Okay, so I went to a new hair stylist today - my friend goes to her, and loves her - and I went from a medium blonde (prob. a level 8) and told her I wanted to go light brown (like a level 6 or so). I even brought in pictures, and I made sure to say I wanted it to be cool and definitely not warm because I have cool skin, and anything warm looks pretty awful.
She explained to me she'd have to use a filler first to add in warmth because going blonde takes warmth out. Fine - all good. So she filled it and then dyed it.
My hair is now a dark RED brown - not in any way, shape or form what I wanted. So, when she asked how I liked it, I said it was much darker and redder than I was hoping for. Then she told me that it was a "shock" for me because I had been blonde. This may be partially true, but I've gone from blonde to brown before, no problems. I was in shock because my hair looked cherry red. Red tones are even worse for me than warm tones because red tones bring out the pink in my skin. Then she proceeded to tell me how much she loved it, and how it brought out the warm tones in my skin. I don't have any warm tones in my skin! Then she said she stands by her coloring skills, but pretty much proceeded to knock down any comment I made by saying I was just "shocked" going from blonde to brown.
She also completely messed up the cut - I told her I was growing it out, having had a bad haircut a few months prior, and that I didn't want to lose much length. My hair is also curly, which I told her (and she had wavy-ish hair) so you think she would have known that curly hair shrinks up much more than straight hair when it dries... But no, she took prob. 2.5 inches (wet) off, and now it's super short again.
Basically, the point of this post was a little therapeutic for me, but I want to know whether I should wash it right now using dish soap, or should I leave it alone and hope it fades a ton? I know dish soap is supposed to lighten hair color gone wrong.
Thanks for reading. Sorry it's so long.
-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Wednesday 11th of August 2010 06:01:07 PM
-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Thursday 12th of August 2010 03:49:29 PM
__________________
Know first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. - Epictetus
Well. I would probably go back for a fix. They may be able to remove the color a lot using professional tools. I am a little bothered by her crass explanation of her own skills, she may have picked the wrong level of color or left it in too long but if you're not happy, you're not happy. Also, there is a lot of shock value in hair changes but I don't think your transition was meant to be dramatic. I lopped off like 8" of hair and couldn't decide whether I liked my new bob cut years ago. That is shock. Going from dark blonde to light brown shouldn't be shock-inducing.
The good news is that red never sticks and yes it will fade quick. The more you wash the quicker it will fade. If you want it to fade on your own without their help, I'd recommend just using a cheap "clarifying" shampoo with sulfates in it. It will strip the color but not turn your hair into straw.
What ever you do, be sure to condition A LOT. You've just put your hair through a lot and on top of all those hair woes you don't want to deal with split ends or needing even more trims because of the damage.
Thanks Christina! I think I'm just going to try to fade it on my own. Like I said, I told her I wasn't loving it but she kept making excuses. She said to give it a week or two to let it sink in, and if I still didn't like it, she could do some highlights or something (but she didn't say she'd do it for free). I don't think she'll be much help as she seemed to blame it on me, and after reading some reviews of the salon (which I didn't do before I went - my friend raves about this girl) and apparently the manager is an unhelpful b***h. The last time a colorist messed up (she gave me orange highlights) I called the salon (which was pretty large) and they had me come in and she fixed it for free. I guess I shouldn't go to small salons anymore - it seems like they don't care about their patrons.
I'm 100% positive she messed it up though - she told me, before she put on the dye, that she was going to stay away from red, and make it a golden brown. But I ended up with red hair. Then, she told me after she had dyed it, that she had mixed the dye at a level 6 like I wanted, but she knew it would look at least a level darker (it looks more like 2 or 3 levels darker to me). Hello?! If she knew it would turn out darker than I wanted, why didn't she tell me that and offer to mix the dye at a lighter level? I would have gladly said yes to that, rather than risk going too dark. I swear, I could have gotten much better results dying it myself.
Thanks again - I'll go buy some cheap clarifying shampoo today, and a hat too since I'm pretty much embarassed to even go out of the house. My hair looks like a wig - and it looks garish in contrast to my pale, cool skin. I just can't wait for a month or six weeks to go by so I can have it lightened and fixed.
__________________
Know first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. - Epictetus
I would at least call the salon. If you don't ask, the answer will always be "no" right? But if they want to charge you for the fix, run for the hills! Not that I had to tell you that
Definitely agree with Xtina's clarifying shampoo rec too. I accidentally did that once after a dye job (well, not accidentally, but I was visiting a friend and it's all she had in her shower) and it REALLY stripped it.
ETA if you have curly hair, I've heard awesome things about Deva salons. I know that doesn't help you now, but just for the future.
http://www.devaconcepts.com/
-- Edited by Kelly on Thursday 12th of August 2010 08:17:57 AM
__________________
Fashion is art you live your life in. - Devil Wears Prada | formerly ttara123
Well, your hair color is not about her, it's about you and you being happy with it. You have nothing to lose by asking for a fix.
This is why I cut and color my own hair (one length). I got tired of paying big bucks for chatty stylists that don't listen to you and give you what they want.
__________________
"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
Totally D, I haven't professionally dyed my hair in about 8 years. I just do a box and I'm always happy with the results. If I could cut my own hair I would too.
I agree with Kelly, I'd call the salon before you assume its a "no", find out what they will do.
I color my own hair too and have never had it professionally done. If I did, however, I would be be extremely ticked off at what you went through. Regardless of what the colorist thought would look good on you, you are the one who has to live with the results. From what you wrote, you came to the appointment prepared with photos and a description that allowed for a little leeway. But light brown is not red or even reddish. You showed her the pictures. If you hair looks nothing remotely like those photos, you should call the salon and ask to speak with the manager/owner. Calmly explain what happened and tell them that while your friend recommended this salon to you, you don't feel as if you can do the same for others.
This should be enough to get the manager to offer to fix the color for free. And if at all possible, I would also not accept the original colorist to do the work. If she is the only on on staff, you may have to suck it up and take her. If this is the case, go to the fixing appointment and hold your head high. It is not your job to make her feel better about the situation, but her job to please you.
Small salons live and breath on their clients recommendations. I can't imagine an owner not bending over backwards to make this right.
-- Edited by Boots on Thursday 12th of August 2010 10:02:40 AM
Thanks girls! I ended up going to Sally Beauty and buying some bleach-free color remover and then dying it. It's still not what you would call a flattering shade, but it's now a warm medium brown. It's still a little bit red, but much less than before. On the bright side, I'm not nearly as embarassed to leave the house.
I decided to not even deal with the salon. I suppose I could still call and complain just so the owner knows what a terrible job this employee did. I should have known I was in trouble when the stylist kept trying to get me to change where I part my hair. She was just way too pushy.
For those of you who dye yourself: what brand of hair dye do you use? I'm going to start dying it myself (unless I go blonde again) and I'm not sure what good drug store hair colors are.
Thanks again!
-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Thursday 12th of August 2010 03:55:54 PM
__________________
Know first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. - Epictetus
I use Natural Instincts, which is a demi-permanent dye. I prefer it to permanent dyes because in my experience they can look brassy as they fade and I hate dealing with roots. I think the colors run a shade or so darker than the box indicates, fwiw, especially when you choose a cooler shade instead of a warm or neutral one.
Anyway, it doesn't stink too bad, costs $8-ish and takes 10 minutes! Way better than spending $75 and 2 hours at a salon, promise!
-- Edited by Elle on Thursday 12th of August 2010 04:13:42 PM
__________________
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
I'm glad you're able to solve this on your own but I'd hop over to yelp.com and anywhere else there may be reviews of their "service" and warn other people against going there. At least you may be able to prevent someone else from going through this!
I have been where you are many times. I have started doing my own color because of all the disasters I have had with professionals. I have never used ColorFix, but I have read that it is a safe, non-damaging way to remove color from your hair. Maybe others can comment on it.
D, what products do you use to color your hair? I would love some input. I have been doing my own for awhile, but I feel it is still a work in progress.
-- Edited by bloomie on Thursday 12th of August 2010 08:10:59 PM
__________________
Some people collect stamps and coins--I collect shoes.
Funny that we're talking home color. I have been trying to veer away from my stylist because she has sort of disappointed me for the last couple of times and to save money. I did one application of highlights at home using just bleach and developer and it came out good. I then added some more to keep up with the roots but as I sat watching Mad Men with foils in my hair, I totally lost track of time and my hair turned out an awful shade of yellow. Also, one streak came out wayyyy too dense and I looked like this :
I did my best to call some salons to fix it but it was Monday and my trusted spots were not open. Plus, I know a color correction would be expensive. I ended up buying a drugstore box and am very pleased with the results!
-- Edited by XtinaStyles on Thursday 12th of August 2010 11:54:32 PM
Just as an FYI, if you want to avoid going to golden/warm, I *think* "ash" shades are the way to go. Seems more cool, and it is possible that your hair has some golden undertones, so the ash would bring it up natural. My MIL does hair, and I've learned a bit while sitting in her chair, but double check with someone in case I've got it wrong.
My mom colors her own hair and loves Prefrence by Loreal.
I have been where you are many times. I have started doing my own color because of all the disasters I have had with professionals. I have never used ColorFix, but I have read that it is a safe, non-damaging way to remove color from your hair. Maybe others can comment on it.
D, what products do you use to color your hair? I would love some input. I have been doing my own for awhile, but I feel it is still a work in progress.
-- Edited by bloomie on Thursday 12th of August 2010 08:10:59 PM
I have been using Loreal Superior Preference in Lightest Golden Brown for years: perhaps my hair looks brassy, I don't know, but I like it -- I think it works for me since it's closest to my natural color...
**ETA: the color I use is warm. I second the ash and cool recommendations.
-- Edited by D on Friday 13th of August 2010 10:01:34 AM
__________________
"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
If your hair tends to turn red at all, you need to stay away from any colors called "warm" "golden" or even those that claim to be "neutral".....any of those always turn out reddish.
Stick to "cool" and "ash" only!
I have learned my lesson (more than once)
I've used Clairol Natural Instincts with good results. I am wanting to try that Feria line, but it is permenant whereas the NI is temporary.
Thanks! It sounds like Natural Instincts might be the way to go. I'm definitely going to stick to ash tones now that the colorist from hell has made my hair so red.
Su - I am absolutely going to write a negative review. In fact, some of the other reviews people have left said their stylists didn't listen to what they wanted. I've learned my lesson - don't go to a salon that has so many bad reviews, even if a friend loves it!
-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Friday 13th of August 2010 06:37:21 PM
__________________
Know first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. - Epictetus
I use Garnier Nutrisse. The conditioner is fantastic
Me too. I've been using it for about the last 4 years and dread the day when they discontinue my color. It leaves my hair very soft with no brassiness in the color. The day after I color and once a week or so I use John Frieda shine treatment on it too. I think it helps protect the color.