Balayage is too blonde! How do I tone it down?

[PonderLand]

I went to get my hair done yesterday, I asked for a balayage and to keep it really subtle and sun-kissed. I've had it done there before about 2 years ago and loved the results, this time it's totally different! It's like they've dyed my whole hair different tones of light blonde! Possibly due to the toner? It really doesn't suit me.

Can I fix it at home without causing a disaster? Going back and complaining isn't an option as I'm too British, they spent 7 hours on my hair and it isn't a bad job I don't think but it isn't what I asked for.

Anyone?

You'll have to go back stop being daft.

Can you post a picture so we can see what you mean? You could use one of those blue toned shampoos to tone it down a bit, otherwise I always find my highlights calm down a bit after the first week and look more natural.

Picture?

You should go back if you aren't happy. I presume it cost you a fair bit of cash if you were there that long??

They can put a toner on it, it's easily fixed. Most salons would rather know if you're not completely happy.

7 hours to have a dye job? WTF?

The last photo is the kind of colour I wanted really subtle blondes and lighter tones of my own natural colour. I'm naturally a mousy brown colour and have dark eyebrows and dark brown eyes. The big chunks of blonde that are framing my face just look wrong. It also seems kind of brassy in certain lights? Is there a shampoo or anything that I can use or should I just go back? It cost £217!

I have really thick hair so that's why it took a long time. It took 4 hours to do the colour then another hour for it to develop then the wash, toner, cut and styling etc.

I actually think it looks really pretty! Maybe not what you wanted to hear (sorry!) but honestly I wouldn't panic

I think the first 2 look much better than the 3rd!

I hope these show it better. I actually like the first photo which is of my left side but the right side seems like too much blonde?

It looks really red/ginger compared to the colour you wanted.

I agree with the PP, it looks lovely on you. However, it’s what you think that’s important so if you’re unhappy, go back to the salon and they will sort it without any fuss. Please don’t try anything yourself.

It's not really balayage as your roots are as blonde as the rest. The last picture is more of an ash blonde where are yours is more of a golden blonde. I think it looks lovely but not really anything like what you asked for - I think I'd go back for £217 and tell them you're not happy.

I have to say though that I really like yours!

This is the kind of shampoo you need to tone it down

If you really don’t want to go back then purple shampoo will take the brassiness out of it and tone it to a more ashy shade. I use the fudge one (I order the huge bottle from amazon) but the silver one you can buy in any chemist is decent enough. If you do go back then they should just be able to put a darker toner on roots and smudge it down for a more obvious bayalage.

If it’s any consolation I think it’s lovely and the purple shampoo will definitely help.

I've rang the salon and they've booked me in tomorrow for a half n hour appt, so it should be quite an easy fix?
I've also ordered a light brown eyebrow tint online!

Please post the after pictures

@vjg13 I will I'm really hoping I like the results! Shall I just ask him to put more of the darker shade to break up the blondes around my face?

To be honest, It just looks like they made you blonde rather than a balayage. Balayage is freehand highlights, typically against darker roots so you have that contrast. You need a darker root stretch throughout your hair. The right side definitely looks more blonde, you don’t have much of the darker root compared to the left side so it’s uneven. It’s not bad, but it’s not what you wanted. It does also look quite warm toned instead of cool/ashy.

Also could you please link to the light brown brow tint?

@Hannnnnnnxo he did it freehand and used the cling film type sheets after each bit. He had it written down the colours that I had last year which I really loved. Could it be the toner that's caused this much blonde? They left it for 5 minutes but apart from that I don't know anything else about it. I agree it looks like an all over dye which is exactly what I didn't want due to roots and me only getting my hair done once per year!

Purple shampoo will save it for you, I used it too after a balayage gone wrong. I use the £3 provoke touch of silver from boots/supermarkets

It doesn't really look like balayage to me but it does look nice! But more like highlights?

I really like it and think it suits you to be honest. I'm not keen on balayage though.