Is This My Fault Or Bad Business?
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: Hair Color
Forum Description: The tricks and tribulations of changing your hair color
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=59459
Printed Date: August 03 2025 at 9:32pm
Topic: Is This My Fault Or Bad Business?
Posted By: ILovebryce
Subject: Is This My Fault Or Bad Business?
Date Posted: March 03 2008 at 2:31pm
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This is really long, but please bear with me if you can. I usually dye my hair a bright red. I really like it, but recently wanted to try something new. My sister works at a salon so she offered to do it for me. I tried a dark brown, and hated it.  I was crying, felt ugly...it sounds extremely dumb, but it really bothered me.So after a few days of feeling bad, I made an appointment at another salon. I never go there for my hair, but I do go there to get my eyebrows waxed. So I explained to the woman what happened, and I showed her a picture of my hair normally, and a box top to a dye color that I like. it was a very nice orangy-red color. She took the color out of my hair and it turned into a strawberry blond color. But it wasn't very even. The roots were still dark brown and it was pretty brassy. She said to me "you're probably going to want to color this." So she gave me a book with hair color to pick from. I told her I like it when it's lighter. I said I like the color is it now (the strawberry blond) but I want it a little bit more red, less blond. I asked her opinion and she tried to get me to go darker, but I said I didn't think that was a good idea because I like it light. She was pretty insistent that I use the darker shade as well as the lighter shade, and I said that's fine. I figured she would know better than I would. And my hair had never been that light to start with, so I didn't want to make a mistake. So I picked 2 colors, and said "I just don't want it to be too dark." Well we dyed it and it came out only a tiny bit lighter than the dark brown I came in with.
I was so upset, because I'm pretty poor and this cost me $150. She knew
it was too dark before I even said anything because she told me that if
I wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo, it'll lighten up. I was still
upset but it looked redder in the salon, so I paid and left.I got home and looked in the mirror (and took a mirror outside) and I hate it.
I'm not one to cause a scene when it comes to people I don't know, so I
really didn't want to call back. But I finally did, and I was really
polite. I said I really don't like the results and I was wondering if
we could do the process over again. I didn't even suggest they do it
for free, I was just talking.The woman who dyed my hair told the receptionist that she explained to me that I need to wash with a clarifying shampoo, and it'll lighten up. But that was the same problem I had with the dark brown I came in with originally. I wanted it fixed, which is why I paid $150. I don't want to wait for dark hair to fade. The woman who dyed my hair also told the receptionist that if I was going to come in to do it again, she'll charge me again. I really don't have any money, and that was the only money I had saved. My mom called up (she's a lot better at this stuff than me) and the woman who dyed my hair told her that it's my fault because *I* picked the colors. And when she took the color out, it was a light strawberry blond and I said I didn't want it. But that's because it wasn't an all over color, it was kind of spotty and SHE suggested that I dye it. So now we have to call the manager tomorrow. I really feel awful because 1) I paid and I hate it and 2) now they think I'm a brat, and even if they'll fix it for free, I have to go back to a place that now finds me annoying. Ahh. So my question to you is: do you think I'm being unreasonable for wanting them to fix it free of charge? I paid a lot of money to have almost the exact same thing I came in with. I know this seems like such a dumb thing to be upset about considering how bad things can get, but I'm pretty miserable with how I look and now I'm broke on top of it. Does anyone have any experience with this or opinions? Thank you.  I'm sorry this is so long. |
Replies:
Posted By: Hal
Date Posted: March 03 2008 at 2:40pm
| You should expect to get what you ask for unless you are told it can't or shouldn't be done and you insist! Ask for your money back! |
Posted By: lovetocolor
Date Posted: March 03 2008 at 3:20pm
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you are not dumb or outrageous or any of the sort....you should either let her fix your hair for free or get a refund. good luck.... ------------- happy coloring |
Posted By: Rebekah
Date Posted: March 03 2008 at 8:38pm
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You should certainly get it redone and get what you want. If you can find it, bring in a pic of your color before and tell her under no uncertain terms that you want it back just like this, thank you! That was certainly a lot of money for you to pay and be unhappy.
Hope this helps.
Rebekah ------------- Check out My Hobby Shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5372710 |
Posted By: Ally<3
Date Posted: March 04 2008 at 4:42am
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You are entitled to a refund or free repair. You specified you wanted it light, they assured you they could give you what you wanted ... and didn't. Don't feel bad, YOU are the customer. Without customers they have no business. Like I said in a previous post, YOU pay their rent. You gave the A HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS. Where I come from that's a lot of money. You deserve to be happy. Let us know how it goes. oxox ------------- |
Posted By: Susan W
Date Posted: March 04 2008 at 8:09am
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Bring that box top right back in there and say "I brought this yesterday, and does my hair look this color?". She shouldn't have been insistent in the first place that you choose darker when you were saying you didn't want it dark. And she shouldn't have made you pick a dye to use. Here's why. This is how haircolor works: She is supposed to be the expert and know how to give you what you say you want. She is not supposed to tell you what color code to pick because you don't know how it will come out. She knows chemicals come out darker or come out lighter based on this or that which has already been done to your hair. You pick the shade, then she chooses the bottle that will give you that shade, no matter what's written on container. In other words, the argument that "you picked" the bottle isn't a very good one, because that was her job. ------------- Making metal barettes/concord clips hair safe, long hair style how to: http://alonghair.wordpress.com |
Posted By: ILovebryce
Date Posted: March 04 2008 at 10:17am
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Thank you, guys. I'm feeling a little better about it today. I have to call back at 1 and speak to the owner, but I heard from someone I work with that she can be pretty mean, so I'm nervous. I definitely will bring the box top back in and say that I showed it and said I wanted my hair that color. I agree that I had no idea what the colors were going to look like, so I don't see how it's my fault that I "picked them."  What's funny is, while she was dying my hair she said to me "you should never go below a level 7. Don't even go to a 6. You like it light." But then she she was done with my hair, she matched my hair up and said "You're about a 6 now." Umm..I thought you said I should never go below a 7, so why are you pretending that this is what I wanted? Ahh. it's just so frustrating and I'm awful at confrontation like this. But thanks for your help. At least I know other people agree that I'm not being unreasonable. Thanks again. :) |
Posted By: Ally<3
Date Posted: March 04 2008 at 6:12pm
Exactly right! She picks the tone and DEVELOPER STRENGTH judging on what your hair is now and where you want it to go. They want to intimidate you so you won't make a fuss. Let us know what the owner says. ------------- |
Susan W wrote:Posted By: fakeizme
Date Posted: March 07 2008 at 10:20pm
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This is why I hate going to hairdressers and refuse to ever go back to one. I am a DIY forever!!!! ------------- Love clip-ins and tape! |
Posted By: PerfectBrunette
Date Posted: March 09 2008 at 12:53am
| It's NOT your fault. Make them fix it or give you your money back. Be very polite but insist on getting your way! If you were a hairdresser, wouldn't you want the chance to fix it? Especially since she knew she screwed up. If she doesn't want to fix it for free, she has no morals. Don't let them get away with treating you like that! |
Posted By: lovetocolor
Date Posted: March 09 2008 at 12:53pm
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what's the update on your situation? did you get it worked out? ------------- happy coloring |
Posted By: karen s
Date Posted: March 09 2008 at 5:01pm
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I was sorry to hear of your experience at the hairdressers. I am a hairdresser. I have worked for myself as a mobile hairstylist, and I now work in a salon. I just wanted to add that the more colour you add to your hair the harder it is to remove these colours, even with bleach. Red is a particular hard colour to remove. Colour removers can leave the hair with an uneven colour and therefor needs to be re - applied. I would always recommend to my clients that to get the hair to a very light colour after browns and reds have already been added, would take a few visits to my salon, as it needs to be done carefully and correctly, and it takes time.
I agree you were given the wrong advise, but please , please not all hairstylist are bad ones. ------------- karen sanderson |
Posted By: ILovebryce
Date Posted: March 09 2008 at 7:51pm
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Sorry it took me a bit to respond. My boyfriend came here and just left tonight, so I was a little distracted. My mom wound up calling (I know, not the best move, but I'm just too much of a baby) and she said the manager was actually really nice. She said to wash my hair with the clarifying shampoo for a week, and if I still really don't like the color, to call her back in a week and 'she'll see what she can do.' So I have to call back in the middle of the week and see what she can do for me. I'm not sure if she's going to re-dye it for me or what, but I hope so. She also told my mom that she doesn't want to take the responsibility of stripping my hair too soon and having it all fall out, so I might wait a few weeks to have it done. Thanks for your help, guys. I'll let you know what happens from here.Karen_s...what do you suggest I do? Why does it take a few visits? Should I bring this up to them? I'm lost here, so any advice would be nice. :) Thank you. |
Posted By: Ally<3
Date Posted: March 10 2008 at 3:42am
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Keep scrubbing your hair with clarifying shampoo. If you're hair's in good condition you could use anti-dandruff shampoo, or even dishwashing liquid. The sefectants I think their called, in the shampoo should really help remove the pigment. You can also try a Bleach Soap Cap which will remove even more pigment with shampoo, conditioner and the aid of a small amount of bleach. Good luck ------------- |
Posted By: karen s
Date Posted: March 10 2008 at 10:04am
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Use the clarifying shampoo for a week, and see how your hair looks, if you are still not happy with it, go back to the salon and let them fix it.
My advise to clients if you get a colour your happy with stick with it for a while if it is permanent hair colour. Better still use a semi permanent colour as this washes out between 6 and 12 washes therefor if you do get fed up with your colour and want a change its easier to remove semi colour as the molecules in the hair dye only penetrate to the outer of the hairs cuticle( the cortex), were as permanent gets right into the Medula (center of hair shaft) making it permanent.
If you want to go all blonde from dark brown lets say, gradually build up hi-lites on a few visits to the salon, and get more and more hi-lites each visit. ------------- karen sanderson |
Posted By: PerfectBrunette
Date Posted: March 10 2008 at 8:50pm
| Just wanted to add my two cents on fading color fast - try a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment and leave it on for a long time (about 20 minutes or so). This has worked wonders for fading color on me and leaves my hair in better condition than using harsh shampoos and detergents. |
Posted By: ILovebryce
Date Posted: March 12 2008 at 1:57pm
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Grrr. I talked to the manager today and while she was very nice, she seemed really hesitant to commit to fixing it. First she suggested doing highlights over it, but then said that would be using bleach and wouldn't be a good idea. I said I didn't want to do that anyway, as my hair is going to need to be stripped eventually anyway since I don't like this color. I asked how long I should wait to strip/re-dye it and she was really weird about giving me an estimate. Finally she said a few weeks, and I said that was fine, I didn't mind dealing with it until then as long as it would be fixed. But it was like she wasn't really listening. She was like "maybe you can come in and we can use something like a special shampoo to lighten it" and I told her that even if it's lightened, it's still too dark because it's too brown and not red enough. She took my cell phone number and told me she was going to call me on friday and maybe I can come in and shampoo it and lighten it. But I had already told her twice that I just wanted to wait and strip it again in a few weeks. I don't feel very listened to and I feel like she's trying to get out of fixing it. I understand that she would rather me wait to strip it again, so she doesn't have any responsibility of my hair getting damaged. But I told her I was willing to wait a few weeks, so why is she being so weird about it? I have a hard time speaking up for myself so this is difficult. Hopefully I can talk to her on friday and I'll have to try again to push for waiting a few weeks and then stripping it again. :( |
Posted By: Rebekah
Date Posted: March 12 2008 at 4:17pm
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Listen, once your hair is damaged, it's damaged. No amount of time will improve the condition of your hair. It's silly for her to say you need to wait, you don't, it doesn't matter. Hair is dead, so it does no healing over time. Do you have a picture you can post of your hair. Maybe you can just add a demi over it if all you want is to add some red. Do you want it lightened too? Stripping it may not be the way to go, a color correction might as long as you don't want it lighter. Hope this helps.
Rebekah ------------- Check out My Hobby Shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5372710 |
Posted By: ILovebryce
Date Posted: March 12 2008 at 4:22pm
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Yeah, I definitely want it lighter. My hair is at about a level 5 MAYBE 6 right now. I'm used to an 8 so I definitely need it lightened. I agree that it's dumb to ask me to wait, but I'm also nervous because I don't want to wreck my hair =/ |
Posted By: PerfectBrunette
Date Posted: March 12 2008 at 10:19pm
| Why not use a direct dye solvent color remover like Color Oops or Color Fix and just remove it yourself at home? I agree that your hairdresser should fix it but she seems really timid, which makes me think she is not so confident with color. Rebekah is right about your hair. Damage does not get repaired by waiting 2 weeks. I don't know why your hairdresser is stalling. Perhaps she hasn't quite figured out what to do about your hair yet. |
Posted By: Ally<3
Date Posted: March 13 2008 at 3:37am
Thankyou for saying this. I don't know why this is such a widespread belief, it just doesn't make any sense. ------------- |
Posted By: Susan W
Date Posted: March 14 2008 at 7:21am
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I agree, there is no reason to wait. If she is saying she wants to drag it out a few weeks, she is putting it off until she can charge you full price again, because by then it will be a new process, not a fix it job. ------------- Making metal barettes/concord clips hair safe, long hair style how to: http://alonghair.wordpress.com |