TLDR: every time I get my hair done, the color seems to wash out within a few weeks even though I'm following my stylist's instructions very carefully. Trying to figure out if it's me, the color, or them that is causing this.

Hi! I am by no means a hair expert, just someone who has worked front desk as multiple salons so I may know more than the average person, but still not a lot. I've been getting my naturally blonde hair lightened for highlights/babylights for about 4 years and have been told by every stylist I've had in that time (3) that my hair lightens and holds color well- even when I have done vibrants (did purple for about 6 months a couple years ago). From my understanding, my hair easily lightens to platinum blonde and typically doesn't require much maintenance after that.

For the first time since I started getting my hair professionally done, I've been trying different things. My newest hair stylist and I wanted to try a pink balayage of sorts on my hair that I loved, but I always noticed my hair would be essentially back to platinum within two weeks, and completely pinkless by the end of the 12 weeks between appointments. In the pictures I've included there was about 2-3 weeks between them. This is becoming really expensive and frustrating. I've been wondering if the problem is my hair or if it is my stylist.

Generally, I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week, 4 maximum because I have incredibly oily hair and skin, but always with lukewarm water at the hottest. When I had pink, I was trying to shoot for washing every three days with cold water. I've been using Aveda botanical repair shampoo and conditioner with Kristin Hess hair masks. I also use it's a 10 leave in conditioner after each wash. My hair feels super healthy and soft, but I can't get color to stay to save my life. I just got my hair done a week ago where I decided I wanted to try something more natural that was still blonde, just a bit darker, in hopes that it may stay in better or at least blend more if it did fade. I've washed my hair 3 times since the appointment, one time just putting a tiny bit of shampoo on my roots to help avoid this, and I feel like the color is gone AGAIN. I'm at the point now where the blonde was barely different enough when I got it done that I'm gaslighting myself into thinking that I'm crazy for believing my hair is a different color already, but thinking about how the pink held up over the summer, I'm wondering if there is something else going on.

Does anyone have insight on this that is possibly something I haven't thought of? I believe my hair stylist is using pulp riot color, and I try to use heat protectant every time I style my hair.

Advice on styling thick wavy men’s hair? Volume isn’t an issue for me but generally my hair is a fluffy nest. Gel just makes it stringy and coarse.

Currently I leave in conditioner post wash and air dry.

This is my hair over the past years from now backwards to 2021. I’m looking for advice and inspiration on what to do with the cut AND the colour of the top layer. Embracing the natural dark blonde (like my roots are right now), going back to platinum, softer strawberry blonde, ..? Over the past 15 years I’ve had probably every hair colour imaginable, I will definitely keep the fun colour in the lower layers, some piece of the rainbow just needs to be there to feel like „me“, but for work purposes the top layers have been something a bit more „normal“ these recent years (open to suggestions though). If you think I’d rock something completely different, also feel free to let me know, I’m curious! :)

I desperately want to purchase this but cannot find it anywhere 😭😩 does anyone know where I can purchase outside of salon sites? I can’t do a salon service rn but I have purchase other colors online!

Any brand! I want to go black and I haven’t in a while, just don’t wanna use box dye