K, so I decided I hate black hairdressers!!!

[Kurlee]

K, so I'm really pissed. I'm a shoulder length natural and I went to the salon to get my pressed. I washed my hair myself cuz god knows they will destroy it if they wash it themselves, and came in four big twists. Two in the front two in the back. Who told this man to try to undo the twists with a fine (and I mean fine!) tooth comb. And to top it off he didn't even start at the end. Hello!!!!!! I'm a 4a natural, so that jus results in tangles and a knot at the end. So basically in that section he destroyed my freshly trimmed ends and killed some of my progress. So i unraveled the rest with my fingers. Then hes tryna rake thru my whole head with a fine tooh comb? Have u lost ur mind. I kept wincing and giving him the evil eye so he would ketch on that hes killing my head. He tortures my hair with heat (not using a creamic iron or anything) and ketch the joke. My hair was still puffy as hell and dry like cotton! So, right now i'm very pissed, cuz i coulda done a better job myself, and my haior has never felt that dry; wet, dry, pressed or natural. I'm so pissed! Then he says he doesn't liek the oil i put in and i shoudl let him use his stuff which is basically dax? K no?! That stuff smells like crap and its basically green vaseline. How come balc hairdressers don't know how to deal with natural balck hair!?

 

[*ElleB]

You shouldn't blame it on the fact that he's Black, just on the fact that he's incompetent!

 

[DragonPearl]

I had a similar experience at a supposedly natural salon in Oakland, years ago, where I had gone for twists. It was a waste of time, of money, of hair. With only a few exceptions, hairdressers do not know how to properly handle natural hair.

 

[Kurlee]

well i mean salons that cater to black hair specifically

 

[LuvLiLocks]

Yet another reason why I have become salon shy.

 

[tastesosweet]

Don't let this experience ruin it for you in terms of salons that cater to Black hair--I have to agree with ElleB on this one. There are many Black hair salons that cater to Black hair health and natural hair specifically (I go to one in Los Angeles). Next time, do your research, ask questions, and do not sit in anyone's chair without either a recommendation from someone or seeing the stylist's portfolio. Some hairdressers act as if it is a priviledge for you to get your hair done by them when actually, it should be the other way around. Better luck next time!

 

[Sistaslick]

yeah, looks like you just happened to run into a dimwit Keep looking girl-- finding a stylist is like finding a good husband...gotta pick through the scrubs and losers and get your heart broken a few times before you find the one.

 

[caligirl]

Honey, get yourself a good blowdryer (Turbo 1500) and good flat iron (FHI or maxiglide) and become your own stylist. Most hairdressers are inpatient when it comes to natural hair. No one is going to be as patient and gentle as you.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

I understand completely. I know that the politically correct among us will rush to say 'not all black stylists are the same' but hell, there are more bad than good. The state of black hair care as perpetrated by black stylists is a H.A.M.

Since the overwhelming majority of black women who use a stylist are getting their hair done by black stylists, it's not out of line to isolate the statements to black stylists. There are many women on this board who have gone to the same black stylist year after year trying to grow their hair out and every year brought the same length of hair or shorter than the previous one.

I think I will just be on the unpopular side of this one.

 

[Poohbear]

You shouldn't blame it on the fact that he's Black, just on the fact that he's incompetent!

Exactly!

Any hairdresser regardless of race can potentially jack up your natural hair. I'm sure there a black hairdressers that know how to work with natural hair. You just happened to come across a bad one.

 

[Kurlee]

I wasn't try to single out black stylists and say that they suck, my main point was jus that most of us do go to stylist that cater specifically to "ethnic" hair (tryna be pc here) and from my personal experience most of them don't understand how to deal with natural hair. He was my stylist when i was relaxed and he was fine, now that im natural its like hes lost. Now that i'm natural i've learned so much like trimming, and conditioning, handling techniques, wash and go's, but i haven't mastered the blowouts yet. I think JCoily understood what i was tryna say and I so agree; I know so many people who's hair has been the same length if no tshorter for years and they are faithful salon goers. Sorry if i offended anybody.

Sistaslick ur post was hillarious LOL!

And alot of u r right i gotta master this blow out thing or go thru sopme trial and error to find a stylist who knows how not to destroy my hair in one sitting.

 

[Poohbear]

no offense here... i don't even go to a salon stylist.

 

[victorious]

yeah, looks like you just happened to run into a dimwit Keep looking girl-- finding a stylist is like finding a good husband...gotta pick through the scrubs and losers and get your heart broken a few times before you find the one.

True!

 

[Lovelylocs]

I know what you mean, Karamel11. Most black stylists IMO dont know how to properly care for relaxed hair and they tend to knwo even less about natural hair. The few that actually DO know how to do natural hair don't knwo how to do THICK natural hair. My sister's hair is 4a thick and beautiful and whenever she goes to a "natural" stylists they can never do it without it looking puffy AND it takes all day!

 

[deedabug]

that is so horrible...thats why i will juss stay home with my puffy ends presses....

*shakin my head*...fine tooth comb in a napptown natural.....i dont get it

 

[Kurlee]

that is so horrible...thats why i will juss stay home with my puffy ends presses....

LMAO!! I hear that i've had the puffy ends too when i tried to blow out my hair. FUNNY!

 

[sareca]

I wasn't try to single out black stylists and say that they suck, my main point was jus that most of us do go to stylist that cater specifically to "ethnic" hair (tryna be pc here) and from my personal experience most of them don't understand how to deal with natural hair. He was my stylist when i was relaxed and he was fine, now that im natural its like hes lost. Now that i'm natural i've learned so much like trimming, and conditioning, handling techniques, wash and go's, but i haven't mastered the blowouts yet. I think JCoily understood what i was tryna say and I so agree; I know so many people who's hair has been the same length if no tshorter for years and they are faithful salon goers. Sorry if i offended anybody.

Sistaslick ur post was hillarious LOL!

And alot of u r right i gotta master this blow out thing or go thru sopme trial and error to find a stylist who knows how not to destroy my hair in one sitting.

I feel you. More than once I've wanted to open a can of during a visit to the local salon.

This is small setback, you'll be back on course in no time.

 

[lovelyme]

Don't let this experience ruin it for you in terms of salons that cater to Black hair--I have to agree with ElleB on this one. There are many Black hair salons that cater to Black hair health and natural hair specifically (I go to one in Los Angeles). Next time, do your research, ask questions, and do not sit in anyone's chair without either a recommendation from someone or seeing the stylist's portfolio. Some hairdressers act as if it is a priviledge for you to get your hair done by them when actually, it should be the other way around. Better luck next time!

Would you mind sharing what salon/stylist you frequent? I’ve been looking for a natural stylist for a while.

 

[LizLeila]

Would you mind sharing what salon/stylist you frequent? I’ve been looking for a natural stylist for a while.

I would be interested to know too.

 

[simplycee]

I think a part of the problem is that natural hair sometimes takes a little longer to do and it can be more work. The right thing would have been for him to just tell you he didn't want to do your hair rather than to torture you with a small tooth comb. Most stylist aren't patient and want to rush through to move on to the next client.

Next time (if there is a next time) take your own wide tooth comb and insist that he use that. I do agree with whoever posted that you could probably do alot better yourself with a hand held dryer and a maxiglide.

Sorry you had a bad experience. Chalk it up to a learning experience and baby your hair back to health.

HTH

 

[sweetascocoa]

i havent been to a salon in 4 years.

 

[Eiano]

This is why I bought a maxiglide ang my $15 dollar scissors. I don't plan on going to another salon EVER. I think I can do everything from home now. Unless I'm going somewhere where I want a decent looking press and curl. Even then, I'm gonna be on my hairdresser like "What chu doing?" I don't care if I'm annoying. Hair dressers have taken me from a little past shoulder length to my neck in a matter of 1-2 hours.

 

[Kurlee]

Yea, no heat for the next six months, im gonna baby my hair back to health and try to master this blowout thing. I have the adjustable heat chi at home so i got learn how to make it work for me. i got it on ebay for a bill....

I put some unrefined shea butter on it, concentrating on the ends and the ends still look in tact, my hair is jus drinking it up though and i noticed a little shedding when i was canerowing it! LoL. I jus pray theres no long term damage cuz i jus trimmed last week and im in that annoying phase where ur passing shoulder length but ur not armpit, but ur trying to get to brastrap (if that makes sense, LOL). So yea, i hope i don't habe to do a major cut, i'll be pissed!

 

[tastesosweet]

Would you mind sharing what salon/stylist you frequent? I’ve been looking for a natural stylist for a while.

I go to Eclectic Salon in LA and my Stylist is Sha. She specializes in natural hair.

 

[balisi]

I think it's unconscionable that you had such a terrible experience at the hands of ANY stylist, much less one who is expected to specialize in or cater to "ethnic" hair. I think there are three basic factors at fault here:

1) Cosmetology schools, for the most part, do not teach their students how to treat natural hair types. As a result, many stylists ARE afraid to service a natural haired client, especially when there is an abundance of hair.

2) It takes someone with natural hair him-/herself, or someone with a vested interest in it, to at least understand how it should be handled, especially where obtaining and retaining length is concerned. A stylist must seek out opportunities to learn about this special hair type, but it takes ambition, time and money that many don't want to expend.

3) It is ultimately up to the consumer (you) to seek out an individual who is qualified to take care of your needs, be it hair, taxes, child care, health, etc. The fact that someone is a licensed stylist is by no means enough for you to entrust your crowing glory to him or her. You say that he did a good job on your relaxed hair. Prior to this negative experience as a natural, had you ever observed him with a natural haired client? Had you ever asked him what kind of additional training he has undertaken, if any, and when? Being a professional stylist is like being any other type of professional: it is vital to continue educational pursuits, for the professional AND his clients, especially if he is interested in having a successful career, not just a job.

Perhaps he could have recommended to you a stylist who specializes in natural hair, since he obviously does not have the wherewithal or patience to deal with it. But then again, I'm sure he did not want to miss out on an opportunity to make money from (NON)servicing you.

 

[Kurlee]

k so i took out my canerows and on the left hand side a small section of the very back is gone. its way shorter than the rest which i knwo it wasn't cuz ihane't had any breakage issues since i've been natural. Its like up to the end of my neck and the rest is past shoulder but no armpit. I'm superpissed now. Whut the hell did he burn it off?!

 

[LizLeila]

I go to Eclectic Salon in LA and my Stylist is Sha. She specializes in natural hair.

Thanks! I will let my friend know.

 

[ThickHair]

Unpopular Opinion: Why did you sit and let this man do this? People can only do to your hair, what you let them.

 

[pyxis777]

Unpopular Opinion: Why did you sit and let this man do this? People can only do to your hair, what you let them.

One woman's answer:
I know I've been mistreated by many a stylist. Pick a reason:

1) I'm too intimidated by the stylist to speak up (esp when I was younger and just a "kid" - this has happend even into the late teens, early 20's)

2) I was ignorant myself (before LHCF). I knew something wasn't right, but I just chalked it up to the fact that I was black (I thought only a priveledged few blacks had the kind of genes that allowed their hair to grow long), I couldn't get away from heat (I knew heat was bad, but I didn't know of any better way to do my hair),etc, etc.

3) I felt intimidated about going in to a place and telling a person how to do their job. Think about how it would be if someone came into your place of buisness who had not gotten XYZ degree and was trying to tell you what to do.

These have been my main reasons. Now that I've overcome 1 and 2, I'm working on 3. I haven't been back to the salon since my relaxer (went from natural to relaxed in Jan). When I do go back to get my touch up in late March/early April, I will pray for the strength to speak up for what I know is right.

 

[deedabug]

One woman's answer:
I know I've been mistreated by many a stylist. Pick a reason:

1) I'm too intimidated by the stylist to speak up (esp when I was younger and just a "kid" - this has happend even into the late teens, early 20's)


3) I felt intimidated about going in to a place and telling a person how to do their job. Think about how it would be if someone came into your place of buisness who had not gotten XYZ degree and was trying to tell you what to do.

i think reasons 1 and 3 r the main reasons for many...