$60 for a Wash/DC? IS You Crazy?!!!

[pink gator]

I was overly anxious about getting my relaxer corrected, so I txt my most recent stylist to find out the soonest I could get it done.

He hit me back, saying that my hair is really soft and it wasn't time yet to get it corrected, but he wanted me to come in and have him wash and DC it in the meantime.

So I asked him how much that would cost.

"$45 plus $15 for the deep condition," he replied.

OK, I love the fact that he's not money-hungry enuf to apply chemicals unnecessarily and cares about my hair's health. I really appreciate that.

But $60 for something that I do a great job myself? Oh COME on!!!!

I had to play it off and told him that I would get back to him...while under my breath saying, "When it's time for my retouch!"

I told my mom--who urges me to go to the salon at least once monthly--and she freaked out.

"WHAT? You might as well stand on your terrace with $60 and toss it to the wind!"

*Imagining myself a la baller stance, making it rain singles in the neighborhood*

But I guess that's what I should expect when I go to a high end black salon. SOMEBODY'S gotta pay the rent.



Thought I'd share.

 

[l_choice2001]

that is pretty steep!!!! buts its good he didnt encourage over processing by letting you get the relaxer

 

[pink gator]

that is pretty steep!!!! buts its good he didnt encourage over processing by letting you get the relaxer

Yeahh...I think so, too!

Before joining LHCF, I had stylists who encouraged 5- to 6-week touch-ups. Now I know it's not healthy.

 

[clever]

Lawdamercy
I hope he was throwing in some samples and massaging your scalp for a few hours

He must need some cash for the weekend.

 

[lovenharmony]

I'm so glad I'm a DIYer!

No way, no how would I ever pay anyone to wash and DC my hair for a price like that!

 

[wheezy807]

So when you get your retouch how much will it cost?

 

[glamazon386]

A deep condition should only be $5 extra.

 

[sheba125]

"WHAT? You might as well stand on your terrace with $60 and toss it to the wind!"

*Imagining myself a la baller stance, making it rain singles in the neighborhood*

This part was funny as heck..........but um yeah...that is too expensive, shoot that's the price of a touch-up and a dc around my way when you go to the Dominicans

 

[MissRissa]

girl i got u beat. i thought i had found a fantastic stylist. she has like a 10-15 minute consultation before she even touches your hair. talking about the products u use, issues you have with your hair, etc. Fantastic. then she touches your hair and likes to see the true texture and condition prior to any chemicals being added. wonderful. they wash you, DC you for 10-15 minutes under a dryer, comb you out with a wide tooth comb, real gentle. superb. she's really into healthy hair, salon is gorgeous, very organic and natural. but um she charges $65 for a wash& set/ wash,blow dry, flat iron. relaxer is $70 PLUS that $65 for the wash & set/flat iron. so unless u plan on walking out with wet hair a relaxer is $135. yes $135. i bs u not. i bout had an aneurysm.

any of you ladies in the DMV area that want to check her out (i know some of y'all are on baller status) her name is GWEN and she works at HALCYON in NW DC. The website to the salon/spa is http://www.halcyonthesalon.com. I mean it would have been a fantastic experience if i didn't have to take out a mortgage for a wash & set.

 

[pink gator]

So when you get your retouch how much will it cost?

$90 for a Phytorelaxer retouch, which I don't much mind because my Affirms used to cost $75 and the Phyto is a far superior product with great results, in my opinion.

His cuts are $15; again, I think that's fine.

Shood, that's $30 more than the wash/DC--that would last until the next time I go to the gym! LOL!

I fail to see the logic in that.

 

[zzirvingj]

Do you mind posting what salon this was at? Girl please, at Too Groovy, their "hydration treatment"...which to me is a DC, is $20 extra...and I have yet to determine if my hair reallly needs a DC every time I go to them or not

Don't get me wrong...when I get a hydration it really does make my hair feel nice, but since I've never really gone and NOT gotten one, I can't really say yet whether it's worth the $20

 

[pink gator]

A deep condition should only be $5 extra.

Shoood... a WASH should only cost $25...NOT $45!

In some areas of the country, relaxer retouches still cost $35-$40 (not too much here in ATL, unless you don't want great results or end up with a Bantu or something).

Imagine the sticker shock when, after not relaxing for 8 years, I learned that relaxers start around $75. I used to pay $35, and that included the cut! Not so much now...

 

[poookie]

girl i got u beat. i thought i had found a fantastic stylist. she has like a 10-15 minute consultation before she even touches your hair. talking about the products u use, issues you have with your hair, etc. Fantastic. then she touches your hair and likes to see the true texture and condition prior to any chemicals being added. wonderful. they wash you, DC you for 10-15 minutes under a dryer, comb you out with a wide tooth comb, real gentle. superb. she's really into healthy hair, salon is gorgeous, very organic and natural. but um she charges $65 for a wash& set/ wash,blow dry, flat iron. relaxer is $70 PLUS that $65 for the wash & set/flat iron. so unless u plan on walking out with wet hair a relaxer is $135. yes $135. i bs u not. i bout had an aneurysm.

any of you ladies in the DMV area that want to check her out (i know some of y'all are on baller status) her name is GWEN and she works at HALCYON in NW DC. The website to the salon/spa is http://www.halcyonthesalon.com. I mean it would have been a fantastic experience if i didn't have to take out a mortgage for a wash & set.

what salon is this?

Eta: nevermind, i re-read your post

 

[Menina Preta]

Well, it's a high-end Black salon, so I'd expect high prices. The products cost more, the equipment costs more, the salon may be in a nicer neighborhood, so the rent is more, the place looks nicer and offers more amenities, etc. It adds up.

Remember, just like most of us, the stylist wants to make enough to live well. If she thinks her services are exceptional enough to cost 60 bucks, then that's good for her. I just know I wouldn't go to her, but there are many women who would and I don't think anything is wrong with it if you can afford to do so.

 

[pink gator]

girl i got u beat. i relaxer is $70 PLUS that $65 for the wash & set/flat iron. so unless u plan on walking out with wet hair a relaxer is $135. yes $135. i bs u not. i bout had an aneurysm.

Ooh, you got me blinking REAL hard!

"Halcyon"...hmm. that's what somebody gotta be on if they're going to knowingly pay those prices! LMAO...

 

[pink gator]

Do you mind posting what salon this was at? Girl please, at Too Groovy, their "hydration treatment"...which to me is a DC, is $20 extra...and I have yet to determine if my hair reallly needs a DC every time I go to them or not

Don't get me wrong...when I get a hydration it really does make my hair feel nice, but since I've never really gone and NOT gotten one, I can't really say yet whether it's worth the $20

It's at Bellogique in Midtown--it's pretty much the spot for the stylists who came when N'Seya shut down temporarily a couple months ago.

Hmm...a dub ain't bad for a "hydration treatment." I'm wondering if you can smell what she used and try to do it yourself and see how it works.

 

[LivingDoll]

girl i got u beat. i thought i had found a fantastic stylist. she has like a 10-15 minute consultation before she even touches your hair. talking about the products u use, issues you have with your hair, etc. Fantastic. then she touches your hair and likes to see the true texture and condition prior to any chemicals being added. wonderful. they wash you, DC you for 10-15 minutes under a dryer, comb you out with a wide tooth comb, real gentle. superb. she's really into healthy hair, salon is gorgeous, very organic and natural. but um she charges $65 for a wash& set/ wash,blow dry, flat iron. relaxer is $70 PLUS that $65 for the wash & set/flat iron. so unless u plan on walking out with wet hair a relaxer is $135. yes $135. i bs u not. i bout had an aneurysm.

any of you ladies in the DMV area that want to check her out (i know some of y'all are on baller status) her name is GWEN and she works at HALCYON in NW DC. The website to the salon/spa is http://www.halcyonthesalon.com. I mean it would have been a fantastic experience if i didn't have to take out a mortgage for a wash & set.

Right. That's nuts but not unusual. That's the "going rate" for the "higher end" salons.

 

[pink gator]

Well, it's a high-end Black salon, so I'd expect high prices. The products cost more, the equipment costs more, the salon may be in a nicer neighborhood, so the rent is more, the place looks nicer and offers more amenities, etc. It adds up.

Remember, just like most of us, the stylist wants to make enough to live well. If she thinks her services are exceptional enough to cost 60 bucks, then that's good for her. I just know I wouldn't go to her, but there are many women who would and I don't think anything is wrong with it if you can afford to do so.

Yeah, I agree Soror; I'm all for paying for the prestige of patronizing such establishments. I'm even cool with the prices they charge for relaxers.

But--I guess it's LHCF-er in me that think that $60 for a wash/DC is a bit unnecessary and expensive! LOL!

 

[locabouthair]

when I was in MD, I was getting charged that much too. I never went because that's just rediculous.

If thats the price for a wash and DC, how much is he charging for a touchup?

 

[pink gator]

If thats the price for a wash and DC, how much is he charging for a touchup?

$90 for Phyto; $75-80 for Affirm (the only other one he uses).

 

[zzirvingj]

It's at Bellogique in Midtown--it's pretty much the spot for the stylists who came when N'Seya shut down temporarily a couple months ago.

Hmm...a dub ain't bad for a "hydration treatment." I'm wondering if you can smell what she used and try to do it yourself and see how it works.

Lol @ "smell what she used"....I just flat out asked her!!

The stylist did tell me what they were shampooing my hair with, and what she sprayed on it to detangle it (both Bumble and Bumble products)...

But when I asked about the hydration treatment she was like..."well it varies from person to person, and we typically use more than one product....depending on what that particular person's hair needs."

I was like....

 

[pink gator]

Lol @ "smell what she used"....I just flat out asked her!!

The stylist did tell me what they were shampooing my hair with, and what she sprayed on it to detangle it (both Bumble and Bumble products)...

But when I asked about the hydration treatment she was like..."well it varies from person to person, and we typically use more than one product....depending on what that particular person's hair needs."

I was like....

LMAO... See, you ASKED her; she told you...but when it came to that "treatment"--low-cost, high-profit item, I bet--she got all vague on ya!

 

[MissRissa]

Well, it's a high-end Black salon, so I'd expect high prices. The products cost more, the equipment costs more, the salon may be in a nicer neighborhood, so the rent is more, the place looks nicer and offers more amenities, etc. It adds up.

Remember, just like most of us, the stylist wants to make enough to live well. If she thinks her services are exceptional enough to cost 60 bucks, then that's good for her. I just know I wouldn't go to her, but there are many women who would and I don't think anything is wrong with it if you can afford to do so.

I mean i agree, hence the review which I thought was a good one. she cares for hair. i just can't afford it. if I would i could. I mean there are beauty shops on every corner and so many chicks walking around with jacked up heads, so she considers herself a cut above the rest (pun intended!) and her prices reflect it. there are two women in my office that frequent her shop twice a month.

the place is not crowded. its very nice inside. its not in a great neighborhood (its right behind the convention center on O st) but you can't tell once you are inside. there aren't a bunch of kids running around and people being all loud and uncouth. so i'm advocating for her. if you have the bread, try her, u might like her.

 

[Menina Preta]

Yeah, I agree Soror; I'm all for paying for the prestige of patronizing such establishments. I'm even cool with the prices they charge for relaxers.

But--I guess it's LHCF-er in me that think that $60 for a wash/DC is a bit unnecessary and expensive! LOL!

LOL, soror...I def. understood what you were saying. I don't even pay for the Dominicans any more , b/c I can do a similar job and keep my little bit of money in my pocket.

But for real though, I think your post brings up a good point. Why do we, women, get a bit offended when our stylists charge high rates? Just like us, they have bills to pay and just like us, they want to go on vacay now and again, eat at nice restaurants, put something away for their kids to go to college, etc. I don't think the Dominicans and other cheap hair spots can really sustain a good, middle class (well, at least lower middle class) lifestyle by being stylists and charging what little that they do. Or perhaps I'm just really uninformed about how much it costs to run a hair salon and how much profit these places really make.

 

[jerjer29]

Lawdamercy
I hope he was throwing in some samples and massaging your scalp for a few hours

He must need some cash for the weekend.

lol whenever i would go to the hairsalon and see the whole place packed and people wiating to get their hair done on a Thursday or Friday it was because my stylist was going somewhere on Saturday or had an upcoming vacation.

 

[pink gator]

the place is not crowded. its very nice inside. its not in a great neighborhood (its right behind the convention center on O st) but you can't tell once you are inside. there aren't a bunch of kids running around and people being all loud and uncouth. so i'm advocating for her. if you have the bread, try her, u might like her.

Yeah. And what I also like about such salons is that you don't have to worry about hustlers coming thru, hawking pirated DVDs, Phooey Booton and Fucci bags, and Riffany jewelry! LOL!

But maybe when I'm rich, I'd reconsider getting a $60 wash/DC that I will sweat out the next day! LOL!

 

[pink gator]

But for real though, I think your post brings up a good point. Why do we, women, get a bit offended when our stylists charge high rates?

Hmm...

I had people make screw faces when I tell them that I paid $90 for a Phyto retouch, but then they'll touch my hair and compliment it. But then I was paying for quality...and then on the real, my former weave-o-logist charged $120 for hers.

I honestly think with the burgeoning black middle and upper class who mostly come from meager beginnings (like yours truly) still have lower-class/pauper mentalities and get offended over prices that are pretty much commensurate with their new lifestyle.

To total acceptance, I guess baby steps are in order.

 

[tbaby_8]

No you are not misinformed. Running a hair salon, is like running a business too. You start your own business because you want to be your own boss and you want to turn a profit. Alot of people don't realize that stylist have to pay taxes of the money they make. Small business taxes are not cheap. They also have to purchase their own health insurance and medical ins. And belive me, it is very expensive, especially if you have a family. It is not taken out of their pay checks every two weeks or however some people get paid.

Some stylist have to buy their own products and equipment and other things. Products and equipment can get expensive too. You can tell a big difference between a pair of Bonika shears and a pair of Sally's Beauty supply shears. Not saying anything is wrong with the shears at Sally's(I own a pair and they cut fine.) buy you can tell a difference regardless.

Some stylist go into the business because they just love doing hair and are passionate about it. Some go into because they are all about the money and they think they can make money quick, whether you have healthy hair or not. To that type of stylist they think the customer only cares about the end result. Ya never know.

I don't knock anyone for being a DIY'er because with the economy like it is and so many stylist not trying to further their education on healthy hair care, I don't blame anyone. As for me, I go for certain things and other things I do myself. To each their own flavor!

 

[Menina Preta]

Hmm...

I had people make screw faces when I tell them that I paid $90 for a Phyto retouch, but then they'll touch my hair and compliment it. But then I was paying for quality...and then on the real, my former weave-o-logist charged $120 for hers.

I honestly think with the burgeoning black middle and upper class who mostly come from meager beginnings (like yours truly) still have lower-class/pauper mentalities and get offended over prices that are pretty much commensurate with their new lifestyle.

To total acceptance, I guess baby steps are in order.

Very good point. One of my girls said to me "Belle, you've upgraded other parts of your life, you need to upgrade your stylist, too." LMAO. I do think I'll upgrade once I finish school, b/c honestly when I go to a salon, I'm now concerned about both the experience and the methods/outcome, whereas before I just cared about the methods/outcome. I don't want to have to see cockroaches, smell your takeout, or have men trying to sell me bootleg movies, CDs, and tube socks when I go to the hair salon.

 

[pink gator]

I don't want to have to see cockroaches, smell your takeout, or have men trying to sell me bootleg movies, CDs, and tube socks when I go to the hair salon.

You ain't neva lied!!! Why come all third-rate salons are close to cheap Chinese restaurants that the stylists never seem to tire of eating?

The smell of MSG mixed with the sickly sweet Fantasia IC holding spritz just gives me flashback shudders!