To be upset about this hair?

[thisisalot]

I’ve had beautiful (in my opinion) blonde balayage hair for the last 3 years. My hairdresser is very talented at blonde, but I decided I wanted copper for autumn. I showed her a picture, and she put a toner on it which was nice enough, not quite what I wanted but fine. However after 2 washes it had faded to a dull light brown. I went in 2 weeks later to get something longer lasting on it, and I absolutely hate it 😭 it’s nothing like the picture, it’s flat, has really red tones rather than copper and it’s so dark!

AIBU to think this is way off the mark?

I don’t think anyone can do colour successfully, mine is awful and the chin length layers are actually fringe length…awful

It doesn’t look like there’s balayage

The blonde one looks fab. (Sorry, no other advice.)

Aw OP, I wish I was you!

All look fine- obviously complain as the darker hair doesn't look like the example though.

I actually think the wavy hair one looks best. Though the now photo shows that your hairs had a battering with bleach and it's no wonder the colour won't stick. I'm not judging, mine is the same!

It’s all underneath the demi-permanent hair dye 😢

I’ve emailed the salon and the manager has replied saying they want me back in to fix it. It’ll be someone else as my usual stylist is on holiday (plus I don’t think she’d be able to after 2 attempts). Even if it doesn’t end up like the photo I wanted, as long as it’s more me. It’s already fading quite badly - my natural colour at the top is clinging on to the red and the blonde bits are fading and looking a lot more brown than the top. If I left it it would be a mess!

Thanks for the messages, I know some people won’t understand why I’m so bothered about hair. It wasn’t that I was devastated, just really disappointed, but feeling relieved that it will be addressed!

Feel your pain. been there! I had this so then they lightened my hair again to rectify which they advised wkd be ok, but left my hair really damaged & so looked even worse & takes ages to grow out. Just check whatever solution they offer they fully inform you of the impact it’ll have on your hair.,

Oh no… I’m not able to go in until late next week so I’m going to shampoo it as much as I can to try and get this colour off. Hopefully that will make it easier to correct 🤞🏼

I think your new colour suits you as now looks healthy and glossy compared with the blonde which seems too light/ash for your complexion. The end result is not what you were going for, but to go from cool light blonde to the darker warmer tones per the original pic in one go would be challenging. With your base colour now you are better placed to achieve it.

Yes I think you need to use colour depositing shampoo. Or sulfate free shampoo which doesn’t strip colour.

When did you get it done? For what it’s worth I have had mine copper for nearly 2 years now and I HATE it for the first week after the appt as it doesn’t suit me, washes me out and looks like one flat colour. After a week and a few washes it faces to the copper colour and multi toned colour I want.

BUT mine does look more like a dark red than yours - given how much blonde is underneath yours (mine is dyed over my natural mousy brow) I’d expect the copper to pop more and be brighter from the off.

I agree with a pp, they've used a semi rather than toner to address your longevity concerns and its taken sone of the dimension out because of the way your hair absorbed the colour. Glad you're going back in, make sure you have a proper chat to get a balanced view on what to do next.

Just a word of warning on your original "wish" picture though, its the ringlight used that really brings out the brightness/shine/depth so even the actual hair of that model won't look like that. If you can get an example pic pf someone out in natural daylight it will help the hairdresser and set expectations more easily

Ohh I love you in blonde 😍

In my totally inexpert(!!) opinion, it’s very flat and lacking dimension but it’s also too harsh and warm for your complexion. The lighter copper wasn’t as stark but still too warm for your skin tone. I think you look so lovely blonde though - it really lifts your face.

I went from blonde to copper a few years ago and although it faded quickly, the undertones lasted for so long that my stylist had to mitigate unholy levels of brassiness whenever I had my hair coloured for a couple of years afterwards. So if you decide to go back lighter just be aware that it could be a long process! Although, I’d hope your stylist would’ve explained that to you before going in with permanent colour.

I think the contrast is too harsh with my skin tone. I do agree with most that the blonde was too light, I’d been attempting to warm that up as well but it always ended up the same. I think something in between the harsh red and the cool blonde will be just right. I’m aware that the picture might be unrealistic, I didn’t expect it to look exactly like that but it was an inspiration. I really don’t like the really red tones, I think it’s more auburn than copper. As soon as I had the toner done (she put a stain on it and toned it twice), and even the bits that are now lightening up, there was no vivid copper colour I had in mind coming through. I also expected some dimension to come through from the balayage underneath to break it up a bit.

I think at this point I’ll be happy with getting the red out and getting something quite neutral and chalking it up to a bad experience. Then I’ll find a new hairdresser!

Buy Head and Shoulders shampoo and leave it in your hair for a while before rinsing out - it strips colour well.

As they have offered another stylist, try and get the most experienced person to correct it. Perhaps the manager.

The key issues here are that your previous stylist didn’t choose the right colours; I’m not sure if you requested these shades or if she did. She also didn’t anticipate your hair taking to the permanent colour too quickly, so therefore didn’t in advance do much to prevent your hair turning out like this. For example washing it out earlier, or using a lighter colour. I think she basically couldn’t be bothered.

Well I think you look very cute whatever the hair colour!
See it as an opportunity to buy new tops and make-up.

I think you hair looks nice - you should see mine 🤣

It’s difficult to remove red tones from hair. If you want them to remove the red, it will likely cause more damage/breakage and ruin the integrity of your hair.

could you work with the red instead to get to the original hair you wanted? returning to blonde in the future will give your hair a break.

Ultimately now that you’ve had your hair coloured a few times in short proximity, you also need to consider the condition of your hair should you lighten it now. You’re not starting with the same base as before unfortunately.

I don't really understand how it's gone from balayage with copper tones over it to all one colour.

Me neither!

In all honesty I don't think it looks that bad though I understand why you're not happy. The pic with it straight makes it look worse.
It's good that they're sorting it but be wary of washing it loads between now and going in as that doesn't do hair any favours.

It doesn’t look like the picture that you gave the hairdresser, however I think it’s typical for those copper tones to wash out really easily. I assume that when you went back and asked for something more permanent, she put a permanent colour over the top, rather than a toner, which is why it looks dark.

If it was photo 3, I’d be delighted in your shoes. Photo 1, not so much.