Expectations of Black Salons and Stylists.

[topnotch1010]

Yes & no on the prices. Some are a bit high but if it is a nice salon with good stylists, the prices could be justified.

 

[Carisa]

My answers are in red

Spinny: Chicago Stylist Meeting.

1) Per the definitions below, did your stylist meet your expectations?
Yes , my main stylist meets my expectations now because I only get cornrows but the last time I got it styled it broke off and I was not pleased with the styling (it was too straight and stiff). Any other styles that I want I will have to learn to do them myself because I care about the health of my hair and apparently many stylist aren't required to care. I also wash, condition and detangle my own hair prior to having these cornrows put in and I maintain them thereafter.

2) Besides being late, eating on the job, on the phone and all the things that would be unprofessional in any job title, what else would you tell your past/present stylist?
Stop giving me bad advice such as telling me to relax all of my hair from root to end and to relax my hair 1x/month. Be gentler with my strands. I've had my current stylist that I go to occasionally braid my hair without making it too tight- but that is only when cornrowing. She braids too tight for sew ins so I no longer have those services done......(cause I wanna keep my edges )

​

3) Are you willing to pay the price(s) for someone else to provide you natural hair care services?
example;
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=4281

I'm not natural but if I were I would not be willing to pay these prices. They are too high for me personally and I could just simply just do it myself. However I am relaxed and imho I also don't think I should ever have to pay more than $75 for a relaxer because it is not extremely time consuming (It should take no longer than 1 hour to an hour and a half to apply a relaxer to my hair, shampoo, condition and roller-set - I do it myself so I know the timing.
​

4) Are you willing to support Black owned salons or stylist in order to keep this trade "ours'?
I really would like to but I don't have hair to spare or for a stylist to utilize bad practices on my head. If some of these former complaints are addressed I may go to salons more often and let them style my hair. I'm also not willing to pay an outrageous amount for a hairstyle either ( especially ones that will last me for a short amount of time).
​

5) Honestly. When you went to your stylist in the past and wanted a fly cut and style you seen in a magazine, tv, etc. or the latest style, did you expect her to decline the service because it would/could damage your hair? Healthy hair, protective this, and no this or that language is less than 10 years old, so what did you tell your stylist you wanted? I mainly wanted sew-ins before and I didn't really have a lot of knowledge about hair. I actually would have not minded being denied a sew-in and instead my stylist could have suggested a quick weave with a wig cap to help protect my hair underneath since it was so weak and damaged (which I didn't know how damaged it was at the time....I had to find it out the hard way through breakage.)
​

 

[Carisa]

It seems we bash black stylist here so I wanted to see what really was going on out there

Personally I talk negatively about some black stylist because those are the only ones I ever dealt with (which is probably the case for many of the other posters as well) and I've heard people bash Dominican salons on this site too.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

Spinny: Chicago Stylist Meeting.

1) Per the definitons below, did your stylist meet your expectations?

Hairdresser is a term referring to anyone whose occupation is to cut or style hair in order to change or maintain a person's image. This is achieved using a combination of hair coloring, haircutting, and hair texturing techniques.

Trichology and Trichologists

The definition of Trichology is 'the science of the scalp and hair in health and disease'. A Trichologist is academically trained in hair and scalp biology and disorders. Trichology should be regarded as an orthodox paramedical study or a specialist branch of Dermatology.​

Trichologists are able to advise on, diagnose and treat a wide range of hair loss, hair conditions and scalp problems such as alopecia areata, alopecia totalis & universalis, diffuse hair loss, male and female pattern baldness, seborrhoeic dermatitis, scalp eczema & psoriasis, seborrhoea, scalp itching, hair breakage & damage.​

2) Besides being late, eating on the job, on the phone and all the things that would be unprofessional in any job title, what else would you tell your past/present stylist?​

3) Are you willing to pay the price(s) for someone else to provide you natural hair care services?
example;
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=4281​

4) Are you willing to support Black owned salons or stylist in order to keep this trade "ours'?​

5) Honestly. When you went to your stylist in the past and wanted a fly cut and style you seen in a magazine, tv, etc. or the latest style, did you expect her to decline the service because it would/could damage your hair? Healthy hair, protective this, and no this or that language is less than 10 years old, so what did you tell your stylist you wanted?​

1) Yes

2) I expect them to talk to me about my hair before they work with it for the first time, and actually listen to what I tell them. They always act like I don't know what I'm talking about, but it's my hair and I've been taking care of it for a long time. They seem to have a "one size fits all" attitude.

3) I would be willing to pay for good hair care, but I've found that stylists want to charge me an arm and a leg when they really don't know what they're doing.

4) I wouldn't support a black stylist just for the sake of supporting them. But if two stylists were competent, I'd choose the black one.

5) Yes if they are my regular stylist I expect them to say no and suggest something else.

Sent from my HTC Evo

 

[candy626]

1) The one stylist I went to for several years, usually met my expectations. I've only been to a couple dominican salons off and on since then, and sometimes they meet my expectations..
When I first moved to my area though I tried several black stylists and a Puerto Rican stylist..none of them knew how to handle my 3c/4a hair.

2) Other than the things you outlined, I would say that stylists need to be more educated and flexible on dealing with different textures. A lot of stylist seem more interested in taming the hair rather than working with it. And they seem to want to apply a one style fits all approach to doing hair. Different textures require different care. I have met a couple excellent stylists in the past who understand this well, but they always moved away or I fell out of touch with them somehow.

3) If I came in contact again with a really good stylist, I would pay more for their services, but not $20 for a shampoo erplexed or $50 for a rollerset (i've seen these prices charged even for relaxed hair). Rollersetting hair is a basic styling method learned in beauty school. For that price there better be a free deep condition, steam treatment and scalp massage thrown in. Premiums should be charged for extensions, cutting, coloring, or other services where more effort and expertise is involved. I have no problem paying more for these services but not for basic styling. I could even see charging naturals slightly more, but not that much more.

4) I am willing to support black-owned salons and stylists interested in keeping relaxed and natural hair, healthy at reasonable prices.

 

[greenandchic]

greenandchic

Thanks GAC. Please answer the other questions too

It seems we bash black stylist here so I wanted to see what really was going on out there.

No one has address the definiton questions either

Here you go.

1) Per the definitons below, did your stylist meet your expectations?
The hairdresser I went to last year to get a trim and color did. I was afraid because it had been 8 years since I've seen anything for my hair but in this case I was glad I did.

She was on time, patient, didn't turn me away from the mirror as she cut my hair, asked questions and was receptive to mine, clean shop, and got me out of there in a little over an hour.

The "problem" is, she's not Black.

2) Besides being late, eating on the job, on the phone and all the things that would be unprofessional in any job title, what else would you tell your past/present stylist?
The woman I mentioned above was all good. I didn't have any criticisms of her. The people in my past are a different story.

3) Are you willing to pay the price(s) for someone else to provide you natural hair care services?
example;
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/A...?studioid=4281
As I mentioned, two strand flat twists, trims and roller sets.

4) Are you willing to support Black owned salons or stylist in order to keep this trade "ours'?
Of course. If I find anyone who's anything like the woman I mentioned above in my area, I would support her/him in a heartbeat.

5) Honestly. When you went to your stylist in the past and wanted a fly cut and style you seen in a magazine, tv, etc. or the latest style, did you expect her to decline the service because it would/could damage your hair? Healthy hair, protective this, and no this or that language is less than 10 years old, so what did you tell your stylist you wanted?
Not in my distant past from some of the questionable stylists I mentioned in a previous thread. With the person I saw last year, I would expect her to look after my hair health first. With that said, I would never fully put my hair health in another persons hands. I would do the research first and get a second opinion.

 

[laurend]

I'm reading post but no one has stated if they would pay the prices listed in the salon's link I posted.

From the definitions of Hairdresser listed in the original post, did she cut and style your hair?

Small tooth combs, dry detangling, etc from stylists did you realize after you got to hair boards that your hair was being damaged?

Are you aware that white salons have unhealthy hair pratices too? All the back combing I've seen on white girls to give their hair some volume because of thinning due to bleaching I wonder if the people on LHC still go to salons?

Like I stated before most salons, black, white or green, I've been to don't handle natural hair well IMO. I would pay those prices and that's would I usually pay to get my hair twisted professional.

 

[HauteHippie]

candy626

I was just mad for you! The instructor wasn't even being logical. I wonder what her daughter's hair looks like.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using T-Mobile G2

 

[HauteHippie]

My last regular stylist was great (1/2007 - 4/2008). Expectations met and surpassed. She understood my fragile hair!

I paid $60 for a relaxer and 60 for a glue in weave. Yes, glue. My hair thrived with her. She was quick, professional, courteous and knowledgeable. She never left my relaxer on for longer than 7 minutes, no burns, no teeny tiny combs raking through my hair, no roughness, and no disdain when I went natural.

She was good. I ended up with her b/c she was young, new and the older stylist wasn't taking clients. Oh, Shay... how I miss you. If heads are indicators, she's one of the best in SC.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using T-Mobile G2

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

1. Pretty much

2. Stay informed of hair care practices. Education is the key to customer retention.

3. If they are awesome at their job, sure.

4. I just want a good stylist, no matter the race. However, it is more comforting to go to someone who understands.

5. All I wanted was a healthy head of hair; while some helped, others hindered.

 

[Tiye]

1. Cosmetology which includes hair dressing is a licensed occupation. Trichology is not a licensed occupation so that's comparing apples to oranges. Likewise you can't say that a M.D. or a RN (both licensed) should be like a naturopath. A health care professional can implement some alternative methods into their practice but you can't judge one by how much they act like an alternative healer. jmho

2. A licensed professional shouldn't expect to get paid for unprofessional service. I shouldn't have to tell a grown person with a license to behave professionally. That should have been covered in school. And if they work for someone else then their boss should tell them the rules. If they are independent - i.e. their own boss then they ought to know that professionalism affects their bottom line. So I don't have anything to say other than if you don't act professionally then you just lost my business and you won't be getting referrals.

3. I do my own hair, but I'd pay a good natural hair stylist in a heart beat if I knew one. Everyone likes to be pampered sometimes. Re: The comment about how much cheaper it is to get your hair done in other countries - the cost of living is much higher in the U.S. I don't expect a wash and set to cost just 5 dollars - that puts a licensed professional below living wage.

4. I'm always willing to support a black business. It's the job of every black entrepreneur to deliver superior service. Charge a fair price, don't over charge. But don't overcharge, deliver substandard service and assume black customers will stay loyal. It's a competitive world - again I think this is covered in beauty school.

5. The stylists I went to in the past always listened to my request then gave me the style they wanted. I usually had to modify their work when I got home so I can't accuse anyone of jacking up my hair coz I was trying to look like ... celeb x, y or z. For what it's worth, healthy hair is not new language or less than ten years old. It was not invented on lhcf or any hair board. When hair boards began people referred more to old texts and methods. They shared information but they didn't invent it anymore than a bunch of folks on a weight loss board invented health eating. Good stylists have always been aware of hair health.

 

[Guitarhero]

Wash and detangle your own hair and learn to do your own sets. It's not hard and you will save lots of money. I wouldn't risk them harming my hair.

 

[greenandchic]

Wash and detangle your own hair and learn to do your own sets. It's not hard and you will save lots of money. I wouldn't risk them harming my hair.

I wish I can do my own two strand flat twists (or just plain twists and braids), but doing it myself has me looking like a HAM.

Its just unfair that we can't allow ourselves to be pampered everyone once in a while w/o fear of being scalped and robbed at the end of the day. ffrant:

 

[candy626]

@candy626

I was just mad for you! The instructor wasn't even being logical. I wonder what her daughter's hair looks like.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using T-Mobile G2

I just couldn't believe it. Especially since she was an instructor she should have known better. I'm just glad I got out of there before they could do any damage to my hair!

 

[My Friend]

The instructor learns from the same book she/he teaches the students from.

The only place where the information is different is on hair boards.

I just couldn't believe it. Especially since she was an instructor she should have known better. I'm just glad I got out of there before they could do any damage to my hair!

 

[candy626]

The instructor learns from the same book she/he teaches the students from.

The only place where the information is different is on hair boards.

Your probably right which means that current hair education materials need to be completely reevaluated and updated.

However there are certain things that should go without saying. Even before I learned about Lhcf I knew not to put Blue Magic grease onto my wet hair. She was dead wrong for that one.

 

[blackberry815]

I have had all of the above problems with stylists. Im pretty sure thats what prompted me to go to beauty school. Let me tell u... The instructer has had me smh plenty of times... The students all do eachothers hair at times and im just like hell no we wont go... U aint gonna be combin through my hair any ol kinda way....


But on the flip side... Theres alot stylists learn in beauty school that the average hair board member may not know. I intend on focusing entirely on healthy hair care.

Sent from my ADR6400L

 

[My Friend]

Trichology is more promient and valued in Euopean countries. Dr.'s in the US made sure this never became a valued occupation in the states. Dr's have also tried for years to get Estheticians off the map because its cutting into their profits.

Other than moisture/protein balance, a lot of hair issues on this board are due to scalp issues. That alone by definition is not a cosmotologist.


Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases,[1] a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects.[2][3][4] A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails.[3]

1. Cosmetology which includes hair dressing is a licensed occupation. Trichology is not a licensed occupation so that's comparing apples to oranges. Likewise you can't say that a M.D. or a RN (both licensed) should be like a naturopath. A health care professional can implement some alternative methods into their practice but you can't judge one by how much they act like an alternative healer. jmho