Hair Meltdown - YouLookFab Forum

So I got my hair dyed on September 2nd of this month. I was a dirty blonde with some natural blonde highlights. I told my hair dresser that I wanted to go a very dark brown and as ashy/cool as possible. I explained to her that I wanted it to be too dark rather than too light and that I also didn't want any brassy/orange undertones to come out once it faded (which I expected to be in two months or so). She assured me that the color was as ashy as possible. In less than a week I felt like my color had completely washed out and my hair is so brassy. I spent over $115 in the salon getting this all over color, which is priced on their website as $65. She ran out halfway through, so I assumed she charged me extra for having to make more product. If not, I was billed for her trimming and then blowdrying my hair afterwards ($50?????). If I would have known, I would have told her to leave my dead ends and I would have walked out with dripping wet hair. The last time I went to this salon, the lady I saw washed may hair, cut off over 10 inches, layered it, blow dryed it, and straightened it for $15. Things are really just not adding up here. She was also bugging me about buying sulfate free shampoo/conditioner for another $50 and I explained that I have sulfate free conditioner at home which I've used every time I washed my hair since I got it done (with regular shampoo). I don't think its normal for this color to have washed out in less than a month. Any advice for what I should do?

I've attached pictures for reference
1. The day I got it done
2. The next day in natural lighting
3. September 8th in natural lighting
4. September 18th in natural lighting
http://s614.photobucket.com/us.....038;page=1

10 years ago

carter

Veteran

Yep. I'd have a problem with this too. I go 5 weeks between coloring. There may be a bit of fading over that time, but if it weren't for the darned gray roots, I'm sure i could go 8 weeks or so between colorings. In Atlanta, I pay $110 + tip for cut and color, so my guess is that she did charge you $50 for the cut. We have a couple different types of salons here. In some, the stylists are all employees and the pricing is set by the salon owner. So, unless there is a trainee doing the work, everyone would charge you the same. In other salons, the stylists are all individual business owners. They simply rent the chair from the salon owner. In this case, they are able to charge whatever they want. I think there are actually hybrid salons too, where there is a combo of these two.

I would ask the stylist to explain how she charged you and how it differed from your expectations. I would also ask her to redo the color for free. I know mine would. Best of luck to you!

Gigi

I don't know anything about coloring and so can't advise you there, but I wouldn't be surprised if the $50 is for the cut and style. I live in the Midwest, and a haircut where I go costs $42; to have it styled is around $30, I think. I wonder if the $15 you spent last time was because you were worked on by a trainee? In my neck of the woods, even if you go to a budget place like Cost Cutters, the price is $15 for the cut only, and if you want it styled, that would be extra.

Summer

You need to go back to the salon, Brittany. Explain, politely but firmly, that you are disappointed with the colour fade, and ask for a breakdown of the costs you were charged. A good hairdresser will always try to put things right for no extra charge. Good luck.

Vix

Hi Brittany --

I can't advise more re costs more than the YLFers upthread (and agree the $15 from the prior stylist sounds really, really inexpensive for anything but a cut).

The color fade is quite extreme given the timeframe and I'd contact the stylist.

I know your original highlights were blonde, but was the dirty blonde your natural shade too? Hair that's had color can do its own thing with a new shade, unfortunately.

Check your shampoo, too -- I've used non-sulfate shampoo for color-treated hair in the past and been fine, but wouldn't recommend "regular-regular" shampoo.

Good luck, let us know how things work out!

Anonymous

I'd fully expect the salon to make it right, for no extra $. I would also expect a full breakdown of the charges so you know exactly what you paid for.

Janet

(website)

I agree with Vix about switching to suflate-free shampoo as well as the conditioner you're using. However, it doesn't need to be from the salon -- you'll find good options less expensive at Target or the like.

Cut and color (balyage) cost me $110 too (Baltimore-Washington area), and includes blow-drying/styling -- just for a frame of reference. My color fades out into brassiness too, even though the natural color of my hair is quite cool, and my stylist went a little cooler on the coloring this last time I went to try to prevent the color from fading into such warm tones. Unpredictable things can happen with color. But the stylist charging more for having to mix up extra color does not sound right.

I would take an accounting of what you were charged and what was done each time to the manager of the salon, to see what is going on. It sounds like some really inconsistent pricing, and they need to be aware of it, if it's something the stylists are doing, or let you know the reasoning behind it, if there is some good reason. All the more reason, IMHO, to find a stylist you really like and connect with, and stick with that stylist! Good luck. Hair problems are so frustrating!

abc

You should have asked for a breakdown of the pricing at the time, not waited until later. Sorry to be so blunt, but you're the consumer and you deserve to know what you're paying for. And she as a stylist should have quote you the prices before starting to get your approval.

Re color fade - you need to use sulfate free shampoo AND conditioner. it's possible that "regular" shampoo could be contributing to the color fade.

Also the stylist should have informed you if this color fades faster, or needs more upkeep, or treatment more often - than your old color so you could be aware and make an informed choice before agreeing to that new color.

Sorry to say it but it sounds like bad communication all around. I hope you get resolution, but know that you must insist of open communication from them and not hesitate to ask BEFORE hand and at the time of payment.

The color fade might be the brand of color the stylist used. I had a color fade incident last year. I went back 4 weeks later when I needed another haircut, and mentioned it. The manager allowed me to get my hair colored for free. The salon switched from the brand they were using (I can't remember what it was) to Paul Mitchell. They've used Paul Mitchell on my hair ever since, with no fading whatsoever. And it has been colored by the same stylish (the one I always use) each and every time. So long story short, it isn't always the stylist's fault, and the salon should make it good no matter what.

FWIW, I don't use sulfate free shampoo or conditioner. I use Paul Mitchell shampoo and conditioner for colored hair.

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