Hairdresser disappointment! How do I avoid this happening again!

[Tattooedcoffeeaddict]

Ok, so I had a hair appointment earlier in the week and while I don’t hate it… it’s so far from what I asked for that I’m disappointed!

I have bra strap length hair in the back with slightly shorter feathers around the face. It’s in pretty good condition but the argument the hairdresser used was they were worried about the effects of more bleach on it.

I have attached the photo I showed the hairdresser before. I wanted balayage with those sort of colours. What I’ve ended up with is a light chestnut brown with yellow streaks and crucially… it looks no different to what I went in with! She said I could come back in a month and have highlights pulled through a cap to lighten it but when it’s the balayage technique I’m after with the stronger root… wouldn’t this be counter productive!?

I am not going back there so I’m wondering what do I need to ask for next time? I feel like my current hairdresser isn’t listening to me and I don’t want a repeat of the disappointment!

Any hairdressers offering to use a cap is a red flag. Highlights should be carefully placed not just pulled through a cap. You could get your friends to do that at home with a shop bought kit.

Without seeing your current colour it's hard to say whether what you've asked for is achievable but definitely don't go back to the hairdresser offering to use a cap. Your highlights also shouldn't be yellow. They should have been toned properly.

I didn’t think anyone used a bleach cap anymore! Did you tell her you weren’t happy at the time or did it look ok in the salon?

Thanks both! I’ve said no chance in hell! (In a politer fashion) to the bleach cap! I really think they should be left in the very distant past.

I think she knew because she kept going on about how it will be lighter again in a month when she used the cap. All I kept thinking was you’ve missed the point! I don’t care as much about it being lighter as getting the technique right. It can go lighter gradually but I wanted balayage first and foremost.

I messaged her ten minutes after I left when my mum confirmed it looks no different to when I went in. I explained my doubts about the cap and expressed my dissatisfaction. She didn’t offer to redo it but said I could have 50% of my money back. I haven’t replied as I don’t really know what to say.

Without seeing your hair it's impossible for us to say. However if you are not happy then take the refund and move on or give her the chance to make good but not with a bleach hat.

I've never had highlights done with a bleach cap I didn't even know that was still a thing! I think in this instance I'd just accept the refund and try and find a better hairdresser next time (easier said than done I know!) Are you able to post a post a photo of your actual hair for people to advise?

It’s awkward because the hairdresser is a family member so I’m not willing to accept any money back. I’m just going to find a new hairdresser and hope it’s not too awkward when I need to see them!

First picture is the day before I had it done. Second is today. I really feel like there’s no difference! I didn’t expect it to be exactly like the picture but I did expect a bit more change than that!

There is a difference. It looks a lot lighter

It's not too far off the lightness level of your inspo pic, just much warmer. And you don't have the money pieces at the front or the chunkier highlights balayage gives. It doesn't look bad just not what you asked for. I reckon a good hairdresser would be able to achieve the look you're looking for. It's hard to tell from a picture but it doesn't look damaged or anything so don't see why it couldn't handle more bleach.

I can see it's not what you asked for but it does look as though a good job has been done. It's more subtle than you asked for and as such would be easy to rectify but not with a cap (that was about 40 years ago)!!

It is lighter at the root! I’ll give it that but that was the opposite of what I wanted! I did ask for the money pieces which she said she’d do so I’m not sure what happened there…

I feel better knowing that there is hope a different hairdresser might be able to make it closer to the picture. I know it’s only hair but when I said I want entirely happy her reply was so defensive and it’s put my back up!

I asked for something similar several months ago and had the same experience. I went to a new hairdresser last month who was really honest and said balayage only really works on hair with a wave, otherwise you don't see it so well. That's why so many of the balayage pictures are of wavy hair. I also have straight hair so I was never going to achieve what I was hoping for. I got highlights instead last time and am much happier with the outcome.

Honestly? Your before picture is nicer than what you were looking for. Your hair has gorgeous warm tones in it - don’t bleach them out. Also your face looks like high contrast (you’re very beautiful) so if you go too light it will wash you out.

I think I’m also seeing a pinky red band of colour around your mid lengths which could frighten a less confident hairdresser.

You’ve definitely got pink/red in your hair. I don’t see much difference- it’s a bit lighter not what you asked for.

Hoe much did you pay and was it in a salon or at her home?

You are super pretty by the way!

Thank you everyone! I think I’m going to invest in some at home treatments just in case there is some truth in her saying it’s fragile and then try again in a couple of months with a different hairdresser.

I did have it copper for a while but I thought I’d grown most of that out! Maybe not and that’s what’s keeping it so warm.

It was done in a salon and she always does my hair apart from a brief moment of madness when I tried out extensions! I paid £80 which is about average/maybe slightly under for the area I live in. I’m not going to ask for the half refunded, it’s too awkward with it being family! I’ll just chalk it up to experience and hope for a better outcome with a different hairdresser next time!

Yeh it's nothing like the picture and like you say it's lighter at the root! I just can't see how she can even explain that? It's so basic. I'm sick of even trying with hairdressers personally and feel they never listen