GINGER hair ... I want mine .. BACK!

my hair is ... well.... WAS a beautiful Auburn.   (THIS ... is what I want BACK)

I've never had a problem anywhere getting my auburn color when covering my grey roots when it was time to remind my hair what color it is

I went to a stylist who made it too dark.  I looked around to find someone to fix it -- The next stylist did a reasonable job, and I could see getting back to my auburn hair again.  My next trip to this stylist, this time to cover my roots, we added some highlights to it to give my hair some dimension as we made the transition back to my desired / lifelong hair color.

I don't know HOW ... but even with the highlights, my hair wound up DARKER than it was my first visit!!

The last thing *anyone* wants to hear after a trip to the salon is "nice color" ... that means your trip was a FAIL!  the *only* thing you should ever hear ... is 'You look FANTASTIC!"

Anyway ... I expressed that I was unhappy and the stylist suggested I come in for a "color correction", which, I did. 

Now, the color lifted evenly, my gray hair even lifted to white! Over all, it was an orange though, so I couldn't leave with it like that of course, but I was hopeful for the next step -- getting my ginger back!  Certainly, being that light -- it was possible, right?... RIGHT?

After she rinsed me and I was back at her station .... I couldn't believe my eyes.  my hair was now ... DARKER than it was when I first came in, if that were possible.  now ... I had a nearly black shade of red. 

What . the . heck?!??  I'm wearing a wig now.  I'm 51 years old.  the shade of red I NORMALLY have ... compliments my (very pale) complexion.  NOW ... I look like a woman who's trying to compete with a MUCH younger daughter ... I look ridiculous. 

With the color correction, I know I can't really do anything to my hair for a while without risking real damage.

I read online that Prell will help lift the color, and so far I've seen it lift it a little ... but I'm in for a LONG ride.  I'm so upset I can't even articulate it effectively. 

anyone have ANY suggestions of what I can do to hasten my do it yourself  color lightening?  I need to find a home salon that's not going to mess up my hair anymore.  I hate how I look, and it's affecting my attitude.


Edited by Gneila - April 20 2010 at 11:37pm