Hi there!

My light brown hair has been highlighted ash blond for the last few years. I like my hair highlighted this way, however, I decided that my hair needed to be toned down because it was starting to look bad in a few sections (from not enough low lights during my highlights over the years, I'm suspecting).

I feel like I must have not communicated myself properly because I now have brown hair. Medium brown -- and I don't like it. I feel like it's much more unnatural looking than before (looks a little greenish to me). I told the stylist right away that I didn't like it (without being accusatory or anything -- I'm not angry with him) and we scheduled an appointment tomorrow so that he could add some "sparkle" back in. nothing dramatic, just lighting up around the crown and face, according to him.

Here's my concern: I don't think that's what I want. I want ash blond highlights -- not as bright as I had them before, but dramatically different from the immigrant brown hair I'm sporting right now (no offense to anyone -- I'M an immigrant too!)

What do I need to say to my hairdresser to make sure that we're on the same page? He used a demipermanent color, it's medium/dark brown, and my hair used to be highlighted with ash blond highlights. What do I need to ask for the get me on the track BACK to ash blonde? (I realize this might take more than one visit -- I don't want to fry my hair.)

Any advice would GREATly be appreciated!

Tell him just the way you said it here. Before he does the coloring tell him what your expectation is of the result. Tell him you want the blonde color that you feel the brown does not work. Also if you can show him pictures. From a magazine or even one of the stylists books in the salon. Ask him to explain back to you your expectations. A good stylist will want to make sure you are getting the look you want. And do not be afraid to request anthoer stylist if you feel he does not understand what you want. Bring in aphoto of yourself with the highlights and let him know how close to that look you would like. Good Luck>