Hair Salon Question - Beauty & Cosmetics Message Board

EllieFrog · 04-19-2008, 08:16 PM

This may be a strange scenario but I have to ask you guys anyway. I've never got my hair done at a salon before... as in I've never had it dyed professonally. I used to do it myself but I learned from those mistakes.
Anyway, I have fairly long hair, maybe about 4 inches past my shoulders. It's naturally ashy light brown, but not anymore since I've dyed it and whatnot. I haven't permanently dyed it in a couple of years since I was letting it grow out to my natural color and I just covered the roots with semi-permanent dyes.

Anyway, now I want to have blonde hair so I've been using peroxide, but that can only do so much since I use a very mild solution (I want to avoid damage).
Since it's not lighting my hair as much as I'd like I was thinking about going to a salon and getting it dyed and highlighted.

So my question is exactly what should I expect? I was thinking about setting an appointment for next week... so what should I tell them when I call? Are they going to be willing to dye my long hair blonde and than put highlights on it?

I've heard stories of people going to salons and their hair stylists giving "advice"... more like being pushy and trying to convince clients to cut their hair a certain way, dye it a certain way, and buy all these expensive products.
I'm a college student and I can't afford salon stuff anymore. I don't want the stylist trying to sell me super expensive products that I cannot afford; or to tell me what to do with my hair as far as cutting and coloring goes (I don't want it cut at all). That's a major pet peeve for me.
My friend recently got her hair chemically straightened and dyed and was influenced by her stylist to buy all these expensive straightening shampoos, conditioners, serums and straightening irons that she couldn't even afford but got it on a "discount" anyway. I do NOT want that to happen. I need to save my money.

Should I expect that from them? And if it happens what should I say?
How should I explain to them exactly what I want so that they know and do it right?

sarah91 · 04-20-2008, 04:44 AM

Wow...it sounds like you've had many hair adventures! I'm proud of you that you decided to go get your hair done professionally. When you call you should make an appointment for full highlights and tell them that you also need to dye your base color to enhance the highlights. When you are placing blonde into your hair, I think that it is better to pay the extra money and go to a salon. If you see that they are doing something that you don't want...feel free to say so. You are paying them. Don't forget that.

EllieFrog · 04-20-2008, 11:24 AM

Thank you very much. I wasn't sure what to say in the first place since I don't want my hair to be platinum blonde or anything... I just want it kinda medium blonde with highlights to make it lighter. I figure if I went platinum it wouldn't look good, and my hair would be fried afterwards.

I will have to call them tomorrow and set an appointment to get it done sometime next week. I was going to do it myself but realized that I really don't know that much about dying hair effectively so I'd rather pay a pro to do it correctly (hopefully) than risk it and than having to cut it super short or something.

Sue21 · 04-20-2008, 01:07 PM

I, too, have never been to a real beauty salon, so I share in your anxiety about it!

If you're afraid of the stylist pushing certain styles or products at you, I would recommend asking friends/classmates/coworkers who they go to. Ask what salons they like, and whom they see in particular there.

You can then call the salon, and make an appointment by saying that "Sheila was recommended to me by a friend, and I'd like to make an appointment with her for a color and small trim."

Good luck!

tUrRrRa · 04-20-2008, 07:12 PM

Definitely bring pictures with you! That way they will know what you are wanting. I remember one time I was trying to go blonde and they were making my hair more gold colored when I wanted it lighter.

Ask friends if they know any good salons as well and don't go to the place your friend told you about them trying to get her to buy a lot! I actually just tell the stylist I can't afford to buy a bunch of products (I'm also a college student).

Some people have to gradually go blonde if their hair is lighter, but it sounds like yours is already lighter so there shouldn't be a problem with them doing it all at once. I'd also recommend highlights to really lighten up your look. Ask for lots of highlights since you are trying to lighten up your whole look. I have friends who went from brunette to blonde just from highlighting over and over and it looked great!

You may want to set up a consulation appointment (they're usually free) where you can just go in and talk to them about what you want. They can give you a price estimate and can make sure they do what you are hoping for. Just give them a call and let them know what you would like done to your hair and they will help you find an available time that works for you! Good luck!