We all want to look beautiful. And there’s no shame in that. Sure, some of us might prioritize natural looks while others embrace the creative liberties offered by make-up. But at the end of the day, looking good makes us feel good. However, there’s sometimes a massive disconnect between what you want and what a beauty salon worker envisions… or is able to accomplish with their (limited) skills.

Here at Bored Panda, we’ve collected some of the most egregious examples of beauty salons messing up their clients’ make-up and hair, and completely ruining their day. Scroll down to see just how bad things can get when employees don’t get the training that they oh-so desperately need.

#1 The Lashes

Image credits: Winter_Advance8450

#2 My Hairdresser Screwed Me Up So Bad And Cut Off Half My Hair, Help (For Reference, The First Picture Is What I Asked For)

Image credits: billiennnn

#3 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: trixieroyale

What matters the most is that you’re personally happy with your style. If you think your hair and make-up and clothes look fabulous, then ignore all the haters. The fact of the matter is that it’s impossible to make everyone happy. No matter how trendy or avant-garde you are, there will always be someone out there who’ll have something bad to say. So it’s best to ignore the critics and be honest with yourself: the only person you have to impress is you.

#4 Recovery After A Haircut From A Family Member Who Claimed They Used To Be A Hairdresser

Turns out she was a hairdresser’s assistant for a year in the 1980s.

Image credits: reddit.com

#5 Paid $63 For This

Asked for layers (like a butterfly cut) and curtain bangs… I think she hated me.

Image credits: 0ne_eyed_witch

#6 Lady Asked For The Left Pic And Ended Up With The Right Image

Image credits: AsianVixen4U

However, the main issue is when there’s total miscommunication between you and the people working at your local beauty salon. The odds are that if you’re at a salon, then you’re either getting ready for an important event or you want to completely change your look. So you want to look beautiful, fresh, and stylish. And if the results don’t match your expectations, you might feel frustrated, and embarrassed, and your day might genuinely be ruined.

#7 So This Nail Tech Does My Friend’s Nails, And Her Nails Are Always Beautiful, So I Went To The Same Lady. But, God, Do They Look Horrible

Image credits: _babypink_

#8 Asked For This… Got This Instead

Image credits: Psychological-Task16

#9 She Has To Cut It Now Because It Ruined The Hair Itself So Bad

Image credits: Balawesome

There are a few possible ways to deal with those utter salon disasters. The path you choose will depend on who you are as a person. For instance, you could embrace the awful, utterly horrible situation and decide that you will not let this define you and you will not have your day ruined by the epic fail that is your make-up and hair. Instead, you can choose to accept the funky new style and rock it as best as you can. This takes a very mature mindset, high emotional intelligence, and an aptitude for comedy. Heck, this’ll be a story to tell all your friends.

#10 I Don’t Know What Is It About This… But The Makeup Just Looks Like She’s Melting

Image credits: Mandaks

#11 Stumbled Across This Instagram Profile. She Asks Money For This. Nails At The End

Image credits: reddit.com

#12 I Got My Nails Done… I Asked For This But Received This Thing

Image credits: Karmas-Possession

Alternatively, you can confront the salon worker about what the heck just happened. No matter how upset you are, try to remain calm. Be as friendly and diplomatic as you can. Screaming and yelling at someone who’s trying to do the best they can (or has a poor understanding of style) is not going to make the situation any better. Instead, try to explain what you expected. Look for a path out of this disaster together with the stylist. Maybe they could even get some of their coworkers’ advice on how best to proceed.

#13 This One Was Posted By A Local Makeup Artist. Yes, It Is The Finished Look. Check The Number Of Likes

Image credits: Thatonebasicchick

#14 Is It Just Me Or?

Image credits: kitahthekitsune

#15 This Eyebrow Trend Needs To End

Image credits: canyouaskfirst

However, if you’re feeling emotionally drained by this whole debacle, you could simply smile and pretend that everything is all right. Then, after you leave, either head to another salon to fix the fiasco, or get in touch with your friends to figure out what the heck you should do. It never feels good to throw away money and feel like you got utterly ripped off. But you should only confront the stylists if you feel comfortable doing so. 

#16 I Really Don’t Know What To Say About The Brows

Image credits: apefrivola

#17 Give Me The Diamond

Image credits: Mattho

#18 Haircut Expectation vs. Reality. Paid $35 (Was Going To Get It Permed But Almost Nobody Does Perms In Our Area)

Stylist also burned my head with the hairdryer and it hurt for several hours.

Image credits: seattleandfrank

As you go through life, you’ll inevitably face embarrassment and failure. Developing emotional resilience, embracing those uncomfortable feelings, and moving past them is a useful skill to develop. No matter if we’re talking about beauty salon fails, bad days at work, or arguments with the people you love, you’re in control of how you react to these situations.

Often, we feel bad because things happen differently than we envisioned. Or hoped! Sky-high expectations can motivate us to strive to reach our goals (and, let’s be real, they’re fun to daydream about). However, they can set you up for disappointment. It’s better to set realistic expectations.

#19 What I Asked For vs. What They Left Me With. I Had Virgin Hair And Now My Hair Won’t Even Hold A Curl

Image credits: stefunie101

#20 The Cut I Requested And The Monstrosity I Was Given

Image credits: PlaidChairStyle

#21 I Love The Trick Of Putting Tape Over Baby Hair, But That Foundation Shade Is Not Her Color. I Did Check Her Profile, And It Said “Makeup Artist” In The Bio

Image credits: Livysummerx

According to Verywell Mind, the most essential thing when it comes to getting out of the expectations versus reality trap is awareness. The first step is becoming aware of your own expectations. Try to think about where these expectations came from and how (un)realistic they were, to begin with. If your stylist genuinely messes up, it’s on them. But if you wanted VIP tier services from someone new to the business, then you’re in for a sad awakening.

#22 This Two-Color Lip Combo Is Just So Bad

Image credits: savmemelover

#23 That Dirty Contour… And Oh God, The Lips

Image credits: Bunny_

#24 Found On A Local Makeup Artist And Beautician Page. The Look Was Called “Sunset Eye And Soap Brow”

Image credits: helibear90

If you’re ever disappointed by the results, sit down and have an open chat with yourself about what you truly value in life, and what makes you happy. Perhaps the situation isn’t as dire as you think it is. So long as you’re not constantly comparing yourself to other people (from friends and coworkers to e-celebs) and being grateful for all the things you do have in your life, you should be fine.

In the meantime, it can save you a ton of headaches if you’re able to spot poor stylists before you even sit down in their chairs. You should probably consider seeking another person’s services if the employee you’re talking to is rude and unprofessional, and is clearly disinterested in what you want or need. Similarly, if your stylist appears to be incredibly nervous, you may want to consider asking for their more composed colleague to take over. 

#25 I Look Like A Coconut Head. Obviously, I’m Making His Face. But Also Help. I’m So Sad And Don’t Know How To Fix This Horrible Cut

Image credits: Tixxani25

#26 I Rarely Get My Nails Done So I Was Really Disappointed When A Local Business Completely Ruined Them

Image credits: natalie_ck

#27 Wasted $400 + Tip And Have Spent The Whole Day Crying

Image credits: sssopehlia

Though everyone makes mistakes from time to time, it’s best to look at your stylist’s track record if you’ve worked with them before. If they’re clearly lacking the necessary skills, constantly botching up your requests, and are unwilling to apologize and improve, you should take your business elsewhere. Meanwhile, if they’re also gossiping about their other clients behind their backs, you might become their next target for criticism the moment another customer walks through the door.

#28 Worst $50 I’ve Ever Spent

Image credits: Duckii9487

#29 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: LemonberryTea

#30 Those Light Eyebrows And The Orange Face

Image credits: Hairy_Investigator33

Which of these fashion disasters did you think was the worst of the bunch, Pandas? Have you ever had to deal with any serious make-up or hairstyle fails? Swing on by the comment section and share your experiences.

In the meantime, if you’re still hungry for some legendary beauty salon mess-ups, feel free to check out Bored Panda’s earlier features right here and over here.

#31 What I Asked For, Versus What I Got, And How I Fixed It

Image credits: ImpossibleBit8346

#32 The Day I Learned About The Difference Between Barbers And “Beauty” Salons

Image credits: somuches

#33 Was I Wrong To Leave A 1-Star Review For This Hair Dye Job? $140 And They Told Me It Was “Impossible” To Get The Dye Off My Neck, Forehead, And Ears

Without even trying and it would come off “eventually”. I have a major event in a few days and I am busy scrubbing my head raw tonight.

Image credits: SpringtimeMoonlight

#34 My First Hair Salon Trip In Two Years Went Horribly. What I Asked For And What I Got

Image credits: nicole-wydler

#35 Those Lips. This Makeup Was Done In A Studio

Image credits: supernoodle41

#36 The Nails I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: CarefulBrain4317

#37 Paid $700 For The Stylist To Do This To Me, She Insisted They’re Identical. What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: YourFelonEx

#38 From A Local Facebook Page. Lady Went To The Salon. Brought In The Picture In The Left. Walked Out With The Picture On The Right

Image credits: HairGame81

#39 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: itsbrianaregina

#40 I Got Married At A Luxury Resort During Covid Times, And This Is The Look The Not-Cheap Makeup Artist Tried On The Maid Of Honor

Image credits: Awesomocity0

#41 So I Went To Get My Hair Cut On Sunday, And I Didn’t Notice That The Person Who Did My Hair Screwed Up The Back Of My Head. The Front Is Fine But The Back Looks Like This

Image credits: AJ_THE_GOD

#42 I Asked For Long Layers. Please Help

Image credits: Eirajea

#43 My $85 “Layered” Haircut. The Hairdresser Curled It At The Salon, So I Didn’t Notice Till I Straightened It Out

Image credits: anaxp

#44 How Can I Be More Clear With A Stylist? This Is What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: Heather_Bea

#45 Could Not Imagine Going To A Professional Salon For This Cakey Mess

Image credits: geezelouise73

#46 £25? I Wouldn’t Pay £25. This Is At An Actual Beauty Salon

Image credits: yelliekate

#47 My Girlfriend Asked For A Balayage Ombré With The Color Of The First Photo. This Is What She Received

They then denied her a refund and later pressured her to change her online review in person.

Image credits: Smidgerening

#48 They Did Me So Dirty At My Favorite Salon. Never Going Back Again

Image credits: exits

#49 I Just Got These Done Yesterday And The Strokes Look So Long And Straight

Image credits: reddit.com

#50 Should I Ask For A Refund A Week Later?

Image credits: reddit.com

#51 It’s The Mascara On The Lid & Rough-Lined Lip For Me

Image credits: Sad-Intention7505

#52 The Left Is The Group Of Reference Pics. Right Is What I Got. The Bottom Right Is When I Went To A New Salon A Few Months Later

Image credits: DuOroEldrvarya

#53 More Of That Local Makeup Artist Near Me, It’s The Brows, Foundation And Lack Of Blending That Gets Me

Image credits: RazzmatazzSharp6758

#54 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

The braids weren’t even on the right side or parted right. I ended up taking them out after 2 days because I still couldn’t laugh or move my eyebrows.

Image credits: OmegaFoxFire

#55 Am I Wrong For Being Very Dissatisfied With My 2nd Hair Trial? Pics At The Top Are What I Asked For. This Was $100 Including The Tip

Image credits: bskies-297

#56 I Wanted An All-Over Blonde. I Always Get All Over Blonde. I Went To Someone New This Time

Not only did she not give me what I asked for at all, she cut a giant chunk out of my hair as her idea of “texture”. I told her I wanted an icy blonde. All over. She preceded to do this. I am beyond mad. This was done on the 13th, my hair doesn’t feel damaged, how soon can I get it fixed?

Image credits: Queasy-Calendar6597

#57 A Hairdresser Approached Me At The Bar And Said She Could Cut My Pixie Better Than It Was. I Went To Her. She Gave Me A Bowl Cut. Before On The Left, Bowl Cut On The Right

Image credits: jumpycan

#58 “That’s Not Where My Part Is,” I Said. “I Don’t Want Layers,” I Said. “Don’t Cut It Wet,” I Said. No, He Did Not Get Paid. Nor Was He My Usual Stylist

Image credits: LordMeme42

#59 The Worst Experience I’ve Ever Had. These Are The Nails I Left With

Image credits: likedelicatex

#60 Bride Done Dirty. Bad Color Match, Poorly Applied Lashes, And Beef Lips

Image credits: SnooJokes3100

#61 She Paid For This

Image credits: SheDevilByNite

#62 Saw On Instagram, She Paid For This For A Wedding

Image credits: pbchocolatecake

#63 I Like The Connection Between The Eyeliner And The Eyebrow

Image credits: corvid_creature

#64 I Thought I’d Share My Botched Hair Styling

Image credits: yarn_and_makeup_lady

#65 My Family And I Had Pictures This Day, So I Went To This Makeup Artist And Couldn’t Do Anything But Laugh Because Clearly, She Had Me Messed Up

Image credits: seaira.austin.9

#66 My Nails Are Nothing Like My Reference Photo. I Still Paid Full Price + Tip

I asked for the original photo above, and the one next to it is the one I ended up with. I paid 55 dollars for the set and 15 for the guy’s tip. I’m too much of a pushover so I didn’t ask for a discount because of how awful they look. just decided I won’t be going there again. 

Image credits: chyanned

#67 What I Got vs. What I Asked For. Atrocious Thick Chunky Highlights. Please Tell Me How It Can Be Fixed (Salon Or Otherwise). I Feel So Low

Image credits: essredux

#68 How Can I Change My Hair – Just Got It Done Last Week And I Hate It

Image credits: Such_Refrigerator814

#69 Got The Worst Shellac Manicure Of My Life And My Nails And Cuticles Ruined

These were my natural nails with overlay. 

He kept cutting my cuticles with the drill too, ugh.

Image credits: bulbascout

#70 Moment Of Silence For The Worst Acrylic Set Of My Life. A Usual Lady Was Sick And Was Going On Holiday That Eve. Could Fit A Bus Through The Gap Between My Nail/Tips

Image credits: pwlsh94

#71 Bad Salon Dye Job. This Is How I Left The Salon

Image credits: mrsnicki

#72 Got My Hair Done On Friday And Washed And Straightened It Today. Why Does It Look Like This? She Did A Half Balayage And It Was $300

Image credits: mar61598

#73 Stop With This Yellow. She And All Her Commenters Are Justifying This And Saying It’s Because Of Her ‘Tan’. Tan Or Not, This Isn’t Her Shade

Image credits: bestofthe_worst

#74 First Time Getting Gel Done, Should I Ask Them To Fix It?

Image credits: SaltyFaithlessness48

#75 I Think I Got A Bad Haircut/Layers. Am I Right Or Am I Just Psyching Myself Out?

Image credits: littlegazelle

#76 This Was My Bridal Trial. That Eyeliner Tho

Image credits: JKWrites1018

#77 Balayage Hair

Image credits: __BoredAtWork__

#78 Makeup Artist Gave Me This Look For My Engagement Photos… I Cried And Then Washed It All Off.. Ended Up Having To Do My Own Makeup

Please excuse the face I’m making – I was VERY upset. I can look back and laugh at this now. 

Image credits: YesiSalazar

#79 Meanwhile… What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: vuyanzi93

#80 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: GamerGloTV

#81 Don’t Abandon Your Nonverbal Autism At The Hair Salon. What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: LittleSausageLinks

#82 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: CrimsonErised

#83 Terrible Experience With A New Stylist

I’m just needing to vent. Also hoping this can serve as a lesson to anyone trying a new stylist. It may be common sense but I was so tired last night that I failed at this miserably: Look at your hair closely before paying your stylist. I’m currently sobbing while taking out these horrible braids after spending 6 hours in the chair, 40 dollars on hair, and 210 to the stylist (she charged 190 and I gave a 20-dollar tip). This was done yesterday. You can see what I asked for versus what I got. The braids she put in are so lopsided and messy, I immediately burst into tears. I just moved to a new state and have been having trouble finding a stylist to do my braids so after finding someone who does my blowouts really well, I asked her if she can braid my hair as well and she said yes! She agreed to the style no problem but I wish she would have just told me the truth about her capabilities. It’s totally okay not to know how to do everything! It was really sketchy because looking back I’m realizing now that she purposely turned me away from the mirror and rushed me out when she was done. She finished at 11 pm so I thought she was just tired and I certainly was exhausted too. See the screenshots for the whole interaction. I’m glad for the partial refund but still so much time and money wasted. My self-esteem is shot. I’m extremely upset and insecure. Speak up for yourselves in the salon!

Image credits: BlondeNamedMegan

#84 What I Got vs. What I Asked For? They Charged $25 Extra For The “Special Design”, $150. What Do Y’all Think

Image credits: theoregonfool

#85 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: pastapennepesto

#86 Help! I Just Want To Cry! Do I Let Her Fix It? What Would You Do?

Omg guys, I just want to cry! I went to a new hairdresser yesterday and she had really good reviews and she was really lovely and sweet but look what she did to my hair!

 

I’ve included a photo of what I wanted and what she did, you’ll know which is which. When she was blow-drying my hair I was NOT smiling like I usually do when the hairdresser is blow-drying my hair at the end of an appointment.

 

And she said she wasn’t happy with it and I started pointing out what I wasn’t happy with and she said she can fix it but not today because she’s worried about the damage to my hair. So she initially said next week, but I said I need to go out on the weekend and she said in two days.

 

Now you’re all going to get angry over this next part but… I still paid her $350. I don’t know why I know I shouldn’t have but at the moment I gave her the benefit of the doubt and trusted she will fix it. Plus she was so nice and sweet and kind throughout the appt and she was so apologetic, I just didn’t have the heart to get mad at her! I hate myself for that! She also said she would give me a free hair treatment which is an hour appointment.

 

When I got home I YouTubed what she did. At the start of my appointment, she said that a full head of highlights would cost $250, but because I wanted a balayage look she would have to tease it so it would cost $350. I don’t know anything so I agreed. Then when I googled it, it’s called easy highlights, then YouTube’s it and there’s no difference except you tease the top of the hair first! Why did that cost me an extra $100?

Image credits: 4ng31in3

#87 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: Crazy-Marionberry-23

#88 Hairstylist Told Me Layers Are Supposed To Look This Way… Am I Crazy For Thinking This Looks Weird/Bad?

I asked for a haircut I didn’t have to use heat on or style with products and she cut off a ton of hair and left me with this.

Image credits: Sensitive_Many_1061

#89 Went To A Hairstylist In Oshawa. The First Picture Is How I Looked Before, The Second Is The Picture Of How She Cut It… I Just Needed A Little Trim. I’ve Been Crying The Whole Time

Image credits: professionalnugget

#90 The Salon Did A Haircut Worse Than I Do Myself At Home

Image credits: hexadecimalsmask

#91 Purple Blonde And Red/Orange Are The Same, Right?

Image credits: _madlibs_

#92 Failed Balayage

Went to the hairdresser, for the first time in 10 years. First time doing anything else than just cut. I asked for a natural balayage for some depth etc. I went to a curly hair specialist hoping they knew how to handle my hair. I’m very disappointed with the result but I don’t know if I could’ve expected better. I think it looks dirty. Is there anything I can do? Should I go back?

Image credits: Ok-Refrigerator-6291

#93 I Asked For A Chocolate Balayage And I Got This. Is This Fixable? I’m Going Back To The Salon Later Today And I’m In Tears

Image credits: SakiGGOW

#94 Yesterday Marked The First Time I’ve Cried In A Salon Because My Nails Were So Bad

Image credits: DaikonEmotional283

#95 Is This A Balayage? I Asked For A Balayage And Paid $300 For This. My Mom Doesn’t Believe Me When I Say It’s Not What I Asked For

Image credits: DumbAsian0430

#96 What I Asked For vs. What I Got

My wedding is in 2 days & I went to go get my nails done today. I showed the tech the picture of what I wanted & after a couple hours, I hate them. Is it rude for me to have them?

Image credits: Salty-Line4040

#97 Ugh, Not What I Asked For… #7 Is What I Asked For And This Is What I Got. The First Coat Didn’t Look So Dark. Why Am I So Bad At Speaking Up? Should I Go Back?

These are my bday nails and I wanted something bright and fun.

Image credits: JuiceInternational40

#98 Bridesmaid Makeup: What I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image credits: roseripper

#99 I Feel Bad For The Person Who Paid For This. There Are Yellow Spots On Her Foundation

Image credits: ronniechan234

#100 My Sad Wedding Makeup That I Paid $50 For

Image credits: wytte

#101 Can You Believe This Is After They Fixed It?

Image credits: Responsible_Drama434

#102 The Nail Polish Color I Asked The Nail Salon vs. What I Got

I requested to put an almond shape and tan color instead of the pinkish one, so maybe it’s my fault, but the ombre color was not followed.

Image credits: johnnareilly

#103 Hairdresser Messed Up Bad

I asked for pastel pink and what I got is not pastel pink. What do I do?

Image credits: Mazzy_VC

#104 Had To Go To A New Nail Tech Because Mine Was On Holiday. My Honeymoon Set Is The Worst I’ve Ever Had. What Do You Think?

It looks like there’s been 2-3 weeks of growth already but this was fresh out of the salon. They blamed shrinkage from a faulty lamp but I watched her apply it like that. She didn’t apply the top coat to the whole of the nail, it stopped short by a few millimeters.

Luckily, I got a refund for this shoddy job.

Image credits: r-frain

#105 What My Girlfriend Wanted vs. What She Got

Image credits: 12650

#106 What I Asked For And What I Got

Image credits: Theskinilivein