Disappointed after hair dresser appointment- with pics!

[BeeKeeping]

I’ve just spent an absolute arm and leg at the hairdresser (again) and so disappointed with the results. I wanted baby highlights to blend in the greys- I’m naturally dark with about 30% grey spread throughout. I would like to look effortless but this is effortful and looks a bit shit. Surely there is a better way? Have home dyes improved? Do people use foils at home or would it have to just be one all over colour? I would like to either save money and accept it’s not perfect, or spend money and feel really pleased with the results!

I absolutely would be going back and complaining and if they don't fix it post the pictures under Google reviews to warn others that they are not good for colour.

Box dye will show roots quickly but you can touch up in between box dyes.

I think you've been had and should not go back.

I think I would want to give up the whole hairdresser thing too because I think you have both rushed something that shouldn’t / can’t be rushed.

I’m disappointed with my hair too, I wanted the same as you and wanted the grey to blend in, it looked lovely when I left the salon but after just 3 weeks it’s yellow, grey and dark! I’ve just covered it with this https://www.superdrug.com/hair/hair-colourants/permanent-hair-dye/excellence-creme-91-light-ash-blonde-hair-dye/p/930883?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18158841593&gbraid=0AAAAADp4mz8Z9DkNe5YWgjvzEIfWC_szK&gclid=CjwKCAjwi-DBBhA5EiwAXOHsGY8Tx2QA6yMLOnRbaR0ktfsJhJUwDM8tDBbxXa1poZG_HKplt0H_fBoCqTUQAvD_BwE

i did the roots and left on for 20 mins then combed through and left for 10 so the lighter shades from the highlights have come through. It looks so much nicer!

You have to be very careful dyeing blonde hair dark. It can go khaki. I wouldn't risk it.

I think you should brave going back, did you show any pics before of what you were hoping to achieve?

It's definitely not a full head. I would expect a full head of foils to take an hour. It doesn't look like it's lifted enough. I would think it would need to be lighter for an ashy toner to work. I'd expect a toner to be on closer to 20mins as well.

I think it looks lovely.

That's far too quick. My hair is thick like yours and takes 6 hours for full head foilage babylights, wash out, root melt, tonor, wash and rough dry.

I think we can all agree it’s not a good salon dye- I can’t bring myself to go back, if I was commenting on this thread I would absolutely say the same thing, but in reality can you imagine the cringe?! I’d have to sit in the chair for HOURS and make small talk!

thank you for box dye suggestions @Witchywoo41i think it’s worth a shot…

Sorry to hear you've had a bad experience at the hairdressers (I've been there before so I know how you feel). Looking at the photos you've posted I'd suggest deep conditioning your hair before you do anything. Hair when first coloured is alot brighter than it will be in a couple of weeks time. You could use an ash colour to tone it down a bit. But it two weeks it will have toned down by itself. But definitely use a good condition treatment and that will improve the look and then see how you feel about it afterwards.

Really, given you are not happy you should go back to the salon. But, if you don't want to do this at least start by trying to add moisture.

Op you will not be able to fix it at home with box dye. Do not do this. Go back to the salon and ask to speak to the most senior colourist and tell them your issues and let them correct it or if you have concerns they dont have the skill to correct it then ask for money back and go to a salon that can. If you're embarrassed to mention it now, just say you've only just noticed at home once you washed it and so on.

@BeeKeeping, aren’t those photos of someone’s house? You say ‘at the hairdresser’ so presumably you went to them - but it’s not a salon. Are they actually a professional hairdresser with proper qualifications? Because yes, your hair really should look better than that after your appointment.

Don’t throw good money after bad; find a different, better hairdresser.

(Realise you may have taken the photos at home! Even so - your hairdresser clearly didn’t know what they were doing.)

Speaking from personal experience, don't put a box dye over new highlights - they'll go a horrid colour and just make it worse. If you are going to try and correct it, find another professional.

I had this exact problem 2 months ago! I bought a box dye in my root colour and just dyed a couple of inches from the root to create an ombré effect. It did look loads better and cost me £6!

@SurpriseSparDay- it’s my home! I just took the pic as soon as I got back. Don’t know why I’ve gone to the bother of concealing my face when that is clearly my house if anyone knows me 😂

That’s reassuring @cantthinkofausername26

For all those saying don’t box dye- is there no way out?! Go to the hairdresser… hate it… go back to fix it… hate it… change hairdressers…

I just want to get off the merry go round!

Have you tried to go from dark to blonde very quickly?I went from dark brown (with a few greys) to blonde over two years to be completely blonde. I was eager to go blonde immediately but my hairdresser talked me out of it and recommended adding in a few caramel low lights and more blonde streaks with each appointment. I think you could rescue it, but underneath needs the highlights.

You can go from dark brown to blonde in one appointment, you just need to go low (developer) and slow, it takes all day and is indeed very boring to sit there for hours on end.

Go back and let them fix it! It doesn’t matter that it will be awkward as you won’t go back after that anyway. And don’t pay to have it fixed, either.

It looks like the wrong shade for you. I think your grey is cool whereas the highlights are warm and clashing.
Also did they not tone and condition it? Looks very dry.

It's very uneven and I'd very disappointed if I paid alot for it

I'm very dark brown with white roots. I get a root colour similar to my own colour, then highlights. I wouldn't stress too much about the fact that it took a bit longer than they said (hairdressers often have to fit other clients in during colouring)

I think you have to be very specific about what you want, and you also have to build up a rapport with your stylist / colourist. That's hard to do if you have an initial bad experience though.

I'd Google hair salons near you and try the place that gets the best reviews. I spend a lot of time in the chair, but I'm happy with the results. I also second the advice to use purple shampoo / conditioner to tone down the blonde.

This is mine, but like I say, it's taken a long time to get there. I'm 54 and my hair was crap after years of box dyes. It's in amazing condition now, despite bleaching. I do also get hair masks every time.

Colour aside, I can’t believe that is how they blowdried your hair 😳 I am terrible in situations like this, and probably would pay and then never return. I would ask friends with good hair for local recs and go elsewhere though x

I’ve been going to this hairdresser for years, she used to be good! I’ve got more grey, and maybe not as good at asking for what I want. I don’t actually want it all blonde, I liked the mix I had before this appointment with some grey naturally showing and some light ash blond around the face and in little highlights throughout to make it look more purposeful and polished.

Can I ask what colour you are hoping to achieve? If you dislike the warm yellow shade. Then to give your hair a more natural look use an Ash toner on your hair. This will not only condition it but it give off a cool tone rather than a warm one.

But whatever you do buy a decent conditioner first, leave this on your hair for 20-30 minutes wrapped in a towel before washing off as your hair needs conditioning before you will see any improvement whatsoever.

Can you spend the next few nights sleeping in a bonnet with a good hair mask on, just to see if you can work towards getting it in better shape?

You have my sympathies. I gave up on salons nearly a decade ago. After perfectly fine hairdressers i then found an amazing guy, but after a couple of years he moved up and on to London and I didn't have the money and time to follow him. After him, I spent several years trying to find someone who could at least leave me feeling good, if not as great as he was, and I just got fed up of the continual disappointment.

Give her a chance to fix it if you like her. Show her photos of other hair styles you like. Don't box dye!! If it goes wrong it's a pig to fix and you'll have an even worse problem. My hair goes very warm and I have bought the toners at home to reapply once between appointments and that helps.