Just to be sure, how many frequent...

[Leshia]

Dominican salons regularly? If not regularly now, how many used DS to grow their hair from shoulder length to bra-strap?? *SIGH* Yes, I can't figure out what to do with my hair at this point. Should I go to a DS for about two months and see if they can get my growth "jumpstarted" or should I just chop it all off into a pageboy and start all over again? I hate having time to think. It just makes me crazy...*sigh*

 

[Leshia]

Anyone have any input at all?

 

[Boadicea]

I go once a week. The day may not always be the same, but I do go once a week. My hair went from barely touching my shoulders all the way around to squarely at BSL.

If you're not sure what to do with your hair right now, get a rollerset and blow out (set and root blow is usually better for your hair) and then just kick back and try to come up with a regimen that you're satisfied with and that's healthy for your hair and stick with it for as long as possible.

If you decide on going to a DS regularly, make note of the following first:

-Good communication: If you and the stylist, or anyone else touching your hair can't understand each other, don't go back. "Trim" to you might not mean the same as "trim" to her. "Detangle" may mean either from the top to bottom, bottom to top, middle to bottom, etc. And most importantly, make sure you're speaking the same language (or that you at least know enough in whatever language they speak to ask questions, make comments and give directions).

-Know what is and isn't included: Some salons will press you to get deep conditioners. I finally got tired of hearing "you want a deep conditioner?" and said "yes, but how much is it?" Come to find out that it's $10 extra. Unless it's really, really good and a product that you either don't want to apply yourself at home or can't find, you don't really need it if it's over $5. Also, know if you're going to be charged if you bring your own deep conditioner. Some salons don't charge you for it, but will charge you if you want to sit under the dryer with it on. In some salons, the rollerset and blow out is on solid price, in others you may be charged for each.

-Know what your hair can take: Can your hair stand up to a vigorous washing/massaging (some stylist massage your head with their nails while washing it and your hair may be washed many more times at once by them than you'd do at home), setting with a small comb, heat from a hooded dryer and then blow-drying and hot-curling? Many say it's best to just have the roots blown after taking the hair out of curlers. Some can handle the full-on blow-out. Some just get a set and wrap. If you've never had one before, I suggest 3 weeks of trying 2 (full blow), 1 (roots only) and 3 (set only)respectively to see which is best for your hair.

Depending on the skill of the stylist, and perhaps the products used, and of course your hair, your set will last anywhere from 2-7 days. I wrap mine every night with bobby pins and it lasts all week when I go to my current DS. I've been to another where it only lasted 2 full days no matter what I did.

I really wouldn't recommend cutting your hair just because you're bored with it. You may regret it later. At times like that, it's best to get your hair done and sit down and think about how you want your hair to look. Also, your hair won't grow just because you went to a DS. Many women who do go, manipulate their hair a lot less when they go to a DS and do not wash their hair more than once a week and keep it wrapped up at night (I use a wig cap after putting in the pins and then put a satin scarf on top).

When I get my hair done, I comb it exactly two times that day. Once to take my hair down and once to put it back up. Less manipulation, more length retained. That may be one of the reasons why it grew so long. I didn't do anything else to my hair at that time.

HTH!

 

[KinksnCurlz]

I was religously going to the Dominicans once every 2 weeks growing up. My hair was always healthy BUT i lacked the length b/c i wasn't caring for my ends and my stylist would always have to trim.
I think the key to finding a great Dominican Salon would be to find one that has been around for a while. Go to the SAME stylist each time you go... NEVER to a different one. Develop a good rlp with said stylist and lastly, make sure the 2 of you r on the same page. I will never 4get my favorite stylist... her name was Luz. I always went to her... if she wasn't there, i didn't get my hair done. She opened her own salon and yes, i followed her. She was more attached to my hair then I was. She DREADED giving me short layers but I wanted that style so much. When I asked her to cut my hair so I could get (please don't laugh) fingerwaves (the big ones)...she adamently refused... I had to go to another salon for the cut. That's how closewewere I loved her! Sorry to go so off topic my whole point is saying find a stylist that you can communicate well with. That way, you both get what you want out of the rlp.

Good Luck!

 

[Leshia]

Thanks to you ladies for the FABULOUS input! I shall go to Lucy La Dominicana fully "armed".

 

[lkg4healthyhair]

I would also add to be your own advocate. If someone is doing something you don't agree with speak up. The last time I went about 2 months ago the woman washed my hair and scrubbed my scalp with her nails. Then she started to wash my hair 3 times. I spoke up both times but if I didn't I would have been walking out of there with a raw head.

 

[daviine]

What Bo said!

 

[Leshia]

Yes, B, did give some good advice. By the by, Daviine, looking GOOD and shiny, girl!

 

[daviine]

Thank you!!! I was just checking out your album a few hours ago...but I wasn't looking for hair...I was looking for the baby!!!!! Congrats.....how late am I by the way?

And I see you're stateside now.......I think I vaguely you remember discussing the move....how long have you been back?

Congrats again --but not only on the baby...but all your beautiful children!