My Take on Dominican Salons (very Long)

[atlien11]

I had my very first visit to Lilly's Salon (here in atl) and i came up with some interesting findings that i thought i would share:

Here's How it went: I showed up on a saturday afternoon just on a whim. I walked in and saw everybody walking around in rollers which i thought was cute. Anyway, i had no idea who the 'a good stylists' were so i just observed for a moment and picked the girl closest to the door. I only had to wait about 10 minutes before she was ready for me. As i was waiting i was watching the methodology like a hawk. Pretty simple plan. Wash, set, blowdry with a round brush. I remember seeing people hair smoking under the blow dryer a bit but ironically the shop did not smell of burnt hair unlike AA salons (interesting). I kept wondering if i should just head for the door but i made myself stay just to give it a try. My stylist washed me, conditioned me, and put me in large grey rollers. Before the rollers went it, she put what i think was salerm (it was oil in a glass tube thingy) as a leave-in. I was thinking that my hair was going to be SUPER greasy (in the end it wasnt at all ). Anyway, i went under the dryer in the back room along with what seemed like 25 other girls. We were all dying under there because it was so hot in that room (it felt like the first ring of hell i tell ya). Finally my hair was dry and it was my turn to get the infamous blow out. I was expecting to be wincing from the pain of the dryer but it wasnt bad at all. At the end of it, the girl offered to spray me with oil sheen (the revlon brand who's scent makes me sick to my stomach). I shook my head NO. Then she offered some silicone in which i took a pea size and ran it through my hair. I left, and wrapped my hair when i got home.

My Conclusion
1. Ok, I must admitt that my hair is swingin and has been for the past week. I plan on washing it this weekend and i am going to miss it being silky and straight. I felt like i had a fresh relaxer.
2. I can see how this method can be addicting but i would not do it every other week because of the potential damage from the roundbrush/blowdryer combo. I might try it once a month.
3. The silicone should be applied while hair is still wet, not when its already been blow out (i will mention this next time).
4. If your ends need to be trimmed, this method will make it VERY obvious.
5. Here is the BIG DIFFERENCE btwn AA Salon techniques: This method left my hair with elasticity. When i get my hair flat-ironed at an AA salon, its so straight that it snaps at the slightest tug. Not good.

Anywho, thats my review for anyone who cares.

 

[secretdiamond]

5. Here is the BIG DIFFERENCE btwn AA Salon techniques: This method left my hair with elasticity. When i get my hair flat-ironed at an AA salon, its so straight that it snaps at the slightest tug. Not good.

Anywho, thats my review for anyone who cares.

That's odd. I seems to be the opposite for me. My hair is silkier and softer (but with slightly less swing and body) with a good quality flat-ironing from the AA I go to for my trims. I can comb my hair and not worry about it snapping. With the blow-outs, this happens unless I get a good headdress (razac or something) on my hair.

 

[atlien11]

Hmmm, that is interesting. i tend to get that burnt smell with the flat irons my salon uses which i hate ( i think they have a ceramic FHI). I was actually scared to go to the Dominicans because the blow dryer and my hair dont seem to be friends but i was pleasantly surprised. My hair was well moisturized from CO washing every couple of days so that my have attributed to it.

 

[RabiaElaine]

My Conclusion
1. Ok, I must admitt that my hair is swingin and has been for the past week. I plan on washing it this weekend and i am going to miss it being silky and straight. I felt like i had a fresh relaxer.
2. I can see how this method can be addicting but i would not do it every other week because of the potential damage from the roundbrush/blowdryer combo. I might try it once a month.
3. The silicone should be applied while hair is still wet, not when its already been blow out (i will mention this next time).
4. If your ends need to be trimmed, this method will make it VERY obvious.
5. Here is the BIG DIFFERENCE btwn AA Salon techniques: This method left my hair with elasticity. When i get my hair flat-ironed at an AA salon, its so straight that it snaps at the slightest tug. Not good.

Anywho, thats my review for anyone who cares.

Yes it can be very very very addicting and I suffered damage because of it in 2005. I still like dom salons though because they have simple methods. The wash and rollerset are very good for styling our hair, at this point if I go to the dom salon I either have them only blow the roots or skip the blow out all together.

As for AA salons you can go to some salons that utilize simple non damaging methods...they are usually very expensive though.

Anyway I've pretty much eliminated the salon from my regimen except for relaxers, and I plan on eliminating them completely for my next touch up.

I'm glad you had a good experience.

 

[atlien11]

RabiaElaine, can you tell me what type of damage you had? I.E. spilt ends, thinning hair? I was curious about this before i went. Thanks.

 

[KiniKakes]

Very good synopsis. Glad you had a good experience.

Ive been going to a Dominican salon here in Brooklyn for 6 years now. I am very happy with my hair at this point. The first few years I used to be addicted to the blowout.... but over the long run found that this was causing my hair to thin and also I needed to trim more often.

In the last three years I only get the roots blown out. Coupled w/the way I take care of my hair now (thanks to LHCF) my hair is in great shape. Getting the roots blown out after the roller set isnt too damaging, and i only do it because my hair is soft and i hate that dent that rollers put in it. Like yourself, i also skip the oil sheen step at the end.... it weighs my hair down, and i enjoy the bounciness/lightness of oil free hair.

I absolutely love the Dominican salon, because it is soooo cheap, and i like how they do my hair better than any AA salon i've ever been to. I can afford to go once a week, and i just love all their conditioners and treatments.

Believe it or not, i also like the fact that most of them dont speak too much English, because that means i can just zone out and not have to worry about the casual (but annoying) chit-chat that usually occurs. Usually the receptionist, or a few girls in the salon, speak enough English for me to be able to communicate what i need to..... but overall, i like to just go in, get what i need, and roll out. Also, there is never any arguing/mouth about whether or not i trim my ends. They do it only upon my request, and they dont argue or give me a hard time if i say no.

 

[RabiaElaine]

RabiaElaine, can you tell me what type of damage you had? I.E. spilt ends, thinning hair? I was curious about this before i went. Thanks.

The blow drying thinned my hair out a lot. I'm still recovering from it actually. You can't tell in my avatar but my hair ends are thinned out a lot most of which was due to the blow drying and brush.

 

[*ElleB]

Dominican Salons are pretty much all i have ever gone too all my life. (Well, except for when I lived in SC as a little girl. My mom also did my hair for a few years) They do more than Wash and Sets, (I went to them for my prom hair do and it was fabulous. They even put a string of pearls in it!!!) but that is the most popular. It is the best thing when stretching, however all the heat on a regular basis is not good. The Dominicans are the best roller setters in the business. Every time I go, I'm studying how to put the rollers in.

 

[RabiaElaine]

Very good synopsis. Glad you had a good experience.

Ive been going to a Dominican salon here in Brooklyn for 6 years now. I am very happy with my hair at this point. The first few years I used to be addicted to the blowout.... but over the long run found that this was causing my hair to thin and also I needed to trim more often.

In the last three years I only get the roots blown out. Coupled w/the way I take care of my hair now (thanks to LHCF) my hair is in great shape. Getting the roots blown out after the roller set isnt too damaging, and i only do it because my hair is soft and i hate that dent that rollers put in it. Like yourself, i also skip the oil sheen step at the end.... it weighs my hair down, and i enjoy the bounciness/lightness of oil free hair.

I absolutely love the Dominican salon, because it is soooo cheap, and i like how they do my hair better than any AA salon i've ever been to. I can afford to go once a week, and i just love all their conditioners and treatments.

Believe it or not, i also like the fact that most of them dont speak too much English, because that means i can just zone out and not have to worry about the casual (but annoying) chit-chat that usually occurs. Usually the receptionist, or a few girls in the salon, speak enough English for me to be able to communicate what i need to..... but overall, i like to just go in, get what i need, and roll out. Also, there is never any arguing/mouth about whether or not i trim my ends. They do it only upon my request, and they dont argue or give me a hard time if i say no.

I agree!

OT: KiniKakes you look hot in that pic in your siggy! You go girl!

 

[BklynHeart]

I know the AA salon I go to for perms they always did the "Dominican" technique, except that they don't blow out your hair until its super-straight. They always leave body in it that seems to last a whole week. It's also good if you can find a Dominican salon that you can tell them not to blow it out too straight and they know what you're talking about.

 

[RabiaElaine]

The Dominicans are the best roller setters in the business. Every time I go, I'm studying how to put the rollers in.

Yup!!! I try to watch them like a hawk when they do it but the girl usually complains that I won't bend my head so she can get them in properly. My mother always complained when I was little that I moved around too much when she was doing my hair, cause I always wanted to see what was happening. I guess I've been obsessed with hair since I was a youngin'.

The also do the rollerset with the quickness too.

 

[peacelove]

Well I thought I was gonna go with Dominican salons for everything, but since I hit a groove with no heat styling for the past 2 weeks or so, I decided that the dominican salon would be a once in a while thing when I want my hair straight.

 

[JLove74]

I experienced breakage from the heat at a Dominican Salon. But instead of giving up, I did weekly deep conditioners and when it was time for the blow out, I asked for the heat to be turned down and only blow the roots, not all the way down to the ends. Still looked fabooo...

 

[atlien11]

I might try this 'just blowing out the roots' idea but i am afraid that the humidity would ruin the non-blown out ends. Either way, i am not going to go very often. I have to admitt that those girls are roller set queens. They got the hair nice and taught with just those clips. I forgot to add that they charged me a little extra because of my length (its not even that long ) so the total came out to $38.00. Naturals get charged even more.

 

[MizaniMami]

I might try this 'just blowing out the roots' idea but i am afraid that the humidity would ruin the non-blown out ends. Either way, i am not going to go very often. I have to admitt that those girls are roller set queens. They got the hair nice and taught with just those clips. I forgot to add that they charged me a little extra because of my length (its not even that long ) so the total came out to $38.00. Naturals get charged even more.

Kinda OT: But you and your hair is sooooo gorgeous! I love it!
What did you moisturize your straight hair with to keep it's bounce and silkiness without weighing it down?

 

[MissFallon]

I might try this 'just blowing out the roots' idea but i am afraid that the humidity would ruin the non-blown out ends. Either way, i am not going to go very often. I have to admitt that those girls are roller set queens. They got the hair nice and taught with just those clips. I forgot to add that they charged me a little extra because of my length (its not even that long ) so the total came out to $38.00. Naturals get charged even more.

Damn, where do you live? In NYC you can get a wash and set by the dominicans for $15, $20 if your hair is longer.

 

[atlien11]

Kinda OT: But you and your hair is sooooo gorgeous! I love it!
What did you moisturize your straight hair with to keep it's bounce and silkiness without weighing it down?

Thank you MizaniMami I am ashamed to say this but i havent really put anything on it (moisturizer) because i didnt want it to lose its bounce and weigh it down. I have yet to find a moisturizer that will not cause this. I relied heavily on the deep conditioning method + the TLC i have been giving it over the last 3 months and honestly, my hair doesnt feel dry. I did put emu oil on my scalp only and wrapped it up at night. I am definitely washing it this weekend, it has been a week, so its about time.

Damn, where do you live? In NYC you can get a wash and set by the dominicans for $15, $20 if your hair is longer.

Girl, I live in atlanta. I was surprised too when she told me the total was $38.00.

 

[JenniferMD]

I just want to say that I'm in DR right now and I got my relaxer for $17!

 

[Ebony]

I've been going to them since 1997. What I learned in 2000 was:
-The final blowout was unnecessary so I stopped doing it
-I only have my roots blown if I'm stretching & it's thick w/newgrowth
-I brought my own heat protectant for use before sitting under the dryer
-Sometimes if there was a day when it rained or I had nothing planned at all, I'd take my own rollers & pins as soon as they opened & had them wash,cd & roll it & I'd drive straight home & work around the house & let it airdry. They take a few dollars off. (I saw a girl come in to my shop once & do this. THey rolled it & she left. She said she didn't use heat at all).
-I've also sat under the dryer with the setting lukewarm until dry. I didn't care if I had nothing to do for a few hours.
-Oil sprays weigh my hair down so I stopped allowing them to spray or put anything oily in it afterwards.
-When I'm in a super rush for an event (maybe 1-2x a yr) they will accomodate me & give me a fast dry (w/heat protectant of course)

*I've always loved the walk-in option & the less than two hour turnaround time. I haven't been to an AA salon in 10 years because I'm so spoiled.

I'm so glad to hear that their are dominican salons in ATL. My sister & I lived there in 1998 & looked all over for one & asked every Latina & AA chick we saw. There were no D-salons to be found then.

 

[JLove74]

I just want to say that since you're in the DR you need to find something better to do than posting on LHCF.....j/k

 

[JenniferMD]

I just want to say that since you're in the DR you need to find something better to do than posting on LHCF.....j/k

I'm on a break from classes, so I'm entitled. Now when you see me logged in after 5...that's when you can talk!

 

[Lucie]

I agree!

OT: KiniKakes you look hot in that pic in your siggy! You go girl!

I second that. I was going to PM you and tell you but she already said it. You go girl!

 

[atlien11]

I just want to say that I'm in DR right now and I got my relaxer for $17!

<---thats me jealous...well pouting really.

Sometimes if there was a day when it rained or I had nothing planned at all, I'd take my own rollers & pins as soon as they opened & had them wash,cd & roll it & I'd drive straight home & work around the house & let it airdry.

Ebony - thanks for giving your take on Dominican Salons. If i tried to airdry my rollerset, i would still be walking around with those rollers in my hair. It takes my hair forever and a day to dry. Did you happen to find a moisturizer that didnt weigh your hair down? TIA.

 

[silverflyt]

sounds impressive..I don't think there are any dominican salons around austin

 

[Edie]

Thank you MizaniMami I am ashamed to say this but i havent really put anything on it (moisturizer) because i didnt want it to lose its bounce and weigh it down. I have yet to find a moisturizer that will not cause this. I relied heavily on the deep conditioning method + the TLC i have been giving it over the last 3 months and honestly, my hair doesnt feel dry. I did put emu oil on my scalp only and wrapped it up at night. I am definitely washing it this weekend, it has been a week, so its about time.

Girl, I live in atlanta. I was surprised too when she told me the total was $38.00.

Are any of you ladies natural? Were you pleased with the results. My hair is 3a-3c with some 4a in mid top portion of my hair and would like to find an alternative to pressing it. Relaxers scare me. I have a couple of boxes of phyto that I have yet to used, because of the fear factor.

 

[JLove74]

Edie - if you're scared of the Phyto relaxers, send them my way. I aint scurd

 

[atlien11]

Are any of you ladies natural? Were you pleased with the results. My hair is 3a-3c with some 4a in mid top portion of my hair and would like to find an alternative to pressing it. Relaxers scare me. I have a couple of boxes of phyto that I have yet to used, because of the fear factor.

I am not natural. Actually i am relaxed and i use Phyto as well!! Please PLEASE send those un-used boxes my way!!!

 

[sylver2]

I"ve been going to the Dominicans since I got my first relaxer over 15 years now.
I never went to them every single week and wouldn't recommend that.
I only go to get my touchup done and once in a blue moon for a blowout.

 

[Angelicus]

They're the only people that get my hair full of body and movement. I tried to go back to a black stylist and my hair was dull, lifeless, and dry. If I had my choice, I'd go to a dominican salon once every six months.

I personally like men AA stylists better than females. At least he listened to my needs.

 

[akeli]

Hi Ladies,

This is my first post to the board and I have been seeing alot of post regarding Dominican salons. I live on the West Coast (Cali) and I have never heard of them. I will be in Manhattan next month and would like to try the salons? Can you guys recommend a good one that is located somewhere in Manhattan? Also, are the salons open on Sunday? And, do I need to make an appointment? Any help would be appreciated.