Hair salons

[PrettyinPink001]

So how are you able to compose yourself at the salon. I feel like I'm being too controlling on what I want in my hair. And I'm not getting the best responses. What should I do? I live in long island NY and I would love to find a hair dresser that is understanding. 

 

[mzteaze]

I think the trick to getting what you want comes from being respectful. I try to have a conversation before any services are started about my goals, gently offer use of my own supplies and ask what can be done to help me reach my goals. I try to put myself in the stylist shoes and consider what I would want a customer to say to me (and HOW to say it).

No one wants a know it all or rude person coming to their job and telling them what to do and how to do it nor someone to disrespect their expertise. So I try to strike a balance between getting across what I want done versus being the person that no one wants to have in their chair.

 

[beana]

The consultation is key. If the stylist doesn't ask you questions about what you normally do and use, start off with a basic service first.

 

[Evolving78]

have you had a consultation beforehand? this way you can list your hair goals, products you use, hair practices with your stylist. not in the hair business, but i always have a consultation with my clients first. i ask plenty of questions and ask what are their concerns and goals. i ask about medical history, etc.... if they are currently using products that i wouldn't recommend, i ask them how are the products working for them. this way it helps us to start on the same page and work from there.

but at the end of the day, i feel like a client has come to me, because they need professional help/assistance in achieve their skin care goals. i don't mind being questioned on what i am doing, or using, but at the same time, if you feel like you know everything and you are telling me what to do during the whole process, then you don't trust my judgement. therefore you should find someone else that can offer you what you are looking for.

 

[LadyPBC]

Great thread. I rarely ever go to a salon. Well, I going Friday and its for a black tie affair that evening. It has been be right. Now I by far am no expert, and I am tenderheaded. I know that this will complicate things. I am going to a salon to be serviced by someone that works with natural hair and they use Miss Jessies, Uncle Funky and another natural type product so I feel sorta comfortable. It is in another state so I have no references or referrals. I don't even know what I want except an elegant, natural updo. If the stylist takes out a blowdryer should I get excited? If she combs through my hair with a fine toothed comb should I over react? I'm just saying. It will be a learning experience for me because maybe I can pick up on some styling techniques but I can't go back to the blind trust I once had.

 

[Evolving78]

Great thread. I rarely ever go to a salon. Well, I going Friday and its for a black tie affair that evening. It has been be right. Now I by far am no expert, and I am tenderheaded. I know that this will complicate things. I am going to a salon to be serviced by someone that works with natural hair and they use Miss Jessies, Uncle Funky and another natural type product so I feel sorta comfortable. It is in another state so I have no references or referrals. I don't even know what I want except an elegant, natural updo. If the stylist takes out a blowdryer should I get excited? If she combs through my hair with a fine toothed comb should I over react? I'm just saying. It will be a learning experience for me because maybe I can pick up on some styling techniques but I can't go back to the blind trust I once had.

LadyPBC
you need to have a consultation first. tell your stylist that you are not comfortable with using fine-toothed combs, blowdryers, etc.... let the stylist know that you have a sensitive scalp. bring a picture of the type of hairstyle you are looking for to give the stylist an idea. talk to the stylist about your cleansing/dc'ing routine and how it is working/not working for you. come with your hair sectioned off and detangled to help the process.

 

[LadyPBC]

@LadyPBC
you need to have a consultation first. tell your stylist that you are not comfortable with using fine-toothed combs, blowdryers, etc.... let the stylist know that you have a sensitive scalp. bring a picture of the type of hairstyle you are looking for to give the stylist an idea. talk to the stylist about your cleansing/dc'ing routine and how it is working/not working for you. come with your hair sectioned off and detangled to help the process.[/QUOTE]


I won't have time for a real consultation just some helpful hints before she begins. Also I have a business meeting early that morning so I won't have an opportunity to pre-treat my hair. I don't feel anxious because she is supposed to be a natural stylist although some who say they are only specialize in caring for locs and I don't have them. I'm just going to think positive!!!!

 

[mzteaze]

I won't have time for a real consultation just some helpful hints before she begins. Also I have a business meeting early that morning so I won't have an opportunity to pre-treat my hair. I don't feel anxious because she is supposed to be a natural stylist although some who say they are only specialize in caring for locs and I don't have them. I'm just going to think positive!!!!

If you can, TRY to find some pictures on or off-line of updos that you like. Before you go, prepare a small bag of essentials like a wide tooth comb, a favorite product such as a conditioner or leave-in, or anything else special that you feel that they MAY NOT have available to you. Take all of this with you.

Don't be afraid to speak up (politely) if things aren't going the way you anticipate it.

 

[Evolving78]

LadyPBC
consider a phone consultation. thinking positive is good, but thinking smart will win the prize. you can get a feel of the person if you at least talk to them on the phone. i know someone that specializes in locs, but i didn't care for his methods or the products he used. they were really good with styling locs though. a close friend raves about this person too. so make sure you do your homework. you want this to go well so you will look nice for event your are going to.

oh and if you bring products, let the stylist know beforehand. i would be really pissed if someone came to me for a facial or makeup application and told me i need to use their products on them. (especially if it's products i don't agree with) it would be very insulting. when i went to an African braid shop, i asked would the stylist be comfortable with using my combs and spray bottle.

@LadyPBC
you need to have a consultation first. tell your stylist that you are not comfortable with using fine-toothed combs, blowdryers, etc.... let the stylist know that you have a sensitive scalp. bring a picture of the type of hairstyle you are looking for to give the stylist an idea. talk to the stylist about your cleansing/dc'ing routine and how it is working/not working for you. come with your hair sectioned off and detangled to help the process.[/QUOTE]


I won't have time for a real consultation just some helpful hints before she begins. Also I have a business meeting early that morning so I won't have an opportunity to pre-treat my hair. I don't feel anxious because she is supposed to be a natural stylist although some who say they are only specialize in caring for locs and I don't have them. I'm just going to think positive!!!!

 

[PrettyinPink001]

have you had a consultation beforehand? this way you can list your hair goals, products you use, hair practices with your stylist. not in the hair business, but i always have a consultation with my clients first. i ask plenty of questions and ask what are their concerns and goals. i ask about medical history, etc.... if they are currently using products that i wouldn't recommend, i ask them how are the products working for them. this way it helps us to start on the same page and work from there.

but at the end of the day, i feel like a client has come to me, because they need professional help/assistance in achieve their skin care goals. i don't mind being questioned on what i am doing, or using, but at the same time, if you feel like you know everything and you are telling me what to do during the whole process, then you don't trust my judgement. therefore you should find someone else that can offer you what you are looking for.

Lol consultation? I wish I go to the domicans around my area. She doesn't do consultations, they do wash and sets. I wish I could meet a place I. Long Island that is upscale and does wash n sets.

 

[mzteaze]

PrettyinPink001 where are you in LI? There is a LHCF member that owns a shop in White Plains. At worse it would cost a trip over the Whitestone or Throgs Neck to investigate. Depending on what you are looking for, Domenican shops are not your only options.

 

[PrettyinPink001]

PrettyinPink001 where are you in LI? There is a LHCF member that owns a shop in White Plains. At worse it would cost a trip over the Whitestone or Throgs Neck to investigate. Depending on what you are looking for, Domenican shops are not your only options.

I want someone to give me feed back about my hair, the condition that it is in. Teach me give me tips, I like wash and sets with my roots blown. I hate big hair on me. You think she does that.

 

[mzteaze]

I want someone to give me feed back about my hair, the condition that it is in. Teach me give me tips, I like wash and sets with my roots blown. I hate big hair on me. You think she does that.

PrettyinPink001 I have never met the person nor been to the shop. However, she is well versed in the "laws of LHCF" and frankly, I bet will be closer to what you want than the Dominican shops. Especially since you have already expressed a distrust of what you have experienced.

Best you can do is get in contact with the shop and talk to them. If you can, schedule a phone consultation just to ask the questions you want answered. Here is the website: http://www.swangsalon.com/default.html

Look that over and decide if its for you or not. If you like what you see and hear, visit and make sure its for you.

The absolutely best thing ANY of us can do, is take advantage of consultations and ask questions to make sure we are comfortable with ANY stylist before we go any further. Talk about what you want, take pictures, ask questions and listen to what the stylist has to say. If you aren't comfortable by the end of that conversation, chances are, you won't be overly happy with the services you receive.

So do your homework and hope for the best.

 

[LadyPBC]

Just wanted to give an update since I put all my concerns out there
First, let me apologize for all the typos in my original post - I just realized that they existed - how embarassing

My visit was fantastic. She was a little late getting started and it took a little longer than I expected but other than that it was simply wonderful. We talked a little but I didn't want to come across as a know it all. She was gentle with my hair and patient when I had questions. She rollerset me with flexi-rods (red I believe) and I wanted to say um you should use smaller ones for more defined curls but she actually knew better than I did so I'm glad I kept my mouth closed I told her over and over that I wanted and updo and she told me over and over that she was going to rollerset me first. I said okay - she was right (again). She set me and put me under the dryer then took them out and put flat twists into a curly updo. My hair actually looked like it had been freshly relaxed, flat ironed and curled and all she used was her expertise, whatever her products were (natural or mostly) and the hooded dryer. Even my unruly edges were tamed. I got nothing but love for you Jacinda at SoCurlySoKinkySoStraight! I ws thrilled with the outcome.