I recommend using a specific color number in your order rather than saying "2 shades lighter". As for the ventilation, yes it can be hard to get the ventilation you want. I have been trying to order freestyle with spikey front or just freestyle all over but it comes in forward ventilated every time. The last time I ordered I asked for freestyle with flatback front and the whole thing was flatback and this time my crown was missing. I have never been able to get them to make the direction as I request. However, it's not the end of the world as with some perming lotion you can change the direction yourself.