I need advice on hair extensions - please help!

[Plum Pea Dahl {★}]

I seriously need some advice/opinions on my hair extensions!  I got them three weeks ago and I've nothing but issues with them.  When I went in to the salon, the stylist colored my hair to (supposedly) match the extensions and put in 200 pieces.  Well, apparantley, she didn't order enough pieces (despite the fact that we had a consultation and she knew exactly what I wanted cuz I left a picture with her).  I tore out a picture of Kate Mara from a magazine.  This is very similar to the picture I left with her:

My hair looked like OK when I left the salon, but after I washed it, so much color came out; after three washes, the extensions were almost totally blonde and my natural hair was very dark auburn.  My short dark curly hair was poking out from underneath the extensions and it looked like shite.  I don't think I have ever cried over my hair, but I cried this time!  So I went back in a few days later and she put 70 more pieces in, which were of a darker color.  She said the blonde extensions would look like highlights.  Again, she curled my hair and it looked pretty good, until the next day or so and I noticed that it was still shite:

(Oh, btw, when we were done, she tried to charge me $70, but I had spoken with the owner beforehand and she told me there would be no extra charge.  I could tell the stylist was upset that she would't be getting extra $$$).

So, I e-mailed the owner about my disappointment and we set up an appointment for one day after work.  I showed up, but the stylist never did, despite the many calls and voicemails left by the receptionist of the salon.  I got a call later that evening from the receptionist that the stylist had lost track of time, so we set up another appointment for two days later.  I showed up a few minutes early and the owner told me that they had just found out the stylist's husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer.  I remembered that at the second appointment, she had mentioned that her husband was really sick and they didn't know what was wrong with him.  So now I feel kind of bad for her and I'm thinking she's been worried about her husband and her head just isn't in the "hair" game.  She put in more pieces and colored all of the hair and she gave a half-assed apology about not showing up.  Like I said, I felt kind of bad for her, so I told her it was OK.  And my hair finally looked good, so I was happy.

Well, within the next week, eight pieces came out.  The color has faded back to an almost blonde color (despite the fact that I've been using expensive anti-fade shampoo & conditioner from the salon) and last night, the ninth piece came out when I was brushing!  I spent a lot of time flat-ironing my hair and this is what it looks like today:

I called the owner last week to tell her that eight pieces had fallen out and she said she would call me back to see when the stylist could come in.  I still haven't gotten a call back.  Today I called a stylist at another salon that I've been to a few times to get her opinion.  I know that she also does extensions and she used to work in L.A.  She told me that she doesn't use the metal clamp kind because they're not that great; she uses a different method and you can't feel or see the clamps on your head.  Alas, because she doesn't do the kind I have, she can't really help me.

 

OK, I know that was a long story, and thank you for reading it.  Please help me figure out what to do.  I've pretty much given up on the owner calling me back, and frankly, I don't want this stylist to touch my hair again.  I'm thisclose to telling them to rip these f****** out of my head and give me my money back!  Then I'll head on over to the other salon and get extensions from the other stylist.  Or just have ugly short hair again.  I don't know!!  I'm so frustrated and upset, I just want to cry again.  I've been wanting extensions for a long time (tee hee - that's kind of a pun) and I was thinking it would be a fabulous experience and my hair would be gorgeous and it would be rainbows and sunshine!  :)  I paid $750 for this mess and I feel like I should have just left well enough alone. 

 

Are there any stylists out there who could give me advice or has anyone had a similar experience and what did you do?    Please help. 

 

Oh, this is the amount of hair that has come out:

 

[Meli Murder.]

Everyone has given such good advice, and why I do sympathize with her situation, as a hair stylist, she knows time is money and every person walking out of her salon is advertisement for her work.  She should of done a better job or reffered you to someone who could. there is nothing more annoying then a stylist who will agree to WHATEVER you want because of the money involved, no matter the damage it does to you in the long run.

 

Rule of thumb with hair extensions is never dye them, if you are, dye them darker. Unless its Virgin hair, all hair extensions have been processed before coming to you. Secondly, the color faded so quickly because blonde lacked pigments needed to hold the red. As a stylist she should of known the simple rule of 'filling' the missing pigments on your extensions then colouring them.

 

I would say if your hair is long enough, clip ins would do you fine. They are the least damaging, and the most cost effective as you can put them in yourself. If you are going to do sew-in, fusion, etc. ALWAYS ask for references.

 

DONT GET SYNTHETIC CLIP IN's. They smell funny and won't last you that long. ITs worth it to pay the 80 for clip in from Sally's beauty supply. Or if your super nifty, you can make your own clip ins.

 

Anywhoo. Sorry this happened to you. If i were you I would request a refund or file a complaint with the state licensing board about her work. As a stylist it is her job to educate you about your wishes, and be realistic. She could of easily avoided this mess had she taken the time to properly educate you.

 

Best of luck to you :)

 

Sorry if this dragged on.

[Plum Pea Dahl {★}]

@Taylor Von Cupcake, thank you so much!  My hair is so damaged right now!  Clumps of hair came out when I ran my fingers through my hair after taking out the extensions!  I'm going to give my hair all kinds of TLC from now on!

@Meli Murder, thank you, and no you didn't drag on!  Even I know you don't put red hair dye on bleached hair!  And she flat-out told me that's what she did!  Right now, my hair is super-short, so I'm going to let it grow a little before I try the clip-ins.  I'm just doing research right now.  :)  Oh, and I'm almost done filling out the small claims forms, so she will be served before the end of the week!

[Dollhouse Kitty {★}]

Oh Cherri!  I am so sorry you are having to go through this!  Nothing is more disappointing than being super excited about getting something done to your hair and then having it come out a disaster!  I am so glad we have such awesome people on this site to give good advise.  If you do decide to get extensions done next time, ask to see the stylist's certification.  So many people say that they can do extensions but never go through any official training.  I had to go through a 3 day class and take a test before I got licensed to do extensions.  Cinderella and great length extensions have really good training classes they provide as well as a great product.  

Good luck in small claims court!  Go get 'em sister!!!

[Ms. Ashley Anne]

I was in a similar situation to you once. In high school I made the stupid decision of cutting my hair like Brody Dalle and I, too have curly hair. Since I compete on horses, I was embarassed to take my helmet off to find some curly fro on my head and desperately tried different extensions. 

 

My advice, take them out, and keep them out. Take advantage of your short healthy hair right now, because once you grow it out, it's very unlikely you'll ever want to cut it again, and enjoy your short styles right now while you can and embrace it. I used to glue my extensions in and after dating a guy and having him rub his hands through my fake glued hair and freaked him out he told me he'd rather just have me pull them out. It was so nice to be able to shampoo my head and run my fingers through my hair (whether it was glue, clip in, or weaved in it's still nice to feel your own hair). 

 

My sister wears clip in extensions and to me they honestly aren't worth it. She has to redye her hair, and her extensions so they match all the time, she has to shampoo and restyle them, she leaves them all over the counter and the house, and I often see her clips hanging out. And because of all the stuff she does to her hair , my hair has outgrown hers 2x as fast because I keep mine healthy and get trims. 

 

Embrace the hair you have right now, and keep it healthy. Extensions are a pain in the ass. 

[Danae]

Dearest Cherrie Bombe,

below is an important note from my close friend Dana. i read your entire post and shared your situation and photos with Dana; needless to say- we are both appalled. please read below because not only is this your hair, your inward and outward beauty, but this is your money, your time, and your life. a free deep conditioning hair treatment and a kick out the door is (excuse me) f***** up!

Sweetie, my name is Dana. I am a stylist in Northern California, and have been for 13 years. If one of my clients was ever dissatisfied with the service as you are, I would do everything I could to remedy the situation or make them happy. I really think you need to take legal action at this point. I know that the stylist, if she is a booth renter, has to have liability insurance from one to three million dollars. The salon is also insured, and it is called liability insurance because that's what it is for. If you went to the doctor for a broken leg and they forgot to set it, told you it was fine and then never called you back...you would sue them. Not only should you get your money back for the service, but you should also be compensated for the emotional stress as well as the time you had to spend to try and remedy the situation yourself. You can also turn her in to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. I am sickened and disturbed about the way you have been treated. Not just the outcome of the service, but the way you are being treated, and the unprofessional representation of the salon itself. Please at least call a lawyer and see what your options are. You already have documented proof, and a witness. You don't have to suffer. That's what the insurance is for. You can look up the laws for your state if you are not in California. I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

[Danae]

p.s. Cherri Bombe(firstly: sorry i mispelled your name above!)

i can tell you really am in love with the idea of extensions, i myself have done a fair share of research! a few above has offered clip ins. please look!

http://www.luxyhairextensions.com/

they are two sisters out of canada that started a clip in hair extension company in hopes of supplying the best 100% human remy hair in a vast array of shades and colors. astonishingly affordable for 160 grams of hair- all stylable, dyable, washable. the two also personally post videos on youtube! style tutorials, color matching, etc. i know it's not permanent- but is a fantastic idea. good luck!!!

[Plum Pea Dahl {★}]

Update - I contacted the Board of Cosmetology and they couldn't help me.  I filed a complaint with BBB and they didn't really help me.  I filed a small claims case and the court date was today.  The stylist skipped town, but the owner of the salon showed up.  She kept telling the judge that she didn't think she was supposed to be there (she has maintained all along that neither she nor the salon has any responsibility or liability in this matter).  The judge spent a lot of time telling her that the salon indeed is responsible for what has happened.  I actually didn't have to say much.  A lot of the things the judge said were things I wanted to say myself.  The owner tried some shady tactics.  She printed out pictures of me from my facebook (a lot of them I also have posted here on PL) and she tried to say that I change my look a lot and she thinks that I only wanted to have the extensions on for a day, such as for an event, like when you buy a dress and leave the tags on and return it the next day!  I was so pissed, but I kept my mouth shut until the Judge let me respond and I stayed cool!  She also stated that I made comments all over facebook, which is very untrue.  She told a few untruths and I was really surprised at how low she stooped; it was really quite pathetic.  But the Judge ruled in my favor!  Now the hard part...collecting the money!  Fingers crossed she doesn't appeal and prolong the process.

Thanks again to everyone who gave their advice!

[Ms. Ashley Anne]

Wow, I hope everything works out for you! Good for you for taking this to court!

[Cupcake Terror]

So I was just reading through all this I can't believe what crap you had to go through. Talk about shady business practices. I hope you were able to collect your money from the stylist!

 

 

 

 

[Plum Pea Dahl {★}]

I still haven't gotten my money.  I'm going to file paperwork to have the sheriff do a bank levy, but I'm not 100% sure on how to do it, so I'm going to attend a clinic on the 19th that teaches you how to do that stuff.

Cupcake Terror said:

So I was just reading through all this I can't believe what crap you had to go through. Talk about shady business practices. I hope you were able to collect your money from the stylist!