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Original poster

Asked for blonde, got ginger again.

77 replies

Carrott21 · 09/07/2021 17:21

My hair is dark brown and grey. I've been trying to go blonde for 3 years and achieved a good colour prior to covid most of the time. I have foils.

My last hairdresser didn't do a good job last time and it was really warm and gingery. Just tried a new hairdresser and it's even more golden. What's going wrong? Am I being unrealistic? I'm asking for ash, bright blonde.

OP posts:
BumCat · 09/07/2021 18:05

Did they do the front foils last? If so this would explain why they have lifted to the least desirable colour.

DancingQueen2018 · 09/07/2021 18:06

Very blonde! I had a similar problem and eventually determined that I just couldn’t get that blonde from my hair colour with foils, I needed a whole head of colour with 6 week touch ups.
Couldn’t be bothered with that so I’ve toned the blond down a bit and now have no roots.

Original poster
Carrott21 · 09/07/2021 18:09

Good point: front foils were last, but it was also like that from May too.

I was wondering if I should go for full head!

Do I just ask for white, peroxide, platinum blonde then??

OP posts:
SnitchyBitch · 09/07/2021 18:11

Has she done a shadow root on it? That’s what it looks like.
Try Fanola No Yellow Mask and leave it on for fifteen mins or so to take out any warmth.

WeAllLikeVindaloo · 09/07/2021 18:11

Get yourself some fanola no yellow shampoo off Amazon!

WeAllLikeVindaloo · 09/07/2021 18:12

So @SnitchyBitch cross post!

Santanomore · 09/07/2021 18:14

Going from dark brown to blonde is a process and I don't think you will get the lift you want with foils. Especially not for a cool blonde.

BumCat · 09/07/2021 18:15

The issue here is that they certainly aren’t leaving the last foils on long enough for the toner to do it’s job. I’d ask what peroxide they are using, if it’s 9% it may not be giving enough lift generally if you feel the back is also too warm and maybe they need to use a 12% to get the base you need.

I don’t know what colour your salon uses, but if it’s Wella I would be requesting a 10/8 or a 10/1 toner.

Original poster
Carrott21 · 09/07/2021 18:15

What do I need to ask for?

OP posts:
BumCat · 09/07/2021 18:23

Bleach foils with 12% and Olaplex, and 10/1 or 10/8 toner with 1.9% (that is Wella though, so whatever their equivalent is) for 15 minutes after.

Flyinggeese1 · 09/07/2021 18:23

Hi OP I can’t advise re ash/blondeness but re the roots m, I’ve had this issue... it’s the use of foils, they can only get so close to your scalp, meaning there will always be roots not covered.

I learnt to ask for foils but fir them to paint in between with a semi permanent colour to cover all greys.

In my case the hairdresser was just not very mindful of covering roots and very much into foils/ balayage which is lovely if you don’t have regrowing (or in my case grey) to cover. I had to be really explicit I wanted every hair in my head coated in colour!

Londontown12 · 09/07/2021 18:42

Don’t ask a hairdresser to use 12% peroxide ! 9% should be enough I’m a stylist and I think your hair is a nice blonde I can’t see any warmth from pictures but I guess u van it yourself I would advise babylights through the top and that should cover roots better as for toners depends what they use I would suggest violet for ash and if your seeing warmth u need blue as well sounds like a good hairdresser I would use 3 tones mixed together as well x

BumCat · 09/07/2021 18:44

As far as getting closer to your scalp, a skilled technician should be able to do this with no trouble. I’d ask for fine foils as well. If the sections of hair they are taking is too thick, they will have trouble getting close to scalp, and potentially the getting the right amount of lift you want.

Original poster
Carrott21 · 09/07/2021 18:46

Yes, never had the root issue before. Definitely a violet toner was used as I came out with purple bits!!

OP posts:
Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting · 09/07/2021 18:47

Looks very icy blonde OP. I think that's the best colour you will get.

TonkinLenkicks · 09/07/2021 18:48

That’s not ginger, that’s a beautiful colour!

Original poster
Carrott21 · 09/07/2021 18:50

This sounds awful as well, but the salon was absolutely filthy! It's a very quiet salon due to location so plenty of time to clean. The mirror was thick with dust and water marks. There was a pile of hair and foils in a corner (I was the first customer). The toilet and sink were filthy. I wanted to clean whilst I waited. Very strange experience. Oh well, the search continues. I'm glad it doesn't come across as gingery as I thought, but by taking those pics I've really put myself off with those old lady roots!!

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 09/07/2021 18:52

I can see your looking ginger striped do you like the kitty cat look? If not I would call them say your not satisfied and why and allow them to correct it

TakeYourFinalPosition · 09/07/2021 18:56

It’s not gingery, really - there’s two streaks but they’ll fade.

But like others have said, it’s foils - they’re hard to get close enough to your head.

I used to have my hair platinum - loved it, but it had to be a full scalp bleach, and after two years, even my weirdly thick, strong hair started falling out unexpectedly and had to be cut short, and it’s looked horrendous for about a year now… I’m now waiting for it to be as long as I want it again. And I’m back to foils, which I don’t love!

It’s a definite trade off in terms of hair health.

whymewhyme · 09/07/2021 18:56

Fudge purple shampoo is amazing give it a go and leave it on for 5mins....or more. It will clean the blonde but i do think it looks a lovely colour but i agree your roots arn't the best but....i have seen worse

Original poster
Carrott21 · 09/07/2021 18:58

I'm not going back as I can't risk it breaking off. It's only hair and it'll be fine. It's probably more about managing expectations.

Lots of knowledgeable people and advice on this thread, so thank you!

OP posts:
Londontown12 · 09/07/2021 18:59

@Carrott21
That sounds horrible ! If your the first client there is no excuse for salon being filthy it should be cleaned at night after they have finished !!! X

Londontown12 · 09/07/2021 19:01

@Carrott21
Also be careful with all the purple shampoo advise ! If u left salon with a bit of violet showing after toner your hair is probably porous is will wash out but the same can happen with the shampoo and then your blonde will end up looking very dull xxx

Christmasfairy2020 · 09/07/2021 19:22

You need a full head colour plus highlights as this gets rid of the roots but gives u highlights

Flyinggeese1 · 09/07/2021 19:36

OP good thread. It’s a mix of knowledgable input from those that really know their stuff and people (me included) who have learnt a little the harder way by having it done wrong so many times.

It’s a minefield. I genuinely think there’s a huge missed opportunity by hair salons. They seem to operate by assuming every client knows all the lingo and exactly what techniques to ask for to get the result. It’s really not that way and neither should it be!

In my case I said something like ‘last time I had too much regrowth showing straight away, I’d like to correct that this time please.’

I had to figure out for myself it was the foil technique that meant they were missed. It’s obvious now I think about it, but it wasn’t at the time.

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