Box Hairdye

[supercee]

Bit of background -

Only ever go to hairdresser to get my hair dyed, hair is ombre style, dark roots, blonde on bottom. The bottom went too blonde so decided I was over the blonde and wanted to go like a caramel colour. Showed hairdresser (who is also a friend) a couple of pics, all is fine.

Usually when I change colour she shows me a colour chart but didn't this time. She put a colour on my roots (again, ok, I like a bit of rootage) but just whacked a colour on the bottom. Looking at it I was thinking 'this is no way going to turn caramel'. I asked what colour it was going to go and I kept getting 'fresh, really fresh'. Later when she checked it she went 'going great, really ashy'..?!?!

Long story short, she basically just put an ashy blonde toner over the bottom so absolutely nothing like we discussed/what I said I wanted. For the first time ever I had to say (once she got the junior to blow dry it) I really didn't like it, it was grey, I didn't want ashy at all etc etc. So she put a 'caramel brown' over it, looked ok in salon (though still absolutely nothing what I wanted) charged me and that was that as I had a function to go to. Whole situ really bizarre.

I have washed it once and any warmth that was in it has washed out and the top is a really cold dark brown and the bottom is a washed out brown, which I think is going to get worse as I wash it (its semi-perm I think).

I don't want to complain 'again' even though I probably should, I have paid for something that I didn't ask for and I have no time to go back to salon.

So has anyone successfully chucked a shop bought dye on that hasn't turned out a complete disaster? I used to use Castings but not sure if box dyes have come on a bit these days. My hair has been every colour going.

I don't do "normal" hair colours, but I find that the box dyes either don't 'lift' my natural colour enough, or are simply not bright enough. I usually do box colour + semi- permanent vegetable dye over. I don't know what SP browns/caramels there are, but if the salon got it wrong and you've told them, then they should be correcting it for free.

Box dyes do work but you need to find out what colour will get you from what you have now to what you want. Google will help. I have to always apply box dye over salin dyed hair because it's always too orange so I use an ash Brown to tone it and it works.

When I colour my hair myself I always use Clairol Nice 'n Easy 7C Dark Cool Blonde. I'm a muddy blonde going grey and this was recommended by a hairdresser a long time ago as being a colour that suits everybody. I use it and sometimes I then get highlights done at hairdresser. However, if your hairdresser has messed up they should be fixing it

Thanks all.

I know I really should be complaining and going back and I would if she were a stranger but while we aren't close friends, or text or call each other, I do like her and have many mutual friends etc. I'm wrestling with myself as if it were my friend I'd tell them to complain and go back. I'm thinking I might just stop going to her from now on as the price always changes too.

I'll check out the Nice n Easy.