You should not have paid and she should have corrected it right then and there. This has happened twice to me.
I wanted subtle highlights and went to a colorist that a good friend uses. Her hair is blond though and I have learned that just because a colorist can do blond does not mean they are great with brown.
Anyway, when I saw the finished product, it was too blond, not the look I asked for. She saw the look on my face and quickly went about correcting it. I never went back there.
Another time I was getting a demipermanaent color. I don't know if this treatment is still available. I went to the town a half hour away because my work friends all went there. But, my first mistake was not waiting for the colorist they used . I left with very red hair. As I was driving home I started to realize how red it was. (Not exactly Lucille Ball, but close!) When I got home my husband said, you need to go back, not only is it red, but it had two different tones.
I went directly back and it took two hours to correct it..
I would call and talk to her. Maybe she would offer you a free hair cut if she also cuts hairs. BUt, I am not sure if I would trust her for that. But, she should know how unhappy and unacceptable this was.
The original colorist said to me, customers usually give two chances, so I have to get it right. She did't with me so I moved on. Errors happen, it is what they do to handle them that matters.
Your stylist clearly saw the white stripes. How dare she think this is acceptable?
I envy people who can get inexpensive color and cuts. I now pay a huge amount of money but I walk out satisfied. And, they stand behind their work 100 percent.

I would have insisted on color correction then and there--- or another appointment within the week. I do see there is a definite trend towards wide stripes of highlights instead of the very tiny highlights that used to be the norm. That technique looked very natural but was extremely labor intensive. When I lived in Manhattan it took my colorist over an hour just to put the foils in--- she was even taking some out as the last were going in. People don't want to spend that much time--- or pay that much-- now, so wide stripes = less work. The stylists can charge a reasonable fee for their time for a shorter and lesser service.

I've seen many young girls with white stripes in their hair, so it may not have been so much a mistake in execution as a mistake in her understanding of what you want. I would never, ever, go to a new hair stylist / colorist without a picture in hand to show.

DD did show the stylist a picture. The hair was lighter than hers, but trust me, it did not have wide, white stripes. The stylist warned DD about her roots and DD agreed that she did not want dark, obvious roots as her hair was growing out.

I was charged $95 for the disaster so I don't think I took the cheap route. The stylist is the owner so I can't go up the chain to complain. I also see the stylist socially so there is that to consider too. Ugh. So frustrating.

Omigosh, hopefully she won't want an unhappy customer. Just call her and tell her how unhappy dd is with the result, there is too much contrast and the size of the streaks are too large. "What can she do to make it more like dd wanted?" Give her a chance, go for a consult (make it clear you don't want an appt for fixing that day), get her ideas, and if you have any questions whether what she's proposing is a good solution then check with your own stylist. Then make an appointment for a fix if you're satisfied with what she suggests. Be clear about whether she expects to charge you more.

Unfortunately, the only way to correct is to darken some of the light. Depending on how long your dd's hair is, the dark dye will likely lighten with washing and will have to be redone until the whole thing grows out. Or she can use a non-peroxide (so it doesn't change any more of the natural color) product over all her hair, which will darken all of the light (for less contrast overall) and that will minimize the dark roots effect. But that likely will have to be done a few times until it all grows out. Just be sure it's a non-peroxide product that won't change any of her natural color as it grows out.

If she won't fix it, if you paid with a credit card, think about protesting the charges to your cc company. I wouldn't worry about the social circle aspect if she refuses to make it right. She should be the one to feel uneasy, not you.

This happened to me and what my stylist did was use a light blonde color - permanent hair color and just used it on the highlighted strands. You could probably do this yourself even - just use a comb and pull out the white strands, cover them in the blonde color.

They'll still be lighter than her natural color, but won't be white. If the problem is they'll still look odd even blonde because they're so wide, you'll need to go to a stylist who can do a two step color process. She'll color the weaved strands a blonde color and the remaining white strands your daughter's natural color.

Unfortunately, unless you go back to the original stylist, you'll have to pay.

Ohh your poor daughter. I feel so sorry for her.

I have had the same colourist for probably 20 years and I follow her from salon to salon.."We" are on our 3rd salon together. I trust her implicitly and that's what it is all about. I found her on the recommendation of a friend after my previous colourist made my hair bleach blonde. It was hideous.

Don't try to correct it yourself. Some dyes will leave a green tint on highlighted hair (ask me how I know).

I've given up on getting highlights at the salon. I always come out too blonde and often splotchy. I use one of the drugstore kits and have been doing it for years. People, including hairdressers, often comment on how nice it looks.

Just jumped on the computer for a quick moment and haven't read all of the responses in great detail. So, please forgive me if my response is repetitive to those posted above.

If it were my daughter (or my own hair), I would definitely call the salon owner and request a full refund plus the cost of repairing the situation. I wouldn't go back to the colorist who damaged your DD's hair. Apparently, she isn't competent, or she, for some crazy reason, allowed your DD's color to over process. No excuse given would satisfy me at this juncture.

The only way to fix the "stripes" would be to foil in a reverse color (the natural color) of your DD hair. Also, I would ask the colorist to include differing shades of your DD's natural color - multi colors used to get a more natural and not a "stripe" effect. When I have my color done, I use 2 highlight colors, a mid light and a low light at every color appt. It is doable, don't let anyone tell you that they can't use more than one or two colors, because they can ~ it's done by many women to achieve a more natural highlight affect. Unfortunately, I have no idea how damaged your DD's hair is at this point due to over processing. The reverse color would be a way to "fix" the problem, but it really depends on how badly damaged your DD's hair is at this point. and that's where an objective opinion comes in. An objective opinion cannot be obtained by the colorist who damaged your DD's hair, at least not in my mind. If the hair isn't damaged to the point where reverse color would cause further damage, that's the best option.

IMO, the first thing I would do regardless of what is done to correct the color, would be to purchase upon the recommendation of the salon, conditioning shampoo, conditioner for every wash, as well as a conditioner that your DD could apply to wet hair before bed and sleep with it on her hair and just rinse out in the a.m. Any good/reputable product line for a reparative shampoo & conditioner, ex: Redken Extreme Conditioning, or Clear Moisture or similar product for your DD to use when washing her now in an effort to prevent further damage or breakage. Also, if possible, don't shampoo every day. The last thing overprocessed hair needs is to be washed too often. This is going to be costly, but at this point, you're not going to get the quality you need from a grocery or big box store IMHO. Also, any hot irons or the like would be off limits so as to not further damage DD's hair. In a perfect world, not using a blow dryer would be a good idea. Every little thing in the heat department that you can eliminate in that regard will help repair and prevent more damage.

Any chance of cutting your DD's hair shorter? Just throwing it out there. That's what I would do to start to cut off as much of the damaged hair. Also, very frequent hair cuts until this situation is really under control. It may take months for all of this damage to be cut out. I know personally how hard that would be for her if her hair is at a length she is happy with. However, cutting it would really make a difference in the appearance. If your DD's hair is long, I imagine that it is too damaged to do much else. Hair, at least my hair, grows very quickly, so if it were cut, at least it would be taking a step forward toward returning to healthy looking hair.

Many years ago, I had a perm that was over processed. My hair lierally looked like a brillo pad, and I wanted to stay in bed until the whole thing resolved (obviously not an option at that time). I slept with Intense Climatress conditioner on my head every night for months. I have no idea if that product is still available, but if it is, it really does work in a damaged hair situation. Used it every night covered by a shower cap to protect my pillow, as well as help keep my hair damp with the conditioner. In the a.m., I just rinsed, only used shampoo every few days.

This outcome is not acceptable in this day and age. There are so many great products formulated to avoid this very situation. Hair color products have come a long way since I started highlighting my own hair. Also, great colorists with alot of experience, and who continually attend the workshops given by product companies, etc.. Perhaps you have a friend or collegue whose colored hair you like? Just thinking perhaps a recommendation of another salon by someone with great color would be the best direction to go for an honest evaluation of what your DD's hair would tolerate WITHOUT further damage.

Geez, this is such a darn shame for your poor DD. As if going to school with female peers isn't already difficult enough. I may be alone on this, but when my hair isn't looking okay to good, it definitely affects how I feel about my appearance. When I had the bad AND LAST perm, I was working full time, but felt like carp when I looked in the mirror before going out in public.

I hope that you're able to find a great colorist to guide you & your DD going forward with this.

I had one of those bad perms in the late 80's and it actually did permanent damage. I know how your daughter feels, but hopefully her damage is only superficial and it will just take time to grow out.

Oh no.. I've been highlighting for 30 years and I know there's nothing worse than a bad color or bad stripes. It's enough to ruin my mood *every* time I look in the mirror.

My guess is that your daughter's hair "comes up" quickly-- mine did too when I was young. I have very dark hair but my swedish genes are such that I went very light naturally-- and with chemicals, my stylist had to be very careful. Sometimes the top would be done by the time she finished putting in foils-- even without heat. Your stylist should have been watching for that-- especially on a first visit!!

Every once in awhile I go with a two color treatment-- a highlight and a low light to add some depth to my hair or when I get too much blonde over time. I think this is probably your only option-- but I warn you, low lights are duller than natural color but they do add a layered color look that I think is more natural. I would absolutely go to someone you trust to bring in low lights.

Also, I second the need for a great conditioner. I love pureology for colored hair. It is a strong conditioner but it always leaves my hair feeling silky.

Sending good vibes to your daughter.. so sorry that she has to deal with bad hair but a good stylist will get her back on track!

I'd suggest finding a salon that has designated staff for color and cuts and then getting a consultation with a colorist. Your daughter wouldn't be the first to seek out their expertise to correct a botched job done by someone else. There is a salon I like to frequent that has their staff structured this way. Colorists only do color, stylists only cut/style hair. Younger employees are required to intern for several years under a senior stylist or colorist before they are promoted to their own chair in their area of expertise. You'll pay more for the service & might have to travel further than normal to find it, however it's been my experience using a color 'specialist' produces far better results than a salon where one person does it all. (I'm not knocking that all-in-one system, it's pretty much standard. But when someone specializes in only one area day in and out it shows in their work.)

Yelp might be a good place to start checking & reading reviews. I've seen lots of reviews for my salon & others with specialized staffing where bad color done elsewhere was successfully corrected.

I feel for your daughter, we've probably all had at least one or two major hair disasters, but in a 16 year old's world it can be devastating. Hope you can find a solution that makes her feel good again!

Another suggestion for your DD ~ Wen conditioning cleanser for use rather than shampoo & conditioner. Amazon sells it for a decent price (it is definitely more expensive than a medicore shampoo & conditioner), but IMO, worth every penny spent. I cannot speak to any other items in their product line, but the conditioning cleanser is great. Currently using the Summer Mango Coconut, but there are several fragrance options in the Wen line. Actually, I was so happy with the Wen product that I've been buying it for my own DD, who has blond highlights. My own DD's hair is light naturally, but she does have it highlighted for dimension. Any time you start lightening your hair (bleach vs. color), it's a good idea to use the best product you can afford to keep your hair looking healthy.

Definitely would still buy a salon recommended intense conditioner for sleeping covered by a shower cap, at least until your DD's hair has "recovered".

I've been using the Wen conditioning cleanser for well over a year, and love the condition of my hair. There was a thread on this forum about the Wen-type products, perhaps you could search it and read what other posters have commented about their personal experience with using that type of product as opposed to regular shampoo and conditioner. I have highlights & low lights (no problems), but will tell you that the Wen product definitely does not damage your hair in any way, it benefits it immensely. I don't work for Wen, nor associated in any way with their products or company. Just can't get your poor DD's situation off of my mind. Have BTDT.

I have a DD, and my own hair would be on fire if a colorist left my DD's hair in the condition that the colorist left your DD.

I don't have any more advice, only commiseration with your daughter. I went to my mother's stylist to get a perm when I was about 16 (late seventies), and she let it over process and it burned my hair up. I ended up having to have it cut very short (it was below my shoulders before the perm) and have professional deep conditioning treatments for quite a while. I cried for what seemed like weeks at the time.

Since your daughter went in with a photo there's really no excuse for the bad result. It sounds as if the salon needs a new timer! In my salon each customer gets a timer and if we move about we have to take it with us.