Home Hair Color Gone Wrong

This is a phrase I am quite familiar with. As a hair stylist now for 15 years, I have several long time clients that originally were referred to me by another client because they had a home hair "oops" and were in need of a color correction. They have since been clients for life. The following story is about a dear friend and client that I have had the privilege of doing her hair for over 8 years now. I was recently on vacation, and while I was gone, she (who at her request will remain anonymous), had a cocktail party and decided her roots (new growth) needed to be done. She then went to Sally's Beauty Supply and asked the clerk to help her match her color so that she could color it herself. Her thought in all of this, was that she didn't want to bother me. She is afterall very sweet.

Well, she went home and applied said hair color formula that the Sally's clerk had recommended. Her hair is normally a very chocolate brown. It turned out BLACK. As in she now had a black stripe at her roots and the rest of her hair was brown! She had to go back to Sally's to get more of the same color so that all of her hair would match. Why she didn't give in and call me at this point, I still don't know. LOL So, she then returned home and applied the hair color to the rest of her gorgeous chocolate brown hair. Did I mention that she has been growing her hair out? So, due to some personal schedule changes, she had to reschedule her early January appointment with me. I think she was trying to let it fade and sneak it past me. ;)

When she walked in for her appointment last week, I immediately cocked my head and looked at her funny. I couldn't help it. I said "Why does your hair look so dark?" Her response "Well, I've got some xplainin' to do". She then told me the story above. I love her, and couldn't contain my laughter. The funniest part, is that her teenage daughter told her immediately "Amber is going to be so mad at you". Ok, so she wanted her beautiful chocolate brown color with slight natural light highlights back. Here is what her home hair oops cost her in the long run.

*First, I had to decolorize her hair TWICE. (Process of removing the black color while making sure not to damage her hair anymore)
*Then, Replenish the hair with a Redken personalized Chemistry Treatment to reassure that her hair would not continue to be damaged.
*Blow dry hair
*Apply desired shade and gloss.
*Deep conditioning treatment to seal her hair and again reassure that her hair would end in a soft, conditioned look.
*Cut off damage that remained from the original color oops. I was able to save a lot of the length, but her layers had to be shaped a lot.
*Blow dry and style new shiny, chocolate brown, long layered style.

Cost:
Original product purchase (twice) at Sally's $25
My services breakdown:
Decolorize-$65(2)
Chemistry Treatment $20
Desired shade application $65
Deep Treatment-$15
Cut and Style $50

TOTAL=$305

I personally love all of my clients, and would never ever be upset if they texted or called me while on vacation. If this ever happens to you, please know that I will either refer you to one of my esteemed colleagues, or walk you through something to tide you over till I get back. If you are considering that $5-$12 purchase of haircolor at the store, please think about the time and cost it may result in.