Okay, part of this is a rant.
But let me first say that I went to get a press yesterday for the first time since this January. My stylist did an EXCELLENT job getting it straight. I usually only go to see her like twice a year for a press b/c I've been trying to grow my hair out, I'm afraid of heat, plus the cost is outrageous (to me).
Anyways, she did a good job. And I always ~*L~O~V~E~*~ how my hair looks after she has pressed it. However, why did it HURT SO BAD this time???!!!! I mean, I was almost CRYING when she blowdryed me. Not only that, but the entire process this time took 5 HOURS!!! (As compared to a usual 2 hours!) I did get a black rinse in my hair, which added a little to the time, but still. I think the reason why it hurt so bad is because after washing me, I sat for like 20 minutes before she started blow drying me. In other words, my hair had already started to dry/shrink. Plus, she doesn't use the type of dryer with teeth on it. She uses a regular blow dryer and combs through it with a detangling brush.
Now, here's the thing---that freakin brush is HARD. I know it's for detangling but what added to the pain was it seemed she started closer to the top/middle of my hair and combed down....rather than from the bottom, detangling the ends first, then working her way up (which is how I do it).
My brain turned to LHCF mode and I told her TWICE how it never hurts when I detangle my own hair. She told me it hurt cause I waited too long to get a press....??????? Huh? That doesn't make sense to me. I thought it hurt cause my hair was starting to dry/tangle and it basically had no product on it, as compared to when I detangle my hair, I told her how I twist it up, soak it down with conditioner and detangle in the shower under running water, section by section. I told her how the comb just glides through.
Anyways, she was not hearin it. She's good at stylin but it's her way or no way. I could tell she thought I was ignorant and miseducated about hair because she asked me why did I wear my hair in a bun so long and I told about reading stuff on this site about minimal manipulation and keeping the ends tucked under, etc. You know what she said?? She said that that was STUPID and why would I read/do things that other people who probably know NOTHING ABOUT HAIR would do???! She said if I want to RETAIN length I need to start COMBING MY HAIR EVERY DAY. And on top of that she said I should be combing it dry! She said my hair was nappier this time because I hadn't been combing it enough. I told her I detangle once a week and she said it was NOT ENOUGH.
(And get this-I asked her, how was I supposed to find time to comb my hair every day considering that would take so long. She suggested I "blow it out a little" to make it easier to comb through. Remind you-she had just said a few moments earlier if I want to retain length, I should avoid alot of heat....now she suggests blowing it every week so I can comb it every day????)
Basically I know her major concern is that I come to see her more often. Which I told her from the beginning that that was the plan b/c I want to get presses a little more often. But from our conversation she made me not want to come. She just kept going on and on about how I shouldn't pay attention to the things I"m reading and if I want to know how to get more length I need to talk to a stylist that grows natural hair (HER!). I told her that I know alot of women that go to salons every month and their hair stays right at the same length. (I didn't say this in a mean way).
She stated that I was hurting my hair by not combing every day. She said I should be avoiding water as much as possible, too. She also made it a point to say that how can I believe the things I am reading cause if those things really did grow hair, then WHY IS MY HAIR AT THE SAME EXACT LENGTH AS 10 MONTHS AGO, THE LAST TIME SHE PRESSED IT????
Now when she said that, ya'll, my feelings were really hurt. I know my hair is not at the same length as last time and next week I will post pics to prove it. I cannot believe she said that. She could tell she hurt my feelings cause afterwards she was quiet and then she was like "Jade, I take it back that you can't heed everything you are reading. I really can't say what will work for everyone. I just want you to start doing more with your hair, start wearing more styles and not neglect your hair just cause you're so busy with 2 jobs. I just want to help you grow your hair to your goal, which I know we can do together."
I felt a little better but I had already begun to question her skills after the painful detangling experience. I kept wondering why she didn't detangle it while wet with some type of detangler on it...?
Anyways, she thought I was talking about nappturality when I mentioned this site and I corrected her. I offered to show her the site but she really didn't have time. I told her about the beautiful long haired women on LHCF
Maybe I'll send her an email with the link....
I bumped this old thread cuz I've since found another stylist (I frequent Too Groovy here in Atlanta)..but thanks for the recommendation. I've heard VERY good things about the Aveda Institute and I love Aveda products! 
