Black Hairstylists too Slow!!

[Dearlove]

Lots of sisters complain that they have to spend all day in the shop when they go to an African American salon. I just saw this show on Style called Split Ends. A sista stylist from Ingelwood, CA (the 'hood in the 'hood, she called it) changed places for three days with a stylist from a fancy 5th ave, NYC salon that had mainly white clientele.

Over and over, the 5th ave salon owner and manager said that she was working too slow. Her technique made her too slow while cutting, while using the curling iron, etc. She was frequently behind on her appointments. They shared some ways that she could speed up.

I've heard other ladies here say they sometimes frequent predominantly white salons for trims, because they cut less hair off and work quickly. What is going on in our beauty schools? erplexed

 

[TowsonGirl]

I saw that episode and homegirl looked like a fish outta water (but then again so did the guy). But I can attest to black salons (or at least the ones I've been in) having slow service. I'm still not sure why that is. Maybe its because they spend half the time talkin on the phone or eatin or gossipingerplexed

 

[Dearlove]

I saw that episode and homegirl looked like a fish outta water (but then again so did the guy). But I can attest to black salons (or at least the ones I've been in) having slow service. I'm still not sure why that is. Maybe its because they spend half the time talkin on the phone or eatin or gossipingerplexed

Girl, I didn't want to be the one to say it!!

 

[JLove74]

I saw that episode and homegirl looked like a fish outta water (but then again so did the guy). But I can attest to black salons (or at least the ones I've been in) having slow service. I'm still not sure why that is. Maybe its because they spend half the time talkin on the phone or eatin or gossipingerplexed

all of that in addition to - being late, overbooking, flatironing & pressing hair in small pieces, spraying every section with some kind of spray sheen or hairspray, and some are just slow movers. period.

ETA: I'm mad Yasmin (from Englewood) didn't know how to roundbrush. She looked really lost and out of place when the other stylist was trying to show her. If she learned how to roundbrush, she might not have to use that big *** stove and marcel curling irons all the time

 

[janiebaby]

Let me first start off by saying that I love the fact that there are black owned businesses in our communities throughout the country and not all african american stylists are slow, I understand that this thread is not attacking black salons but an issue that has come up repeatedly in this forum as well as offline.

Now that I've made my disclaimer. I must admit that I no longer go to african american salons. I have ran into the problem of stylists cutting too much hair off, it takes a really long time to get seen by a stylist in the first place due to overbooking, in my experience they charge way too much and in some cases extra if you have long hair, some but not all use too many products when styling. On the flip side, I've gone to a white stylist and she rerelaxed my entire head instead of doing a touchup to make it more manageable. And when I went to a dominican salon once, they trimmed my hair when it was wet, which was a big no-no and completely my fault.

 

[prettypuff1]

i hear you... i cant tell you how many times i have spent all day at the beauty shop. Thats why i dont go now

 

[janiebaby]

all of that in addition to - being late, overbooking, flatironing & pressing hair in small pieces, spraying every section with some kind of spray sheen or hairspray, and some are just slow movers. period.

Oh yes, and rushing out for a few minutes while you wait to be seen or while you're sitting under the dryer. I once had to wait for the stylist to run down to the water department to get the hot water turned on and I had to wait for dye to be rinsed out of my hair! Why not just close up shop?

 

[Sha76]

I can say most black salons take too long. The salon I go to is not guilty of that I get in and out in about 2 hours. I come in on time. I am seen on time give or take 10 minutes.

But as for trimming I don't really like for a stylist to trim unless I am getting a cut. First, they cut too much and secondly, unless I see it getting sharpened, I don't know how sharp it is. ( Cutting hair with dull scissors cause damage and more split ends)

 

[Aalize]

they trimmed my hair when it was wet, which was a big no-no

Why and when did this become a no-no?

 

[hairspan]

I have a white beautian now and I love it, I'm always the only customer there during my time slot, I get out quicker because of that, much cheaper prices, and healthier hair. Every black beautian I've been to has had at least 3 heads at one time, causing me to wait until they've finished their heads before starting on mine even though I'm on time for my appoint.

 

[MoMo]

One time when I was 15 years old, I went to this stylist at a salon in Los Angeles and got there after school for my 3:30 pm appointment and I didn't leave the shop until just after midnight. The sad part about it is that she only had a total of 4 heads to do (including mine). Just slow...

 

[Aveena]

They don't use logic sometimes! I came in for a TRIM. That's it. No style. nothing... just a small trim. I had to stand in line and wait for a touch-up. rollerset.... flat ironing...

Meanwhile,
I'm under the hood for 20 mins... then waaaaiiiittttt for a blow dry..

3 hours later!!!!!

The sylists asks if I wanted do go ahead and get it flat ironed since it was going to cost the same $$$. erplexed

So much for an in-and-out trim

I have to add that she ended up evening me out to a style. It looked good but it was NO TRIM!!! I haven't been to a black salon since.

 

[janiebaby]

Why and when did this become a no-no?

You can't really tell how much is being cut. It looked like the usual amount when she was cutting it but I realized it was way too much when it was dry. I guess this is because of the fact that when it is wet it has a curl pattern which makes it seem less almost like the difference when people wear their hair curly it seems shorter but when it's straigtened you can really view the length.

 

[Blackbird77]

One time when I was 15 years old, I went to this stylist at a salon in Los Angeles and got there after school for my 3:30 pm appointment and I didn't leave the shop until just after midnight. The sad part about it is that she only had a total of 4 heads to do (including mine). Just slow...

I hope that was on a Friday night. People need their rest for school the next morning.

 

[MoMo]

I hope that was on a Friday night. People need their rest for school the next morning.

Girl no it was on a Thursday night! I had double exposure pictures for school the next day. My parents were pissed that I was there so long and cuz they had to come and get me.

 

[janeemat]

I think I'll chime in on this one. The reason they are slow is because they try to grab every dime that they can get. The always over book their appts. They schedule 3 appts at 8am then will take a walk in. So now they're working on 4 heads at once. Of course now you will definitely spend a half day or more. And I totally agree that they don't know what trim means and they always cut more than the white stylist. I go to this white salon for waxing and arching. All of last year she would trim just as I instructed her to. Then I get crazy and go in Dec to this Sista and give her detail instructions on a trim/dust and I get wacked from shoulder to neck length. I'm still made with that witch.

 

[hrtbndr21]

I guess I was spoiled for most of my early haircare years. My dad who used to be a beautician used to do my hair (press 'n curl, perms etc.) When I hit my twenties he got to be too much for him since he was getting older. I permed myself a few times then ran up on a Black stylist working out of JC Penney I went to him for a couple of years for relaxers and cuts he was good about keeping time and I was in and out in less than 2 hours. He didn't charge an arm and a leg either there was a set price list... not like in some salons I've been to where if they like you it's this price if they don't it's another.

I went to my friends stylist for prom the man claimed he had to give me a touch up before he could do my updo. So I let him he burned my scalp so bad my hair slicked down with brown gel and hairspray was stuck to the scabs on my scalp.

Another time I went to a salon for another updo for my cousins wedding the chick claimed she was cleaning up my neckline with the clippers. But she kept nicking me with them. I don't know if they were oiled or not you shouldn't be able to get out beauty school if you can't work a pair of clippers. When I looked at the back of my neck a few days later it was cut up big time.

I've had braiders fail to schedule enough time to do my hair. I ask for singles over the phone but they write down cornrows or something. Then have nerve enough to try to get me to get another style so they can still get my $$$. Which is the main reason I started braiding my own even though it takes a lot longer I don't have to deal with the stank attitudes.

One braider I had do my hair dragged in late and actually stopped braiding my hair to flat iron a friends hair slowly who I doubt was even paying her. I had to stay because I was a walk-in and I had already been flaked on once that day.

I don't have a problem with Black stylists I have a problem with Black beauty shops and owners and the attitude that comes with it. It's like take twice as long and charge twice as much to make up for the other head they could have done in that time period. I've seen people wait 4-5 hrs for a simple wash and flat iron they washed and blew them out hours ago and they are just waiting on the stylist to get around to ironing them out and they sat and waited. In my area there aren't that many shops around that stay open very long so I guess you have to take what you can get or do it yourself.


Whew ok that's the end of my rant.

 

[janiebaby]

Oh and I also forgot that where I'm from they are not open on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday!!!! Are you serious??? Ok that's it I think

 

[Incredible1ne]

The problem I had with black stylists were overbooking. The last time I went to a stylist there were 2 people ahead of me and I waited well over an hour to be seen. One time I went and the girl forgot she had an appointment with me and didn't even show up.

 

[toniy]

I have moved so much (5 states)in the past 17 years. For 15 of those 7 years, I was hooked on getting my hair done every single pay day. Every state I went to I shopped around for a stylist by getting a wash and set first. After I found the person I liked the most, i usually chose them by how good my hair looked. My biggest mistake was not caring whether I they cared about my hair (they weaved me up in the thin areas) or how long I stayed in the salon. My husband would just give up on doing anything with me that entire Sat because he knew I would be in any salon I went into for the entire day. My thoughts are that the more popular the stylist was (great hair styles) the more customers she would schedule for the time slot. No matter what state I went to, I never had a stylist that got me in and out. I always had time to read my favorite book. Everything above is my fault for only caring about looking good when I went out.
NOW, because of location, I am back to doing my own hair. Because of this site, i actually feel comfortable doing it. I am saving money, time and hair. I was a full head of weave addict. Half wigs are now a staple along with my phoney poney until APL.

 

[Inquisition12]

There are many stylists guilty of some or all of the above. I can't remember the last time I was in a stylist's chair.

I managed to find a salon in Philly back in 2002-03 where the stylist accepted appointments and walk-ins. The price was right, she kept my hair looking GREAT, and I was always in and out. When she moved to a different salon (different owner), I followed her; but interestingly enough, it took her much longer to do the same routine for me.

 

[comike]

The problem I had with black stylists were overbooking. The last time I went to a stylist there were 2 people ahead of me and I waited well over an hour to be seen. One time I went and the girl forgot she had an appointment with me and didn't even show up.

I totally agree. And the lack of consideration for your client....I had an appointment made an appointment with a stylist once for 10 a.m. Well she forgot that she had to attend a funeral that morning and rather than contacting her client (who was seeing her for the very first time) she shows up 2 hours later. My mistake....I sat up there like a nut and waited for her to show up. She acted as if she was doing me a favor. DO THEY NOT TEACH CUSTOMER SERVICE IN BEAUTY SCHOOL!

 

[firecracker]

So sad but true many AA shops/stylist do have you there all day. My old longtime stylist didn't do this as she didn't want to feed into the stereotype.
I did have a temporary stylist for a few years in the Inland Empire. I lived 68 miles outta L.A and didn't want to keep driving for a stylist. The IE stylist was really good but totally guilty of the 6 hour salon visit. She would overbook, forget appointments, arrive late, etc. She is the owner and operator of a 10 chair salon as well as an instructor. She was really good at her craft so many women took her abuse even I did. I would arrive at 6pm and get out at midnite. I made sure to eat all her food and drink all her water/juice.
The last straw for me was when she left to go get seafood and it took her two hours to return. She came back loaded outta her wits. I didn't even know she drank. After that I never returned. I went to West L.A and cruised around til I found my old stylist mom's house so I could contact her.

It really is sad that our people do this. I can say I had a great experience with one of our residental stylist. Balisi manages her time well, didn't overbook and the prices were unbelievable. These L.A and NYC stylist try to rip the lining outta your pocket book with their prices.

 

[BAP28]

my aunt owns a salon that ive been goin to since 5 yrs old so i maybe a lil bias...

now when i go im in and out at my aunts salon....they are swift but there are times where they do get a lil ya know

for example this wknd that just past everyone wanted their hair done for the new yr holiday..my aunt had 6 full sewn in's to do and she has an assistant.. they knocked them out in 2 hours and my aunts weaves are off the chain..

but i know when i went to other blk salons with my friends i we were in the shop all day because in a blk salon their doing everything else and your hair.. their on the phone with baby-daddy or bestfriend chatting, stopping to go eat.. taking care of ther kids that are there.. talking to pookie outside..

versus at other salons u come in they do ur hair and u leave...they keep their conversations short.. eat at a specifed time and their not runnng outside to go do such and such...

but then again i dont wan to generalize all blk salons there are many NOW that have stepped their professionalism up big time....

 

[deejoy]

Anybody remember the Make You Wait Hair Salon skit on The Chris Rock Show?

I went to a very slow salon like that about twice. Once I came in at 12pm didnt leave until 9. Another time I came in at 9am and didnt leave until 9pm. I would say that I havent had a wait problem with other AA salons after that one.

 

[mw138]

I go to a predominately white salon to get my hair trimmed. I do everything else myself, but this salon is the only place I've been able to find that will cut my hair the way I want it. I'm in and out of there in no time. When I went to black salons to get my hair trimmed or to get a relaxer, I swear, I'd be in there for at least a good 2.5 hours. I'm happy with my salon and my hair stylist.

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

I've experienced the 7hr salon wait when i frequented a popular salon over on Albemarle rd. i can't remember the name. But this was when i was young and dumb and i was new to the salon experience and didn't know any betty. It only happened maybe 3 times then i stopped going. Then I had another stylist for 5yrs, she was very good with time, I never had an issue but only once around Prom. I just stopped going to her since she moved to the opposite side of town and plus she tended to 'trim' my hair too much. but other than that she was a nice person and a good stylist. And the weave that she put in my hair wasnt good at all. I don't think i would ever frequent another AA salon UNLESS it's an upscale one, with fair prices. I like international salons that cater to all races. I used to prefer white stylists because of the time issue and also they listened and for some reason, i have consistently seen them do better haircuts. I wonder if AA salons require their stylists to continue to take classes to learn the new cuts???? But i noticed i've started feeling uncomfortable with the white stylists at the hair cuttery, that i frequent... because sometimes i feel like they regret having to do AA hair. Its almost like they regret having to deal with the texture. So i'm sticking with my black male stylist for now, he's very professional and a good stylist though he's never cut/trimmed my hair....

 

[keluric]

It's hard to work quickly when you constantly overbook.. that's the real problem with greedy hairstylists.. black and otherwise. My mother used to go to a Vietnamese lady to get her hair cut (and this lady could WORK the scissors).. anyway, this stylist was always WAITING for my mother before her appointments and she was always out in a timely manner, that's customer service.

 

[PaperClip]

A couple of things.... along with my disclaimer: my mom is a hairdresser so I've grown up in this business. Also, my most recent hairstylist treated me like ROYALTY. I never knew if/when she overbooked because I always walked right in and never had to wait, even when she did my hair free when I got laid off from my job. With that said....

How many times does it have to be said that if the hairdresser keeps you waiting longer than 15-20 minutes and you don't want to wait, make like a tree and LEAVE!!!!

Find another hairdresser and WATCH they way they do business. Talk to their clients. Watch them work. If they are trifling on other people, they will be trifling on you.

I recognize that things can happen beyond the hairdresser's control that might cause them to get backed up. But a hairdresser with a shred of integrity will come and talk to you and work something out. That's fine. That's what a good hairdresser will do.

To sit in a hair salon for hours upon hours is the responsibility of the client. Be accountable to yourself and respect yourself and your time more than that. And if getting your hair done is THAT IMPORTANT and you didn't have a back-up plan, well that's on you.

 

[trulyurangel82]

Thats why I stopped going. I havent been to the salon since august. Ive been to the hair salon for years but I just got sick of waiting. My hair stylist was nice but when I got there I would sometimes have to sit there and wait. She would be doing other heads at the same time. I would sit under the dryer when my hair was already dry but she was already working on someone elses hair.

I usually got out of there 2-3 hours later.
Ive been to other salons and it was the same so I just started looking up tips on self relaxing and have been doing it myself.

Everything done to my hair is done by me. I think my hair is now more healthy also.