Here's my two cent contribution...
Like some have said, all "black" salons can't be lumped into the same category as all "dominican" salons can't be lumped into the same category. Most of my earlier years, I went to black salons. What I hated most about salon day was usually it was salon "day". I couldn't make any appointments on that day if I knew I was going there as there was no telling what time I'd be done. It was very time consuming and I knew that I should be prepared to spend at least 3 hours there for even the simplest of styles. After a wash n set wrap, I'd cringe in the seat as the stylist would apply yet more heat... blowdryer, flat iron, curling irons... and my hair would smoke and "crackle". Everytime I saw them, it was "time for a touch-up". A few weeks later they'd complain that my hair was overprocessed yet they were the only ones relaxing it. I'd move on to another black stylist and only go through the same cycle. Let's not even talk about trims... it consisted of cutting 1-3 inches each time! Chile, when I'd tell 'em I ain't want no spritz or gel, I'd get that "Oh! You want the 'white girl' hairstyle." That's what they knew me as. I wasn't into the pineapple waves, finger waves or anything that made my hair feel hard as a rock! I finally swore off hairdressers and decided to let my hair take it's own natural course. Eventually I started putting in my own mild relaxer just to loosen up my natural hair (I'm a 4a) and then figured I might as well go back straight.
I started reading haircare books and thank God, discovered haircare boards. I decided to go to a Dominican salon for a relaxer and when she started relaxing my hair, my back was turned. Low and behold, it was Hawaiin silky No-lye!!! I was like, "No..."
as I prefer lye relaxers. I let that go as I didn't specify and that probably was my fault. When I'd go for wash and sets, after that they'd blow and curl my hair with hot irons. I'd say, "no blow" and they'd still blow. I always say that I judge a salon by the condition of the patron's hair, especially if they've been going there a while... I do take into account that patrons can inflict their own damage at home. I noticed that if the other customer's hair had length, it looked stringy as if the hair had been fried to death. After two more visits, I abandoned that salon. The quest was on to find a new salon.
I had a friend with healthy relaxed hair that was past her brastrap and asked her was she satisfied with her hairdresser. She said she was and had been going to her for almost nine years. I decided to give her a shot and she's a keeper. This too is a Dominican salon. With the reasonable pricing and the great service, I had no complaints. Everyone's hair looked healthy and lenghty and my hair is the healthiest it's ever been during my salon going years. This all boils down to the fact that all salons aren't created equal, even when comparing Dominican salons with others in their category. I can also attribute my healthy hair to the haircare boards, getting knowledge in the proper care of my hair. I mainly see the hairdresser for retouches, so I know my own home care has a lot to do with the equation as well. A big plus is that I am in and out in no time flat. This alone has been like, "Whooo-Eeeeeee!"
Hope this helps!
(I'm relaxed too, i gave up on NY salons, I just do it my d*mn self)
