Hi there. I was wondering, does anyone have a problem getting salons to dye hair? I am thinking in particular about lightening hair. I have naturally mid back to waist length (it fluctates during the year) ash blonde hair, but sometimes it has a tendency to look mousy brown. As such I like to lightenen it to give it a lift. I first started dying it in 2004 (having previously never dyed it at all) and my intention then was to go a very bright blonde (think Jessica Simpson or Emile De Ravin on 'Lost'), but as of yet everytime I go and give the same directions I get something that is barely a few shades lighter than my natural colour and an imperceptible after about a week. I was wondering has anyone else ever had the a similar experience and do you have any tips for steering them my direction, or even for doing it yourself? I mentioned in another thread I have seen it done in the past on longer and naturally darker hair than mine and  it looked fantastic and healthy as the girl in question kept her hair in fantastic shape.

Most of the members here are very against lightening the hair because it uses harsh chemicals like peroxide.

If you're not getting the kind of results you want from a particular stylist or salon, my best advice would be to switch. Some stylists are more extreme than others in terms of how much contrast they put into highlights and lowlights. Be very specific about what you want beforehand. You might have to switch salons/stylists several times before you find one that delivers the kind of results you're after.

Oh yes, and if you insist on repeatedly exposing your hair to bleach, be sure to use a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Otherwise, you will end up with straw.

I agree with Angel Spun.  My suggestions is to bring in a picture of what you want to help your colorist get a better idea of what you're asking.

Also, putting oil on your hair can lift the color.  While oil is a good thing to use to keep hair from drying out, it is going to mess up any dye job.

I've never had a salon color my hair, so I don't know the "routine", but if you are not getting the service you requested, I think it would be reasonable to discuss this with the colorist and/or manager of the salon.  

As the others have said - chemical processing can be very damaging to your hair, so be sure to condition.

Some people seem to successfully be able to lighten their hair and grow it long.  I have medium bronw, very fine and thin wavy hair.  I did grow my hair from chin length to mid back while highlighting(and then coloring over with a demi dye to go back to my natural color) I was able to do this as I never heat styled, and treated my hair like fine lace.  However, I recently just cut off the last of the hlghlighted-damaged ends, which brought me back to about shoulder length!! as I had about 4 " of see through ends.  For me, I don't think lightening and growing long are compatible.
My hair is so much healthier now that it' not highlighted.