Hairdresser terminology

[Plsdiscuss]

Today I was in the hairdresser for 5 hours. I showed them a picture of me with the haircut and colour I wanted to walk out of the salon with.

The hairdresser got the dark base colour and my light highlight colours the wrong way round. So that needed rectifying. 5 hours in total.

Her way of explaining the mistake was to say that she asked me about a half head, and I said yes (after asking her to explain what that was). If I wanted a t bar, and I said yes (after asking her to explain what it was) and several other terms that I can't remember.

During the highlight application, she was talking about how she hoped the top colour wouldn't change the base too much ... She explained after the mistake that was her talking about putting the highlight colour on existing highlights and I should have said something then.

During the base colour application she said a few times that she hoped the colour would take, as it might not as the base was so dark...she explained after her mistake that was her telling me that she was lightening my base colour and I should have said something then.

I'm not the expert. I didn't know that's what was happening. I don't know, or retain, hairdresser terminology. They're the experts, not me. I don't understand their language.

I took a photo to show exactly what I wanted done because I know I don't know hairdresser terminology. Is it just me?

YABU - yes, you should know the technical terms for the haircut you want and should be using them with the hairdresser.

YABU - you're paying for a service from an expert. They should guide you through the process assuming you don't know the terminology.

She doesn’t sound very good at explaining things clearly to her customers. I don’t have the first clue about highlights and all that stuff. If I showed a hairdresser the photo of what I’d like to achieve I’d expect them to go through it with me. Maybe she expects that most people google these things, but that’s not the same as actually having a professional right there explaining what you need done.

You're not wrong. I don't know what an ash tone or a warm tone looks like and which I want. I don't know what a root fade is. I have no idea what's happening in the hairdressers half the time, it’s so confusing.

She made a complete cock up and is now trying to blame you to save face. Why did she ask you about a half head and a t-bar? Those are generally alternatives, you don't get both? Mixing up the colours sounds like a ridiculous mistake for a hairdresser to make.

T bar highlights are usually vs half head. What on earth?

You’re not being unreasonable but she is. How did she stuff that up so bad? A T bar is literally just a few highlights on the top. A half head is a half head of foils and a full head is done if you want to be super blonde. It’s usually done twice a year with a half head in between to maintain.

sounds as though she messed up badly and instead of apologizing profusely she is trying to lay the blame at your door for not correcting her mid treatment

I got extensions before Christmas (700 quid) and the girl did the wrong colour match and botched the cut.

when I complained she said that it was my fault for not having my colour done more regularly and if I had been maintaining my highlights the colour match would be perfect.

the cut apparently looks good when styled with a blowdry or a ghd.

I just said back that first of all I had my highlights done directly before application and she should have done an accurate colour consultation to order the hair.
and secondly, the extensions shouldn’t need extensive styling to not look butchered.

she was full of apologies then but was very reluctant at first to accept that she messed up.

YANBU. I have no idea about terminology, and I struggle to explain what I want with my hair so need it explaining clearly and simply with crayons if necessary!

Im a hairdresser, she sounds clueless,
Did you have a consultation first before the colour appointment?
I never expect clients to know the terminology, why would you ?

Next time make sure you say what you normally have , so all over dark on the roots / ends and blonde highlights and show the picture
Those words are enough
It’s a really bad mistake though , they should refund you
We all make mistakes, but this is epic

Also the fact she was telling you she hoped it would work is a red flag
I sometimes hope something works , but you’d never know it !
Always make sure in future you have a thorough consultation on a previous day , this should be free
This means that the stylist has a plan ready for your appointment and will avoid this