Hi Girls - A few weeks ago, I posted. I had a corrective color situation (my stylist went too dark). Well, 200 dollars later at a supposedly fine salon it is in even worse shape (and not only did the stylist argue with me when I went back - so did the manager - so there is no recourse there.)

In any case, what the stylist did was to strip the black. She then added some highlights and a toner. It looked okay, but when I got home I found all kinds of yellow and orange pieces in it. I went back and she put another toner on and then I ended up with black hair again and still, yellow and orange pieces. When I returned, she told me that if she took the highlights out, that I would end up with the same black mess I started with - that these yellow pieces gave me depth.

I tried living with them, but couldn't. I put Beautiful Brown on them, and even a medium ash brown on them, but they would not hold color - even after a protein filler. What I ended up doing is cutting them off - at least the undersections. Luckily, it's not noticeable. I also had to cut off two inches because the ends were entirely damaged. Now, I have a strange base color to contend with - not really black, not brown - sections of both. In addition, there are highlights that are orangish - yellowish. In short, my hair looks brownish with iodine-colored highlights. I think it has reached some point where it is not holding color at all and has absolutely no shine.

A salesperson at a beauty supply store told me that it was probably a mistake for the stylist to strip my hair and then highlight. I should have known better myself. (We were trying to get my natural hair color back which is brown with natural highlights).

Right now, I am deep conditioning and wearing hats. I am wondering if there is any natural technique for smoothing down the hair cuticle? Also, should I try to have someone put a toner on it? Would it help seal the cuticle? I am a bit salon-shy at the moment.:( Thanks for any help you can offer.

(My name should be Ms. Orangey-Yellow, not Miss Green!)

I recently went through the same thing. Right now you need to let your hair rest, and I bought the best conditioner at a salon, and really recommend it!! It is called k-pac. My hair was completely drained and dry when I went through my disaster, and this stuff really made my hair feel better than before all the color!! Try it! And leave it on longer than recommended too. Good luck!