To think my hair is nothing like I asked for and be crying about it?

[CrazyDogLady2022]

I changed my hair colour quite substantially today. I had a full head bleach/platinum blonde before and wanted something like the colour in the second photo shown. The first photo is what I have. I specifically mentioned that I didn’t want it to ‘just’ look highlighted and not frumpy.

it’s a big change and I know my hair is shorter than the picture, but I feel it doesn’t look anything like I asked for and I feel really upset about it and keep crying. Not least as I suspect the condition of my hair means it may not be possible to correct it.

I know I need to message the stylist. I feel awful as she is SO lovely. I’m also not sure I now trust her to correct it however.

AIBU? (I’m thinking it’s not like the photo and for crying like a wally)

This is weird logic though.

If I brought in a pic of a hair colour that was an edited pic and say that that is what I want then I don't expect them to match it to an unedited version.

Like if I brought in a pic of bright orange hair and said Can you make my hair this colour? and they say yes then they shouldn't give me an auburn colour and say that that's the colour in the picture except the pic had the brightness cranked up 😂

And if it came out a lot darker they wouldn't say "Just take a pic and turn the brightness up, you're welcome" 😂

The second pic is definetly brighter,I'd just ask her to do some more chunky hi-lights to brighten it up a bit.But otherwise,it it very similar and does look lovely though.

Wow, having seen the "before" photo I'm even more impressed with the hairdresser's skill.

Your hair genuinely looks lovely now.

I love your hair - cut & colour!

Seeing your “before” picture, I think she has done a fantastic job. It’s much nicer now.

I think Aylestone has nailed it. You are comparing apples and pears. Your hair looks good.

I see why you're disappointed, but I think your colour is really nice! Looks very similar to me, just the curls aren't styled in such a pronounced way and it's shorter at the back.

I once wanted a similar style (curled, and balayage but with red instead of blonde). I think it was the worst hairstyle I've had! The stylist curled it really badly - it looked like I'd got split ends and frizz everywhere, even though I have natural ringlets and just had it cut! - and the red colour started in a harsh horizontal line straight across my hair instead of being blended in. I found a different hairdresser.

Yours is a million times better than mine was!

Agree with others, if I walked out of a hairdressers with hair like yours I would be thrilled with it. It looks really lovely - I love the lightness of the tone. I actually prefer it to the second photo - which in others lighting would look very different and could verge on abrasive/brassy

The second photo is filtered - they have taken the natural light and enhanced it. Yours would look the same if filters were applied.

Honestly I think your hair looks beautiful - is is not easy to get a platinum and ashy tone like this.

You have the colour but there is less contrast. But it might actually work well with you. Do not despair.

it’s hard managing a customer’s expectations. Usually the model in the photo has not only her hair cut and coloured, she’s had a stylist tweak it to within an inch of its life to get the perfect shot. You can’t guarantee your hair is the same texture or the same start colour as the model. The the model picture wasn’t taken in a car. I used to hate being given “I want to look like this” pictures.

You are much better now !!!

The colour looks very similar, and although your hair is shorter maybe the texture wouldn't hold a tighter wave
The light makes a huge difference too
I'm sorry you're upset, but I think it's well cut and shaped

Looks very similar to me. In it looks nicer on you.

It's not like the photo, no. But I think your hair looks gorgeous and I much prefer it to your before photo.

I hope it's just the shock of having it drastically different and that you'll learn to love it

Your hair is also a different texture that the second photo -finer. I would question whether the second photo is also not extensions, it has the texture and thickness of extensions to me.

Unreasonable on a couple of fronts here.

1. Crying. What is there to cry about? You have a lovely hair. You haven't left the salon with a purple mullet, now, have you?
2. It may not have been possible to achieve the result on the picture to begin with depending on original hair colour, how well your hair lifts and, frankly, your budget (because some colouring treatments are more expensive than others). I would, however, expect an experienced stylist to discuss this in advance of the appointment.
3. Not discussing it with the stylist. However lovely she is she can't fix it unless you tell her. She wouldn't want to lose a client because they didn't give her an opportunity to fix the issue. No decent stylist is ever offended when customer asks for adjustment (I used to manage hairdressing salons so trust me when I say this)
4. The staged and airbrushed photo will never look the same as result in real life.

Honestly, it looks stunning, and pretty like the photo tbh.

I think this is due to hair texture being different. You have fine hair OP and any colour really looks different to other hair types. To achieve more light I think next time bigger sections of the base colour you’ve shown should be left.

I think your hair looks good. An instagram pic that may have extensions, lighting, editing etc will always be difficult to achieve and a big colour change will often take a number of colour services to get the full look.

Real life hair is never going to look like an instagram photo of a model in a wig/extensions with professional lighting, filters and editting.

Even the model's hair doesn't really look like the photo.

Your new hair looks great.

Hairdressers hate this type of inspo pic. It's been so edited that it's almost impossible to match and clients always end up disappointed. She should have managed your expectations though.

I much prefer yours...

I think it isn’t looking as chunky streaks because your hair is finer than the inspiration pic. You’ve obviously had a toner on it. I’d wait until you’ve washed it a few times, I reckon it will brighten up. Don’t use purple shampoo yet it won’t brighten up. Yes I’m a hairdresser. If you’re still not happy after a few washes speak to your hairdresser, it may need a little bit of lightening on the ends. Not much.

Yeah but OP’s hair is possibly the closest anyone will ever be able to get to that colour in the real world. No stylist can match something that’s been photoshopped.

I’m feeling the same tbh. It obviously the majority don’t agree.