To think this about my new hair....

Ilovechocolate87 · 2023-09-18T09:40:56+00:00

Had my hair coloured at the weekend. First time my hairdresser has coloured it. I am really pleased with how the bottom of it looks, but AIBU to think that the top of my head shouldn't look like this? My husband even agreed it looks like weeks of root growth :-/ Feel like the highlights should have gone over the top of my head right upto the parting? Pics online show that too (have attached one below alongside the first one, which is mine) but i'm no expert....get on really well with my hairdresser so don't want to offend or insult her, but equally want to get it sorted if it isn't how it should be....I also can't pull my hair back from the front to tie it up as there is a block of dark at the front, then block of blonde bits at the back so looks strange.

Kfjsjdbd · 18/09/2023 10:42

The pictures from Pinterest look terrible, really unnatural. I would not want that on my hair.

But if you get on well with your hairdresser just ask her nicely what the reason was she didn’t go the full way up?

sodthesodoff · 18/09/2023 10:53

Yeah I agree the Pinterest photos are very unnatural. If I were your hairdresser I'd be triple checking that's what you really wanted.

But having said that none of them have a massive block of root. So I would go back and ask why and just say that, it looks like it's massively grown out already.

Redlarge · 18/09/2023 10:54

No.its terrible. It needs toning and a root shadow shes just banged bleach on randomly. Go back love x

Original poster

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 10:55

Yeah I'm not saying I would want it to look like that photo exactly, I was just using it as a demonstration of pictures I had found showing the highlights going right upto the parting.
I can ask her, but just wanted to make sure it was definitely how it should have been done first, as being the first time I've had my hair coloured properly I don't have a clue! It was done using foils if that is relevant.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 10:57

sodthesodoff · 18/09/2023 10:53

Yeah I agree the Pinterest photos are very unnatural. If I were your hairdresser I'd be triple checking that's what you really wanted.

But having said that none of them have a massive block of root. So I would go back and ask why and just say that, it looks like it's massively grown out already.

I didn't want anything like the Pinterest pics, was just using them as an example of how I thought it would be highlighted right upto the root.

OP posts:

alloverfhem · 18/09/2023 10:58

Can you post a picture from the side ? It looks like they tried to do more of a balayage, rather than highlights ( which go to the root ).

sodthesodoff · 18/09/2023 11:00

@Ilovechocolate87 if you don't want anything like the pictures I wouldn't have shown them to her!!!

Surely you could find better pictures to illustrate what you wanted?!

But regardless. If you said you wanted it to the root (and those pictures clearly show that) she's not done that at all.

Jupiterbluesmoke · 18/09/2023 11:10

My input from a lifetime of highlights:
I think she was actually trying for a slightly more natural root effect. One technique is the start the highlights a bit further down and then smudge the starting point a little more. The idea is that you don't get a 'regrowth line', plus it's a slightly better mimic of how natural highlights develop. (Eg hair that's softly lightened by the sun tends to still be a bit darker at the roots)

However I agree that the execution isn't amazing here because she's left sort of a straight regrowth line anyway - that shouldn't be so even all the way round. It may be exaggerated because your highlight colour is quite a bit lighter than your hair.

If you want to have a friendly convo about adjusting it, I'd ask her to smudge the roots a bit more - bring some of the lighter strands up in places, particularly the front. Maybe a few pieces of intermediate colour scattered through would help to blend it all together too? She won't feel like the whole thing is a disaster then, it's just asking her to finesse what she's already done :)

Good luck!

MegaManic · 18/09/2023 11:21

This looks like balyage - did you definitely ask for highlights? Not questioning you but they are really low so either he/she is a really bad hairdresser or they misunderstood!

MegaManic · 18/09/2023 11:26

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 10:55

Yeah I'm not saying I would want it to look like that photo exactly, I was just using it as a demonstration of pictures I had found showing the highlights going right upto the parting.
I can ask her, but just wanted to make sure it was definitely how it should have been done first, as being the first time I've had my hair coloured properly I don't have a clue! It was done using foils if that is relevant.

balyage is done with foil too just lower down - did you get a receipt by any chance that says what you paid for?

Original poster

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 11:34

Here it is from the side.Yep was balyage- really like the bottom part :) Just the top I'm unsure about.She did use toner though x

OP posts:

alloverfhem · 18/09/2023 11:36

It's happened to me before I really understood what bayleage is. I also wanted highlights and then came out with these massive roots and my husband says it just looks like you need to get your hair done. From then I realised that I need to specifically ask for highlights.

Your hair doesn't look bad. Bayleage is more low maintenance than highlights and more natural looking.

Original poster

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 11:36

Just to clarify again, the photo of the highlights is NOT what I wanted, nor is it what I showed my hairdresser.I found it earlier today and attached it to this post literally just as an example of how I thought the highlighted parts usually go right up to the parting , that's all

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TenderDandelions · 18/09/2023 11:37

I know they don't always go all the way to your scalp, to protect your scalp from the dye, but if you just wanted regular highlights that is nowhere near close enough.

I just took a photo of the top of my head to compare, and I have less regrowth and I haven't had my colour done for 8 weeks!

Original poster

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 11:37

Jupiterbluesmoke · 18/09/2023 11:10

My input from a lifetime of highlights:
I think she was actually trying for a slightly more natural root effect. One technique is the start the highlights a bit further down and then smudge the starting point a little more. The idea is that you don't get a 'regrowth line', plus it's a slightly better mimic of how natural highlights develop. (Eg hair that's softly lightened by the sun tends to still be a bit darker at the roots)

However I agree that the execution isn't amazing here because she's left sort of a straight regrowth line anyway - that shouldn't be so even all the way round. It may be exaggerated because your highlight colour is quite a bit lighter than your hair.

If you want to have a friendly convo about adjusting it, I'd ask her to smudge the roots a bit more - bring some of the lighter strands up in places, particularly the front. Maybe a few pieces of intermediate colour scattered through would help to blend it all together too? She won't feel like the whole thing is a disaster then, it's just asking her to finesse what she's already done :)

Good luck!

Thankyou, your reply is really helpful 😊

OP posts:

Original poster

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 11:39

And yep it was balyage, just done with foils, so would that much dark on top be more normal for Balyage? Thanks...I'm so clueless 😅

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Bumcake · 18/09/2023 11:40

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 11:39

And yep it was balyage, just done with foils, so would that much dark on top be more normal for Balyage? Thanks...I'm so clueless 😅

You got balayage. Did you want put highlights? They are not the same!

Idunno8 · 18/09/2023 11:41

Mine is similar to this although more blended like PP’s said it’s called a root smudge balayage and is a popular way of blending and is alot less maintenance and more natural looking, generally. If you dont like it maybe suggest next time going darker higher up and lighter on the ends to stop it looking so obvious?

BranchGold · 18/09/2023 11:41

Yes, balayage is about colour bleeding from dark to lighter, although she has given you quite a harsh line which isn’t great as it then looks like grown out colour rather than intentional dimension of light and shade.

Bogbrushhair · 18/09/2023 11:44

It looks like she’s done balayage not highlights OP. But not a great job, as just looks like root regrowth instead of blended colour from dark to light.

Original poster

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 12:14

Yep did agree balyage with her, but did give her some say in the exact colours as to what she thought would work/look best, and she checked these beforehand with me beforehand.
I really like it in general, it's just the top, as I guess I just didn't realise about the significant gradient of darker to lighter with Balyage, and also thought that it would look abit more blended.But maybe I am better asking for highlights rather than balyage then next time, or to make the top less dark and blend the blonde in more from the top of my head rather than part way down.

OP posts:

sorbets · 18/09/2023 12:18

It’s balyage. Definitely go back OP.

CallieQ · 18/09/2023 12:26

I have a colour bath and highlights which seems to blend well

Bbq1 · 18/09/2023 12:30

Ilovechocolate87 · 18/09/2023 10:55

Yeah I'm not saying I would want it to look like that photo exactly, I was just using it as a demonstration of pictures I had found showing the highlights going right upto the parting.
I can ask her, but just wanted to make sure it was definitely how it should have been done first, as being the first time I've had my hair coloured properly I don't have a clue! It was done using foils if that is relevant.

To answer your question, Op, yes highlight go to the root. You definitely need to get nack in touch with your hairdresser

BreatheAndFocus · 18/09/2023 12:34

My friend has a very similar balayage and the hairdresser actually puts a darker dye on her roots to give the effect you’ve got. Yes, it does look quite harsh when first done. I actually asked my friend about it and she said it was supposed to be like that. But if you don’t like it, go back and see if she can soften the border between the very top and the rest.