General haircoloring questions
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Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: General Hair Talk
Forum Description: A free wheeling discussion of hair related topics.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5571
Printed Date: August 03 2025 at 9:48pm
Topic: General haircoloring questions
Posted By: Red
Subject: General haircoloring questions
Date Posted: March 19 2002 at 10:30am
My apologies in advance for the length of this post. I`d like to hear from any professional stylists/colorists out there...
I`ve had my naturally brown (Level 5) and slightly graying hair highlighted blonde (using foils) for about the past three years. Initially, I could go about 5-6 months between appointments, in part because I was having my hair permed, so the curl helped hide the roots, and also because I asked my colorist for very subtle highlighting so I wouldn`t have to have this very expensive service done every two months. (With tip, it cost me about $140 for the highlight and cut, which I really couldn`t afford more than a couple times a year.)
After the last highlighting (done in November), I realized that my hair had become so blonde all over that I really couldn`t get away with the 5-6 month interval anymore, so I started thinking about going back to an all-over color again.
I had moved to another state in December, and in January, when the roots were starting to get very noticeable, I called a local salon to make an appointment for a haircut. The woman who cut my hair told me she was a Framesi master colorist (not sure what that means) so I just asumed she was very good.
We talked while she cut my hair about my wanting to go back to my natural brown color with some red added. I was hoping that once my hair was back to one color I could do it myself at home if I wanted/needed to. From her reaction, you`d think I`d told her I wanted to perform brain surgery on myself. She went on and on about how important it was to have a professional do it, and how once you have your hair colored in a salon you are risking almost certain doom if you do it at home, etc., etc. It`s been a few years since I`ve done my own haircolor, but I`d never had any problems and was always happy w/ my results so her attitude was a little offensive to me.
Anyway, I was getting desperate about the roots so last week I went back and had her do the color. First she filled (?) the blonde ends with a reddish-brown shade, rinsed that out, then applied color to the roots (she lightened them slightly to get to a Level 6 shade). It turned out quite nicely, but I realized while she was doing it that I really didn`t like her very much. She had a sort of snotty attitude and seemed bothered by the questions I was asking her about what she was doing and why. (I wasn`t rude about it, I was just curious.)
Now I`m in a quandary - I don`t want to go back to her, but I`m not sure how to go about finding someone else. And if I *do* find someone else, am I going to run into more attitude problems if I say that I eventually want to do my hair color myself?
Also, would it be out of line for me to ask my current colorist to give me the information on the products/mix ratios she used so I could take them to another colorist?
How difficult is it for a new colorist to match existing color, especially when it has been through the variety of things mine has, without any background information?
Do all colorists feel that customers are morons and can`t handle something as simple as single-process color, or are there any out there who recognize that some people want to look good but simply can`t afford to spend hundreds of dollars a year on their hair in a salon? It`s not just my hair that I`m frugal about; I usually shop at Salvation Army for my clothes, too.
(OK...the last question is more of a rant than an actual question, so just ignore it.)
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Replies:
Posted By: Raquel
Date Posted: March 19 2002 at 1:41pm
I am not a professional hair colorist or cosemotologist, but I do my own color. I personally think I do a better job than any professional I have been to. I took pictures to the first colorist I went to and showed her what I wanted and what I did not want. Guess what happened--she gave me what I did NOT want. Go figure. She turned my hair orange instead of blonde. (cost $40) She thought it looked good. I hated it. I probably should have made her redo it, but I am not good at confrontation, so I went to someone else. She did a much better job, but refused to color me as blond as I wanted because she thought I would not like it. It did look good, BUT it was not as light as I wanted it (cost $97). I finally got disgusted and decided that if you want it done right --do it yourself. I have been coloring my hair ever since with great success. However, be sure that you educate yourself very well. I found a website which I will give you http://www.robertcraig.com - http://www.robertcraig.com It has every thing on it that you need to know. Go to the Consumer section. I use his products and they do just what they say they will. In the Consumer SEction there is a place called "Ask Karin" Everytime I have e-mailed her a question, she has responded back to me within 3 hours. They are the most reponsive website I have ever dealt with. Robert Craig has been voted one of the top colorists in the country, and he doesn`t think you are stupid if you want to do your own hair. The thing you need to be careful with though is bleach if you ever use it. Read his section on bleach and he completely explains everything about levels. If I can be of further help, let me know. I am not a professional, but I successfully do my own hair. I have people all the time asking me which salon I get it done at, and I tell them I do it. They are very surprised. I hope this has been encouraging to you.
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Rachel
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Posted By: AggiePam
Date Posted: March 19 2002 at 3:02pm
Red,
So sorry to hear about your experiences with hairstylists! I am not a hairstylist but I do color my own hair and have for many years, with a few salon color jobs in between here and there.
I agree with Rachel that you can color at home successfully especially if you educate yourself.
I have a similar situation where I had highlights, they ended up to light, then I colored over back to natural brown. You are more than welcome to email me for details if you`d like at mzphill@msn.com
And, I have went to several stylists who cut my hair and give me color advice. They do all suggest doing it professionally at first, but then they relent when I tell them it is too expensive. (I guess since they are getting my haircut business they give in)
When you are just doing an all over color, to cover greys and refresh your natural color, it is very simple to do at home. It does get a little tricky when you cover bleached areas, but it can be done.
Pam
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Posted By: sodapop
Date Posted: March 20 2002 at 4:31am
If she gives you an attitude, don`t go there !
Maybe you can find a salon that uses Artec Colorist Collection. They do the coloring at the salon, but they make you a personalized color depositing shampoo and conditioner set to use at home, so that you can maintain the color a lot longer.
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