Dark Roots on Blonde Hair!

Two weeks ago I went to my salon for a root touch up. My hair color was medium ash blond (covering up salt & pepper hair!) Apparently my stylist couldn't find the card that had my color info on it, so without telling me, she guessed! That gave me bright red roots. Lovely. No worries she said. She could fix this. She applied something else (I have no idea what) and it made no change. Then she said she would just have to go a couple shades darker than the ash, and it would be fine. I agreed. Anything to fix this right?

Well the 'couple shades' were a dark brown color. I screamed when I saw it. It shocked me. She said she would add highlights in a week if I wanted, and promptly charged me for my trouble. Of course I didn't go back and am warning people in our small town. I hate it even though it's lightened a tad, and plan to go elsewhere from now on.

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My gosh. I specialized in hair color for many years and am amazed at the lack of oversight they're teaching for hair color in Beauty schools these days. Any idiot Beautician should know that gray hair acts much the same as virgin hair.

I could have chosen a better hair color for you blindfolded! My best guess is that the hair color that was used to touch up your roots (before it was screwed up), was approximately an 8 level ash blond color mixed with 20 volume peroxide. (Use this as a loose reference next time you get your hair colored.) It would have been easier to target with a picture, but the point is that I can guess better than she did and I haven't even seen your hair!

There is another point to be made here too! Anytime you have your hair colored regularly (for root touch ups or other color services), demand that the stylist give you the color formula (level #, color name, and type of peroxide) and the brand name! You will need to keep this for your records at all times. Its your right to know, especially since you're paying for the services.

Get involved in your hair services and ask as many questions as you need to. If your stylist can't give you an answer, get out of 'the chair' and walk out the door.

Its so easy to let ourselves get taken advantage of when we're having our hair fixed. You get a nice relaxing shampoo and have someone messing with your hair. It so relaxing! However, you aren't chained to 'the chair'. It is your prerogative to get up and leave anytime you don't feel comfortable with things. Always remember that!