Highlights-Too Much Of A Good Thing

Hello.
Hopefully someone out there can help. I have short brown hair (trying to grow longer) with some natural golden-red highlights. Since it's winter, my hair is darker, so I thought I'd brighten it up with some highlights. Yesterday, I went to Master Cuts for a foil treatment. Told the guy to give me some soft highlights and also that my hair usually really takes the color fast. I don't do this alot (only 2-3 times before) so was at the mercy of the stylist's knowledge.
I don't think I was under the dryer too long, but I guess so. It's just so different, so much lighter all over. The tips of my hair and other places all over is almost a gray color. There is a long chunk in my bangs and in back that is very blond to almost white or gray.
Maybe this is ok looking & I am just not used to it, or I could wear a cap for the next 6 months, but if I could darken up what I have, I'd like to.
I have read some of your posts and wondered if using a clarifying shampoo would help? Or someone has mentioned Tide without bleach? What would help darken my hair back up somewhat?
Thanks so much.

Beyond what II said, you should go back, complain, and have them fix it for free. You told them what you want, you explained how your hair takes color. They told you they would do it. Now it's up to them to make good.

KB wrote: I'd go back and complain, but don't let him do your hair again. Get your money back and find a good colorist that knows how to give you what you want. No offense, but I don't think you're going to find a master colorist at Master Cuts. The people who work there are usually right out of cosmetology school. Being a good colorist takes time and education beyond beauty school.

huh? i believe in continuing education being very important for stylists, but im "right out of cosmetology school" as you said and can say that I havnt quite done what this girl has described. .Yes-you are right in saying that you shouldnt expect a fivestar color job going to MasterCuts.But the rest was a bit biased. The things that happened to her hair is not something that takes 5 years experience to understand. Her ends are more porous, which would explain the color it turned out(so it took the color quicker) and he didnt section the right way which explains why she has bigger blonde chunks vs. smaller ones.
Anyway, You can try to go get your money back, but you shouldve said something off the bat..It may be too late now.For all they know- you could have went home and tried to alter it, and messed it up...But then again-some salons are really good about it, so give it a try. And yes, the point of getting highlights is to give you a totally different effect without completely changing your haircolor(in your case, a much lighter effect) So they cant really be held responsible for that. Also-in your post you explain that he COLORED your hair, but it sounds to me like he may have bleached it? If it WAS color--he used wayy too high of a volume developer. And why were you under the dryer in the first place?! theres really no need for that at all, especially if you told him you process quickly.

woah...dont misinterprate my words, i wasnt getting on your case...I was just asking out of curiosity.

i really think you should go ahead and put color over the highlighted area...maybe a caramel color...It wont be so drastic and will probably look really good. Actually- I had this problem also a couple weeks ago...I dyed my hair almost black(too dark!) and went to bleach in some highlights, they turned out entirely too light so we had to go over them with a level 6 color. I can email you a pic of what it looks like if youd like. let me know.

Coloring should not damage your hair...I suggest Redken shades EQ...your going to want to use a semi or demi permanant color versus a permanant...I would also choose a level 6...That way your highlights wont be so drastic, but definantly still noticable. The reason your choosing a semi or demi is so that if you dont like it, it will wash out with time. I would go to a pro to have this done-but if you insist on doing it yourself, email me and ill tell u how to go about it.

Hey all,
Thanks for all the advice. It''s been awhile now, & I still don't care much for the too light hair strands, but my hair is so dry right now that I'm not gonna do anything else to it.
I will keep in mind the types of coloring to use.
Thanks again.

What you need to do is get yourself a stylist who will give you what you ask for, and fix their mistakes.

Yes, a semi- or demi-permanent hair color will tone down the highlights. I suggest only painting it on the highlights as much as possible, so as not to overdye the hair that's not causing problems.