and it really does help strength it. Or try Phillip Kingsley elasticiser treatment, that is really strengthening too. They're both around £25 but worth it.

Original poster
stiltonontoast · 16/10/2018 11:10

Thanks @LizzieBennettDarcy ! I've ordered some of the Phillip Kingsley stuff.

Now my next question... I need a good shampoo / conditioner that I can buy from boots!

Any ideas?

OP posts:
LizzieBennettDarcy · 16/10/2018 11:27

Frizz Ease is very good at masking damage Grin

shelly0 · 16/10/2018 12:16

@stiltonontoast does it have to be from boots...
my mum put pure bleach on my head when I was 14 and my hair was absolute straw completely broken and the only thing that helped was bed head Resurrection shampoo & condition (red bottle) on amazon around £15 I believe. Brilliant stuff

shelly0 · 16/10/2018 12:17

They are massive 750ml bottles will last ages, worth every penny x

Youaremysunshine2017 · 16/10/2018 12:28

I had a similar experience to you. Do you think she may have not rinsed the bleach off properly? I had lots of highlights and really thick hair and this happened to me. The stylists went on to cut dry and style it and the following day my hair was really frazzled and smelt burnt because the bleach was essentially still processing!

Go on lookfantastic.com. They have all the top brand shampoos and conditioners, slightly cheaper than buying them elsewhere. It's free delivery and it's really fast (as in next day). If I were you, I'd get some kerastase oleo relax serum and use it before you blow dry. I've used this for years now and am a serial bleacher! It keeps my hair in good nick.

Original poster
stiltonontoast · 16/10/2018 12:40

Perhaps @Youaremysunshine2017 ! I hadn't thought of that. It seems crazy because I've bleached my hair tons at home in the past (sometimes 3 or 4 times in a day) and I know exactly what it can take - its never been this damaged even once before when it was breaking at the ends, it wasn't frazzly and dry.

Thank you @shelly0 I was just thinking I could pick something up for it today during my lunch break, theres a big boots near here. I'll perhaps order the bedhead as well though!

OP posts:
longtompot · 16/10/2018 15:36

After I had mine dyed at the hairdressers for the first time ever (I am a at home box dyer like yourself OP) the only conditioner that would allow me to run the comb through was Organix Argan oil conditioner (thisstuff) www.ogxbeauty.com/shop/argan-oil-of-morocco/conditioner/ I used the shampoo as well as the serum, and they all smell lovely and seem to work well.

Well done on getting your money back. Much easier for all round.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 16/10/2018 16:57

Well done for getting the refund.

I can’t help on products as all I use is Phillip Kingsley as my hair loves that stuff. Hope your hair gets better and so sorry your treat ended up this way!

3luckystars · 16/10/2018 17:19

Well done for getting the refund.

The first time I got olaplex my hair looked worse! But the next time was much better. Hopefully the same thing will happen and your hair will grow quickly.

dawnacorns · 16/10/2018 17:28

Well done getting a refund. I've found pureology hydrate (shampoo & conditioner) good, although £££

ApproachingATunnel · 16/10/2018 17:59

God this brings bad memories for me- i was getting highlights earlier in the year, first time in my life and the hairdresser fucked it up completely. I then got sworn and threatened when i demanded my money back (i did get it back though).

I would go back in, demand to speak to owner/manager and explain that you was offered Olaplex treatment but on second thoughts dont think that will be enough- presumably you will need a new cut too? Dont speak to ‘a girl’, you need the manager. Suggest you will put before and after on social media, are they happy with it?
They need to either fix it or you get your £185 back (as you will need to fix it elsewhere)

April2020mom · 16/10/2018 18:07

Definitely give them a call. Ask to talk to the manager. Insist on prompt action being taken here. Can you ask politely if you can get a refund for damage to your hair or not? Or you could always write a letter of complaint to the salon. What salon was this? Irregardless it’s in their best interests to resolve this problem swiftly and immediately.

ToadOfSadness · 16/10/2018 18:19

Mane n Tail is good and there are several types. If you can find anything in Boots you will be very lucky, ours is a shambles.

I used to have Kerastase treatments not sure if that is still available. Coconut oil for conditioning maybe?

Youaremysunshine2017 · 16/10/2018 18:48

Sounds as though that's likely to have happened! Get a decent treatment and a serum to put on whilst it's wet. X

heckythump01 · 16/10/2018 18:53

just read your thread...........kerestase resistance range is defo your friend.

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