Hairdressers mistake. How do I get it corrected?

mossstitchmama

HI, I originally posted in the Heath and Beauty section but I think that this would be a more appropriate place to get advice. If someone can delete my thread there I would appreciate it.

Problem is as follows (cut and pasted from my first post).

Hi, I have a friend who is a hairdresser. She asked me to go into her salon as a colour model on a training day. A representative of a hair products company came in to show my friend her range of colours and I got my hair coloured for free.

My friend knows I cannot afford to have my hair done regularly at a salon. I have been using a box colour to do my hair for nearly two years and until I was a model for one of her trainees, I had not had my hair cut in over 12 months.

I had been using a home hair colour shade 6.66 which was an intense red. It was getting too dark and the roots were showing very quickly. Due to a shoulder and back injury, I was struggling to keep on top of the roots, so about two months ago, I used Colour B4, which took a lot of the excess colour out and lightened it considerably. I then used a colour shade 8.4 a light copper which I was happier with. and would mean dyeing my hair less frequently.

When we had a consultation before mixing the colour and told the rep all the details of my current colour and that I didn't want any shade darker than the 8.4 I already had. She used several shades in the 7 range but assured me it would not be any darker than my current colour.

When it was washed off, I said it looks very dark but I was told it was the lights in the salon. However when I got home, the first thing my daughter said was "why have you gone back to the darker colour when you have spent the last six months trying to get rid of it?"

I am pretty upset as this is a permanent colour. I don't want to offend my friend as I have had a pretty expensive colour for free, but it is not what I asked for. I don't think my friend should have to pay to put this right as she didn't colour my hair. But it is going to take me ages and cash I don't have to correct this.

I have phoned the salon and explained the situation. The rep will not be back there until October. I have her email address. What should I write in an email to her and can I insist she corrects this before October (she lives in Essex and the salon is in Birmingham)? Do I have less rights because the colour was free?

Thanks in advance for your help.

SuperHan

Given it was free and relates to a friend's services, you may be in a sticky situation.

Is it worth pursuing and going through courts etc etc if it results in the loss of your friendship?

There's no harm in sending an e-mail and asking though before you pursue anything legal?

Bantex_2

Just live with it, it really is no big deal unless it was something like fluorescent green.

tomtontom

Have you washed it through a few times with Vosene/ washing up liquid etc? That will tone it down a bit.

As for your legal rights, I think you'll struggle. No money passed so there is no consideration (needed to form a contract). You could argue that you gave your time as consideration but I can't see that getting far. Also if you did establish a contract or a duty of care it would be against the salon, not the rep.

mossstitchmama

I have spoken to my friend and explained the situation to her. She did not do the colour consultation, did not mix the colour, did not apply it so I do not hold her responsible for any of this and she us ok with this.

I cannot maintain this new hair colour owing to my back and shoulder injury. It would take many years to grow out (I have an underactive thyroid) and I would be very unhappy for my hair to look that bad for any length of time.

If anyone has any other constructive suggestions I would appreciate them. My hair has previously been fluorescent green so I would have preferred that. I initially asked for either lilac or turquoise blue but the rep was late and didn't have the time.

tomtontom

mossstitchmama wrote: »

I have spoken to my friend and explained the situation to her. She did not do the colour consultation, did not mix the colour, did not apply it so I do not hold her responsible for any of this and she us ok with this.

I cannot maintain this new hair colour owing to my back and shoulder injury. It would take many years to grow out (I have an underactive thyroid) and I would be very unhappy for my hair to look that bad for any length of time.

If anyone has any other constructive suggestions I would appreciate them. My hair has previously been fluorescent green so I would have preferred that. I initially asked for either lilac or turquoise blue but the rep was late and didn't have the time.

It was your friend's salon - if you have any issue it is with her. Of course she is ok with you not holding her responsible, who wouldn't be!

browneyedbazzi

I have to agree with tomtontom - I don't think consumer rights apply here because there is no consumer contract. You might have an argument in tort if you can establish that the rep acted wrongly/negligently and that you will have losses as a result - you could try to sue the rep for costs associated with putting your colour back to what it was, but in all honestly I think you will struggle.

I'm confused by the comment that you asked for lilac or turquoise at first - surely those colours would require a lot of upkeep which you say is outside your means/ability?

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Why dont you email the rep and explain that the colour she used has done this to you and it is not what you requested from her.

I am unsure how you can not live with a certain colour due to your neck and back problems for at least a month but see what the rep says about it first?

mossstitchmama

Sorry, my explanations may be lacking. I can live with the colour, that is not the problem. My hair underneath is getting grey and using a darker colour shows up the roots really quickly. I was having to dye it every three to four weeks. With the lighter colour I managed to go nearly five weeks without a touch up. I find it painful to reach above my head for the long periods needed to do the touch ups so the less frequently I needed to do them, the better.

If I had had lilac or turquoise, my hair would have been lightened and then a colour toner put on. These wash out fairly quickly, but they can be topped up with a colour conditioner which is as easy as washing my hair. If not, I would have just put my original lighter colour back on when the toner washed out.

Have emailed the rep asking for advice. I know she is busy so though this would be the best option. Will update when I hear more.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Ahh ok I understand now..

tomtontom

Asking for advice is certainly more constructive than insisting she sorts it. But I have to question why your friend, a qualified hairdresser, has not already offered advice? If I was your friend I would be sorting it for you.

In the meantime, can your daughter not help you with your roots, or a friend or relative? A friend recently broke her neck and her dad did hers for her!