This post is going to start out with a disclaimer: None of the suggestions given in this post are to be considered cure-alls. For some, they work, for others, they don’t. If anyone happens across this post and follows whatever I say and does not get the desired results, you are not allowed to sue me. They are suggestions. SUGGESTIONS! As in, you DON’T have to follow them and there are other options. Do your research thoroughly, talk to a professional.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s address the topic of tonight’s post, shall we?
Two weeks ago, a friend of mine went to a salon for a consultation about lifting/tinting her hair to a mousy brown color that matched her original color before it was dyed dark red. The stylist assured her it wasn’t a problem and she’d have no trouble getting that color.
Today, she sent out an SOS Tweet because the stylist screwed up and the end result was a bright, Weasley red. When my friend talked to the General Manager, she said that it was my friend’s fault her hair was that color because the brown she wanted was impossible to get.
She then suggested my friend chop all her hair off.
Unnecessary? Unprofessional? Uncalled for? Uh, yeah!
So now, my friend is in a horrible position with an outrageous, awful hair color that she didn’t even want.
What the hell do you do when the salon does a crap job and doesn’t offer to fix it? Or own up to their mistake?
Well, I consulted a reliable source (someone who has been dying their hair since they were 19 (almost 40 years ago) & used to two-tone head model for Sebastian salons) and she said that the first thing to do would be to a) find out who owns the salon and file a report/complaint against the stylist & the GM and b) take a photo of the damage. Depending on what the owner does, if they do anything, you might not even need to worry. Also, depending on how irritated/red/damaged your scalp is and how dry your hair is after the coloring, get a deep conditioning treatment. It’ll prevent major damage in the long run.
Next, consult a stylist about how to fix the dye job. My source suggested a weave would be the best option, because it would mute the horrible color and make it look like highlights instead of a horrible dye job. If you are as unfortunate as my friend and are currently impersonating Mrs. Weasley, neutral or ash colors would work the best because they would mute the red. Dark brown would make it a muddy brown color and blonde would turn you into a strawberry blonde. Apparently green would make it a muddy brown too–not entirely sure how that works though. Any art majors know if this has to do with the color wheel?
If you’re going to redye the whole thing, it’s best to wait up to 30 days to prevent major damage to your scalp and hair. It’s also best to get it redone by a professional, because more often than not, the color doesn’t always match what’s on the box when you do it yourself.
If you did do it yourself, and it looks crappy, wash it, wash it, wash it, wash it. The color will fade. Then, consult the professionals.
Hopefully, if you’re in my friend’s position and reading this, it’s given you a few ideas on where to start.
Also, stay calm. Everything will work out in the end 
