AA salon, or Dominican salon?

[Britt]

Having gone to a high end AA salon and a Dominican salon - they both have their pros and cons. One thing I do like about the AA salon is the look they can get with the flat iron. They can easily do some nice curls with it and get the roots straight with like one pass of the iron. They are too expensive tho for frequent upkeep. At the same time, some Dominican are good with the blow dryer, I've frequented plenty and not all are skilled with the blow dryer and blowing the roots. Some are too rough, some use too much brushing. Some get it right - just the roots with a shot of heat and minimal pulling.

I will also say, at the same time I really do like and prefer my hair to be rollerset since I'm relaxed. I like the look of the pin curls that the Domincan salons can give to you.

It can be hard to find a Dominican stylist that is truly into hair care and hair health and to get that individualized attention from them.

It's honestly a toss up. I'd prefer AA hair dressers for styling and if you want just silky and straight hair with some curls, I'd rather go to a skilled Dominican. They are hard to find b/c most just want their patrons in and out that is, unless you've developed a rapport with them and have been going to them for a while and they know your hair.

 

[outspokenwallflower]

I prefer the Dominican salon as well. I know many people tsk-tsk at the hot blowdryer and the rattail comb and the round brush, etc. but I've seen my hair flourish and grow quickly at the Dominican salon. Before my first ever visit to a Dom salon, I used to go to a Haitian stylist who did my relaxer wonderfully, but there was one or two occasions when I got scalp burns by her assistant despite my complaining that my head was burning. At the Dom salon, regardless of the sometimes warbled communication, they are feverishly quick with the application and listen to any uncomfort you may experience. Also, as others have said, I get my roots blown out and I always feel like I stretch an extra two weeks or so because of how good they are.

I recently went to a new AA salon in my area when it was too late to go to my usual Dom salon and it was THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER. This woman was complaining to another customer in her island slang that she wanted to do her laundry that night but because she came for her appt so late, she messed that up for her. And because she seemed so salty, and in a rush, I felt like she was hasty and barely cared for my hair. She was so rough, that I got pissed off, and when she was done, I turned my back and left while her hand was practically open waiting for a tip. My hair was ***** and dry that night; it's a mistake I'll never make again.

ETA: If I need a fly style or really intricate stylized haircut, I'll go to an AA salon, but SOLELY for that.

 

[Prettymetty]

In my experience, Dominican stylists are mych more knowledgeable about hair. The shampoo girl can immediately tell whether I will need a moisture or protein dc. All my life AA salons have been really bothered by my 4b texture. Everyone insisted that I needed a super relaxer. Now that I have become aquainted with my kinks I know that my strands are soft, fine and easily straightened. I choose heat over a super relaxer anyday of the week

 

[Naveah2050]

I prefer Dominican salon. The last time I went to a black Salon to get my first and last weave install, the stylist kept whispering in my ear asking me when am I going to come and see her. I went back to her 1 1/2 later to have the weave removed, she cut off a piece of my hair and complained that I never come to see her

Hilarious!!! Too much she is crazy!!

 

[Lilmama1011]

Dominican all the way. They are the ones that made me realize combing the hair with conditioner under running water makes detangling good. My hair comes out smoother.

At an African American salon they tosses my hair all over while shampooing and scrubbed the towel on my hair. Then tried to detangled my very knotted hair in the chair and had the nerve to say "dang when then last time you had a relaxer?!" Then I said "does it matter the dominicans never have a problem combing my hair " . That was the time when I was getting relaxers every six weeks as well. And when they were done my hair looked dry and old lady ish. Matter of fact no lie I walked passed an old lady and her hair looked better (shinier and more movement ) I always feel like African American salons rip out my hair

 

[BostonMaria]

Chicken grease? A ride to the salon? LOL Damn I feel like I'm missing out LOL

I picked Dominican cuz that's where I'm from and Dominican salons is all I really know, but ever since I went natural they've been missing me oops I meant my money. I buy all Dominican products, rollerset my hair, use low heat, etc.. the same as the salons except I actually care about my hair and you'd pretty much have to hold me down in order to get me to cut my hair LOL My mom owned a salon in the 70's and I learned from watching her.

You guys have some funny stories btw. I've only been to an AA salon twice in my life and both experiences were pleasant. The woman made my hair bone straight.

I was just reading my response from 2008 and not much has changed. I go to the Dominican salon once or twice a year for a special occasion, but would never go more than that. Otherwise i'm just handing money over for somebody to fry my hair.

I've met a great hairdresser who happens to be AA and my hair is bone straight and fly. I get so many compliments when I get my hair done with her. I will still only go see her a few times a year because at the end of the day I'd rather have long healthy hair. I can't go to the salon once a week and have healthy hair.

 

[Adiatasha]

Dominicans.....

They comb out tip to root.

They don't complain about my 4c hair

And my hair reverts

 

[irisak]

Definitely Dominican for me. It might just be the Domnican salon I go to, but AA salons use more heat in my opinion. Even relaxed, they would usually blow dry, then press, before using the marcel iron. The Dominicans on the other hand, deep condition with a minimal upcharge, comb under running water, roller set until the hair is basically straight, and the blow while hot still isn't that bad. My shop uses the flat iron mainly for styling purposes. I even got my last real trim with the Dominicans and it was the first time I wasn't mad I let someone else cut my hair. She respected the shape it naturally grows in, and gave me a feathered cut that still has shape almost 6 months later. The last time I went I paid $35 for a dc, set, and trim. You can't beat it.