Who still wastes money in a Salon?

[havilland]

I go to Reniece. She works magic on my hair!


I also am a DIY. Reniece approves of my at home methods becuase they work. And I keep her informed because she's good!

 

[Evolving78]

i only went once last year. now i will just go for a special treat. i don't really see it as wasting money if you have a great stylist. i really like to be pampered. but time and having someone i trust with my hair are my issues.

 

[Amarilles]

cookiemonster287 Do they teach cosmetologist to recognize scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis? Or well, to recognize them if they're mild (it would be obvious to anyone otherwise). I have a very mild version of this and sometimes I wonder how they missed it. So many years and they missed it. I always thought I had "difficult dandruff"...I remember once even telling my stylist that I get a little "dandruff" in my eyebrows and this lady didn't bat an eye and said something about washing more often. Are these things covered at all?

 

[sweetcapri]

cookiemonster287 Do they teach cosmetologist to recognize scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis? Or well, to recognize them if they're mild (it would be obvious to anyone otherwise). I have a very mild version of this and sometimes I wonder how they missed it. So many years and they missed it. I always thought I had "difficult dandruff"...I remember once even telling my stylist that I get a little "dandruff" in my eyebrows and this lady didn't bat an eye and said something about washing more often. Are these things covered at all?

I will answer just in case cookie monster doesn't see this. Yes scalp conditions are taught and that stylist should have reffered you to a dermatologist.

 

[JudithO]

lol... this thread went in the wrong direction for the OP...

But...

I dont see it as a waste, if you have a great stylist who does a great job and your hair is thriving...

However, I'm a 100% DIY'er (including relaxers) because...

1. Ive had too many bad experiences... Only one okay stylist my whole life...

2. I cant afford it.

3. Even having a good stylist is too risky.... what if they die (lol).... they move.... I move ... we fight ...? etc.. what happens to me?

4. I'm a minimalist... I live 100% in buns.... and i'm quite happy like that... I do a very bad flat iron job... and will visit a salon on the day I need a flat iron.

 

[firecracker]

Chile whats dog food to one, is caviar to another. Waste is subjective. Sorry about your bad experience. What a stylist drives or how she lives is not my concern. She needs to make a living wage and get paid appropriately for services rendered.

I don't go to a salon now but when I did I had a great stylist and my hair was healthy. She didn't over book, her salon was professional, she used quality products, it was very clean and a relaxing atmosphere. She was into total hair care. I sure could use her butt right about now. I cannot locate her. My last visit was in 2006. I went natural in 2005. I could never take care of my hair like she did.

I had a great experience with a member/hair stylist here in ATL. If I lived there I'd find her and pay for her great services.

I did have one stylist that was disrespectful of my time if I came during the day but after 7pm it was all gravy. I had the Halle Berry short cut back then. She was reasonably priced and known for her bomb short cuts throughout the Inland Empire.

One bad Dominican experience when I lived in NYC. Some wench didn't rinse out my relaxer so my hair was stuck to my scalp. LOL I simply choose a better stylist in the salon after I got a few free services from the new stylist. My hair thrived after that. I was in and out w/i 3 hours. That was the cheapest I've ever paid for a hairstylist but I bought my own quality products. $15 bucks for a wash, condition and set. That price was from Tues-Thursday only. Those were the good ole days.

Right now I need hair rehab because of my own dumb mistake. My cousin is a licensed stylist. I am going to ask her to start doing my hair at my house.

 

[Dayjoy]

I haven't wasted my money in a salon in years. I do however go once a month, and I love it. The first time I went to my current stylist she asked me why I didn't transition, and a year later she was so happy when I made that decision. I took my DD (whose hair I don't even let my own MIL touch) to her and she had me watch, then put the blow dryer in my hand and coached my technique. Her prices are reasonable, I never have to wait, her salon is clean and pretty, she is always having and taking classes, NEVER turns me away from the mirror and never cuts too much (IF she cuts at all), is close to my home, and has free wifi so I can be on here while I'm under the dryer. Now that I'm going natural she's talking like she won't see me as often. She won't, but dag, I'll still go every couple of months to get a flat iron.

 

[DarkJoy]

You left out dirty shops: food on the work counters, lit cigarettes in ashtrays near chemicals - or indoors period, and long after the California statewide smoking ban. Loud TVs constantly blasting, Lester from down the street coming in selling Rolex and TAG watches and CDs out of his coat.

Girl Yaaaaaaaassss! That used to scare me! I'd be thinkin what if dude came in to rob us and ya'll letting him in, chewin on your bacon (while doing my hair!!!), and encouraging him by actually buying boosted items in your shop full of women waiting to be on with their day!

No thanks!

Haven't been to a salon in 7 years.

 

[Mortons]

Girl Yaaaaaaaassss! That used to scare me! I'd be thinkin what if dude came in to rob us and ya'll letting him in, chewin on your bacon (while doing my hair!!!), and encouraging him by actually buying boosted items in your shop full of women waiting to be on with their day!

No thanks!

Haven't been to a salon in 7 years.

reminds me of the time this dude walked over to me and some other women in the dryer section with what looked like a guitar case. Tell me why dude kicked it open and was doing a presentation on his "sterling silver jewelry"

 

[Uniqzoe]

I agree with others that stated it's only a waste of money & time if you: don't get what you paid for, your time isn't respected and the stylists is unprofessional. After I stopped relaxing I started doing my hair myself, learned A LOT from LHCF and other hair boards. After reading stories on here and blogs I was actually afraid to go to the salon. However, I got to a point in my hair care where my growth was stalled and I don't have time for the trial and error stuff b/c I learned the hard way that what works for next person doesn't really work for me.

When I was looking for a stylists, I signed up to be a model in a natural hair show thinking I would find a stylist that way. But Clawd ham mercy, during the prep day they have stylists assist the "platform" artist and the lady who worked on my hair had No Clue how to handle my hair I was literally in pain from this woman. I talked to the 2 head stylist about it and they agreed that they should have done a better job of vetting the assistant stylists for the hair shows b/c its too quick paced to train on the spot.

Long story short that experience helped me realize that there was a gap in the market between how stylists are trained and what clients want. A coworker of mine, and one of the lead stylist from the hair show (who knocked my socks off with all the info she had about natural hair care) put our heads together and came up with a CE program where stylists who lack those skills can come and learn what they did not teach them in school (as cookiemonster287 said) about natural, curly and textured hair. We have had so many stylists say to us "yes...this is what I've wanted but didn't know where to go get it." As we grow we plan to be create a directory so clients can find trained stylist across the country who have been properly taught how to care for their hair.

Trust me OP I understand the frustration cause I was there but I also didn't want my fear & frustration from a few to turn me off from the entire profession. Besides there are times when I just want to lay back and get my hair done!!

 

[greenandchic]

Girl Yaaaaaaaassss! That used to scare me! I'd be thinkin what if dude came in to rob us and ya'll letting him in, chewin on your bacon (while doing my hair!!!), and encouraging him by actually buying boosted items in your shop full of women waiting to be on with their day!

No thanks!

Haven't been to a salon in 7 years.

That used to scare the bejesus out me too! Then he would stick around flirting with everyone before he goes. I never understood why they let him in.

reminds me of the time this dude walked over to me and some other women in the dryer section with what looked like a guitar case. Tell me why dude kicked it open and was doing a presentation on his "sterling silver jewelry"

Or his "homemade sweet potato pie"!

 

[cookiemonster287]

cookiemonster287 Do they teach cosmetologist to recognize scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis? Or well, to recognize them if they're mild (it would be obvious to anyone otherwise). I have a very mild version of this and sometimes I wonder how they missed it. So many years and they missed it. I always thought I had "difficult dandruff"...I remember once even telling my stylist that I get a little "dandruff" in my eyebrows and this lady didn't bat an eye and said something about washing more often. Are these things covered at all?

Amarilles Yes, like sweetcapri said they are supposed to teach about scalp
care, skin disorders and diseases, infection control, and a whole bunch of other things. They really go hard when it comes to all of that because it is really important when working with clients. At my school they drill numerous definitions of disorders and diseases (scalp, nail, and skin) in your head until there can't be a possible way to forget about them.
I have no idea why your stylist didn't care though....you shouldn't play when it comes to that.

 

[MsSanz92]

It's not a waste if you are getting quality TIMELY service that you can afford. Besides, certain things like weaves, braids, etc. I would suggest going to a salon for these services I've seen too many people with horrid self done weaves and braids. Not to say a salon is any less capable of messing your hair up but from my experience it usually looks more polished when done in a salon.

 

[IMFOCSD]

I agree with the OP, I have been to MANY different salons & stylist and every last one of them did something I did not like more than once...whether it be them changing their price after giving u a quote over the phone, gossiping about clients to other clients, being dishonest about certain services just to make more money or to avoid doing something they don't want to do, getting an attitude when you speak up about something you disagree with about your hair, waiting way past appointment times, demanding tips on top of the $60+ they already charge (knowing they make good $), keeping you under the drier or at the shampoo bowl for long periods of time just to kill time, overbooking....I could go on and on but I will stop here...I do my own hair...relax, shampoo, DC/treatments, hair color rinse, trim, blowdry, flatiron, etc ...and it looks just as good....so Yea lol...

 

[Babysaffy]

Not me! No sah!

 

[amwcah]

Same here, girl. Countless time and money. I'm driving a Honda Accord and sister or whomever is driving Lexus. (I'm just saying) Well, this gray hair on hairline is a beast and will not take to box color. Made an appt for Friday only hairline color touch-up. No style and that's $25. But, last for 6 to 8 weeks,, otherwise, I'm the Cosmetologist in this, House of Glam.

This reminds me of my sister. A stylist she was looking into went up on her rates before she was able to get her hair done by the lady. After she found out the lady purchased a new vehicle, she decided not to go to that salon because she felt like she was paying for the lady's Lexus.

 

[sweetcapri]

I agree with the OP, I have been to MANY different salons & stylist and every last one of them did something I did not like more than once...whether it be them changing their price after giving u a quote over the phone, gossiping about clients to other clients, being dishonest about certain services just to make more money or to avoid doing something they don't want to do, getting an attitude when you speak up about something you disagree with about your hair, waiting way past appointment times, demanding tips on top of the $60+ they already charge (knowing they make good $), keeping you under the drier or at the shampoo bowl for long periods of time just to kill time, overbooking....I could go on and on but I will stop here...I do my own hair...relax, shampoo, DC/treatments, hair color rinse, trim, blowdry, flatiron, etc ...and it looks just as good....so Yea lol...

If the stylist makes good money tipping does exactly what? If you received great service why not tip? I don't understand this thought process.

 

[SelahOco]

I don't illy understand the tipping either. How do we decide which service people to tip? Mechanics? Shampoo girl? Cashier? Nail tech?

I always tip servers and delivery people and chartered bus drivers. And I tip my stylist cause I think he charges too little.

But how do we know who to tip?

 

[sweetcapri]

I am a salon owner I drive a Nissan Pathfinder. I plan to at some point get a Mercedes, Bmw, or a Lincoln I guess according to some of these posts I can't grow and drive a luxury vehicle because I will lose my clients I'm supposed to drive a pinto but they can drive a Audi.

 

[havilland]

I am a salon owner I drive a Nissan Pathfinder. I plan to at some point get a Mercedes, Bmw, or a Lincoln I guess according to some of these posts I can't grow and drive a luxury vehicle because I will lose my clients I'm supposed to drive a pinto but they can drive a Audi.

You know what i personally think is messed up? The owners of target. Walmart. Papa johns. Grocery stores. Gas stations...etc can have luxury cars and own castles.....But a sista who is a business owner taking care of other women in the community can't drive a nice car? I don't get that. I applaud success. And I wish you the best of everything.

i hope my support of these successful women will bring blessings their way and mine.

Much love to u sis.

 

[brg240]

I think it's only a waste if you don't want to go. :/

I never went to salons growing up (i've been twice in my life) so I won't go now. I'm just not used to it. Not to mention I don't have money like that. That money is needed for conditioner. But still I wouldn't say it's a waste.

I am not skilled enough to do things that stylists can do.

 

[sweetcapri]

You know what i personally think is messed up? The owners of target. Walmart. Papa johns. Grocery stores. Gas stations...etc can have luxury cars and own castles.....But a sista who is a business owner taking care of other women in the community can't drive a nice car? I don't get that. I applaud success. And I wish you the best of everything.

i hope my support of these successful women will bring blessings their way and mine.

Much love to u sis.

Thanks I appreciate the support and I want to support all stylists/ women who care about what they do. I am sorry for the experiences some of these women have had but to judge the many by few is wrong. Some of these posts are just vile. Be blessed

 

[Amarilles]

Thanks sweetcapri and cookiemonster287 ...mine is milder than Google describes and shows, but I definitely can get the flaky scales that cover areas of my scalp if I don't take certain measures. I thank God that I decided to get to know my head, I didn't know nothing yet it was clear to me that my "dandruff" was not normal.

I feel bad that there is so much disdain towards cosmetologists because of bad experiences... are hair stylists the new popos? I most likely will not ever step foot in another Dominican place but I'm very open to natural salons...provided they can answer all my questions do so honestly.

 

[havilland]

I can honestly say that I have had some horrible experiences at salon. Horrible. Most stylists I have experienced have been worse than the last. Cut my progress, left relaxer in too long, not neutralized me long enough, did exactly the opposite of what i asked, left me waiting for hours on end.....i could go on and on BUT I have also had some great stylists who cared about me and my hair. my current stylist is a blessing! I love her.

So I try to treat each person as an individual and still wish well on everyone No matter what.

I also tried to learn so that I could ultimately know what is best for my hair and do it at home if necessary.

 

[DeepBluSea]

In my 30 odd years, I have had 1 good stylist. Then she went and got into with her business partners and left. I don't go often but every once and a while you want to be pampered. The last time I went to try out a new stylist, I felt like it was a waste. I could have done better at home.

 

[IMFOCSD]

If the stylist makes good money tipping does exactly what? If you received great service why not tip? I don't understand this thought process.

I am a salon owner I drive a Nissan Pathfinder. I plan to at some point get a Mercedes, Bmw, or a Lincoln I guess according to some of these posts I can't grow and drive a luxury vehicle because I will lose my clients I'm supposed to drive a pinto but they can drive a Audi.

sweetcapri I'm sorry but I havent tipped any stylist...I tip servers because they make their money off of their tips..their salary is normally $2.15 an hour. Stylists make really good $ besides gas is too high & that tip I would give can go in my tank (or bus fare for some which was once me) to transport me there & back

Now I would not say tipping should not be done if it's something you(women in general)
as a client want to do then that's cool...(ETA I didn't realize that was u in the first post I quoted until now smh)

sweetcapri I know that not all stylists drive super nice cars & if they do that won't stop me from going to them but it does let me know that they are obviously doing well financially but that does not sway me either way as far as tipping... when someone works hard they deserve to have nice things

 

[Your Cheeziness]

I go about once a month on average for various services. I do not like washing my hair anymore. I wait a max of 5 minutes for my appointment.

My stylist is funny and very friendly. She never argues or contests anything I ask. ( I must also note that I don't go in there with a superior attitude towards my hair.)

I don't waste my money and I'm always pleased with my results.

 

[Your Cheeziness]

And this whole mess about what car the stylist drives is absolutely mind-blowing. Anytime you pay for a product or service, you are directly or indirectly contributing to SOMEONE'S car note. I pay my bills because Of the patronage of customers with my company.

What business is it if mine what someone drives or how they live? All I'm worried about us what service I'm paying for.

 

[back2relaxed]

I still go to the salon, once a month. I'm relaxed, and don't put any chemicals on my own hair. I wash.and condition my hair weekly in between visits. I've had bad stylists in the past, but once I figure that out I research and find a better one.

Stylists are like anything else, there us good and bad. A PP said it best if you go in a salon thinking you know more and don't give the stylist a chance you will find a way not to Gabe the best experience. There are cures.that I look for in hiring a stylist. One is professionalism, no website, no service rendered from me. The products have to be professional grade , time efficiency is a deal maker/breaker for me. And of course how well they do my hair.

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

Salon free since 2009