Hair a bit orange :(

[adagio]

I’ve just spent half a day in the hairdresser. I never go to a hairdresser. I’m starting to remember why I never go to a hairdresser. I wanted balayage with cool/ice/blonde at the ends and my natural brown at the top. I showed pictures and described. I’ve got a really nice blend, but it’s orange-y warm not cool blonde at the bottom and around front. I’m guessing (based on google and a few underneath bits that are lighter) that while the blending technique is great, the peroxide pre lightener either wasn’t strong enough or not left on long enough. The toner finish was ‘natural blond’, not sure if that was a poor choice based in my aim.

I’m gutted.

I have been offered another toner if I’m not happy in a few days, but (based on google and a few things said ) if it’s not light enough I guess a toner won’t really fix it. I don’t want to wreck my hair with more ammonia toners if it won’t help the colour anyway.

So, Do I accept a toner? Do I ask for more bleach in a few weeks once my hair recovers (how long?)

I feel bad as it took ages, and it does look ok, but it’s not what I asked for :(

Is the picture on the left your hair now? That's not cool blonde at all! If it was me I'd go back and ask why you didn't get the result you wanted. They should have told you at the consultation stsge if your desired result wasn't achievable.

I'd be tempted to ask for a refund to be honest. You'll need bleach to lift that, not a toner.

Is yours the first one? If so, it's far nicer than the second. It's lovely.

(Not what you were asking, but I'd stick with it. The second looks cheap.)

It doesn't look orange, it looks great!

Not very helpful but you're going to damage the ends with peroxide and then the damage will travel up. Not really worth it for something that won't last very long anyway.

Could you try spray in colours or chalks on occasion?

Your hair is beautiful but it’s bit what you asked for at all!
It’s looks gorgeous though.

Its not cool blonde at all but it looks gorgeous and not all orange

Thanks for the lovely comments. It just isn’t what I expected really. I was imaging that a light blind would make my look young and dynamic (I’m 40 ).

The hairdresser thought they could lift it 4 shades, based on a chat when I booked, I’m guessing they didn’t manage that.

So the consensus is that more bleach or (ammonia) toner is a bad idea?

I think the white blonde would be much more aging! The colour you have now looks really natural and I thought you must be in your late twenties!! You got lovely thick hair.

I do think she’s lifted it about four shades, just you had quite dark hair to start with.
I would lighten it anymore as it really dries your hair out and can make it look older.

Unfortunately you'll ruin your hair with more bleach, it isn't kind to long tresses. Your hair is fab, even though it's not what you originally wanted. You could keep it as is, but talk to your hairdresser anyway as you didn't get what you asked for.

The thing is, your natural hair is super dark so you were never going to get that blonde in one session without compromising the integrity of your hair. At your next session, you’ll get lighter, but as it’s a gradual change you’ll have less breakage then attempting to do it at once so it’s better for you long term.

I think every brunette can relate to that brassy/orange phase when going lighter! But I do agree that your stylist should have been upfront about what would be a realistic end result for you.

Also I think it has lifted by 4 shades!

A toner won’t make your hair blonde unfortunately. You can try using blue shampoo/masks to get a slightly cooler tone though.

You’d absolutely destroy your hair if you tried to go from your natural colour to that shade in one sitting. 4 shades is probably correct but your hairdresser should have warned you your expectations were too high tbh. It should take a few sittings to lighten to that colour to minimise damage

Oh your hair is much nicer than the other one! No it's not what you asked for but it's better.

Your hairdresser should have told you that what you wanted was not going to be achieved in that one session - I had a balayage done a few years ago in the same circs & was told straight away that my hair would not lift to a blonde, it would be a lightish brown, caramel colour.

In saying this and I agree with other posters, your hair does look amazing and I do prefer it to the other ‘ice’ blonde colour. A toner will not lighten it further and besides it doesn’t look orange at all. The issue is it’s not what you wanted, it wasn’t explained to you that it couldn’t be done in one sitting so yes if you still want to be lighter, I’d say no to the toner & book in for more balayage, but give it a few weeks so your hair can rest.

I love your hair just as it is

Thanks for all the help and advice everyone. Your positive comments are really kind and I feel much better about it (thank you!)

I’m going to leave it as it is, but have a chat with the hairdressers next week, being as it’s not as expected, to see if I can have the cooler toner (free) in the future once it’s settled rather than straight away. I don’t want to wreck my hair with more chemicals if it’s not going to get it where I want anyway.

In laws came round today and didn’t even notice a difference so it must be quite a lot more subtle than I hoped for.

Anyway, thanks again all