Woman left with bad haircut after salon trip fails to win $30,000 payout

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For Jessica Bray, it was more dramatic than that, when an appointment with a hair salon in South Melbourne resulted in a $30,000 damages claim after her bleached blonde hair fell out, leaving her with a "mullet".

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Ms Bray said the incident crushed her confidence and turned her into a "recluse". She said she was told the best option was to shave her head.

"I'm used to having longish hair and I had freak show hair, I have been laughed at on the street," she said.

"My confidence, social life, love life, everything came crashing down."

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Ms Bray launched a $30,230.60 compensation claim against the salon, including $15,000 in damages because of the hit to her self-esteem and confidence and more than $13,000 to pay for hair extensions.

She also took out a loan for a $1933 wig to improve her appearance for her 30th birthday and last year's Melbourne Cup.

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Despite finding that Saint James Hair Studio had breached consumer laws, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal rejected most of Ms Bray's financial claim. Instead, she was awarded a refund of $270 for the hair treatment and $114 compensation for a session with a psychologist.

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