Posted on here for advice a while ago for my balayage (I was shitting myself about having it done). Got lots of horror stories but went ahead with it! Thought I would share my results for those interested!
My aim was to take all the warmth out of my blonde hair. Attached is the picture I took in. So she darkened my roots and bleached the ends, brushing the colour on and merging/blurring the lines somewhere in between. I also had a toner put on. The bleach lifted really well but she (and I) were disappointed with the root as it is still a warm colour. She knows what to do next time and had warned me it might take two appointments. So the colour isn't exactly what I want but I was warned and I've dyed my hair enough to know it can be unpredictable. So I will be going back again.
Her technique, I feel, was very good. I have inspected my hair and I cannot see any stripes or dots, it seems to merge naturally although will look nicer when the colour is darker.
Attached is the photo I took in and my hair before