are stylists unqualified to do our hair these days?

[pisceschica]

I used to be totally anti-stylist but now my opinion has changed. Like some of the posters before me have said it depends on what your stylists goals are. Some are focused on recreating the latest trend in style and color and some focus on the overall health and appearance of the hair.

Unfortunately, getting a stylist that suites you is like finding a good doctor.

I currently have one stylist who I let relax my hair and that is all. Everything else I have to do myself because I have not found one stylist in my price range or area that does not look at me like I am crazy or become angry when I tell them what I want.

As to qualifications, I don't think that there are enough stylists that truly know about hair care. In school they focus on learning to recreate styles and not how to keep the hair healthy, good customer service, or how to run a sucessful business. Part of the blame belongs to cosmetology schools because they really don't teach enough about maintaining hair health and business management. The rest of the blame belongs to the students because if they really wanted to learn they would, they just prefer to make money.

I completely disagree with this. A stylist is going to do what a stylist wants to do once they get their license. For instance they teach us in school that it is unsanitary to hold clips on your smocks aprons but everyone of my co-workers do it. ALL of the blame belongs to the students that CHOOSE not to learn to make healthy hair a part of their business or students who choose not to take advanced classes to further their skills. School can teach you everything under the sun but its up to you to use and apply that knowledge.

Cosmetology school, atleast mine, teachs everything about hair. From the composition of hair, basic styling, care of the hair etc. Trust that we learned plenty about healthy hair care. From all the types of conditioning treatments, to protein treatments, to porosity treatments for chemicals, hot oil etc. I know about all of that stuff and tell clients about it if they show interest.

So my point is you can teach someone something but they may not make it a point to do that if they are more interested in something else. Me personally I don't care much for styling espeically not that dreaded stove erplexed. But I really enjoy doing cuts and other chemical services.

 

[Covergirl5906]

Well you;ve made a lot of assumptions. Let me help you out. I've never lived in a place where there was a salon down the block. At least not one that had any clue what to do with black hair. I'm sorry but bad hairstylists exist at all price points. I've been to a lot of different salons and had the same issues. Stylists don't magically become better at caring for hair because they work out of a higher end salon. If that were the case then most of the women on this sight who spend a fortune on their hair care wouldn't feel the need to be self-styled.

I totally agree with this...I've had a stylist from an upscale salon jack my hair up too...so it doesn't matter whether they are in an upscale salon, or in the hood...If they don't know what they are doing, it doesn't matter what type of salon they work in....the only difference is that with the upscale salon you can complain to corporate, and that is exactly what I did and received a full refund...

 

[MissLawyerLady]

It's not that they are "unqualified" although some of them are, but I think most of them don't care. They treat every head the same, use the same products, use the same techniques, etc.

Since I've been actively trying to grow my hair, I've noticed that everyone who goes to my stylist has very short cuts. Everyone's hair is precision cut and looks very healthy but only one person that I've seen has long hair and she gets roller sets. I think my stylists resents my new growth since I'm stretching. My last relaxer a few days ago was not a pleasant experience. My stylists just ripped through my hair with a fine toothed comb and I lost more hair in that one comb out then I'd lost in 8 weeks!

But it was my fault b/c I should have said "use a wider toothed comb". I've been going to her faithfully for over 8 years, I'm never late and I've never had a check to her bounce and I tip. Even if I hadn't done all this she should still treat my hair gently, but since I have done all this, I've earned the right to bring her a wide toothed comb and my Lacio, Lacio next time so that my comb out will be less painful.

Shoot, a patron bringing a stylist the patron's own product to use is like a patient bringing a doctor the patient's own medical instruments- that much less effort and cost for the stylist/doctor!!! I wonder what her attitude will be?!

 

[Maynard]

Depends on the stylist really.
To a certain degree it also depends on the person gettin their hair done who is now complaining.

Every time I've gone to a stylist it's been because I SAW their work beforehand. And I've always had good stylists on my head.
But---
A lotta sistas will just pop up in anyone's salon,i.e. walk-in...
A lotta sistas will see a stylist without knowing the stylists specialty...
A lotta sistas will deal with bull-headed stylists who don't listen to them because they've been seeing them forever...
A lotta sistas will continue to go to a substandard beauty shop...and then be SHOCKED when someone f's their hair up!

What kinda sense does that make?

This is not directed at anyone in particular; I'm just talking in general.

Sometimes I'm sympathetic to hair salon horror stories; most of the time I'm not.
...because half the time the issue coulda been solved with some research and common sense.
Research is asking questions, for a portfolio,etc.... It means going to stylists whose work you have SEEN (on coworkers, friends, etc...)

Common sense dictates that: Hair styling is just like any other profession. You have ppl who excel and ppl who don't. (SOMEONE had to graduate at the 'bottom' of the class, right?)
It's up to you to figure out who you're dealing with.

This whole post is on point!! We are so >< on this! I wonder sometime about women who complain about stylists and they are so indiscriminate about who they let touch their hair!! If you have been to EVERY stylist in the city, then there is a serious problem.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I just cannot trust stylists anymore. I am done with them.

 

[Misseyl]

No, nope, never,.. Stylist are not qualified to do my relaxed hair. I've been doing my own relaxers now for 5 years and my hair has never been longer...They don't neutralized properly, and they use tons of heat. I love Dominican blowouts and it's something I'm thinking of doing in July after my next touchup but I will not allow them to apply my relaxer... Nope, never...

 

[MizAvalon]

Depends on the stylist really.
To a certain degree it also depends on the person gettin their hair done who is now complaining.

Every time I've gone to a stylist it's been because I SAW their work beforehand. And I've always had good stylists on my head.
But---
A lotta sistas will just pop up in anyone's salon,i.e. walk-in...
A lotta sistas will see a stylist without knowing the stylists specialty...
A lotta sistas will deal with bull-headed stylists who don't listen to them because they've been seeing them forever...
A lotta sistas will continue to go to a substandard beauty shop...and then be SHOCKED when someone f's their hair up!

What kinda sense does that make?

This is not directed at anyone in particular; I'm just talking in general.

Sometimes I'm sympathetic to hair salon horror stories; most of the time I'm not.
...because half the time the issue coulda been solved with some research and common sense.
Research is asking questions, for a portfolio,etc.... It means going to stylists whose work you have SEEN (on coworkers, friends, etc...)

Common sense dictates that: Hair styling is just like any other profession. You have ppl who excel and ppl who don't. (SOMEONE had to graduate at the 'bottom' of the class, right?)
It's up to you to figure out who you're dealing with.

Completely agree with this entire post.

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

I'm unsatisfied with stylists today. I have yet to find one for me. I've really stopped looking. Right nwo I really need my hair dusted but I'm just holding off because I rarely know of someone who won't cut off 2 inches of my hair off because it's "damaged". A lot fo stylists know how to make your hair look really pretty, but they don't work towards the overally health of your hair....I'm just not feeling them lately. Yes, I feel they are unqualified.

 

[*Luscious*Locked*Doc]

To answer the OP's question, the state board exam that I took was more concerned with sanitation than anything else, and no, there was not a segment on natural hair and its care. Natural hair was barely covered in our curriculum. Stylists who do natural hair typically seek out such knowledge on their own and/or have natural hair themselves and learn through trial and error, typically on their own heads. People also shouldn't be so quick to judge the schools because some stylists are going to do what they want to do once they have that license, despite the school's best teachings.

Real change is not going to be brought about by so many women doing their own hair and therefore not needing stylists. Real change is going to take place when SALON PATRONS stop taking the BS that the bad stylists dish out.

I whole heartedly agree that the good stylists should and do deserve to make money and take care of their families however it's the statement in bold that left me cold . I'm sorry but if a doctor or many other professionals admitted that they would lose their license to practice - plain and simple. A professional who doesn't abide the the rules of his or her profession isn't much of a professional. Also in my opinion the pupil is a reflection of the teacher so if a school isn't instilling a student with knowledge to revere and hold good practices then they are at fault too.

The shame is in the fact that black sheep (in our case many) can tar the whole group. I think that there are some lovely stylists out there, but my experience hasn't been with many of them. That wasn't an attack also just a statement of my view of what professional haircare should be.

 

[Chromia]

I'm unsatisfied with stylists today. I have yet to find one for me. I've really stopped looking. Right nwo I really need my hair dusted but I'm just holding off because I rarely know of someone who won't cut off 2 inches of my hair off because it's "damaged". A lot fo stylists know how to make your hair look really pretty, but they don't work towards the overally health of your hair....I'm just not feeling them lately. Yes, I feel they are unqualified.

Same here. I've been dusting my own hair.

 

[Mz.Shug]

Okay ya'll scarin' me, I'm suppose to be going into a salon (for the first time in life) to get a relaxer....Should I just go at it myself?erplexed

 

[hairmaster]

I must say you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
The state can't make you a better hairdresser. You have to do your' home work in picking one. Hairdressers put in long hours some days others the just sit find out which day's are slow and the hairdresser has time to do a proper job and listen to you and address your concerns, go when they have 2 other
clients they don't listen, the just do.

The state of Illinoise require hairdresser to attend worshops, continuening
education before the renew their licenses.

 

[TexturedTresses]

I think stylists are qualified to style hair, but I don't think they should be responsible for haircare. Just so long as they don't damage your hair to get the style you want. I think you should be responsible for keeping your hair long. Stylists are not care for your hair and keep it healthy. They are meant to make it to look beautiful when you need it to be. They are also meant to do the things that you can't do on your own. My hair has thrived since I started caring for it myself, because I am willing to do the research for MY type of hair. I also am learning what works for it. I can't expect a stylist to do that. I'm lucky, I have a great stylist who has also kept my hair healthy. She also respects my decisions when it comes to my hair and in the end that is all we should expect.

 

[tbaby_8]

Yes and no. Some stylist don't care, but there are some stylist that do care and need to be given a chance. Do not write off all stylist because of one bad one or a few bad ones.

 

[SouthernTease]

Absolutely !!!

I think there are stylists and there are hair care professionals.

I think there should be specializations like doctors have... so...

You'll have a stylist that specializes in natural hair

or hair care professionals that specialize in texlaxed hair

 

[leleepop]

the problem is for every one good hairstylist they are at least 1000 bad ones. est

 

[locabouthair]

I know there are some good ones out there, but it seems that they may be the exception and not the rule. You have to search for the good ones really hard or get lucky.

yeah I always say finding a good stylist is like findign a good man

 

[heyfranz]

i lost my healthy SL hair because i was visiting a salon that gave me protein treatments under the dryer every week. Shouldn't they have known better? I now know better because of LHCF, but didn't they go to school for that? Anyway it was a dominican salon (and they're cheap), so i guess you get what you pay for.

After it grew back 3 years later i lost it at a different dominican salon because the relaxer they used was too harsh and left on too long for 4a/b fine strands. It was the first and last time i ever let a salon do my relaxer. I always thought that if i had gone to a black salon where they charge $70 that would not have happened...

 

[Tresses]

Let me give a stylist's point of view.

1st. The state board of cosmetology requires cosmetologist to know basic skills in hairdressing.

2nd. Cosmetology schools teach us those basic skills to pass the state board.

3rd. That's it! It is up to us as stylists to seek any further education & skills.


I am not ashamed to say that I have learned majority of what I know about healthy hair care from lhcf. Cos school doesn't teach us about harsh sulfates, good/bad cones, essentials oil, ect. Does that make me a bad stylist because I didn't know initially? No, I think it made me a great stylist because I chose to seek that out that information for my clients.

Each one teach one. My stylist new nothing about leaving the neutralizing poo on for 5 minutes after a relaxer until I told her about it. You guys have the info, don't be afraid to share it with your stylist.

 

[africa]

I don't trust stylists. I definitely think they are unqualified to deal with black hair because they are not taught to deal with the natural textures associated with non-white women/men. I think they're learning to just relax black hair so they can deal with it, but don't know how to take care of it. When I walk into a salon with friends the stylists are always trying to convince me to get a cut or relaxer. "Girl if you relaxed that hair it would hit the middle of your back" or "You should let me get those ends for you." I usually get asked what I'm doing that got my hair close to BSL and that's a sign to me that they don't know how to care for hair so that it'll grow.

ITA especially with the bolded.

I am sure there are good stylists out there, but I am not one to experiment on my head of hair. I know people whose hair looks nice after going to a stylist, but I have not been able to bring myself to go since I know they will rip through my hair with a comb and run through it with marcel irons.

I haven't been to a stylist in over five years and it is the HEALTHIEST it has ever been in my life. I also feel comfortable saying its healthier than most women I know that go to stylists.

I would go to Balisi if I was in ATL only because I've been on this board long enough to know she is one of a kind and is into healthy hair practices. I don't have time to get to know other stylist's hair habits like that and I am not in the mood for experimentationand losing my progress

 

[Evolving78]

i have had 5 good stylists in my hair and the only reason i stopped going was because it cost too much. i used to be in the shop every week or twice a week somethimes. now that i'm natural, i don't worry about that too much. i didn't like spending the time that i did at home. it cost too much to have certain tools that i needed to maintain my relaxed hair. those women were all very good to my hair and their hair was healthy too.

 

[nappystorm]

I don't think they're unqualified per se. I think some are salesmen and con artists.

Some either jack your head up or cut all your hair off because it's "unhealthy", try to convince you that your techniques and products are damaging (even though you're hair usually look better than thiers') and then tell you to keep coming to them for maintenance.
Then they provide proper haircare and techniques that will foster hairgrowth. Thus giving the illusion that they are the reason your hair is growing and that your hair will not grow with thier magical touch.

Believe it or not, I've seen people fall for this bull****ery.

 

[fattyfatfat]

thank you. I went to a salon last week where she basically told me how damaged and unhealthy my hair was and if I kept going to her, she would make my hair grow . I KNOW my hair isnt damaged or unhealthy and....how she can make my hair grow with a wash and set?

I don't think they're unqualified per se. I think some are salesmen and con artists.

Some either jack your head up or cut all your hair off because it's "unhealthy", try to convince you that your techniques and products are damaging (even though you're hair usually look better than thiers') and then tell you to keep coming to them for maintenance.
Then they provide proper haircare and techniques that will foster hairgrowth. Thus giving the illusion that they are the reason your hair is growing and that your hair will not grow with thier magical touch.

Believe it or not, I've seen people fall for this bull****ery.

 

[almond eyes]

I think what most hair dressers don't understand is the chemistry behind the relaxer. This is very important to know because there is more to just slapping relaxer on roots, neutralising, DC and trimming. A good hair dresser understands that the same relaxer technique she/he uses for Pamela cannot be used on Tina. And many hairdressers are good stylists but have no clue as to the relaxer and colour process. For example, my cousin who used to own a hair salon told me the other day that when he used to relax women with fine strands he used low water pressure to shampoo and condition so that the tension from root to tip would not rip when combing. How many hairdressers understand that?

When it comes to natural hair, I wish hairdressers didn't charge an arm and a leg just for some shingling effect. And hair braiders need to know how not to put so much tension on the hair line, many women have become permanently bald in their hairline because of this.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[ActionActress]

i believe in the futre,stylist wont be making as much money because weve learned how to do our own hair.

Could be possible. OR They could learn that they can make more money by turning out some beautiful heads of long, healthy hair. WHY? Because we're becoming more educated about our hair, more educated than the beauticians. So they are going to have to come up with something to keep their pockets full.

 

[msa]

Stylists are unqualified to do my natural hair. They don't know basic things that are necessary for healthy hair and length retention like deep conditioning, not using harsh cleansers, detangling correctly, and being gentle.

That being said, the biggest problem I find with stylists is that they are not open minded. They look at everyone's hair being the same instead of really sitting with a person and learning about their hair's unique characteristics. And if you have suggestions for them about how to handle YOUR hair, they don't want to listen. That's my biggest problem.

 

[J Hazel]

In my experience, when I used to go to hairdresserrs with my natural hair, none of them would be willing to do my hair. In my opinion I don't think they're open-minded when it comes to natural hair.

 

[Okay]

well here in denmark the black hair care stylist, at least all the ones i know of, dont believe we can get long hair so i wouldnt go for them to deal with my own hair.
I only go to make braids.. last time i went my hair was damaged, i did a protein treatment and my hair came out VERY tangled and hard, and the stylist was like "wow you really tried huh, your hair is looking healthy' .. hmm.. that pretty muc sums it up.

Before knowing about LHCF i did call a top african stylist here in denmark,considered the best one here,educated and so on, and her hair is short and with fake hair..
Her salon looks nice yes and shes expensive but she told me if i wanted long hair i couldnt do anything but get a weave...

 

[Okay]

bumpiiiiing.. lol.. my posts always stops the thread :s

 

[pisceschica]

I do not think that people should have to learn things that they do not want to learn. Like you said in the initial post state board isn't that concerned about your skills they just want to be comfortable that you know the basics but more importantly know the stylist is trained in proper sanitation.

And although there is a growing number of African Americans who are choosing to go natural the fact remains that a strong majority of African Americans still wear some type of texture altering chemical in their hair. Because of this many stylist may see absolutely no value in further education themselves or dealing with natural hair. They are missing out on increasing their clientele but that is a choice they make and will live with.

I definitely see the frustration from some who want to go natural but have a very difficult time finding a stylist how is knowledgeable or willing to work with their natural texture. At the end of the day when the stylist receives his/her license they determine what they choose to (or not to) specialize in. Unless they work in some kind of chain salon they are not required to be a jack of all trades stylist.

Finally I would like to add that some stylist are patient and do not mind at all dealing with natural hair. But some people are not willing to pay extra for them to deal with. The fact remains that more highly textured hair will take a bit more time to do and sometimes require prep time. Some people are just not willing to pay for it.