After searching for years, I finally found a stylist that pretty much does my highlights in a manner that pleases me, except that when she does my highlights and roots, while she does the roots perfectly with the base color's touch-up (I have some greys, hence the need to touch-up my base), the touch-up of the roots on the highlights is another story. She uses foils, so that is not the issue, but for some reason, she will leave half an inch of the root without the bleach mixture. Because my base is chestnut brown and the streaks are a golden/platinum shade of blonde, it's noticeable (at least to me).
It's annoying to spend money on something to treat yourself and feel like it's a halfway done job. I am not sure if she is doing that in order to make me come in for a re-touch sooner (which means more money for her) or what. I do want to say that she is quite pushy when it comes to booking a new appointment, texting me within 4 weeks to the day, that it's time for a touch-up. I ignore her texts and schedule an appointment via text whenever I feel I can no longer go without a touch-up and/or whenever I have time (usually within 2 months or 2.5 months). I also feel it is healthier for my hair rather than constantly submitting it to chemical treatments.
I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this and can shed light as to why she may not be going to the root. I have to admit I have gone through several stylists, as have some of my co-workers who highlight their hair, and neither of us has ever experienced that -- they all went down to the root. I don't want to be rude so if I do question her about it, I am trying to find a nice way of saying it, and I am not sure if saying "why do you leave 1/2 an inch without the bleach? Is there a reason for that? I'd rather not have my roots showing immediately after walking out of here" is polite enough. Thanks :)
I'd just say, "Could you please do the foils all the way to my scalp? My roots grow out so fast and I can't get in here to get them done as often as I'd like."
The fact that you're asking here indicates you're afraid you'll offend or upset your stylist if you just ask her plainly. Why? You're paying her for a service; you have a right to ask her any question you like about that service.
What you wrote, minus the last sentence, or with that sentence altered, is just fine: "Why do you leave a half inch at the scalp without the bleach? Could you explain? When I've had this done elsewhere, the stylists colored right down to the roots." Depending on her answer and her attitude, you can follow up if you like with, "I do feel like my roots show very quickly after coloring -- more quickly than I've experienced before. Please color right down to the roots this time. Let's see how they hold up."
If she's not doing it like every other stylist you've had and your friends have had, there's something going on: Maybe she's less experienced, or she is great but using a product that she knows would burn your scalp, or she's out to get you back in her chair sooner (as you suspect....). But you won't know unless you ask. If she says sure, I will do what you want, you're fine; if she evades the question or comes up an excuse that sounds lame to you -- find another salon. It's no shame to try a new one even if you've "gone through several stylists." Unless you are super picky and fussy, and it's on you and not them, don't worry about it -- this is a service industry and if you don't like the service, take your money to someone else!
Huh. That's odd! I do kind of the reverse (my base color is light blond, and the lowlights are a reddish brown) - but my colorist goes all the way to the scalp. I would ask your colorist why she is doing it that way. Just say, "I've noticed that I can see where the highlight starts, and it kind of bugs me - could you start the highlight right at my scalp this time?" I mean, it's going to grow out in between touch-ups, but you'd like to at least get a week or two where the highlights look like you just had them done!
This is a case where no matter what her reason is: It doesn't matter. You've had other people go to scalp, so you know it can be done. Maybe she wants you to need a touch-up sooner. Maybe she's concerned about your scalp. Do you really care? No. You want your highlights to the root. SO skip the question, it's only an invitation for debate.
"Sally Jo, This time please do my highlights all the way to the root."
If she starts to say, "But blah blah blah blah blah."
Then nicely, say, "Oh, Oh really, OK." and start to gather up your purse and angle yourself for door with a "I didn't realize you can't do that, thanks, and I'll come back for a cut another time."
Don't give her the option to decline.
ps I HATE HAIRDRESSERS I only have ONE I can trust and one friend who thankfully cuts hair, because I've had SO MANY HAIRDRESSERS nod and say"ok" and then do whatever the hell they want to my hair.
You said: I am not sure if saying "why do you leave 1/2 an inch without the bleach? Is there a reason for that? I'd rather not have my roots showing immediately after walking out of here" is polite enough.
I see nothing wrong with it. If I am paying someone to do a job, I feel perfectly within my rights to ask questions about it and learn the how's and why's of it all.
I wonder if you might have even considered that this isn't a "halfway done job" but just the way she does highlights? If you had bothered to ask her why, she would have told you and then you would either accept her reasoning or tell her that you would prefer them to be done to your scalp.
It really is that simple.
Instead of feeling irritated, ask. I promise you that it's more polite to ask than never show up again, without giving her a chance to explain her method.
I was talking to my stylist about this at my last appointment. Younger ladies go for the ombre effect and so she intentionally doesn't take the color to the roots. I'm apparently "older" lol and like it to go the the scalp. It could just be an age thing that she's putting you in the younger category or she's just gotten so used to doing it she's not even aware you'd like it closer.
Just tell her to go all the way to the scalp. If she's worth keeping as a stylist, she will do it.
Instead of asking her why she is doing it, just say From now on, please do my highlights all the way down to the root. If she asks you what you mean tell her you notice she starts half and inch down and you would rather she starts at the base of the hair strands. I have never heard of a stylist doing that and find it odd. You would leave looking like you need a touchup on your highlights!
I think AKMom is onto something. My first thought is what she said - that maybe it would be dangerous for your health if the bleach touched your scalp. Definately ask nicely, and there is no way she could possibly take it as rude.
Better yet - save a TON of money and do your hair coloring yourself! My base color is also brown (I have a ton of gray and I do root-only touch ups every 4-5 weeks). I also do my own hilites. It is a hilite kit that includes everything I need - the cap, the hook, etc. It is easier than I thought it would be, and my hilites turned out great! Salon quality! My base root touch up kit costs $5.00, and my hilite kit costs $6.00!! I cannot afford to pay $100 (at Supercuts - I can only imagine how much more it would cost at a nice salon) every month for a base color and partial hilites! Than is insane! Hair coloring costs a fortune, so a while ago, I decided to do both by myself. I highly recommend doing it yourself!
It is my understanding that you leave a half inch so the chemicals in the bleach do not burn your skin.
Go to Walmart and buy a frosting kit. They run about $10. I have done my own hair numerous times and been totally pleased. Of course if you're not familiar with hair stuff you may not be totally pleased with it the first time or two but by the third time you are going to be a pro and able to do it by yourself for the rest of the time you choose to have streaked hair.
I have even done other peoples hair too. You simply stick all your hair under the cap then poke the little crochet hook looking device through the holes you have chosen. I used the small end the first few times I did it so I wouldn't over do the strands that I pulled out. You control what comes out and YOU control how much hair is colored and how far down the shaft the color goes.
When you have a section of hair pulled through a hole you can pull that hair and feel where it's attached. If it's a front hole and the hair coming through it is from the back then you need to pull it back through the hole from underneath and pull hair through from that area.
i'm just flummoxed.
i can't imagine why it would be rude to inform your professional that you have a question about their methodology. i think if i were a stylist i'd be incredibly frustrated with clients who leave unhappy but aren't willing to tell me what they actually want.
my stylist likes to cut my bangs to the perfect length. she's kind of a perfectionist, so i appreciate her desire to have me walking out of her studio looking great. i'm too lazy to go as often as i should, so sometimes i have her cut 'em a little shorter. if she is annoyed by my request, she keeps it to herself, as she should. it's my hair.
i don't know any stylists who don't ask what you think before you leave the shop. when she does, a simple 'looks great but i'd prefer to have the color go right up to the root' should get your point across without being accusatory. if she gets pissy about it, find a new stylist.
one should be able to discuss one's preferences with the people who are being paid to deliver. but they can't read minds.
khairete
S.
If she does not cover the bleach w/ the foils...The bleach will run and the result will not be pretty.
On that same note, I highlight my own hair and while I do not touch my scalp with bleach, I do go as close to the scalp as possible !
I would just simply ask her to put the bleach closer to the scalp. She might have had an experience where the bleach ran or she wants u to come in sooner.....?
