STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

chicteacher · BCBG

I am in a hair dilemma...please give advice...this is longgggg.....

Elle · Hermes

How frustrating! I'm sorry you're having such a hard time

. I think most stylists are hesitant to give anyone something that seems a little 'out there' to them, or a drastic change from what they have - I think that's how most people end up unhappy! I've had much better luck personally going to salons that aren't the 'pretty' sort ... my stylist has a spiky pixie and a bunch of tats ... and I don't freak her out when I ask for something other than the normal blond highlights that freaking everyone seems to get these days.

So, if you're up for trying again at a salon, I think you could do two things: First, you could call this last colorist up and say that you thought about it and it's just not as red as you wanted, and ask for a color correction. Second, you could try to find a salon that employs funkier types and attracts a funkier crowd.

If you want to try yourself at home, I think that that is also a viable option. Red tends to fade pretty quickly, but if you used a semi- or demi-permanent color you could do it monthly to freshen. I wonder if your lighter highlights would still show through a bit? Can nyone with lighter hair speak to that?

kenzie · Chanel

OMG. Wow. That's odd. I understand stylists wanting to please their customers and not give them a bad hair color, but if you want something, you want it! It can always be corrected later. I actually just colored my hair red. My stylist did exactly what I asked. It turned out a little bright, but red fades so in a week or so, it should be okay. And if it's not, she'll fix it. My stylist freaking rocks. She was excited that I wanted to do something so fun and drastic.

I'm not sure why your stylists are being so timid. Of course, I've been going to my stylist for over a year, so she really knows my hair and she has previously highlighted it, so maybe that has something to do with it.

-- Edited by kenzie on Saturday 11th of July 2009 05:46:37 PM

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

I am so sorry and I completely feel your pain. I have had my own set of issues with hair stylists/colorists over the years. The very first time I got my hair colored, I told the stylist specifically that I did not want red. When she got through, guess what color I had---you guessed it, red. Maybe I should give you her number biggrin

She took me too many levels lighter w/o using bleach, and I pulled red. At least your hair wasn't a total disaster. I have in the past done my own color at times. If I could just figure out how to trim my hair, I would totally swear off cosmetologists. There are some good ones out there, they are just hard to find. I agree with Elle's suggestion about trying a semi/demi permanent color if you want to go it on your own. Natural Instincts is a good one. It fades away mostly after 28 shampoos. You might try pulling some strands though a cap just to sort of "lowlight" your hair with some red. That way you would leave some of your highlights. Be sure that you do a strand test first, though. Since you already have color in your hair, it may react differently than it would on virgin hair. Trust me, strand test, because I learned the hard way disbelief

Suasoria · Chanel

Elle wrote:

So, if you're up for trying again at a salon, I think you could do two things: First, you could call this last colorist up and say that you thought about it and it's just not as red as you wanted, and ask for a color correction.

ITA - I would emphasize that you are disappointed with the results and want to give her another chance to make it look like you asked. It sucks that you have to pay so much for bad service.

BellinaJessica · Kenneth Cole

I would call and get a color correction. I really would NOT do the boxed dye. I box dyed my hair red for over a year and the result is that my hair won't take any other colored dye over the top of it. I now get my hair done at a salon that uses organic dyes and my stylist has to put clarifier on my hair for 1/2 hour before she starts just to get it to take.

It is puzzling that you have had two stylists be that hesitant to give you that color. Are you sure that color will look good against your skin tone?

chicteacher · BCBG

Thanks everyone so much. I am feeling better. I have had about 4 people comment on my hair and say that it is pretty and that they like the "red" in it. It must be more visible to others than to me. I just can't confront her because I absolutely hate confrontations. Anyway, I was just wondering if any of you know anything about color depositing shampoos. The only thing I worry about is that a red color depositing shampoo will turn the blonde highlights in my hair pink . Do any of you know any good ones? Thanks.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

In terms of color depositing shampoos, what about the John Frieda ones? I think they're called Brilliant XXX. I have lighter brunette hair that tends to pick up highlights from the sun really easily so I've used the Brilliant Blonde to subtly enhance that.

guzman · Nine West

my bff is a hairdresser, and he always says red is the hardest color to get right & maintain.
That said, most colorist take thier work VERY seriously and want you to be happy...if you absolutely can't ask for a correction.
I would try henna...its cheaper, last a lot longer (6-8 weeks) & works much better than most color depositing shampoos...and whole foods carries a TON of different colors! HTH

chicteacher · BCBG

guzman wrote:

my bff is a hairdresser, and he always says red is the hardest color to get right & maintain.
That said, most colorist take thier work VERY seriously and want you to be happy...if you absolutely can't ask for a correction.
I would try henna...its cheaper, last a lot longer (6-8 weeks) & works much better than most color depositing shampoos...and whole foods carries a TON of different colors! HTH

I have heard of henna but are there is warnings regarding it. I remember reading somewhere about not using some product if you use henna

joy0302 · Kate Spade

Hi chicteacher. I agree with the others that I would ask for a color correction. I wouldn't look at is as confrontation, though so don't worry about that. My friend owns a salon and she always says that if someone isn't happy she would rather them come back so she can give them exactly what they want. I would just use the excuse that, oh it's been a few days and after a few shampoos it has faded a bit and is not as intense as you thought at first. I think if you said it like that in a nice way it would not be viewed as a negative thing at all.

If that is not an option though I used to use a red color shampoo from Paul Mitchell when I had red hair several years back. I am not sure if they still sell it though since it has been awhile.

I hope you get it straightened out. I know how annoying it is to spend your money and not be satisfied with the color.

Hermes

I would go back and ask for her to do it the way you asked. perhaps you call the salon owner/manager and explain what happened? maybe they have a better colorist that will do what you ask? I don't think you should have to shell out any more money. it wasn't up to her to decide what you were ready for - you told her what you were ready for/wanted.

rar210 · Marc Jacobs

I'm sorry you've had bad luck. Being a redhead I can tell you that colorist have a REALLY hard time making red look right. My stylist has a ton of ladies coming in wanting red hair and she's told me how hard it really is to try and make it look somewhat "natural". She keeps trying though, mainly because I've told her that if I start to get grey in the future she will need to know how to cover it up for me!
I would definetly call the last colorist and express the frustration. If she couldn't get it the color you wanted then she shouldn't have waste your time and money trying.

guzman · Nine West

chicteacher wrote:

guzman wrote:

my bff is a hairdresser, and he always says red is the hardest color to get right & maintain.
That said, most colorist take thier work VERY seriously and want you to be happy...if you absolutely can't ask for a correction.
I would try henna...its cheaper, last a lot longer (6-8 weeks) & works much better than most color depositing shampoos...and whole foods carries a TON of different colors! HTH

I have heard of henna but are there is warnings regarding it. I remember reading somewhere about not using some product if you use henna

wow! youre right! you arent suppose to use henna with already colored hair.
so i guess that nixes that option...im naturally strawberry blond, and have used the Aveda shampoo/conditioner for red-heads in the past...it works okay, but stains my tub...but you might want to try it. Also i have friends who have used the john frienda color glazes in the past and been really happy!