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Original poster

Highlights disappointment - what to do?

32 replies

TokyoStories · 30/03/2023 22:03

I had highlights for years but then I had a balayage and ended up just growing it out into my natural colour (mid/dark blonde) as I was trying to save money. I hate my natural colour so finally snapped and booked into a new salon for highlights. I asked for a pale pearly blonde which is what I used to have, and showed them a photo of the colour I was after. When my hair was dry it looked more or less the same as it did when I came in. I said I wasn’t very happy with it and they said it’s because they used high lift and it must have been a miscommunication (not sure how as I showed them a photo of what I wanted Confused). But I’ve had just high lift before and it went a lovely pale blonde.

If I’d known this was going to be the result I wouldn’t have bothered spending £130. If anything I prefer my hair before as now it looks sort of frosted.

The owner (not the person who did my hair) was very nice and has offered to put some more high lift on ‘a few sections’ to try to lighten it up more but I feel like he should do the whole thing. Do you think this is reasonable?

Before (left) and after (right) photos attached.

Highlights disappointment - what to do?
Highlights disappointment - what to do?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
FurAndFeathers · 30/03/2023 22:06

It looks almost exactly the same colour

can you post the photo of what you wanted?

Original poster
TokyoStories · 30/03/2023 22:14

What I asked for 🥺

Highlights disappointment - what to do?
OP posts:
Original poster
TokyoStories · 30/03/2023 22:15

It looks more like this. Quite upset..

Highlights disappointment - what to do?
OP posts:
HagWithAtt · 30/03/2023 22:17

Wow, your hair colour and colours are both beautiful actually. I prefer yours to the photo of what you wanted, but maybe that doesn't help.

HagWithAtt · 30/03/2023 22:18

*and curls I mean

PinkButtercups · 30/03/2023 22:30

It looks exactly the same as you went in! I'd be requesting they re do it properly like you asked for.

Smartiepants79 · 30/03/2023 22:32

I agree that it doesn’t look much different.
The pic you’re trying to copy though, i wouldn’t say that’s got highlights?
I also don’t think that the colour/ tone/ shades in it look much different to you own.
If they’re offering to fix it then go back and tell them what you want.

Original poster
TokyoStories · 30/03/2023 22:44

HagWithAtt · 30/03/2023 22:17

Wow, your hair colour and colours are both beautiful actually. I prefer yours to the photo of what you wanted, but maybe that doesn't help.

Aww thank you. I’ve always thought my natural colour looked like someone tried dye their hair blonde but it went dull and brassy instead. I guess it’s so often the case we’re dissatisfied with what we’ve got Confused

OP posts:
funnyoldonion · 30/03/2023 22:47

I agree your hair is stunning already but it is exactly the same in both pics!

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 30/03/2023 23:00

TokyoStories · 30/03/2023 22:14

What I asked for 🥺

I don't know a lot about hairdressing, but hasn't the woman in the photo (is it January Jones?) got a tint she is growing out, rather than highlights? Could that have caused confusion? Your hair does look quite like her regrowth area. I agree that there is no difference in your before and after photos though

Original poster
TokyoStories · 30/03/2023 23:12

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 30/03/2023 23:00

I don't know a lot about hairdressing, but hasn't the woman in the photo (is it January Jones?) got a tint she is growing out, rather than highlights? Could that have caused confusion? Your hair does look quite like her regrowth area. I agree that there is no difference in your before and after photos though

Show quote history

I also showed them this photo for the overall tone I was going for (but said I didn’t want it as all-over as this)

Just feel like I’ve wasted £100 (£30 for the cut which is fine).

Highlights disappointment - what to do?
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MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 30/03/2023 23:14

Ah, gotcha - yes that's much clearer as to what you wanted, and they definitely haven't given you that. I would ask to speak to the manager tomorrow.

NormaTheWife · 31/03/2023 00:17

I can see you wanted highlights that were more icy but you've ended up golden.

Appleblum · 31/03/2023 00:44

Yes definitely get them to fix it. Your hair looks exactly the same in the before and after.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 31/03/2023 01:08

I don't believe you can achieve that pale/icy/blonde color in the photo without using bleach. IME bleach will give you those pale blonde highlights with no yellow tone, but it does tend to be more damaging to the hair.

They definitely owe you a consult to walk thru your options; clearly you didn't get what you asked for (though I think your hair looks quite pretty!).

Original poster
TokyoStories · 31/03/2023 09:38

Had a bit of a cry this morning after seeing it in the daylight. Not so much because of how it looks but because of how much I paid for it when I could barely justify the cost as it is. I feel like I threw £100 down the drain.

I don’t think bleach at this point is an option because it will be going over hair that was just high lifted. Do you think it’s fair to just ask for my money back?

OP posts:
Original poster
TokyoStories · 31/03/2023 09:41

This is how it looks this morning, 100% dry and in proper daylight. Just looks golden and brassy to me, the same as before. Really upset Sad

Highlights disappointment - what to do?
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JeanetteAgainAWorrying · 31/03/2023 10:06

It is clear the high lift hasn't worked at all. Your before and after photos show that. Did they not check for lifting development before they rinsed the hair out?

I do think the manager should re-do the whole head to give you what you actually asked for rather than a few highlights. A high lift should work for several levels of lightening but it might be that your hair has changed over the years and so won't take one now as effectively. I think personally I would ask for a test piece to be done first by the manager to make sure it will still take a high lift then a whole head, what you paid for, high lift.

Your natural hair colour is beautiful but I understand you may not like it.

EggyBreads · 31/03/2023 10:12

Hi op, you need bleach highlights for the colour that you want.

EggyBreads · 31/03/2023 10:12

Ask them to redo it.

Upsidedownagain · 31/03/2023 10:17

Ask for your money back and go elsewhere. Make sure you have a proper consultation first. Doesn't sound like the colourist knew what they were doing.

Original poster
TokyoStories · 31/03/2023 11:24

JeanetteAgainAWorrying · 31/03/2023 10:06

It is clear the high lift hasn't worked at all. Your before and after photos show that. Did they not check for lifting development before they rinsed the hair out?

I do think the manager should re-do the whole head to give you what you actually asked for rather than a few highlights. A high lift should work for several levels of lightening but it might be that your hair has changed over the years and so won't take one now as effectively. I think personally I would ask for a test piece to be done first by the manager to make sure it will still take a high lift then a whole head, what you paid for, high lift.

Your natural hair colour is beautiful but I understand you may not like it.

She did a cut and blow dry for someone else while they were developing. After an hour I started to worry my hair was frying (thinking it was bleach) so I asked her to check. She only looked at one and then got someone to wash my hair.

I can sort of see them but they’re so so fine. I just looked up baby lights and they’re more like that, which is the last thing I wanted as they remind me of the effect you’d get from one of those rubber hat and hook jobs Confused

I’m seeing the manager on Saturday so I’ll spell out how unhappy I am and ask him what my options are. It’s been good to get other people’s opinions as I’ve been struggling to work out what’s gone wrong.

OP posts:
JeanetteAgainAWorrying · 31/03/2023 11:45

@TokyoStories I don't know enough about high lift as I have bleach put on my hair but depending on the manufacturer and the developer volume there is a maximum time it can be on your hair as if it goes wrong they can sue the manufacturer. You should google to find out more about high lifts and if you do know what product they use ie Redkin, look up that specifically.

It sounds like a sloppy set up, not the cutting someone else's hair bit, that should be fine but only checking one foil is poor considering you are a new customer to them. I think they should have checked well before an hour to see the difference and whether it was working.

I would be sending photos of your before and after to the manager so that you don't have to argue that bit on Saturday. The resolution you are looking for is to get what you paid for, so whole head of highlights. No one does cap highlights anymore, it is foils and weaved hair for a far more natural look.

Original poster
TokyoStories · 01/04/2023 11:44

Update: went back this morning and am now a much brighter, cooler shade of blonde. He applied more high lift in an ashier tone then used a toner afterwards. Really pleased. Thanks everyone for your help!

OP posts:
AthenaPopodopolous · 01/04/2023 11:56

You need bleach foils and a pearly toner. Tint won’t lift tint. I’d go ask for your money back.